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Are the healing powers of the Ganga a matter of blind faith or science? | Indian mythology is replete with stories about the miraculous healing properties of Ganga water, which gave cripples and lepers glimpses of hope, if not in this life, then certainly the next. A report for the Epidemiological Society of London noted that during the late nineteenth century, lepers were thrown into the river in the hope that their bodies, even in death, would be scrupulously cleaned of the contagion. In one of the many legends surrounding the famous weaver, songwriter, and mystic Kabir recorded in the Sikh sacred text of the Adi Granth, Kabirs son Kamal met a man with leprosy about to drown himself in the River Ganga. Kamal asked him to desist from this act. He then took some Ganga water into his palm, blew on it, and sprinkled it on the leper. Within an instant the disease disappeared. The cured man rewarded Kamal handsomely for this miracle. Kabir admonished his son for falling prey to the lure of wealth. Faith in such miraculous powers of Ganga water spread across many distant parts of India. In the legend of King Rai Mandlik of Girnar, Gujarat, a man named Vijnal had leprosy. He was a friend of the king, but he could not bear this state. He became a fugitive, hiding from the king, waiting to die. The king, meanwhile, set off in pursuit. On this journey, while encamped near a small rivulet, the king met a man who was carrying Ganga water from the east. The king had had no time to bathe. Seeing the water-bearer, he grabbed the pitcher and poured the waters over his clothes. When he finally caught up with his friend the leper, he embraced him. And again, without fail, the leprosy disappeared from his body in the blink of an eye. Such stories abound across India, the plot invoking a millennial familiarity. Missionaries found it difficult to dissuade devout Hindus from flocking to crowded pilgrimages, which they saw as corrupt, heathen, and unenlightened. Harold Begbie, in his missionary tracts, expressed his staggering disbelief in the fact that Hindus literally took the Ganga to be clean. They mistakenly believed, he thought, that the Ganga will wash away sin, cure lepers, and carry souls of the dead into Paradise. Begbie argued that this Ganga had nothing to do with the river itself for the devout masses. It was therefore mistaken as the laundry of souls, the hospital for disease, and the channel to Paradise. Hindus regarded their pilgrimage not as a sacrament but as a cure. Begbies puzzlement reinforces my point, that is, that the true supplicants believed that Ganga water was endowed with a potency that could remove both their physical ills and moral failings. The reputation of the purity of Ganga water made it a much-sought after substance in all temple rituals of cleansing and oblation. It is said that at the fabled temple of Somnath constructed by the Solanki Dynasty of Gujarat, the idol of Shiva in the form of the Lord of the Moon if Al Birunis account in the Tarikh al-Hind is to be believed was washed daily with urns of Ganga water brought in from hundreds of miles away. The water of the Ganga was famous for its taste and lasting qualities. When Muhammad ibn-Tughluq decided to move his capital from Delhi to Deogir across the Vindhyas, Ganga water was procured for him every day; it took forty days to bring the water from the valley of the north. Mughal emperor Akbar drank only Ganga water; he did not like the taste of well water. Akbar extolled the purity and taste of Ganga water, calling it the source of life (ab-i-hayat). At home and during his many travels and campaigns, Akbar had Ganga water delivered sealed in jars from Saran, the city on the Ganga nearest to Agra, his capital. Only the most trustworthy retainers were sent to procure Ganga water from the banks of the river. European trading companies that frequented the Indian Ocean littoral through the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries valued the taste and purity of Ganga water. Joannes de Laet, director of the Dutch East India Company, in his description of India during the reign of Jahangir extolled the virtue of Ganga water as a most pleasant staple. English traders of the early East India Company found that Ganga water lasted for over a month during the transcontinental voyage, whereas water from near the docks in the home country spoiled in a matter of days. Sir Edmund Hillary, the conqueror of Mount Everest and indefatigable traveler, recounting the long history of Ganga water used for overseas travel, marvelled at the fact that it keeps fresh and unspoiled indefinitely in its container, whereas water from any other river becomes tainted and unpleasant. European inhabitants of Calcutta built reservoirs to store waters from the river all year around. In the late nineteenth century, British scientists and hydrologists became intrigued by the fact that Ganga water did not go bad, even after long periods of storage, contrary to the water of other rivers in which a mounting lack of oxygen quickly promoted the growth of anaerobic bacteria. In 1896, the British physician E Hanbury Hankin wrote in the French journal Annales de lInstitut Pasteur that cholera microbes that had a life of forty-eight hours in distilled water died within three hours in Ganga water. Dr Hankin, a government analyst of the United Provinces of British India posted in Agra, had become interested in the Hindu custom of depositing their dead in the river. Fearing reprisal from devout Hindus, the British government found it impracticable to interfere with such unsalutary practice, even during the frequent epidemics of cholera, plague, and other diseases. Hankin was able to secure corpses of cholera victims in the river and isolated samples of Ganga water with a large concentration of the bacillus E coli. Much to his astonishment, he found that after six hours the microbes had completely disappeared. Hankin concluded that the water of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers in India was energetically bactericidal in general and particularly destructive of the cholera vibrio. Hankin attributed this to volatile acids present in the water, but the Frenchman Felix dHerelle suggested that the disinfection was probably due to the presence of a bacteriophage. Another British physician, CE Nelson, observed that Ganga water taken from the Hugli in Calcutta, one of its filthiest mouths, by ships travelling back to England remained fresh throughout the voyage. DHerelle was amazed to find that only a few feet below the corpses of people who had died of dysentery and cholera that were floating in the Ganga, the waters were free of any form of contagion. Water analysts, soil chemists, and environmental scientists are still debating whether Ganga water can destroy E coli and other harmful bacteria. Many reasons are given for this potential. Some scientists have pointed out the effect of long exposure of the water surface to ultraviolet radiation. One plausible explanation, studied in great detail by the eminent Indian hydrologist Devendra Bhargava, is that the Ganga has chemical and biological properties that help the river rapidly absorb prodigious quantities of organic waste. It seems to be able to reoxygenate itself almost miraculously. Author Julian Hollick, who has pursued this question with many Indian scientists, is convinced that the purifying qualities of the Ganga are due to the large concentration of the bacteriophage virus that is present in superabundance by the mud banks of the river and in shallow pools, and the virus is activated as soon as bacterial concentration reaches a certain threshold. The bacteria-killing properties of the phage virus have been scientifically proven. However, exactly how the virus is related to the decontamination of Ganga water is a matter that has not been settled among researchers. There is still no clear explanation of the fact that festivals such as the Kumbh and Kartik Purnima, in which more than sixteen million people indulge in communal bathing on the Ganga, have seldom resulted in a pandemic or widespread outbreak. The Sankat Mochan Foundation laboratories in Varanasi report E coli levels at a level exponentially higher than that considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). And yet again, bacteria seem to disappear after such major concentration in a matter of hours and not days. Excerpted with permission from Ganga: The Many Pasts Of A River, Sudipta Sen, Penguin Books. | https://scroll.in/article/909684/are-the-healing-powers-of-the-ganga-a-matter-of-blind-faith-or-science |
Could a meme be helping facial recognition software? | The Marketplace logo in 2009 and 2019. - Marketplace Listen To The Story Marketplace Embed Code <iframe src="https://www.marketplace.org/2019/01/17/tech/could-meme-be-helping-facial-recognition-software/popout" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="240px"></iframe> The 10-Year Challenge is the latest meme to go viral on social media. It features two photos, taken 10 years apart, that show how much someone has aged. Technology writer Kate ONeill took note when she saw the meme get popular. But instead of uploading two photos, she couldn't help but wonder if the trend could be contributing to the development of facial recognition software. ONeill wrote about it for Wired, and spoke with Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal about the data that could be mined from the 10-Year Challenge. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation. Kai Ryssdal: You chose not to participate in the 10 Year Challenge. Kate ONeill: Or you could say I participated in my own way. ONeill: Yeah. So I was looking at this trend and people sharing their pictures from 10 years ago and now and, you know, recognized it as an opportunity that data researchers and data collectors, let's say, could gather all these contributions. And it could feasibly be used for something like facial recognition training for age progression. And I did not expect it to be quite so, I don't know, interestingly received. Ryssdal: So let me lay out a couple of things here. First of all, as you point out in this piece, there are a gazillion pictures out there. ONeill: Right. Everybody has a bunch of profile pictures for the most part, and I think most people would think, well, they are all out there, and for the most part they're chronologically sequenced. So that's just available anyway. This is curated photos that you're specifically saying, "this was 2008, this is 2018," or something along those lines. And you're selecting them for the purposes of, you know, saying that these are representative of you, or at least representative the aspirational you. The other information that is attached to those images, like the creation date, any kind of modification date, that data would not necessarily be there once that had been uploaded and moved across platforms. Sometimes that's scraped by platforms in the interest of privacy, ironically. Ryssdal: Let us pause for a moment here though to check in with Facebook. You called them, or you got a statement from them. ONeill: Well, in no way did I ever mean to suggest that this was directly started by Facebook. It was all just a speculative, sort of hypothetical, meaning the picture is larger than Facebook, in fact. What we're talking about is there's an overall trend that the more people participate on social media in these kinds of games and memes, the more opportunity there is for hackers or any kind of, you know, untoward agent to gather this information and use it in ways that it's not intended for. Ryssdal: Your final point, your concluding point in this piece is, "Look, if we want corporate America and those gatherers out there of big data, of which this face recognition meme is one, this 10-years meme is one, if we want them to respect it, we have to respect our own data, to be smart about it. ONeill: That's the challenge here is that we have to be responsible for safeguarding our own data and our own privacy. So how we look at things like the 10-Year Challenge, which could be perfectly innocuous in reality, but it's indicative of a larger pattern of memes and games like this that ask for participation in a particular way, and that's the kind of thing that I think we need to be a little bit cautious about going forward. I think the best compliment I can give is not to say how much your programs have taught me (a ton), but how much Marketplace has motivated me to go out and teach myself. Michael in Arlington, VA As a nonprofit news organization, what matters to us is the same thing that matters to you: being a source for trustworthy, independent news that makes people smarter about business and the economy. So if Marketplace has helped you understand the economy better, make more informed financial decisions or just encouraged you to think differently, were asking you to give a little something back. Become a Marketplace Investor today in whatever amount is right for you and keep public service journalism strong. Were grateful for your support. BEFORE YOU GO | https://www.marketplace.org/2019/01/17/tech/could-meme-be-helping-facial-recognition-software |
What traits does John DeFilippo look for in a QB? | Jacksonville Jaguars VP of football operations Tom Coughlin will have the final say in the teams upcoming decision to acquire a new starting signal-caller, whether that is through the draft or free agency. However, the argument could be made that the analysis of new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo should be heavily considered, too and when looking at his track record with quarterbacks, it wouldnt surprise many people if it eventually is. After being named offensive coordinator Wednesday, a question weve seen frequently about DeFilippo is what will he look for in a quarterback. After a little research, it appears we may have found an answer. In an interview with the Twin Cities Pioneer Press last season while with the Minnesota Vikings, DeFilippo discussed the traits he found most favorable in a quarterback. Of course, he began with the necessities like character and the natural ability to be a leader, but there were three traits he mentioned on the field that he was very thorough about. If theyre high interception percentage guys in college, what makes you think theyre going to get any better in the pros? said DeFilippo. Likewise with completion percentage. If a guy doesnt know where his check downs are in college, hes not going to be able to check the ball down in the pros. So those are the three things to me, when youre evaluating quarterbacks, on top of character: decision-making, timing and accuracy. DeFilippo added that he values athleticism, too, and when looking at how fast defensive lineman are becoming in the NFL, its easy to see why. Im not a big believer in quarterbacks that are a stick in the mud back there, theyre in cement back there at 7 yards deep, he said. Our quarterbacks are going to have to show some form of athleticism, yes. Regardless of where the Jags look, its going to be hard to find a player who possesses all of the traits mentioned, but that does give fans a good idea of some of the key things hell want to find in the Jags search. It goes without saying that Jaguars fans would definitely agree on the importance of accuracy and decision-making traits after enduring the struggles of Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortles. As for the Jags options, it would take a much longer post to go down the list of who fits the mold of DeFilippos description, so well save that for a series of offseason posts. That said, expect loads of content from us on the pending free agent and NFL prospect that will be available at the position starting with the Senior Bowl beginning next week. Sign up for the Jaguars Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning An error has occured Please re-enter your email address. Thanks for signing up! You'll now receive the top Jaguars Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. | https://jaguarswire.usatoday.com/2019/01/17/what-traits-does-john-defilippo-look-for-in-a-qb/ |
What Happened to Alara on The Orville? | If you missed last weeks episode and youre just now tuning back in to watch The Orville then you might be a little confused to see that Alaras not around, and someone else is working as the Chief of Security. Heres a quick plot refresher. Last week, in the episode Home, Lt. Alara Kitan learned that she was suffering from severe bone density and muscle mass loss because of the change in gravity. Earth-level gravity (which the Orville has) is much lighter than the gravity on her home world of Xelaya. So as a result, shes getting weaker and weaker. She had to return home in order to acclimatize herself to the gravity again. But when she first got home, the gravity was so tough on her that she couldnt even stand on her own without help. Being back home brought a lot of tension, since she left at odds with her family. Her parents considered her intellectually disabled and were disappointed when she joined the Orville crew. Her sister, meanwhile, said she had always been proud of her. Alara gains back just enough strength to save her family from an attack from someone who was mad about her dads work as a scientist. After all the craziness and barely escaping alive, her dad finally found the value in his daughter. He cried and tearfully asked for her forgiveness. Alara didnt have to leave the Orville crew. They figured out a way to slowly give her back her lost bone density and muscle mass while she could keep her job. The only catch was the treatment would be very painful. Alara, however, had just found peace and a new relationship with her family. She decided to leave the crew and stay on her homeworld so she could grow close to her family again. Behind the scenes, Fox confirmed that last week was Halston Sages last episode as Alara and a series regular on the show. However, the door is still open for her return and Fox did not provide a reason for her departure, ComicBook.com reported. Some have speculated that she had to leave because the movie The Last Summer was filming at the same time as The Orville and she couldnt do both. (Shes starring in the movie alongside K.J. Apa, who plays Archie on Riverdale.) In real life, Halston Sage is happy and has been posting photos on Instagram, showing her spending time on a beach and loving life. David A. Goodman, Brannon Braga, and Jon Cassar were asked point blank in Comic Con 2018 if Halston Sage was still on the show and if Jessica Szohr was possibly taking her place. See their reaction below, starting at 8:39: Their answers werent conclusive. I think thats really a question for Seth I think youre going to be interested in seeing what we do for both of those characters. And I dont want to spoil it. Its unexpected. What happens with those two characters is unexpected and I dont want to ruin it. This is a very important piece of our storytelling If you tell too much, the audience experience can really be ruined. Theres a big surprise this season. Maybe the surprise was Alara leaving, but maybe theres more to come. | https://heavy.com/entertainment/2019/01/what-happened-to-alara-on-the-orville/ |
What Does Jalen Hurts Transferring To Oklahoma Mean For College Football? | Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts transferring to Oklahoma is going to have a massive impact on the world of college football. The Sooners just lost Kyler Murray to the NFL draft or the MLB, and Austin Kendall is also out the door. Obviously, that means Oklahoma was going to be in the market for a new QB in order to stay at the top. Enter Jalen Hurts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jalen Hurts (@thefuture_____2) on Nov 24, 2018 at 6:17pm PST The impact Hurts has on college football for the Sooners next season is very simple. It immediately makes Oklahoma a national title contender. The Sooners will once again be expected to dominate the Big 12 with him under center. (RELATED: Jalen Hurts Transfers To Oklahoma) That feeling must be nice for fans of the program. No, but he is a stronger runner than both of them. Mayfield and Murray both absolutely dominated for Oklahoma. Im not sure you can expect the exact same results from Hurts, but they dont need the same results. The former Crimson Tide quarterback just needs to be solid and the Sooners are going to dominate. Fans of Oklahoma around the world should be very happy right now because Hurts will likely tear it up, and Oklahoma should shred the vast majority of their opponents with the electric QB under center. | https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/17/jalen-hurts-transfer-oklahoma-preview/ |
Should Zion Williamson shut it down? | Twitter Facebook Google+ WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Email Scottie Pippen is getting credit for igniting a national debate over the near-future of Duke basketball phenom Zion Williamson. Pippen suggested this week that Williamson, a freshman expected to be the top pick in the June NBA draft, should shut himself down, at the risk of suffering an injury that would diminish his draft stock, and his NBA prospects. Nobody outside of our dedicated podcast listeners can vouch for this, but Ill tell you that my colleague Scott German has been making this case for several weeks, about Williamson and his teammates R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish, also freshmen, also projected lottery picks in the June NBA draft. Each time Scott has brought this up during a discussion of Duke basketball on the podcast, Ive responded dismissively, writing off the observation because Scott is a well-known Duke hater, and assuming that the only reason Scott is bringing the topic up is, essentially, wishful thinking. I feel bad for saying now that Im willing to look at the pros and cons of the idea only because its Scottie Pippen bringing it up, and not my podcast buddy Scott, in part because its the second time this week Ive had to say, OK, Scott, you were right, I was wrong. (He had UVA blowing out Virginia Tech Tuesday night; I had that game being a one-possession nailbiter.) Hes averaging 21.2 points per game on 66.2 percent shooting. Hes shooting 73.9 percent on two-point shots. Hes also the teams best defender, per sports-reference.com, and the second-best defender in the ACC. At 67, 285, Williamson is a physical anomaly, with the size of an NFL defensive tackle, the speed of a defensive end, and the leaping ability of a wide receiver. There are holes in his game, if its OK for me to say so. Looking at him at the next level, he projects right now as a smallish four, height-wise. He doesnt have the ball-handling and dribble-drive ability to play the three, not yet. He can make the three, but his shooting stroke from the perimeter is still pretty pedestrian, basically a set shot that takes forever to wind up and get out. People keep saying, Charles Barkley, as a comparison point. Im thinking more, Zach Randolph or Carlos Boozer, which, before you start the GoFundMe to pay a guy to stand outside my house singing the UMBC fight song non-stop Randolph averaged 16.6 points a game in a 17-year NBA career, and Boozer averaged 16.2 points a game in 13 NBA seasons. For those who listen to and read me regularly, you know that Im not prone to hyperbole, so, comparing a kid to a Hall of Famer, not going to happen here. Barkley, for what its worth, put up 22.1 points a game in 16 NBA seasons. Ill concede that Williamson is somewhere in there, between Randolph, Boozer and Barkley, probably a lot closer to Barkley, but again, hyperbole. None of what the kid needs to work on to get there is going to get better between now and the first Monday in April. It wont even necessarily get fixed between April and summer league, between summer league and the start of NBA camp in September. It might take an NBA offseason or two before you see Williamson become the Williamson that he will eventually be. This season, hell play Virginia twice, Carolina twice. Its safe to assume that hell play in at least a few big-time games in March, maybe one or two in April. I cant think of any games in which Williamson will face anybody who will come close to his package of size and athleticism. ESPN loves telling you how many dunks he has at any given point in time in a season, but this isnt a good thing for him skills-development-wise. Hes basically the big kid for his age dominating a YMCA rec-league game. He needs to play better competition so he can get better himself. The cons: Its crazy to suggest he shut it down OK, for starters, hes not going to shut it down, whether Scottie Pippen, Scott German or Scott Boras suggests it. Im not buying the idea that he somehow hurts his draft stock if he does shut down. We all already know what he brings to the table for whoever has the first pick, and we can project out what he will be in Year 2, Year 3 and beyond based on what weve seen. Im also not buying that hes not going to shut down because he has so much to learn from Coach K between now and April. All due respect to Coach K, but Zion Williamson isnt a development project. When you have the privilege of having a talent like Zion Williamson for one year on his way between high school and the NBA, your main job is to not screw him up. The most important thing Krzyzewski can do is not overuse Williamson, and, credit there: Williamson is averaging 26.8 minutes per game, though he did go 44 in the overtime loss to Syracuse on Monday, which, if that kind of thing happens again, might be the basis for a claim of malpractice. Freak injuries happen, as Duke fans saw when freshman point guard Tre Jones went down early in the Syracuse loss with a shoulder injury that happened on a hustle play on a loose ball. Injuries are more likely to happen when guys are fatigued, and Williamson, being a bigger guy, you have to watch that for him, is what Id say here. Krzyzewski knows this. He wont be the coach who broke Zion Williamson. And Zion Williamson isnt going to be the kid who breaks Coach K. The Williamsons and R.J. Barretts and Cam Reddishes of the world want to spend their NBA-mandated year between high school and college with Coach K because it looks good on the resume. Its like a kid who wants to work in finance doing a summer interning with Goldman Sachs, an aspiring politico schlepping a semester on Capitol Hill. Williamson was already at worst a top five NBA draft pick when he committed to Duke. He didnt go to Duke to learn how Mike Krzyzewski thinks you should defend the pick-and-roll. He went there to win a championship. Zion Williamson scoring 21 points on 66 percent shooting playing top-of-the-line defense is the best bet for this Duke team to win a championship. And he knows it. You knew this before you clicked on the story, but, yes, its a non-story. Column by Chris Graham Related News From Around the Web Shop Google | https://augustafreepress.com/should-zion-williamson-shut-it-down/ |
Will bobcats show up in Delaware County? | The bobcat, Lynx rufus, is one of the seven species of wild cats that inhabit North America, and it is probably also one of the most well-known. Bobcats were once common across Ohio and the Midwest, but populations declined following the settlement and resulting land-use change that began in the 1700s. The clearing of woods and draining of swamps and other lowland areas that were the bobcats main habitat led to local extinction, called extirpation, from the state by 1850. Now, it appears as if the wild cat is making a return to our state. Bobcats are generally about twice as large as an average house cat, though size can vary widely across their range. They have short dense fur in shades of gray, brown, and tan, with black coloring on the backs of their ears and covering the tail. Darker markings across their pelt help them blend into vegetation while hunting. Rabbits and other small rodents make up the majority of their diet, but the felines will also consume insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and even smaller deer or domestic animals. Lynx rufus is a crepuscular species, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk hours. Unlike the non-native coyote that hunts similar prey, bobcats are solitary animals that generally live and hunt alone. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), there have been 2,025 verified reports of bobcats in Ohio from 1970 through 2017. From that total, 499 of those sightings occurred in 2017. Verified reports require positive identification of the animal in question through incidental trapping, discovery of diseased individuals, recordings on trail cameras, or documentation from a field expert such as ODNR staff. Reports have been documented in 71 out of 88 of Ohios counties since 1970. Delaware County had indeed had verified sightings, though there was only one documented case in 2017. If you have a sighting of a bobcat or other wild animal of note, you can log on to ODNRs website to report it at https://apps.ohiodnr.gov/wildlife/speciessighting/. Unfortunately, verified sightings alone are not able to give researchers the whole picture on present population numbers and distribution. Modern historical population data came mostly from deceased individuals, usually found as roadkill. Trail camera documentation began to provide a larger share of the data in 2006, becoming the primary source of sightings starting in 2008. While the overall number of sightings have increased dramatically, ODNR researchers caution that this could be due to the increasing use and reduced cost of trail cameras and not necessarily a reflection of a rapidly growing bobcat population. In some Midwest states, such as Wisconsin, bobcat numbers have rebounded high enough that hunting and trapping are allowed. The same cannot be said for Ohio, as the state Wildlife Council voted 6-1 in May 2018 to indefinitely postpone creating a proposed bobcat season. One reason cited by opponents of the proposal was that bobcats were only recently removed from the list of Ohio endangered and threatened species in 2014. While Id encourage you to keep your eyes peeled, your best bet at seeing a bobcat in Delaware County in the next couple years might be to visit the resident felines at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! Visit Delaware Soil & Water Conservation Districts website at www.delawareswcd.org to learn more about conservation. https://www.sunburynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2019/01/web1_DELAWARE-SWCD-LOGO-copy-1.jpg By Rebecca Longsmith Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District Rebecca Longsmith is a resource conservationist with the Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District. For information, go to www.delawareswcd.org. Rebecca Longsmith is a resource conservationist with the Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District. For information, go to www.delawareswcd.org. | https://www.sunburynews.com/opinion/24446/will-bobcats-show-up-in-delaware-county |
Is EU competition law outdated in the age of China? | This is the debate in Brussels as the powerful European commission seems set to veto a blockbuster merger of the train-making businesses of Siemens and Alstom. Advertisement The tie-up, announced in 2017, was billed as the birth of an all-too-rare European industrial champion - a "Railbus" to match Airbus, Europe's aviation giant that competes toe-to-toe with US-rival Boeing. "Do we want ... the single market to become a supermarket for all the major powers, China and the United States," thundered Bruno Le Maire on Monday. "Or do we want Europe to be powerful and sovereign?" demanded the French finance minister, who has led an impassioned campaign to defend the tie-up. A view echoed in Berlin, which has also lobbied - if less ardently - for the deal. Advertisement Advertisement "We need more European champions to stand up to Chinese and American competition," Peter Altmaier, Le Maire's counterpart, told the German daily Handelsblatt on Friday. But the road to building a juggernaut is blocked by a formidable obstacle: EU competition law and Margrethe Vestager, the steely European commissioner whose job is to enforce it. Since 2014, Vestager has grabbed headlines, facing down the world's most powerful companies, including iPhone maker Apple, which she ordered to pay 14 billion euros (US$15.9 billion) in back taxes to Ireland. A former Danish minister, Vestager has been celebrated as a hero for thwarting Silicon Valley, but the unexpected turn of the screws on big plans for Europe has come as a shock in Paris and Berlin. sentifi.com Channel NewsAsia - Sentifi topic widget In a 25-page manifesto published last week, the powerful German Industry Federation (BDI) demanded a rethink of European competition law in order to get tough on the Chinese superpower where multinationals are deeply enmeshed with Communist party power. "While in China, large groups are created through state intervention, EU competition authorities only look at the European internal market as a relevant market for European mergers," it wrote. Underlined, in tacit reference to the near-doomed merger, was "the example of the Chinese railway giant CRRC, born from the merger of two state-owned companies". Vestager does not dispute the need to create European champions, just not in defiance of established rules. In a highly exceptional move, the issue was discussed earlier this week by the EU's 28 commissioners, whose role in antitrust cases is to rubber-stamp what has been decided by Vestager and her teams. Vestager did not deny to her counterparts the need to "face the clear risks of Chinese competition", according to her preparatory note for the meeting, a copy of which was obtained by AFP. But she also defended existing competition law that "encourages good European champions". "To be competitive abroad requires competition at home," she said. According to French Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, the discussion was "frank and open", a diplomatic euphemism for a row. "We are not naive," the former French finance minister said after the meeting. "The Commission's thinking as a whole is not obsolete, we want to take into account the evolution of tomorrow's economy," he said. Last year the Europeans agreed on a framework for tracking foreign investment in the EU, to address the concerns of the largest member states about acquisitions, mainly Chinese, in strategic sectors. Nevertheless, there are two opposing visions of competition law in Europe. DEFENDING "MADE IN EUROPE" The first, of liberal-free market inspiration, wants strict enforcement of the rules regardless of political or strategic considerations. Breaking the rules "would weaken our credibility without solving the underlying challenges", said an editorial in the Financial Times, praising the Danish Commissioner's intransigence. Another camp would like more flexibility in the rules to preserve and promote the "made in Europe", as argued in an editorial in last Monday's Le Monde newspaper titled: "Save the European factory". According to a merger lawyer in Brussels, who asked to remain anonymous, "European rules are not as restrictive as that, but some lawyers in the commission are very young and tend to be extremely zealous in handling cases to cover themselves". The Commission, on the other hand, warns against too much flexibility. "Our aim is to protect fair competition in the EU. Not doing so could also turn against Europeans," a senior official recently noted, pointing out that Brussels was also responsible for controlling the effects of US mergers on European soil. The prohibition of a merger by Brussels is extremely rare: in ten years, it has blocked seven mergers and authorised more than 3,000. | https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/is-eu-competition-law-outdated-in-the-age-of-china--11138624?cid=cna_flip_070214 |
Is Technology the Key to Increased Productivity within Mobile Workforces? | Image Source Being a mobile worker means leaving the office behind and getting stuck into work at a more convenient location. It offers employees more flexibility and an improved work-life balance, helping to step up productivity. As well as improving productivity, flexible working gives those in remote locations the chance to explore different career paths as they no longer have to head into the office. With an increase of people expecting such flexibility, technology is has begun focusing on essential factors such as transportability and instant communication. Although its important that all businesses keep up with technology to get the most out of their staff, sourcing sleek portable tech is a particularly vital part of running a productive mobile workforce. Mobile working, in general, has the potential to boost staff productivity, offering them the ability to juggle personal responsibilities with their career to ensure their engagement doesnt drop. In fact, Workplace Trends found that 63% of employees who worked remotely had better levels of productivity and an improved work-life balance compared to others who work in offices. While 62% were concerned that other employees didnt think they were working as hard, they believed that collaborative technology and clear policies would clear up this issue. Investing in such technology can only increase the improved level of productivity this type of work brings to the table. A focus on improved technology for mobile working has resulted in apps that give staff everything they need to get the job done efficiently. With dynamic scheduling, business dashboards and the ability to track tasks at the touch of a button, staff no longer need to be at a desk to finish their work. Management apps help with productivity as workers wont need to chase their managers when they need information about the task at hand, nor do managers have to worry about how much work is being done. If your mobile workforce needs a bigger device to use alongside their smartphone, a tablet is a perfect choice. Technology is now smaller and more portable than ever but, as The State Press describes, it continues to grow in terms of innovation due to the production of nanotechnology. Tablets are a great example; remarkably portable and easy to use from any location, they can do pretty much anything a laptop can do. By offering a mobile workforce the essential programs they need in a sleek format, they can be confident in how to go about their tasks and collaborate with the rest of the team. It may be tempting to present lots of new tech with the hope of instantly increasing productivity, but there are other areas you must focus on to do so successfully. A study by Gallup linked low employee engagement with a decrease in productivity which could result in reduced profits. Technology clearly plays a huge role in how well a mobile workforce can complete a job, but its equally as important to keep employees happy. Ensure they are immersed in company culture despite being away from the desk with daily communication, regular incentives and positive feedback. Working for a company that appreciates them and rewards hard work will encourage loyalty, which typically has a big effect on productivity levels. | https://thefutureofthings.com/12797-is-technology-the-key-to-increased-productivity-within-mobile-workforces/ |
What should investors do with the HUL stock after in-line Q3 performance? | Hindustan Unilevers Q3 performance was largely in line with estimates, but volume growth has been commendable, analysts at multiple brokerages said in their research notes. Jefferies, in fact, has hiked its target price on the stock from Rs 1,650 to Rs 1,770. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) reported a growth of 9 percent (year-on-year) in its net profit for the December quarter. The profit for third quarter has come in at Rs 1,444 crore against last year's Rs 1,326 crore. The company posted revenue of Rs 9,558 crore during the quarter under review. It rose 11 percent compared to its previous year's revenue of Rs 8,590 crore. The FMCG major reported a volume growth of 10 percent, which exceeded Street expectations Brokerage: CLSA | Rating: Maintain Outperform | Target: Rs 2,010 CLSA believes that for the companys size, to grow volumes at 10% is commendable. Further, it observed that the commentary was positive as demand conditions were stable. Execution remains the companys key advantage, it said. Strong execution should help the company grow earnings at 15%+ going forward. Brokerage: Macquarie | Rating: Outperform | Target: Rs 2,059 Macquarie said that it likes the companys focus on driving penetration, leading to volume growth. Q3FY19 adjusted PAT was broadly in-line with our estimates, analysts at the firm wrote in their report. Consensus continues to upgrade, we are 4-7% ahead for FY18-21, they further noted. The company remains a top pick in the sector and a high conviction marquee idea. Brokerage: Credit Suisse | Rating: Maintain neutral | Target: Rs 1,900 Credit Suisse said that the quarter was a steady one, but growth could slow down in the future. Volume growth was healthy at 10% & revenue growth at 13%, it observed. Its the last quarter of YoY tailwinds from November 2017 GST rate cuts. Steep valuations & high earnings expectations leave no room for upside, it observed. Brokerage: Morgan Stanley The global research firm said that strong volume growth trajectory continues and the underlying operating margin as in line with estimates. Key negative was flat margin in the home care business. Brokerage: Jefferies | Rating: Hold | Target: Raised to Rs 1,770 from Rs 1,650 Jefferies said that Q3 results came largely in-line with estimates and that lower pricing led to 12.4% YoY net sales growth. It also said that sales and margin estimates have left no room for upgrades, it added. Valuation makes risk-reward unattractive. The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. | https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/what-should-investors-do-with-the-hul-stock-after-in-line-q3-performance-3406011.html |
Has the lower 48 ever registered a high temperature less than 70 degrees? | Dear Tom, I noticed the nations highest temperature was just 72 degrees in Miami on Tuesday. Adrian Demus Dear Adrian, The answer is yes, but it is a rare event. We checked the National Weather Service archive of national extremes, which date back to November 2011, and found nothing lower than 72. We contacted University of Wisconsin at Green Bay geoscience Professor Emeritus Steven Dutch, who cataloged the USA Today national temperature extremes from 1995-2006, and he provided the following: During a Christmas cold snap from Dec. 22-24, 1995, there were eight sub-70-degree national highs, the lowest being 66 degrees in Parker, Ariz., and several California locations including Coronado, Thermal, National City and Monterey. | https://wgntv.com/2019/01/17/has-the-lower-48-ever-registered-a-high-temperature-less-than-70-degrees/ |
How hard can it be to find the perfect church? | VOL. 43 | NO. 3 | Friday, January 18, 2019 Church shopping sounds slightly off-putting. So, I prefer to think of my current repatriated Nashvillian process as spiritual home seeking. I began with certain parameters, based on geography and beliefs. Google Maps advises there are four churches within a seven-minute walk of my downtown apartment, the closest just five minutes away. I like the notion of walking to church. It has a folksy Andy Griffith Show vibe, with people holding Bibles stopping to gab out front and offering Good Sabbath greetings. The problem with those nearby four churches, however, is that they are of the wrong brand, so to speak. And in this case, brand loyalty trumps convenience. I have no bone to pick with denominations other than mine, just as I have none with people who drink buttermilk or listen to jazz. You just wont find me following their lead. The church search puts me in the same boat as Nashvilles almost 100 other newcomers a day, as the Census Bureau estimates. Or, at least, the same boat as whatever portion of those almost 100 are fellow members of the faith community. Maybe not. The churches of growing metropolitan areas like Nashville and surrounding counties have benefited from growth, but not always in the direct ways existing congregations might hope, says Professor James Hudnut-Beumler of Vanderbilt Divinity School. Hudnut-Beumler, the author of Strangers and Friends at the Welcome Table, a study of Christianity in the contemporary South, says some newcomers do join existing churches. Yet in newer neighborhoods in outlying areas and in the citys younger and hipper core, new churches start to spring up hoping to minister to the new populations. This can make some older congregations feel a bit passed by. Passed by is precisely what Ive done to those nearby churches. Fortunately, the city offers a broad range of denominations. Nashville is notably diverse as a Southern city of Christian church options, Hudnut-Beumler adds, insofar as it has a representative percentage of Catholic, evangelical, Pentecostal and black churches and a greater than average number of mainline Protestant congregations. The Church Angel website shows there are more than 30 denominations here, including some for which the distinction eludes me, like Church of God, Church of Christ and Church of God in Christ. Plus, United Church of Christ. And plain old Christian. The front runner by far is Baptist, with 157, followed by Methodist with 65 and African Methodist Episcopal with 48. My preferred flavor is credited with 14 outlets, just edging Catholics, with 12. What Nashville is not, somewhat surprisingly to me, is particularly churched. Chattanooga, for instance, routinely finishes at the top of such national rankings, most recently tallying 59 percent of residents as regular churchgoers, a survey by the Barna Group polling firm reveals. Nashville didnt finish in the Top 20. Hudnut-Beumler attributes that at least partly to the age of the population. Like Atlanta before it, the new Nashville is a little too demographically younger and more recently established in town to compare with the Souths most-churched cities, he says, to say nothing of its small towns, where religion is the center of community life. I obviously dont contribute to any youthful demographic. And at my age, Ive become pretty set in my ways. For instance, I very much prefer the spoken worship service offered by my denomination, absent hymns. Its a slightly more streamlined experience that my wife calls Get your God and go. And thats largely what has me in the church market now. The church I attended here in the 1990s changed in various ways during my absence, including no longer offering the hymnless option. So, Im a wanderer. Another complication is that, though Im downtown now, that may not last. The Rogers humans and cats are in the market for a new, forever home. And I can tell you that, compared with navigating Nashvilles shark-infested real estate market, finding a church is a walk on the beach. Joe Rogers is a former writer for The Tennessean and editor for The New York Times. He is retired and living in Nashville. He can be reached at [email protected] | http://www.tnledger.com/editorial/article.aspx?id=113719 |
Will modernized texts replace ArtScroll prayer books in Orthodox synagogues? | NEW YORK (JTA) For decades, one name dominated the bookshelves and pews of American Orthodox synagogues: ArtScroll. The Brooklyn-based publisher of Jewish books put out the most widely used Orthodox prayer book, or siddur, as well as a popular text and translation of the Torah, or chumash. But that dominance appears to be fading. Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up In 2009, Koren Publishers Jerusalem, an Israeli label, published a competing Hebrew-English prayer book with commentary by Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of the United Kingdom. Now another prayer book has entered the fray. Since the 1980s, the Rabbinical Council of America, the umbrella group for Orthodox rabbis, had put its seal of approval on a version of the ArtScroll prayerbook. But the RCA has ended that partnership and in October released its own prayer book, called Siddur Avodat Halev, published through Koren. The printing of the ArtScroll-RCA siddur will mostly end. Koren also just released a new chumash, or Torah book, in September, with a translation and commentary based on the teachings of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, a leading Jewish scholar who also has translated the entire Talmud from Aramaic to Hebrew. The chumash, like ArtScrolls, is meant for use in synagogues on Shabbat. The new prayer and Torah books, published independently of each other, reflect a shift in the priorities and profile of todays American Jewish Orthodox community, their creators say. ArtScroll revolutionized Jewish books by providing an accessible translation of prayers and clear instructions on Jewish ritual. The new books also try to do that, but also have many more prayers and other content focused on the State of Israel and Zionism. The new RCA siddur also has broken barriers by including more prayers geared toward women than either the ArtScroll or Koren-Sacks prayer books. In Hebrew, nearly all the words are gendered, and in Orthodox Judaism, men traditionally lead major prayers. The new siddur aims to be inclusive by printing prayers in the two genders, as well as by adding specific prayers to be recited by women. Its not just about embracing Israel, Yehudit Singer, Korens marketing manager, wrote JTA in an email. There are big ideological differences that manifest in a variety of ways. Its different and people appreciate having the opportunity to choose between high-quality prayer books depending on their worldview. When it was first printed in 1984, ArtScrolls siddur was itself revolutionary as a user-friendly and cleanly laid-out alternative to stodgier prayer books. But its language is geared toward men using the word he at times in explaining how to pray, including only masculine language for some personal prayers and without any ceremony for a bat mitzvah or the birth of a baby girl. It also includes no prayers for or about the State of Israel, in deference to more traditionalist Orthodox Jews whose attitudes toward Zionism vary. (The RCA edition of the same prayer book, released soon afterward, does include traditional prayers for the state as well as the Israel Defense Forces.) But the RCA wanted more than that when composing Avodat Halev (Hebrew for Worship of the Heart), so the three-decade relationship ended. There was a mutual agreement that this was not the usual ArtScroll type of fare, said Rabbi Basil Herring, the editor of the new RCA prayer book and a former executive vice president of the RCA. ArtScroll caters or projects itself as being very loyal to tradition and the haredi community. It would never encroach in those areas outside of what the haredi community would embrace. Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz, ArtScrolls president, said his publishing house continues to put out new editions of the chumash, including one with corresponding teachings of the Talmud and another that focuses on a traditional Aramaic translation. He said that ArtScroll does not plan to focus immediately on the womens prayer experience because it released a womens prayer book in 2005. That book does not denote ways that women can lead prayers and omits prayers that women are not obligated to say under traditional Jewish law. The RCA went with their own siddur and we wish them a lot of hatzlacha, Zlotowitz said, using the Hebrew word for success. We feel we did a wonderful womens siddur. We feel its very well received. It helps people. It gives women very clear direction. Theres no reason to do something over and to spend a lot of time and effort if we can spend time and effort opening up Torah to Jews around the world. More than any previous major Orthodox prayer book, the new RCA versions language includes women in the prayer experience. It provides feminine alternatives in Hebrew to the masculine texts, makes more of the instructions gender-neutral, and includes prayers for a bat mitzvah and a ceremony for the birth of a girl. It is also the only major Orthodox prayer book to include a Birkat Hamazon, or grace after meals, led by women. Traditionally, in Orthodox settings, only men would lead Birkat Hamazon, but Herring explained that Jewish law provides the option for women to lead the prayer in certain circumstances. Still, the prayer book is not gender-egalitarian: Orthodox Judaism maintains that daily prayers must be led by men, and language about leading those prayers uses the word he. Our community should recognize and has recognized that women today are getting an advanced Jewish education, much more so than in previous ages, Herring said. Women are rightfully demanding that they take their place in the synagogue and Jewish communal life. Therefore this siddur seeks to be sensitive to womens prayer experiences, to encourage women to pray on a regular basis in the synagogue or at home. Rabbanit Leah Sarna, one of a growing number of Orthodox women clergy, said the new RCA prayer books inclusion of women is awesome and that the Chicago synagogue where she works, Anshe Sholom Bnai Israel, may order it for use by the congregation. But Sarna adds that the book could have done more to highlight women. Of the 18 essays in the back of the book, 17 are by men. Ive never seen the pronoun one used more in a document, said Sarna, her congregations director of religious engagement. Im sure that took a lot of work to make that happen, and its very much appreciated. The assumption that the user of this siddur is not a man is a wonderful thing. The new RCA prayer book, like the Koren version a decade ago, also includes prayers relating to Israel throughout its pages. In addition to traditional prayers for the state and its army, there is a section with prayers for Israeli holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Jerusalem Day. Herring said that those prayers reflect the increasing centrality of Israel to American Orthodox life. Many Orthodox families send their children for a year of study in Israel after high school, and Herring said many RCA members are moving there. For our community, the connection with Israel has become very strong over the years and is only growing stronger and stronger, Herring said. In terms of our community and our constituency, theres a recognition that Israel it has to be a central part of our religious life. Herring is proud as well of the prayer books new translation and commentary, which draws on an array of sources and is based on historical research into the evolution of Jewish prayer. It shares that with the Steinsaltz Torah book, which aims to draw on a range of commentaries to provide an easy reading experience for Jews across the spectrum. My fathers emphasis was for years to make as transparent a commentary as possible, said Rabbi Meni Even-Israel, Steinsaltzs son, who oversaw the chumash translation. Its very fluid and it doesnt stop you from asking questions very clear. Theres no agenda. The agenda is your understanding. The book has an unordinary format: Alongside the Hebrew is a mix of literal translation (in bold) and commentary (in regular print). Below that is more commentary. The book is also full of illustrations and diagrams, as well as maps and photographs of Israel. Even-Israel hopes that reading it will be like reading a regular book aimed at a mass audience. Our dream is that youre going to have a teacher in your pocket, he said. From here you can go anywhere you want. Secondly, you can go to sleep with this book. This is the peoples book. The question, of course, is how many synagogues will adopt these books. The Koren prayer book with Sacks commentary has sold hundreds of thousands of copies, and already provides a popular alternative to ArtScroll. A wealth of Koren books provides a religious ritual focus on Israel and Zionism. And countless other new prayer and Torah book offerings have come out in recent years, though not all with the imprimatur of a major Orthodox rabbinical association or Jewish scholar. Herring is confident that as time passes and synagogues look to replace their siddur stock, they will turn to Avodat Halev. The book is already on its second printing, and about 5,000 copies have been sold. ArtScroll does not release its sales figures. One Orthodox congregation, the Boca Raton Synagogue in South Florida, has ordered a thousand copies for its 900-member families to use every week. It had used ArtScroll and will keep a few in stock. We decided to switch because its more aligned with the values and practices of the community, said the synagogues rabbi, Efrem Goldberg. Its more sensitive to some of the prayers we recite and practices that we have. It enables us to practice our observance more fully. | https://www.timesofisrael.com/will-modernized-texts-replace-artscroll-prayer-books-in-orthodox-synagogues/ |
How many points do Lincoln City need to secure automatic promotion? | Get Daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Lincoln City writer Mark Whiley ponders how many more points the Imps need to secure promotion. We havent quite entered the run-in but we are well into the second half of the season. Lincoln City are perched at the top of the League Two table a position they have held for most of the campaign with 52 points from 26 games. Thats an impressive average of two points per game. There are just 20 games left. Twenty matches between the Imps and a place in the third tier for the first time this century, or so we hope. With three automatic promotion places, plus one via the play-offs, League Two is certainly the division of opportunity. If youre like me, when you glance at the league table, the first thing you look for is the gap between the Imps and fourth spot. Winning the title would be great, but its about promotion first and foremost. At present, the gap between City and fourth-placed MK Dons is five points. Weve looked at the final table over the last six seasons for a guide. Lets start with what has been needed to secure the all-important third spot. The lowest points tally for the third-placed finisher in that period is 78, by Port Vale in 2012/13. As for the highest, three teams have ended the season with 85 points. The average is 83 which, if applied this season, would mean the Imps would need another 31 points from their final 20 games to go up. As for top spot, Northampton have scored the highest number of points over the last six seasons, with an impressive 99 in 2015/16. The lowest, with just 83, is Gillingham in 2012/13 while the average final total for the champions is 90. The Imps need another 38 points to reach that figure, which is slightly less than an average of two points per game. Top three - 2012/13 Gillingham 83 points Rotherham 79 points Port Vale 78 points Top three - 2013/14 Chesterfield 84 points Scunthorpe 81 points Rochdale 81 points Top three - 2014/15 Burton 94 points Shrewsbury 89 points Bury 85 points Top three - 2015/16 Northampton 99 points Oxford 86 points Bristol Rovers 85 points Top three - 2016/17 Portsmouth 87 points Plymouth 87 points Doncaster 85 points Top three - 2017/18 Accrington 93 points Luton 88 points Wycombe 84 points | https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-many-points-lincoln-city-2438490 |
What Did a Guy Accidentally do to His GF While on Ambien? | A man says that he accidentally proposed to his girlfriend after taking 40 mg of Ambien, which is four times the recommended dosage. The unidentified man says that he had an engagement ring in his nightstand and when he woke up his girlfriend had it on her hand, the man says he didnt remember proposing to her and didnt plan on it for at least another year. His Facebook status was even updated to engaged. A New York Magazine article from 2017 reported on Things You Did on Ambien, some of the activities included cleaning the kitchen, building a cabinet and sending crazy text messages to people. | https://wycd.radio.com/blogs/rob-and-holly/what-did-guy-accidentally-do-his-gf-while-ambien |
What is the Daniel (diet) Plan? | A diet plan as old as the Dead Sea Scrolls is at the heart of a weight-loss craze. It's making new headlines because actor Chris Pratt posted an Instagram story about how he is following it. In the now-expired Instagram post, Pratt describe the diet as 21 days of prayer and fasting, according to Time. But the plan is a little more detailed than that. The Daniel Plan developed by Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life (see his TED Talks video below) and pastor of a Southern California mega-church is an age-old combination of healthier eating and exercise. Warren developed the plan for himself and his church members with the help of celebrity doctors and authors Mark Hyman, Daniel Amen and Mehmet Oz (the Dr. Oz of television fame). The plan has roots in the biblical story of Daniel from the Old Testament. In the story, Daniel abandoned the king's rich food and fasted, eating only simple foods like vegetables and drinking water in order to honor God. On the Daniel Plan website, the stress is put on faith. "God can make changes in your life that you have never dared to even dream of. He specializes in miracle makeovers. Think about this: what positive changes in your life could happen if you relied on God's unlimited power instead of your limited will power." The diet details The 21-day diet emphasizes eating fresh, organic and unprocessed foods. Meals are heavy on fruits and vegetables and light on meat. The eating plan, drafted by Hyman, also emphasizes coldwater fish wild salmon, halibut, black cod that are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids. Hymans plan names several foods or processed food ingredients to avoid forever. Most of the ingredients are part of highly processed foods common on grocery store shelves. Among the items to avoid are high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes such as Olean. I always say, If its made in a plant, you probably shouldnt eat it, Hyman tells Warren in an online video interview. If its grown on a plant, its OK to eat it. Foods to embrace, according to the Daniel Plan, include: omega-3 eggs, up to eight a week legumes such as lentils and chickpeas slow-burning, low-glycemic vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach berries, cherries, peaches, plums, pears and apples organic, chemical-free poultry organic, grass-fed beef or lamb, but no more than four to six ounces once or twice a week. As with most weight-loss plans, exercise is also a component of the Daniel Plan. The emphasis starting out is on choosing an exercise you enjoy and then to increase training slowly. From there, the focus is on interval training. Group support is also a key component of the Daniel Plan. Bible study groups have become Bible study and exercise groups. Studies indicate that people who try to lose weight or adopt healthier habits in groups are more likely to be successful than individuals working independently, according to Warrens blog. Safety and effectiveness Group support is helpful for sticking with any diet plan, says Marisa Moore, a registered dietician in Atlanta and member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The plant-based diet of the Daniel Plan can be a good plan as long as you get all the nutrients you need, Moore said, adding that sometimes those who switch to a vegetarian diet fall short of getting critical nutrients. Richard Bloomer, dean of the University of Memphis School of Health Studies, has conducted several small studies on the Daniel Fast. According to Time, Bloomer's research has shown that the diet can begin to lower risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, just after three weeks. It just shows, I think, the power of food, Bloomer says. Theres a lot of potential health benefits from adopting this approach. Editor's note: This story was originally published in February 2012 and has been updated with new information. A diet plan as old as the Dead Sea Scrolls is at the heart of a weight-loss craze. | https://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/what-is-the-daniel-diet-plan |
Will pay to park help downtown visitors? | Video AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) - Augusta leaders are beginning the debate on requiring those driving downtown to pay to park. As we told you a task force is recommending charging a dollar or so an hour to, with a two hour limit to park across the downtown area. The idea is this would force cars to move, and not take up parking spots all day. "It's very hard, I just circled the block three times trying to find a parking space and just finally found one. I think it's a great idea." said Tijuana Jenkins, of Augusta. "You would like to see the turn over and paying?" Absolutely I might come down more," said Jenkins. The task force is recommending the parking rates run from 8am to 8pm Monday through Saturday. | https://www.wjbf.com/news/csra-news/will-pay-to-park-help-downtown-visitors-/1708383973 |
How much for rugby star Quade Coopers luxury Brisbane home? | Well, we now know just how much Quade Cooper and Laura Dundovic want for their renovated Brisbane pad. The luxury house in Bulimba has been given a $2.65 million price tag after failing to sell at auction late last year. The rugby star and former Miss Universe Australia listed the property in November before moving to Melbourne, where Cooper has signed with the Melbourne Rebels. Records show Cooper paid $1.845 million for the property in 2015, but it was extensively renovated by Graya Construction a year ago. The home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and a 12m marina berth on the Brisbane River. It is for sale through Damon Warat and Ed Cherry of Ray White. | https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/brisbane-qld/how-much-for-rugby-star-quade-coopers-luxury-brisbane-home/news-story/bdc696a5ee17c35c0b9c271956062c04 |
Is Rihanna launching a luxury fashion brand? | Singer Rihanna arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) to celebrate the opening of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination in the Manhattan borough of New York May 8, 2018. Reuters pic NEW YORK, Jan 18 Rihanna reportedly has a new luxury label in the pipeline. The singer-turned-fashion-designer is allegedly in talks with luxury conglomerate LVMH to launch a high-end fashion brand, reports WWD. The collaboration is rumoured to be spanning ready-to-wear, accessories and leather goods, and the superstar is said to have been working on the project with select employees from the conglomerate's Louis Vuitton and Celine brands. The Barbadian star has a wealth of experience in fashion design and has indulged her passion for creating clothes ever since she was snapped up to collaborate with the fast fashion brand River Island back in 2013. She has previously worked on a sunglasses collection with the LVMH-owned Dior, has released multiple Fenty for Stance sock collections, and acted as the creative director of Puma for several years. Recently she has been focusing on launching her own brands, which include the wildly successful Fenty Beauty by Rihanna makeup label, which launched in 2017, and her Fenty X Savage lingerie line, which put on its debut New York Fashion Week show last September. A new fashion line would make 2019 a very busy year for Rihanna, who recently confirmed on Instagram that she plans to launch her ninth album at some point over the next 12 months. AFP-Relaxnews | https://www.malaymail.com/s/1713893/is-rihanna-launching-a-luxury-fashion-brand |
Will Karan Johars chat show Koffee With Karan be axed after the Hardik furore? | With strong disciplinary action being taken against cricketer Hardik Pandya for his deeply sexist comments it looks like the axe may also fall on Karan Johars talk show Koffee With Karan. Sources close to Star Plus, the channel that hosts the popular show, are considering their options considering the uproar over the content. Many in the know feel that Karan Johar as the shows architect and helmer should have exercised more control during the editing. A prominent filmmaker who has so far desisted from going on Karans show says the onus of propriety in the presentation lies with the producer. It is your show. You have complete control over what goes into it. If an invitee loses control over his mouth, you as the shows anchor and producer know where to draw the line. Sources say Hardik Pandya could very well prove to be Karans shows waterloo. Quips an actress who confesses Karan seduces guests into saying things they wouldnt otherwise. Ab Koffee with Karan qafi (enough) with Karan ho chukka. Also Read: Hardik Pandya Koffee With Karan controversy: Check out Mumbai Polices interesting take | http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/will-karan-johars-chat-show-koffee-karan-axed-hardik-furore/ |
Will Kandidatin Evelyn Burdecki die Vershnung mit Ex-Freund Domenico? | Panorama Auch eine "Bachelor-Kandidatin" ist im Dschungel dabei: Evelyn Burdecki. Fr die 30-Jhrige ist es bereits die vierte TV-Sendung. Evelyn Burdecki und ihr Ex-Freund Domenico de Cicco zicken sich im Dschungelcamp 2019 an. So luft der Rosenkrieg vor laufenden Kameras. Evelyn Burdecki diese Dschungelcamp-2019-Teilnehmerin wollte schon immer ins Fernsehen. Ihre ersten TV-Auftritte hatte sie 2017 in den Sendungen des "Bachelor" - danach gastierte sie auch bei "Bachelor in Paradise" und zeigte dabei so viel Einsatz, dass sie auch ihr Privatleben ins Fernsehen involvierte. Evelyn Burdecki wurde im Jahr 1988 geboren und hat 2017 erste Gehversuche im Trash-TV unternommen. Nach Auftritten in den Sendungen "Bachelor" und "Promi Big Brother", wo sie im Jahr 2017 zu sehen war, versuchte sie im vergangenen Jahr ihr Glck bei "Bachelor in Paradise". Das Dschungelcamp 2019 ist also schon ihre vierte Station im Fernsehen. Dschungelcamp 2019: Steckbrief von Evelyn Burdecki Geboren am 20. September 1988 am 20. In der RTL-Kuppelshow "Bachelor in Paradise" bandelt Evelyn Burdecki mit dem Reality-Darsteller Domenico de Cicco an - und gemeinsam gehen sie als eines von drei Gewinnerprchen aus der Sendung hervor. Doch das Liebesglck whrt nicht lange. Denn kurz nach Ende der Sendung erfhrt Evelyn Burdecki schon Anfang August 2018, dass ihr Partner ein Kind mit einer anderen Frau erwartet. Nun treten Evelyn Burdecki und Domenico de Cicco beide als Kandidaten im Dschungelcamp 2019 auf (Lesen Sie hier einen berblick, welche Kandidaten noch im Dschungelcamp 2019 dabei sind ). Um es gleich zu sagen: Leicht ist es fr alle Betroffenen nicht, wie die ersten Tage zeigen. Evelyn Burdecki selbst stellt sich gern als Frau dar, die Streit am liebsten aus dem Weg geht. Die Antwort nach der ersten Folge lautet: Ja. Am Lagerfeuer gibt es erste intime Gesprche zwischen ihr und Domenico. Wir sind gespannt. Aber nicht nur das Hhnchen, das Evelyn Burdecki mit ihrem Ex-Freund zu rupfen hat, beschftigt sie kurz vor ihrer Teilnahme im Dschungelcamp. Sie macht sich auch schon Gedanken, wie sie im Dschungel von Australien die "199 Prozent Wasserfeuchtigkeit" berstehen wird. Dschungelcamp 2019: Das hat Evelyn Burdecki auerhalb des TVs schon gemacht Der grte Triumph abseits des Fernsehens war fr Evelyn Burdecki eine Party in der Villa von Leonardo Di Caprio, zu welcher er selbst sie hchstpersnlich eingeladen haben soll. Ansonsten ist fr die 30-Jhrige schon seit ihrer Jugend klar, dass sie unbedingt ins Fernsehen mchte. Weil das nicht auf Anhieb klappte, hat Evelyn Burdecki zunchst eine Ausbildung zur Fitness-Trainerin gemacht und zwischenzeitlich als Kellnerin und Komparsin gearbeitet. 12 Bilder Dschungelcamp 2019: Das sind die Kandidaten Bild: Arya Shirazi, MG RTL D Auch Domenico de Cicco ist Kandidat im Dschungelcamp. Der 35-Jhrige machte in diesem Jahr bei der Sendung "Bachelor in Paradise" mit. Dort galten der Italiener und Evelyn Burdecki als Traumpaar. Danach trennte sich Burdecki aber von ihm, da eine andere Frau ein Kind von Domenico de Cicco erwartete. Das verspricht spannende Gesprche am Lagerfeuer im Dschungelcamp. Hier lesen Sie mehr ber Domenico de Cicco. Wir mchten wissen, was Sie denken: Die Augsburger Allgemeine arbeitet daher mit dem Meinungsforschungsinstitut Civey zusammen. Was es mit den reprsentativen Umfragen auf sich hat und warum Sie sich registrieren sollten, lesen Sie hier. Themen Folgen | https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/panorama/Will-Kandidatin-Evelyn-Burdecki-die-Versoehnung-mit-Ex-Freund-Domenico-id53076361.html |
Are advice firm buy-outs running the risk of conflicts? | Concern mounting over the strings attached when it comes to acquisition deals Experts are expressing concerns over how consolidators deferred payments to acquire advice firms are operating, urging them to avoid the perception of conflicts of interest. The end of 2018 saw a flurry of acquisitions, and the pace of advice firm buy-outs shows little sign of slowing down as we enter the new year. Commonly, deals involve a cash payment up front, with further payments made in subsequent years based on certain performance targets being met. There are obvious benefits to merging some services when a firm is acquired. For example, making sure fees and commissions are not interrupted can be made easier with a transition to the same back-office system or platform once a firm has a new owner. It may even be necessary to change some product providers on acquisition, as in cases where independent firms are acquired by restricted ones, so must make sure their proposition aligns with the restrictions of the new parent. However, many market watchers are calling for greater scrutiny on how deals are structured, particularly when it comes to what advisers need to do to secure deferred payments from consolidators and achieve their full valuation. In February 2017, the FCA produced a report into how firms treat clients they acquire from other advice businesses. Under a section marked conflicts of interest, the regulator noted that it saw instances where the acquiring firm offered to pay more money when clients held specific investments. It also noted that in some cases it was aware of adviser remuneration being linked to the level of charges generated for replacement business, running the risk of unsuitable advice, calling on firms to make sure controls were in place to ensure clients best interests were protected. Scoping the market Money Marketing understands that in some cases, when consolidator AFH buys a firm, a portion of the deferred payout can be linked to recommendations onto AFHs platform and investment solutions. This has raised concerns from some commentators over the potential to bias advice, because planners could have an incentive to move products to AFH in order to secure the highest eventual sale value possible. An AFH spokesman says: It is not a necessary condition of sale. It is not uniform and it doesnt have to be there; its down to negotiation if its in the agreement at all. Anything like that would be done in consultation with clients and the business and its always in their best interests. Because of what we have, we can accommodate acquisitions that come to us with anything. If the client decided with their advisers that they want to stick with something else thats not part of AFH, thats absolutely fine, its the clients decision. Part of being part of AFH is that you get access to our investment and administration team, which we dont offer to people who arent. One adviser who sat in an AFH presentation a number of years ago regarding a potential acquisition says that moving to the AFH platform essentially requires you to use their DFM service and their own funds. A letter from AFH seen by Money Marketing promoting its in-house platform, which recently removed fees for clients, says that the platform can provide significant benefits when compared to traditional platforms. These include unrestricted investment choice and access to our delegated authority funds. In the letter, AFH says no advice or other charges will increase when removing fees for AFH Direct and our only motivation is to reward our clients for the continued custom and to cement the relationship between us. There may well be advantages to AFHs proposition over the providers that acquired clients were previously with. AFH has a calculator on its website showing how much clients could potentially save from switching to AFHs free platform service. For a 250,000 portfolio on the Aegon platform, for example, with an expected annual return of 4 per cent, the AFH calculator shows that over 15 years, clients could be 17,000 better off with AFH. While a platform market source questions some of the calculations, they say: The bottom line is that it is almost certainly better for [AFH clients] if they all invest in this free platform. More assets on said platform would allow them to presumably drive down the unit cost from Pershing, which is probably written into their contract with them, and then it gives you the chance to go into the in-house funds. Other consolidators like Succession operate an acquisition model where a provisional agreement is reached, and then, if both parties still want to go ahead with the sale, the firm is fully acquired a number of years later. Former Professional Partnerships adviser Gill Cardy says that models like these have to be wary of conflicts that would force advisers to make particular recommendations in order to secure a full sale in the first place, rather than just a deferred performance payment. If a consolidator is buying an adviser, they are probably doing things the way they want them to be done, they are probably compliant because you dont want a complaints history. You can transfer some things over the years, but thats quite different from putting it into any agreement. If I was looking to buy a business, you have to accept the possibility that its simply not appropriate for clients to be put in a new discretionary fund manager or new platform arrangement or change their providers. If you cant cope with the fact it might be a bit messy you probably shouldnt be in consolidation. Thats one way of doing a smell test. Adviser view Gill Cardy Former adviser, Professional Partnerships It is perfectly possible to structure a deal with an ongoing or annual payment where you make it about whether a certain number of clients stay on the books. It can just be on a per head basis. When you buy the business, you buy the data on 500 clients, say, excepting some cases where they dont like the thought of going to a different firm or dont want to go into a DFM arrangement, and you realistically have to allow for some drop-off. Theres a possibility clients have just been passive, and think this is the moment I have been looking for to leave. Ive been thinking about it for the past few years and its a good opportunity to have a new adviser who is more local. You could just do it on a global assets under management basis, or on key staff staying around for a certain time, but I dont think its appropriate to make it contingent on transferring clients into a different business model. Carrots and sticks Money Marketing understands that Fairstone, another consolidator that operates its own discretionary management service, does not operate any deals where a portion of its acquisition payments are based on particular recommendations. A senior source says: One of the questions we ask is how much money advisers have got invested on behalf of clients, and thats all. Theres nothing in the buy-out that says how much money moves across to other funds. One of the things I have learned in professional services is that its not enough to make sure you dont have conflicts of interest, its actually necessary that there cant even be the perception of conflicts. It could be that the client or the regulator perceives a conflict where there isnt one, but if there is a direct relationship between money going into a fund generating revenue for that firm and a financial reward for that, it would be difficult for a professional to recommend the fund because of that perception. It puts the adviser in a difficult position, even if they wanted to use it. For Ascot Lloyd, however, the firm insists that clients are serviced by its advisers after purchase. Ascot Lloyd chief executive Nigel Stockton says: It is fair to say that all aggregators are now much more careful about payments and considerations in order to maintain the revenues they have acquired. Deferred payments are often used. Typical is around a third paid at outset and then another third after 12 and 24 months respectively. These deferred payments will be based on clear revenue targets and other metrics. For example, sometimes ensuring that all clients have been transferred away from the previous advisers (enabling them to retire) is one of the targets. In terms of integration this varies a lot by firm. Picking the right aggregator for your firm is an important part of any sale process. We insist on full integration so that we can have one set of operational processes across our firm. We believe ultimately this delivers best outcomes for clients, which is most important. This isnt always the case with others and the timescales and extent of integration can vary. | https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/are-advice-firm-buy-outs-running-the-risk-of-conflicts/ |
Why Do Shareholders Agree to Give Up Voting Rights? | Adam Neumann is WeWorks CEO and sometimes landlord. Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images In recent days, we have learned about an odd financial arrangement at WeWork. As you may know, the office-sharing company doesnt own much of its real estate; it leases office space and then subleases the use of that office space to its co-working tenants. Thats not the news. The news is that, in some cases, an owner of the space WeWork has leased is WeWorks founder and CEO, Adam Neumann. The Wall Street Journal reports: Mr. Neumann has made millions of dollars by leasing multiple properties in which he has an ownership stake back to WeWork, one of the countrys most valuable startups. Multiple investors of the privately held company said the arrangement concerned them as a potential conflict of interest in which the CEO could benefit on rents or other terms with the company. Now, WeWork clarified to the Wall Street Journal that the conflict of interest is mitigated, because any lease where Neumann owns a piece of a WeWork landlord has to be approved by WeWorks board. In at least one case, the board rejected a proposed deal where Neumann wanted to take a personal ownership stake in a building WeWork was renting. But that process has looked a little different in recent years, because: Mr. Neumann effectively gained control over the company. As part of an investment round for WeWork in 2014, he was granted Class B shares that gave him 10 votes per share, and now he has more than 65% of the overall share vote, according to WeWork corporate filings. WeWork is far from alone in having a multi-class share structure: One in five companies that went public in the United States in 2017 had share structures where some investors are more equal than others. Under such an arrangement, all common shares in a corporation typically have the same claim on the companys profits (the super-voting shareholders cant vote themselves higher dividends than the other shareholders) but because some shares get extra votes, managerial control is concentrated in a minority of the companys equity owners, typically founders or executives or their heirs. In this instance, Neumann owns less than 50 percent of the company he runs, but because he owns super-voting shares, he controls the company as though he were its majority owner. Among other things, this gives him the power to force approval of deals where he sits on both sides of the table, even if other investors might have qualms about those deals. A group of business school professors took a crack at the question last month in the Harvard Business Review, and they have a few answers. Multi-class share structures have historically been especially popular for media companies, and the HBR authors attribute this to a desire to protect journalistic prerogatives. A founder with a particular journalistic focus might use his voting control to ensure the company refuses deals that would put profits ahead of journalistic integrity, or even to continue operating money-losing aspects of a news organization in the interest of public service. In this case, the dual-class structure reduces profits available to shareholders, but thats a feature of the design, not a bug: When taking the company public, management chose the dual-class structure explicitly to enable a strategy that will lead to lower profits and a lower share price in order to serve a social mission. This does not describe why a start-up company like WeWork, whose mission presumably does focus on maximizing profits, would benefit from a dual-class share structure. The HBR authors also note that dual-class structures may free up managers of high-growth companies to focus on long-term value creation instead of reacting to investors desire to see profits generated quickly. This is an example of the long-running debate over short-termism and whether companies are systematically failing to invest for the long run. They cite some evidence that dual-class share structures are associated with better performance in the early stages of a companys life. Under this theory, the low-power shares exist to protect outside investors from each other, or even from themselves. When you agree to accept a share with few voting rights, youre also buying into a company where other outside investors have given up their rights. And if you trust management more than you trust your fellow investors, that might be appealing. On the other hand, WeWork isnt a public company. WeWorks outside owners are sophisticated venture capital funds whose specialty is supposed to be investing for long-term value. Critics of multi-class structures describe them as being simply what they appear to be: A structure that allows management and other insiders to prioritize their interests over those of other shareholders. For this reason, S&P has started prohibiting new dual-class shares from being listed on S&P indices. There are also compromise positions. A coalition of corporate and financial management executives including Warren Buffett and JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon issued a statement of governance principles in 2018 that says dual class voting is not a best practice. They allow that sometimes the structures are used in order to insulate management from short-term profit pressure, but they say in such cases the two-tier structure should be designed to automatically sunset after a specific time or event. That is, if enhanced management control is appropriate during a companys growth stage, it should end automatically when that stage is over. But the rise in popularity of dual-class shares may simply reflect a reality in capital markets over the last decade: Theres a lot of capital around that people want to invest, and few opportunities to invest it for high returns. When a founder has a company that investors are excited about, he or she gets to set terms about how investors will get into the deal. Its a sellers market. So the mystery of why WeWorks investors agreed to hand so much power to the CEO is essentially the same as the mystery of how WeWork could possibly be worth $45 billion. (Chris Lane, an analyst at Bernstein who covers major WeWork investor Softbank, recently took a crack at valuing WeWork under optimistic parameters and couldnt establish a value higher than $16 billion.) Investors are desperate to get in on the next big thing, and theyre willing to overpay. | http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/why-do-shareholders-agree-to-give-up-voting-rights.html?utm_source=flipboard.com&utm_medium=social_acct&utm_campaign=feed-part |
When is the Boots 70% off sale 2019 due to launch? | Get Great Deals updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email When it comes to January sales, there is one in particular that all shoppers are waiting for - the Boots' 70% off sale. Anticipation is at an all time high for when the retailer will be dropping its huge discounts. And many (including us) had predicted it would launch today, based on when it had in previous years. However, the ECHO has reached out to Boots to find out when exactly its sale - which is available in stores-only - will start. And they made a huge revelation. It's no surprise shoppers are all waiting for the sale as there are some huge savings to be made, with brands expected to discounted including Soap and Glory, No7, Childs Farm, Tommee Tippee and much more. (Image: Boots) We can confirm, those waiting to shop the deals will actually need to wait a little longer to do so, as Boots has confirmed that despite much speculation, its 70% off sale will not be launching in stores today (Friday, January 18). As expected, the retailer remained tight-lipped as to when exactly it will launch, but we're hoping it won't be too much longer. We'll bring you the latest information as soon as we receive any updates from Boots. | https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/boots-70-sale-2019-due-15693724 |
How much is a view worth in Townsville? | AN OCEAN view never goes out of style and Townsville buyers are willing to pay big bucks to secure a property with enviable views. RE/MAX Excellence agent Michele Hyde is selling 604/53 Gregory St, North Ward, which is listed for $1.69 million. The three-bedroom penthouse at Fulton Gardens has a wraparound balcony with views of Castle Hill, Pallarenda, North Ward, the Palm Island group and Magnetic Island. Ms Hyde said ocean views instantly increased the value of a property and generated more buyer interest during the sale. People do pay for views and I remember someone telling me when I first started in real estate that a view was worth $100,000 but I think its probably worth a lot more now, she said. Houses can be upgraded but if it doesnt have a great view you cant create that. There are only so many properties that have wonderful views and there will always be more people who want a house with a view than properties available. Meanwhile, owner of Janice Gallagher Real Estate Janice Gallagher is selling 7 Burke St North Ward, for $990,000. The four-bedroom house has an edgeless pool that overlooks North Ward and Cleveland Bay. Ms Gallagher said demand for properties with amazing views always outstripped supply. Its hard to find a property in a good position with a good view, she said. Buyers looking for a house with a view should look in North Ward which has some great outlooks and any of the hills like Melton Hill, Stanton Hill or Castle Hill. | https://www.realestate.com.au/news/how-much-is-a-view-worth-in-townsville/ |
Did Indian paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar get in Aaron Finchs head with bizarre delivery next to the umpire? | Finch faced most of his 24 balls from a position well outside his crease and there was controversy when Kumar responded in bizarre fashion. The right-arm quick released one delivery from way back behind the bowling crease, next to the umpire, who called the ball dead after Finch had backed away. WATCH THE BIZARRE DELIVERY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE The incident led to a heated discussion between opposing players in the middle. Kumar had the last laugh, trapping Finch with the next ball. Finch stuttered his way to 14 after a rain-interrupted start and was out LBW, taking his series total to 26 runs at 8.67. | https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/cricket/did-indian-paceman-bhuvneshwar-kumar-get-in-aaron-finchs-head-with-bizarre-delivery-next-to-the-umpire-ng-b881078392z |
How common is electronic car theft? | Open this photo in gallery sculpies My brother had his truck stolen from the garage (he thinks he forgot to close the garage door). Hes convinced it was an electronic car theft somebody intercepted his fob signal and used it to take his truck. But he also cant find his spare set of keys. Hes been known to leave them in the truck so he can just get in and start the thing. Jeff, Brampton There are likely crooks out there using tech to steal cars but most dont need to, police say. The No. 1 issue right now is still warm-up thefts, where the cars running with the keys in it, said Sergeant Matt Bertram, Peel Regional Police spokesman. Its when thieves use devices to take your car and there are different ways to do it. One is a wireless relay attack, in which thieves scan the signal from your keyless fob sitting inside the house for instance in your jacket next to your front door. They create a cloned fob that lets them get in your car and start it. Or, if they can get into your car either by breaking in, by jamming your fobs signal so your door doesnt lock or by just opening the door because you left it unlocked they can plug into your cars onboard diagnostic port under the steering column. Then they can use software, which is available online, to program a new fob that will start the car. Were finding that electronic override theft prevalent with luxury automobiles, said Toronto Police Detective Sergeant Daniel Sabadics at a press conference in December. Montreal police said theyve seen electronic theft but didnt have specific numbers. In British Columbia, police say they havent seen it yet. Someone mentioned it on Facebook but there was nothing usually its something else, said Inspector Brian MacDonald, with British Columbias Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT). Im not saying it doesnt happen, but its not very widespread the majority of our thieves arent very sophisticated. Often, electronic theft is suspected when police cant otherwise explain how a car was stolen. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement Its hard to determine if its happening unless you have video coverage, but the evidence is pointing toward that, said Henry Tso, vice-president, investigative services at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). In Ottawa, there were incidents where a Lexus was stolen from a driveway with no signs of a break-in, so it was either an inside job or they used new technology. Old-fangled thefts still common The majority of thefts nationally are either pre-2007 models when Transport Canada started requiring engine immobilizers that prevent hot-wiring or cases where thieves somehow got a key. Some people are lazy and theyll leave a fob in the car so they just get in and start it, Tso said. In Edmonton right now, a quarter of vehicles stolen have keys in the car. Still, if youre worried about thieves intercepting the signal from your fob, you could buy a Faraday box or pouch and keep your fob it in. They shield your fob so it doesnt give or receive signals. Montreal police also suggest storing your fob away from a door or a window. Toronto police suggest old-school tech such as the Club or a wheel boot to deter high-tech thieves. You can also get a lock for the onboard diagnostic port. Story continues below advertisement Usually thieves will follow the path of least resistance, Toronto polices Det. Sgt. Sabadics said. One of the easiest ways to to prevent theft electronic or otherwise is to keep your vehicle locked and inside your garage, if you have one. The risk of your car getting stolen in the garage is far less, IBCs Tso said. Send it to [email protected]. Canadas a big place, so let us know where you are so we can find the answer for your city and province. Stay on top of all our Drive stories. We have a Drive newsletter covering car reviews, innovative new cars and the ups and downs of everyday driving. Sign up for the weekly Drive newsletter, delivered to your inbox for free. Follow us on Instagram, @globedrive. | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/culture/article-how-common-is-electronic-car-theft/ |
How does Polis' executive order on emissions mesh with his clean energy promise? | DENVER He promised not to mandate 100 percent renewable energy, but Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colorado) didn't say anything about not signing executive orders with policies that would force a change in the energy industry. Polis signed an executive order on Thursday to move Colorado to zero-emission vehicle standards. Late last year, the state's Air Quality Control Commission agreed to new low emission vehicle standards. Polis has asked his new executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to develop a rule for zero-emission vehicle standards by May and then gets that rule approved by the Air Quality Control Commission by Oct. 30, 2019. "It's far more energy efficient than internal combustion engines in every vehicle. And that's a point that we want to reinforce that electrifying vehicles leads to cleaner air today, as well as saving consumers money," Polis said after signing the executive order. His request exempts one industry. "Change presents opportunities and challenges, and of course, there are sectors like agriculture that have unique needs, and nothing in this executive order adds any restrictions on tractors or specialized farm equipment that are important for the competitiveness of our agriculture industry," said Polis. Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER Thank You for signing up for the 9NEWSLETTER Something went wrong. This email will be delivered to your inbox once a day in the morning. Please make sure to check your email inbox for an email to confirm the signup process. Please try again later. Submit If the zero-emission vehicle standards are adopted, vehicle manufacturers would have to change their approach to car sales in Colorado. "In a few years, 10 percent of Colorado's vehicles need to be electric vehicles, 10 percent of the vehicles sold in the state," said Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Executive Director Jill Ryan. Starting in 2025, one car out of every 10 cars sold by a manufacturer would have to be electric. Polis' executive order also calls for a goal of 940,000 electric vehicles on Colorado roads by 2030. According to Will Toor, executive director of Colorado's Energy Office, there are 15,000-16,000 electric cars in Colorado right now. Part of his executive order also changes how the state will spend money it received in the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal. The state received $70 million. About $10 million of that goes to passenger car charging infrastructure. The other $60 million will now be divvied up between changing school buses, transit buses and trucks to electric vehicles, and installing new charging stations throughout the state. "That's an important part of a zero-emission vehicles program is that folks are able to charge their electric cars and have access to charging stations throughout the state," said Ryan. "Denver residents like to go other places, as well. How does a Denver resident get to Estes Park?" said Polis. According to Toor, the state would likely offer grants to companies that want to install them, and those companies would likely charge the user to charge their car. The state would not be paying to charge people's cars. Republican Senate Minority Leader John Cooke (R-Greeley) and Sen. Ray Scott (R-Grand Junction) put out a joint statement defending the free market. "This action does not encourage our automotive industry to innovate, it forces them to do so, and the result will undeniably be increased costs for Coloradans and lackluster, rushed products. While the Governor is correct in showing growth in the purchase of electric vehicles, what he forgets is that those in the lower and middle class of Colorado are undeniably sticking with gas-powered automobiles due to their overwhelmingly lower costs and reliability," they wrote. Admittedly, a Tesla would probably make a great vehicle in downtown Denver, but out in Delta, you better have a truck. Ironically, the Governor admits the technology does not yet exist for tractors and farming equipment but ignores that many other vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, also lack the technology for such a rushed implementation. | https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/next/how-does-polis-executive-order-on-emissions-mesh-with-his-clean-energy-promise/73-34d4d5b6-a565-41c8-bd16-2d7e8e04aa45 |
Is the viral #10YearChallenge just another sneaky way for tech firms to gather users personal data? | I like to look back at old memories and smile, said the 25-year-old Kolkata resident Smitakshi Chowdhury. Thats what prompted her to upload a decade-old photo of herself alongside a recent one on Facebook last week without much thought. Chowdhury is among tens of thousands of people who have participated in the ten year challenge that has gone viral in recent days as social media users nostalgically display then and now images of themselves to the world. Among the prominent Indian personalities who showed how theyd changed over the decade were movie stars Sonam Kapoor, Diana Penty and Shruti Haasan. On January 15, an article in Wired suggested that the fad could be an ingenious ploy to gather data on a persons age or how people age over time. The article by technology writer Kate ONeill noted that data obtained in this way could be put to a variety of purposes, some benign such as targeted advertising, and some not so harmless. 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 Age progression could someday factor into insurance assessment and health care, ONeill writes. For example, if you seem to be ageing faster than your cohorts, perhaps youre not a very good insurance risk. You may pay more or be denied coverage. This hypothesis set off a frenzy, as social media users issued warnings against participating in the challenge. But others noted that Facebook already has photographs of many long-time users from 10 years ago or more. It was also pointed out that the metadata of images posted online contains information about the date on which the photo was taken, where it was shot and the unique identification number of the photo device even though most people dont realise this. With so much information already out there, there isnt much the 10-Year Challenge could add. i get the attraction but i found this post wildly unconvincing. FB already has an enormous, rich facial-recognition dataset going back 15 years. the idea that it's "too noisy" to be of use is obviously untrue given that facebook *already uses it* https://t.co/31na0W9fPL Max Read (@max_read) January 16, 2019 Facebook has spookily sophisticated face-recognition technology, as anyone whos seen Facebooks automatic tagging software at work will tell you, wrote Max Read in New York Magazine. The debate has revolved around not only what tech companies know about social media users but how they share this information. For instance, Facebooks facial tagging system identifies people in images to third parties, making it susceptible to misuse. In fact, Facebook had been storing data obtained through facial recognition software since 2011, without notifying or obtaining consent from its users. It was only in February 2018 that it gave users the chance to opt out of the system. Facebook, on its part, in an official statement, said that it was not involved with the 10-Year Challenge. The 10 year challenge is a user-generated meme that started on its own, without our involvement. Its evidence of the fun people have on Facebook, and thats it. Facebook (@facebook) January 16, 2019 Possibilities of misuse While personal information uploaded online could potentially be misused in several ways, that does not mean just about any doomsday scenario is feasible, said Pranesh Prakash of the Centre for Internet and Society. Insurance companies always try to gather as much information as they can about a person to weed out bad risks but governments regulate these companies on the matter of what they can or cannot use, he said. For example, in 2018, the Delhi High Court ruled that insurance companies could not deny coverage to a person based on their genetic history, he noted. However, the contradictory ruling also said that if a disorder was established after genetic testing, the insurance company could deny coverage or demand higher premiums. Prakash suggested a more dire situation. Suppose the data produced from the 10-Year Challenge is used to improve the quality of deepfakes and that is put into making pornography about you against your will? he said. On the other hand, the prospect of a persons rate of ageing being calculated by algorithms could also be beneficial. If a medical AI [artificial intelligence] company figures out your health looking at the data based on your face and detects early skin cancer, would anyone be complaining about this? asked Shashank Bijapur, co-founder of SpotDraft, a Gurgaon-based company that creates and manages legal contracts using artificial intelligence. He noted that while it is impractical to expect businesses to ignore the opportunity to use such data to their advantage, social media users should make informed decisions while signing up on platforms. Every such app online has a privacy policy which is made available to whoever is using it right at the beginning, Bijapur said. | https://scroll.in/article/909752/is-the-viral-10yearchallenge-just-another-sneaky-way-for-tech-firms-to-gather-users-personal-data |
Was muss ich beim Jobben beachten? | Als Werkstudierender, freiwilliger Praktikant, beim Jobben und weiteren Gelegenheiten knnen sich Studierende etwas dazuverdienen. Dabei gibt es allerdings, einige Rechte und Pflichten zu beachten. Wer sich neben dem Studium etwas dazuverdienen mchte, sollte seine Rechte und Pflichten kennen. abi>> klrt mit Fabian Schmidt vom Deutschen Gewerkschaftsbund, was du beachten musst von B wie BAfG bis W wie Werkstudierender. BAfG Verdienst du whrend des einjhrigen Bewilligungszeitraum brutto maximal 5.416,20 Euro (3.480,00 Euro + 1.000,00 Euro Werbungskostenpauschale + 21,2 Prozent Sozialpauschale), ndert sich nichts an deiner Frderung nach BAfG. Kommst du ber diesen Betrag, wirkt sich das auf die Frderhhe aus. Jobben whrend der Semesterferien Fabian Schmidt Foto: DGB Studierende, die whrend der Semesterferien jobben, sind nicht auf eine bestimme Wochenarbeitszeit beschrnkt. Bleiben sie unter einem gesetzlich festgelegten Freibetrag (siehe Punkt Steuern) erhalten sie bezahlte Steuern im Rahmen der jhrlichen Steuererklrung wieder zurck. Auch in den Semesterferien sind Studierende von den gehaltsabhngigen Beitrgen zur Kranken-, Pflege- und Arbeitslosenversicherung befreit. Bei kurzfristigen Beschftigungen oder Praktika, die von vornherein auf die Dauer von maximal drei Monaten beziehungsweise 70 Arbeitstagen im Kalenderjahr begrenzt sind, fallen in der Regel keine Beitrge zur Rentenversicherung an. Wichtig ist, dass die Ttigkeit nicht berufsmig ausgebt wird. Kindergeld Anspruch auf Kindergeld haben Studierende bis zum vollendeten 25. Lebensjahr, solange sie nicht mehr als 20 Stunden in der Woche arbeiten beziehungsweise lediglich einen 450-Euro-Job ausben. Mindestlohn Der gesetzliche Mindestlohn liegt ab dem 1. Januar 2019 bei brutto 9,19 Euro pro Stunde. Davon ausgenommen sind Praktika, die von der Hochschule vorgeschrieben sind, oder solche, die nicht lnger als drei Monate dauern. Minijob/450-Euro-Job Beim Minijob handelt es sich um eine geringfgige Beschftigung, bei der die Arbeitnehmer maximal 450 Euro pro Monat verdienen. Die Ttigkeit wird vom Arbeitgeber bei der Minijob-Zentrale angemeldet. Minijobber zahlen blicherweise eine sehr geringe Pauschalsteuer von 2 Prozent. Auerdem knnen sie sich freiwillig rentenversichern. Midijob Hier knnen Studierende ab 2019 zwischen 450,01 und 1.300 Euro brutto verdienen. Bleibt das Jahresgehalt bei unter 9.168 Euro brutto (plus Werbekostenpauschale von 1.000 Euro) werden in der Regel keine Steuern fllig, beziehungsweise erhlt man die an das Finanzamt bezahlte Lohnsteuer im Rahmen der jhrlichen Einkommenssteuererklrung wieder zurck. Midijobber befinden sich in der sogenannten Gleitzone. Hier sind reduzierte Beitrge zur Sozialversicherung fllig. Rente Wer nur studiert, muss in der Regel keine Rentenversicherungsbeitrge zahlen es sei denn, er bt einen Nebenjob aus. Auerdem knnen Studienzeiten zur Rente angerechnet werden. Fr einen spteren Anspruch auf Rente mssen nicht nur eine gewisse Beitragszeit, sondern auch eine Wartezeit von 35 Jahren erfllt sein. Deshalb braucht die Deutsche Rentenversicherung von jedem Studierenden eine Bescheinigung ber die Studiendauer. Steuern Bei Minijobs oder Studierendenjobs, die unter dem jhrlichen Freibetrag von derzeit 9.000 Euro (plus 1.000 Euro Werbekosten) liegen, fallen in der Regel keine Steuern an. Ab Juni 2019 erhht sich der Freibetrag auf 9.168 Euro. Versicherungen Studierende knnen bis zum 25. Geburtstag im Rahmen der Familienversicherung bei der Krankenkasse ihrer Eltern versichert werden allerdings nur, wenn sie nicht mehr als 450 Euro beim Minijob sowie 445 Euro beim Midijob (ab 1. Januar 2019) plus Werbekostenpauschale von etwa 83,30 Euro verdienen. Auerdem sind Studierende in der Regel von der Arbeitslosenversicherung befreit, weshalb sie keinen Anspruch auf Arbeitslosengeld haben. Eine Ausnahme gilt fr Studierende, die in der Woche mehr als 20 Stunden arbeiten. In diesem Fall sind, wie bei jedem anderen Job auch, 2,6 Prozent vom Brutto-Verdienst als Beitrag zur Arbeitslosenversicherung zu zahlen. Werkstudierender Studierende arbeiten in diesem Modell whrend des Studiums bis zu 20 Stunden pro Woche. Dabei wird zusammen mit dem Arbeitgeber ein Arbeitsvertrag geschlossen. In der vorlesungsfreien Zeit kann der Werkstudierende bis zu 48 Stunden pro Woche arbeiten. Solange das Studium vor dem Job den Vorrang behlt und man unter dem jhrlichen Freibetrag von 9.000 Euro (9.168 Euro ab 2019) bleibt, knnen Studierende von einigen Beitrgen zur Sozialversicherung befreit werden. Das Einkommen von Studierenden, die noch zu Hause wohnen und deren Familie Arbeitslosengeld II (Hartz IV) erhlt, kann unter Umstnden auf das Gesamteinkommen angerechnet werden und sich dadurch auf die Zahlungen auswirken individuelle Beratung zu diesem Thema liefern die rtlichen Agenturen fr Arbeit. | http://www.abi.de/studium/finanzen/jobben-neben-dem-studium-gloss016219.htm |
What is life really like in the court of Meghan? | While a Scotland Yard source revealed the "well-respected" and "brilliant" bodyguard was leaving "for personal reasons" that have "absolutely nothing to do with the Duke or the Duchess", it has been reported that Meghan's desire to be seen as "one of the people" has presented challenges to her protection team. One insider said: "Even though she was a famous actress, she could still do what she wanted in the way of getting around freely. But in her current role she can't go anywhere without her protection team, and that's a massive constraining force on an individual like her." The inspector, who was armed with a gun and a Taser while on duty, replaced Prince Harry's long-term head of security, Sgt Bill Renshaw, who retired last year after 31 years in the police. In October, she was with the couple on a Pacific tour when she helped rush the Duchess out of a solo visit to a market in Fiji, cutting it short because of crowds in sweltering conditions. Markle was meeting female entrepreneurs but was whisked away after only eight minutes. Kensington Palace said it was due to "crowd management issues", although onlookers said the crowd was under control. Ken Wharfe, Princess Diana's former bodyguard, speculated as to whether there had been a breakdown in trust between the two women over the incident. "When you are working in royalty protection, you are in a very intimate role with the principal. There has to be some time to work out the chemistry of the relationship, and if the protection was found to be wanting in Fiji then that can't have helped. Royals constantly complain of a lack of freedom - I remember Diana complaining about it all the time - but there's loads of things you can do if you've got confidence in each other." It is worth noting that the bodyguard is leaving the Met altogether. Had she merely had a problem with Meghan, she could have remained within royalty protection but looking after a different member of the family. Still, the departures have prompted claims that the Prince, 34, and his wife, 37, have not endeared themselves to staff, with the sixth in line to the throne reportedly telling members of the royal household in the run-up to last May's wedding: "What Meghan wants, Meghan gets." As one former royal aide told London's The Daily Telegraph: "What we've seen is a clash of cultures, rather than a serious falling out between anyone. You have to remember that when people join the royal household, they ultimately expect to be serving Queen and country, not necessarily an American actress who has starred in a legal drama on the telly. There is a great deal of goodwill towards Harry, but Meghan is still a bit of an unknown quantity." There has certainly been some anti-Americanism expressed "below stairs" with some in the more cattier quarters "giving it five years" amid suggestions Harry is "punching well above his weight". Intellectual Meghan, who graduated from Northwestern, one of America's best universities, is certainly no slouch, which perhaps explains her reported 5am wake-up calls and email "bombardments" of staff. According to one insider: "The Duchess is determined to get across her royal brief as soon as possible so she can start really making a difference." What is typical in Hollywood, however, is not necessarily the norm in the "household", where there's an established hierarchy and a "way of doing things". Carving out the life of a royal wife, as the Duchess of Cambridge discovered during her 10-year courtship with Prince William, is very much a marathon and not a sprint. Indeed, Markle would be wise to heed the advice of her idol, former US first lady Michelle Obama, who last year advised: "Take some time and don't be in a hurry to do anything. I spent the first few months in the White House mainly worrying about my daughters, making sure they were off to a good start at school and making new friends before I launched into any more ambitious work. I think it's OK - it's good, even - to do that." With Meghan's baby due in the spring, the focus will inevitably switch to family matters, and motherhood may well bring the duchesses closer together. Their relationship did not get off to the best start following a row during a bridesmaids' dress fitting for Princess Charlotte. As The Telegraph exclusively revealed, a postnatal Duchess of Cambridge, who had only just given birth to Prince Louis, was left in tears by Meghan, who herself had been left in tears by father Thomas Markle's behaviour in the run-up to the wedding. The incident happened around the time that Meghan was reported to have "upset" the Queen by asking to wear an emerald tiara instead of the one offered by the 92-year-old monarch. It was also around the same time that a book by veteran royal journalist, Robert Jobson described Prince Harry as "petulant and short-tempered" in the run-up to the nuptials, prompting "Granny [to] put him firmly in his place". The Duchesses' easy demeanour as they walked together to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas Day suggests that they have put the alleged rift firmly behind them. Indeed, rumours that Meghan had been "snubbed" from her sister-in-law's 37th birthday party at Anmer Hall, the Cambridges' Norfolk home, are wide of the mark. In fact, the Sussexes were abroad at the time. While the brothers have many mutual friends from their Ludgrove and Eton days, it's true to say that the Cambridges and the Sussexes are very different couples who are at very different stages of their lives. Extroverts Harry and Meghan are far more sociable than William and Catherine, who have got three children under five, and prefer the quiet life away from London at their 10-bedroom bolthole on the Sandringham estate. Ironically, while the Sussexes' decision to leave Kensington Palace for Frogmore Cottage this year has been attributed to a falling-out between the Fab Four, it is actually more to do with Harry wanting to replicate the rural idyll that William has created for his own brood. ?million, four-bedroom farmhouse in the Cotswolds, which they intend to keep on even after the multi-million-pound renovations on their Windsor home are completed. "Once the Sussexes' baby is born, there will be more time for bonding between the couples," said one royal source. With her female bodyguard having quit, and still no news on who will replace her female personal assistant and female private secretary, Meghan is desperately in need of a Woman Friday. Reports that the Sussexes are hiring American childcare expert Connie Simpson to raise their newborn could provide Meghan with exactly what she needs - a close confidante to form the backbone of her new royal court. Telegraph, London | https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/what-is-life-really-like-in-the-court-of-meghan-20190118-p50saq.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed |
How should Christians respond to child drag queens and sexualizing kids? | Crystallizing these worries in recent days was a photo posted to Instagram showing a 10-year-old Canadian boy named Nemis Quinn Mlanon-Golden who's been featured on network and cable news shows as "Lactatia," his stage name posing next to a naked man who was the most recent winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race." The photo emerged on the heels of another child drag performer, Desmond Napoles, who is known as Desmond is Amazing, being seen in a video dancing in a skimpy white top and a blond wig to Gwen Stefani's "I'm Just A Girl" before a crowd of men who threw dollar bills at him at a gay bar in New York City. Both Mlanon-Golden's and Napoles' parents are supportive of their sons and have said they are just playing and expressing themselves, and have asserted that they are not sexualizing their own children. In a "Final Point" segment on OANN Monday, host Liz Wheeler asked how the photo of Mlanon-Golden could be construed as anything other than child pornography. Are parents of 'drag kids' exempt from the laws that prohibit parents from facilitating sexual encounters between minor children and adult predators?" she inquired, rejecting the notion that her distaste was rooted in bigotry and homophobia. "Tell me how this is possibly OK. Tell me how this is not child abuse. Tell me how this is not this close to pedophilia," Wheeler said, challenging leftists to defend this. "What makes this any different from child pornography?" Wheeler noted that no one has attempted to protect these children from sexual exploitation. Instead, the boys' parents are facilitating their participation in drag events and the phenomenon of "drag kids" has even been celebrated on ABC's "Good Morning America." "If a straight, 10-year-old girl was posed with a naked adult man, the man would go to prison so fast he wouldn't know what happened to him. And his fellow inmates would beat him for child sex abuse before he had time to unpack his bag." Everett Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, believes the phenomena of children in drag has come about because of the cultural dumbing down of what it means to be a human being to nothing but the sum total of ones desires and inclinations. "In other words, we've insulted the definition of the human being, the imago Dei," the image of God, Piper said in an interview with The Christian Post on Tuesday. "If you've got a passion or an appetite, an inclination or a proclivity to do something that's the sum total of who you are." That's an insult to the human being, he said, as it reduces humans to mere animals. The Christian faith, then, is exactly the opposite of that, he stressed; as beings made in God's image, humans have moral culpability, awareness, and responsibility. And in the context of young boys in drag, culture is dumbing down the definition of a child as nothing but what he wants to do, he added. Piper also believes another factor lies at the root of the problem. Women and children." The culture's elevation of "consent" as the end all be all is also proving to be disastrous, he continued. "What was absolutely wrong five minutes ago becomes OK now because I simply found someone to consent to it. And we move the definition of consent to whatever line we have today downward. We're going to see the use and abuse of children." Theologian an CP Voices contributor Fay Voshell believes the phenomenon of children in drag portends something nefarious. "The coming out moments for pedophiles and pederasts have arrived," Voshell said in a CP interview on Tuesday. "The dreams of organizations like the North American Man Boy Love Association, which advocates the open practice of deviant sexualities that will lead to a reinvention of society, are finally being realized." The vehicle through which this is happening is advocacy of children's "rights," she said, echoing Piper, "including the 'rights' of this clearly confused little guy," who is being "aided and abetted by his wicked, gaslighting mother to express his latent sexuality in relationships with older men." "Will we continue to allow open season on children and youths by pederasts and pedophiles, or will we rise up in outrage against the mainstreaming of sexual deviancy?" She added that the sexualization of children is not limited to young boys, calling beauty pageants for young girls "prurient." "Some contestants are mere toddlers; nearly all are oversexualized, many are costumed like prostitutes and taught to gyrate seductively by their moms and coaches, thereby making them attractive to predators who are only too eager to regard the little girls as actually desiring sex. The necessary protections for our children, boys and girls alike, are disappearing at a rapid rate, inviting deviants to corrupt and despoil innocence," she said. | https://www.christianpost.com/news/how-should-christians-respond-child-drag-queens-sexualizing-kids.html |
Whats the Deal with Goody Bags? | Photo: The boys were given a few Tinker Crates for Christmas. We built one together two weeks ago during the half-day. This was the vacuum chamber kit, and we made marshmallows expand and shrink and that was a lot of fun. I was very skeptical at first, but I have to say that we had a pretty good time putting the kit together and seeing the results! Looking forward to opening the next one tomorrow! Title note: I hope you read that title with a Jerry Seinfeld-like voice in your head. Ursa Major turns 8 next Tuesday and his big mad scientist birthday party is next Saturday. To save a little money (hahaha, not really) we are having the party at church, because I dont have to pay to rent out the space, which is awesome. I just have to pay for the entertainment, which is cash money omg. Im getting a lot for it, though: this mad scientist guy is going to do a bunch of STEM-like sciencey fun stuff with the kids. They are gonna shoot stuff and build stuff and fire lasers out of stuff It will be worth the investment. I just happened to be with the parish administrator last week (who is also a dear friend) and we got to talking about the party. I was complaining that my in-laws will be here (augh, why) and, because of the boiler, I havent had a moment to really think about key details. Ursa Major has asked for hot dogs instead of pizza and he has asked for red velvet cake. We spoke at length about cooking hot dogs in the crock pot (Im intrigued and will write about this next week), and then she asks me, and what are you doing for goody bags? I put my hands on my hips, all sorts of huffy and incredulous. I dont believe in goody bags! These here suburban children dont need yet another thing. Who needs bags full of candy and cheap plastic things for no apparent reason! ? She guffawed, shocked and amused by my controversial position. No way! ? No way! I hate those things! I dont believe in them! Aint nobody got time or money for goody bags! I said. And this is a true statement: aint nobody got time (goody bags take time) or money (this birthday party is already costing me money!) for goody bags. We laughed and debated for a while and then I went away. Flash forward to last night, where this had to come up again on the Facebooks. Facebook is the devil, I swear and I swear. The responses are still coming in. I will admit, a bit of this is tongue-in-cheek, but my gut reaction is the same. Every time my boys have come home from a birthday party, they come back with a goody bag filled with random crap that either gets all over the place or that they fight over. Between the bag full of tootsie rolls and gum (omg why) and horrible tubes of slime (WARNING: Dont let it touch anything because this will stain whatever it touches!) and horrible glitter things (worse was GLITTER SLIME omg a pox on the inventor!) not to mention dart-firing guns, masks and such Im just saying, there has never been anything in a goody bag where Ive been like, I appreciate this and I feel appreciated for receiving this. Nothing from a goody bag has ever lasted more than a day. It all ends up in the trash. Put in 2019 parlance, Im thinking: The Goody Bag does not give joy. Perhaps it should leave the house. A few of my friends one Facebook said that the goody bag is expected. Your kid goes to a party, they party with everyone, they have the cake and the ice cream, and at the end there is an expectation of a gift. Im probably coming off as extraordinarily grumpy Im not. Okay, I am. But I also feel like providing a fun few hours on a Saturday afternoon is plenty gracious! Aint no cover charge here! As I wrote on my Facebook post: Confirmations of my position very welcome. No matter what, see you Friday for Quiet Thoughts. Share this: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email | https://blackbunchedmassmom.com/2019/01/16/whats-the-deal-with-goody-bags/ |
What can Warriors expect from DeMarcus Cousins' debut? | Before it happened, DeMarcus Cousins was a great basketball player having a great NBA season. But on Jan. 26, 2018, he tore his left Achilles tendon as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans and hasnt played since. The five-time All-Star center was having the best season of his career, but the injury was a devastating one not only for that season, but potentially for his career. Just short of a year later, Cousins career is getting back on track with the two-time defending NBA champion Warriors, starting in earnest Friday night against the Clippers in Los Angeles. Despite the injury, the Warriors signed Cousins to a one-year, $5.3 million contract, giving Golden State the possibility of having all five starters with All-Star credentials. They signed him knowing that the Achilles injury could take about a year to rehabilitate, and knowing that he would miss about half the season. Cousins has worked out with the team and spent some time with the Santa Cruz Warriors, the teams G League affiliate, to get his game legs back. He has passed the tests he needed to pass to get on the floor. Now, Cousins and the Warriors are at the point where the big man can join the fun and get on the court again. Everyone in the Warriors camp has been nothing short of enthusiastic about the possibility. Here are former Sacramento Bee columnist Ailene Voisin, who covered Cousins from 2010 to 2017 when he played for the Kings, and current Warriors television analyst Jim Barnett, who has covered Cousins this season. Each answered the same five questions, plus a bonus question. 1. Voisin: Lets start with his skill set. He has fabulous hands. Can catch anything. When he doesnt rush and takes his time, hes an excellent passer. He finds cutters. He used to score only around the basket and with a mid-range jump shot, but now hes an excellent 3-point shooter. (Former Kings head coach) George Karl got him shooting deeper and deeper. And he is an excellent rebounder. When hes fully engaged and in shape, he can contest shots and make it difficult to score around the rim. He doesnt have great leaping ability not an explosive player but hes just so powerful and strong. There is nobody like him in the game and there hasnt been for a long time. Hes an old-school, throwback center. Barnett: We dont have a big body. We lost David West, Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee. Were playing Kevon Looney, a power forward, at center. Defensively, we need a big body, particularly in the playoffs when were playing the good teams, and Cousins is a big body. Offensively, we know he can score. If he gets double teamed, the Warriors will have a field day shooting the ball from 3. So he will go one-on-one and score at will. | https://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/9183578-181/what-can-warriors-expect-from |
What's In Store For Fintech Sector In 2019? | With fintech crawling into every segment of the financial services, it's a good time to take a look at a few trends that will dominate the sector in 2019 January 17, 2019 2 min read Fintech is a hot topic these days. The sector is growing rapidly with startups gaining acceptance globally. A joint report from The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) says that London and Singapore are excellent hubs for fintech activity. It further notes that these regions are interesting to explore because they have many of the same strengths, but also very different circumstances, providing a richer picture of fintech development around the world. With the sector crawling into every segment of the financial services, its a good time to take a look at a few trends that will dominate the fintech market in 2019. We asked Prajit Nanu, co-founder and chief executive officer of InstaReM,a cross-border payments company, whats in store for the fintech sector in 2019. Heres what he had to say. Edited excerpts: | https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/326513 |
Is it the Right Time for NRIs to Buy Property in India? | The major concerns of NRIs have been the lack of transparency in transactions, delays in project delivery and intent of the developer January 17, 2019 3 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. While 2018 has been a bumpier ride for the Indian real estate sector, it definitely has become the right time for NRIs to park their money in the sector. Post implementation of key policy reforms, Indian realty sector has seen a gradual resurgence due to an increase in accountability in the overall system. Indian Realty has lured NRI investors due to the various factors favouring them such as depreciation of Indian currency, reduction in prices post demonetization alongside major policy reforms leading to more transparency and greater consolidation. 78per cent NRI respondents prefer real estate over other asset classes such as mutual funds, stocks, FDs, among others largely because of the pride of owning a property back in their country of origin. Adding to it, the INR value has been witnessing significant low against the value of US dollar. Thus, rupee depreciation makes the best excuse for NRIs to invest in Indian real estate, as the cost of acquisition of property becomes lesser for NRIs. Owing to the current market scenario, NRIs are inclining towards commercial properties and luxury residential segment considering good rental yields and capital appreciation. Conversely, affordable housing is expected to draw the interest of young NRI buyers as smaller ticket sizes offer a better return on investment with lower investment bandwidth and easy maintenance. The Concerns The major concerns of NRIs have been the lack of transparency in transactions, delays in project delivery and intent of developer. However, it has majorly been addressed by the introduction of RERA, which has turned out to be the major reason of NRI buyers showing their interest back in Indian Realty with revived confidence. The governments initiative to lift the infrastructure development across the country at large has also encouraged NRIs to consider Indian realty market back as their most preferred investment option. However, NRIs are cautious enough to invest either in ready-to-move-in projects or park their money in under construction properties offered by established developers with a strong financial background and soundtrack record in terms of project delivery. Inference In 2018, Indian Realty estate sector did not witness an increase in launches due to major events such as the NBFCs liquidity crunch, rupee depreciation to its record low, changes in the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme etc. However, developers recorded a higher sale of inventory in 2018 compared to 2017. The year 2019 seems to be opportunistic for affordable and mid-income housing segment along with investments opportunities from NRI buyers at large. There has been an upsurge in ready to move in units owing to RERA and GST benefits. Under construction projects are expected to see a massive push too once the GST rates are reconsidered by Government which is expected soon. | https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/326515 |
What areas will vote to be part of the Bangsamoro region? | More than 2.8 million people are expected to take part in the historic plebiscite Published 3:00 PM, January 18, 2019 MANILA, Philippines The plebiscite on Monday, January 21, is a historic vote that several administrations and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have worked towards since the 1970s. (LOOK: Questions, voting instructions for Bangsamoro plebiscite) If it becomes a reality, residents will see a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with more power, resources, and possibly bigger territory. (READ: What you need to know about the Bangsamoro plebiscite) But what is also at stake is peace in the conflict-ridden region, which had seen war and rebellion over the years that claimed the lives of over 100,000 Filipinos in Mindanao. There is fear that if the BOL is not ratified, there will be new fertile ground for violent extremists group to exploit. To secure the voting exercise, the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines announced they would deploy some 20,000 soldiers and cops to secure the region. We also have 6 scenarios for the vote. Read the story here. Below is a map of areas that will take part in the plebiscite: Voting is scheduled to take place on two dates. The first will be on January 21, in the ARMM, Cotabato City, and Isabela City. If majority of voters in these areas vote yes to the new BARMM, a second voting day will take place on February 6. This time, in Lanao del Norte except Iligan City and 7 towns in North Cotabato. If majority of voters in all areas agree to their inclusion, the new BARMM will be comprised of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Cotabato City, 6 towns in Lanao del Norte, and 67 barangays in North Cotabato. According to the Commission on Elections, more than 2.8 million people are expected to vote in the plebiscite to ratify the landmark law. Rappler.com | https://www.rappler.com/nation/221220-areas-vote-bangsamoro-region-plebiscite?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rappler+%28Rappler%29 |
Which states made the grade in this year's Quality Counts? | Dive Brief : Massachusetts once again topped the rest of the nation for a fifth year in the Education Week Research Center's Quality Counts 2019 report, earning the only A- in its Chance-For-Success Index. Rounding out the top five are four B- rankings in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Minnesota, while New Mexico received the lowest score with a D-. The nation, as a whole, received a C- grade. The results give feedback designed to help state leaders zero in on areas that need improvement, and they are measured on 13 factors that gauge education-related opportunities in three stages: early foundations, school years and outcomes. Dive Insight : Through this index, trends in the national education scene emerge. For example, Massachusetts, which ranks in the top 10 for eight of the indicators, gets help from strong socioeconomic factors that include the fact that 60% of the states parents earned a college degree. The state also has strong math and reading test scores, with 50.8% of fourth graders proficient at reading. Post-secondary rates also separate Massachusetts from the pack, coming in second in the nation for 18-24-year-olds enrolled at a college or university. The region a state's located in also makes a difference. Schools in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions scored highest by providing the best opportunities for success, while schools in the South and Southwest scored the lowest. Minnesota, located in the Midwest, scored high at No. 5, as did Iowa at No. 7. These trends are consistent over time. The nations score has stayed about the same since 2008, the first time the current scoring system was used. Twenty-nine states improved their score by less than a point or declined, and about 10 saw their scores fall by more than one point. Four places stood out as having increased their chance of student success, including the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland and Mississippi. | https://www.educationdive.com/news/which-states-made-the-grade-in-this-years-quality-counts/546269/ |
Why ARE Meghan's clothes always creased? | She has proven herself to be more than sartorially worthy of the royal family with Meghan showcasing a wardrobe of designer labels since marrying Harry last year. However, there is one small fashion faux pas that appears to plague the Duchess of Sussex who constantly steps out in ensembles that are creased. Whether its the wrinkled hem of a skirt or an awkward fold line on a coat, no amount of ironing appears to do the trick when it comes to her kinked collection. She most recently stepped out in a crumpled ensemble when she visited Smart Works, based at St Charles Hospital in North Kensington, which provides high-quality interview clothes and training to unemployed women in need. The Duchess of Sussex appears to be constantly plagued with a creased wardrobe, most recently in the form of a 2,600 tan Oscar de la Renta coat when she visited Smart Works Her 2,600 tan Oscar de la Renta coat was heavily creased from the moment that she stepped from the car before her engagement had even begun. And back in December she brought Christmas cheer to a nursing home in Twikenham in a 834 floral dress by Brock Collection. While the elegant dress kept its shape at the front the moment that pregnant Meghan turned her back it showcased a rather rucked up behind. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga gave the US royal the opportunity to showcase a whole host of looks. Her 834 floral dress by Brock Collection worn to a nursing home in Twikenham was suitably rumpled at the back. Pictured: Meghan with actor Richard O'Sullivan at Brinsworth House Meghan's striped Martin Grant dress (left) worn to see the Tongan prime minister was relatively wrinkled while her Antoni Beradi tuexdo dress worn to the Invictus Games in October took a turn for the worse The pregnant royal's simple white button-down by Maison Kitsune worn in Dubbo was in serious need of a steam However, it seems that some of her ensembles didn't travel as well as hoped with the majority of her outfits laced with fine lines. The famous of the 37-year-old's rumpled outfits was of course her iconic wedding dress. Designed by Clare Waight Keller the Givenchy gown wowed spectators at the royal wedding in May 2018, but a few royal watchers claimed it was in need of a steam. While many might be quick to accuse the royal of avoiding irons, expert former Creative Director of Mulberry Scott Henshall, says her choice in fabric is to blame for her wrinkled pieces. Arriving at the Tupou College in Tonga Meghan's Veronica Beard dress (left) was not as pristine as it had been while her cream Zimmermann dress worn for her arrival in Fiji had a kink in the hem The navy Antonio Beradi dress worn to the Auckland War Memorial Museum could have done with a little TLC Visiting the home of her and Harry's dukedom, Sussex, Meghan wore a rather creased & Other Stories olive green shirt Designed by Clare Waight Keller the Givenchy gown wowed spectators at the royal wedding in May 2018, but a few royal watchers claimed it was in need of a steam Henshall told the MailOnline: 'With any royal engagement, you want to arrive at your destination looking stylish and polisheda near impossible task when all you're wearing are easily wrinkled clothes. 'For future reference, all the Duchess or her 'people' have to do is familiarise themselves with the best wrinkle-free fabrics, and keep these in mind next time. Former Creative Director of Mulberry Scott Henshall (pictured) says that Meghan should familiarise herself with wrinkle free fabric 'Typically synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, acrylic and olefin, have a natural resistance to wrinkles and a greater stability since they do not absorb water as efficiently. 'Even fabrics that do have a tendency to wrinkle (i.e. cotton, rayon, and silk) are much less likely to when blended with other fabrics.' Henshall recommends several fabrics, many of which are favoured by Meghan's sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge. 'Knit, technically classified as fabric made from interlocking loops of thread, is usually made of wool yarn, but some knits like jersey can be made of wool, cotton, and synthetic fibres. As a rule of thumb, thicker knits (and fabrics in general) are less wrinkle-prone than thin. 'Lyocell, commonly referred to as its brand name, Tencel, is soft and strong. It's machine-washable and most importantly, resists wrinkling. 'Polyester hasn't caught a break yet, that'll be down to its '70s connotations. The thing is, it can be surprisingly soft and comfortable for a synthetic fabric. Even better: It's affordable, durable, and wrinkle-resistant! 'This fabric is strong and warm yet lightweight and soft. If it appears wrinkled when taken out of your suitcase, just hang it or lay it flat for a bit. The creases should release.' | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6602949/Why-Meghans-clothes-creased.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 |
Should I buy the FTSE 100s 10 top-performing stocks of the last 10 years? | The table below shows the indexs top performers for the 10 years to the end of 2018. The returns of the FTSE 100 invariably include some big outperforming stocks and some big underperformers. For example, the 10 biggest winners of the last 10 years delivered an average annualised total return of 30.6%, smashing the Footsies 8.3%. I would like to receive emails from you about product information and offers from The Fool and its business partners. Each of these emails will provide a link to unsubscribe from future emails. More information about how The Fool collects, stores, and handles personal data is available in its Privacy Statement. Register by giving us your email below to continue reading all of the content on the site. Soon you will also begin to receive our FREE email newsletter, The Motley Fool Collective. It features straightforward advice on whats really happening with the stock market, direct to your inbox. Its designed to help you protect and grow your portfolio. (You may unsubscribe any time.) The returns of the FTSE 100 invariably include some big outperforming stocks and some big underperformers. For example, the 10 biggest winners of the last 10 years delivered an average annualised total return of 30.6%, smashing the Footsies 8.3%. The top 10 The table below shows the indexs top performers for the 10 years to the end of 2018. Company Business 10-year annualised total return (%) Forecast P/E 2019 Forecast dividend yield 2019 (%) Ashtead Construction & industrial equipment rental 45.1 10.6 2.0 Rightmove Online property portal 38.7 23.9 1.5 Taylor Wimpey Housebuilder 30.2 7.8 11.1 Smurfit Kappa Paper & packaging 30.1 8.6 4.0 Hargreaves Lansdown Retail investment platform 29.3 32.0 2.4 Barratt Developments Housebuilder 28.8 7.8 8.7 Persimmon Housebuilder 26.6 8.3 10.2 GVC Sports betting & gaming 26.0 11.1 5.0 Mondi Paper & packaging 25.8 10.7 3.8 Croda International Speciality chemicals 25.5 23.1 2.0 I think its important to consider the economic context of these returns. The 10-year period started in the depths of the 2008/09 financial crisis and recession, and was followed by the economic turbocharging of quantitative easing (QE) on an unprecedented scale and a record period of low interest rates. This was a particularly favourable backdrop for cyclical industries. Domestic cyclicals Housebuilding is one of the most cyclical sectors of all, and it has enjoyed the added stimulus of UK government policies like the Help to Buy scheme. Its no surprise that the big volume builders, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt and Persimmon, are all among the top performers and this despite a poor 2018, in which their share prices fell back 20%+. All three now trade on super-cheap P/Es and sport super-high yields. However, Im not tempted. The winding down of QE, rising interest rates, and the fact that the stocks still trade at a premium to their net asset values, are key factors in persuading me to avoid them at this stage. International cyclicals The top performer in the table, equipment rental group Ashtead, is another highly cyclical company. In the post-dotcom market downturn, its share price slumped to less than 8p by 2003 from a previous high of comfortably above 250p. Then, having climbed back to near that level, it fell to below 40p in the 2008/09 recession. The companys really made hay while the suns been shining over the last 10 years, helped by acquisitions and large exposure to the US market. International paper & packaging groups Smurfit Kappa and Mondi are similarly cyclical and have enjoyed similar success. The share prices of all three companies declined in 2018 (in the region of 8% to 16%), but Im not convinced their low P/Es are quite low enough to offer real value at this stage of the economic cycle. As such, Im also avoiding these three stocks for the time being. Sector dominators and non-cyclicals While Rightmove and Hargreaves Lansdown thrive best in a buoyant property market and buoyant stock market, respectively, theyre such dominators of their sectors that I see potential for relative resilience in the event of less favourable conditions. Their P/Es are still a little too high for me, but theyre stocks Im keeping a close eye on. Speciality chemicals firm Croda could repay further investigation (despite being another on a relatively high P/E), but the company that really catches my eye is GVC. Its the only one of the stocks in a recognisably non-cyclical sector namely, gambling. And trading on an undemanding P/E of 11.1, with a delicious 5% dividend yield, I rate it a buy. | https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2019/01/18/should-i-buy-the-ftse-100s-10-top-performing-stocks-of-the-last-10-years/ |
Is It Time To Buy Apple Again? | A little over a month ago, I sold half of my Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares. I started acquiring shares in 2013 at about $60 per share. In the spirit of full disclosure, I sold at about $155, which isnt far from where the stock trades today. With an annual return of nearly 17% not including dividends, Ive been pleased with Apples performance. I sold my shares because quite honestly, I couldnt get comfortable with the fact that Apple wouldnt be reporting unit sales figures going forward. When a company stops reporting a key metric that investors and analysts have come to rely on, its rarely a sign of positive future results. However, there are a few details that have come out over the last few weeks that are making me rethink my position. A disappointing quarter is priced in The chart for Apple since the overall market slide that began in October isnt pretty. (Source: AAPL stock - Yahoo Finance) During the month of October, Apple held up fairly well until it released earnings. Once the news came out and investors digested the change in unit reporting, the shares started their freefall. In November alone, the shares lost nearly 20%, and as of this writing the shares are down roughly 30% since October. If the elimination of unit reporting was the only issue, the stock might have recovered. However, a revenue warning about the first quarter has kept the shares on a negative track. Apple issued guidance in November that revenue would equal $89 to $93 billion, just two months later the company said revenue would come in at $84 billion. With a prior revenue mid-point of $91 billion, a drop to $84 billion represents a $7 billion shortfall. To show just how strongly some investors believe in Apple, a recent article from The Street seemed to spell out the ultra-bullish case for the company. One comment from that article was particularly telling. With Apples stock down the better part of three months, the analyst said: At some point, investors need to close their eyes and just throw this thing in their long-term accounts. To be clear, I use Apple technology, Ive been a satisfied user and investor, but no company deserves a close their eyes approach. With investors on edge, the shares may or may not have hit bottom. However, there are a few reasons to believe the long-term bull thesis behind the company is damaged yet not completely broken. One country, one very big drag on results What investors are struggling with is Apples iPhone business represents more than 60% of the companys revenue. If iPhone growth is slowing or turning negative, the thesis goes that the rest of the companys business lines could suffer. Apple made it very clear that weakness in China was responsible for all of the slowdown in iPhone revenue and then some. Last quarter, sales in China represented over 18% of the companys overall revenue. Its a near certainty that the weakness in China is a short-term issue. I dont know of one credible source that would suggest that China will decline over the long-term. Apple also said that another contributing factor to the companys weaker results was, fewer iPhone upgrades than we had anticipated. While there are only a few levers Apple can pull to try and resolve the slowdown in China, the company has multiple options to improve iPhone results overall. Tim Cook made a point to say that everything outside of iPhone grew at nearly 19% year-over-year in the current quarter. Apple essentially has two choices to resolve the slowdown in China. The company can wait it out, or lower prices to try and stimulate demand. Waiting for results to improve likely comes at a price of slower sales in the region for multiple quarters. Of course, lowering prices is a double-edged sword. Apples brand is based on premium products at a premium price. Lowering prices on its flagship phones could be seen as an act of desperation thus damaging its brand. In addition, the simple math of lower prices means Apple must see a significant uptick in demand. Last quarter, Apple reported $37.2 billion of revenue from iPhone sales. The company didnt give specifics on how many units were sold in China, yet we know China represented a total of 18.1% of overall revenue. If we assume the same percentage of iPhone sales were from China, this suggests China iPhone revenue of $6.7 billion on about 8.5 million units. With these units, Apples revenue per unit is around $790. Using these same figures, if Apple aggressively cut iPhone prices in China by 20%, the benefit isnt straightforward. A 20% price cut brings the average price per unit to $632. Assuming the price cut generates an additional 10% of unit sales (or 9.4 million), iPhone sales in China would equal $5.9 billion in revenue. Clearly this scenario doesnt work, as Apple cuts prices and revenue falls. Even if demand increased by 30% (to 11 million units), China total revenue would equal about $7 billion. The bottom line, is even if a 20% price cut generates a 30% increase in unit sales, Apples revenue in China would have only increased by 4.5% annually last quarter. Apple cant simply cut prices and guarantee a return to significant growth. The better way for Apple to attack this issue is to improve the value proposition of the iPhone. As well see in a moment, there are several improvements Apple needs to make to the iPhone for 2019. Several solutions to the iPhone problem There are several ways Apple can improve iPhone sales in the near-term. First, Apple can go back to the basics. Apple made all iOS 11 devices capable of running iOS 12. This move was great for owners of prior generation devices. However, investors could make the argument, that Apple seriously delayed millions of potential upgrades. With iOS 12 supporting iPhones back to the 5S version, this is the equivalent of five-years worth of models that all run the same OS. Though iOS 13 wont likely see the light of day until sometime in the summer, it would be shocking to see support for the next version cover this long of a time frame. One thing Apple can do to improve iPhone upgrades is to develop features in iOS 13 that require the chipset architecture of the iPhone 7 or newer. By moving the hardware requirements forward for iOS 13, in theory Apple could urge all the owners of iPhone 5S, 6, and 6 Plus to upgrade. Not to overstate the obvious, but the market to upgrade these three models would provide a massive updraft to iPhone sales. The iPhone 5S sold more than 52 million units. The combination of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus accounted for another 220 million plus units. Quite simply, Apple could create the potential for over 270 million upgrades by moving the timeline of support to the iPhone 7 or newer models. Second, Apple needs to realize that it must have its primary phone for 2019 offered at a $749 or lower price point. Tim Cook even made this point in a recent interview, when he said the iPhone XR (starting at $749) has been the, most popular iPhone every single day since we started shipping it. Most carriers allow financing of devices over a 24-month period. With this time frame as the backdrop, a $749 cost works out to just over $31 a month. The iPhone 8 was originally priced at $699, using the same financing works out to just over $29 a month. I dont believe its coincidence that Apples iPhone challenges became far more evident once the company punched through the $600 to $750 ceiling. Third, Apple seems to have missed a big opportunity with the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. The company needs to correct this miss and move to the USB-C connector for the 2019 iPhone lineup. Apple has already moved to USB-C on its Mac devices, and almost more importantly on the newest iPad Pro models. USB-C offers true fast charging, plus the ability to connect ultra-fast USB-C devices. Moving to USB-C would also allow early adopters of the newest iPad Pros to use one cable to charge either device. For older iPhone users wondering why they should upgrade significantly faster charging would seem to be a strong argument for a new iPhone. Last, if Apple wants to push existing iPhone users to upgrade, 5G capabilities on the 2019 iPhone models is a must. Sometimes Apple waits for its competition to move first, only to catch up later. However, 5G isnt a situation where Apple can afford to wait. Significantly faster data speeds on a smartphone could be a reason that iPhone users make a move to Android. On the Android side of the house, there are plans to have multiple 5G capable devices in 2019. Samsung expects to have a phone with 5G, for AT&T, Verizon, and possibly Sprint. Sprint claims an LG phone will run 5G, the first half of 2019. The rumors also suggest OnePlus, ZTE, Xiaomi, and more, will produce 5G phones during 2019. While competition shouldnt define why Apple offers 5G devices, slowing demand for iPhones might increase if Apple sits on the sidelines. A calculated risk I sold half of my Apple shares because I didnt like the lack of transparency from the company. Apple has been growing iPhone revenue largely by charging higher prices on less impressive unit growth. A family of four just a few years ago could finance four devices for about $100 a month. By comparison, four iPhone XS devices would cost a family of four over $160 a month. Weakness in China is a challenge, but investors know that this region will recover. Apple has several options to increase demand for the 2019 lineup of iPhones. Even eliminating iOS 13 support for the iPhone 5S and 6 models would open the potential for over 270 million upgrades. Though iPhone unit sales may be flat or declining, 20% of this massive upgrade population would improve unit sales by over 50 million. At a price point of $749, 50 million additional units would add over $37 billion to Apples sales this year. Analysts expect Apple to generate about $260 million in total revenue for 2019. If we tack on an additional $37 billion in sales, Apple would move from a revenue decline of about 2% to positive revenue growth. If Apple makes the multiple improvements it could with USB-C, 5G connectivity and more, the company could improve iPhone results dramatically. Once China begins to recover, iPhone results would improve even further. Given that Apples other businesses grew by roughly 19% annually in the first quarter, the company is doing very well outside of the iPhone. The potential behind Apples Services business is well documented. Apple plans on announcing new services this year that could improve revenue growth even further. With shares selling at roughly 13 times 2019 estimates and paying a yield of just under 2%, investors dont need blind faith to see that it may be time to buy Apple shares again. Disclosure: I am/we are long AAPL. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4233977-time-buy-apple |
Why should taxpayers pay for someone else's violations? | One of the objectives of the Bella Vista Patriots is to be a watchdog type of organization. During the period from 2003 to Dec. 31, 2016, when the Bella Vista Property Owners Association (POA) had operational control of the Trafalgar Stump Dump the Patriots received numerous complaints that the POA and Cooper Communities Inc. (CCI) employees were dumping illegal items in the dump site. We tried to get evidence of these reports without having any success. Then finally on the morning of April 23, 2008, Leon Huff, the Vice Chairman of the Patriots knocked on my door and said, "Let me show you some pictures I just took coming down Trafalgar Road." The pictures were of men in CCI trucks pushing four huge concrete mixing drums down into a 50- or 60-foot ravine of the dump site. I immediately called Jeff Sparrow, the local investigator for the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The next morning, Investigator Sparrow had CCI employees hoisting the drums out of the pit. The employees quickly erased the "COOPER" names off the drums. In a Benton County Daily Record news article dated May 1, 2008, Neff Basore, Senior Vice President of CCI was quoted as saying, "We did what we thought was the right thing to do." The sign leading into the dump states, "NO KITCHEN WASTE, NO TIN CANS, NO BOTTLES OR OTHER NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS." In the same May article Mr. Basore claimed he got permission from the POA to place the drums in the pit. He was quoted in the article as saying, "We were (originally) told we were doing nothing wrong disposing (of the drums) in this fashion." Bottom line: The POA authorizes CCI to drop four concrete mixing drums into the dump site, but a Bella Vista housewife is forbidden to do the same thing with a tin can. In a Morning News article dated April 30, 2008, Doug Szenher, Media Affairs Manager for ADEQ was quoted as saying, "Basically, it's against the law to dispose of solid waste just by abandoning it." Currently there have been several television and newspaper articles that have stated that neither CCI nor the POA had a permit to operate the stump dump from 2003 to Dec. 31, 2016. The Bella Vista Patriots thank Governor Hutchinson and his delegation for helping to resolve this unfortunate situation and we agree with the Governor that it is best to do whatever it takes to put out the fire now and investigate who is liable later. The Patriots pray that at the end of the day and the smoke clears (literally) that the ones who put the toxic materials in the stump dump will be the ones to pay the expense for creating this disaster and not the innocent taxpayers of Arkansas. Jim Parsons Bella Vista Editorial on 01/16/2019 | http://bvwv.nwaonline.com/news/2019/jan/16/why-should-taxpayers-pay-for-someone-el/ |
Is former Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka set for swift return to management? | Get Weekday Nottingham Forest FC updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Former Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka is one of the bookies' favourites for the Huddersfield job. The Spaniard only left the Reds last Friday, after almost exactly a year in charge at the City Ground. But he is being touted for a swift return to management at the Premier League club, following the departure of David Wagner. Sporting director Olaf Rebbe has followed manager Wagner out of Huddersfield, who are bottom of the Premier League. "The club wants to make a fresh start as it searches for its next head coach, following the recent departure of David Wagner, and this parting of ways has been agreed as the best for everyone concerned," the Terriers said in a statement. Karanka, who managed Middlesbrough in the Premier League, is currently joint-favourite with Jan Siewert to replace Wagner, at 2/1, with BetVictor. | https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/former-nottingham-forest-boss-aitor-2441682 |
Can The Rally In The Pound Continue? | The Invesco Currency Shares British Pound Sterling Trust ETF (FXB), which tracks the British pound against the US dollar, is up 3.04% over the past month. This rally follows a yearlong decline in 2018, with 'Brexit' developments proving to be the main driver of the currency. Interestingly, the pound did not slump following the rejection of Prime Minister May's Brexit deal and instead rallied higher. This article assesses whether this rally in the FXB ETF can continue. Source: Yahoo Finance Prospectus Review According to the fund's prospectus, the ETF tracks the value of the British pound against the US dollar. The strategy does not involve the use of derivatives but simply involves buying pounds using US dollars. Consequently, the holdings of the fund do not include any futures or options but simply consist of cash held in pounds. The annual net expense ratio of the ETF is 0.40%. Risk Note from the FXB Prospectus: The trustee will sell pounds held by the trust to pay trust expenses, if any, incurred in USD, irrespective of then-current pound prices. The trust is not actively managed and no attempt will be made to buy or sell pounds to protect against or to take advantage of fluctuations in the price of the pounds. Consequently, if the trust incurs expenses in USD, its pounds may be sold at a time when the pound price is low, resulting in a negative effect on the value of the shares. Note that the fund also incurs tracking errors, which is evident (from the table below) in the differences of returns of the fund market price in comparison to the return of its underlying index, Reuters British Pound Closing Spot Rate. Source: ishares.com Though I believe the ETF still offers a convenient investment/trading vehicle for those who want to make large bets on the GBP/USD rate, as opposed to having to buy and sell the physical currencies at Currency Exchanges. The reason I have distinctively chosen this particular ETF is due to the fact that it is the only one that offers non-leveraged exposure to the pound. Furthermore, according to data from ETFdb.com, it is also the ETF with the largest level of Assets Under Management (AUM). I consider AUM as a good indicator of how successful the fund has been in implementing its strategy to deliver on its objectives for investors. The higher its AUM, the more investors have allocated their capital towards the fund due to effective management. The fund also has the highest average daily trading volume, making it easier to buy and sell shares in the ETF, thereby lowering liquidity risk. On Jan. 15, 2019, May's Brexit deal was widely rejected by a margin of 230 votes. This undoubtedly raises uncertainty, which triggered the pound to slump 1% following the news. However, it managed to rally back and recover all its losses by the end of the trading day, with the FXB ETF closing in positive territory by 10 basis points. One of the reasons for this recovery rally is the notion that traders that had short positions on the pound may have decided to 'short cover', whereby they close their short positions, now that the event they had been anticipating had finally occurred. Moreover, while the defeat of the Brexit deal results in more gloomy conditions for the EU, market participants believed that this event could lead to a potential second referendum vote, which could result in a no Brexit at all. This optimism encouraged bullish bets on the pound as well, which drove the recovery rally. At the moment, there are two possible scenarios going ahead, either a no Brexit at all or a dreaded no-deal Brexit. While the pound has remained resilient following the vote, investors should keep in mind that this scenario will aggravate uncertainty for businesses across the UK and could discourage them from engaging in capex and employment activity. Moreover, in the event that there is no second referendum and Britain ends up leaving the EU with no deal in place, then this would be an unprecedented event that would further worsen uncertainty. Hence, with Brexit developments not getting any better, businesses could likely remain reluctant to engage in large scale expenditure and would consequently undermine economic conditions. Weaker economic data will undoubtedly force the Bank of England (BoE) to turn significantly more dovish and aim to keep monetary policy conditions as accommodative as possible, which would weaken the pound. In fact, in November 2018, BoE governor Mark Carney warned that in case of a no-deal Brexit, GDP could fall by as much as 8% in the first quarter of this year. Given that the recent Brexit deal rejection has brought us one step closer to this scenario, the BoE will most certainly be keeping monetary policy conditions loose, which would put downward pressure on the pound and consequently, the FXB ETF. Bottom Line While the pound has remained resilient amid anticipation of a second referendum resulting in a no Brexit scenario, investors should beware of downward pressure on the pound going forward as economic conditions deteriorate. I believe the direction of the FXB has only become more uncertain following the rejection of May's deal and investors should keep a close eye on political developments (second referendum or no deal-Brexit) to determine whether to invest in the FXB ETF. Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4233971-can-rally-pound-continue |
Will Shutdown Risk End This Year's Equity Sector Rallies? | Unfortunately, there are still no signs that a political solution to the shutdown is near and so analysts are factoring in the potential for trouble. A key risk factor that may weigh on this year's rally in the days and weeks ahead: the partial government shutdown. The only sector with red ink so far this year: utilities. The partial government shutdown could be a slow-moving train wreck for the US economy, but for the moment, the crowd is inclined to reprice the major equity sectors higher in the new year following 2018's haircut. The partial government shutdown could be a slow-moving train wreck for the US economy, but for the moment, the crowd is inclined to reprice the major equity sectors higher in the new year following 2018's haircut. With the exception of utilities, year-to-date returns are positive across the board through yesterday's close (Jan. 16), based on a set of sector ETFs. Energy stocks are in the lead: The Energy Select Sector SPDR (NYSEARCA:XLE) has roared ahead by 8.1% so far in 2019. Nipping at XLE's heels is the Communication Services Select Sector (NYSEARCA:XLC), which is up 7.6% year to date. The rebound in commodities prices is supporting shares of energy firms. By one analyst's outlook, the rebound in raw materials has more room to run. "We're bullish on commodities," said Jeff Curries, global head of Commodities Research at Goldman Sachs, in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday. His reasoning: "One, because you don't have the rising (interest) rates anymore and in fact, they've come off and they're on pause. Two, the dollar's really strong and likely to weaken from here as opposed to strengthen like it did last year." History suggests that a firmer greenback tends to align with higher commodity prices, which are typically prices in dollars. Today's report that OPEC cut oil production in December offers another source of bullish support for energy shares. The only sector with red ink so far this year: utilities. The Utilities Select Sector SPDR (NYSEARCA:XLU) has edged down 0.1% year to date. One reason for the weakness in this corner is the spillover of negative sentiment following news that PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) will file for bankruptcy - news that crushed the stock and contributed to weakness in other utility shares. Meanwhile, the broad US stock market continues to post a solid gain: The SPDR S&P 500 (NYSEARCA:SPY) is ahead 4.4% year to date. A key risk factor that may weigh on this year's rally in the days and weeks ahead: the partial government shutdown. The outlook for the US economy is increasingly coming under pressure from the budget stalemate in Washington. Although the macro trend is still moderately positive, fallout from furloughing 800,000 federal workers and 1 million-plus contractors is starting to pinch. The economic repercussions have been limited so far, but if the shutdown drags on, it's likely that the headwinds will build and help strengthen the slowdown that was already underway in late-2018. Unfortunately, there are still no signs that a political solution to the shutdown is near and so analysts are factoring in the potential for trouble. "You can take the ruler out right now and calculate the exact impact from missed paychecks and contracts and you don't have to go many months to get to zero growth," advises Torsten Slok, chief international economist at Deutsche Bank. "But this is not just some linear event. It can get exponentially worse in very unpredictable ways, from government workers quitting, to strikes, to companies not going public. It's no longer just a political sideshow, it's a real recession risk." Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4233966-will-shutdown-risk-end-years-equity-sector-rallies |
Is Gloucestershire town about to lose one of its most established shops? | The video will start in 8 Cancel Get Daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Speculation on social media suggests that Superdrug is to close its shop in Tewkesburys High Street. The health and beauty chain has yet to confirm or deny the rumour. Comment on Facebook, including from someone saying they work in the long-established shop, suggests that it will shut on January 31. (Image: Nick Parford Photography) That has disappointed many people in Tewkesbury, not least because it comes on the back of the closure of two long established pubs in the town - The Britannia Inn and The Albion. One of those commenting on Facebooks Tewkesbury Noticeboard page was Lyn Taylor. She said: Oh noooooooooo not another decent shop closing down !!!!!! ? Download the Gloucestershire Live app Gloucestershire Live now has an app. You can get all the latest news, sport and lifestyle that matters to you in an easy-to-use, clear format. You can also choose to receive notifications when the biggest stories break so you're always keeping pace with what's happening locally. You can download the app now, just search for Gloucestershire Live in your app store. She added that she still missed the M&S shop which opened briefly in Tewkesbury a few years ago before shutting. (Image: Nick Parford Photography) Reflecting on it being a difficult time for retailers in the town, Lee Watts said: With pubs and shops closing down its sad. Some have been wondering what might replace Superdrug if it does leave the site in Tewkesbury. Ayesha Albrecht said: So another coffee shop, hairdressers or charity shop will replace it then? Gloucestershire Live asked the shop to comment on the matter. A worker there declined to say anything and asked to call Superdrugs head office. We are now waiting for the companys media representatives to respond to our query. | https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/gloucestershire-town-lose-one-most-2441709 |
Did Aurora Cannabis Just Dilute Its Shareholders Again? | Aurora Cannabis (ACB) announced after the market closed on Wednesday that it is issuing US$250 million of convertible senior notes through a private placement. Investors were caught off guard, and the stock tumbled more than 8% in after-hours trading. We think the negative reaction came from the fear of constant dilution and concerns over Aurora's near-term liquidity. However, we will compare it to Tilray's (NASDAQ:TLRY) US$400 million convertible issuances last year to show you why this deal is neutral and could actually signal possible U.S. moves. US$250 Million Converts After the market closed on Wednesday, Aurora announced that it is issuing US$250 of convertible senior notes due 2024 via a private placement. No terms were announced by Aurora as the deal is a private offering, which is different from the bought deals that are often used by cannabis companies in Canada. Without terms, we could only understand that the offering will be in the form of convertible notes, which means that these notes can be converted into common shares of Aurora at a predetermined price. The conversion price is usually set at levels higher than Aurora's closing share price. First of all, the deal is worse than a straight-up debt instrument for existing Aurora shareholders due to possible dilutions. Convertible debts are attractive investments for new investors because they can share the upside should Aurora share price rise above the conversion price. If that were to happen, existing shareholders will be diluted, and Aurora essentially issued a bunch of stock at lower share prices. We think there are two potential reasons. First of all, Aurora is likely looking to expand into the U.S. hemp market, and it needs USD to match future acquisitions and investments. Canopy (OTC:CGC) announced that it just received its hemp license in New York, and we fully expect that other large Canadian cannabis companies are busy working on their entry into the U.S. hemp industry. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp and also opened the market to Canadian firms which have been confined to the Canadian market until now. (Business Insider) The second reason for the USD raise could be that Aurora is getting better terms in the U.S. compared to the Canadian market. The Canadian market might be too small or has worse terms compared to the U.S. market, but we think the need for U.S. expansion capital is more likely the cause. Tilray Did The Same Thing We also think it is worth pointing out that Tilray raised US$450 million back in October 2018 through a similar transaction. Tilray raised money to capitalize on its red-hot share price based on the following terms: US$450 million senior unsecured convertible notes The conversion price of US$167.41 was 15% higher than Tilray's closing share price on the pricing date Tilray cannot redeem the notes before October 2021; after that, the notes can be redeemed if Tilray share price is 30% higher than the conversion price for at least 20 trading days Tilray shares closed at US$85.61 on Wednesday While each stock is different and market conditions could have changed materially, we think Tilray's transaction represents a useful benchmark for Aurora as investors try to wrap their head around the announcement. Aurora is likely to get similar terms as Tilray did including the conversion price. However, there are also differences between the two cases. Tilray shares were on a tear and reached as high as US$300, so the raise was viewed as an opportunistic raise that proved to be prescient. The notes are deeply out of the money, and Tilray likely got better terms such as lower interest rate. In the case of Aurora, its shares have been under pressure throughout 2018, and investors are rightfully worried that this capital raise could result in additional dilution to existing shareholders. Investors' Reaction Clearly, investors weren't expecting this capital raise just two days after Aurora announced the C$175 million acquisition of Whistler Medical Marijuana where Aurora is issuing 21 million shares. On Wednesday, Aurora shares tumbled more than 8% in after-hours trading, wiping out some of its recent gains. However, as we illustrated above, this convertible issuance represents a normal transaction as Tilray did almost the exact same deal in October 2018. We think the USD proceeds also signal Aurora's near-term plan to enter the U.S. hemp industry and accelerate its international expansion. (Seeking Alpha) We understand how some investors could view the announcement negatively. Some people will see this raise as evidence that management is trying to capitalize on the recent strong share price performance and could derail the recent momentum. However, we think the 8% drop in after-hours trading might be an overreaction, given the deal is neutral for the company. Conclusion Aurora's decision to issue US$250 million of convertible notes is likely driven by its U.S. ambition and its strong share price performance in 2019 so far. We think the deal is neutral overall, but more dilution is a very likely result, which could be concerning for some investors. Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4234139-aurora-cannabis-just-dilute-shareholders |
How Much Is Gamestop Worth To A Private Equity Firm? | In this article, I will create a very simple Leveraged Buyout model to estimate the value of Gamestop for a private firm. A private firm could achieve outstanding returns by acquiring the company at $18 per share, at an EV/EBITDA-multiple of less than 4. Although Gamestop's core business is in a secular decline, the company will continue to generate strong cash flows for a few years. Gamestop's (GME) downturn comes as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to the videogame market. The continued growth in digital downloads has been decreasing Gamestop's market share for years. In addition, the rise in popularity of DLC and microtransactions have shifted consumer dollars from new titles to digital purchases. Despite all of that, Gamestop has managed to generate strong (although declining) cash flows, making it valuable to a private firm willing to extract cash for as long as possible. Credit: Cryptic Images Reasons to Believe Gamestop Will Sell Itself Almost everyone knows that Gamestop is looking for buyers by now. The board of directors has confirmed multiple times that they are "engaging with third parties regarding a possible transaction." There is still a chance that these talks won't lead to a sale. However, I firmly believe that the sale will happen for the following reasons: Depressed valuation: Wall Street has almost completely given up on Gamestop. At its current price, the stock trades at an EV/EBITDA of ~3. (Counting the cash from the sale of Spring Mobile and discounting $100M of the current 2018 EBITDA estimate: EV=$1300M EBITDA=$434.3). A private firm could easily generate great returns by acquiring Gamestop at an EV/EBITDA of less than 4. Sale of Spring Mobile: Although the Spring sale was smart given its attractive price of $700M (7 times EBITDA), Gamestop did not need the cash and had just improved Spring's profitability thanks to a new agreement with AT&T. In addition, according to their latest 10-Q, as of November 3, 2018, Gamestop did not consider the sale of Spring Mobile to be probable, giving us reason to believe that the Spring sale happened because buyers were only interested in the core business of Gamestop. No Permanent CEO: Gamestop has been without a permanent CEO since May, when Michael K Mauler abruptly resigned for personal reasons only 2 months after being appointed. This makes me assume that the board is not interested in continuing to lead the company and would prefer cashing out. Risks The current cheap valuation of Gamestop is justified given the existing threats to its core business. We will probably see the stock go back down to $12 per share if a deal does not go through, which would be an attractive entry point for those that believe the company will survive another generation of consoles. The major threats to Gamestop are streaming, consoles without optical drives and the ban of preowned games. Streaming: Subscriptions services such as PlayStation Now, Xbox Game Pass and EA Access are already hurting Gamestop's pre-owned business, since almost all of their catalog is composed by older titles. However, if new services like the upcoming Google's Project Stream gain popularity, we may see more and more new titles launching on these services, hurting console and new game sales. Nonetheless, most industry experts agree that we will see one more physical generation before completely moving to streaming, giving Gamestop at least 8 more years. By then, the collectible and retro businesses may be big enough to maintain profitability. Consoles without optical drives: According to the latest edition of Nielsens annual US Games 360 Report, 66% of surveyed console players prefer buying the physical version of a game. Although a cheaper console alternative without optical drive may sway some physical buyers, consumers with a slow internet connection and consumers that like trading games will still prefer physical media. Ban of preowned games: Microsoft already tried to restrict used games when it launched the Xbox One console back in 2013. This announcement was met with huge backlash by the gaming community and Microsoft was forced to backtrack on this policy. It is therefore unlikely that the new generation of consoles will again attempt to get rid of physical game sharing. My Leverage Buyout Model and Valuation For my very simple model I used the following base data: At an acquisition price of $18 per share, we get an equity value of approximately $1880M. Gamestop had $454.5M of cash and $820M of long-term debt in the third quarter. Since we are almost at the end of the fourth quarter, I added the $700M obtained from the sale of Spring and $145.5M from the earnings in the fourth quarter to the cash balance. Implied Equity Value 1,880.0 Plus: Debt +820 Less: Cash Balance -1300 Estimated EV-valuation 1400 2018 EBITDA (Excluding Spring Mobile) 434.3 EV/EBITDA-multiple 3.22x I assumed the deal would be funded with a split of 70% debt and 30% equity: Debt 1,316.0 70% Equity 564.0 30% Total Funds used 1,880.0 These are the other factors I used for my projections: Interest rate, % (financing cost debt) 8.0% Depreciation of sales % 1.5% Capex of sales % 1.2% Net Working Capital of sales % 6.8% Corporate tax rate 23.0% Minimum Cash Balance 400 Expected returns if the private firm exited the investment on their fifth year: Year 5 Assumptions in millions EBITDA 417.4 EV/EBITDA Exit Multiple 3.22x Net Debt -315.6 Year 5 IRR Calc Equity value Entry 31/01/2019 564.0 Exit 31/01/2024 1,661.3 IRR 24.1% ROIC 2.9x Notes: The ending debt balance for 2018 was calculated by adding the current debt of $820M and the debt used by the private firm of $1316M. For the 2018 and 2019 data I used the current analysts revenue and EBITDA consensus estimate. I removed $700M of revenue and $100M of EBITDA from tech brands in 2019 and maintained the expected revenue growth. 2020 and beyond are personal projections which could be vastly different to internal projections and actual results. The private firm will use all excess cash as soon as possible to pay down debt and only maintain a $400M cash balance. I expect the new generation of consoles to release in mid-late 2021, this should provide a nice boost to comparable sales. in millions 2018A 2019E 2020E 2021E 2022E 2023E Net sales 8,904.4 7876.2 7,246.1 7,608.4 7,988.8 7,589.4 growth, % (3.5%) (4.0%) (8.0%) 5.0% 5.0% (5.0%) EBITDA 534.3 433.2 380.4 418.5 439.4 417.4 margin, % 6.0% 5.5% 5.25% 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% Depreciation -132.4 -117.1 -107.7 -113.1 -118.8 -112.8 Cash flow Interest expenses -55.3 -80.9 -62.8 -47.0 -29.1 -6.7 Taxes -86.6 -54.1 -48.3 -59.4 -67.0 -68.5 Capex -105.0 -92.9 -85.4 -89.7 -94.2 -89.5 Increase/decrease in NWC 18.9 42.8 -24.6 -25.9 27.2 Excess cash used for debt paydown 900.0 Free Cash Flow Available for Debt 224.2 226.7 197.7 223.1 279.8 Less: Debt Repayment -1,124.2 -226.7 -197.7 -223.1 -279.8 Ending Debt Balance 2,136.0 1,011.8 785.0 587.3 364.2 84.4 Estimated EV-valuation 1,400.0 1,396.6 1,226.4 1,349.1 1,416.5 1,345.7 Less: Debt -820.0 -1,011.8 -785.0 -587.3 -364.2 -84.4 Plus: Cash Balance 1,300.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 400.0 Implied Equity Value 1,880.0 784.8 841.4 1,161.7 1,452.3 1,661.3 Conclusion There is no doubt that Gamestop is a cheap stock. However, the secular decline in its core business and the existing and upcoming major threats to its profits are enough to justify this depressed valuation. Nonetheless, the company is priced so cheaply that a private equity firm with capable management could extract enough cash from the business to justify an acquisition at a premium to its current price. In conclusion, I expect that Gamestop will be acquired before the end of February at $18-$21 per share. If the acquisition does not happen we will likely see the stock trade back to $12 per share unless the company announces a considerable buyback program with all of its excess cash. Disclosure: I am/we are long GME. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4233945-much-gamestop-worth-private-equity-firm |
What Is GDP In China? | The second set of problems has to do with how carefully and faithfully Chinese statisticians at the National Bureau of Statistics are calculating the agreed-upon elements that go into measuring GDP. Analysts are increasingly skeptical that China's very high reported GDP growth rate provides a meaningful picture of the economy's health. There are, however, at least three very different ways that reported GDP can fail to reflect the underlying economy. The Chinese economy is not growing at 6.5 percent. It is probably growing by less than half of that. Not everyone agrees that the rate is that low, of course, but there is nonetheless a running debate about what is really happening in the Chinese economy and whether or not the country's reported GDP growth is accurate. The reason for the widespread skepticism is the disconnect between the official data and perceptions on the ground. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's economic growth in every quarter last year exceeded 6.5 percent. While that is much lower than the heady growth rates China has experienced for most of the past forty years, it is still, by most measures, a very brisk rate of growth. And yet, when you speak to Chinese businesses, economists, or analysts, it is hard to find any economic sector enjoying decent growth. Almost everyone is complaining bitterly about terribly difficult conditions, rising bankruptcies, a collapsing stock market, and dashed expectations. In my eighteen years in China, I have never seen this level of financial worry and unhappiness. These concerns have even breached academia. One of my students told me yesterday that there was a huge increase last semester on the university website in the number of students selling their belongings because they are hard up for cash. They are selling their phones, computers, clothing, and lots of other possessions. He said the amount of selling is noticeably higher than last year, enough so that everyone is talking about it. And he indicated that this is apparently happening at other schools too. It seems that the poor and middle-class kids are squeezed for cash because they are getting much less money from home than they have in the past. This isn't what you'd expect to hear from an economy growing at more than 6.5 percent. It turns out that there are three completely different sets of problems that affect how China's GDP growth statistics should be interpreted. Analysts must keep these three problems straight and make sure that they don't confuse matters by conflating these separate issues. The first set of problems relates to the meaning of GDP itself. This challenge affects not just China but the rest of the world as well. This is especially true for advanced economies with substantial technology and service sectors that employ technology whose value may be substantially understated by an inability to count it accurately. GDP is typically assumed to measure the creation of real economic value. If a country's GDP rises by 5 percent over the course of a year, for example, this is interpreted to mean that the amount of wealth the country produced in the last year is 5 percent greater than in the previous year. In other words, it would be assumed that the country's ability to service debt would have increased by 5 percent, which means roughly the same thing. But there is no way to truly measure a country's creation of real economic value, as GDP is just a proxy for whatever it is thought to measure. Economists have agreed which measurements go into calculating GDP, and the resulting sum is referred to as a country's aggregate GDP, or the value of everything produced locally in that economy. Of course, not all value-creating activities are counted when GDP is measured. For instance, if you teach your friend Spanish for free, you add to the wealth of the economy, but you do not add to GDP. By contrast, if he does pay you, the country's GDP does increase by the amount of money you are paid, even though you are adding exactly the same value to the economy itself whether he pays you or not. In addition, not all measured activity actually creates value: building, for example, would create exactly the same increase in GDP as building a much-needed bridge. No proxy of economic value is perfect, of course, but there are real questions about whether GDP is imperfect to the point of being useless as a proxy. While this is a serious problem everywhere, it may be even more of a problem in China because of the huge amount of investment in nonproductive activities that is counted in China's GDP data even though this investment does not add to the country's wealth or its debt-servicing capacity. The second set of problems has to do with how carefully and faithfully Chinese statisticians at the National Bureau of Statistics are calculating the agreed-upon elements that go into measuring GDP. I am pretty sure that China's economic data collection is distorted in ways that smooth out volatility, but otherwise I assume, at least until very recently, that the National Bureau of Statistics has followed generally accepted rules for calculating GDP more or less correctly. I don't have a high level of confidence in my assumption though: as I pointed out earlier, it is hard to find any sector of the Chinese economy that is behaving the way you'd expect a country growing at more than 6.5 percent to behave. Furthermore, especially in recent years, it has been hard to reconcile other economic proxies with the GDP numbers. (See, for example, this article by Johns Hopkins University economists Bob Barbera and Yinghao Hu, which itself refers to a satellite imaging study.) What is more, people whose work I greatly respect, like Anne Stevenson-Yang of J Capital, seem very much to doubt the data and argue that China's actual growth rate is much lower than the posted numbers, largely because the data is falsified at some level of the collection process. But whatever the case may be, if there is indeed a substantial discrepancy between what the statisticians actually measure and what they are claiming to measure, it is very hard to make predictions about how long the overstatement will continue and how much of an adjustment it will eventually undergo. The third set of problems with GDP occurs in a very limited number of cases globally (today, China is the main example). But the implications are much greater. This has to do with whether GDP is even being used as a proxy for economic activity. In China, reported GDP does not tell observers about the economy's performance; rather, it tells people how rapidly Beijing thinks it can impose the necessary adjustments on the Chinese economy. This is because GDP means something different in China than it does in most other major economies. In any economic system, GDP is supposed to be a measure of output, and in most countries that is exactly what it measures, however messily. The economy does what it does, in other words, and at the end of a given time period, statisticians measure the things economists agree to include in the relevant calculations, and they express the change over time as the scale of GDP growth for that period. This is not what happens in China, where GDP is actually an input determined annually as the country's GDP growth target. The growth target of a given time period is decided well ahead of time, and to achieve it, various entities, including local governments, engage in the requisite amount of activity, usually funded by debt. As long as China has debt capacity, and as long as it can postpone the writing down of nonproductive assets, Beijing can achieve any growth target it desires. But this arrangement changes the meaning of GDP. Reported GDP in China is no longer a measure of economic growth, but rather a measure of political intention. As any systems theorist knows, input data reveals nothing about the performance of a system. So when analysts discuss what reported GDP indicates about the health of the Chinese economy, such thinking involves a very basic mistake in systems theory-a systems input can only offer insights about the goals of the operators, never about the performance of the system itself. In practical terms, this means that once Beijing sets a GDP growth target, local governments are expected to generate enough economic activity to reach that target, and they are able to borrow as much as they need to do so. If this activity were productive, there wouldn't be a problem, although it would be an amazing coincidence (or a truly incredible feat of prognostication) for the amount of productive activity to truly equal the growth target. What would be more likely in that case is that GDP growth would consistently exceed the target, which is, indeed, what happened until about a decade or so ago. But if the economic activity isn't productive, there are two requirements that allow China to set GDP growth as a systems input in a way other countries are unable to do. First, there must be no hard budget constraints, so as to allow economic entities to persist in value-destroying behavior year after year. Second, the resulting bad debt cannot be written down. Once these two conditions are met - and they are in China's case - Beijing can set any growth target it likes and, as long as it has the necessary debt capacity, it can achieve that target. But notice that achieving the target reveals nothing about the country's real economic growth, for which GDP is supposed to be a (however imperfect) proxy. Once GDP growth becomes a systems input, rather than an output, it does not indicate anything about the economy's health or performance. Conclusion There is likely to be no end this year to the discussions about China's economic growth rate and its relationship to GDP. By now, observers widely agree that China's economy is not as strong as the GDP data suggests. And I suspect that only a handful of the least imaginative resolutely-mainstream economists (and, weirdly enough, this is more likely to be true of foreign than Chinese ones) still believe that China's economy is as healthy and brisk as would be expected from a country whose GDP is growing at 6.5 percent and is expected to grow next year by more than 6 percent. The problems facing the Chinese economy, and the worries expressed by Chinese leaders, are so deep that it no longer requires much imagination to figure out that reported GDP in China simply does not represent what we think it represents elsewhere. Yet some economists have not always understood the implications, and they often seem to refuse to adjust their methodologies to take into account the aforementioned problems with China's reported GDP data. Yesterday, for example, I read a report written by an economist that discussed the implications of China's PPP-adjusted GDP being the biggest in the world. But any observers that are at all skeptical about the relationship between the Chinese economy and its reported GDP must dismiss the PPP-adjustment as almost complete nonsense. (I don't mean that the PPP-adjusted data is less accurate for China than it is for other countries: I mean, quite literally, that it is almost complete nonsense). Any ratio based on reported GDP figures can only be comparably meaningful for China to the extent that China's reported GDP numbers have the same relationship to the underlying economy-or to whatever GDP is thought to mean-as corresponding numbers in other countries do. But surely few observers still believe that. The point is that if there has been a divergence between China's reported GDP figures and the country's underlying economy, there are at least three completely different ways that this discrepancy can manifest itself. Observers too often confuse the three, however. For example, I have said many times that I believe that if China's GDP were to be expressed in a way that is comparable with that of other countries, it would be growing at less than half the current reported growth rate. A lot of people interpret this to mean that I think Beijing is falsifying the data, but I don't mean that at all. In my mind, the biggest problem is that China's reported GDP is an input into the economic system, not a measured output. To make China's GDP figures comparable to those of other countries, the input numbers would have to be adjusted with some relevant output, such as the amount of bad debt that should be (but isn't) written down in a given time period. If this amount were subtracted from China's nominal GDP growth rate, the resulting adjusted growth rate probably would be a lot closer to what economists think of as GDP than the country's actual reported GDP data is. Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4233927-gdp-china |
Whats happened in Suffolk this week? | easyHotel in Ipswich town centre the new 'super budget' hotel. Picture: RACHEL EDGE Archant Ed Sheeran, easyHotels, Paul Lambert and... doorbell thieves - Here are the top stories you need to read today. Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. Staff prepare for the coming closure at the Philips Avent in Glemsford. Picture: PHIL MORLEY Staff prepare for the coming closure at the Philips Avent in Glemsford. Picture: PHIL MORLEY Hundreds of jobs to go as Philips Avent plant in Glemsford to close Suffolks Phillips Avent factory, employing around 500 people in Suffolk, will be closing and moving its business to Holland and Indonesia, with some workers pointing the finger at Brexit. Philips Avent announced plans to move the majority of operations from its factory in Glemsford, near Sudbury, with workers told a full site shutdown will happen next year and that a staff consultation process will start next month. Residents in Ravenswood are having to be reunited with their missing doorbells via an Ipswich Facebook Page. Picture: CONTRIBUTED Residents in Ravenswood are having to be reunited with their missing doorbells via an Ipswich Facebook Page. Picture: CONTRIBUTED Fed-up neighbours in Ravenswood have been on the receiving end of an unusual version of knock-down ginger - with nuisance thieves ringing their bells before making off with them. At least 20 people in the area of have reported being victim to the door bell thieves in recent weeks, with the first of the spate of thefts taking place before Christmas. Super slimmer loses nearly 50lbs - and saves a few pounds too A mum of three has proven you really can eat well for less after cutting her food bill to just 35 a week whilst slimming down from a size 16 to a super skinny size 8. Clair Moyes feeds her family of five for 35 a week Picture: RACHEL EDGE Clair Moyes feeds her family of five for 35 a week Picture: RACHEL EDGE Clair Moyes, of Trimley, does a monthly shop, spending 130 on healthy groceries for her, her partner and children Blake, Koryn and Mable. You can see Clairs monthly shopping list in our article too. easyHotel rooms soar to 117.99 a night for Ed Sheeran gigs A new budget hotel has increased its prices to seven-times the standard rate ahead of the Suffolk stars headline shows this summer. easyHotel has already sold out on Saturday, August 24 the most popular of Sheerans homecoming gigs at Chantry Park. Ed Sheeran's gigs in Ipswich next summer are certainly going to be one of the biggest events ever in Ipswich and hotel prices are soaring. Picture: PA IMAGES Ed Sheeran's gigs in Ipswich next summer are certainly going to be one of the biggest events ever in Ipswich and hotel prices are soaring. Picture: PA IMAGES Rooms on Friday, August 23 and Sunday, August 25 are available to book for 117.99 - and you can see what youll get with our first-look tour of the rooms. And on the back pages... We need you until the very end - Lamberts open letter to Town fans Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert has written an open letter to the clubs fans, thanking them for their support and urging them to back his side to the very end of their battle against relegation. In his Letter Lambert writes: Ive never known a crowd to be like this when their team is bottom of the league. If I wasnt the manager here I would pay to watch a game from the stands. | https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/trimley-slimming-world-weight-loss-and-philips-avent-glemsford-to-close-1-5856598 |
Is It Over Yet? | Earnings reporting season starts this week. Over the last three months, 65% of the earnings reported have been surprises on the upside. While this is above average, it is also below the rate in recent quarters. In investing, it is rare indeed that one can buy at the absolute bottom and sell at the ultimate top. Rather, dynamic investing often requires you to start buying before the bottom and continue after the bottom. The mere existence of the recent market bounce and big percentage daily up moves do not provide a definitive rationale for a resumption of the rally. Such moves seem to happen at least as often on the way down from a top as they do rising from a bottom. By Jerry Wagner We've now had a 19% decline. That's from one daily closing price to another daily closing price - 9/20/2018 to 12/24/2018. On an intraday high to intraday low, it was a 20.2% decline. That's more than a 20% decline. That's what we learned was the definition of a bear market. Since the bottom on Christmas Eve, the S&P 500 has rallied 10.17%. That's almost, but not quite, halfway back because of the mathematics of declines. A 20% loss takes a 12.5% recovery to return to the halfway mark. Still, it was a big bounce. And it occurred over a shorter period than any bounceback since 2009. That's what Bloomberg and other financial media outlets told us on the web. But they failed to mention that in the 2000-2003 bear market, this happened five times before the market finally went into long-term rally mode. And the same was true in the 2007-2008 sell-off. As you can imagine, I do hear that question a lot. But I can't answer that question with certainty. The market has a mind of its own on such occasions. We could head lower from here, or we could rally right back above the highs made back in September. I can relate the present market to past market history and this environment to other bear market moments. I do know that the mere existence of the recent market bounce and big percentage daily up moves described here and in last week's article do not provide a definitive rationale for a resumption of the rally. Such moves seem to happen at least as often on the way down from a top as they do rising from a bottom. Since WWII, there have been 12 times when the market has fallen at least 15% within three months and then risen at least 10% in a 10-day period. In all but two of them, the S&P 500 was at a higher level a year later. The average gain was 13%. I'd say "no," but it probably is a good time to start buying. In the past, when this "decline then bounce" pattern occurred, the market actually went lower within the next week half the time. That's right, lower lows were reached half the time after the big bounce occurred. In investing, it is rare indeed that one can buy at the absolute bottom and sell at the ultimate top. Rather, dynamic investing often requires you to start buying before the bottom and continue after the bottom. Sometimes, the first buy will occur substantially before and/or after the bottom. Many buys usually occur along the way to becoming 100% invested again. Most of our strategies outperformed the S&P 500 on the way down in the 19.8% decline from September 24. But none of them sold at the top on that day. Rather, they gained clues from the market as it proceeded down, telegraphing the knowledge that further declines were likely. When they quit selling, some strategies were still invested a small percentage in stocks, some held no stocks, and a number were actually short or inverse the market, making gains as stocks continued to tumble. I expect it will be the same story if stocks rally further from here. Our strategies will likely become more aggressive as they follow their time-tested methodologies on the way up, just as they reduced their exposure on the way down. But importantly, if stocks turn around and head lower once again, the reduction in equity exposure in the strategies will likely continue and the percent short may get larger. The point is that with quantitative investment strategies it is not a question of being able to determine if it is "over yet." Rather, it's knowing that whatever actions the strategies are taking, the probability (rather than the certainty) that they are going in the right direction for your portfolio is likely. Market update The market showed strong gains this week as the S&P rose 2.5%, the NASDAQ closed up 3.5%, and the previously weak Russell 2000 Index of small-cap issues rallied 4.85%. After the fourth-quarter decline, that sounds so good. And there are plenty of indicators suggesting that the gains since Christmas Eve are just the beginning. The indexes have been broadly positive. New highs, and the extent of both advancing issues and volume, suggest further gains. Similarly, economic data, while soft, must still be rated as supportive. Sentiment is not at an extreme, suggesting a change. Suddenly the talk of interest-rate hikes has turned almost dovish. Federal Reserve governors have started talking in terms of slowing down the rush to raise rates, and projections of three rate hikes this year have been morphing into only one. Earnings reporting season starts this week. Over the last three months, 65% of the earnings reported have been surprises on the upside. While this is above average, it is also below the rate in recent quarters. Similarly, it's also the case with revenues, although to a lesser positive extent. The future earnings guidance given by reporting companies has been negative lately. However, this suggests a greater chance of positive surprises this reporting season, and that augurs well for earnings-supported price increases in stocks as the month-long reporting plays out. All of this is on the positive side of the ledger. Most of these data, like economic and earnings reports, are also more intermediate term. In contrast, while the negative side of the balance sheet also has many entries, they are more immediate and likely more short term. While interest rates have been falling, we are near support levels. The direction of rates seems likely to turn upward. The S&P 500 has now returned to the levels at which the rally found support. What was once hard to break through to the downside becomes a barrier that is difficult to break back through to the upside. Of course, stocks are overbought. They have moved higher and faster than normal, and could probably use at least a pause. All in all, we have a mixed picture, as seems always to be the case. So, for me, in the short term, it isn't over yet. But for those who don't have to write a weekly blog post and have a longer-term perspective, it is probably time to start accumulating. Speaking of blog posts, this one is over. Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4233909-yet |
What can Bognor expect when they take on Potters Bar this weekend? | Potters Bar are the visitors to Nyewood Lane on Saturday - and Rocks boss Jack Pearce has warned that anyone expecting an easy game for his team doesn't appreciate how competitive the Bostik premier is. The Rocks will look to make it back-to-back league wins after the win at Burgess Hill Town last Saturday. The Nyewood Lane side currently sit in fifth place on 39 points after 25 games, but are 10 points off top-of-the-table Haringey Borough. Potters Bar are in 17th place on 28 points but have lost their past five league games under joint managers Lee OLeary and Scott Cousins. Away from home the Hertfordshire team have won four and lost seven - and have yet to draw. Their last league success was a 1-0 win at AFC Hornchurch on December 11. They are low scorers - with 28 - but are quite good defensively, with only 32 goals conceded, three fewer than Bognor. They play their home games at Parkfield and were promoted from the Bostik north last season. The club were formed in 1960 as Mount Grace Old Scholars and changed their name to Potters Bar in 1991. How Rocks won at Burgess Hill Rocks are warned after defeat in Essex The Scholars top scorers are Bradley Sach and Dernell Wynter, who have scored nine each in all competitions. The last time they met the Rocks was on September 29 in a 2-2 draw. The Rocks went two down in 42 minutes, the goals scored by Eoin Casey and Keegan Cole. Bognor fought back through strikes from Dan Smith and Harvey Whyte. | https://www.chichester.co.uk/sport/football/non-league/what-can-bognor-expect-when-they-take-on-potters-bar-this-weekend-1-8772548 |
Can Art Make Something Happen? | And then theres evidence, too, of the human response: a cacophony of cults and cons, panic and denial. Biplanes trail banners urging, Repent Now! One insists Legislative Action Would Be Premature, while still others veritably beg, Build the Sea Wall! All over the place blimps float through the sky, offering seats on The Ark and indeed, over there to the right, across several cards, an Ark is busily being slapped together. Alcatraz Island has been given over to high-rises, with sale banners advertising Flood-Proof! Secure Luxury! which is to say, a whole different kind of prison. Mountain playgrounds promote Artificial Snow! Traffic jams coil endlessly off into the distance, a green highway sign advising, Someplace Safe: 96 miles. Stadiums have been converted into water reservoirs. And pipes course every which way, binding the entire piece in a web of compounding cross-purposes (fracked oil, water diverted toward the privileged and away from everyone else). Every structure, even the cliffscapes, seems slathered with livid graffiti, and from the lower right rises up a sinister murder of crows. This Land invites and rewards and presently compels close viewing: You get sucked in, and as minutes pass, ever slyer details emerge. Eventually you pull away, and the wider scene reverts to that birds eye pastoral sublime. Only now you realize the sun hovering above the distant horizon isnt slowly rising: its fast setting. | https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/18/arts/design/david-opdyke-university-of-michigan-artist-activist.html |
Where do we go now? | 1. Guns N Roses is still huge. Their Not in This Lifetime tour, which kicked off with a small show at Hollywoods Troubadour in April 2016, and wrapped up its 2017 portion at the Forum in Inglewood, California, in November 2017, grossed over $500 million. They got $104 of mine, for the November 21 show at Oaklands Oracle Arena. On the three-hour ride between Nevada City and the concert, I heard their hit Paradise City on 96.9 The Eagle, Sacramentos classic rock station. Paradise City might be my favorite song of all time. It starts off with a single, graceful open chord, ten seconds of gentle strumming, then about five seconds of drums, then the chorus, which goes like this: Take me down to the Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty / oh wont you please take me home and is repeated 14 times before the songs end, six minutes later. (Those are full repetitions only.) And finally it is. Axl sticks the ending, holding the word home, which somehow turns into the word yeah, and then, throwing out a last, perfect pitch, a deadpan sexy utterance of the word Ba-by. When I was a kid in the 1980s, I had a friend whose mom was a heavy smoker and whose discipline philosophy centered around screaming herself hoarse. Axls voice is like a sexy version of her voice. Or maybe you are a homeschooled Christian. But no. Thats a shallow read of you, and the song. If you cant sing the chorus from this song I would be curious to know why, and I am sure its an interesting story. I myself enjoy films in black and white, and ballet, and long, complicated sentences full of big words, emotions, and/or ideas. But if whatever music youre listening to doesnt make you want to dance or cry or fuck or bench more than you did last week, well, I guess Im not quite sure why youre listening to it, unless of course youre listening to Brian Enos Music for Airports. 2. I love music but I have always been timid around music people. I want their information but at the same time I know they feel they earned it while I was doing other things, like listening to the Bee Gees, Rosanne Cash, and Robyn over and over, or watching Prime Suspect again. Sometimes I wish I had an hour a day to ask tolerant music nerds about music but tolerant music nerd is a contradiction in terms. At the Oracle, which holds 20,000 people, 15,000 of whom had better seats than we did, I sat between two of them: my old friend Adam, and his friend Gary. Gary and Adam are in an 80s cover band called Wizard Van that just so happens to be my favorite band. I warned Gary when I sat down that I would be asking him a lot of stupid questions throughout the show and he assured me that was fine, because we were going to be here for the rest of our lives. He produced a set list for this tour, which he had gotten off the internet, and which apparently had not yet been deviated from in any major way, or any way at all, to prove this. There were 33 songs on it33 songs for a band with 1.2 good albums. Jesus Christ, I said. Is this a set list or is this L. Ron Hubbards Mission Earth? Gary agreed that the set list was comically long. This is where Ive scheduled beer number two. Gary pointed to the song Better, which I had never heard of. This is where Im peeing and possibly getting beer number three. He pointed to Wichita Lineman, which, for the young folks reading this, is an extremely famous country song by Glen Campbell (and for you feminists out there, FYI, Campbells crazy ex-girlfriend, Tanya Tucker, is so much better than he was). Gary continued. This is where I make my exit. He pointed to the last song before the encore songs, of which there were fiveand of which Paradise City was last. I didnt know what was more upsetting to methat Axl Rose was going to sing Wichita Lineman or that Gary was going to leave before Paradise City. Paradise City is one of the greatest rock songs ever written, I said. I just heard it on the way down here, in Auburn, on a stretch between Target and the exit onto 80. Gary said that I should probably retain this as my memory of Paradise City. Does Guns N Roses really suck in concert? Gary looked at me funny. You didnt know that? Well I saw them in 1994, at the Coliseum, but I mean, that was, a long time ago. Anyway, if they suck, why are we here? I have no idea, Gary said. Anyway. Is Paradise City your favorite? Its my third favorite, I said. I then listed for him my wholly unsurprising Guns N Roses top five, most of them from their first and most popular album, the 1987 Appetite for Destruction: My Michelle, November Rain, Paradise City, Knockin on Heavens Door, and Mr. Brownstone. Wow, Gary said. No shame, he added. Which of course meant, shame. I guessed that his favorite was My Michelle, but it was Rocket Queen, the last song on Appetite. Such a music nerd choice, and a good song, but Rocket Queen is stilljust, please. Theres a reason youve heard of the other songs but not Rocket Queen. (A year later, I have to confess: Gary was right about Rocket Queen. It sounded like dogshit in concert, but the recording of it, which I never paid enough attention to, is fucking awesome.) 3. Aside from my not wholly paranoid but perhaps outsize fears of terrorism and fires, I enjoy being in a huge concert arena waiting for a show to start. I am relaxed by the outer-space vibe of the vast, lit-up darkness, and warmed by the camaraderie as fellow lovers of this fine band arrive with friends and loved ones. At around 7:20, I got in the bathroom line. The concert was supposed to start at 7:30, but I figured theyd be late. They werent. At 7:40, I was still in line and the opening chords of Its So Easy thudded through the arena. Throngs of people started running past those of us who had made this poorly timed decision. Some abandoned the line and sprinted off, but not me. I could live without hearing this song. The girl in front of me in line was around 21 and wearing a shitload of eye makeup. She fit in well in this overall heavy-eyeliner crowd. I did spot the occasional tech nerd, but other than that the crowd was not terribly cool or young San Francisco. In fact, if forced to describe the median attendant of this concert, I would say it was a 45-year-old woman with dyed blonde hair from Concord wearing a lattice-front top, acid-washed jeans, and a lot of black eyeliner and foundation. The girl in front of me might have been the daughter of such a person. We waited and waited. The girl turned to me and said, Ill be fast. Im always fast. Im fast too, I said. Yup, the girl said. Im fast unless Im pooping. 4. A typical Guns N Roses song starts with a sort of slow, even dreamy beginning, maybe with lightly shimmering or restrained percussion. Then, generally, comes the riff, insistent, menacing. Strong as the riff starts out, it quickly doubles in sizeit has to, to match the nasal cruelty of Roses voice and the power of the drums. When I was 20 or 21, some Guns N Roses songsMy Michelle and Mr. Brownstone in particularfelt as scary to me as horror movies do. I couldnt listen to them alone, and if I did, my hair would stand on end and Id start checking closets and stuff. In the recorded version of Mr. Brownstone, different guitar sounds zigzag all over the place. It brings to mind a black ballpoint pen furiously scribbling out a drawing of a buxom woman sitting astride a drooling wolf before the teacher sees. In concert, Mr. Brownstone brings to mind an armful of plastic-covered library books tumbling down a flight of stairs. During the next couple songsweird songs I have literally never heard of, like Double Talkin JiveI didnt really listen at all but tried to work out why even the good songs sucked. Obviously Axls voice was not what it once was, but better enunciation would help a lot. Slash by himself sounded good. But the thing that makes Guns N Roses really good are those guitars and Duff McKagans Precision Bass all chasing each chasing the other this way and that. On this particular evening, they were just sort of bumping into each other a lot, like, Oh, you again? They played Chinese Democracy and Welcome to the Jungle. Adam said, I feel like Im watching KISS. I know who KISS is. Still, I didnt know what he meant. I asked him later and, like a true music nerd, he pretended not to hear me. 5. We were pretty far back: section 212, row 10 million. In the authentic arena-rock tradition, my concert experience was mediated by the screens. Much of my enjoyment of the show came from staring at Axl, trying to get a sense of his face. It probably would have been nice if his doctor had told him that feline sleekness of his face had an expiration date that could not be extended with the use of preservatives. I think it is particularly hard for people who were at one point gorgeous to accept aging. Those of us who are merely good or average looking, or ugly, we dont know what its like to lose a face like that, and it might be less painful to have some funhouse version of it than just a generic old one. When I saw Axl play next door, at the Coliseum, I was 24 and he was 31. I still remember the way he moved, the trademark elastic shimmy of his body, which used to be snake-like. It is now, Im sorry to say, more squirrel-like. There are of course no injections for this, so Axl made up for the loss of erotic flexibility by running around a lot. He ran to the left side of the stage. He ran to the right. He ran backwards. He threw the mic into a corner of the stage, then, retriever like, retrieved it. Someone threw a white scarf or T-shirt onstage and he waved it over his head. He set it down, and a few songs later, he picked it up and waved it again. I had forgotten Axl was from the MidwestIndianabut there is a gee-willikers midwesternism in his gestures. For example, when signing the titular line from the song I Used to Love Her, he turned a hand up hopefully toward the heavens, like, Hey, I am a good guy, this all started out innocently enough! Then, signing the songs next line, But I had to kill her, he turned his hand upside down to indicate, Hey, you know, theres a limit to my goodwill, especially with the ladies. True to his word, Gary headed to the bathroom during Wichita Lineman. Its a pretty repetitive song, and Axl has the opportunity to sing the line The Wichita Lineman is still on the line, several times. Hes still on the line! Nothing to worry about, all you nice folks who like linemen to be where they belong, i.e., on lines. At one point someone threw a plaid shirt up onstage and he tried to tie it around his waist and sing at the same time but I think the shirt was kind of small and he didnt have a lot to work with, and it was both cute and sad. It became less cute when, announcing the members of the band, he introduced all the male members by talking about how they shredded or whatever and when he got to the sole female member of the band, he said, simply, This is Melissa, she hates me. 6. The highlight of the show was that our friend Jeremy and his wife were sitting a few seats away from us, and Jeremy stood for every song and danced and air guitared a bit, and Adam kept taking videos of Jeremy and sending them to him with messages like You look really good, Awesome 2 see u rocking out so hard, and Someone tried to tell me you were not that cool and I punched them they are dead now youre welcome. The second-best part of the show was this dude sitting in front of us, a guy around 35 who had retained the stink of the frat. Every time there was an iconic song or moment, like Slashs solo during November Rain, or the chorus of Civil War, he stood, turned around, raised his beer, and shook his head incredulously at those of us who had not bothered to stand. It was a performance hed clearly perfected, in a long life marked by disappointing showings from people he wished would party harder and just be more stoked. 7. November Rain was song 24. (I should mention this article was written prior to Joshua Clovers excellent article for Popula on the November Rain solo.) This is a terrible song, except for the solo, Gary said, citing a popular opinion. I wagged my finger at Gary the way women who grew up with insane dads think Bernie Sanders wagged his finger at Hillary Clinton. You are incorrect, I said. I acknowledged that the main part of the verses is treacly and kind of tuneless: When I look into your eyes I can see a love restrained But darlin when I hold you Dont you know I feel the same But as he heads toward the chorus, Roses adenoidal desperation brings the song to life: If we could take the time To lay it on the line I could rest my head Just knowin you were mine All mine. Then it gets awful again, except for the solo. Fully 65 percent of this song is awful. But the 35 percent of it thats not awful is really good, and I dont know if those parts would be so good without the awful parts. November Rain is a song Guns N Roses created to express what Guns N Roses is. 8. One stares at Axl in perplexed wonder and awe. One stares at Slash with only awe, followed by, because of the hat and sunglasses, a giggle. Yes, at 55, Slash still wears a hat and sunglasses onstage, and possibly when bathing. That said, when he plays he looks like he thinks hes the only person on earth and the hat and sunglasses are what support this mythology. Plus, there is something extremely ridiculous about Gun N Roses. They have a great song whose main lyrics are Well well well. You just cant tell. Well well well, my Michelle. Slash has to wear that dumb hat, and the sunglasses, because if the dumbness were not constant, each dumb part might be too dumb. I read on Wikipedia that Slash first become obsessed with music when he went over to a girls house to get in her pants, but when the girl put on Aerosmiths Rocks, Slash forgot all about her and just listened to the music. I dont know where Slash lives right now but I bet its in some giant house in the Valley, and whenever I think of this concert I will think of him standing out by his pool, in headphones, listening to Rocks, wearing a tracksuit and his hat. His hands covered the entire screen, and were adorned with so many rings they looked like Gaud chapels. His hands are creatures all to themselves and they have created so many sounds that have shaped so many moments of our lives. If I had not learnedagain from Wikipediathat Slash wanted the chorus of Paradise City to be Take me down to the Paradise City / where the girls are fat and theyve got big titties, I might actually want to ask him how he feels about all of it, but I think its enough to just listen. 9. I mentioned I saw Guns N Roses at the Coliseum in 1994, in a bygone era. The plan was to watch them from the floor. We were standing there, drunk, stoned, waiting for the show to beginMetallica openedbut the moment the first notes rang out, thousands of rangy white boys rushed the stage. We were three preppy college kids and we ran in the other direction. During our escape, we found $400 on the ground, and we bought a bag of weed and beer and sat way up top, watching everything from afar. My relief at being away from the stage and the swirl around it was actually intoxicating. Thats the moment I knew I was a chickenshit dork 4 life. The first line of My Michelle is Your daddy works in porno now that mommys not around. They used to seem so terrifying to me. Whoever was being addressed here (Michelle?) seemed to have no future. These days, the idea that this song might be viewed by Michelle as some kind of rebuke, that anyone could get to her with that stuff, seems laughably archaic. If her dad works in porno, well, she probably lives somewhere where no one even cares, where maybe everyone elses dad works in porno too, and where working in porno is totally finethe important thing is that Michelles daddy has a job and may even lives in a big house with a swimming pool. This changed partly because we have been freed from this kind of repressive thinking, but mostly because Michelle now shares her shameful lack of a future with everyone. Guns N Roses promised that something dangerous was clawing at the edges of your life and about to get you. They were right, but they were wrong about their idea that the clawing thing was vice. Bad life choices, doing drugs, fucking too many people, being a whoreits all just circus stuff now. The sun, the acid in the ocean, the rain that doesnt stop, it doesnt give a shit how much coke you do or how many people you fuck. As Gary left I told him I figured out why we we were here. Oh yeah? he said. Why? To bear witness, I said. | https://popula.com/2019/01/15/where-do-we-go-now/ |
Will Cricket Win Over Shooting In YONO SBI's 20 Under 20 Sporting Award? | Cricket crazy India has a dilemma on its hands; whether to vote for Prithvi Shaw or to vote for India's newly-crowned stars of shooting, Anish Bhanwala and Saurabh Chaudhary, in the sports category in the YONO SBI 20 under 20 award. All three have impeccable credentials. Saurabh Chaudhary, 16, is a humble sugarcane farmer's son from Meerut, who won the Asian Games gold at the age of 18. Interestingly, he had already broken the world record before he won his first gold. Anish Bhanwala, 16, has a junior world record in shooting, and is the youngest Commonwealth Games gold medal winner in India. He won the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event with a Games record score and is already beating seniors and Olympic veterans in India. 19-year-old Prithvi Shaw's struggle is well known. His mother died when he was just 4. Born into meagre means, Prithvi's determination and handwork ensured that he became the captain of the under-19 Indian cricket team which won the World Cup. Leading sports scholar Boria Majumdar, who was on the jury to shortlist India's most promising talents in sports under 20, said, "It is important to look beyond just medals, and at the absolute performance of these youngsters as compared to the best in the world." In terms of viewer interest, it is well-known that cricket holds a major share in viewership. All other sports have contributed only to around 20 per cent of the genre viewership, as per a report in 2016. Shooting, on the other hand, has not been a viewer-friendly sport but has traditionally been a highly productive sport for India from a medals point of view. It remains to be seen who India chooses. Regardless of that, it is courageous young boys like these who have infused new energy into India's sporting culture. Their energy and determination resonates with the audience of YONO, SBI's digital bank. YONO is the legacy bank's move to be more fluid and in tandem with a new-age audience that likes to bank on the go at their own convenience on digital platforms. Vote for your favourite YONO SBI 20 under 20 sports achiever here, in order to encourage young India to keep doing better. Disclaimer: This is an advertorial and NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the same. | https://www.ndtv.com/business/will-cricket-win-over-shooting-in-yono-sbis-20-under-20-sporting-award-1979531 |
Can Asean cope with the 'trade war'? | Asean is facing a prolonged period of heightened United States-China competition and, hence, of greater uncertainty. The most obvious manifestation of this new phase in relations between the two nations is the so-called "trade war". The term is something of a misnomer: Trade is only the instrument; the objective is strategic competition. From 1972, when the US and China re-established relations, to the global financial crisis of 2009, the overall emphasis of the relations was on engagement. The two countries will continue to work together selectively. But, as Vice-President Mike Pence's speech of last Oct 4, the National Security Strategy of December 2017 and the National Defence Strategy of January last year clearly signalled, the overall emphasis of the relationship is now on strategic competition. China was clearly caught on the back foot by the new approach. Towards the end of the Hu Jintao administration and far more shrilly under Mr Xi Jinping's leadership, Chinese foreign policy took on a triumphalist tone. Beijing seems to have overestimated its own capabilities and began to believe its own propaganda about the US being in inevitable decline. Asean should not make the same mistake. The new US approach of robust competition will not end with the Trump administration. Neither will the agreement that President Donald Trump and President Xi reached in Argentina substantially change the situation. The new trend had been developing over many years. It was President George W. Bush who first dubbed China a "strategic competitor" almost 20 years ago. The mood of American businesses towards China on intellectual property (IP) and technology theft began to turn sour during the Bush '43 administration. 9/11 was a distraction. The subsequent wars in the Middle East gave China a virtually free hand in East Asia. President Barack Obama's "pivot" or "rebalance" was intended to refocus on China. But Mr Obama had little stomach for competition and his rhetoric was hardly matched by action. Mr Trump has successfully positioned his administration's approach to China as an overdue correction to the perceived failures of his predecessors. Even if they do not always agree with his methods, this has resonated positively across the security and defence community, American businesses, as well as human rights and religious freedom advocates. Bipartisan consensus This broad bipartisan consensus is a new paradigm that no American politician can ignore. Any subsequent presidential candidate will find it difficult to soften China policy without being accused of weakness. In any case, the new legislation that has been put in place with strong bipartisan support to make it difficult for China to acquire US technology, defines a new framework for the relationship that any successor administration will find difficult to change, even if it is so inclined. The Argentina deal is only a 90-day tactical pause in the implementation of new tariffs. It makes the US look reasonable. The 90-day deadline - not reported within China - dials up the pressure on Beijing to demonstrate that it is serious about addressing US complaints about IP violations and other unfair economic policies. In the strategic competition between the United States and China, Asean economies will be closely monitored to ensure that they do not act as a back door for Chinese products to enter the US market. PHOTO: REUTERS China has made some gestures. It has introduced a new foreign investment law with better protection for intellectual property that prohibits forced technology transfer. It has released a "negative list" of sectors that are off limits to foreign businesses to provide greater transparency. China may offer further concessions. But these gestures have generally been received with scepticism. If a deal is reached at the end of the 90-day pause, it will probably only address tariffs - not technology. Fundamental changes to the Chinese way of doing business and to China's economy are not likely. The core of the problem is a fact so obvious as to be often overlooked: China is a communist country - not in its ideology, but in the structure of its political system that is built around a Leninist party that claims absolute dominance over every facet of the economy and society. Party dominance gives any Chinese business connected to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) a privileged position - in effect, this means every Chinese business because no Chinese business can succeed against the will of the party. It is precisely this privilege that the US and other countries deem unfair. No Chinese leadership will ever compromise on the dominance of the CCP, and Mr Xi has placed greater emphasis on CCP control. The probability, therefore, is that whatever China is willing or able to do to assuage US concerns will fall short of US expectations and that, after this pause, US pressures on China will resume. Action has already been taken against Huawei and other Chinese tech companies. More action can be expected. Mr Xi is already facing some internal criticism for having mismanaged the relationship with the US. This does not immediately threaten his position, but is also not a factor that he can ignore. For now, Mr Xi has adopted a conciliatory approach towards the US and its allies. This is unlikely to last. Since the current conciliatory attitude is probably not going to end US pressures, sooner or later, Mr Xi must act tough. He cannot afford to appear weak by continuing to be conciliatory with no substantive result. The crucial question is what China will do. Not responding is not an option, and the response is not necessarily only on trade. At least for now, China is hurting, particularly on the technology front. Growth has slowed as Chinese economic policy is pulled in contradictory directions. The Chinese private sector, which provides more than half of GDP growth, is facing great uncertainty. The Trump administration's bilateral approach towards trade seems to be working - the FTA with South Korea has been tweaked, the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement gives the US a veto over its partners' trade relationships with China, and Japan has apparently been persuaded to discuss a bilateral trade agreement. Europe shares many US concerns and is incapable of dealing with a resurgent Russia on its own. Europe must, therefore, ultimately accommodate US concerns no matter how distasteful it finds the Trump administration. There is thus no incentive for the US to change tack, and every reason for the US to pressure its partners to follow its approach towards China. Asean's situation Some analysts have speculated that Asean could benefit from the diversion of investments from China. This is possible, but is a short-sighted view that only provides cold comfort. The extent of diversion remains to be seen and may well be less than anticipated. New investments may be postponed. But no serious business can afford to forswear the China market, as Japan's unsuccessful decades-long search for a viable "China plus one" investment strategy demonstrates. In so far as investment diversion occurs, Asean must expect greater scrutiny. Asean economies will be closely monitored to ensure that they do not act as a back door for China into the US market. The US will demand that sophisticated economies like Singapore put in place credible and robust safeguards to ensure that sensitive technology does not leak into China. The harsh fact is that the definition of what is "credible" , "robust" and "sensitive" will be primarily American. Technology is already eroding the cost advantage of widely distributed supply chains. Heightened US-China competition could accelerate such shifts in supply chains and derail Asean's project of making South-east Asia a common market and common production platform unless it moves more decisively. Concerns over the security of supply chains also implies that the scrutiny of Asean's relationship with China will go beyond the purely economic and will involve judgments on the overall autonomy of member states' foreign and domestic policies. Since trade is only the instrument of strategic competition, it will become increasingly difficult for Asean member states to neatly separate the economic dimensions of their relationships with China from political and security dimensions. Their ability to attract high-quality Western investments and keep access to advanced Western technologies will, at least in some measure, be influenced by perceptions of their positions on non-economic issues such as the South China Sea and their ability to resist Chinese influence. This is particularly so with regard to defence technologies, which are crucial to Singapore. There is no viable alternative to American (and, more generally, Western) defence technology. All this is a counsel of realism, not of despair. During the Cold War, Asean successfully navigated even more intense and dangerous periods of major power competition when the possibility of war was ever present. The possibility of conflict can never be entirely discounted, but war is currently highly unlikely. Asean thus ought to be able to cope with the new complexities. It succeeded during the Cold War because the regional grouping did not then lack ambition and courage. The last decade or so has, however, seen a narrowing of Asean's strategic imagination and a lack of bold leadership. We must understand that the greatest risk under present circumstances is unwillingness to take risks. Bilahari Kausikan, a former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, is chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore. This article first appeared in this month's issue of Asean Focus, published by the Asean Studies Centre at Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute. | https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/can-asean-cope-with-the-trade-war |
Can consumers prop up the Aussie economy? | First recession in three decades Today, I was going to round out my alternative guide to creating your own investment portfolio. But then, an email from Jim hit my inbox late last night. And I decided that Jims urgent message shouldnt be delayed. Australia is on the cusp of a recession. I know the official figures dont say that. I know the Aussie government continues to forecast a budget surplus. I know that most mainstream economist are using absurdly complicated mathematical models to tell you the Aussie economy is fine. Heres the thing. The official figures are wrong. The data we are fed is a contorted bunch of numbers that have been twiddled and tweaked for so long that they no longer reflect our actual reality. So much so that little old Australia is the subject of Jims analysis today. Over the years, Jim and I have spoken at length many times about how the Aussie economy has avoided a recession for so long. However, in the last decade, we have intertwined ourselves into the global financial system more than ever. Now, our economic prosperity relies on what other countries do. Today, Jim shows you the three major events that could impact the Aussie economy this year. This isnt to alarm you its to inform you. After all, luck favours the prepared. Investors who are aware of the risks tend to make better long-term investing decisions. Speaking of better investing decisions, tomorrow I will wrap up my guide on how to create your own investment portfolio. | https://www.dailyreckoning.com.au/can-consumers-prop-up-the-aussie-economy/2019/01/17/ |
Was kommt nach dem Smartphone-Boom? | Doch die Zeit, in der die Hersteller der Gerte das ganz grosse Geschft machen konnten, neigt sich ihrem Ende zu. Erstmals seit mehr als einem Jahrzehnt musste Apple-Chef Tim Cook vor Kurzem die Umsatzprognose frs laufende Quartal nach unten korrigieren. Der Aktienkurs von Apple rauschte nach unten. Betroffen ist aber nicht nur Apple, sondern die gesamte Branche: Die weltweiten Verkufe von Smartphones gingen in den vergangenen vier Quartalen zurck und damit erstmals ein ganzes Jahr hindurch. Auch fr dieses Jahr rechnen Branchenbeobachter mit einem allenfalls moderaten Wachstum oder sogar einem weiteren Rckgang. Grnde gibt es viele: Der US-chinesische Handelsstreit, der abflauende Konsum in China und vor allem die abnehmende Kurve bei der technischen Weiterentwicklung von Smartphones. Neue Modelle unterscheiden sich immer weniger von ihren Vorgngern. Ob ein Handy nun zwei oder drei Kameras hat, Fingerabdrucksensor oder Gesichtserkennung zum Entsperren es macht fr die meisten keinen grossen Unterschied mehr. Ein Blick auf die drei grssten Spieler Samsung, Huawei und Apple. Samsung Anders als Huawei und Apple ist Samsung nicht als Elektronikfirma entstanden. Das Unternehmen ist ein Mischkonzern, Samsung Electronics nur dessen grsste und erfolgreichste Tochterfirma. Sie ist fhrend bei Speicherchips, TV-Gerten und auch bei Smartphones. Mangel an echten Neuerungen und die erstarkende Konkurrenz aus China macht Samsung aber zu schaffen. Vom dritten Quartal 2017 zu Q 3'2018 verlor Samsung 3,4 Prozent Marktanteil, Konkurrent Huawei legte im selben Zeitraum um 3,9 Prozent zu. Samsung stellt nicht nur Smartphones her: Ein neuer Luftfilter-Roboter wird an einer Messe vorgestellt. Foto: Keystone Samsung war einst, wie alle sdkoreanischen Grosskonzerne, streng hierarchisch, zuweilen fast militrisch organisiert. Wer fr Samsung arbeitet, opfert sich fr Samsung auf, hiess es. Doch Lee Kun-hee, der 1987 bernahm, verflachte die Hierarchien und liess Tochterfirmen mehr Entscheidungsfreiheit. Sein Sohn Lee Jae-yong setzt wie der Vater auf Geschwindigkeit, schaffte noch mehr Hierarchien ab und zeigte sich sogar bei Arbeitszeiten flexibel in Sdkorea kam das fast einer Sensation gleich. Samsungs jngste Smartphones haben es auf dem Markt schwerer als frher. Schon kurze Zeit nach der Vorstellung mssen die Preise nach unten korrigiert werden, wodurch die Marge sinkt. Technologisch gehren Samsungs Smartphones nach wie vor zur absoluten Spitzengruppe, allerdings hat die Konkurrenz vor allem aus China aufgeholt. Ob das faltbare Smartphone, das im Februar gezeigt werden soll, einen grsseren Impuls setzen kann, muss sich zeigen die Begeisterung hlt sich bis jetzt in Grenzen. Samsung wird sich knftig wieder strker auf seine anderen Standbeine wie etwa Speicher und Bildschirme sttzen mssen, bei der Entwicklung von Diensten war das Unternehmen nicht sonderlich erfolgreich, obwohl man viel Geld zum Beispiel in die Entwicklung des digitalen Assistenten Bixby gesteckt hat. Der wird in der Fachwelt aber eher belchelt denn als echte Konkurrenz zu Googles Assistant, Amazons Alexa oder Apples Siri wahrgenommen. Huawei Gegrndet wurde Huawei 1987 von Ren Zhengfei, einem ehemaligen Soldaten der Volksbefreiungsarmee, und militrische Zge trgt das Unternehmen bis heute. Alles ist sehr hierarchisch aufgebaut, einzelne Manager, vor allem im Ausland, erhalten nur die notwendigsten Informationen. Die Entscheidungen fllt die Zentrale und natrlich der Mann an der Spitze: Firmengrnder Ren. Einen tieferen Einblick in das Unternehmen bekommt man nur schwer, Huawei ist nicht an der Brse gelistet und muss daher nicht allzu viel preisgeben. Auf dem Papier besitzt Ren 1,4 Prozent des Unternehmens. Den Rest sollen 80'000 ausschliesslich chinesische Mitarbeiter halten. Wer aus der Firma ausscheidet, muss seine Anteile wieder verkaufen. In China wurde ein Kanadier zu 15 Jahre Haft verurteilt, im Bild die kanadische Botschaft in Peking. Foto: Keystone Auch die eigenen Kinder hat Ren ins Management geholt. Seine Tochter diente zuletzt als Finanzchefin. Am 1. Dezember vergangenen Jahres wurde sie am Flughafen in Vancouver verhaftet. Der Vorwurf: Verstoss gegen Iran-Sanktionen. Inzwischen wartet sie mit elektronischer Fessel am Fuss auf ihre Auslieferung in die USA. Ausserhalb Chinas ist Huawei erst vor wenigen Jahren als Smartphone-Hersteller in Erscheinung getreten. Lange Zeit war Huawei mit seinen Gerten fast ausschliesslich in der Heimat erfolgreich. Ordentliche Produkte zu moderaten Preisen haben das Unternehmen jedoch zum drittgrssten Hersteller weltweit werden lassen. Bekannt ist Huawei vor allem als Hersteller von Netzwerktechnik. In Europa ist das Unternehmen der Marktfhrer. Die USA drngen ihre Verbndeten immer intensiver, Huawei beim Ausbau von Kommunikationsnetzen nicht mehr zu bercksichtigen. Die Dienste frchten Spionage und Sabotage. Huawei bestreitet das vehement. Selbst der ansonsten medienscheue Ren Zhengfei meldet sich daher zu Wort. Auf die Frage, wie Huawei auf Anfragen chinesischer Behrden nach vertraulichen Informationen ber auslndische Kunden oder deren Netze reagieren wrde, antwortete er: Wir wrden definitiv Nein sagen. Da Smartphones nur ein Teil von Huaweis Geschft sind, sollte ein Rckgang der Verkufe keine Gefahr fr das Unternehmen sein. Apple Dem Konzern aus Kalifornien ist es wie keinem anderen gelungen, sich weniger als Hersteller von Produkten zu stilisieren, sondern vielmehr als Lieferant eines Lebensgefhls. Von der Verpackung bis zur Benutzeroberflche, alles ist durchgestylt, die an religise Zeremonien gemahnenden Produktvorstellungen unterstreichen diesen Anspruch. Zu dieser unter dem 2011 verstorbenen Firmengrnder Steve Jobs entwickelten Strategie gehrt eine usserst strikte Geheimhaltung. Je weniger darber bekannt ist, was Apple als Nchstes bringt, desto grsser der Hype. Zuletzt aber funktionierte diese Methode weniger gut als frher. Dienstleistungen knnten knftig mehr Geld bringen, als Gerte: Apple-Store in Brooklyn, New York. Foto: Keystone Apple hat schon lnger erkannt, dass die Hardware sich kaum mehr dazu eignet, sich von der Konkurrenz abzugrenzen, und baut deshalb sein Angebot an Dienstleistungen immer weiter aus. Zwar funktioniert Apples Hardware am besten oft sogar ausschliesslich zusammen mit anderen Apple-Produkten. Damit die Kunden gar nicht erst auf den Gedanken kommen, das Apple-Universum zu verlassen, bietet der Konzern mittlerweile neben Speicherplatz in der Cloud, Musik und Videos auch einen Bezahldienst an. In Zukunft, sagt Firmenchef Tim Cook, wrden vor allem Gesundheitsdienstleistungen eine grosse Rolle spielen. Apple versucht, sich dabei auch als Unternehmen zu positionieren, das verantwortungsvoll mit den Daten der Kunden umgeht. In jngerer Zeit ist es Apple so gelungen, sich aus seiner nahezu vollstndigen Abhngigkeit vom iPhone etwas zu befreien. Apples Computer-Uhr ist die am besten verkaufte Smart Watch, auch der hauseigene Musikdienst luft gut und hat sich nach Spotify als Nummer zwei etabliert. Enorm wichtig bleibt das iPhone trotzdem, es ist ja weiterhin das zentrale Steuerelement fr fast alle Dienste. Wenn es um das nchste grosse Ding bei Apple geht, richten sich die Erwartungen vor allem auf Augmented Reality (erweiterte Realitt). Apple hat in den vergangenen Jahren einige Firmen aus diesem Bereich gekauft. Denkbar wre etwa eine Brille, die man lngere Zeit bequem tragen kann und die ein gut verknpftes Angebot an sinnvollen Inhalten mitbringt. Bis dato dringt darber aber kaum etwas nach aussen. | https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/digital/Was-kommt-nach-dem-SmartphoneBoom/story/11016672 |
Where do Stoke City and Leeds rank in the Championship Fair Play table? | Get Weekday Stoke City FC updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Swansea City currently sit top of the Championship Fair Play table. The FA ranks all 24 sides by a unique scoring system to list the division's cleanest and dirtiest teams. With more than half the season played, Graham Potter's sides currently sit top of the chart with the fewest disciplinary points. Nottingham Forest currently sit bottom of the Fair Play table, with a huge 54 points more than closest rival Wigan. Disciplinary points are calculated with four points being awarded to each team per caution, and 10 points for denying a goalscoring opportunity or a dismissal for two cautions. Players guilty of violent conduct, serious foul play, spitting or offensive and abusive language, cost their team 12 points. Stoke City are mid-table with red cards to their name for Ashley Williams and Peter Etebo while their opponents this weekend, Leeds United, are down in 17th with two red cards too. Here's how the Championship Fair Play table looks after 27 matches: | https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-leeds-championship-fair-play-2442137 |
Is Hastings Country Park safe in the councils hands? | From: Michael Moor, Chairman, Friends of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve, The Croft, Hastings The Friends of Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve welcome your Editorial on January 11 which opposed the councils plan to build two solar farms in the Country Park. As the editorial concluded: Whats the good in investing in environmentally friendly energy sources if they damage the environment in the first place? In coming to a final view about this plan over the next few months, the community needs to be confident about the councils motives. It is significant that the report which the Cabinet considered earlier this month was set in the context of its ability to make a significant contribution to the objectives of the (councils) Income Generation strategy, not of environmental objectives. Indeed, the report did not make it clear that two of the three proposed sites were actually in the Country Park which is a Local Nature Reserve, part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and right next to a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation. We all support the idea of generating energy from renewable sources for the benefit of the environment. But this was not the case the council was making until the plan began to attract significant opposition from local people. Then the council began to apply a veneer of greenwash to cover its real motives for the plan, that of income generation from an industrial scale plant. We all understand that, in these difficult times for local authority finances, the council needs to generate extra funds. But it owes it to its electors to be honest and open about how it achieves that and to respect its own and national planning policies. We hoped that, after the Rocklands fiasco, the council would treat its stewardship of the Country Park, a vital community asset, with greater sensitivity. Apparently not. | https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/your-say/is-hastings-country-park-safe-in-the-council-s-hands-1-8774796 |
Why didnt Hastings Council consult Natural England before suggesting a solar array in the country park? | From: Cllr Andy Patmore, Deputy leader, Conservative Group, Hastings Borough Council These are the reasons I think Hastings Borough Council were wrong to bring the prospect (by means of a feasibility study) of developing a ground solar panel array in our Country Park to Cabinet on Monday January 8. The idea of developing anything in Hastings Country Park is ALWAYS going to draw attention from the public because it is in the North Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and most of the park is designated as an SSSI (site of special scientific interest). Although development of this site is within the remit of Hastings Borough Council it must pass a planning application where HBC would have to consult a very important statutory body, Natural England. Natural England have the power to object on environmental grounds and their objection would almost certainly scupper ANY plan to develop on or near an SSSI. My main question at Cabinet was, Have you consulted Natural England? The answer was, no. Which leads to the logical question of; why would you put an idea out in the public domain without having a chat/letter/email with the statutory body who could really make the whole notion meaningless. Natural England charge a fee for questions but I guarantee the fee is considerably less than paying consultants to do a feasibility study. The entire idea of putting solar panels in the Country Park is flawed as I see it. This opinion has nothing to do with aesthetics or NIMBYism and it has nothing to do with saving the planet or HBC income generation. If you read Natural Englands publication titled Evidence Review of the Impact of Solar Farms on Birds, Bats and General Ecology, published March 2017, you would have thought it might set alarm bells ringing with regards to PV array development near SSSIs. I quote, When considering site selection for utility scale solar developments it is generally agreed that protected areas should be avoided. This is reflected in the scientific literature where modelling approaches include many factors such as economic considerations and visual impact but also often avoid protected areas such as Special Protection Areas. This is echoed by organisations such as Natural England and the RSPB that recommend that solar PV developments should not be built on or near protected areas. The report goes on to say, Solar PV developments have the potential to negatively impact a broad range of taxa including birds, bats, mammals, insects and plants. In light of this, it is highly recommended that research is undertaken into the ecological impacts of solar PV arrays across a broad range of taxa at multiple geographical scales. This means that we shouldnt be building ground solar arrays next to SSSIs without doing a wider national study in to how they might be affected. Of course the move towards renewable energy sources is progressive and admirable, however more needs to be done to understand the interaction between these new technologies and the ecology that they are ultimately designed to protect. For now, in other words, look elsewhere to develop solar arrays other than on or near SSSIs. Leader of the council Peter Chowney agreed to add an amendment which said HBC would ask Natural England for their opinion before spending up to 80,000 on consultants. But this was only added to the flawed recommendation put in front of Cabinet, so Cllr. Lee and I were unable to support the amendment. | https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/your-say/why-didn-t-hastings-council-consult-natural-england-before-suggesting-a-solar-array-in-the-country-park-1-8774803 |
Who gets to vote in israels (apartheid state) version of democracy? | Posted on by michaellee2009 Israel is about to hold elections, but not everyone living under Israeli rule gets to vote. A breakdown of who has rights and who doesnt. On April 9, 2019, Israel will hold general elections. Israelis will head to the polls to choose their elected leaders and representatives. If they are unhappy with the way things are going, like citizens of democracies around the world, their votes will help shape the ideological and political direction of the government and the institutions it controls. In a vacuum, that sounds like fairly standard democratic practice. But there is nothing standard about Israels democracy. Israeli citizens get to vote in Israeli elections, choosing elected leaders and how they rule the country. But the Israeli government doesnt just rule over Israeli citizens, or just over Israel, for that matter. Nearly 14 million people live under Israeli rule. The extent of that control varies, as does the ability of those 14 million people to exercise control over the policies, personalities, and institutions that determine so much about their day-to-day lives. At the end of 2018, the population of Israel was approximately 8,972,000 people. That includes more than 330,000 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem who do not have Israeli citizenship and thus do not have the right to vote in national elections. It also includes more than 214,000 Jewish Israeli citizens who live in occupied East Jerusalem and more than 435,000 Jewish Israelis who live in the occupied West Bank Then there is the West Bank, which has been governed undemocratically by the Israeli military since it occupied the territory in 1967. Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed again and again, the Israel will not give up military control over the West Bank ever. In that territory, over which Israel plans to rule in perpetuity, live more than 2,623,000 Palestinians over 2,953,000 including East Jerusalem Palestinians who do not have the right to vote in Israeli elections. In the West Bank, Israel and its army are responsible for everything from road infrastructure, deciding who may live where, who may build where and what, who is allowed to move between different parts of the territory and when, who is allowed in and out of the West Bank, who is allowed to hold a political protest (only Jews), what the laws are and how they are enforced, and whether they will ever be granted independence. The 435,000 Jewish Israelis who live in the West Bank have the right to vote in elections that can determine every one of those policies. They have elected representatives who can work to rectify any grievances they might have regarding how those policies affect their lives. The 2,623,000 Palestinians living in the same territory do not have the right to vote in elections that determine any of those policies. When their lives are negatively affected by the democratic country that rules over so many aspects of their lives, they have zero recourse within that democratic system to address their grievances. Then there is the Gaza Strip. Despite having withdrawn its troops from inside the Gaza Strip in 2005, Israel and its military still control a great number of significant aspects of life in the strip and the way it is governed. Israel determines what may be imported and exported; who can come in and out of the territory; and who can travel between the West Bank and Gaza. It has unilaterally claimed a buffer zone of farmland inside Gazan territory and enforces who may enter it; it determines and enforces limits to where Palestinian fishermen can fish; it controls the flow of electricity; and even had to give its permission for cash from a third country to be brought into Gaza to pay civil servants salaries. None of the 1,961,000 people living in Gaza get to vote in the democratic elections that could affect those policies, including how much violence Israel uses against them. So when Israel goes to vote this April, when everyone is talking about democracy, remember that out of the more-than 13,556,000 people whose lives are directly affected by Israeli policy, only 8,642,000, or around 64 percent of them have the right to participate in that democracy. In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, where Israel exercises absolute and direct control on a daily basis, 650,000 Jewish settlers can vote while 2,953,000 Palestinians in the exact same territory cannot. Put differently, of the 3,603,000 people living in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, only 18 percent, or fewer than one in five can vote in the elections that affect almost every aspect of their lives. And of the 6,463,000 Palestinians living under varying degrees of Israeli rule in territory fully or partially controlled by Israel, only 1,548,000 24 percent, or fewer than one in four have the right to vote in Israeli elections. Some statistical notes: Aside from the numbers of Jews and Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem, which are from the end of 2016, and therefore can be assumed to be lower than the actual figures, all of the numbers given are official end-of-2018 projections published by the Palestinian Census Bureau and the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, respectively. Both agencies include Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem in their figures, so the aggregate numbers were adjusted accordingly in order to not double count. Lastly, the figures do not refer only to the population of voting age, but the entire population, and therefore does not technically refer to voter eligibility in the current election but rather to whether someone will ever have the right to vote under the current regimes rules of suffrage. In addition, there is a small number of East Jerusalem Palestinians who have acquired Israeli citizenship over the years, in addition to a small number of Palestinian citizens of Israel who have moved to West and East Jerusalem Advertisements Share this: Share Facebook Twitter Email Like this: Like Loading... Related Filed under: Break The siege, Gaza, Jewish terrorism, Jewish violence, land theft, Netanyahu, Palestine, Settlements and settlers, This is Zionism | | https://uprootedpalestinians.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/who-gets-to-vote-in-israels-apartheid-state-version-of-democracy/ |
Does defense still win championships? | Remember that old saying that defense wins championships, well thats exactly what it is an old saying. This years NFL playoffs are an example of why that saying is outdated and may be trending to become extinct with the hirings that have already happened since the end of the regular season. Out of the 12 teams that made the playoffs this season, only four were in the top 10 in defensive stats, and seven in the top 15. But compare that to the number of teams in the top-10 offensively, 6, and nine out of the top-15, and the trend shows that the NFL is becoming an offensive league. The No. 1 and 3-ranked defenses in the league were eliminated from the playoffs in the Wild Card round to teams with top-15 offenses. Now in the conference championship games are where the stats get mind-boggling if you still believe championships are won by playing great defense. The four teams looking to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl are; the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots in the AFC while the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams are in the NFC. Nope. Yes, one. The New Orleans Saints have the best ranked defense left in the playoffs with the 14th best defense in the league. On the Saints roster are Demario Davis, No. 24 in tackles, Cameron Jordan, fourth in sacks, and Sheldon Rankins, who is 30th in sacks. The Rams are the only other team left thats in the top-20 of defenses, and thats barely with the Rams coming in at No. 19. But, look at the Rams roster and you will find the league leader in sacks and the front runner for defensive player of the year in Aaron Donald combined with the 10th leading tackler in Cory Littleton and No. 19 John Johnson. New England comes in next at No. 21 while the Kansas City Chiefs are, by far, the worst defense left in the playoffs at No. 31 out of 32 teams. Now that weve looked at where the final four teams sit in defensive rankings, lets look where they sit in offensive stats. Beware that the difference is mind-boggling. Kansas City is the second-to-worst defensive team, but come in at No. 1 offensively in the league, and the No. 1 scoring team. The Los Angeles Rams come in at No. 2, as well as the No. 2 scoring team with the most well-balanced offense in the league regarding rushing and passing yards. New England rounds out the top-five as the New Orleans Saints roll in at No. 8 in total offense. But New Orleans is No. 3 in scoring as the Patriots are right behind them at No. 4. So, going into the final two games of the NFL season we have the No. 1, 2, 3, and 4-ranked offenses scoring wise, and only one top-15 defenses. Next time someone says, defense wins championships, remind them of the 2018-19 NFL season, which put that old saying to rest. We should be in for three incredible games to wrap up the NFL season, and hopefully you will be able to enjoy the last seconds of this record-setting season. | https://www.theyukonreview.com/2019/01/17/does-defense-still-win-championships/ |
How are the roads after the overnight snow? | If you take a look out your window after turning off the alarm clock this morning, youll be greeted with the sight of fresh snow on the ground. A light snow was expected to fall for most of the region overnight ahead of a much more intense winter storm expected on Saturday. Major winter storm to wallop Pa. this weekend Aside from a crash or two scattered throughout the region, traffic doesnt seem to be affected so far this morning. 511PA.com reports a multiple-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 southbound 1 mile south of Exit (PA 39 - MANADA HILL/HERSHEY). There is a lane restriction as a result of that crash, and some traffic congestion is reported. UPDATE: Multi vehicle crash on I-81 southbound at Mile Post: 76.0. There is a lane restriction. 511PA Harrisburg (@511PAHarrisburg) January 18, 2019 A multiple-vehicle crash on I-81 is slowing traffic in Dauphin County. Elsewhere, traffic seems to be free-flowing on Interstates 81 and 83. 511PA.coms winter road conditions tool indicates major interstates and state routes are wet with freezing conditions. Plow trucks are also shown scattered across the region. For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources. Get a look at conditions on local roads via PennDOT traffic cameras anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here. Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to [email protected]. Tweets from https://twitter.com/PennLive/lists/realtime-traffic | https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/how-are-the-roads-after-the-overnight-snow.html |
Is there evidence that magic mushrooms & group sex played a role in human evolution? | Whether you haveinhaled pot or not, according to the American ethnobotanist Terence McKenna, however, psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms had a profound and lasting influence on the course of human evolution. The great embarrassment to evolutionary theory is the human neocortex, says McKenna. He argues that there is no explanation for how such a major organ was dramatically transformed in complexity in a narrow window of time to create the jump from hominids to humans. Terence McKenna has developed a theory that he named Stoned Ape theory. According to this, human evolution breaks into three stages: In stage one, around 40 to 50 thousand years ago, early hominids in Africa, like Homo Erectus, were forced to abandon their canopy-dwelling lifestyle due to the desertification of the African continent. As they were forced to find new sources of food, they followed herds of wild cattle in whose dung they found insects that became part of their diet. Ok, this is disgusting, but in the dung were magic mushrooms that often grow in such environments. Read more HERE | http://en.protothema.gr/is-there-evidence-that-magic-mushrooms-group-sex-played-a-role-in-human-evolution/ |
Why do Hydra end up with just a single head? | The ability of Hydra to regenerate or maintain a single head results from a subtle balance between activating and inhibiting activities. The latter has just been identified by a UNIGE group. The freshwater Hydra is able to regenerate any part of its body to rebuild an entire individual. The small polyp has a development organizer center located at the head level, and another located in the foot. The head organizer performs two opposite activities, one activating, which causes the head to differentiate, and the other inhibiting, which prevents the formation of supernumerary heads. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have discovered the identity of the inhibitor, a protein called Sp5, and deciphered the dialogue between these two antagonistic activities, which helps maintain a single-headed adult body and organize an appropriate regenerative response. Published in the journal Nature Communications, their study points out that this mechanism has been conserved throughout evolution, both in Hydra and in humans. Sp5 could therefore be an excellent candidate to be tested as an inhibitor of human tumors in which the activator pathway is the motor of proliferation. Often considered immortal, the freshwater Hydra has a prodigious regenerative power, discovered by the Geneva naturalist Abraham Trembley nearly 300 years ago. Any fragment of the body with a few thousands cells can regenerate the entire animal, which measures about one centimeter. "Regeneration of the head relies on the transformation of the stump into a tissue called the head organizing centre, which has developmental properties and, like an architect, directs the construction of the future head", explains Brigitte Galliot, professor at the Department of Genetics and Evolution of the UNIGE Faculty of Science. How the dialogue between Yin and Yang takes shape The head organizer carries out two opposite activities, one activating and the other inhibiting. The first induces the differentiation of stem cells into specialized head cells. The activator is a growth factor called Wnt3, whose action allows the initiation of a three-dimensional cell differentiation program that enables the construction of the head. Thus, in the absence of Wnt3, the head regeneration program cannot proceed. The inhibitory activity, produced under the control of the activator activity, prevents the formation of supernumerary heads. "These two antagonistic activities establish a dialogue between them, but we knew neither the identity of the inhibitor nor the nature of this dialogue", says the biologist. Using the results of a study conducted by a German team on the planarian flatworm, the biologists developed a gene screening strategy to identify this inhibitor. "We started from 124 candidates who met specific criteria to single out a unique winner, who met all of them. It is a gene that codes for a protein called Sp5", says Matthias Vogg, researcher at the Department of Genetics and Evolution of the UNIGE Faculty of Science and first author of the study. The scientists then demonstrated that Sp5 binds to the regulatory region of the gene that codes for Wnt3, blocks its expression and thus the formation of the head. "We have quantified the expression of the genes encoding Wnt3 and Sp5 in different parts of the body of intact or amputated Hydra, and discovered that a regulatory loop between the two activities is established according to the location and quantity of each gene expressed", notes Brigitte Galliot. Thus, in intact animals, the growth factor Wnt3 will be mainly present at the tip of the head, while Sp5 will be primarily active in the surrounding area, to prevent the appearance of other heads. When researchers block the expression of Sp5, Hydra polyps, intact or regenerating, develop multiple heads, all perfectly functional, their tentacles apprehending the food to lead it to the mouth. "We also replicated these results from Hydra polyps whose cells had been completely dissociated from each other, then reaggregated and left in culture: multi-headed Hydra re-formed completely in four to five days", explains Matthias Vogg. In humans, the cell signaling pathway activated by Wnt3 is mainly active during embryonic development, as well as in different types of tumors in adults. If the inhibitory effect of Sp5 is confirmed in our species, this protein could be a candidate treatment targeting cancer cells that use the Wnt3 pathway to proliferate. ### | https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-01/udg-wdh011619.php |
Was wird aus dem Wollschwein? | Ein Standpunkt von Timo Rieg Beim Fleisch zhlt fr viele nur "Masse statt Klasse", kritisiert Timo Rieg. (picture alliance / imageBROKER / Ingo Schulz) Das Wollschwein ist ein vom Aussterben bedrohtes Nutztier. Weil es nicht in engen Stllen gedeiht und sich deshalb nicht von der Agrarindustrie verwerten lsst. Und der geht es - Bio hin oder her - nur um Masse. Daran ist auch der Verbraucher schuld, meint der Biologe Timo Rieg. Wahrscheinlich noch nie - oder es ist lange her. Denn zum einen sind die fetten Schweine sehr rar, um Haaresbreite wren sie gar ausgestorben. Und zum anderen sieht man in unserer agrarindustriellen Welt Schweine ungeachtet ihres Speckanteils sowieso nirgends mehr. Das Wollschwein oder Mangalitza ist jedenfalls die fetteste Zchtung und wird morgen auf der Grnen Woche zur gefhrdeten Nutztierrasse des Jahres gekrt. Im ganzen Land gibt es derzeit nur einige hundert Tiere, die meisten Zchter haben nur ein, zwei Sauen und einen Eber. Vermarktet werden das marmorierte Fleisch und der dicke weie Speck vor allem an zahlungskrftige Feinschmecker. Aber auch aus der Bewegung fr nachhaltiges, regionales, ethisch-vertretbares Essen wchst die Nachfrage nach Mangalitza und anderen alten Nutztieren. Das Wollschwein ist friedlich und gengsam, es kann ganzjhrig im Freiland bleiben, und es frisst alles, was so im Haushalt anfllt, vom Grasschnitt bis zum alten Joghurt. Das Wollschwein - ein unrentables Tier Was Mangalitza und alle anderen alten Nutztierrassen hingegen gar nicht mgen, ist die Agrarindustrie. In engen Stllen wollen die Viecher nicht gedeihen, in der Massentierhaltung ist ihre Friedlichkeit dahin und mit Turbowachstum haben sie berhaupt keinen Vertrag. Wollschweine, Angler Sattelschweine oder Buntes Bentheimer sind Globalisierungsverlierer. Sie drohen auszusterben, weil sie fr die Agrarindustrie unrentabel sind - und nicht etwa, weil sich der Geschmack der Verbraucher gendert htte, wie oft behauptet wird. Als ob die Verbraucher irgendwas zu sagen htten. Und als ob sie whlerisch wren. Wer im Discounter diese abgepackten, durch Begasung am Verwesen gehinderten Fragmente geschundener Hybridschweine kauft, ist doch nun wahrlich der Hinterletzte, der auch nur irgendeinen Qualittsanspruch erhebt. Jeder Gammelfleischskandal zeigt uns doch, dass einfach alles gegessen wird, was ein Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum trgt. Die alten Hhnerrassen passen einfach nicht zum Kapitalismus Die Agrarindustrie liefert keinen Geschmack, keine Lebensqualitt, sondern schlicht Masse. Da machen "bio" und "konventionell" brigens keinen Unterschied, es sind ja nur zwei verschiedene Vermarktungsschienen. In der sogenannten "kologischen Landwirtschaft" werden die gleichen armseligen Turboschweine gemstet. Weil die guten alten Rassen einfach nicht zum Kapitalismus passen. Beispiel Huhn: Was wir hierzulande an Eiern geboten bekommen, ob nun fr 10 oder 40 Cent das Stck, ist eine Armseligkeit in jeder Hinsicht. Wer einmal ein Ei von Vorwerk-Henne, Marans oder Sulmtaler gegessen hat, wird das, was sich die Hybridlegehennen in Bio-Freilandhaltung aus der Kloake pressen, nicht mehr Hhnerei nennen. Es ist schlicht ein Industrieprodukt, das man ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken auch in Tetrapacks und Tanklastwagen kippen oder zu Stangenei verkochen kann. Weil sich alte Nutztierrassen und moderne Hybridkreuzungen unterscheiden wie Tag und Nacht, gewinnt die private Haltung Fans. Grundstzlich ist das auch alles sehr einfach, wenn man etwas Platz hat. Allerdings tun die Behrden ihr Mglichstes, dass nicht zu viele Menschen auf guten Geschmack kommen. Auch die Brokratie tut ihren Teil dazu Wenn Sie zwei Wollschweine im Freien halten wollen, haben Sie einen Behrdenmarathon vor sich. Sie werden unter anderem einen doppelten Zaun brauchen, einen Umkleideraum, Desinfektionsmittel und - ganz wichtig - eine abschliebare Tonne "zur ordnungsgemen Aufbewahrung verendeter Schweine", die "zur Abholung durch die Fahrzeuge des Verarbeitungsbetriebes fr Material der Kategorie 2" Blabla so aufzustellen ist, "dass sie von diesen mglichst ohne Befahren des Betriebsgelndes entladen werden knnen." Wie gesagt, das alles fr Ihre zwei Schweine. Denen Sie brigens nicht Ihren alten Joghurt fttern drfen, auch das ist geregelt. Wer sich unseren Agrarzirkus anschaut, wird erkennen: Nicht nur das Wollschwein ist vom Aussterben bedroht. Timo Rieg (privat)Timo Rieg ist Diplom-Biologe, Buchautor und Journalist. Er beschftigt sich beruflich wie privat mit "Nachhaltigkeit". Sein aktuelles Buch: "Demokratie fr Deutschland". | https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/gefaehrdetet-nutztierarten-was-wird-aus-dem-wollschwein.1005.de.html?dram:article_id=438631 |
What are people in Castle Douglas doing to celebrate Burns Night? | Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email The life and works of Scotlands National Bard Robert Burns will be celebrated next Friday. The day will have added significance this year because 2019 is the 260th anniversary of the poets birth. The News asked folk in Castle Douglas for their views. (Image: Jim McEwan) Danny Alderslowe, 53, will celebrate the Bard in nonmeat style. He said: We always do something for Burns Night and my son will be playing the pipes. I will definitely be addressing the haggis but it will be a McSweens vegetarian haggis. The whole family will attend the Gatehouse Primary School lunch. And my son Luis addressed the Burns Supper in the Murray Arms last year in his best Ayrshire accent. (Image: Jim McEwan) Vivienne Crossley, from Monikie near Dundee, said: We usually have a family get together for Burns with songs, haggis, neeps and tatties. I think the tradition is still holding strong and I think its important to keep our culture. (Image: Jim McEwan) Hazel McCutcheon, 42, will definitely be celebrating the Bard. She said: Well be having the traditional Burns supper but it will just be my husband and I. I will be cooking it but it will be nice and easy because it will be microwaveable. I might even do the Address to the Haggis Fair fa yer honest, sonsie face, great chieftain o the puddin race! (Image: Jim McEwan) Sculptor Peter Bowden, 51, will also be toasting Rabbie. He said: I will raise a wee glass or two to the big man. He did so much for Scotland and Scotland did so much for him in his poetry. Burns was a big part in the furtherance of Lallans Scots. | https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/what-people-castle-douglas-doing-13868888 |
What Capital-Efficient Startup Should Okta Acquire Next? | The stock is currently trading at $72.44 with a market capitalization of $8 billion. It had touched a 52-week high of $75.49 in September last year. According to a Grand View Research report published last year, the global identity and access management market is estimated to grow 13% annually to $22.7 billion by the year 2025. The growth is expected to be driven by the rising adoption of cloud services and mobile devices and the continued need to drive compliance to manage insider threat. Billion-Dollar Unicorn Okta (NASDAQ:OKTA) reported its third-quarter results last month that surpassed market expectations. Okta's Financials Revenues for the quarter increased 58% to $105.7 million, ahead of the market's forecast of $97 million. It ended the quarter with a non-GAAP net loss of $0.04 per share, compared with the Street's forecast of a loss of $0.11 per share. This also was the first ever quarter that Okta reported a free cash flow-positive quarter with free cash flow of $1.4 million. By segment, subscription services revenues increased 58% over the year to $97.7 million. Professional services and the others segment revenues grew 56% to $7.9 million. During the quarter, Okta reported a 58% growth in calculated billings to $124 million. Trailing 12 months' calculated billings grew 59% to $434 million. Its customer base increased 42% to 5,600 mainly across its enterprise customer base. For the current quarter, Okta forecast revenues of $106-107 million with a net loss of $0.08-0.09 per share. The Street was looking for revenues of $99.9 million and a loss of $0.11 for the quarter. The company expects to end the year with $391-392 million in revenues and non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.36-0.37. The Street was looking for revenues of $356.5 million and a net loss of $0.56 per share for the year. Okta's Growth Focus Today, more and more organizations are shifting their business to the cloud and are trying to launch applications and services that can better engage with customers online - all while maintaining their high security level. To cater to this demand, Okta is focused on three key offerings - Identity Cloud, Integration Network, and its security standard. Okta's Identity Cloud service is offered as an independent platform. It's an integrated IAM service that offers its customers the flexibility to accommodate every type of user. Above all, the Identity Cloud can adapt to whatever technological investments the customer makes in the future, making it future-proof. The company's second area of focus is the Okta Integration Network that offers more than 5,500 pre-built integrations to cloud and on-premise applications to network security providers like Palo Alto Networks (NYSE:PANW), to security analytics providers like Splunk (NASDAQ:SPLK), and to IT operations providers like ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW). Its integrations are helping new customers deploy Okta in an accelerated manner. Finally, Okta is able to serve as the identity standard for its customers because it offers a single identity platform for every type of user in an organization's ecosystem. Organizations can offer a platform best suited for its employees, contractors, partners, and even their customers. The ability to manage and secure all identities in a consistent way from a single platform is a big attraction to its customers. As a result of these focus areas, Okta was recently ranked by Forrester Research as a strong performer for its people, workforce security, vision and strategy, and market approach. The company has grown recently through its product upgrades and acquisitions. Earlier this year, it had announced the acquisition of zero trust security firm ScaleFT. ScaleFT was founded in 2015 by Jason Luce and Paul Querna, and provided an access management platform that enables secure remote access without a VPN. Prior to the acquisition, ScaleFT had only raised $2.8 million in a seed round funding. The IAM acquisition market was hot last year, when KPMG acquired the largest independent IAM provider, Cyberinc, for an undisclosed sum. Last summer, Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) also announced the acquisition of privately held Duo Security for $2.35 billion as it continued to expand its security assets. I don't believe Okta would be looking at acquisitions of such value for its next round of growth. Instead, the company should probably evaluate some capital-efficient, bootstrapped niche startups that could offer it more value for money. Okta is currently trading at $72.44 with a market capitalization of $8 billion. It had touched a 52-week high of $75.49 in September last year. The stock was trading at a 52-week low of $26.20 nearly a year ago. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4234162-capital-efficient-startup-okta-acquire-next |
Has former Manchester United boss aimed a sly dig at Liverpool FC counterpart? | Get daily updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho appears to have aimed a sly dig at his Liverpool counterpart. Mourinho has 25 managerial trophies to his name in a glittering career and it looks like he has taken a swipe at younger managers such as Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino. The 56-year-old was recently sacked as Red Devils manager following an inauspicious start to the season, but having won the League Cup during his time at Old Trafford. And he has launched a fierce defence of his pragmatic, but successful, style of football, appearing to call into question the records of young managers. Klopp, 51, has won four trophies, while Pochettino, 46 has yet to lift silverware, writes the Liverpool Echo. Liverpool manager Klopp has lost three finals at the Anfield outfit but won two Bundesliga titles and two German Cups with Borussia Dortmund and is constantly praised for the style of heavy metal football his teams play. (Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) Mourinho, speaking to beIN Sports, said: One thing is image, another thing is communication, another is a good structure behind and another thing is to win and get good results. Its very easy to play well and not win, its very easy to be behind a certain idea of a certain football without results. The people win and the people that win consistently, because you can win isolated and then disappear, have a different idea about that. Where are they? Mourinho added: My wish is the ones that are starting, that are the beginning of their career, like I was a few years ago, like Pep was, like Ancelotti was - everybody went through the same process - I hope they transform their image and their reputation in results because thats what stays, thats what stays forever and makes you belong to a certain level. | https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-manchester-united-boss-aimed-15696193 |
Why is the Government so late when it comes to taking climate action? | The Irish Government is doubling down on its message that taking climate action is necessary, all while hundreds of millions in EU fines await, writes Colm Gorey. Today (18 January), the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton, TD is proposing an all-Government plan that, he said, will make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. Over the course of the day, the Minister and representatives from industry, agriculture, NGOs, government departments and academia will sit down to hash out ideas on how Ireland can make the country more sustainable. 2018: A year to forget When it comes to climate action at a time when nearly every person and their dog have heard at least something on the scourge of single-use plastics 2018 was a national disgrace for Ireland. In December, we were ranked the worst country in the entire EU for climate action and 48th out of 56 countries globally by the Climate Change Performance Index. In fact, the performance was so bad that its authors stated that we havent a chance of meeting our 2030 target as set out by the EU. Then there was the Climate Action Network Europe study that placed us second-worst in Europe just ahead of the coal-producing nation of Poland, due to its stiff opposition to climate action nationally and in the EU. But perhaps what irked many environmental campaigners the most was the Governments broken promise to introduce a carbon tax for Budget 2019, most likely due to fears that it would result in the same visceral reaction that met Irish Water. At the time, Oisn Coghlan, budgetary spokesperson for the Environmental Pillar, said the decision was a two-fingers to everyone under 35, a two-fingers to the Paris Agreement and a two-fingers to the hundreds of millions of people already living with the devastating impacts of climate change in Africa, Asia and Latin America. All-in-all, here we are entering 2019 as a so-called climate laggard, and only now the Government is discussing a formal plan for climate action from within, a few months after it admitted that it was nowhere close to meeting our 2020 targets. Going nowhere with EVs Perhaps the greatest disparity seen between the Government and reality is in its claim surrounding electric vehicles (EVs), where it expects 20pc of the countrys vehicles to be electric powered by 2030. Yet, in 2019 estimates now put the expected number to reach 8,000 by 2020, 4pc of the Governments estimates and 0.3pc of the total cars registered in Ireland. The Government cant force people to buy EVs, but it shows how disconnected it is from the realities of climate action and how lacking it is to make purchasing an EV too good to resist. The past two months have been a whirlwind of attempted redemption from the Government, with it promising to end the purchasing of single-use plastics for State purposes and the sending of its legally-required climate action plan draft to the EU. The admission from Government that we were never going to meet our 2020 target failed to emphasise the seriously damaging fact that the State will have to potentially shell out as much as 600m every year it fails to comply with targets, a figure the Government has argued as being lower in the past. The reality is that it will require difficult choices. Every person, every community, every business, every home, every farm and every school will have to make changes in the way we live, and work and travel, the Minister said after todays announcement. Unfortunately, it seems as if the Government is unwilling to make the difficult choices itself. | https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/ireland-climate-action-failure-2020-targets |
When and where can I see the super blood wolf moon this weekend? | Night owl stargazers will be in for a treat this weekend with the so-called super blood wolf moon set to appear, the last for another 18 years. The stars are set to align for stargazers this weekend with the arrival of a truly spectacular and rare event that will light up the night sky bright red. Due to arrive on the night of Sunday, 20 January in North and South America and the early morning of Monday, 21 January for western Europe and western Africa the so-called super blood wolf moon sounds impressive, because it is. Comprised of three phenomena, the event is really the alignment of the moon, the Earth and sun into what is known as a lunar eclipse. This alignment results in the blood-red colour covering the moon. Then, throw into that the fact that this will also be a supermoon event that typically occurs between two and five times a year, and even less so when it is a super blood moon with only about five occurring in a decade. Where to watch online A supermoon or a perigee syzygy to give it its technical name is roughly 14pc larger than its typical size in the night sky as the moon reaches the closest point it can come to Earth in its elliptic orbit. However, the closest full supermoon we will see this century is set to occur on 6 December 2052. The final element of the super blood wolf moon tripartite is the wolf element, which simply refers to the folk tradition of a lunar event occurring in January being named a wolf moon. For those of us in Ireland, the full moon is due to begin quite early from 3.34am to 6.51am with the blood moon to last a period of about one hour starting at 4.41am. Of course, hoping for Irish weather to hold out in winter to let us see the phenomenon is never a safe bet, but thankfully stargazers in more reliable weather conditions will be streaming the event live online. The Virtual Telescope Project based in Rome is just one place where you can watch it all happening in near real-time. Those who will definitely be watching online are those in most of Asia and Oceania where it will be not appear at all in the night sky. | https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/super-blood-wolf-moon-january-2019 |
How does Chorley Council plan to balance its books? | Chorley Council will have to bridge a budget gap of almost 4m within the next three years. The authority has set out its draft financial plan for the next twelve months. It includes a 2.99 percent increase in council tax in 2019/20 and a review of the fees charged to residents for some services. The proposals were approved by cabinet members and will now be put to the full council for a final decision next month. Deputy leader of the Labour-run authority, Peter Wilson, said the council tax hike was not a decision which had been taken "easily". "But in terms of the services we provide, I still believe residents get good value for money from the council," he added. The cabinet heard that savings of nearly 1.5m have already been identified for the next financial year - the bulk of which come from a fresh contract for household waste collection which begins in April. Papers presented to the meeting state that the new deal will deliver an "enhanced" service for households, but cost the council 30 percent less than the previous arrangement. Chorley's recent rapid housing expansion will also bring in an extra 600,000 in council tax compared to just four years ago. Meanwhile, premiums charged on empty homes will double to 100 percent of their council tax bill in an attempt to bring the properties back into use. However, members were also warned of two significant risks to the council's coffers - both of which concern business rates. The trust which runs Chorley Hospital has joined a nationwide legal action claiming hospitals should be classed as charities for business rates purposes. If successful, the cost to Chorley Council is estimated to be a lump sum of 1.7m and an annual reduction in income of 200,000. And while the authority is expecting a boost from a government pilot scheme which allows Lancashire councils to keep 75 percent of the business rates they collect, there are fears the additional cash could be short-lived. Chorley expects the way that income is split between district authorities and the county council could cost it 700,000 per year from 2020. As of this year, Chorley will lose all of its remaining revenue support cash from the government and its draft budget includes a plan to generate 145,000 from new or increased fees for selected services. While some charges, like garden waste collection, will be frozen, others - including various licences and pest control - will see significant rises. Conservative opposition member Eric Bell questioned whether previous freezes in fees had been misguided. "Are we not at fault for not putting them up for several years and then, when we have to, it ends up being by quite a lot?" he asked. Cllr WIlson accepted that an annual inflationary or costs increase might need to be considered in future, but added that the review of charges was intended to bring Chorley in line with other districts without becoming "extortionate". If the proposals are accepted, a new fee of 61 will be introduced for tackling rodents in domestic premises, while the cost of clearing bedbugs will quadruple to 161. Meanwhile, licences for houses of multiple occupation will approximately double depending on the number of residents. Elsewhere, the council will launch a consultation on whether to continue providing a contribution to fund three police and community support officers in the borough - and where to reallocate the money if not. More than a 1m will be invested in the council's corporate priorities, including annual events like the flower show, as well as supporting the new Youth Zone. And plans to make money from the council's assets will see part of the top floor of Market Walk opened up for office space for small businesses, while the Town Hall will be promoted as a conference venue. | https://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/news/how-does-chorley-council-plan-to-balance-its-books-1-9543930 |
Whats So Indecent About Female Pleasure? | John Parmigiani, the director of the Prototype Development Lab at Oregon State University, first met Ms. Haddock in 2017, shortly after she had officially started her company, now called Lora DiCarlo . Over the years, Mr. Parmigiani who has worked with companies like Boeing and Daimler Trucks had become a go-to person for entrepreneurs seeking expertise in mechanical engineering. I went into the meeting with Lora having no idea what her product was, Mr. Parmigiani said in a recent interview. The third sentence she said was along the lines of, I didnt have my first blended orgasm until I was 20-something years old. Mr. Parmigiani said he was briefly taken aback but he kept listening. I thought, its a little out of my comfort zone, he said, but theres nothing wrong with it. Ms. Haddock had used a term that describes a sexual climax reached from simultaneous external and internal stimulation. Her first blended orgasm, which Ms. Haddock said occurred at age 28, knocked me off the bed onto the floor. I laid there wondering, how do I do that again? That wasnt what sold Mr. Parmigiani on the project. I gave him a list of 52 functional engineering requirements that would be needed to produce this product, Ms. Haddock said. And thats when he lit up. Ms. Haddock, who previously worked in health care and served in the Navy, is a self-described anatomy nerd. She knew she wanted her product to be customizable, so she started gathering data for where the G-spot and the clitoris are located on different bodies. I tried to have that conversation with every single person with a vagina that I knew, Ms. Haddock said. I literally asked them to measure it with their hands and a tape measure. | https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/18/style/sex-toy-ces.html |
When does Chris Evans start on Virgin Radio and what is the frequency to listen? | (Picture: Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock) Chris Evans left his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Christmas Eve 2018 and hes now about to start his new show on Virgin Radio. Gemma Collins confirms backstage Dancing on Ice tension and blames celebrity rival Chris first made it public that he was was leaving Radio 2 in September 2018. Hed been doing the breakfast show for eight years, and hed been with Radio 2 since 2005. In a statement in September, Chris said: I have absolutely loved every single moment of my time at Radio 2. The last 13 years have flashed by in what seems like the blink of an eye. I have learnt so much from so many people to whom I will be eternally grateful. As Sir Terry said before me, theres never a right time to leave something you love but there might be a wrong time if you hang on too long. DJ Chris Evans (not superhero Chris Evans) back in 1997 (Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire) Chris continued: I honestly think The Breakfast Show is currently as positive, useful, sunny and inclusive as it has ever been. In fine shape for its next custodian. Chris Evans first Virgin Radio show will air on Monday 21 January, continuing then to air on weekday mornings from 6.30am to 10am. Virgin Radio released some details about the new show in December, including that a sponsorship from Sky has made it so that the show will not have to have any ad breaks. On the subject, Evans has said: So much has changed in broadcasting since I was last at Virgin Radio that now, thanks to Sky, we can do the show without ad breaks Im even more excited about starting in the New Year! The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio will be available to listen to online, on the Virgin Radio app and on DAB or Digital radio, rather than FM Radio. If youre listening on digital or DAB, theres no need to spend ages finding the specific frequency for Virgin, as most allow you to search in alphabetical order. The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with @SkyUK starts on Monday 21st January at 6:30am on @VirginRadioUK (Click for sound!) It was announced in October 2018 that Zoe Ball would soon be at the helm of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. She will become the first full-time female presenter of the show and her first session will be on Monday 14 January. Zoe said of the news: Im absolutely thrilled to be following in the giant footsteps of Chris Evans as the host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. To be the first woman to present this very special show is both an honour and privilege. Evans and Zoe Ball, his Radio 2 replacement (Picture: Sarah Jeynes/BBC/BBC/PA Wire) Believe me, Im not underestimating the enormity of the task ahead, to follow not one but two of my broadcasting idols, into such a well-loved show is somewhat daunting but I hope, in the same way that Chris made this show his own after taking over from the wonderful Sir Terry Wogan, that with a top team alongside me, I can bring the fabulous Radio 2 audience a show they want to wake up to. Advertisement Advertisement In turn, Rylan Clark-Neal was confirmed as Zoes replacement on BBC Radio 2 last month. Very excited to be joining the @BBCRadio2 family taking over from the amazing @ZoeTheBall in the new year, he tweeted at the time. I had the best time covering for Zoe and am looking forward to bringing you a BRAND NEW show for Saturday afternoons. I cant wait. Very excited to be joining the @BBCRadio2 family taking over from the amazing @ZoeTheBall in the new year. I had the best time covering for Zoe and am looking forward to bringing you a BRAND NEW show for Saturday afternoons. I cant wait x pic.twitter.com/Ur125qdjEq Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) November 8, 2018 Rylan first sat in for Zoe in the summer and was a hit with listeners; the Saturday afternoon show runs from 3pm 6pm and has a weekly audience of 1.75 million. Im so excited and honoured to be joining the BBC Radio 2 family. After stepping in for the amazing Zoe Ball over the summer, working with her fantastic team, Im thrilled that Ill be working with them again to fill listeners Saturday afternoons with fun, great music and a lot of laughter, he added in a full statement. I wish Zoe every success as the stations new Breakfast Show host and Im sure shes going to be as brilliant as she always has been. I cant wait to get started and look forward to being in the studio from the New Year. Zoes first Radio 2 Breakfast Show aired on Monday 14 January (Picture: BBC) Of Chris departure, Tony Hall, Director-General of the BBC, added: Chris has been an absolutely first-class presenter of the Breakfast Show. He has brought both warmth and a genuine insight into what listeners want. Advertisement He has given 100 percent to each of his BBC projects, including raising millions of pounds for Children in Need. Id like to thank him for all his efforts over the years and wish him all the best for the future. Hall has spoken in the past of how the publication of star salaries last year was also a factor in the radio DJs departure, saying that Evans found the pressure quite hard after his 1.66 million salary was made public. MORE: Susan Boyle truly speechless as she wins Golden Buzzer on AGT: The Champions and viewers are thrilled MORE: Radio 2 breakfast host Zoe Ball admits Sara Cox gets jobs she wants but they support each other | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/18/when-does-chris-evans-start-on-virgin-radio-and-what-is-the-frequency-to-listen-in-8358492/ |
What are the benefits of going on holiday? | At this time of year ones thoughts can turn to the finer things in life, such as taking a well-earned holiday to escape the seemingly endless winter and with it the chance to venture to parts of the world that beckon you. Whats more, if you seek expert help planning your trip, youll take the worry out of the equation Despite the post Christmas blues and challenging UK weather, I always count myself rather lucky to have my birthday in January. Because with it comes a chance to celebrate in a luxurious, exotic, sunny climate, an opportunity to escape and recharge my batteries for the whole year ahead. Few of us can avoid the stress of modern life: recent figures reveal 74 per cent of adults felt overwhelmed or unable to cope at some point over the last year. On top of the usual worries such as job security, we now have technological and environmental pollutants to contend with. The answer is to take a holiday a replenishing voyage of escapism curated by luxury travel specialist Sovereign. Voyage of escapism: walking barefoot on soft sand can work wonders for your mental well-being Credit: Getty Distancing oneself Travelling is the most pleasurable way to shed that load, indulge all of our senses and reconnect with the best version of ourselves. Urban life, for all its sophistication, can feel a bit like a gilded prison. Thats where the help of travel specialist Sovereign comes in. Not only can its experts deliver that dream luxury escape and ensure the process of booking is effortless and fuss-free, but its intimate knowledge of countries across the globe the hotels with infinity pools and calming views, the private beaches and world-class spas means your trip is packed with unforgettable memories. So whether Im lounging on the banks of the Nile, watching the vividly coloured hot-air balloons float over the Valley of the Kings, or walking along the beach in Cyprus, marvelling at how the wind funnels into the sails of boats on the sea, I feel a sense of freedom the possibility of being able to pursue whatever takes my fancy in my own time, which is usually slowly. Slowing down gives us the opportunity to reset one of the most valuable body clocks the circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. It governs many aspects of our health, including appetite, heart function, mood and hormone production, and without adequate restorative rest, it is difficult to maintain good health. Sense of freedom: ensure your trip is packed with unforgettable memories Credit: Getty A virtuous circle Ultimately, slowing life down for a time can be a vital precursor to all benefits of taking a break. Increased clarity of mind, inspired ideas, the ability to eat healthier food and to exercise all follow on from getting adequate rest and sleep. During sleep, the body cleans up and balances excess and while it performs its nightly clean, stress hormone levels drop and organs are detoxed while the brain puts our thoughts in order. One of the best ways to start this process is to find a beautiful natural location, ideally with the help of a travel specialist such as Sovereign, which can tailor your escape to your needs and recommend the perfect destination. Then begin the digital detox switch off the phone and internet to help calm your mind, and use this time as a chance to reconnect with the environment. There is a growing healing trend towards bonding with nature instead of technology to enhance our health and sense of well-being. Simply walking barefoot on lush grass, warm earth or soft sand can work wonders and help you appreciate the beauty of the natural environment. Whether it's relaxing on a pristine beach, yoga by the sea or simply a radical change of scenery, Sovereign can tailor make the perfect luxury escape for you. To find out more information on their collection of outstanding resorts, and how Sovereign can make your wellness and travel dreams a reality, visit sovereign.com. 150 off per booking. Discount applies to new bookings made by 31 January 2019. | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/luxury-escapes/advantages-of-going-on-holiday/ |
Will Windows 9 go free to tempt us into an upgrade? | Update: Windows 9 is now known as Windows 10. Check out our in-depth Windows 10 release date page Windows 9 news is coming at a faster clip now that we're drawing closer to its likely September 30 debut, and the latest concerns the new OS's price. According to Russian leaker WZOR (via Myce) Microsoft is planning some nice incentives to get folks to upgrade to Windows 9. For Windows 8.1 users who want to make the jump, WZOR reports Windows 9 will either come free or be available through a special offer. We'd put our money on it going the free route since Windows 8.1 arrived at no charge for Windows 8 users. If you bought a retail or OEM flavor of the Windows 8, Microsoft will apparently throw you a Windows 9 upgrade for around $20 (about 12, AU$21). Finally, since Windows XP holdouts are still numbering more than Microsoft would like, despite the company ending support earlier this year, the firm is said to be planning an "awesome" incentive to get XP users to cave in to Windows 9. Starship enterprise WZOR's leak didn't stop at pricing details. According to the Russian crew the enterprise version of Windows 9 will leave the Metro interface at the door. Microsoft won't release a test version of Windows 9 Pro OEM, though there is a Windows 9 Enterprise technical preview out in the wild, apparently. Despite many calling the death of Windows RT all but complete, Microsoft apparently isn't ready to give up on its much-maligned OS. Instead, the firm is prepping Windows 9 RT and in fact already has a test build made. As you might expect, Windows 9 RT will arrive on the unannounced Surface 3. There were also a few rumored Windows 9 features to be had as well. WZOR maintains the system will support 3D-mode Ultra HD TVs and allow for cloud data back-up and restoration. Last but not least, Microsoft is said to be creating a feature for virtualizing physical system backups in the cloud. Sounds pretty nifty. | https://www.techradar.com/au/news/software/operating-systems/windows-9-price-or-lack-thereof-may-give-users-a-reason-to-upgrade-1262864 |
Who is Fethullah Gulen? | This week on 60 Minutes, correspondent Steve Kroft interviewed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan, the president of Turkey -- an important NATO ally. He made his frustrations with the United States clear. "Let me be very frank in my remarks, and I have been known for my candor," he tells Kroft through a translator. "I wouldn't speak the truth if I said I was not disillusioned. Because I am disillusioned." His grievances stem, in part, from his view that the U.S. policy on Syria hasn't been adequate: that the U.S. has not done enough to address the terrorist threats on Turkey's southern flank or the nearly three million refugees he's taken in from Syria. But another thorn in the relationship between the two NATO allies stems from the events of July 15, when factions of the Turkish military launched a coup attempt to overthrow Turkey's elected government. Erdoan immediately blamed the revolt on the followers of his arch enemy an elderly and exiled cleric named Fethullah Glen. For the past 17 years, Glen has been leading a reclusive life in the United States, on a 26-acre retreat in the Poconos. The Turkish government considers Glen and his supporters terrorists, and Erdoan told Kroft he wants the U.S. to return Glen to Turkey immediately. "This man is the leader of a terrorist organization that has bombed my parliament," Erdoan tells Kroft. "We have extradited terrorists to the United States in the past, and we expect the same thing to be done by the United States." Erdoan says Glen's continued presence in Pennsylvania has damaged Turkey's relations with the United States, which insists the extradition process must be handled by U.S. courts. In 2012, correspondent Lesley Stahl reported on the mystery man who is never seen or heard in public in the 60 Minutes piece above. Glen is an Islamic cleric with an influential force in the Muslim world, known as the Glen movement. As Stahl reports, his disciples compare him to Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. His supporters say he encourages tolerance and interfaith dialogue, and above all, he promotes education. His movement has founded numerous charter schools throughout the U.S., and are largely run by Turkish immigrants who are carrying out Glen teachings. In sermons on the web, Glen tells his followers, "Studying physics, mathematics, and chemistry is worshipping God." In turn, his supporters have built more than 1,000 schools around the world. Lesley Stahl visits a Glen-inspired charter school in the U.S. CBS News But Glen has never visited them, not even those a short drive away from his Poconos home. Rather, he speaks to his followers online from his gated retreat. When he initially came to the U.S. in 1999, it was for medical treatment. But then a video surfaced in which he appeared to order his followers to secretly take over key government positions in Turkey. The Turkish government accused Glen of treason, so he decided to stay in the Poconos even after he was cleared in absentia in 2008. "I think if he were to come back, then there would be such a brouhaha, and I think he would be afraid of being seen as too powerful," Andrew Finkel tells Stahl. Finkel has been a journalist in Turkey for more than 25 years. Glen declined an interview with 60 Minutes in 2012. Today, President Erdoan wants to know why he remains in Pennsylvania. "This failed coup attempted to destroy the very foundation of the state," Erdoan tells Kroft. No. He has a green card; he should be extradited." | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-fethullah-gulen-turkey/ |
Will WWE merge Raw and Smackdown roster in 2019? | Hence, the so-called 'B-show of the WWE will move to Friday Nights instead of the current time slot on Tuesday night. The inside feeling is that FOX Sports will try to elevate Smackdowns level to that of Monday Night Raw as they feel giving a tough competition to the flagship show will actually be good for WWE on the whole. Healthy competition always helps to come up with good products. But they cant do it without the star power needed on the blue brand. WWE Raw always possess a star-studded roster in comparison to that of Smackdown. So the backstage feeling is that FOX would demand big names to the Blue brand from Monday night's show. We already reported that Ronda Rousey is the name that has been considered to make the move to the blue brand in 2019. Furthermore, the speculations are going on that WWE might decide to merge the roster instead of importing some names to Smackdown Live. This will help them to give equal opportunities to both the brands. But Wrestling Observer Newsletter suggests that this is not how FOX wants to utilize the WWE roster. They dont want to 'cross-promote the same Superstars that are seen on NBC Universals USA Network. So the brand split will not come to an end soon. But there will be changes in how WWE conducts the live events. They will be using different crew members for Raw and Smackdown, as per the source, (courtesy 24wrestling.com) They will have separate production teams for RAW and SmackDown, and they will start doing more live events for the WWE Network. Early word is that the blue brand will do the live Friday SmackDown shows and whatever Saturday live events that will end up airing on the WWE Network. The red brand team will work on Sundays, for pay-per-view events or Sunday live events, along with RAW on Monday. Smackdown Live itself might go through a change, concept-wise alongside these changes. As reported earlier, there will be less comical stuff on the show in order to make it more sports-oriented. FOX Sports will also air multiple WWE shows apart from the Friday Night program. These are also going to be some original PPV or documentaries exclusive to the FOX network. | https://www.mykhel.com/wwe/will-wwe-merge-raw-smackdown-roster-2019-108321.html |
Is Boris Johnson about to launch bid to become Tory leader? | Boris Johnson has insisted Brexit be used to unite the country as he made a thinly-veiled bid for the leadership in a speech today. The former Foreign Secretary called for higher wages, more immigration control and no new taxes in a major speech set to appeal to traditional Tory voters. Theresa May confirmed at the end of last year she wouldnt run again for Prime Minister, leaving her position open to anyone foolhardy enough to take it on post-Brexit. (Picture: EPA) At a speech at the JCB headquarters, Mr Johnson said the cabinet needs to focus on the issues that drove the decision to leave the EU. He said more must be done to help the regions, who were more likely to vote Leave because growth and opportunity happen more in London. Yes, it (Brexit) was about democracy, he said. Prince Philip left 'very shocked' after crash when he was 'dazzled by sunshine' But that vote was also triggered by a feeling that, in some way, the people of this country have been drifting too far apart and in areas where we need to come together. Advertisement Advertisement The former Cabinet minister used the speech to call for action on the pay gap and careful thinking on immigration. He highlighted major discrepancies between boardroom and workers pay and said immigration has helped drive down wages. We know one of the ways big corporations have held wages down is that they have had access to unlimited pools of labour from other countries. Now, I am a free-market capitalist and a passionate believer in the benefits of migration, but there must be a balance. And, if an influx of labour is being used not only to prevent investment in capital equipment but also in the skills and prospects of young people, then we need to think carefully about how we control immigration. The PM won a vote of no confidence, but her position as leader is precarious (Picture: Reuters) He said the most worrying gap in productivity was between the regions and London and that chasm had massively expanded in recent years. If you look at the distribution of the Brexit vote, it is clear that people felt that gap in attainments and prospects and that they wanted something done. Mr Johnson added he wants a better tax system, where no-one pays more than 50% of their income. According to a transcript, he said the move was not to create a tax haven for the rich but to stimulate the economy. The venue in Rocester, Staffordshire was used by former leader David Cameron for a speech about immigration in 2014 and is likely to be viewed as an attempt by Mr Johnson to appear more prime ministerial. Former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has refused to rule out running for the top job (Picture: AFP/Getty) The timing comes as Mrs Mays Government survived a no confidence vote following the humiliating rejection of her Brexit deal. Advertisement Advertisement While Mr Johnson supported Mrs May, her position is precarious and a number of MPs appear to be jostling to one day take over. Wednesdays speech by Michael Gove ahead of the no confidence vote was lauded by commentators. The Environment Secretary made many jibes at Labours Jeremy Corbyn and claimed a Conservative Government was the only way to protect national security. Ex Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is also rumoured to be ready to throw his hat into the ring. He recently said the party needed to do more to help low income families. If you have a story for our news team, email us at [email protected]. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/18/is-boris-johnson-about-to-launch-bid-to-become-tory-leader-8358325/ |
Was wurde aus dem Autoradio? | Sogar VW wird die Sache mit den Bildschirmen im Auto anscheinend unheimlich, wenn man sich anschaut, wie sie die Musekinos bewerben "Wenn Sie wollen, knnen Sie damit auch nur Radio hren", schreibt Volkswagen auf seiner Website unter das Bild der neuesten Infotainment-Generation im Polo. Darauf gestoen bin ich auf der Suche nach einem Auto, das in seiner Standardkonfiguration noch eine "Radiovorbereitung" aufweist. Nein, beim Polo wurde ich da nicht fndig. Der hat schon als Nackerter ein 5,6 Zoll groes farbiges Glasdisplay verbaut, das Radio heit und MP3- und WMA-Dateien abspielen kann. screenshot: volkswagen.at Nicht auf "weiter" klicken! Das ist nur ein Screenshot, der meine Aussage untermauern soll. Fr die jungen Menschen ist die Konnektivitt heute wichtiger als eine Fahrwerksabstimmung. Auch als der Luftdruck im Reifen oder wo die Scheinwerfer hinleuchten wenn sie leuchten. Faustregel: je fetter der Bildschirm, desto besser das Auto. Den Seitenhieb auf Tesla, der so tief daherkme, dass er gerade noch oberhalb der Grtellinie landen wrde, erspare ich Ihnen. Lieber nehme ich mich selber an der Nase und erinnere mich an die riesige Basskiste, die mir damals im Puma zwei Drittel des Kofferraums verstellte. foto: guido gluschitsch In der E-Klasse raufen sich auch schon zwei Bildschirme um den Platz. Drauftappen kann man sich aber sparen. Mercedes-Benz findet Fingerabdrcke auf Glas nicht schn und untersttzt deshalb diese Art der Bedienung nicht. Der Testbericht zum Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabrio geht brigens in den nchsten Tagen online. Unterhaltung im Auto ist eben ein wichtiges Thema. Drive-Time nennen Rundfunksender die Zeit, wo die meisten Menschen in die Arbeit oder wieder nach Hause fahren. Da haben sie die meisten Hrer. Noch. Denn die neuen Bildschirme knnen nicht nur Radio spielen. Die schaffen es auch, Musik zu streamen whrend sie unsere persnlichen Fahrdaten an wen auch immer schicken. Gute alte Rubergschichten Das klingt jetzt alles so negativ. Ist es aber gar nicht. Frher, sagte mir ein Pressesprecher, htten sie auf der Vienna Autoshow immer ein, zwei Techniker dabeigehabt, die im Grunde nix anderes gemacht haben, als diverse Typen samt ihrem Werkzeug aus den Autos zu entfernen und danach die Radios wieder fr die restlichen Besucher zu montieren. Das gibt es heute anscheinend nimmer. foto: apa Bei der Vienna Autoshow war es frher einmal ganz gut, manchem Besucher genauer auf die Finger zu schauen, wenn der Kopf hinter der Windschutzscheibe abtauchte. Was es schon noch gibt, wenn auch nicht mehr in der ursprnglichen Form, das ist Motorola. 2011 wurde die Motorola Inc. in die Motorola Mobility und die Motorola Solutions aufgeteilt. Beide Firmen machen heute, stark vereinfacht ausgedrckt, Telefone. Die sind ja heute auch schon mehr Bildschirm und werden kaum noch dafr verwendet, wofr sie einst erfunden wurden. Aber das ist eine andere Geschichte. Fr uns wichtiger ist eine andere. So fing alles an Motorola hie nmlich das erste kommerziell erfolgreiche Autoradio. 1930 entwickelte es Bill Lear der spter mit Acht-Spur-Tonbndern und seinen Jets noch einmal von sich reden machen sollte gemeinsam mit Elmar Wavering fr GMC. Zierlich war das Teil damals noch nicht. Dafr aber teuer. Das erste Autoradio, wenn es stimmt, wurde 1922 in einen Ford, ein Modell T, eingebaut. Und bevor Sie mir jetzt zu schwrmen anfangen, weil Ihnen sofort einfllt, dass da damals natrlich Rhren verbaut wurden: Die Radios kannten nicht nur keine komprimierten MP3s, sondern auch keine CDs, nicht einmal UKW, die Ultrakurzwelle. foto: istockphoto Autoradios waren bei schnen Autos immer schon ein Stck der Designarbeit. Und wenn Sie auf dem Bild die Isabella von Borgward erkannt haben, dann gratuliere ich Ihnen herzlich zu Ihrer Fachkenntnis. Die kam ja erst nach dem Krieg, startete in Deutschland, weil die Siegermchte die guten Frequenzen auf den anderen Bndern fr sich selbst beanspruchten. 1949 nahm in Mnchen der erste UKW-Sender seinen Betrieb auf. Mono. Die Stereo-Premiere holte sich 1963 der Sender Freies Berlin. Da gab es schon zehn Jahre lang UKW-Radios in Autos. Das Mexico von Becker war das erste UKW-Autoradio. Ja, Becker gibt es so heute auch nicht mehr. Die ultrakurze Welle Begehrt waren ab den 1950er- bis weit in die 90er-Jahre neben Becker und Blaupunkt die Gerte von Philips. Pioneer-Pickerln ber die ganze Heckscheibe kamen erst spter. Philips brachte 1958 als Erster den Plattenspieler ins Auto, 1968 die Kassetten. Bis diese Schachteln, am Mitteltunnel montiert, die zehn wichtigsten Bandln aufbewahrten. Schn waren die Kasteln auch auf die Mittelkonsole geschraubt, wenn sie an einem heien Sommertag schmolzen und bers Cockpit zu rinnen anfingen. foto: thomas pressberger Leo Josimovic ist in Wien der letzte Restaurator und Reparateur von alten Autoradios. Es folgten Code-Sicherungen fr Autoradios, die begehrtes Diebesgut waren. Keycards waren dann noch so eine findige Idee. Die lie man natrlich stecken, wenn man sein Auto nicht gerade beim Autogrill in Palermo abstellte. Damit waren sie entweder sperrig oder noch fter sinnlos. foto: guido gluschitsch Sogar im Suzuki Jimny ist man schon komplett digitalisiert. Nicht so sinnlos waren Entwicklungen wie RDS, das Radio Data System, das nur dafr entwickelt wurde, Verkehrsdaten ans Auto zu senden. Heute hngt jedes bessere Navi im weltweiten Netz, und wenn man sein Smartphone im Screen spiegelt, dann saugt man ebenfalls die Verkehrsdaten in Echtzeit vom Google-Server. Und schickt ihm auch gleich die eigenen. foto: apa / dpa / barbara sax Rainer Knigs, 2004, dreht in seinem Autoradiomuseum in Haan an einem Spezialradio des Herstellers Autovox fr den Fahrzeugtyp Fiat 600 aus dem Jahr 1963. Google habe ich dann auch bemht, um doch noch ein Auto mit Radiovorbereitung zu finden. Als Gustostckerl steht in der Preisliste daneben in Klammern "Lautsprecher im Lieferumfang nicht enthalten". Genau. Dacia Duster Access um 11.990 Euro. Um zehn Euro, damit die 12.000 Euro voll sind, findet man online schon gebrauchte Autoradios. Nur Lautsprecher hat man dann immer noch keine. Eine Alternative wre es, wie frher ein Kofferradio auf den Beifahrersitz zu legen. Wir sind seinerzeit, im Escort, noch so unterwegs gewesen. Brigitte Xander, sag ich nur. (Guido Gluschitsch, 18.1.2019) | https://derstandard.at/2000096462463/Was-wurde-aus-dem-Autoradio?ref=rss |
Will Trump Pull U.S. Out of South Korea for Kim Jong Un? | As North Koreas lead nuclear negotiator begins a series of meetings in Washington this week, the Kim family looks surprisingly close to taking over South Korea, at least closer than it has been at any time since September 1950, when Kim Il Sungs troops had overrun almost all of the peninsula. There is deep anxiety that Kim Jong Un, the bold North Korean leader, will offer President Donald Trump a deal that would lead to the withdrawal of all 28,500 American service personnel from South Korea, something Trump would almost certainly like to see. The Kim family has, since the end of the fighting in the Korean War, continually worked for the withdrawal of American forces. David Maxwell, who served five tours of duty in the South with the U.S. Army, tells The Daily Beast that a complete withdrawal could be catastrophic. The U.S. may take a step closer to that disaster this week when Kim Yong Chol, Pyongyangs emissary, meets with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and perhaps Trumps new North Korean envoy Steve Biegun in Washington, apparently for the purpose of setting up a second summit between Kim Jong Un and Trump. CNN reports North Korean officials expect Kim Yong Chol to call on the president. In recent months, Pyongyang has refused meetings with Pompeo and Biegun and has stayed away from working-level discussions on denuclearization. The North Koreans believe they can get better terms from a one-on-one summit between Kim Jong Un and Trump. Analysts like Maxwell have been saying that Kim hopes to persuade Trump to take troops off the peninsula. Trump looks inclined to leave. In March 2016, for instance, he publicly said that Washington could walk away from its treaty commitments to defend South Korea and Japan. Moreover, he has complained about the cost of stationing American troops in Korea, even going so far as cancelling last June major joint drills with South Korea in part due to the tremendous expense. Trump also called the war gameshe used Pyongyangs terminology for the exercisesprovocative and said he wanted to create a favorable atmosphere for denuclearization talks. The concern in some quarters in South Korea is that Kim Jong Un will, in the anticipated second summit, offer to give up some elements of his nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs in return for a withdrawal of American forces. The core goal of the Kim familythe goal that anchors its legitimacyis to rule the entire peninsula, and the Kims have thought they could, one way or another, unite the two rival states if there were no Americans there. Accordingly, no American president has been willing to accept any bargain contemplating the removal of U.S. forces. Even President Jimmy Carter, who was once determined to withdraw all U.S. ground troops, ultimately was persuaded to keep Americans in the South precisely to avoid a coerced or forced unification. Trump, however, may be the one to agree to the Kim family plans. He has in fact impulsively announced a withdrawal of troops from Syria, repeatedly sought to get out of NATO, and now has an opportunity to break the seven-decade old treaty with South Korea. The Special Measure Agreement, a military cost-sharing pact with Seoul, expired at the end of last month after both sides failed to come to terms. Trump looks at forward-deployed U.S. forces as a burden, something other countries should pay for. America shouldnt be doing the fighting for every nation on earth, not being reimbursed in many cases at all, he told American troops in Iraq in December. If they want us to do the fighting, they also have to pay a price. The South Korean side, led by President Moon Jae-in, is not particularly inclined to pay Washington more than before. Moon is deeply anti-American and, despite what he says publicly, almost certainly wants U.S. forces out of his country. His advisers, many openly harboring pro-Pyongyang views, have been actively working toward that goal by, among other things, trying to discredit the American-led Combined Forces Command. Moon and his advisers want a declaration of an end to the war and then a treaty to formally end the conflict. Members of his inner circle are on record saying there would be no need for American troops after peace is declared. Trump looks willing to accommodate Moon. On June 1 of last year, he hosted Kim Yong Chol, the envoy, at the White House and the two discussed the matter. We talked about ending the war, Trump, on the South Lawn, said afterwards. And there is a possibility of something like that. There is a perfect storm brewing. Moon, Trump, and Kim all want U.S. forces off the peninsula, the first time the leaders of all three states have shared that goal. Kim, therefore, may not have to offer much to make that happen. Maxwell, now at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, points out that a withdrawal of American forces would mean the end of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, the Kim regimes continued possession of nukes and other weapons of mass destruction, and the loss of all U.S. influence in Northeast Asia. With the U.S. gone, the North would be free to subvert, coerce, and extort the South into submission. Another war on the Korean peninsula is possible because the only thing that has kept the peace since 1953 has been the U.S. commitment. With no U.S. forces to defend the South, the worlds 4th largest army, fortified by weapons of mass destruction, will be able to unify the peninsula. The South, although it has capable forces, cannot successfully repel a North Korean onslaught, especially because Moon has weakened defenses by taking down observation posts, removing border fencing, and destroying tank traps meant to slow armor racing to Seoul. The South Korean capital is only 35 miles from the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. The U.S., even if not involved in the fighting because its troops have been removed, will not be untouched by such a conflict. For one thing, there will be global economic upheaval as the worlds second, third, and eighth largest economies become embroiled in what will likely become the most destructive conflict since World War II. Even a peaceful absorption of the SouthMoon might surrender without a shotwould be devastating to confidence. Despite Trumps implication, American forces are not mercenaries, stationed around the world solely for the benefit of others. In South Korea, they anchor Americas western defense perimeter. For more than a century, Washington policymakers have sought to draw that defensive line off the coast of East Asia. South Korea, at a tip of the Asian landmass, anchors the northern end of a line of alliances. Trump should understand that it is to Americas advantage to keep hostile Chinese bottled up in what Beijing calls the First Island Chain as opposed to sailing unimpeded off Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego. Kim is about to make Trump an offer the American leader will be itching to accept, but which could lead straight to an end of a successful defense of the American homeland. | https://www.thedailybeast.com/will-trump-pull-us-out-of-south-korea-for-kim-jong-un?source=articles&via=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29 |
Is a Serial Killer Gang Murdering Young Men Across the U.S.? | On the evening of Dec. 15, 2016, Dakota James called his friend Shelley in a panic. He was cold, disoriented and scared out of his mind, wandering the streets of downtown Pittsburgh, trying to find someoneanyonewho would help him. I dont know where I am, he told her, sobbing. Im so cold. Please help me. Im lost. Shelley didnt hesitate. Was he in a car accident? she told The Daily Beast this week. I was so scared. I said, Where are you? Im coming. Pittsburghs north side, he told her. She quickly hopped into her car to go get him, then remembered she could use her cell phone to figure out where he was because hed enabled location services with her when she gave him a ride to the airport months ago. That program was telling her he was on Pittsburghs south side. But Dakota was texting her as she drove, trying to guide her. Im here, he texted, sending a picture of a jean-covered leg. Please help me. Im so cold. The cops wont help me. Her phones location services told her he was at a Springhill Suites on Water Street in Pittsburghs south side, not north. She texted him that with a question mark. Im here^^^^, he texted back. I honestly dont know. She got there in less than 10 minutes, arriving around 11:30 p.m. As she pulled up to the hotel she saw a dark SUV in the wrong lane, facing the wrong direction. And Dakota was walking out of the hotel and straight toward the SUV. I pulled up not even 10 feet away from the SUV, she said. I said, Dakota! He turns, looks back then comes over to me, got in my car and we left. He wasnt slurring his words. He was walking a straight line, not staggering at all. His clothes werent disheveled or wet or dirty. He was emotional, still crying, and he was scared but he did not appear to be drunk. Was he drugged?' What happened? she asked him. Are you OK? He didnt want to talk about it, he said. He said he just became aware that he was walking on the street and he had no idea where he was or how he got there, said Shelley, 35, who asked that her last name be used to protect her privacy. He said he went up to a police officer and they didnt help him. So, then he called me. The last thing he remembered, he told her, was leaving his work Christmas party then heading to some bars with his coworkers from J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. where he was a carrier sales coordinator. That was around 7:15 p.m. Everything since then was a blank. Because he seemed drugged, because hed lost four hours," she said. And he said, No. I just want to go home. So, I just took him home. He was crying so much. The next day, he thanked her for picking him up but brushed the whole thing off, saying he had a bad hangover. And she might have, too, if he hadnt vanished five weeks later, after a similar night out with some of the same co-workers. I didnt think about any of this until after he went missing, she said. What happened that night? On March 6, 2017, 40 days after Dakota James disappeared, a woman walking her dog saw his body floating in the Ohio River, about 10 miles from where he was last seen in downtown Pittsburghat 11:49 p.m. that January nightand about 30 feet from the shore. His death was ruled an accidental drowning by the Allegheny County medical examiners office. But a team of retired detectives and a gang expert believe hes one of about 100 victims of the Smiley-Face Killers, an alleged organized gang of serial killers that communicates on the dark web, with cells in dozens of cities across the United States. Another 250 cases might be connected but they cant prove it, they say. James fits the profile of the other suspected victims: smart, athletic, popular, college-age white men, who went out drinking and never came home, they say. More recently, some alleged victims have been openly gay, like Dakota. Like him, weeks later, their bodies were discovered in lakes or rivers with smiley-face or other graffiti specifically connected to the group spray-painted nearby. So far theyve connected about 70 deaths with similar graffiti nearby. About 30 of the men, including Dakota James, had the date-rape drug GHB in their system, according to the autopsy reports. Dakota was clearly murdered, Kevin Gannon, a retired New York City police sergeant who has devoted his life to solving these cases, told The Daily Beast. James body wasnt decomposed enough to have been in the water for 40 days, Gannon said. His body was undamaged, despite traveling 10 miles down river and underneath a concrete and steel dam to get to where it was found. Someone used his Paypal account for an $11.99 transaction two days after he vanished. And there appeared to be ligature marks around his neck, indicating he was strangled, according to Cyril Wecht, the famed forensic pathologist and former Allegheny County medical examiner, who reviewed the autopsy report and photos at the request of James parents. James fits the profile of the other suspected victims: smart, athletic, popular, college-age white men, who went out drinking and never came home. And there were 11 smiley face symbols spray-painted on the Robert Clemente Bridge, the closest bridge to where James was found and where police believe he fell into the water. It was a good distance away, about 10 miles, but the investigators have discovered that the smiley-face graffiti usually appears on the first man-made structure visible from where a body is found. They dont know if the graffiti was already on the Robert Clemente Bridge before James died. Gannon, his former colleague at the NYPD Anthony Duarte, Prof. Lee Gilbertson and another retired NYPD detective, Mike Donovan, are the stars of Oxygens Smiley Face Killers: The Hunt for Justice, a new six-part limited series that premieres Saturday, January 19th at 7 p.m. They have a theory; they have suspects; and they say they have evidence. What they dont have is the support of any of law enforcement or the medical examiners who either ruled these deaths accidental drownings or left them simply undetermined (instead of ruling them a homicide, suicide or an accident). They also have a host of detractors, from the FBIwhich looked at the deaths in 2008 and concluded the vast majority appeared to be accidental drowningsto the Center for Homicide Researchwhich looked at 40 of the cases and concluded the sameto the various police departments and medical examiners that handled each case and steadfastly refuse to change their conclusions. None of that deters Gannon. He has mortgaged his home and maxed out his credit cards trying to solve these cases. The only thing that stopped him, and it was only for 18 months, was a bout with cancer in 2004. Its been a difficult road and thats why we had to choose TV, to go to the court of public opinion, Gannon admitted. We felt like there was no other option. They are hoping the publicity generated by the show will finally force law enforcement to take some action against the group. To me, this is one of the most dangerous domestic terrorist groups in the United States and somebody needs to pay attention to them, Gannon said. Despite all of their efforts, so far just one of the cases has been changed to a homicide. And that was only after four years of exhaustive efforts by his parents. Chris Jenkins, a 21-year old University of Minnesota student, vanished after leaving a Minneapolis bar on Nov. 1, 2002. Four months later, he was found floating in the Mississippi river on his back, with his arms crossed across his chest. His death was initially classified as an accidental drowning but in 2006, the police finally agreed to change it to homicide. About 30 of the men, including Dakota James, had the date-rape drug GHB in their system, according to the autopsy reports. Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan even made a very public apology to the Jenkins family in November 2006, telling reporters, When we are investigating a case, we will obviously do the best we can, but were going to occasionally make mistakes. In Chris Jenkins case we did make a mistakeAnd for that, for the Minneapolis Police Department, I want to apologize to the Jenkins family. The police had a source who had given the specific details about the spot where Jenkins was thrown off a bridge, Dolan said, but he would not elaborate. Since then, though, not much has happened. In terms of what the police have done, to our knowledge, it would be nothing, Jan Jenkins, Chris mother, who wrote the book Footprints of Courage about her familys quest to find justice for Chris, told The Daily Beast. We dont even know who the sergeant is on the case. John Elder, a spokesman for the Minneapolis Police Department, would only say the case remains an open/active investigation and urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota. To me, this is one of the most dangerous domestic terrorist groups in the United States and somebody needs to pay attention to them. But the first episode of the Oxygen limited series is about James, a 23-year-old graduate student at Duquesne University who was working full-time while getting his MBA. The scenes with his parents, Pam and Jeff James, are gut-wrenching to watch, their grief still fresh. Though its difficult to relive his death over and over again, they do it because they want justice for their son. I want people to know the truththat he was a good person and not some 23-year-old child that got drunk and decided to pee in the river and fell in on his own, Pam, who started a foundation in her sons name, told The Daily Beast. Someone did something wrong to him and we need to find the answer. Its not just about my son. Its about helping the other families out there that need the information. She and her husband say they have encountered nothing but roadblocks trying to get those answers. They were not allowed to view Dakotas body when he was found, just his ankle, which had a distinguishing tattoo, they say, and they didnt get the photos from the autopsy until August 2018, 17 months after his body was discovered. Thats when they saw what appeared to be ligature marks on his neck, according to Dr. Wecht, who viewed the photos. The Allegheny County medical examiner, the police and the district attorney would not respond to questions about these specific issues, instead saying they say they are open to any new information Gannon and his team find. Pam has asked Allegheny County medical examiner Karl Williams to meet with her and Dr. Wecht, but so far that hasnt happened. Dr. Williams has met with the family in the past, his spokesperson, Amie Downs, told The Daily Beast via email. He has directly, as well as through intermediaries, indicated that he will be happy to review any additional information that the family wishes to provideup to and including the determinations made by Dr. Wecht. To date, that information has not been provided. The so-called Smiley Face murders first burst onto the public scene in April 2008 when Gannon, Duarte and Gilbertson held a news conference in New York City about the deaths. Back then there were 40 cases across 29 cities in nine states they thought were connected. In 2014, Gannon and Gilbertson published Case Studies in Drowning Forensics, a textbook analyzing 14 of the cases. Today, they know a lot more about the group than they did back then, Gannon said. The level of sophistication of the group is a lot greater than wed imagined, he said. Now we know they communicate with each other on the dark web. We know theres surveillance and counter-surveillance. Each city has its own cohort or cell, said Gilbertson, a criminal justice professor and gang expert at St. Cloud University in Minnesota. There might be 12 in that cell and they go out one night and five of them do this, he said. The next time its a different five. The way it should be conceived is that its the cell thats the serial [killer] part of it, not necessarily the individuals. Because over time the individuals in the cell will evolve. Some will age out and just keep their mouths shut. Who wants to go to prison? Thats why he wishes law enforcement would reinvestigate these cases. If they did, the network will start to fall apart, he said. Someone will squeal or snitch. But theres no reason to now. Everythings going fine for them. Theyre targeting the best of the best. These kids are the best students. Theyre the best athletes and they come from the best families. Theyre constantly recruiting, he added. Years ago, we were on their dark-web webpage but it was asking us to turn on a video camera so they could see who was about to type in the password and theres no way we were doing that. And we didnt even have the password. Wed just been given their URL, so went to it because we were told thats how they communicate. The motives for the murders range from gang initiation to hate crimes, Gannon said. Theyre targeting the best of the best, Gannon said. These kids are the best students. Theyre the best athletes and they come from the best families. Added Gilbertson: These are upstanding young men. Because maybe theyre succeeding. Maybe its the haves and the have-nots. They say they have suspects in three of the six cases their show is featuring. All are allegedly members of the gang. He believes they stalk their victims and the incident Shelley described with Dakota could have been one of two things. They tried to abduct him, and he escaped, or they were doing a test run, he said. For Gannon, it all began in February 1997 when he was a detective in New York City investigating the disappearance of Patrick McNeil, 20, who vanished after a night out with friends at a bar in Manhattans Upper East Side. His body was found two months later about 12 miles downriver, floating near a pier in the East River near the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn. The cause of his death was ruled a drowning, but the manner was undetermined. Gannons investigation quickly turned up information that pointed toward murder. Witnesses told him a car with a man and a woman was double-parked outside the bar when McNeill emerged and followed him, inching along, as he walked down 2nd Avenue toward 90th street, where he turned left. So did they. They were good witnesses, Gannon said. And access to the river isnt easy there. I walked that whole area, he said. Theres hardly any way to get access to the river there. Our critics say there is lots of smiley-face graffiti around ... Ive been on hundreds of bridges. There arent as many as you think. McNeill would have had to walk several blocks and climb over a fence to urinate. Gannon also checked with the NYPDs harbor patrol and they said theres no way, with the currents the way they are, that a body could go into the East River where he vanished and end up where it did. Two more men around the same age vanished in New York City over the next 15 months. The body of one of them was found near where McNeills body was found. The third was found in the Hudson River around 138th Street. Gannon retired in 2001 and enlisted his former partner, Anthony Duarte, to help him investigate the cases. The following year he saw a report on CNN about similar suspicious drownings in the Midwest and began looking into them, eventually teaming up with Gilbertson, a criminal justice professor and gang expert at St. Cloud University in Minneapolis who had been studying the Midwest drownings for years. In 2006, the team began traveling across the country to all of the sites where the victims were found, which is how they discovered similar graffiti (smiley faces and 12 other symbols specific to the gang) either where the men were put in the water or where they were found. Many were on bridges. By then it was too late to check the New York City cases or the earlier ones in the Midwest. Too much time had passed. Our critics say there is lots of smiley-face graffiti around, Gannon said. Ive been on hundreds of bridges. There arent as many as you think. But we only include it if the other symbols specific to this group are present, too. And, Gilbertson added, sometimes just the other symbols are there and no smiley face. Though its been 22 years, Gannon hasnt forgotten his promise to Patricks mother, Jackie: that he wouldnt stop until he found out who killed her son. Gannon is amazing, Jackie, 73, told The Daily Beast. On the anniversaries hell call and say, Im thinking about you. I consider him a good friend. And shes still holding out hope she will finally get some answers. I want to know what happened to Patrick, she said. I need to know what happened to Patrick and I want to know whos responsible. Its hard living every day not knowing. | https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-a-serial-killer-gang-murdering-young-men-across-the-us?source=articles&via=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedailybeast%2Farticles+%28The+Daily+Beast+-+Latest+Articles%29 |
Will Texas' attempt to shake up school finance lead to higher stakes for standardized tests? | Commission member Todd Williams of Dallas, left, meets with TEA Commissioner Mike Morath and State Sen. Royce West at the Texas Commission on Public School Finance on Jan. 23, 2018. Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune Top Texas lawmakers this year are proposing allocating billions of more dollars for public schools, but a portion of those dollars will likely have strings attached. And some education advocates worry the strings will lead to an even greater emphasis being placed on standardized tests in the state. In various appearances at press conferences and speeches in Austin last week, the state's top Republican leaders signaled their support for giving more money to school districts that show higher performance or agree to offer specific programs such as merit pay for teachers. One of their main messages: Schools do need more money, but they have to show they know how to use it wisely. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have said they want to avoid "throwing" money at schools without demanding better results. New House Speaker Dennis Bonnen called for increasing public education funding while getting a "return on that investment. And that return is producing children who can read, write and do math." The Texas House has proposed a budget that would put $9 billion into public education and property tax reform, while the Senate is proposing $3.7 billion to give teachers pay raises and $2.3 billion to help mitigate the state's reliance on property taxes for school funding. Lawmakers in both chambers filed few bills so far showing their specific policy proposals and none yet on outcomes-based funding. But in a December report, a state-appointed school finance panel recommended spending about $800 million a fraction of the money either chamber is proposing to incentivize superintendents to improve third-grade reading and increase the number of high school graduates on track for college or a career. The proposal appeals to some business leaders and residents watching taxes skyrocket while schools struggle. But it enrages educator groups, who say that it will direct needed resources away from low-performing school districts and encourage teaching to the test. Todd Williams, a former Goldman Sachs partner who now serves as education adviser to Dallas' mayor, has been the main voice advising lawmakers to back what he calls "outcomes-based funding." Appointed by Abbott to the school finance panel, he quickly steered the bipartisan team of lawmakers, educators and business leaders toward proposals that would give school districts "incentives" to improve students' academic results. School districts would get a certain amount of money for each third-grade student who meets grade level in state standardized tests. More money would be allocated for low-income students, and districts could then use that money to continue to improve their early education programs. They would also get more money for each graduating high school senior who receives a technical certificate, enlists in the military or enrolls in college without needing remediation. They could use that money to continue to improve their high schools. Texas has never before tied funding to student performance. Currently, school districts receive money based on the number of students who attend their schools, and the state allocates more funding for students who have more expensive educational needs. "This is a much different approach, which is more strategic and hopefully more productive," said Williams, who founded the Commit Partnership, a regional coalition of education-minded organizations in Dallas. "From a business perspective, whenever you put together a budget, the question I always ask is, 'What is the outcome we want?'" But educator advocates balk at the idea of applying a business model to public education. "You don't pattern the public school system and the budget for public schools after the budget for a Fortune 500 company," said Clay Robison, spokesperson for the Texas State Teachers Association. "If you're going to give a little bit more, you have to give that extra to those districts and students that need it the most." The outcomes-based approach has limited precedent across the country. In 2017, Arizona approved a $38 million program to reward schools with students who performed well on standardized tests. A review of the program showed that the state's wealthiest school districts and charter schools received the majority of that funding. Williams acknowledges that some models could deepen inequity between school districts. But his proposal would provide school districts much more funding for low-income students who perform well in third-grade reading or go to college, meaning high-achieving school districts with more low-income students would see much more of the total money. He's hoping that dangling money in front of school district leaders will convince them to strengthen pre-K programs and put their most effective teachers in low-performing schools. That, in turn, will get more low-income third graders reading, he believes. But some critics argue the money will instead incentivize educators to put more pressure on their third-graders to perform well on the state standardized test. "They're going to be looking at the short term and trying to chase after that test," said Michelle Smith, director of governmental relations at education advocacy group Raise Your Hand Texas. And others say the proposal will direct money away from school districts that don't perform well, instead of giving them resources they need to improve. "That's always the concern with outcomes-based funding is that it's going to end up rewarding those who are already doing well without identifying why districts aren't doing well and giving them the resources they need," said Chandra Villanueva, policy analyst at the left-leaning Center for Public Policy Priorities. "It seems disingenuous, almost paternalistic, to say that we're not going to give schools any more money until they improve their outcomes." Disclosure: Todd Williams, the Texas State Teachers Association, Raise Your Hand Texas, the Commit Partnership and the Center for Public Policy Priorities have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Read related Tribune coverage Point of Order: How Dan Huberty wants to fix school finance Texas school finance panel approves final report to lawmakers Gov. Greg Abbott's proposal would provide more tax relief than new school funding 2018 The Texas Tribune | https://www.ksat.com/education/will-texas-attempt-to-shake-up-school-finance-lead-to-higher-stakes-for-standardized-tests- |
Can the Subor Z+ turn the tide of China's declining console gaming market? | The gaming fraternity knows that the Xbox One and PS 4 gaming consoles offer a 4K gaming experience that can easily confuse you given the specs of these consoles. For instance Microsofts Xbox One X, which doesnt really have any impressive specs under the hood. If the Xbox One X ran a standard version of Windows with standard Windows games, you can expect a slow, laggy gaming experience. In fact, if you open-up the Xbox One X, youll find most of its components are standard PC parts. So, whats stopping manufacturers from putting more powerful PC components in a console. Were not really sure. But a Chinese company is doing just that. Enter Subor Z+. The Subor Z+ is a Chinese gaming console that functions as a PC with a full version of Windows installed. The console features two USB 2.0 ports on the front and four USB 3.0 ports on the back, an Ethernet port, two HDMI ports, an S/PDIF connector and lastly one 3.5mm jack for audio and another for the microphone. On the bottom, the Subor Z+ has two 2.5-inch drive bays that house a 128GB SSD and an optional 1TB Toshiba mechanical drive. The console is powered by a custom AMD Ryzen SoC with 4 cores and 8 threads at 3.0 GHz and a Vega-based GPU with 24 CUs at 1300 MHz along with 8GB of SGRAM. You can also use the Subor Z+ console out of Windows mode, in a special console mode, but the update is yet to release later in this quarter. Its simple, just like an Xbox One, the Subor Z+ only has 8GB of GDDR5 RAM that is shared. A considerable chunk of that RAM will be eaten up by Windows OS which will significantly lower-performance on AAA Titles. The other less-obvious reason is DRM (Digital Rights Management). Gaming consoles had been banned entirely in China since the year 2000, despite laws being eased since then, console gaming still hasn't made any real major headway in the Chinese gaming market. Gaming consoles make up for only 0.4 billion dollars of the approximately USD 22.1 billion Chinese gaming market. Subors move of attempting to combine a console and PC gaming experience into one could just be an ingenious move to capture an almost non-existent market. | https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/can-the-subor-z-turn-the-tide-of-chinas-declining-console-gaming-market-3407201.html |
How can forestry fit into a dairy farmers plans? | Planting suboptimal parts of farmland for forestry could fit in well for dairy farmers going forward, with carbon emissions and environmental protection coming increasingly to the fore, according to one expert in the sector. At the recent launch of Forest Industries Ireland (FII) last week, Veon forestry managing director Darragh Little spoke to AgriLand about how forestry can fit into a farm enterprise. The managing director gave the example of dairy farmers, which will come under the most pressure regarding mitigation targets due to the expansion of the national dairy herd. Dairy farmers are really, really good at maximising every square inch on their farm for milk production, Little noted. But every farm has a proportion of land that they would say is suboptimal, shall we say, and thats the opportunity for them to say OK that bit there should be my forest. He added that, under national forestry schemes, farmers who plant such land get an annual premium per year depending on what kind of tree they will plant for 15 years. That gives them a stable income off that which allows them to reinvest back into their farm. Little explained that the carbon navigator up until now did not include forestry; however, Teagasc is now reprogramming it to incorporate trees. Through this, farmers will be able to estimate the amount of carbon they can store in their forest depending on the species they plant, which the managing director said will allow such farmers to say Im emitting 100t of carbon; my forestry is going to take 10t of carbon per year so my net emissions is 90t. If they want to be come balanced in their farm enterprise, they can expand the farm and plant more, or reduce their dairy or plant more on the existing farm that they have; so they have options to do that, he added. In the next 10-15 years, all farmers are going to be put under pressure to focus on what carbon they are emitting from their farm. And many of them up to it, and some of them are not. Little said that part of the solution is forestry, noting a number of benefits not just about carbon. Advertisement Youre talking about water protection water framework directive is a big issue to farmers, particularly dairy farmers because of the amount of water that they use in the process, and they have to be looking at how do we filter this out so that it doesnt get out to the river. The director said that a forest is a really good way of doing this, noting that water gets filtered multiple times by trees planted between sheds and rivers before it gets to waterways clean. So theres lots of solutions that they have to look at and its not just about carbon. Its about protection, mitigating the risk of being fined for water pollution. Theres many ways farmers need to look at this in how forestry can contribute to all of their farm and how farmers can protect their farm from pollution and from fines that may result from pollution. Little noted that such fines will be hefty, with authorities also getting better and more sophisticated at identifying culprits to pollution. | https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/how-can-forestry-fit-into-a-dairy-farmers-plans/ |
Are developers neglecting research on buyers needs? | Location, location and location has been the tried-and-tested format of success in Indian real estate, so far. It has been the best calling card for all developers. Many even assumed that if a developer has land in a highly desirable location, then that in itself is enough to sell the project. However, the current slowdown in the real estate industry, has just forced them to wonder why another developer in the same market is successfully selling at a higher price point while their own project is heading nowhere. The answer lies in a single word research, or the lack of it. Take the case of a builder who has abandoned his housing project in one of the most desirable locations of south Delhi. The said developer borrowed heavily to buy an 800-sq yard park-facing corner plot in West End for Rs 90 crores three years back. He was forced to abandon the apartment project and put the plot on the block after failing to find takers. Analysts point out that the same builder would have sold the apartments even at the drawing board stage, had he read the pulse of the market right. Anish Shah, director, Amal Realtors, however, believes that in certain locations, it is true that land competence itself is enough to sell. He cites the example of Mumbai where the biggest difficulty is the procurement of land. In Mumbai, land is enough to sell your project. In Mumbai any developer is ready to pick up any land. The project is planned keeping in mind the kind of demand that particular land will induce, points out Shah. Accordingly, its decided whether it should be a residential or commercial or IT project. However, when it comes to the outskirt areas the MMR region, Thane or western suburbs beyond Virar, the demand is uncertain, says Shah. Sandeep Ahuja, CEO, Richa Realty, candidly admits that the developers have been carried away by land competence for the past several decades. The have neglected research about demand. In the same Mumbai micro-market, one developer with a better product is able to sell more and reach more people, than a developer who has not focused on the research. The developers have been ignoring it but I think now, they wont be able to do so anymore, explains Ahuja. Another instance is Noida, where analysts point out that the current demand and supply mismatch is largely due to the overwhelming desire to make the best of location advantage. Noidas units are very large in size and the buyer cannot afford another location, such as Gurgaon or Delhi. Had the developers in Noida sized their units correctly, based on researching the buyers needs, they would have been able to sell more. (The writer is CEO, Track2Realty) By: Housing.com/news | https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/personal-finance/are-developers-neglecting-researchbuyersae-needs-959217.html |
Is Marriott in China Barking Up the Wrong Tree? | Last year Marriott International was forced to issue an apology and fire at least one employee after an online guest survey listed Tibet and other areas claimed by China as countries rather than regions, sparking a furious response from Chinese regulators. Business in China can be disconcertingly political. One solution for international hotel chains might be to serve pets as well as people. Fortunately, there is a less political niche market that appears to be doing well, despite a slowing economy and labor market: luxury pet hotels. As Chinese citizens have gotten wealthier, their spending on pets has grown rapidly. Per square foot, pet hotels often charge more than luxury accommodation for humans in wealthy coastal cities such as Xiamen, according to state-run China Daily. An upscale feline suite covering about 85 square feet, equipped with toys and a kitty cam so owners can check in, goes for 350 yuan ($52) a day. Prices often rise ahead of the coming Lunar New Year. Best of all, feline and canine customers usually ignore thorny political questions such as Taiwan, emphasizing issues like walks and mail personnel instead. | https://www.thestar.com/wsj/business/2019/01/18/is-marriott-in-china-barking-up-the-wrong-tree.html |
Why is the Norfolk property market different from the rest? | It's fair to say that Norfolk has it all, says Tim Wicks of Brown & Co. Picture: Getty Images Pauws99 Tim Wicks from Brown & Co and Ben Marchbank from Bedfords share their thoughts on our local market and why its so different from the rest of the UK. Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. Our county provides breathtaking scenery with a rich and varied environment - Snettisham in winter Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto Our county provides breathtaking scenery with a rich and varied environment - Snettisham in winter Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto Tim Wicks of Brown & Co says the pace of life in Norfolk (and lower house prices) is of particular appeal to buyers from the London area and the south east. I have read many mixed reports about the highs and woes of local property markets around the country and whilst it appears that many are indeed struggling, we in Norfolk seem to be bucking the trend. An exceptional summer last year brought many more visitors to our fine county as people decided to spend their holidays here and discover what has long been regarded as a hidden gem. The improved A11 has made access much quicker and the influx has contributed to what is already a strong local economy. The pace of life in Norfolk (and lower house prices) is of particular appeal to buyers from the London area and the south east. There is much to explore and admire here with some of the best beaches in the country, the Norfolk Broads of course and Our Norfolk skyline is broken by some of the country's finest Saxon and medieval churches, windmills and wherries says Ben Marchbank of Bedfords. Picture: Getty Images Our Norfolk skyline is broken by some of the country's finest Saxon and medieval churches, windmills and wherries says Ben Marchbank of Bedfords. Picture: Getty Images lovely villages and thriving market towns woven into a blanket of beautiful countryside. We even have our own International Airport. It is fair to say that Norfolk pretty much has it all and I for one wouldnt wish to live anywhere else, well, maybe except Portugal; in a villa with a pool; next to a golf course....oh well, I can dream, cant I? But for Ben Marchbank, of Bedfords, the difference in market is because of our countys distinct identity. There is an old local joke that here in Norfolk were cut off on three sides by the sea, and on the fourth by British Rail! While this is perhaps now a little unfair, with our rail and road links ever-improving, it is still true to say that much of the charm of Norfolk derives from its insularity; after all, those of us who are fortunate enough to live and work here know full well that, as satisfying as it is to travel and see the world, there is no more satisfying moment than on arriving back home. Our county provides breathtaking scenery with a rich and varied environment of productive farmland, gently rolling rivers and streams, mile upon mile of beaches meeting either high cliffs with chalk downs formed during the Ice Age or fenland reclaimed from marshes since the 17th century. Our skyline is broken by some of the countrys finest Saxon and medieval churches, windmills and wherries; Norwich and our market towns remain the hubs of our communities, each distinct from its neighbour, each resolutely proud of its heritage, each providing an economic and cultural centre around which a wider rural community thrives. There are few parts of the country able to offer so distinct an identity, so it is little wonder that Norfolks property market remains resilient. The renowned architectural historian, Nikolaus Pevsner, said of Norfolk that its residents are proud of it, they like it and it is a county in which one feels at home. | https://www.edp24.co.uk/edp-property/experts-reveal-what-makes-the-norfolk-property-market-so-unique-1-5857134 |
Is er behoefte aan een nieuwe niet-commercile spaarbank voor de burger? | Dat zegt de Wetenschappelijke Raad voor het Regeringsbeleid (WRR) in ietwat subtielere termen in een rapport dat donderdag verscheen. Nederland had lang zon betaalbank, voordat opeenvolgende regeringen in de jaren tachtig en negentig (semi-)staatsbedrijven in de verkoop deden: de Rijkspostspaarbank. Daar kon de burger keurig een betaal- en een spaarrekening openen, op die laatste kwam jaarlijks netjes zon vier, vijf procent rente binnen, en geen ambtenaar bij de Rijkspostspaarbank die een eenmalige rechtspersoon oprichtte teneinde het spaargeld van de burger in een cashless CDO te stoppen. De Rijkspostspaarbank mocht niet eens in onroerend goed investeren. Dat hoefde de bank ook niet; de Rijkspostspaarbank belegde in staatsobligaties en die leverden in de jaren tachtig en negentig een prima rente op. Het probleem bij dit model is dat de rente anno 2019 vrijwel nul is, en beleggen in staatsobligaties een bank bij lange na niet genoeg oplevert om in haar bestaan te voorzien. Om een IT-structuur voor banktransacties draaiende te houden, bankkantoren te bemensen, pinautomaten bij te vullen, salarissen uit te betalen laat staan rekeninghouders enige rente uit te betalen. Kosten Als zon instelling de taak krijgt om de consument zo veilig mogelijk financile middelen te verschaffen, dan is de vraag: wat is de consument bereid ervoor te betalen?, zegt Jaap Koelewijn, hoogleraar economie aan de Nyenrode Business Universiteit. Het geld moet ergens vandaan komen. Uit staatsobligaties komt het niet, beleggen mag niet, dus moet de consument de bank bekostigen. Dat kan hem jaarlijks 1 tot 1,5 procent van zijn spaargeld ksten. Als er aan de linkerkant geen geld mag worden verdiend, moet het immers van de rechterkant komen. Belangstelling voor een bank die geen gekke dingen doet is er ongetwijfeld; de vraag is hoeveel belangstellenden ervoor over hebben. Triodos Bank, die prat gaat op duurzame investeringen, verlaagde als eerste haar rente naar nul maar blijft desondanks populair bij consumenten die niet willen dat hun bank investeert in wapenhandel of geld pompt in het kappen van oerbossen in de Amazone. Anders dan de door de WRR bepleitte betaalbank is Triodos echter wel degelijk een volwaardige commercile bank, zij het een milieubewuste, en bedruipt zichzelf. Nu zijn er een aantal oplossingen te bedenken om te zorgen dat er aan de linkerkant toch geld binnenkomt, zodat een rekening bij een depositobank betaalbaar wordt. Staatssteun voor de dagelijkse bedrijfsvoering van een bank, bijvoorbeeld, maar dat is een stap terug die geen politicus zal willen zetten. Beeld uit een reclame van de Postbank. Driewerf nee, is daarop het antwoord van econoom Koelewijn: Hypotheken en leningen zjn niet veilig, daar begon de crisis mee. Er bestaan wel degelijk hybride vormen. De Duitse Sparkassen, lokale banken in (grotendeels) overheidshanden, zijn al decennialang de eerste keus van Duitsers die niet zozeer bezig zijn met manieren om hun vermogensgroei te maximaliseren, maar vooral om hun spaarcentjes veilig te houden. De Sparkassen lenen wl geld uit aan (kleine) bedrijven, en verstrekken hypotheken. Toch zitten ook zij in zwaar weer: door de lage rentestand, die ze moeilijk kunnen opvangen omdat ze beperkte inkomstenbronnen hebben vergeleken met commercile banken, wat weer resulteert in gebrek aan modernisering en slechte dienstverlening, waardoor klanten weglopen, waardoor de bank het nog moeilijker krijgt. Uit de hand Bovendien: het risico van de teugels op een betaalbank ietsje loslaten, is dat het uit de hand loopt. Zo verging het de Rijkspostspaarbank ook. De top klaagde dat het geld bij de bank tegen de plinten klotste maar dat ze er niets mee mochten doen terwijl commercile banken de ene na de andere winstgevende investering deden. De Rijkspostspaarbank werd in 1986 onafhankelijk onder de naam Postbank, maar was toen nog steeds aan handen en voeten gebonden middels de Postbankwet. Drie jaar later fuseerde de Postbank met de toenmalige NMB Bank en ging de bank in effecten handelen. Nog een fusie later ontstond de ING Groep, toen de ING Bank, het blauwe leeuwtje werd oranje, en inmiddels is de goeiige Rijkspostspaarbank van weleer een internationale financile gigant met een reusachtige wereldwijde zakelijke divisie. Waarvan de snelle jongens een betaalrekening voor twee tientjes per jaar aanbieden. Met medewerking van Duitsland-correspondent Sterre Lindhout | https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/is-er-behoefte-aan-een-nieuwe-niet-commerciele-spaarbank-voor-de-burger-~b1d73add/ |
Which girls basketball players were nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game? | On Wednesday, 23 players from the state were nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game. NJ Advance Media takes a look at all of the players and breaks down why each one was nominated. Scroll through to see which players are in contention to earn a spot in the country's top all-star game. The final rosters for the 2019 McDonald's All American Games will be revealed on Thursday, Jan. 24, at 3 p.m. on ESPN's The Jump and at 6 p.m. on SportsCenter. The 18th annual McDonald's All American Game can be viewed on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27. Tickets for the game will go on sale on Thursday, Jan, 24, at 3 p.m. via Ticketmaster or at the box office at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. | https://www.nj.com/expo/sports/g66l-2019/01/16564928797635/which-girls-basketball-players-were-nominated-for-the-mcdonalds-allamerican-game.html |
How Does Super S Keto Work? | Super S Keto Diet is a staggering equation, which grants people to diminish abundance body weight productively and steadily without enabling them to go for genuine exercises and seek after serious abstaining from excessive food intake designs. Super S Keto is a sublime colon sterilization strategy which comes in simple to take pills frame that principally causes you to get help from numerous sorts of stomach issues, for example, obstruction, gas, swelling, and the sky is the limit from there. In addition, it sheds off overabundance weight and upgrades the digestion which encourages you to feel lively and dynamic. This enhancement is known for its clinically tried technique which has gain tributes from the particular specialists and numerous other social insurance specialists on account of its adequacy in overseeing body load without bringing on any unsafe effect on your body.Click Here https://maximumenhancement.com/super-s-keto/ | http://waneenterprises.com/forum/topics/how-does-super-s-keto-work |
When is Bros After The Screaming Stops documentary on TV and how to watch? | Matt Goss and Luke Goss at the the UK Premiere of After The Screaming Stops in October 17, 2018 (Picture: John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI) The youngest band to perform at Wembley Stadium, and the epicentre of a phenomenon known as Brosmania, Luke and Matt Goss were the focus of the sleeper hit documentary Bros: After The Screaming Stops. Woman who wants to teach primary school kids how to masturbate sparks outrage The TV film follows the twin brothers and former members of the mega-successful pop group, Bros, as they get back together for a one off show at the O2 Arena. Bros initially shot to fame as a trio with Craig Logan in 1988, when their single When Will I Be Famous reached no.2 in the UK charts and hit the top 10 all over the world, with other hits including Drop The Boy, Cat Among The Pigeons and I Owe You Nothing. The Bros brothers documentary will air on BBC Two on Saturday 26 January from 10.45pm to 00:10am. If you dont want to wait until then, you can watch it on BBC iPlayer now. Either way, youll have to hurry because the documentary will only be on iPlayer for 12 more days, leaving the platform on Tuesday 29 January. Since debuting on BBC Four on Sunday 23 December, the film has had a surprisingly big impact on viewers, but maybe not in the way the brothers intended. Logan ended up quitting the band in 1989 because he suffered from ME, a chronic illness, and Luke and Matt Goss only performed together for another couple of years until 1992. Logan, who is now a successful music manager, declined to appear in the film, so the brothers took centrestage. Luke and Matt have had something of a tumultuous relationship since their rise to fame, with Matt admitting that he didnt speak to his brother Luke for over ten years that is, until the band reunited. The high drama of their lives, and the film has made for some unintentionally funny viewing, with fans describing Matt Goss as a cross between David Brent and Paul Danan. The Bros doc on @BBCFOUR is the funniest thing ever. Matt Goss is like a cross between David Brent and Paul Dannan Kathryn B (@kbrad26) December 26, 2018 Just tucking into the Bros doc When the Screaming Stops. Oh boy, this is toe-curling stuff. Alan Partridge meets David Brent. Wholeheartedly recommend. #Bros Alex Ritman (@alexritman) December 27, 2018 In the wake of the documentarys release, Bros are currently planning another live show at the O2 Academy Brixton, on Friday 5 July 2019. Advertisement Advertisement If youre interested, youll have to shell out a tidy 106.50 for standing tickers, and 156.50 if you want better seats, which hasnt impressed some of their fans nearly as much as the film has. I love @Bros__Official @mattgoss @LukeGoss but I am not paying over 100 for a standing ticket, I paid 1/2 of that to have a decent seat at the O2, what is going on!! Claire Springett (@Claire_S_3) January 18, 2019 Bros: After The Screaming Stops will air on BBC Two at 10:45pm on Saturday 26 January. MORE: You viewers convinced Penn Badgleys new series is direct sequel to Gossip Girl MORE: Mark-Paul Gosselaar couldnt escape Saved By The Bell quotes from co-star on new show The Passage | https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/18/when-is-bros-after-the-screaming-stops-documentary-on-tv-and-how-to-watch-8358774/ |
Can Opportunity Zones Help State Economy? | Federal program could help development in challenged areas of Milwaukee and state. Sign-up for the Urban Milwaukee daily email A year-old federal program could bring a range of new development to areas of Milwaukee in dire need of it in the years ahead. But experts at a recent panel intermingled that sense of optimism with caution. The Wisconsin Technology Council, a nonpartisan advisory organization, hosted a talk Thursday on opportunity zones. The program, part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that President Donald Trump passed into law Dec. 22, 2017, has been touted as a mechanism for bringing private economic development into economically challenged communities. Former Gov., while still in office, carved out opportunity zones in communities throughout Wisconsin, pairing the designated areas against federal guidelines. The areas pinpointed will provide tax incentives for prospective developers. Wisconsin has 120 census tracts in disparate corners of the state with the opportunity zone status. Milwaukee itself has 36 of these carve-outs. Many of the areas have been deemed blighted. Opportunity zones, and their potential impact, were in the news throughout 2018. But Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, said he believes the program is still not widely known or, if it is, is met with confusion. Its one of those things people seem to know a little about, but not a lot, Still said at Thursdays event, held at UW-Milwaukees Innovation Accelerator in Wauwatosa. State Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee), said he views the prospect of opportunity zones with cautious optimism. Fields was one of three panelists weighing in on the impact of the federal program at Thursdays event. Its exciting. This is an opportunity to get investors into an urban community and build it up, Fields said. From that point, its great. But Fields, who also serves as managing director of venture capital firm Dark Knight Ventures, said he hoped any developer laying stakes within one of Milwaukees opportunity zones would do so to fortify the immediate community and not be solely lured by a tax write-off. While (opportunity zones) are great, there are some concerns, Fields said. Theres some open discussion, I think, that is still needed so its being used in the right way. The Tech Council brought in other experts with varied perspectives on opportunity zones at Thursdays talk. Jon Lancaster, managing director of Lancaster Investments, said his firm has been digging into the possibility of developing in some opportunity-zoned areas. While the carved out areas commonly are associated with commercial development, Lancaster said a range of other uses including residential and other seemingly unorthodox uses also can be added into the mix of possibilities. The basis of retail is changing, Lancaster said of this outside-the-box thinking. It certainly makes sense from a residential perspective. But Lancaster said he also sees opportunities for other developments in the opportunity-zoned areas, including business incubators for entrepreneurs and spaces for pop-up retail businesses. Brenda Graat, senior manager at accounting and advisory firm Baker Tilly, said 8,700 opportunity zones have been created across the U.S. For developers looking at long-term investment, Graat, from her perspective, said the federal program could be viable. But an investor has to recognize a capital gain, Graat said, noting that the incentives begin to kick in at the 10-year mark. Baker Tilly has created an interactive mapping tool, identifying where each of the 120 opportunity zones are located across the state. If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits, all detailed here. | https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2019/01/14/can-opportunity-zones-help-state-economy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UrbanMilwaukee+%28Urban+Milwaukee%29 |
What makes ASF so difficult to eradicate? | Based on experiences, knowledge and data gained from the current epidemic this review highlights some recent developments in the epidemiological understanding of ASF. Authors Erika Chenais, Klaus Depner, Vittorio Guberti, Klaas Dietze, Arvo Viltrop and Karl Sthl The qualities of the three epidemiological traits contagiousity, tenacity, and case fatality rate make ASFV efficient in both persistence and transmission. The high tenacity ensures long term persistence in the environment, high case fatality rate makes the virus largely available, and the relatively low contagiousity prevents the complete depletion of the host population. The interaction of these three parameters maximise both local persistence and geographical spread of the virus making its eradication a challenge. The disease does not show a typical epidemic pattern with either self-limiting localised epidemics or wider spread through an epidemic wave [1]. Both these patterns would probably require higher contagiousity. The patterns usually observed in endemic settings, with a constant circulation or presence of pathogens in the target population [1], is also not observed. With a high case fatality rate and the probable absence of a long-lasting carrier status, ASFV cannot be maintained independently in an active circulation over a longer time despite the high reproductive capacity of wild boar. This leaves us the epidemiological scenario of a reservoir-facilitated perpetuation leading to an endemic state. With the absence of the reservoir hosts, African wild suids or Ornithodoros spp. ticks, the habitat as such, including the contaminated carcasses have to be considered as pathogen reservoir leading to the observed endemic setting with extended transmission intervals. Apart from the wild boar population and the habitat, the current epidemic recognises humans as the main responsible for both long distance transmission and virus introduction in the domestic pig farms. Thus it becomes crucial to include social science when planning prevention-, control-, or eradication measures. By considering only the biological particularities of the disease, contagiousity, tenacity and case fatality rate, but ignoring the human aspects, the epidemic will not be controlled. Erika Chenais, Klaus Depner, Vittorio Guberti, Klaas Dietze, Arvo Viltrop and Karl Sthl (2019). Epidemiological considerations on African swine fever in Europe 20142018. Porcine Health Management, 5:6. [1] Dicker R, Coronado F, Koo D, Parrish RG. Principles of epidemiology in public health practice. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2006. | http://www.thepigsite.com/swinenews/45898/what-makes-asf-so-difficult-to-eradicate/ |
What is Theresa May's Brexit Plan B and when will Parliament vote on it? | Theresa May is under pressure to come up with an alternative Brexit deal that will win support from MPs across the political spectrum, following her humiliating defeat in the House of Commons on Tuesday 15 January. Brexiteer MPs have called on the Prime Minister to simply walk away from the negotiations and embrace a 'no deal' scenario, but the she is determined to somehow push through the Withdrawal Agreement. Meanwhile, the European Union says it is now solely up to Mrs May and MPs to agree on a counter-proposal to the Brexit deal they rejected, with negotiations only reopening once this is achieved. Under the terms of an amendment by Dominic Grieve,... | https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/theresa-mays-brexit-plan-b-will-parliament-vote/ |
Are these the first snowdrops in Redbridge this year? | Reader Ron Jeffries spotted them in Aldborough Hatch. Send your photos to [email protected]. Photo: Ron Jeffries Ron Jeffries If youve spotted some snowdrops in Redbridge please send your photos to our reporter at [email protected] Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in. Reader Ron Jeffries spotted them in Aldborough Hatch. Send your photos to [email protected]. Reader Ron Jeffries spotted them in Aldborough Hatch. Send your photos to [email protected]. Keen photographer and regular contributor Ron Jeffries said he was walking along Aldborough Road North on Tuesday (January 15) morning, when he spotted the bunch inside a garden gate. The flowers are usually the first sign of the end of Winter, and are famous for their toughness in cold weather. A snowdrops leaves have specially hardened tips to help them break through frozen soil and their sap contains a form of antifreeze to prevent ice crystals forming. He told the Recorder: The homeowner told me she purchased the bulbs at a flower show in Westminster. They are the first to bloom in this area this year - and a foretaste of Spring to come. I hope the photographs might be something to cheer your readers up in the cold and to take their minds off Brexit! If so please send your photos to [email protected] | https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/redbridge-snowdrops-1-5857042 |
Is Ellen the anti-Trump? | A year-old tweet by Eric Trump has recently made the rounds on Facebook for some reason. In it, he posited that Ellen DeGeneres is part of the Deep State that is looking to overthrow his fathers administration. It seems he drew this conclusion when Twitter suggested that he follow DeGeneres, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In true conspiracy-theory fashion, Eric sussed out a connection. DeGeneres, of course, denied it, calling Erics accusation the craziest thing on her syndicated talk show. But maybe its not as crazy as it seems. Oh, she seems genial and harmless enough, and youd think the talk show host/comedian would be busy enough without having the time to plot a coup. But think about it: Ellen just might be the anti-Trump. Shes a liberal and a lesbian, two things that Trumps base abhors. But apart from that, shes everything the Trumps aspire to: She reaches a huge audience on television and social media. Forbes reported in 2018 that The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which airs five days a week, regularly draws more than 3 million viewers. She has 76 million followers on Twitter and 55 million on Instagram. She has a self-made fortune, with a net worth estimated at more than $400 million. DeGeneres was the first female comedian to command $20 million for a stand-up special in a deal with Netflix. As a result, according to Forbes, she earned $87.5 million in 2018 alone. In addition to revenue from her TV show and Netflix special, DeGeneres does voice-over work and has a successful lifestyle brand, ED by Ellen, which includes apparel, pet accessories and home goods. DeGeneres has also had some success in buying and flipping California real estate. She is married to a beautiful blonde, actress Portia de Rossi. No wonder Eric was suspicious. But he never followed up on his much-mocked tweet. As for Ellen, she recently extended her talk-show contract until the summer of 2020, just months before the next presidential election. Maybe Donald Trump needs to worry about her future plans after all. | https://exjournalistsunite.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/is-ellen-the-anti-trump/ |
Is Talking Stick Resort Arena a driver of downtown Phoenix's economy? | CLOSE The proposal for a $230 million renovation of Talking Stick Resort Arena has sparked an intense public discussion. azcentral MEDIA: Speech WHO SAID IT: Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams THE COMMENT: "Im a firm believer that the Suns and the arena is the core of downtown. I think thats how we gain all the business enthusiasm and shops and restaurants I think even the colleges. Because the kids like the activities, whether its a Suns game or a concert Its a generator of income that goes into our general fund that pays for police and fire and parks and all other services that benefit the city." FORUM: Public meeting on Jan. 9 at South Mountain Community Center WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT: Whether a sports arena has a significant impact on a city's economy. OUR FINDING: One Star, Mostly False. ANALYSIS: The proposal for a $230 million renovation of Talking Stick Resort Arena has sparked an intense public discussion. While public response has been mixed at multiplecity-hosted town halls, city leaders and Suns executives have stressed the significant impact of the arena on the growth and revitalization of downtown. The Phoenix City Council planned to vote on the proposal in December, but pushed the vote back to Jan. 23. Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams supports the proposal. She spoke at the end of the Jan. 9 public meeting and made the claim about the arena being an economic and social draw to downtown. The deal and the funding Talking Stick Resort Arena. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports) The total renovation cost for the arena is projected at $230 million. The proposal requires $150 million from the city of Phoenix through the Sports Facilities Fund and bonds. The Suns would pay $80 million. The Sports Facilities Fund is generated from taxes on hotel rooms and rental cars. A report by the Phoenix Department of Community and Economic Development shows the arena has an estimated $182 million in direct economic impact to the city and businesses. The report measures arena attendees' spending on hotel stays and related tourism purchases, such as meals and event memorabilia, and counts tax revenue to the city of Phoenix. The data also include tax revenue the city would receive from the construction of a Suns practice facility. CLOSE A proposal would require Phoenix to pay $150 million upfront, with the Suns kicking in 80 million, to renovate Talking Stick Resort Arena. Arizona Republic Sports arenas and city economies Phoenix Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackayviews the renovation as necessary to maintain a robust downtown. "It's all about being a well-rounded city, being able to supply amenities and assets to all of our citizens who want them," Mackay said. "The entertainment district is key." Nevertheless, research on sports arenas shows they have a small to negligible effect on the economy and development of a city. It is not facility-dependent but rather city dependent. Geoffrey Propheter, researcher A West Virginia University study published in 2015 analyzed 13 new sports facilities and studied business activity nearby. The research found "no evidence of any effect, positive or negative, of new sports facilities on new businesses around these facilities." Another study in The Journal of Urban Affairs in 2012 by researcher Geoffrey Propheter found that basketball arenas specifically did not spur economic development in a city. Using data from 1979 to 2009, Propheter found basketball arenas are dependent on the growing economic state of the city where they reside, not the other way around. "It is not facility-dependent but rather city dependent," Propheter wrote. "Basketball arenas are economic complements. The present research is generally consistent with the notion that professional sports are not the cause of development so much as they are the effect." If every sports team in Chicago were to suddenly disappear, the impact on the Chicago economy would be a fraction of 1 percent. A baseball team has about the same impact on a community as a midsize department store. Michael Leeds, a sports economist at Temple University A 1997 study by the Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan research organization, also concluded that sports facilities had a negligible effect on economic activity and employment in cities. "Regardless of whether the unit of analysis is a local neighborhood, a city, or an entire metropolitan area, the economic benefits of sports facilities are de minimus," the study's authors, Roger Noll and Andrew Zimbalist, wrote. Other economists have reached similar conclusions. Michael Leeds, a sports economist at Temple University, said in an interview with the radio program Marketplace that the negligible economic effect of sports facilities is actually the one thing economists agree on. Leeds studied Chicago, a city with five major sports teams the Cubs, the White Sox, the Bears, the Bulls, and the Blackhawks. His research found the teams did not matter financially to the city. "If every sports team in Chicago were to suddenly disappear, the impact on the Chicago economy would be a fraction of 1 percent," Leeds said. "A baseball team has about the same impact on a community as a midsize department store." Take whatever number the sports promoter says, take it and move the decimal one place to the left. Divide it by 10, and that's a pretty good estimate of the actual economic impact. Victor Matheson, an economist at College of Holy Cross Victor Matheson, an economist at College of Holy Cross, said in an interview with The Atlantic that city officials and sports publicists tend to inflate numbers about economic impact. "Take whatever number the sports promoter says, take it and move the decimal one place to the left. Divide it by 10, and that's a pretty good estimate of the actual economic impact," he said. He also said publicly financed facilities don't create a return on investment if they are not heavily used. One exception is the Staples Center in Los Angeles home to two NBA teams, the Clippers and the Lakers, the WNBA Sparks and the NHL Kings. "But they use it 250 dates a year," Matheson said. Talking Stick Resort Arena also is home to the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, in addition to the Suns. Mackay said she recognized the small to negligible economic impact of sports arenas that economists had found. "I don't disagree, if the (Talking Stick Resort) arena were to close down, $182 million in the economy of Phoenix is not significant," Mackay said. But she said she had a different view on the social and cultural impact of the arena. "The problem with those economic reports is that they tend to neglect to see how the trickle effect moves through to create an attractive place for other companies to invest in the market. In every study they neglected it. Economists looked at cold hard math and numbers. They didn't check on that from an economic development level." Phoenix considers the arena as part of a "branding toolkit," said Julie Watters, the city's public information director. Mackay said from an economic development view, the arena is part of making a competitive city. "I am boots on the ground, in the trenches and see how important it is," she said. She said companies look for such things as education infrastructure, safety, affordable entertainment and nightlife when moving to and investing in new cities. "From an economic standpoint, (the arena) is negligible. From a social impact on what we can attract in the future, it has a significant impact." The economic growth of downtown Phoenix would not be derailed, however, if the arena was vacated. "The arena is not solely responsible for the revival of downtown," Mackay said. CLOSE Mike Dwyer, a Phoenix resident, speaks during a public hearing to discuss the pending renovation cost for Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. Nathan J. Fish, The Republic | azcentral.com BOTTOM LINE: Economic research shows that sports arena construction and development has a minimal impact on a city economy and new businesses. Although downtown entertainment venues and sports facilities can shape a city's social and cultural appeal to residents, tourists and future investors, from an overall economic standpoint, the effects aren't significant. SOURCES: Jan. 9 Public Meeting on Suns Arena, South Mountain Community Center; Jan. 10 meeting with Christine Mackay and Julie Watters; Visit Phoenix, "Phoenix Tourism Stats & Facts"; "If You Build It, They Might Not Come," Sep. 2012, The Atlantic; "Do Basketball Arenas Spur Economic Development?" City Lab, Aug. 2012; "Sports, Jobs & Taxes: Are New Stadiums Worth the Cost?" Brookings Institution, June 1997; Phoenix City Council Report: Sports Facilities Special Revenue Fund, May 2016; "Are Pro Sports Teams Economic Winners for Cities?" Marketplace.org, March 2015; "Do New Sports Facilities Attract New Businesses?" ", 2012. READ MORE: CLOSE Phoenix resident Greta Rogers, in a public meeting Dec. 12, 2018, lit into council members over a proposal to spend $150M to help renovate the Suns' arena. Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com. Go to connect.azcentral.com for a staff list, for more information about the newsroom and for details about upcoming events. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/fact-check/2019/01/18/economic-impact-talking-stick-resort-arena-phoenix-suns-mayor-thelda-williams/2473561002/ | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/fact-check/2019/01/18/economic-impact-talking-stick-resort-arena-phoenix-suns-mayor-thelda-williams/2473561002/ |
Where do Hull City rank in the Championship's Fair Play league? | Get Hull City updates directly to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Hull City are one of the cleanest sides in the Championship, according to the FAs Fair Play table. The FA ranks all 24 sides by a unique scoring system to list the division's cleanest and dirtiest teams and the Tigers currently sit second in the standings, behind Fair Play leaders Swansea City, having picked up just 36 yellow cards this season in the second tier. Nigel Adkins side have been given one red card this season, shown to Evandro for a second bookable offence in the loss to Stoke City in August, meaning the Brazilian was banned from featuring in the clubs Carabao Cup tie with Derby County. Fraizer Campbell and Markus Henriksen have been cautioned the most with six yellow cards each, while Campbell is the only City player to miss a league game through suspension. With more than half the season played, Graham Potter's Swansea side top of the chart with the fewest 'disciplinary points', having picked up just 29 yellow card and one red. Nottingham Forest take the mantle as the leagues dirtiest team, with a huge 54 points more than closest rival Wigan, after picking up four red cards and 67 cautions, which is something of an impressive tally at this stage of the season. Disciplinary points are calculated with four points being awarded to each team per caution, and 10 points for denying a goalscoring opportunity or a dismissal for two cautions. Players guilty of violent conduct, serious foul play, spitting or offensive and abusive language, cost their team 12 points. (Image: Getty) Here's how the Championship Fair Play table looks after 27 matches: Swansea City 128 points (29 cautions, 1 red card) Hull City 154 points (36 cautions, 1 red card) Bristol City 158 points (37 cautions, 1 red card) Aston Villa 178 points (42 cautions, 1 red card) Rotherham United 178 points (39 cautions, 2 red cards) Blackburn Rovers 184 points (43 cautions, 1 red card) Millwall 186 points (44 cautions, 1 red card) Sheffield Wednesday 190 points (45 cautions, 1 red card) Birmingham City 192 points (45 cautions, 2 red cards) Stoke City 194 points (43 cautions, 2 red cards) Middlesbrough 198 points (47 cautions, 1 red card) QPR 200 points (50 points, 0 red cards) Ipswich Town 200 points (42 cautions, 3 red cards) Sheffield United 206 points (49 cautions, 1 red card) Norwich City 208 points (52 cautions, 0 red cards) West Brom 210 points (47 cautions, 2 red cards) Leeds United 210 points (47 cautions, 2 red cards) Preston 212 points (42 cautions, 4 red cards) Brentford 216 points (49 cautions, 2 red cards) Reading 222 points (47 cautions, 3 red cards) Derby County 236 points (56 cautions, 1 red card) Bolton 244 points (56 cautions, 2 red cards) Wigan 258 points (59 cautions, 3 red cards) Nottingham Forest 312 points (67 cautions, 4 red cards) | https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-city-rank-championships-fair-2442942 |
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