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How long can ORourke wait as 2020 pace picks up around him? | AUSTIN, Texas (AP) You wont see Beto ORourke announce whether hes running for president in 2020 for a while. But you may see him do almost anything else in the meantime. So, Im here at the dentist, the former Democrat congressman said with a giggle during a teeth-cleaning seen live on Instagram last week, before quizzing the dental hygienist about life along the U.S.-Mexico border. Anyone grumbling about livestream overexposure can catch ORourke on more traditional airwaves next month in New York, when Oprah Winfrey interviews him. ORourke barged into last years Senate race almost laughably early, in March 2017, insisting he was a credible contender against the incumbent, Republican Ted Cruz, when almost no one nationally knew of ORourke. Now hes doing almost anything to keep people paying attention to him without formally starting a presidential campaign for 2020. Hes not expected to decide until next month at the earliest whether hes running. These days, that counts as playing hard to get. Influential activists in Iowa and elsewhere are clamoring for him to get in the race while some potential rivals move their timelines earlier. Theyre not going to wait forever, Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University in Houston, said of Democratic campaign operatives, donors, activists and fellow politicians looking to pick sides or offer endorsements. The more candidates who start to formally launch their candidacies, the greater the pressure will rise on Beto. Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren announced on New Years Eve that shed formed a presidential exploratory committee, hoping to get an early jump on people such as ORourke, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Corey Booker of New Jersey, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Kamala Harris of California. Since then, Warren has seen enthusiasm rise, especially after a successful trip to Iowa, which kicks off presidential primary voting. Julian Castro, housing chief under President Barack Obama, kicked off his campaign Saturday and could appeal to the same Hispanic community that ORourke may count on as a bilingual native of the borderland city of El Paso. A string of announcements from top Democrats could come this month. While still deciding, ORourke plans to travel the country and meet voters beyond Texas, but avoid places such as Iowa and New Hampshire, home to the nations first presidential primary, even though Democrats there have invited him. My feeling is hes lost a little momentum and thats the downside of being a media product, said Norman Solomon, a Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention from California. Solomon said questions remain about whether ORourkes voting record during his three terms in Congress is too centrist to excite the Democratic base. That anyone would ask if ORourke is waiting too long with the election 22 months away is unusual. But anger over President Donald Trump has created an outsized Democratic appetite to go on the political attack. And because impeachment seems unlikely, fast-forwarding 2020 campaigns may become necessary. American political campaigns have really become almost reality television programs, said Ray Sullivan, a veteran of the 2012 Republican presidential campaign of then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Perry waited until August 2011 to join an already months-old Republican presidential primary field and briefly became the front-runner something that seems impossible just two presidential campaigns later. The attention span of activists and voters and even the media has become so short, and the attention-grabbing events so vacuous and fleeting, that the candidates would be very smart, I think, to get in early and identify and carve out their niche, Sullivan said. For ORourke, a 46-year-old, ex-punk rocker, trying to project a down-to-earth image may be a major selling point to voters. But Sullivan raises this questions: What if another candidate gets in and captures the imagination of Twitter and the activists and there may not be room for the celebrity of Beto when hes ready? Still, ORourkes delays havent lessened the enthusiasm of operatives from past Democratic presidential campaigns who have formed Draft Beto 2020 groups. Were building an apparatus that we can hand off to an actual campaign should he run, said Boyd Brown, a prominent South Carolina Democrat and former member of the Democratic National Committee. He is among the leaders of the ORourke draft movement in the Souths first primary state. Were treating this like a presidential campaign until told otherwise. Working in ORourkes favor is a lack of a perceived 2020 heir-apparent candidate who can draw in donors and top operatives. That model may be evaporating anyway, though, because the two politicians who looked to take on that role heading into the 2016 campaign, Republican Jeb Bush and Democrat Hillary Clinton, fell short of the presidency. Everybody who has ever thought about running for president is threatening to do it this time, said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. The sheer size of the potential field throws out the rules of the game that have been created by years of campaigns. ___ Associated Press writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report. | Beto O'Rourke barged into last years Senate race almost laughably early. Now hes doing almost anything to keep people paying attention to him without formally starting a presidential campaign for 2020. Hes not expected to decide until next month at the earliest whether hes running. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/how-long-can-orourke-wait-as-2020-pace-picks-up-around-him/ | 0.158356 |
Can James Harden carry Rockets after Clint Capela Injury? | The basketball gods have turned this Rockets season into a perverse experiment, stripping away James Hardens support system piece by piece until the reigning MVP is forced to score every last point himself. First Chris Paul was sidelined by a hamstring injury, denying Harden his counterpunching point guard. Eric Gordon then bowed out of the lineup with a right knee contusion, forcing even more of the creative responsibility back on Harden. The latest blow is a killer: Clint Capela, according to a report from ESPN.com, is expected to miss four to six weeks with an injury to his right thumbstriking from the active roster the most common recipient of Hardens assists. Even a relatively short recovery could cost Capela 15 games at a time when the Rockets can hardly afford to lose any. Harden averaged 40.2 points, 9.6 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game for the better part of a month just to drag Houston into sixth place in the West, two games ahead of the ninth-place Jazz. Its not enough, apparently, to make history. Harden will have to do more. Without Houstons second, third and fourth-leading scorers, Harden may have to find peace in taking upward of 40 shots from the field. Some of that is a practical necessity for a team without much choice; another part of cold reality that losing Capela will make it more difficult for Harden to get to the free throw line, thus inflating his shot attempts. There is a portion of Hardens offenseand thus Houstonsthat is literally untouchable. Defenders cant seem to reach his step-back jumper often enough to affect it, which gives the reigning MVP a weapon he can access in almost any circumstance. Most everything else, however, plays in some way off of the threat of Capela. Even spreading the floor with shooters doesnt have the same immediacy. Its the dual interior threat of a driving Harden and a rolling (or cutting) Capela that puts opponents in a bind, calling their schemes into question. That element is lostas is the Rockets baseline. Houston has actually fared reasonably well in its minutes without Capela this season, in large part because Mike DAntoni had some say in when they occurred. Nene could be contained to short stints. P.J. Tucker could be deployed at center at just the right moment. You can afford to be choosy when you have a starter as uniformly capable as Capela, the fastball that sets up Nenes change-up and Tuckers knuckleball. Neither, then, is much of a full-time replacement. Tucker might have to try as the best of the options available. Houston can likely get better minutes out of its forwards than its centers, which sets up the Rockets to play as much small ball as Tucker can take. This is not an insignificant stressor, even for a semi-truck like Tucker. There are tradeoffs that come whenever smaller players are asked to defend taller ones, whether on the glass, in contesting shots or in the matchup game. Tucker is an excellent defender and, for the most part, a functional center. That functionality may be strained, however, should it become Houstons default. The Rockets were managing Nenes minutes already and occasionally resting him outright. Its nice to have a skilled, veteran center in the mix under these circumstances, but Nene is a situational choice at best. He has yet to play more than 21 minutes in any game this season, or more than 13 minutes in any game this month. Isaiah Hartenstein could pick up minutes here or there, though his minutes will likely foster an added appreciation for all the nuance Capela brings to his role. Its one thing to have size and quite another to understand how to use it over the course of a game that is constantly changing. Harden has a way of making opponents desperate, which leads to all sorts of variations in coverage. When the Rockets feel the strategy of the game shifting, Capela and Harden know how to lay a new foundation. Hartenstein is simply doing his best to get by. This could also be the last best chance for Marquese Chriss to be a relevant NBA player. If that prospect sounds enticing, keep in mind that Chriss has been largely clueless for the better part of his three seasons in the leagueat times whiffing on concepts as simple as where to stand on offense. Yet if there will ever be a time for Chriss to better establish himself, its nowwith his team desperate for rim runners and lob threats. NADKARNI: NBA Free Agency Is Not Always Your Friend No matter where they turn, the Rockets will be in relatively new territory. Houstons most-played lineup without Capela, Paul or Gordon has logged a total of 18 minutes this season, per NBA.com. Eighteen. This is not an arrangement to which anyone involved is accustomed, and yet the Rockets will have to feign chemistry until they can find some. Unfortunately, there is rarely a cakewalk game to be found in the West. The closest thing the Rockets have scheduled during Capelas projected absence is a Feb. 4 game in Phoenix that will also be Houstons third game in four nights and the third stop on a four-game road trip. Until Capelas return, the only reasonable goal is survival. Even splitting the schedule would be an achievement for a team this understaffed; it already took the emergence of Danuel House Jr. and the buyout addition of Austin Rivers to get the Rockets this far, and now theyll be forced to go without another of the cornerstones to their rotationa Sisyphean twist to Hardens growing myth. | Clint Capela is expected to miss four to six weeks with a thumb injury. The loss of Capela means James Harden will have to do more to carry the Houston Rockets. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/nba/2019/01/14/can-james-harden-carry-rockets-clint-capela-injury | 0.524064 |
Can James Harden carry Rockets after Clint Capela Injury? | The basketball gods have turned this Rockets season into a perverse experiment, stripping away James Hardens support system piece by piece until the reigning MVP is forced to score every last point himself. First Chris Paul was sidelined by a hamstring injury, denying Harden his counterpunching point guard. Eric Gordon then bowed out of the lineup with a right knee contusion, forcing even more of the creative responsibility back on Harden. The latest blow is a killer: Clint Capela, according to a report from ESPN.com, is expected to miss four to six weeks with an injury to his right thumbstriking from the active roster the most common recipient of Hardens assists. Even a relatively short recovery could cost Capela 15 games at a time when the Rockets can hardly afford to lose any. Harden averaged 40.2 points, 9.6 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game for the better part of a month just to drag Houston into sixth place in the West, two games ahead of the ninth-place Jazz. Its not enough, apparently, to make history. Harden will have to do more. Without Houstons second, third and fourth-leading scorers, Harden may have to find peace in taking upward of 40 shots from the field. Some of that is a practical necessity for a team without much choice; another part of cold reality that losing Capela will make it more difficult for Harden to get to the free throw line, thus inflating his shot attempts. There is a portion of Hardens offenseand thus Houstonsthat is literally untouchable. Defenders cant seem to reach his step-back jumper often enough to affect it, which gives the reigning MVP a weapon he can access in almost any circumstance. Most everything else, however, plays in some way off of the threat of Capela. Even spreading the floor with shooters doesnt have the same immediacy. Its the dual interior threat of a driving Harden and a rolling (or cutting) Capela that puts opponents in a bind, calling their schemes into question. That element is lostas is the Rockets baseline. Houston has actually fared reasonably well in its minutes without Capela this season, in large part because Mike DAntoni had some say in when they occurred. Nene could be contained to short stints. P.J. Tucker could be deployed at center at just the right moment. You can afford to be choosy when you have a starter as uniformly capable as Capela, the fastball that sets up Nenes change-up and Tuckers knuckleball. Neither, then, is much of a full-time replacement. Tucker might have to try as the best of the options available. Houston can likely get better minutes out of its forwards than its centers, which sets up the Rockets to play as much small ball as Tucker can take. This is not an insignificant stressor, even for a semi-truck like Tucker. There are tradeoffs that come whenever smaller players are asked to defend taller ones, whether on the glass, in contesting shots or in the matchup game. Tucker is an excellent defender and, for the most part, a functional center. That functionality may be strained, however, should it become Houstons default. The Rockets were managing Nenes minutes already and occasionally resting him outright. Its nice to have a skilled, veteran center in the mix under these circumstances, but Nene is a situational choice at best. He has yet to play more than 21 minutes in any game this season, or more than 13 minutes in any game this month. Isaiah Hartenstein could pick up minutes here or there, though his minutes will likely foster an added appreciation for all the nuance Capela brings to his role. Its one thing to have size and quite another to understand how to use it over the course of a game that is constantly changing. Harden has a way of making opponents desperate, which leads to all sorts of variations in coverage. When the Rockets feel the strategy of the game shifting, Capela and Harden know how to lay a new foundation. Hartenstein is simply doing his best to get by. This could also be the last best chance for Marquese Chriss to be a relevant NBA player. If that prospect sounds enticing, keep in mind that Chriss has been largely clueless for the better part of his three seasons in the leagueat times whiffing on concepts as simple as where to stand on offense. Yet if there will ever be a time for Chriss to better establish himself, its nowwith his team desperate for rim runners and lob threats. NADKARNI: NBA Free Agency Is Not Always Your Friend No matter where they turn, the Rockets will be in relatively new territory. Houstons most-played lineup without Capela, Paul or Gordon has logged a total of 18 minutes this season, per NBA.com. Eighteen. This is not an arrangement to which anyone involved is accustomed, and yet the Rockets will have to feign chemistry until they can find some. Unfortunately, there is rarely a cakewalk game to be found in the West. The closest thing the Rockets have scheduled during Capelas projected absence is a Feb. 4 game in Phoenix that will also be Houstons third game in four nights and the third stop on a four-game road trip. Until Capelas return, the only reasonable goal is survival. Even splitting the schedule would be an achievement for a team this understaffed; it already took the emergence of Danuel House Jr. and the buyout addition of Austin Rivers to get the Rockets this far, and now theyll be forced to go without another of the cornerstones to their rotationa Sisyphean twist to Hardens growing myth. | Clint Capela is expected to miss four to six weeks with a thumb injury. The loss of Capela means James Harden will have to do more to carry the Houston Rockets. Capela's presence on the court makes Harden's offense more difficult to defend. The Rockets are currently sixth in the West, two games ahead of the Utah Jazz. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.si.com/nba/2019/01/14/can-james-harden-carry-rockets-clint-capela-injury | 0.697329 |
What's that loud rumbling in southeast Chandler? | Jet engines are tested at Honeywell plants in the Phoenix area. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto) No, that loud jet engine noise Chandler residents reported hearing over the past week wasn't a UFO. As one Chandler resident noted on Facebook, UFOs are pretty quiet. He would know. He said he has seen one. The low-pitched buzzing noise is coming from Honeywells jet-testing facility at the base of the San Tan Mountains on the Gila River Indian reservation. On Thursday, several Chandler residents took to Facebook to ask whether anyone else had heard a sonic boom in the area. The posts generated dozens of responses from curious residents who also heard the loud noise and wondered where it was coming from. Some speculated about aliens and several Top Gun GIFs also appeared. Facebook user Albert Cruz, who said he lives in Sun Groves near the testing facility, said it sounded like a jet flying overhead. Others said it sounded like a jet was hovering over their house, and another Facebook user, Emily Harrelson, said it felt as if her house was literally shaking. CLOSE Chandler resident Lisa Kana Scott recorded the loud buzzing noise coming from a nearby Honeywell testing site from the backyard of her home. Courtesy of Lisa Kana Scott, Arizona Republic Honeywell spokesman Steve Brecken confirmed the company is conducting correlation testing of one of its military aircraft engines at the San Tan Remote Test Facility near Higley and Riggs roads. Crews conducted a 15-minute test at full power on Thursday, Brecken said, but the test was cut short because of issues with the test cell. Honeywell resumed testing on Friday and again Monday morning, he said. Honeywell will continue to test the engines through Wednesday. The company will run the engine from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. each day, he said. Although most residents commenting on Facebook said this is the first time theyve heard the noise, others noted that they've heard the sound of jet engines sporadically over the last two decades. Honeywell has had a presence at the site for more than 50 years. Though its remote location makes it an ideal spot to test aircraft engines, new housing developments have encroached on the testing site as the Southeast Valley has continued to grow. The testing noise has elicited complaints from neighbors over the years. Brecken said he received one call from a local resident about the noise, and another resident spoke with security at the site Monday morning. The facility is closed to the public. Chandler Police has not received any noise complaints, a spokesman said, but because the testing site is on reservation land, the city would not be able to address noise issues even if it had. In 2003, 100 south Chandler residents filed a lawsuit against developers of five subdivisions near the site claiming that the developers did not tell prospective home buyers about the facility, according to a report in the East Valley Tribune. The residents claimed the jet-engine noise was bothersome and had they known they likely wouldnt have purchased a home in the area. Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @paulinapineda22. Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com. Go to connect.azcentral.com for a staff list, for more information about the newsroom and for details about upcoming events. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ | Residents say they heard a loud rumbling in southeast Chandler. Honeywell is conducting correlation testing of a military aircraft engine. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ | 0.461129 |
What's that loud rumbling in southeast Chandler? | Jet engines are tested at Honeywell plants in the Phoenix area. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto) No, that loud jet engine noise Chandler residents reported hearing over the past week wasn't a UFO. As one Chandler resident noted on Facebook, UFOs are pretty quiet. He would know. He said he has seen one. The low-pitched buzzing noise is coming from Honeywells jet-testing facility at the base of the San Tan Mountains on the Gila River Indian reservation. On Thursday, several Chandler residents took to Facebook to ask whether anyone else had heard a sonic boom in the area. The posts generated dozens of responses from curious residents who also heard the loud noise and wondered where it was coming from. Some speculated about aliens and several Top Gun GIFs also appeared. Facebook user Albert Cruz, who said he lives in Sun Groves near the testing facility, said it sounded like a jet flying overhead. Others said it sounded like a jet was hovering over their house, and another Facebook user, Emily Harrelson, said it felt as if her house was literally shaking. CLOSE Chandler resident Lisa Kana Scott recorded the loud buzzing noise coming from a nearby Honeywell testing site from the backyard of her home. Courtesy of Lisa Kana Scott, Arizona Republic Honeywell spokesman Steve Brecken confirmed the company is conducting correlation testing of one of its military aircraft engines at the San Tan Remote Test Facility near Higley and Riggs roads. Crews conducted a 15-minute test at full power on Thursday, Brecken said, but the test was cut short because of issues with the test cell. Honeywell resumed testing on Friday and again Monday morning, he said. Honeywell will continue to test the engines through Wednesday. The company will run the engine from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. each day, he said. Although most residents commenting on Facebook said this is the first time theyve heard the noise, others noted that they've heard the sound of jet engines sporadically over the last two decades. Honeywell has had a presence at the site for more than 50 years. Though its remote location makes it an ideal spot to test aircraft engines, new housing developments have encroached on the testing site as the Southeast Valley has continued to grow. The testing noise has elicited complaints from neighbors over the years. Brecken said he received one call from a local resident about the noise, and another resident spoke with security at the site Monday morning. The facility is closed to the public. Chandler Police has not received any noise complaints, a spokesman said, but because the testing site is on reservation land, the city would not be able to address noise issues even if it had. In 2003, 100 south Chandler residents filed a lawsuit against developers of five subdivisions near the site claiming that the developers did not tell prospective home buyers about the facility, according to a report in the East Valley Tribune. The residents claimed the jet-engine noise was bothersome and had they known they likely wouldnt have purchased a home in the area. Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @paulinapineda22. Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com. Go to connect.azcentral.com for a staff list, for more information about the newsroom and for details about upcoming events. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ | Residents say they heard a loud rumbling in southeast Chandler. Honeywell is conducting correlation testing of one of its military aircraft engines. The testing has elicited complaints from neighbors over the years. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ | 0.535628 |
What's that loud rumbling in southeast Chandler? | Jet engines are tested at Honeywell plants in the Phoenix area. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto) No, that loud jet engine noise Chandler residents reported hearing over the past week wasn't a UFO. As one Chandler resident noted on Facebook, UFOs are pretty quiet. He would know. He said he has seen one. The low-pitched buzzing noise is coming from Honeywells jet-testing facility at the base of the San Tan Mountains on the Gila River Indian reservation. On Thursday, several Chandler residents took to Facebook to ask whether anyone else had heard a sonic boom in the area. The posts generated dozens of responses from curious residents who also heard the loud noise and wondered where it was coming from. Some speculated about aliens and several Top Gun GIFs also appeared. Facebook user Albert Cruz, who said he lives in Sun Groves near the testing facility, said it sounded like a jet flying overhead. Others said it sounded like a jet was hovering over their house, and another Facebook user, Emily Harrelson, said it felt as if her house was literally shaking. CLOSE Chandler resident Lisa Kana Scott recorded the loud buzzing noise coming from a nearby Honeywell testing site from the backyard of her home. Courtesy of Lisa Kana Scott, Arizona Republic Honeywell spokesman Steve Brecken confirmed the company is conducting correlation testing of one of its military aircraft engines at the San Tan Remote Test Facility near Higley and Riggs roads. Crews conducted a 15-minute test at full power on Thursday, Brecken said, but the test was cut short because of issues with the test cell. Honeywell resumed testing on Friday and again Monday morning, he said. Honeywell will continue to test the engines through Wednesday. The company will run the engine from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. each day, he said. Although most residents commenting on Facebook said this is the first time theyve heard the noise, others noted that they've heard the sound of jet engines sporadically over the last two decades. Honeywell has had a presence at the site for more than 50 years. Though its remote location makes it an ideal spot to test aircraft engines, new housing developments have encroached on the testing site as the Southeast Valley has continued to grow. The testing noise has elicited complaints from neighbors over the years. Brecken said he received one call from a local resident about the noise, and another resident spoke with security at the site Monday morning. The facility is closed to the public. Chandler Police has not received any noise complaints, a spokesman said, but because the testing site is on reservation land, the city would not be able to address noise issues even if it had. In 2003, 100 south Chandler residents filed a lawsuit against developers of five subdivisions near the site claiming that the developers did not tell prospective home buyers about the facility, according to a report in the East Valley Tribune. The residents claimed the jet-engine noise was bothersome and had they known they likely wouldnt have purchased a home in the area. Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @paulinapineda22. Click here to subscribe to azcentral.com. Go to connect.azcentral.com for a staff list, for more information about the newsroom and for details about upcoming events. Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ | Residents say they heard a loud rumbling in southeast Chandler. Honeywell is conducting correlation testing of one of its military aircraft engines. The testing has elicited complaints from neighbors over the years. The noise is coming from a Honeywell jet-testing facility on the Gila River Indian reservation. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2019/01/14/jet-engine-testing-near-chandler-generates-response-residents/2576591002/ | 0.650261 |
How did Wisconsin's Annie Reardon do on 'The Bachelor' with Colton Underwood? | Annie Reardon holds her own in her meeting in with Colton Underwood on the season premiere of "The Bachelor." But she was sent home the second week. (Photo: Rick Rowell/ABC) Annie, we hardly knew ye. Annie Reardon, the Mequon native who competed for Colton Underwood's heart on "The Bachelor," was one of four contestants sent home Monday night, on just the second episode of the new season of the ABC reality-competition series. RELATED: 'The Bachelor' recap: Guest stars liven night of 'firsts'; four ladies sent home It wasn't a big surprise: Reardon, a financial associate in New York City, had posted as much on social media (scrubbing the post soon after) before the show's new season started Jan. 7. RELATED: 4 things to know about 'The Bachelor's' Wisconsin connection, Annie Reardon Reardon made her presence felt on the season's first episode, but wasn't much of a factor on Episode 2. Monday's show featured guest appearances by comic actors Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally and Billy Eichner, and focused much of its conversation on "first times" keying on the fact that Underwood, a former NFL player, is still a virgin. Nineteen women are still in the hunt for Underwood's affections. Read or Share this story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/television-radio/2019/01/14/how-did-wisconsins-annie-reardon-do-colton-underwood-the-bachelor/2577671002/ | Annie Reardon, a Mequon native, competed for Colton Underwood's heart on "The Bachelor" She was one of four contestants sent home Monday night. Reardon made her presence felt on the season's first episode, but wasn't much of a factor on Episode 2. | bart | 2 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/television-radio/2019/01/14/how-did-wisconsins-annie-reardon-do-colton-underwood-the-bachelor/2577671002/ | 0.135358 |
What's Next in the Kyler Murray Saga? | Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft Monday with an understated Tweet. Yes, the former Oklahoma quarterback is, for now, contractually committed to a baseball career (the Oakland Athletics drafted him ninth overall in 2018 and gave him a $4.6 million signing bonus), but a Heisman-winning campaign and College Football Playoff berth caused him to reconsider the original plan. Murrays decision to declare didnt come as a surprise to the As or NFL teams. Back in December, I reported that some NFL scouts who visited Oklahoma came away with the expectation that Murray would declare for the NFL draft, and that Oklahoma had submitted his name to the College Advisory Committee, a panel of evaluators from the 32 NFL teams that give prospective draft grades to underclassmen considering going pro. On Sunday, multiple outlets reported that the As sent top executives to Dallas to meet with Murray and his family to try to persuade him to stick with baseball. MLB also sent marketing executives to meet with him to present information about Murrays off-field earning potential. At this point, Murrays decision to declare for the draft is purely procedural. The NFL draft wouldn't have been an option had he not declared by Monday's early-entry deadlineif he chooses baseball, he can simply inform NFL teams that, while they can draft him and hold his rights for a year, he won't be playing football in 2019. Oakland A's position players report to spring training on Feb. 18, so the As have until then to try to win over Murray. MLB.coms Jeff Passan reported that in Sunday's meeting, the two sides discussed Oakland guaranteeing more money in addition to the $4.6 million bonus. To do so, Oakland would need to add Murray to the 40-man roster, but he would still spend time in the minor leagues. If Murray ends up choosing the NFL, hell have to pay back his signing bonus to Oakland. Murray has a unique amount of leverage for a college player, but it isnt totally unprecedented. In 1983, John Elway didnt want to play for the cellar-dwelling Baltimore Colts, who had selected him first overall. He leveraged his baseball potential with the Yankees to push Baltimore to trade him to Denver. Eli Manning said publicly that he would not play for the Chargers if they drafted him with the No. 1 pick of the 2004 draft, which forced the Chargers to trade him to the Giants in a swap that netted San Diego Philip Rivers and three draft picks. Murray has never taken an at-bat in the minor leagues, and the idea that he might end up with a major league contract shows just how unique his situation is. It isnt just the Athletics who want Murray, its Major League Baseball as a whole. The Elway comparison is a natural one because of the baseball option, but Elway was unanimously viewed as the best quarterback of the 83 draft classMurray the NFL prospect is not such a sure thing. He threw for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season and picked up 1,001 yards and 12 scores on the ground, but Murray is listed at 5' 10", (exactly 5' 9 7/8", according to OU) and there are questions about how the undersized quarterbacks skillset translates to the NFL. Some scouts have told me hes definitely a first-round talent, because the league has become increasingly more accepting of smaller quarterbacks and offenses are evolving to highlight Murrays dynamic playing style, but others have voiced concern over his height and durability. Our Albert Breer reported that he has yet to talk to an evaluator who views Murray as a first-round talent. Because of the premium placed on the position, quarterbacks typically rise in the draft, making it likely Murray will end up being a first-round pick. One CAC evaluator told me that Murray likely received a first- or second-round grade from the panel, but he was not assigned to Murrays specific evaluation and could not say for certain. Sign up for The MMQBs Morning Huddle. HOT READS NOW ON THE MMQB: Jenny Vrentas on new Jets head coach Adam Gase ... 100 Bears fans tried to kick Cody Parkey's blocked 43-yard field goal, and I joined them ... Andy Benoit previews Mahomes vs. Belichick Part II ... and more. WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Albert Breer's MMQB on the winners of the divisional round ... Greg Bishop watched Patrick Mahomes's first playoff win with the Mahomes family ... and more. PRESS COVERAGE 1. Matt Nagy was not happy with Cody Parkey's Today show appearance. 2. It's pretty clear Parkey could soon be cut. 3. Nagy, who has experience coaching Kareem Hunt, did not rule out the possibility the Bears would sign him. 4. Adam Vinatieri, who will be a free agent in March, will meet with the Colts on Tuesday to discuss his future. 5. John Elway admits to our pal Peter King that he was wrong about hiring Vance Joseph as head coach. THE KICKER Kicking is hard, but this was a Doink Chicagoans could actually laugh at. Let the team know at [email protected] | Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft Monday with an understated Tweet. The former Oklahoma quarterback is contractually committed to a baseball career. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/15/themmqb-morning-huddle-kyler-murray-nfl-draft-2019-oakland-athletics | 0.158868 |
What's Next in the Kyler Murray Saga? | Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft Monday with an understated Tweet. Yes, the former Oklahoma quarterback is, for now, contractually committed to a baseball career (the Oakland Athletics drafted him ninth overall in 2018 and gave him a $4.6 million signing bonus), but a Heisman-winning campaign and College Football Playoff berth caused him to reconsider the original plan. Murrays decision to declare didnt come as a surprise to the As or NFL teams. Back in December, I reported that some NFL scouts who visited Oklahoma came away with the expectation that Murray would declare for the NFL draft, and that Oklahoma had submitted his name to the College Advisory Committee, a panel of evaluators from the 32 NFL teams that give prospective draft grades to underclassmen considering going pro. On Sunday, multiple outlets reported that the As sent top executives to Dallas to meet with Murray and his family to try to persuade him to stick with baseball. MLB also sent marketing executives to meet with him to present information about Murrays off-field earning potential. At this point, Murrays decision to declare for the draft is purely procedural. The NFL draft wouldn't have been an option had he not declared by Monday's early-entry deadlineif he chooses baseball, he can simply inform NFL teams that, while they can draft him and hold his rights for a year, he won't be playing football in 2019. Oakland A's position players report to spring training on Feb. 18, so the As have until then to try to win over Murray. MLB.coms Jeff Passan reported that in Sunday's meeting, the two sides discussed Oakland guaranteeing more money in addition to the $4.6 million bonus. To do so, Oakland would need to add Murray to the 40-man roster, but he would still spend time in the minor leagues. If Murray ends up choosing the NFL, hell have to pay back his signing bonus to Oakland. Murray has a unique amount of leverage for a college player, but it isnt totally unprecedented. In 1983, John Elway didnt want to play for the cellar-dwelling Baltimore Colts, who had selected him first overall. He leveraged his baseball potential with the Yankees to push Baltimore to trade him to Denver. Eli Manning said publicly that he would not play for the Chargers if they drafted him with the No. 1 pick of the 2004 draft, which forced the Chargers to trade him to the Giants in a swap that netted San Diego Philip Rivers and three draft picks. Murray has never taken an at-bat in the minor leagues, and the idea that he might end up with a major league contract shows just how unique his situation is. It isnt just the Athletics who want Murray, its Major League Baseball as a whole. The Elway comparison is a natural one because of the baseball option, but Elway was unanimously viewed as the best quarterback of the 83 draft classMurray the NFL prospect is not such a sure thing. He threw for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season and picked up 1,001 yards and 12 scores on the ground, but Murray is listed at 5' 10", (exactly 5' 9 7/8", according to OU) and there are questions about how the undersized quarterbacks skillset translates to the NFL. Some scouts have told me hes definitely a first-round talent, because the league has become increasingly more accepting of smaller quarterbacks and offenses are evolving to highlight Murrays dynamic playing style, but others have voiced concern over his height and durability. Our Albert Breer reported that he has yet to talk to an evaluator who views Murray as a first-round talent. Because of the premium placed on the position, quarterbacks typically rise in the draft, making it likely Murray will end up being a first-round pick. One CAC evaluator told me that Murray likely received a first- or second-round grade from the panel, but he was not assigned to Murrays specific evaluation and could not say for certain. Sign up for The MMQBs Morning Huddle. HOT READS NOW ON THE MMQB: Jenny Vrentas on new Jets head coach Adam Gase ... 100 Bears fans tried to kick Cody Parkey's blocked 43-yard field goal, and I joined them ... Andy Benoit previews Mahomes vs. Belichick Part II ... and more. WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Albert Breer's MMQB on the winners of the divisional round ... Greg Bishop watched Patrick Mahomes's first playoff win with the Mahomes family ... and more. PRESS COVERAGE 1. Matt Nagy was not happy with Cody Parkey's Today show appearance. 2. It's pretty clear Parkey could soon be cut. 3. Nagy, who has experience coaching Kareem Hunt, did not rule out the possibility the Bears would sign him. 4. Adam Vinatieri, who will be a free agent in March, will meet with the Colts on Tuesday to discuss his future. 5. John Elway admits to our pal Peter King that he was wrong about hiring Vance Joseph as head coach. THE KICKER Kicking is hard, but this was a Doink Chicagoans could actually laugh at. Let the team know at [email protected] | Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft Monday with an understated Tweet. The former Oklahoma quarterback is, for now, contractually committed to a baseball career. | bart | 1 | https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/15/themmqb-morning-huddle-kyler-murray-nfl-draft-2019-oakland-athletics | 0.166789 |
What's Next in the Kyler Murray Saga? | Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft Monday with an understated Tweet. Yes, the former Oklahoma quarterback is, for now, contractually committed to a baseball career (the Oakland Athletics drafted him ninth overall in 2018 and gave him a $4.6 million signing bonus), but a Heisman-winning campaign and College Football Playoff berth caused him to reconsider the original plan. Murrays decision to declare didnt come as a surprise to the As or NFL teams. Back in December, I reported that some NFL scouts who visited Oklahoma came away with the expectation that Murray would declare for the NFL draft, and that Oklahoma had submitted his name to the College Advisory Committee, a panel of evaluators from the 32 NFL teams that give prospective draft grades to underclassmen considering going pro. On Sunday, multiple outlets reported that the As sent top executives to Dallas to meet with Murray and his family to try to persuade him to stick with baseball. MLB also sent marketing executives to meet with him to present information about Murrays off-field earning potential. At this point, Murrays decision to declare for the draft is purely procedural. The NFL draft wouldn't have been an option had he not declared by Monday's early-entry deadlineif he chooses baseball, he can simply inform NFL teams that, while they can draft him and hold his rights for a year, he won't be playing football in 2019. Oakland A's position players report to spring training on Feb. 18, so the As have until then to try to win over Murray. MLB.coms Jeff Passan reported that in Sunday's meeting, the two sides discussed Oakland guaranteeing more money in addition to the $4.6 million bonus. To do so, Oakland would need to add Murray to the 40-man roster, but he would still spend time in the minor leagues. If Murray ends up choosing the NFL, hell have to pay back his signing bonus to Oakland. Murray has a unique amount of leverage for a college player, but it isnt totally unprecedented. In 1983, John Elway didnt want to play for the cellar-dwelling Baltimore Colts, who had selected him first overall. He leveraged his baseball potential with the Yankees to push Baltimore to trade him to Denver. Eli Manning said publicly that he would not play for the Chargers if they drafted him with the No. 1 pick of the 2004 draft, which forced the Chargers to trade him to the Giants in a swap that netted San Diego Philip Rivers and three draft picks. Murray has never taken an at-bat in the minor leagues, and the idea that he might end up with a major league contract shows just how unique his situation is. It isnt just the Athletics who want Murray, its Major League Baseball as a whole. The Elway comparison is a natural one because of the baseball option, but Elway was unanimously viewed as the best quarterback of the 83 draft classMurray the NFL prospect is not such a sure thing. He threw for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season and picked up 1,001 yards and 12 scores on the ground, but Murray is listed at 5' 10", (exactly 5' 9 7/8", according to OU) and there are questions about how the undersized quarterbacks skillset translates to the NFL. Some scouts have told me hes definitely a first-round talent, because the league has become increasingly more accepting of smaller quarterbacks and offenses are evolving to highlight Murrays dynamic playing style, but others have voiced concern over his height and durability. Our Albert Breer reported that he has yet to talk to an evaluator who views Murray as a first-round talent. Because of the premium placed on the position, quarterbacks typically rise in the draft, making it likely Murray will end up being a first-round pick. One CAC evaluator told me that Murray likely received a first- or second-round grade from the panel, but he was not assigned to Murrays specific evaluation and could not say for certain. Sign up for The MMQBs Morning Huddle. HOT READS NOW ON THE MMQB: Jenny Vrentas on new Jets head coach Adam Gase ... 100 Bears fans tried to kick Cody Parkey's blocked 43-yard field goal, and I joined them ... Andy Benoit previews Mahomes vs. Belichick Part II ... and more. WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: Albert Breer's MMQB on the winners of the divisional round ... Greg Bishop watched Patrick Mahomes's first playoff win with the Mahomes family ... and more. PRESS COVERAGE 1. Matt Nagy was not happy with Cody Parkey's Today show appearance. 2. It's pretty clear Parkey could soon be cut. 3. Nagy, who has experience coaching Kareem Hunt, did not rule out the possibility the Bears would sign him. 4. Adam Vinatieri, who will be a free agent in March, will meet with the Colts on Tuesday to discuss his future. 5. John Elway admits to our pal Peter King that he was wrong about hiring Vance Joseph as head coach. THE KICKER Kicking is hard, but this was a Doink Chicagoans could actually laugh at. Let the team know at [email protected] | Kyler Murray declared for the NFL draft Monday with an understated Tweet. The former Oklahoma quarterback is contractually committed to a baseball career. If he chooses baseball, he can simply inform NFL teams that, while they can draft him and hold his rights for a year, he won't be playing football in 2019. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/15/themmqb-morning-huddle-kyler-murray-nfl-draft-2019-oakland-athletics | 0.205877 |
Which teams would pursue Nick Foles? | The first question becomes whether hell exit as a free agent. His contract sets up a ping-pong match that starts with the Eagles exercising a $20 million option for 2019, Foles exercising a $2 million buyout, and the Eagles then deciding whether to apply the franchise tag, which would cost in the neighborhood of $25 million for one more year. Scroll to continue with content Ad The Eagles, if they tag Foles, presumably would then try to trade Foles, who may not be thrilled about the team showing its appreciation for his contributions by trying to squeeze something more for his rights than the compensatory draft pick consideration theyd get. But theyll understandably hope to guide him to a team other than Washington or the Giants, a pair of division rivals who could become very interested in pursuing the Super Bowl LII MVP. Only four other teams would seem to be obvious potential suitors: The Dolphins, Bengals (maybe), Jaguars, Raiders (maybe), and Broncos. Everyone else seems to be set at the position, and most of the teams with older quarterbacks (like the Patriots, Steelers, Chargers, and Saints) would presumably throw the incumbent overboard only for a much younger player. The lack of a long list of no-brainer options for Foles could put the Eagles in a delicate spot, with the $25 million tag applied to Foles and then accepted by Foles, making his salary fully guaranteed and forcing the Eagles to keep him around for another year, with Wentz making peanuts in comparison under the fourth year of his rookie deal. | Nick Foles will be a free agent after the 2019 season. The Eagles could tag him and then try to trade him. The Dolphins, Bengals, Jaguars, Raiders, and Broncos would seem to be obvious suitors. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/teams-pursue-nick-foles-170253996.html?src=rss | 0.551308 |
Which teams would pursue Nick Foles? | The first question becomes whether hell exit as a free agent. His contract sets up a ping-pong match that starts with the Eagles exercising a $20 million option for 2019, Foles exercising a $2 million buyout, and the Eagles then deciding whether to apply the franchise tag, which would cost in the neighborhood of $25 million for one more year. Scroll to continue with content Ad The Eagles, if they tag Foles, presumably would then try to trade Foles, who may not be thrilled about the team showing its appreciation for his contributions by trying to squeeze something more for his rights than the compensatory draft pick consideration theyd get. But theyll understandably hope to guide him to a team other than Washington or the Giants, a pair of division rivals who could become very interested in pursuing the Super Bowl LII MVP. Only four other teams would seem to be obvious potential suitors: The Dolphins, Bengals (maybe), Jaguars, Raiders (maybe), and Broncos. Everyone else seems to be set at the position, and most of the teams with older quarterbacks (like the Patriots, Steelers, Chargers, and Saints) would presumably throw the incumbent overboard only for a much younger player. The lack of a long list of no-brainer options for Foles could put the Eagles in a delicate spot, with the $25 million tag applied to Foles and then accepted by Foles, making his salary fully guaranteed and forcing the Eagles to keep him around for another year, with Wentz making peanuts in comparison under the fourth year of his rookie deal. | Nick Foles will be a free agent after the 2019 season. The Eagles could tag him and then try to trade him. The Dolphins, Bengals (maybe), Jaguars, Raiders (maybe) and Broncos seem to be obvious potential suitors for the Super Bowl LII MVP. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/teams-pursue-nick-foles-170253996.html?src=rss | 0.516305 |
What is life really like in border country, where Trump wants his wall? | Donald Trumps big, beautiful wall has become the trademark of his presidency. It is the promise that more than any other has energized his base, and riled his opponents, and his dogged attachment to it has now brought a large part of the US government to a historic 25 days of partial shutdown. The potency of Trumps wall for his supporters and his detractors stems from its simplicity. Build it tall, build it wide he has pledged 1,000 miles of it and America will be safe again. Taken as a whole, the 1,954 miles of US-Mexican border is a place of astounding diversity of terrain, of land-use, of city and countryside, of ethnicity. It traverses desert, river, mountain and sea. There is diversity, too, of political view among the 7.5 million people who live in US border counties. Some are ardent backers of Trumps wall. Others see their future, and the future of America, as being inextricably linked to that of their neighbor to the south. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Central American migrant families at a protest at Friendship Park in April last year. Photograph: Carolyn Van Houten/Washington Post/Getty Images Friendship through the fence Hike 45 minutes past salt marshes and sand dunes, down a lonely beach empty but for occasional tourists on horseback, and you arrive at a steel fence that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. This is where Trump would like to start building his wall should he find the billions of dollars necessary. With the impasse over funding, which prompted the shutdown, administration officials have started to describe whats already here, as well as repairs to a two-mile stretch of fence in Calexico 100 miles to the east, as Trumps wall. They are not. The length of wall that has been built by Trump since he entered the White House in January 2017 is zero. This is the westernmost point of the US-Mexico border, on the outskirts of San Ysidro, California, a suburb of San Diego that is home to one of the busiest border crossings in the world. Here, the hopes of thousands of migrants who try to make it to the US every year are often dashed. The fence stretches out just to where the waves break, and reaches 15 or 20ft, not the looming 30ft the president has demanded. Adjacent to this stretch of fence is Friendship Park, a patch of bi-national ground where loved ones from both sides of the border are allowed to meet. The name is paradoxical given the hostility Trump has engendered since he began his wall obsession. Outside Friendship Park which only takes 10 visitors at a time separated families and friends must make do with waving at each other from a distance. Today the US side is unpopulated save for a lone American, and on the Mexican side a father and young boy are looking northwards. USA! the man says, pointing through a slot for his sons benefit. From San Ysidro, the fence runs unbroken for 46 miles to the east until it gives way to the unforgiving desert. Thats 46 out of a total of 654 miles of fencing that already exists, much of it in various stages of disrepair. Those hundreds of miles of double reinforced fencing and wire meshing were the product of a different era in politics where some degree of bipartisan consensus was possible. They were largely funded by the Secure Fence Act, an immigration compromise reached in 2006 under former president George W Bush. Compromise seems unthinkable these days. Trump has laid out a vision of the border that is harshly binary: on his side of the territorial line there is the rule of law, hard work and freedom; on the other side there is criminality, gangs and drug smuggling. The purpose of the wall, in Trumps dystopia, is to prevent America being overrun by the dark forces billowing out of its neighbor. In his Oval Office address to the nation last week he said: Over the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country and thousands more lives will be lost if we dont act right now. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Trump has laid out a binary vision: the rule of law versus criminality, gangs and drug smuggling. Photograph: Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post/Getty Images But talk to people in San Ysidro on the American side of the border, and they will tell you about fear and intimidation inflicted on them by the US government. In this town, where 90% of residents speak Spanish at home, the land south of the border is not equated with lawlessness and evil, but with family, friends and affordable healthcare. If theres a dystopia, its not the Mexican one of Trumps imagining but the hardened militarism that is fast emerging on the US side replete with helicopters, barricades and armed border patrol. The feeling like youre in a war zone is so dramatic the last couple months, said Lisa Cuestas, head of Casa Familiar, a nonprofit that provides social services to San Ysidro. Militarisation sped up after the arrival in Tijuana, on the Mexican side, of the caravan of Central American migrants which Trump made so much of during the November midterm elections, calling it an immigration invasion. Now members of the caravan are stuck in Mexico and barbed wire has proliferated everywhere like a mutant weed. Estrella Flores has family and a job in San Ysidro, working with youth at Casa Familiar, but she lives in Tijuana with her husband and 18-month-old child. Her commute has become hellish since Trumps border crackdown. Im just trying to get to work. This isnt just a friendly crossing, it could turn very bad, very quickly. Such views are commonplace across California. A poll conducted by the San Diego Union-Tribune after Trumps Oval Office speech found that 56% of Californians opposed the idea of the wall, compared with 34% in favor. Thats not surprising for a state that is a leading force of progressive politics in the US. But California is also significant for having more undocumented migrants than any other state 2.4 million to Texass 1.7 million. Close by is the site of Trumps eight wall prototypes. He came here last March to pose for photos in front of the giant slabs of concrete and steel. Now they languish and rust. According to a later report by the Government Accountability Office, the eight model sections were riddled with design and construction flaws. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tested the slabs and found they can be breached. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Cabeza Prieta wilderness near Ajo, Arizona. Photograph: Caitlin OHara/Getty Images Death in the desert The first light glistens off the frosted spines of the cholla cacti as 30 volunteers in neon yellow shirts fan out to comb the desert under a pale pink sky. Ely Ortiz, the leader of the Aguilas del desierto (Eagles of the desert) rallies his team who have driven through the night from San Diego to Ajo, Arizona. He tells them the last time they searched this area they found 11 sets of remains. The volunteers are joined by a team of cadaver dogs to help in the grim search. A dog called Zabra, whose last job was looking for victims of the California wildfires, is unaccustomed to the desert terrain and has to stop every couple of hundred yards to have barbed spines yanked from her paws. Unexploded ordinance dropped by the US military in training is one element of danger for migrants. Trump can already count on a metaphorical wall here. This is the most frequently travelled, but also most deadly, migrant corridor across the Sonoran desert. Water is scarce and temperatures rise above 120F (49C) in the summer months. The official CBP count records 7,209 deaths along the south-western border in the past 20 years, but that is almost certainly a gross underestimate. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Indigenous Tohono Oodham people in the Altar desert protest against Trumps proposed wall. Photograph: Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images Despite the human tragedy, federal prosecutors have seen fit to prosecute nine volunteers with the humanitarian group No More Deaths. Their offence: littering and driving on restricted roads in the Cabeza Prieta reserve when responding to search and rescue calls. The nine will face trial on Tuesday in a federal district court in Tucson. The irony is that they tell us we cant drive here or leave water because its protected wilderness, but meanwhile border patrol drives their trucks and ATVs off road, and fly helicopters and drones wherever they want, one of the nine, Parker Deighan, told the Guardian. Trumps policy of prevention through deterrence is forcing migrants to take greater risks. As legal admission to the US through official ports of entry becomes ever more restricted, migrants are being funneled away from fenced sections of the border towards the desert. One of the only towns in the area is Ajo. Today its a ghost town, as its copper mine closed in the 1980s. Since then most residents have switched to the main local job-provider: border security. Ajo Samaritans recently gathered in the plaza for a vigil to honor the lives of the people who succumbed in the surrounding wilderness. They laid out 118 white crosses, one for each of those lost in 2018. Those whose bones had yet to be identified were called desconocido unknown. Facebook Twitter Pinterest An agent in Nogales, Arizona watches over the border at dusk. Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images Making an entry Before Trump decided to throw a bone to his voter base during the midterm election campaign last year by sending more than 5,000 active-duty military troops to the border, the gate at Lukeville port of entry in Arizona was almost always open. American tourists, seeking to flee the winter, would blithely pour through heading for the beach at Rocky Point, an hours drive south on the Mexican coast. Trumps border clampdown hasnt only cramped the style of beach-lovers as they pass through the now half-closed gate. Over the past two months, the US military have brought with them concertina wire and a double stack of shipping containers, ready to be used to block the entry as an impenetrable barricade should another caravan or immigrant invasion arise. Not that theres any sign of that. Most of the traffic through Lukeville is commercial and passenger, and the main concern of federal agents is not migrants but drugs. It is one of the myths propagated by the Trump administration that America is awash with drugs that have flooded into the country through lack of a wall. In his Oval Office address last week, Trump said that the border wall would very quickly pay for itself by halting the flow of illicit drugs implying that narcotics came into the US through sections of open border. Not true. In fact, most illegal drugs are hidden away in cars and tractor-trailers as they pass over international bridges and through small ports of entry like Lukeville. The 2018 annual drug threat assessment of the Drug Enforcement Administration points out that for drugs like heroin, up to 90% enters the country through ports of entry. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The border fence. Trump has pledged to build 1,000 miles of wall. Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images Another contradiction is that Trump insists on immigrants showing up legally at border crossings, yet for those who do so he has made it increasingly difficult for them to claim asylum. In November the Trump administration announced it would deny asylum to anyone who tries to cross the border illegally, though a federal court has since temporarily blocked the new regulation. Meanwhile, a new system of metering has been introduced that amounts to a federal slow-down at legal entry points. As a result, growing numbers of increasingly desperate families, most coming from the trio of violence-ridden Central American countries Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala have been left stranded in Mexico. At Lukeville, asylum seekers following Trumps orders and showing up legally at the port of entry have simply been turned away. The Guardian spoke to Alberto (not his real name) in a shelter on the Mexican side. In November, he presented himself at the Lukeville and asked for asylum. The supervising agent there told him to leave, claiming it was out of hours. Alberto was left on the streets where, days before, mafia members had told him they would kill him if they saw him again. Volunteer groups working with immigrants protested, and CBP apologized. Now when asked if they accept claims, Lukeville agents repeat the official mantra: Asylum seekers are being accepted at all ports of entry. That doesnt mean claims will be successful. Alberto did try a second time to have his claim heard. He will testify before an immigration judge in two weeks time. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The skyline of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, where nearly 3 million people live. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images The twin city There is no place along the border that more strongly rebuts Trumps dystopian vision than El Paso. The Texas city is so intertwined with Ciudad Juarez across the Rio Grande to the south that they are virtually inseparable. Between them they are home to almost 3 million people roughly the size of Chicago. About 20,000 pedestrians and more than 35,000 vehicles cross into El Paso from Mexico every day, many to work, others to go to school or shop. Its two-way traffic: Americans in El Paso also regularly cross into Juarez to visit family or experience the nightlife. Eighty per cent of El Pasos residents are of Hispanic origin, and a quarter of the citys population was born outside the US. Mary Gonzalez, the Democratic representative for El Paso in the Texas house, said: Its a very generous, diverse, multi-national, welcoming and loving community. That human component is left out when the border is discussed. Retail sales in the US side of the twin cities is estimated to generate $10bn a year, with a fifth attributed to Mexican shoppers. Against that reality, Trump has painted a picture of rampant crime and the threat of violence being imported into the US. Thats a particularly loaded argument for El Paso, given the historically high murder rate in neighboring Juarez. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sister Cities, a mural painted by Los Dos, symbolises the bond between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. Photograph: Paul Ratje/AFP/Getty Images Last year saw it rise again to almost 200 people killed each month. Yet crime in El Paso on the US side of the border remains relatively low. Violent crimes have fallen sharply from about 6,500 in 1993 to around 3,000 today. Thats why Beto ORourke, the rising star of the Democratic party and former Congress representative for this strongly left-leaning city, lauded El Paso as the safest city in America as part of his senatorial election campaign in November. (His claim wasnt entirely accurate fact-checkers found it was only half true.) ORourke failed in his bid to unseat Ted Cruz in the midterm elections, but the fact that he came within three points of doing so suggests that Texans might be more open to his liberal stance on immigration and less in step with Trump than is often assumed. Opinion polls show that while most Texans are concerned about immigrants entering the country illegally, most are also opposed to Trumps wall. Some people go as far as to suggest that El Paso could be a harbinger of things to come for the whole of America. As Josiah Heyman, director of the Center for Inter-American and Border Studies, put it: El Paso is a place where there is a vision of the future, where people, instead of being part of a closed defensive community, are able to find the joy of relating to others. Facebook Twitter Pinterest People cool off in the Rio Grande, just over the border from Laredo, Texas. Photograph: Rodrigo Abd/AP On the edge the Rio Grande Travel 40 miles east from El Paso along the Rio Grande to Tornillo, and it feels a world away from the big city. Vast open areas are filled with orchards, and pecan nut and dairy farms. US border patrol vehicles keep a watchful eye. Of the 1,317 miles of border with no fence or human barrier, much of it lies along the 1,248 miles of Rio Grande. The river serves as the demarcation line between the two countries all the way from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico. Powerful currents, towering canyons and cliffs that in the Big Bend section rise to 50ft and reduce the need for a solid barrier through much of the rivers trajectory. Still, Trump has his eye on the Rio Grande for his wall. Of the $5.7bn he is demanding from Congress, a sizable chunk would go towards building more than 100 miles of wall along the river. Here just outside Tornillo, the existing fence that runs west to Sunland Park in New Mexico has a 10-mile gap in it. Despite the lack of an artificial barrier, most locals go about their daily routine without fuss. Miguel Alvarez, who has lived close to the border for 25 years, said the arrival of the fence has made precious little difference. You still see small groups of people passing through just like they did before any fencing, he said. A farmer who didnt want to reveal his name said he would feel more comfortable if the gap in the fencing were closed. I havent had any issues with people coming across, but you never know, he said. Tornillo itself fell under the national spotlight after the Trump administration chose the Marcelino Serna port of entry south of the town to house thousands of unaccompanied minors in a tent-like facility. It was meant to be temporary, designed to help deal with hundreds of children who had been separated from their families as a result of Trumps crackdown on border crossers. But it rapidly grew, to up to 2,400 beds, becoming the face of the brutality of Trumps policy of tearing families apart as a form of deterrent. In November, a government watchdog warned that conditions in the tent city were putting children at risk, and since then the numbers have been reduced until the last teenager was transferred out of the facility last week. As far as locals are concerned, its closure couldnt happen fast enough. They are eager for things to get back to normal. Or at least as close to what passes as normal these days. | The 1,954 miles of US-Mexican border is a place of astounding diversity - of terrain, of land-use, of city and countryside, and of ethnicity. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/15/us-mexico-border-trump-wall-dispatch | 0.129979 |
What is life really like in border country, where Trump wants his wall? | Donald Trumps big, beautiful wall has become the trademark of his presidency. It is the promise that more than any other has energized his base, and riled his opponents, and his dogged attachment to it has now brought a large part of the US government to a historic 25 days of partial shutdown. The potency of Trumps wall for his supporters and his detractors stems from its simplicity. Build it tall, build it wide he has pledged 1,000 miles of it and America will be safe again. Taken as a whole, the 1,954 miles of US-Mexican border is a place of astounding diversity of terrain, of land-use, of city and countryside, of ethnicity. It traverses desert, river, mountain and sea. There is diversity, too, of political view among the 7.5 million people who live in US border counties. Some are ardent backers of Trumps wall. Others see their future, and the future of America, as being inextricably linked to that of their neighbor to the south. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Central American migrant families at a protest at Friendship Park in April last year. Photograph: Carolyn Van Houten/Washington Post/Getty Images Friendship through the fence Hike 45 minutes past salt marshes and sand dunes, down a lonely beach empty but for occasional tourists on horseback, and you arrive at a steel fence that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. This is where Trump would like to start building his wall should he find the billions of dollars necessary. With the impasse over funding, which prompted the shutdown, administration officials have started to describe whats already here, as well as repairs to a two-mile stretch of fence in Calexico 100 miles to the east, as Trumps wall. They are not. The length of wall that has been built by Trump since he entered the White House in January 2017 is zero. This is the westernmost point of the US-Mexico border, on the outskirts of San Ysidro, California, a suburb of San Diego that is home to one of the busiest border crossings in the world. Here, the hopes of thousands of migrants who try to make it to the US every year are often dashed. The fence stretches out just to where the waves break, and reaches 15 or 20ft, not the looming 30ft the president has demanded. Adjacent to this stretch of fence is Friendship Park, a patch of bi-national ground where loved ones from both sides of the border are allowed to meet. The name is paradoxical given the hostility Trump has engendered since he began his wall obsession. Outside Friendship Park which only takes 10 visitors at a time separated families and friends must make do with waving at each other from a distance. Today the US side is unpopulated save for a lone American, and on the Mexican side a father and young boy are looking northwards. USA! the man says, pointing through a slot for his sons benefit. From San Ysidro, the fence runs unbroken for 46 miles to the east until it gives way to the unforgiving desert. Thats 46 out of a total of 654 miles of fencing that already exists, much of it in various stages of disrepair. Those hundreds of miles of double reinforced fencing and wire meshing were the product of a different era in politics where some degree of bipartisan consensus was possible. They were largely funded by the Secure Fence Act, an immigration compromise reached in 2006 under former president George W Bush. Compromise seems unthinkable these days. Trump has laid out a vision of the border that is harshly binary: on his side of the territorial line there is the rule of law, hard work and freedom; on the other side there is criminality, gangs and drug smuggling. The purpose of the wall, in Trumps dystopia, is to prevent America being overrun by the dark forces billowing out of its neighbor. In his Oval Office address to the nation last week he said: Over the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country and thousands more lives will be lost if we dont act right now. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Trump has laid out a binary vision: the rule of law versus criminality, gangs and drug smuggling. Photograph: Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post/Getty Images But talk to people in San Ysidro on the American side of the border, and they will tell you about fear and intimidation inflicted on them by the US government. In this town, where 90% of residents speak Spanish at home, the land south of the border is not equated with lawlessness and evil, but with family, friends and affordable healthcare. If theres a dystopia, its not the Mexican one of Trumps imagining but the hardened militarism that is fast emerging on the US side replete with helicopters, barricades and armed border patrol. The feeling like youre in a war zone is so dramatic the last couple months, said Lisa Cuestas, head of Casa Familiar, a nonprofit that provides social services to San Ysidro. Militarisation sped up after the arrival in Tijuana, on the Mexican side, of the caravan of Central American migrants which Trump made so much of during the November midterm elections, calling it an immigration invasion. Now members of the caravan are stuck in Mexico and barbed wire has proliferated everywhere like a mutant weed. Estrella Flores has family and a job in San Ysidro, working with youth at Casa Familiar, but she lives in Tijuana with her husband and 18-month-old child. Her commute has become hellish since Trumps border crackdown. Im just trying to get to work. This isnt just a friendly crossing, it could turn very bad, very quickly. Such views are commonplace across California. A poll conducted by the San Diego Union-Tribune after Trumps Oval Office speech found that 56% of Californians opposed the idea of the wall, compared with 34% in favor. Thats not surprising for a state that is a leading force of progressive politics in the US. But California is also significant for having more undocumented migrants than any other state 2.4 million to Texass 1.7 million. Close by is the site of Trumps eight wall prototypes. He came here last March to pose for photos in front of the giant slabs of concrete and steel. Now they languish and rust. According to a later report by the Government Accountability Office, the eight model sections were riddled with design and construction flaws. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tested the slabs and found they can be breached. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Cabeza Prieta wilderness near Ajo, Arizona. Photograph: Caitlin OHara/Getty Images Death in the desert The first light glistens off the frosted spines of the cholla cacti as 30 volunteers in neon yellow shirts fan out to comb the desert under a pale pink sky. Ely Ortiz, the leader of the Aguilas del desierto (Eagles of the desert) rallies his team who have driven through the night from San Diego to Ajo, Arizona. He tells them the last time they searched this area they found 11 sets of remains. The volunteers are joined by a team of cadaver dogs to help in the grim search. A dog called Zabra, whose last job was looking for victims of the California wildfires, is unaccustomed to the desert terrain and has to stop every couple of hundred yards to have barbed spines yanked from her paws. Unexploded ordinance dropped by the US military in training is one element of danger for migrants. Trump can already count on a metaphorical wall here. This is the most frequently travelled, but also most deadly, migrant corridor across the Sonoran desert. Water is scarce and temperatures rise above 120F (49C) in the summer months. The official CBP count records 7,209 deaths along the south-western border in the past 20 years, but that is almost certainly a gross underestimate. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Indigenous Tohono Oodham people in the Altar desert protest against Trumps proposed wall. Photograph: Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images Despite the human tragedy, federal prosecutors have seen fit to prosecute nine volunteers with the humanitarian group No More Deaths. Their offence: littering and driving on restricted roads in the Cabeza Prieta reserve when responding to search and rescue calls. The nine will face trial on Tuesday in a federal district court in Tucson. The irony is that they tell us we cant drive here or leave water because its protected wilderness, but meanwhile border patrol drives their trucks and ATVs off road, and fly helicopters and drones wherever they want, one of the nine, Parker Deighan, told the Guardian. Trumps policy of prevention through deterrence is forcing migrants to take greater risks. As legal admission to the US through official ports of entry becomes ever more restricted, migrants are being funneled away from fenced sections of the border towards the desert. One of the only towns in the area is Ajo. Today its a ghost town, as its copper mine closed in the 1980s. Since then most residents have switched to the main local job-provider: border security. Ajo Samaritans recently gathered in the plaza for a vigil to honor the lives of the people who succumbed in the surrounding wilderness. They laid out 118 white crosses, one for each of those lost in 2018. Those whose bones had yet to be identified were called desconocido unknown. Facebook Twitter Pinterest An agent in Nogales, Arizona watches over the border at dusk. Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images Making an entry Before Trump decided to throw a bone to his voter base during the midterm election campaign last year by sending more than 5,000 active-duty military troops to the border, the gate at Lukeville port of entry in Arizona was almost always open. American tourists, seeking to flee the winter, would blithely pour through heading for the beach at Rocky Point, an hours drive south on the Mexican coast. Trumps border clampdown hasnt only cramped the style of beach-lovers as they pass through the now half-closed gate. Over the past two months, the US military have brought with them concertina wire and a double stack of shipping containers, ready to be used to block the entry as an impenetrable barricade should another caravan or immigrant invasion arise. Not that theres any sign of that. Most of the traffic through Lukeville is commercial and passenger, and the main concern of federal agents is not migrants but drugs. It is one of the myths propagated by the Trump administration that America is awash with drugs that have flooded into the country through lack of a wall. In his Oval Office address last week, Trump said that the border wall would very quickly pay for itself by halting the flow of illicit drugs implying that narcotics came into the US through sections of open border. Not true. In fact, most illegal drugs are hidden away in cars and tractor-trailers as they pass over international bridges and through small ports of entry like Lukeville. The 2018 annual drug threat assessment of the Drug Enforcement Administration points out that for drugs like heroin, up to 90% enters the country through ports of entry. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The border fence. Trump has pledged to build 1,000 miles of wall. Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images Another contradiction is that Trump insists on immigrants showing up legally at border crossings, yet for those who do so he has made it increasingly difficult for them to claim asylum. In November the Trump administration announced it would deny asylum to anyone who tries to cross the border illegally, though a federal court has since temporarily blocked the new regulation. Meanwhile, a new system of metering has been introduced that amounts to a federal slow-down at legal entry points. As a result, growing numbers of increasingly desperate families, most coming from the trio of violence-ridden Central American countries Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala have been left stranded in Mexico. At Lukeville, asylum seekers following Trumps orders and showing up legally at the port of entry have simply been turned away. The Guardian spoke to Alberto (not his real name) in a shelter on the Mexican side. In November, he presented himself at the Lukeville and asked for asylum. The supervising agent there told him to leave, claiming it was out of hours. Alberto was left on the streets where, days before, mafia members had told him they would kill him if they saw him again. Volunteer groups working with immigrants protested, and CBP apologized. Now when asked if they accept claims, Lukeville agents repeat the official mantra: Asylum seekers are being accepted at all ports of entry. That doesnt mean claims will be successful. Alberto did try a second time to have his claim heard. He will testify before an immigration judge in two weeks time. Facebook Twitter Pinterest The skyline of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, where nearly 3 million people live. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images The twin city There is no place along the border that more strongly rebuts Trumps dystopian vision than El Paso. The Texas city is so intertwined with Ciudad Juarez across the Rio Grande to the south that they are virtually inseparable. Between them they are home to almost 3 million people roughly the size of Chicago. About 20,000 pedestrians and more than 35,000 vehicles cross into El Paso from Mexico every day, many to work, others to go to school or shop. Its two-way traffic: Americans in El Paso also regularly cross into Juarez to visit family or experience the nightlife. Eighty per cent of El Pasos residents are of Hispanic origin, and a quarter of the citys population was born outside the US. Mary Gonzalez, the Democratic representative for El Paso in the Texas house, said: Its a very generous, diverse, multi-national, welcoming and loving community. That human component is left out when the border is discussed. Retail sales in the US side of the twin cities is estimated to generate $10bn a year, with a fifth attributed to Mexican shoppers. Against that reality, Trump has painted a picture of rampant crime and the threat of violence being imported into the US. Thats a particularly loaded argument for El Paso, given the historically high murder rate in neighboring Juarez. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sister Cities, a mural painted by Los Dos, symbolises the bond between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. Photograph: Paul Ratje/AFP/Getty Images Last year saw it rise again to almost 200 people killed each month. Yet crime in El Paso on the US side of the border remains relatively low. Violent crimes have fallen sharply from about 6,500 in 1993 to around 3,000 today. Thats why Beto ORourke, the rising star of the Democratic party and former Congress representative for this strongly left-leaning city, lauded El Paso as the safest city in America as part of his senatorial election campaign in November. (His claim wasnt entirely accurate fact-checkers found it was only half true.) ORourke failed in his bid to unseat Ted Cruz in the midterm elections, but the fact that he came within three points of doing so suggests that Texans might be more open to his liberal stance on immigration and less in step with Trump than is often assumed. Opinion polls show that while most Texans are concerned about immigrants entering the country illegally, most are also opposed to Trumps wall. Some people go as far as to suggest that El Paso could be a harbinger of things to come for the whole of America. As Josiah Heyman, director of the Center for Inter-American and Border Studies, put it: El Paso is a place where there is a vision of the future, where people, instead of being part of a closed defensive community, are able to find the joy of relating to others. Facebook Twitter Pinterest People cool off in the Rio Grande, just over the border from Laredo, Texas. Photograph: Rodrigo Abd/AP On the edge the Rio Grande Travel 40 miles east from El Paso along the Rio Grande to Tornillo, and it feels a world away from the big city. Vast open areas are filled with orchards, and pecan nut and dairy farms. US border patrol vehicles keep a watchful eye. Of the 1,317 miles of border with no fence or human barrier, much of it lies along the 1,248 miles of Rio Grande. The river serves as the demarcation line between the two countries all the way from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico. Powerful currents, towering canyons and cliffs that in the Big Bend section rise to 50ft and reduce the need for a solid barrier through much of the rivers trajectory. Still, Trump has his eye on the Rio Grande for his wall. Of the $5.7bn he is demanding from Congress, a sizable chunk would go towards building more than 100 miles of wall along the river. Here just outside Tornillo, the existing fence that runs west to Sunland Park in New Mexico has a 10-mile gap in it. Despite the lack of an artificial barrier, most locals go about their daily routine without fuss. Miguel Alvarez, who has lived close to the border for 25 years, said the arrival of the fence has made precious little difference. You still see small groups of people passing through just like they did before any fencing, he said. A farmer who didnt want to reveal his name said he would feel more comfortable if the gap in the fencing were closed. I havent had any issues with people coming across, but you never know, he said. Tornillo itself fell under the national spotlight after the Trump administration chose the Marcelino Serna port of entry south of the town to house thousands of unaccompanied minors in a tent-like facility. It was meant to be temporary, designed to help deal with hundreds of children who had been separated from their families as a result of Trumps crackdown on border crossers. But it rapidly grew, to up to 2,400 beds, becoming the face of the brutality of Trumps policy of tearing families apart as a form of deterrent. In November, a government watchdog warned that conditions in the tent city were putting children at risk, and since then the numbers have been reduced until the last teenager was transferred out of the facility last week. As far as locals are concerned, its closure couldnt happen fast enough. They are eager for things to get back to normal. Or at least as close to what passes as normal these days. | The 1,954-mile US-Mexican border is a place of astounding diversity. From San Ysidro, California, the fence runs unbroken for 46 miles to the east. Thats 46 out of a total of 654 miles of fencing that already exists. Trump has laid out a vision of the border that is harshly binary. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/15/us-mexico-border-trump-wall-dispatch | 0.108833 |
Why has PayPal frozen 2,000 of our charity money? | Ive spent nearly two months trying to sort it out, but I cant get the donations to southern India I help run a small charity, HAPsI, which helps some of the poorest people in Tamil Nadu, southern India. The project is being put at risk because of PayPals inability to explain why our account has been frozen. An independent school visits the area every year, and the pupils decided to donate 2,000 via PayPal. As a result, PayPal (after taking its commission) froze the account and I have been trying to find out why ever since. I have sent six emails requesting an explanation. I have had one reply which gives an instruction to follow the steps given online, but there are none. I have called eight times. After nearly two months of trying to elicit a response I have made no progress. DK, by email You are not the first person to complain that contacting PayPal is a nightmare. However, a call to its HQ was able to get things moving. It seems you had breached the 2,500 (2,257) EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive limit. Someone has since talked you through the process to free up your account, and the money is yours again. You had to supply extra verifications to demonstrate you were not money laundering. PayPal has apologised and made a 100 donation of its own. We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at [email protected] or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions | PayPal froze the account after pupils decided to donate 2,000 via PayPal. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jan/15/anti-money-laundering-eu-rules-charity-funds | 0.23177 |
Why has PayPal frozen 2,000 of our charity money? | Ive spent nearly two months trying to sort it out, but I cant get the donations to southern India I help run a small charity, HAPsI, which helps some of the poorest people in Tamil Nadu, southern India. The project is being put at risk because of PayPals inability to explain why our account has been frozen. An independent school visits the area every year, and the pupils decided to donate 2,000 via PayPal. As a result, PayPal (after taking its commission) froze the account and I have been trying to find out why ever since. I have sent six emails requesting an explanation. I have had one reply which gives an instruction to follow the steps given online, but there are none. I have called eight times. After nearly two months of trying to elicit a response I have made no progress. DK, by email You are not the first person to complain that contacting PayPal is a nightmare. However, a call to its HQ was able to get things moving. It seems you had breached the 2,500 (2,257) EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive limit. Someone has since talked you through the process to free up your account, and the money is yours again. You had to supply extra verifications to demonstrate you were not money laundering. PayPal has apologised and made a 100 donation of its own. We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at [email protected] or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions | PayPal froze the account after pupils decided to donate 2,000 via PayPal. After two months of trying to sort it out, I can't get the donations to southern India. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jan/15/anti-money-laundering-eu-rules-charity-funds | 0.250678 |
Why has PayPal frozen 2,000 of our charity money? | Ive spent nearly two months trying to sort it out, but I cant get the donations to southern India I help run a small charity, HAPsI, which helps some of the poorest people in Tamil Nadu, southern India. The project is being put at risk because of PayPals inability to explain why our account has been frozen. An independent school visits the area every year, and the pupils decided to donate 2,000 via PayPal. As a result, PayPal (after taking its commission) froze the account and I have been trying to find out why ever since. I have sent six emails requesting an explanation. I have had one reply which gives an instruction to follow the steps given online, but there are none. I have called eight times. After nearly two months of trying to elicit a response I have made no progress. DK, by email You are not the first person to complain that contacting PayPal is a nightmare. However, a call to its HQ was able to get things moving. It seems you had breached the 2,500 (2,257) EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive limit. Someone has since talked you through the process to free up your account, and the money is yours again. You had to supply extra verifications to demonstrate you were not money laundering. PayPal has apologised and made a 100 donation of its own. We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at [email protected] or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions | PayPal froze the account after pupils decided to donate 2,000 via PayPal. After two months of trying to sort it out, I can't get the donations to southern India. PayPal has apologised and made a 100 donation of its own to help you out. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jan/15/anti-money-laundering-eu-rules-charity-funds | 0.334392 |
Who is Juan Guaid, the opposition leader challenging Maduro's rule? | The 35-year-old Venezuelan was un unknown figure until he told the world he was ready to assume the presidency as Nicols Maduro began his second term Until last week, Juan Guaid, the 35-year-old leader of Venezuelas opposition-controlled National Assembly, was an unknown figure on the international stage. Venezuela: opposition leader declares himself ready to assume presidency Read more That changed on Thursday as the countrys president Nicols Maduro began his second term of office following elections last summer that were widely denounced as fraudulent. The inauguration was met with a chorus of international disapproval, and Guaid, just six days into his post, told the world he was ready to assume the presidency until free and fair elections could be held provided he had the vital support of the military. His announcement a rare open challenge to Maduros rule won support from the head of the Organisation of American States, but also prompted fears it could provoke a fresh crackdown on the opposition. Maduro, who has overseen deepening economic and political turmoil, made light of his relatively inexperienced challenger. A lot of people in Venezuela are going to ask what is this Guaid? he joked in a Friday night TV address. But on Sunday,Guaid was briefly detained by the intelligence services something Maduros administration blamed on rogue operatives. Look what they are doing, Guaid told a rally of supporters following his release. They are desperate in [the presidential palace] Miraflores We are survivors, not victims! Raised in La Guaira, a port city 20 miles from Caracas, Guaid cut his political teeth during 2007 student protests against Maduros late predecessor Hugo Chvez, who was then seeking to consolidate power. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro after receiving the presidential sash during the ceremonial swearing-in for his second presidential term on 10 January. Photograph: Carlos Garca Rawlins/Reuters Chvez put various constitutional amendments, including the abolition of presidential term limits and the ability to unilaterally declare a national emergency, to a public referendum. But the vote handed Chvez his only electoral defeat in a nine-year presidency, and emboldened a nascent opposition movement, including Guaids charismatic but divisive mentor Leopoldo Lpez, who has been under house arrest and barred from political office since early 2014. It was Lpez who tapped Guaid, 12 years his junior, to lead his Popular Will partys coalition in the National Assembly when its mandate began on January 5th. Guaid had just finished his first full term as a legislator, having been elected in 2015. Guaid is a fighter and an eternal optimist hes humble and sincere, said Freddy Guevara, an opposition leader and friend of Guaid, in a telephone call from the Chilean ambassadors residence in Caracas, where is seeking asylum. He gets along with everyone and doesnt have the typical profile of a politician. Many in Venezuela thought Maduro had successfully neutered the assembly in 2017, when he sidelined it in favour of a more pliant Constituent Assembly via elections which were also widely labelled a sham. Lpez, was one of the oppositions most radical and confrontational leaders, but few had expected his protege Guaid to mount such a brazen challenge to Maduro. 'A slow-motion catastrophe': on the road in Venezuela, 20 years after Chvez's rise Read more He was incredibly brave and now runs risks that hell be jailed, tortured, or need to go into exile, said David Smolansky, an opposition leader, who was also forced to flee Venezuela and is now living in the US. However, he decided to go ahead. Hes part of my generation; a brave generation that grew up under a dictatorship. Guaid is no stranger to adversity. His family survived a devastating landslide in his hometown in 1999 that killed as many as 30,000 people, and he claims to wear scars on his neck from rubber bullets fired at protesters in 2017 in Caracas. Guaid has called on Venezuelans to take to the streets on 23 January, the anniversary of a popular uprising that overthrew military dictator Marcos Prez Jimnez in 1958. Additional reporting by Mariana Zuiga in Caracas | Juan Guaid, 35, is the leader of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly. | bart | 0 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/juan-guaido-venezuelan-opposition-leader-challenging-maduros-rule | 0.348602 |
Who is Juan Guaid, the opposition leader challenging Maduro's rule? | The 35-year-old Venezuelan was un unknown figure until he told the world he was ready to assume the presidency as Nicols Maduro began his second term Until last week, Juan Guaid, the 35-year-old leader of Venezuelas opposition-controlled National Assembly, was an unknown figure on the international stage. Venezuela: opposition leader declares himself ready to assume presidency Read more That changed on Thursday as the countrys president Nicols Maduro began his second term of office following elections last summer that were widely denounced as fraudulent. The inauguration was met with a chorus of international disapproval, and Guaid, just six days into his post, told the world he was ready to assume the presidency until free and fair elections could be held provided he had the vital support of the military. His announcement a rare open challenge to Maduros rule won support from the head of the Organisation of American States, but also prompted fears it could provoke a fresh crackdown on the opposition. Maduro, who has overseen deepening economic and political turmoil, made light of his relatively inexperienced challenger. A lot of people in Venezuela are going to ask what is this Guaid? he joked in a Friday night TV address. But on Sunday,Guaid was briefly detained by the intelligence services something Maduros administration blamed on rogue operatives. Look what they are doing, Guaid told a rally of supporters following his release. They are desperate in [the presidential palace] Miraflores We are survivors, not victims! Raised in La Guaira, a port city 20 miles from Caracas, Guaid cut his political teeth during 2007 student protests against Maduros late predecessor Hugo Chvez, who was then seeking to consolidate power. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro after receiving the presidential sash during the ceremonial swearing-in for his second presidential term on 10 January. Photograph: Carlos Garca Rawlins/Reuters Chvez put various constitutional amendments, including the abolition of presidential term limits and the ability to unilaterally declare a national emergency, to a public referendum. But the vote handed Chvez his only electoral defeat in a nine-year presidency, and emboldened a nascent opposition movement, including Guaids charismatic but divisive mentor Leopoldo Lpez, who has been under house arrest and barred from political office since early 2014. It was Lpez who tapped Guaid, 12 years his junior, to lead his Popular Will partys coalition in the National Assembly when its mandate began on January 5th. Guaid had just finished his first full term as a legislator, having been elected in 2015. Guaid is a fighter and an eternal optimist hes humble and sincere, said Freddy Guevara, an opposition leader and friend of Guaid, in a telephone call from the Chilean ambassadors residence in Caracas, where is seeking asylum. He gets along with everyone and doesnt have the typical profile of a politician. Many in Venezuela thought Maduro had successfully neutered the assembly in 2017, when he sidelined it in favour of a more pliant Constituent Assembly via elections which were also widely labelled a sham. Lpez, was one of the oppositions most radical and confrontational leaders, but few had expected his protege Guaid to mount such a brazen challenge to Maduro. 'A slow-motion catastrophe': on the road in Venezuela, 20 years after Chvez's rise Read more He was incredibly brave and now runs risks that hell be jailed, tortured, or need to go into exile, said David Smolansky, an opposition leader, who was also forced to flee Venezuela and is now living in the US. However, he decided to go ahead. Hes part of my generation; a brave generation that grew up under a dictatorship. Guaid is no stranger to adversity. His family survived a devastating landslide in his hometown in 1999 that killed as many as 30,000 people, and he claims to wear scars on his neck from rubber bullets fired at protesters in 2017 in Caracas. Guaid has called on Venezuelans to take to the streets on 23 January, the anniversary of a popular uprising that overthrew military dictator Marcos Prez Jimnez in 1958. Additional reporting by Mariana Zuiga in Caracas | Juan Guaid, 35, is the leader of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly. He announced he was ready to assume the presidency until free and fair elections could be held. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/juan-guaido-venezuelan-opposition-leader-challenging-maduros-rule | 0.341077 |
Who is Juan Guaid, the opposition leader challenging Maduro's rule? | The 35-year-old Venezuelan was un unknown figure until he told the world he was ready to assume the presidency as Nicols Maduro began his second term Until last week, Juan Guaid, the 35-year-old leader of Venezuelas opposition-controlled National Assembly, was an unknown figure on the international stage. Venezuela: opposition leader declares himself ready to assume presidency Read more That changed on Thursday as the countrys president Nicols Maduro began his second term of office following elections last summer that were widely denounced as fraudulent. The inauguration was met with a chorus of international disapproval, and Guaid, just six days into his post, told the world he was ready to assume the presidency until free and fair elections could be held provided he had the vital support of the military. His announcement a rare open challenge to Maduros rule won support from the head of the Organisation of American States, but also prompted fears it could provoke a fresh crackdown on the opposition. Maduro, who has overseen deepening economic and political turmoil, made light of his relatively inexperienced challenger. A lot of people in Venezuela are going to ask what is this Guaid? he joked in a Friday night TV address. But on Sunday,Guaid was briefly detained by the intelligence services something Maduros administration blamed on rogue operatives. Look what they are doing, Guaid told a rally of supporters following his release. They are desperate in [the presidential palace] Miraflores We are survivors, not victims! Raised in La Guaira, a port city 20 miles from Caracas, Guaid cut his political teeth during 2007 student protests against Maduros late predecessor Hugo Chvez, who was then seeking to consolidate power. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro after receiving the presidential sash during the ceremonial swearing-in for his second presidential term on 10 January. Photograph: Carlos Garca Rawlins/Reuters Chvez put various constitutional amendments, including the abolition of presidential term limits and the ability to unilaterally declare a national emergency, to a public referendum. But the vote handed Chvez his only electoral defeat in a nine-year presidency, and emboldened a nascent opposition movement, including Guaids charismatic but divisive mentor Leopoldo Lpez, who has been under house arrest and barred from political office since early 2014. It was Lpez who tapped Guaid, 12 years his junior, to lead his Popular Will partys coalition in the National Assembly when its mandate began on January 5th. Guaid had just finished his first full term as a legislator, having been elected in 2015. Guaid is a fighter and an eternal optimist hes humble and sincere, said Freddy Guevara, an opposition leader and friend of Guaid, in a telephone call from the Chilean ambassadors residence in Caracas, where is seeking asylum. He gets along with everyone and doesnt have the typical profile of a politician. Many in Venezuela thought Maduro had successfully neutered the assembly in 2017, when he sidelined it in favour of a more pliant Constituent Assembly via elections which were also widely labelled a sham. Lpez, was one of the oppositions most radical and confrontational leaders, but few had expected his protege Guaid to mount such a brazen challenge to Maduro. 'A slow-motion catastrophe': on the road in Venezuela, 20 years after Chvez's rise Read more He was incredibly brave and now runs risks that hell be jailed, tortured, or need to go into exile, said David Smolansky, an opposition leader, who was also forced to flee Venezuela and is now living in the US. However, he decided to go ahead. Hes part of my generation; a brave generation that grew up under a dictatorship. Guaid is no stranger to adversity. His family survived a devastating landslide in his hometown in 1999 that killed as many as 30,000 people, and he claims to wear scars on his neck from rubber bullets fired at protesters in 2017 in Caracas. Guaid has called on Venezuelans to take to the streets on 23 January, the anniversary of a popular uprising that overthrew military dictator Marcos Prez Jimnez in 1958. Additional reporting by Mariana Zuiga in Caracas | Juan Guaid, 35, is the leader of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly. He announced last week he was ready to assume the presidency until free and fair elections could be held provided he had the vital support of the military. He was briefly detained by the intelligence services something Maduros administration blamed on rogue operatives. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/juan-guaido-venezuelan-opposition-leader-challenging-maduros-rule | 0.424817 |
When Will Samsung's New Galaxy S10 Go On Sale? | Samsung has announced another Unpacked event for February 20th, and the assumption is that the South Korean company will be showing off not only its three main Galaxy S10 handsets, but the revolutionary folding smartphone and the blindingly fast 5G-enabled S10 X. And now it looks like the Galaxy S10 family is going to be fast-tracked for a March release. Following the launch on February 20th, the three core handsets (the S10 Plus, the S10, and the presumptively named S10 E) will go on sale on March 5th, according to South Koreans ET News. The 5G version of the Galaxy S10 (potentially the Galaxy S10 X) will go on sale towards the end of March - potentially on the 29th - in 5G-enabled markets, with a roll out depending on network capabilities. Sam Mobile reports: The Galaxy S10 X will reportedly be released on March 29 for more than 1.8 million won or $1,600. It will only be available in markets where 5G networks have gone live, obviously. As far as the other models are concerned, all three are said to be released on March 8. Thats 16 days after the Galaxy S10 is unveiled on February 20 in San Francisco. Some of you may remember that the Galaxy S9 hit stores around 18 days after it was announced. Prices for the entry-level Galaxy S10 Lite will start at 900,000 won or $800 going up to 1.6 million won or $1,430 for the Galaxy S10+. Given historical patterns, I would assume that there will be a period for pre-orders to be taken in the week after the launch of the S10 family by carriers throughout the world (some have started gathering names already, such as EE in the UK. No doubt more details will pop up ahead of the official unveiling next month. Now read more about how Samsung is upgrading the fingerprint scanner in the Galaxy S10 | The Galaxy S10 family is expected to go on sale in March. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2019/01/14/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-lite-release-date-launch-pre-order-sale/ | 0.307384 |
When Will Samsung's New Galaxy S10 Go On Sale? | Samsung has announced another Unpacked event for February 20th, and the assumption is that the South Korean company will be showing off not only its three main Galaxy S10 handsets, but the revolutionary folding smartphone and the blindingly fast 5G-enabled S10 X. And now it looks like the Galaxy S10 family is going to be fast-tracked for a March release. Following the launch on February 20th, the three core handsets (the S10 Plus, the S10, and the presumptively named S10 E) will go on sale on March 5th, according to South Koreans ET News. The 5G version of the Galaxy S10 (potentially the Galaxy S10 X) will go on sale towards the end of March - potentially on the 29th - in 5G-enabled markets, with a roll out depending on network capabilities. Sam Mobile reports: The Galaxy S10 X will reportedly be released on March 29 for more than 1.8 million won or $1,600. It will only be available in markets where 5G networks have gone live, obviously. As far as the other models are concerned, all three are said to be released on March 8. Thats 16 days after the Galaxy S10 is unveiled on February 20 in San Francisco. Some of you may remember that the Galaxy S9 hit stores around 18 days after it was announced. Prices for the entry-level Galaxy S10 Lite will start at 900,000 won or $800 going up to 1.6 million won or $1,430 for the Galaxy S10+. Given historical patterns, I would assume that there will be a period for pre-orders to be taken in the week after the launch of the S10 family by carriers throughout the world (some have started gathering names already, such as EE in the UK. No doubt more details will pop up ahead of the official unveiling next month. Now read more about how Samsung is upgrading the fingerprint scanner in the Galaxy S10 | The Galaxy S10 will go on sale on March 5th, according to South Koreans ET News. It will only be available in markets where 5G networks have gone live. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2019/01/14/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-lite-release-date-launch-pre-order-sale/ | 0.433171 |
When Will Samsung's New Galaxy S10 Go On Sale? | Samsung has announced another Unpacked event for February 20th, and the assumption is that the South Korean company will be showing off not only its three main Galaxy S10 handsets, but the revolutionary folding smartphone and the blindingly fast 5G-enabled S10 X. And now it looks like the Galaxy S10 family is going to be fast-tracked for a March release. Following the launch on February 20th, the three core handsets (the S10 Plus, the S10, and the presumptively named S10 E) will go on sale on March 5th, according to South Koreans ET News. The 5G version of the Galaxy S10 (potentially the Galaxy S10 X) will go on sale towards the end of March - potentially on the 29th - in 5G-enabled markets, with a roll out depending on network capabilities. Sam Mobile reports: The Galaxy S10 X will reportedly be released on March 29 for more than 1.8 million won or $1,600. It will only be available in markets where 5G networks have gone live, obviously. As far as the other models are concerned, all three are said to be released on March 8. Thats 16 days after the Galaxy S10 is unveiled on February 20 in San Francisco. Some of you may remember that the Galaxy S9 hit stores around 18 days after it was announced. Prices for the entry-level Galaxy S10 Lite will start at 900,000 won or $800 going up to 1.6 million won or $1,430 for the Galaxy S10+. Given historical patterns, I would assume that there will be a period for pre-orders to be taken in the week after the launch of the S10 family by carriers throughout the world (some have started gathering names already, such as EE in the UK. No doubt more details will pop up ahead of the official unveiling next month. Now read more about how Samsung is upgrading the fingerprint scanner in the Galaxy S10 | The Galaxy S10 will go on sale on March 5th, according to South Koreans ET News. The 5G-enabled S10 X will reportedly be released on March 29 for more than 1.8 million won or $1,600. Samsung has announced another 'Unpacked' event for February 20th. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2019/01/14/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-lite-release-date-launch-pre-order-sale/ | 0.539616 |
Which Is Not Like The Other? Andy Grove/Intel, Coca-Cola, or Theresa May/Brexit? | Andy Grove and Coca-Cola recognized the need for strategic changes and pivoted. Theresa May did not. That failure is going to lead to a lot of pain for a lot of people. Dont do that. Recognize a major change with an enduring impact for what it is and hit a restart button early and decisively. Andy Grove, Intel and the change from memory chips to microprocessors Its one of the great pivot stories. Intel made memory chips. They were getting pummeled by cheaper chips from Japan. What would the new guy do? The answer was get rid of the leadership team and get out of the memory business. So Grove, and his CEO, Gordon Moore made the change themselves. Coca-Cola and the change from recruiting to managing bottlers From the dawn of soft-drink bottling until the early 20th century, the Coca-Cola sales force was focused on signing up bottlers to manufacture, distribute and market Coca-Cola across the United States. They did it. They filled all the white space across the country. When they had accomplished that mission, the head of sales called everyone into a national sales meeting, congratulated them, and fired them all. He explained that their mission was complete and their services were no longer needed. He then told them he would be creating a new salesforce the next day, focused on helping existing bottlers grow their business. They were welcome to return the next day and apply for new jobs. Theresa May and the failure of her Brexit strategy All the reports suggest the UK Parliament is going to vote against Theresa Mays Brexit proposal this evening. Shes seen this coming for a while. Shes tried to get the EU to change the terms and failed. Shes tried to negotiate with different factions within parliament and failed. Yet shes persisted in playing out the hand she was dealt. The lesson: Recognize the need for a restart and move quickly and decisively Changes are either major or minor and temporary or enduring. Stealing a page from the Gore Company, define major changes as a hit below the water line with the potential to sink your boat a material or existential threat to your organization. Minor change/temporary impact: Control the damage while staying focused on your priorities. Control the damage while staying focused on your priorities. Minor change/enduring impact: Factor into your ongoing organizational evolution. Factor into your ongoing organizational evolution. Major change/temporary impact. This is a crisis or opportunity that must be managed. Deploy the incident management and response plan that you already have in place. (And have it in place ahead of time.) This is a crisis or opportunity that must be managed. Deploy the incident management and response plan that you already have in place. (And have it in place ahead of time.) Major change/enduring impact. Hit a restart button at this major point of inflection and change your strategy, organization and operations all together, all at the same time. The #1 regret senior leaders have looking back on their career is not moving fast enough. When youre faced with a major change with an enduring impact, move decisively and quickly like Intel and Coca-Cola. We may never know what really kept Theresa May from changing her approach. Sometimes leaders get stuck. Sometimes they feel they have to follow orders and lead their battalions into the valley of death. Sometimes they feel obligated to stick with their campaign promises and follow through on Brexit or build a wall. Those stories rarely end well. Continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result is not productive. If things arent working, if your circumstances have changed, or if your ambitions have changed, youre at a point of inflection. Hit a restart button and change your strategies, organization and operations all together and all at the same time. Leadership is about inspiring and enabling others to do their absolute best together to realize a meaningful and rewarding shared purpose. If your current strategies, organization and operations arent going to realize your purpose, change them. Dont be like Theresa May. Be like Andy Grove or Coca-Cola. | Andy Grove and Coca-Cola pivoted from recruiting to managing bottlers. Theresa May failed to pivot when it came to the UK's exit from the EU. The lesson: Recognize the need for a restart and move quickly and decisively. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgebradt/2019/01/15/which-is-not-like-the-other-andy-groveintel-coca-cola-or-theresa-maybrexit/ | 0.16258 |
Which Is Not Like The Other? Andy Grove/Intel, Coca-Cola, or Theresa May/Brexit? | Andy Grove and Coca-Cola recognized the need for strategic changes and pivoted. Theresa May did not. That failure is going to lead to a lot of pain for a lot of people. Dont do that. Recognize a major change with an enduring impact for what it is and hit a restart button early and decisively. Andy Grove, Intel and the change from memory chips to microprocessors Its one of the great pivot stories. Intel made memory chips. They were getting pummeled by cheaper chips from Japan. What would the new guy do? The answer was get rid of the leadership team and get out of the memory business. So Grove, and his CEO, Gordon Moore made the change themselves. Coca-Cola and the change from recruiting to managing bottlers From the dawn of soft-drink bottling until the early 20th century, the Coca-Cola sales force was focused on signing up bottlers to manufacture, distribute and market Coca-Cola across the United States. They did it. They filled all the white space across the country. When they had accomplished that mission, the head of sales called everyone into a national sales meeting, congratulated them, and fired them all. He explained that their mission was complete and their services were no longer needed. He then told them he would be creating a new salesforce the next day, focused on helping existing bottlers grow their business. They were welcome to return the next day and apply for new jobs. Theresa May and the failure of her Brexit strategy All the reports suggest the UK Parliament is going to vote against Theresa Mays Brexit proposal this evening. Shes seen this coming for a while. Shes tried to get the EU to change the terms and failed. Shes tried to negotiate with different factions within parliament and failed. Yet shes persisted in playing out the hand she was dealt. The lesson: Recognize the need for a restart and move quickly and decisively Changes are either major or minor and temporary or enduring. Stealing a page from the Gore Company, define major changes as a hit below the water line with the potential to sink your boat a material or existential threat to your organization. Minor change/temporary impact: Control the damage while staying focused on your priorities. Control the damage while staying focused on your priorities. Minor change/enduring impact: Factor into your ongoing organizational evolution. Factor into your ongoing organizational evolution. Major change/temporary impact. This is a crisis or opportunity that must be managed. Deploy the incident management and response plan that you already have in place. (And have it in place ahead of time.) This is a crisis or opportunity that must be managed. Deploy the incident management and response plan that you already have in place. (And have it in place ahead of time.) Major change/enduring impact. Hit a restart button at this major point of inflection and change your strategy, organization and operations all together, all at the same time. The #1 regret senior leaders have looking back on their career is not moving fast enough. When youre faced with a major change with an enduring impact, move decisively and quickly like Intel and Coca-Cola. We may never know what really kept Theresa May from changing her approach. Sometimes leaders get stuck. Sometimes they feel they have to follow orders and lead their battalions into the valley of death. Sometimes they feel obligated to stick with their campaign promises and follow through on Brexit or build a wall. Those stories rarely end well. Continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result is not productive. If things arent working, if your circumstances have changed, or if your ambitions have changed, youre at a point of inflection. Hit a restart button and change your strategies, organization and operations all together and all at the same time. Leadership is about inspiring and enabling others to do their absolute best together to realize a meaningful and rewarding shared purpose. If your current strategies, organization and operations arent going to realize your purpose, change them. Dont be like Theresa May. Be like Andy Grove or Coca-Cola. | Andy Grove and Coca-Cola pivoted from recruiting to managing bottlers. Theresa May has failed to pivot from her approach to the UK's exit from the EU. The lesson: Recognize the need for a restart and move quickly and decisively, says John Sutter. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgebradt/2019/01/15/which-is-not-like-the-other-andy-groveintel-coca-cola-or-theresa-maybrexit/ | 0.273778 |
Can we trust the government to judge what's beautiful? | The UK government has resolved to put beauty first to create better homes. Shame no one can agree on what that means The UK government thinks it has got to the heart of the housing crisis: the problem is, new homes just arent beautiful enough. Build beautifully and get permission, says the housing minister, Kit Malthouse. Build beautifully and communities will actually welcome developers, rather than drive them out of town at the tip of a pitchfork. If only housebuilders would make their product more visually appealing, the thinking goes, then opposition to them would fade away, more homes would be built, prices would drop and we would all live happily ever after. The simple solution, Malthouse says, is putting beauty at the heart of our housing and communities policy. Hence the new Building Better, Building Beautiful commission, which was established in November to interrogate the question of beauty in the built environment and met with howls of outrage and derisive sneers. Its not hard to see why. A parliamentary debate that preceded the announcement played out like a parody of Victorian mores, as successive MPs lined up to lament the state of modern architecture. Whereas people once anticipated development with joy, they now very often look on it with despair John Hayes The long-dead Le Corbusier was attacked as a man who is responsible for many bad things, planners were accused of having not learned their lesson since the war, and it was brazenly asserted that where modern design does succeed, that is largely by accident. Some reached for the words of Philip Larkin, while others clutched at scientific research on how the specialised cells in the hippocampal region of our brains are attuned to beautiful geometry. Matters werent helped when Malthouse tweeted a photo of a glazed commercial building on Oxford Street and a neoclassical stone courthouse in Alabama with the caption: Both built in the last 10 years. One will stand for centuries, one wont. If the comment was intended to troll the architecture profession, it worked. The minister was slammed for being out of touch, anti-progress and pandering to rightwing populist nostalgia. Marble Arch Park House in London, referenced by Kit Malthouse on Twitter. Photograph: flik47/Getty Images Its easy to dismiss the endeavour as a distraction from the real issues at stake, such as developers monopolies on land or the absence of a mass council house-building programme. There is more to housing quality than beauty alone, but if there is indeed a gulf between what developers are building and what people want, then it makes sense to look at how this might be bridged. These questions will be tackled in a forthcoming series of public debates at Central Saint Martins art college in London, intended to raise the level of discussion beyond the realms of parliamentary platitudes. The chair of the Building Better, Building Beautiful commission, Sir Roger Scruton, will thrash it out with housebuilders, modern architects will debate with traditionalists, while planners will wrangle with developers and campaigners. One persons masterpiece may be anothers carbuncle. Poundbury, Dorset a traditional village inspired by the Prince of Wales. Photograph: Dave Penman/Rex Features Some campaign groups, such as Create Streets, swear by their methods of public polling, in which people are shown photographs of different kinds of urban environments and asked which they prefer. Others think that artificial intelligence is the answer. Researchers at Warwick Business Schools Data Science Lab have developed a deep learning model that can determine what makes a location beautiful, based on a database of 200,000 images of places in the UK that had been rated for their beauty by 1.5 million people on the website ScenicOrNot. The groundbreaking result that meadows and old monuments are nice, while motorways and hospitals are not, doesnt suggest that well be seeing a future of automated urban planning any time soon. Perhaps aware of the difficulties ahead, Malthouse has said: Its totally critical to our mission of building 300,000 homes that we get this design conversation this beauty conversation correct. If parliament is incapable of debating the question with the rigour it deserves, then come and make your voice heard at the alternative public forum. | The UK government has resolved to put beauty first to create better homes. The Building Better, Building Beautiful commission was established in November. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/jan/15/can-we-trust-the-government-to-judge-whats-beautiful | 0.204224 |
Can we trust the government to judge what's beautiful? | The UK government has resolved to put beauty first to create better homes. Shame no one can agree on what that means The UK government thinks it has got to the heart of the housing crisis: the problem is, new homes just arent beautiful enough. Build beautifully and get permission, says the housing minister, Kit Malthouse. Build beautifully and communities will actually welcome developers, rather than drive them out of town at the tip of a pitchfork. If only housebuilders would make their product more visually appealing, the thinking goes, then opposition to them would fade away, more homes would be built, prices would drop and we would all live happily ever after. The simple solution, Malthouse says, is putting beauty at the heart of our housing and communities policy. Hence the new Building Better, Building Beautiful commission, which was established in November to interrogate the question of beauty in the built environment and met with howls of outrage and derisive sneers. Its not hard to see why. A parliamentary debate that preceded the announcement played out like a parody of Victorian mores, as successive MPs lined up to lament the state of modern architecture. Whereas people once anticipated development with joy, they now very often look on it with despair John Hayes The long-dead Le Corbusier was attacked as a man who is responsible for many bad things, planners were accused of having not learned their lesson since the war, and it was brazenly asserted that where modern design does succeed, that is largely by accident. Some reached for the words of Philip Larkin, while others clutched at scientific research on how the specialised cells in the hippocampal region of our brains are attuned to beautiful geometry. Matters werent helped when Malthouse tweeted a photo of a glazed commercial building on Oxford Street and a neoclassical stone courthouse in Alabama with the caption: Both built in the last 10 years. One will stand for centuries, one wont. If the comment was intended to troll the architecture profession, it worked. The minister was slammed for being out of touch, anti-progress and pandering to rightwing populist nostalgia. Marble Arch Park House in London, referenced by Kit Malthouse on Twitter. Photograph: flik47/Getty Images Its easy to dismiss the endeavour as a distraction from the real issues at stake, such as developers monopolies on land or the absence of a mass council house-building programme. There is more to housing quality than beauty alone, but if there is indeed a gulf between what developers are building and what people want, then it makes sense to look at how this might be bridged. These questions will be tackled in a forthcoming series of public debates at Central Saint Martins art college in London, intended to raise the level of discussion beyond the realms of parliamentary platitudes. The chair of the Building Better, Building Beautiful commission, Sir Roger Scruton, will thrash it out with housebuilders, modern architects will debate with traditionalists, while planners will wrangle with developers and campaigners. One persons masterpiece may be anothers carbuncle. Poundbury, Dorset a traditional village inspired by the Prince of Wales. Photograph: Dave Penman/Rex Features Some campaign groups, such as Create Streets, swear by their methods of public polling, in which people are shown photographs of different kinds of urban environments and asked which they prefer. Others think that artificial intelligence is the answer. Researchers at Warwick Business Schools Data Science Lab have developed a deep learning model that can determine what makes a location beautiful, based on a database of 200,000 images of places in the UK that had been rated for their beauty by 1.5 million people on the website ScenicOrNot. The groundbreaking result that meadows and old monuments are nice, while motorways and hospitals are not, doesnt suggest that well be seeing a future of automated urban planning any time soon. Perhaps aware of the difficulties ahead, Malthouse has said: Its totally critical to our mission of building 300,000 homes that we get this design conversation this beauty conversation correct. If parliament is incapable of debating the question with the rigour it deserves, then come and make your voice heard at the alternative public forum. | The UK government has resolved to put beauty first to create better homes. The Building Better, Building Beautiful commission was established in November. MPs lined up to lament the state of modern architecture in a parliamentary debate. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/jan/15/can-we-trust-the-government-to-judge-whats-beautiful | 0.221343 |
Can Fitbit Stock Finally Get Things Right in 2019? | One of this young year's surprising winners is Fitbit (NYSE: FIT). The pioneer of wearable gadgetry has risen 19% so far in 2019, paving the way for what could be its first full year of trading with a positive return. Fitbit has been a bag of hurt for its shareholders since going public at $20 four summers ago. The shares initially rallied, but the stock has clocked in with double-digit percentage slides in its first three full years on the market. 2016: Down 75% 2017: Down 22% 2018: Down 13% Waning consumer interest in its once-trendy fitness trackers and an initially lukewarm result to Fitbit's push into smartwatches have weighed on the shares, but momentum may finally be on its side. Let's take a look at what is driving Fitbit's revival. Julianne Hough jumping rope wearing a Fitbit bracelet. More Julianne Hough sports a Fitbit. Image source: Fitbit. Keeping up the pace There were several moments through 2018 when it seemed as if Fitbit was finally ready to shift out of reverse, and the biggest catalyst came on Halloween, when the wearables bellwether served up a blowout financial report. Revenue rose a mere 0.3%, but it broke a sorry streak that consisted of seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue dips. Wall Street was expecting the streak to stretch to eight financial reports with negative top-line growth. Analysts were also bracing for a small quarterly deficit, but Fitbit surprised them with a modest profit for the period. Folks angling for more active lifestyles didn't return to Fitbit's fitness-monitoring bracelets. The real sales turnaround came from Fitbit's second run at the smartwatch market, this time pricing its wrist huggers more competitively than the runaway market leader. Smartwatch sales are now accounting for nearly half of Fitbit's revenue, up from a thin 10% slice of the top-line pie a year earlier. A negligible uptick in revenue and an earlier-than-expected return to profitability aren't enough to cement a turnaround at Fitbit, but the market's starting to get excited. Analysts are modeling 4% growth in revenue after a flat but profitable holiday quarter. The stock would've probably moved higher for all of 2018 if the general market hadn't corrected sharply in December, but there's no use in crying over spilled downticks. There's a lot now riding on the success of Fitbit's Versa smartwatch, and that's not necessarily a good thing. Fitbit dominated the fitness tracker market, but it's hard to remain relevant as a distant silver medalist in the smartwatch market. The device has helped stabilize sales growth, but sooner or later Fitbit is going to cash in on some of the health tech initiatives it's been hoping will be there to carry the baton to the next runner in this race. Fitbit is off to a strong start in 2019, and that's clear by its refreshingly positive stock action. Keeping the good times coming will be the real challenge, though, especially since this year's finish line is so far away. More From The Motley Fool Rick Munarriz owns shares of Fitbit. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Fitbit. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | Fitbit stock is up 19% so far in 2019. The wearables pioneer has had a rough three years on the market. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://news.yahoo.com/fitbit-stock-finally-things-2019-134500734.html | 0.433323 |
Can Fitbit Stock Finally Get Things Right in 2019? | One of this young year's surprising winners is Fitbit (NYSE: FIT). The pioneer of wearable gadgetry has risen 19% so far in 2019, paving the way for what could be its first full year of trading with a positive return. Fitbit has been a bag of hurt for its shareholders since going public at $20 four summers ago. The shares initially rallied, but the stock has clocked in with double-digit percentage slides in its first three full years on the market. 2016: Down 75% 2017: Down 22% 2018: Down 13% Waning consumer interest in its once-trendy fitness trackers and an initially lukewarm result to Fitbit's push into smartwatches have weighed on the shares, but momentum may finally be on its side. Let's take a look at what is driving Fitbit's revival. Julianne Hough jumping rope wearing a Fitbit bracelet. More Julianne Hough sports a Fitbit. Image source: Fitbit. Keeping up the pace There were several moments through 2018 when it seemed as if Fitbit was finally ready to shift out of reverse, and the biggest catalyst came on Halloween, when the wearables bellwether served up a blowout financial report. Revenue rose a mere 0.3%, but it broke a sorry streak that consisted of seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue dips. Wall Street was expecting the streak to stretch to eight financial reports with negative top-line growth. Analysts were also bracing for a small quarterly deficit, but Fitbit surprised them with a modest profit for the period. Folks angling for more active lifestyles didn't return to Fitbit's fitness-monitoring bracelets. The real sales turnaround came from Fitbit's second run at the smartwatch market, this time pricing its wrist huggers more competitively than the runaway market leader. Smartwatch sales are now accounting for nearly half of Fitbit's revenue, up from a thin 10% slice of the top-line pie a year earlier. A negligible uptick in revenue and an earlier-than-expected return to profitability aren't enough to cement a turnaround at Fitbit, but the market's starting to get excited. Analysts are modeling 4% growth in revenue after a flat but profitable holiday quarter. The stock would've probably moved higher for all of 2018 if the general market hadn't corrected sharply in December, but there's no use in crying over spilled downticks. There's a lot now riding on the success of Fitbit's Versa smartwatch, and that's not necessarily a good thing. Fitbit dominated the fitness tracker market, but it's hard to remain relevant as a distant silver medalist in the smartwatch market. The device has helped stabilize sales growth, but sooner or later Fitbit is going to cash in on some of the health tech initiatives it's been hoping will be there to carry the baton to the next runner in this race. Fitbit is off to a strong start in 2019, and that's clear by its refreshingly positive stock action. Keeping the good times coming will be the real challenge, though, especially since this year's finish line is so far away. More From The Motley Fool Rick Munarriz owns shares of Fitbit. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Fitbit. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | Fitbit stock is up 19% so far in 2019. The wearables pioneer has had a rough three years on the market. Fitbit's recent financial results have surprised Wall Street. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/fitbit-stock-finally-things-2019-134500734.html | 0.448155 |
Can Fitbit Stock Finally Get Things Right in 2019? | One of this young year's surprising winners is Fitbit (NYSE: FIT). The pioneer of wearable gadgetry has risen 19% so far in 2019, paving the way for what could be its first full year of trading with a positive return. Fitbit has been a bag of hurt for its shareholders since going public at $20 four summers ago. The shares initially rallied, but the stock has clocked in with double-digit percentage slides in its first three full years on the market. 2016: Down 75% 2017: Down 22% 2018: Down 13% Waning consumer interest in its once-trendy fitness trackers and an initially lukewarm result to Fitbit's push into smartwatches have weighed on the shares, but momentum may finally be on its side. Let's take a look at what is driving Fitbit's revival. Julianne Hough jumping rope wearing a Fitbit bracelet. More Julianne Hough sports a Fitbit. Image source: Fitbit. Keeping up the pace There were several moments through 2018 when it seemed as if Fitbit was finally ready to shift out of reverse, and the biggest catalyst came on Halloween, when the wearables bellwether served up a blowout financial report. Revenue rose a mere 0.3%, but it broke a sorry streak that consisted of seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year revenue dips. Wall Street was expecting the streak to stretch to eight financial reports with negative top-line growth. Analysts were also bracing for a small quarterly deficit, but Fitbit surprised them with a modest profit for the period. Folks angling for more active lifestyles didn't return to Fitbit's fitness-monitoring bracelets. The real sales turnaround came from Fitbit's second run at the smartwatch market, this time pricing its wrist huggers more competitively than the runaway market leader. Smartwatch sales are now accounting for nearly half of Fitbit's revenue, up from a thin 10% slice of the top-line pie a year earlier. A negligible uptick in revenue and an earlier-than-expected return to profitability aren't enough to cement a turnaround at Fitbit, but the market's starting to get excited. Analysts are modeling 4% growth in revenue after a flat but profitable holiday quarter. The stock would've probably moved higher for all of 2018 if the general market hadn't corrected sharply in December, but there's no use in crying over spilled downticks. There's a lot now riding on the success of Fitbit's Versa smartwatch, and that's not necessarily a good thing. Fitbit dominated the fitness tracker market, but it's hard to remain relevant as a distant silver medalist in the smartwatch market. The device has helped stabilize sales growth, but sooner or later Fitbit is going to cash in on some of the health tech initiatives it's been hoping will be there to carry the baton to the next runner in this race. Fitbit is off to a strong start in 2019, and that's clear by its refreshingly positive stock action. Keeping the good times coming will be the real challenge, though, especially since this year's finish line is so far away. More From The Motley Fool Rick Munarriz owns shares of Fitbit. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Fitbit. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | Fitbit stock is up 19% so far in 2019. The wearables pioneer has had a rough three years on the market. Fitbit's recent financial results were a surprise to Wall Street, but the market's starting to get excited about the stock. The company is still struggling to find its footing in the smartwatch market. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/fitbit-stock-finally-things-2019-134500734.html | 0.509646 |
Why Is a Q4 Earnings Beat Less Likely for Schlumberger (SLB)? | Schlumberger Limited SLB is expected to report fourth-quarter 2018 earnings on Jan 18, before the opening bell. Last quarter, the companys earnings of 46 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Also, the company posted an average positive earnings surprise of 3.4% for the last four quarters. Lets see how things are shaping up prior to the announcement. Lets look at the estimate revision trend to get a clear picture of what analysts expect from the earnings release. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents for fourth-quarter earnings has been stable over the last seven days. It reflects a decline of about almost 22.9% from the year-ago quarter. Further, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues of $8.13 billion reflects a 0.5% drop from the prior-year quarter. Schlumberger Limited Price and EPS Surprise Schlumberger Limited Price and EPS Surprise | Schlumberger Limited Quote Factors to Consider Through fourth-quarter 2018, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude plunged from a multi-year high of $76.40 a barrel in early October to below $45 in late December, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The overall decline in the commodity price will likely be unfavorable for Schlumberger as oilfield service businesses are positively correlated with crude price. The Houston, TX-based firm expects demand and pricing for North American oilfield services to be weak in the October-to-December quarter, as constraint in pipeline bottleneck problem in the prolific Permian Basin and declining well productivity could hurt crude production volumes. The bearish trend is showing on the Zacks Consensus Estimate for two of the companys major business segments. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Reservoir Characterization segments earnings-before-tax stands at $372 million, lower than $373 million in the prior-quarter. Moreover, for the Production unit, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings stands at $237 million, down from $315 million in the prior-year quarter and $320 million in third-quarter 2018. Earnings Whispers Our proven model does not conclusively show a beat for Schlumberger this earnings season. That is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below. Zacks ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is -2.33%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at 36 cents, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at 37 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: Schlumberger carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). We caution investors against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) or 5 going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions. Stocks to Consider Though an earnings beat looks uncertain for Schlumberger, here are a few energy firms that you may want to consider on the basis of our model. These have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter: | Schlumberger Limited is expected to report fourth-quarter 2018 earnings on Jan 18. The company posted an average positive earnings surprise of 3.4% for the last four quarters. The overall decline in the commodity price will likely be unfavorable for Schlumberger. | pegasus | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/why-q4-earnings-beat-less-130601701.html | 0.311529 |
Can Titans Derrick Henry begin 2019 like he ended 2018? | CLOSE Henry has rushed for more yards in a two-game span than any player in Titans history. Erik Bacharach, USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee Derrick Henrys 2018 season can be divvied up into three sections: The bad beginning, the encouraging middle, and the explosive end. Its those final five games that have draped optimism over the Titans running backs future, and the first 11 that serve as a good reminder for how far he came. Henry is the biggest cause for hope. 'A marathon, not a sprint' Lets start at the beginning, when Henry had just 273 rushing yards on 3.3 yards per carry and one touchdown through the first eight games of the season. The former Heisman Trophy winner struggled, routinely voiced frustration in his own performance and took a backseat to Dion Lewis. ESPN reported in November that the Titans were shopping Henry at the trade deadline. Just reading and listening to some of his locker room comments to you guys, he was hard on himself, Titans general manager Jon Robinson said, who would not comment on if the team looked to move Henry at the deadline. He held himself to a higher standard, which is what we ask of all of our players. TITANS REPORT CARD: Grading a wild and (mostly) disappointing 2018 season TITANS' 2018 SUPERLATIVES: Best outfit, coolest venue, most likely to be Batman From Weeks 9-13, there were encouraging signs. Henry, still second fiddle to Lewis, averaged only 8.8 carries over the five-game stretch (compared to Lewis 12.4), but averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per carry with four rushing touchdowns. And then, the explosion: A 238-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Jaguars on Dec. 6 that included a 99-yard touchdown run that will forever live in Titans highlight reels. He followed that by averaging nearly 116 rushing yards, five yards per carry and one touchdown over the final three games of the season. CLOSE Henry's 99-yard rush tied the NFL record. It's the second 99-yard run in league history. Erik Bacharach, USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee "Its a marathon, not a sprint," Henry said after the season-ending loss to the Colts on Dec. 30. "Its all about how you finish. I didnt start very well. I kept saying that throughout the season, talking to you guys, and I just wanted to finish strong the second half of the season, and thats what I tried to do." Well, things just kind of clicked. The offensive line performed better. Wide receivers blocked well. The Titans coaching staff gave Henry enough carries to build a rhythm. And Henry "was a more decisive runner," Robinson said. "He ran angry. Hes a big fast strong guy thats hard to tackle, and I thought he tried to impose his will on defenders when they tried to tackle him." "I think whether it was one block, one cut, one secondary support block from a receiver, whatever it may be, it probably took a little bit of time to get going," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. "Things started to come together. We always talk about trying to get them covered upfront, let the runners get going, dont allow penetration. Receivers have to block support. At some point in time, the guy with the ball has to do a little magic. "You look at big plays in this league, 20-yard runs or whatever they may be, 30 percent of them youve got the Xs and Os, and you scheme them up. The other 70 is just the guy being a pro football player, and going and making a play." In the final third of his third season in the league, that finally began to happen with regularity for Henry, who also credited Titans legend Eddie George with helping him get there. The two had a conversation during the Titans' Week 8 bye in which George emphasized being more physical and finishing runs, according to the team's website. "I just wanted advice from somebody I really looked up to," Henry said after cleaning out his locker on Dec. 31. "I felt like he could give me some good advice, be real with me, shoot me straight about what I needed to hear as far as my game. I reached out to Eddie and thats what he did." And now the Titans know what they have in Henry. "I would say that if he started off 2019 like he ended 2018, I think that would be great," Vrabel said. "That would be unbelievable for everybody." Reach Erik Bacharach at [email protected] and on Twitter @ErikBacharach. | Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry struggled early in the season. Henry had just 273 rushing yards on 3.3 yards per carry through the first eight games. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2019/01/15/derrick-henry-titans-2018/2502787002/ | 0.127436 |
What happens to the 62,500 students with special needs during Los Angeles teachers' strike? | CLOSE Students tell us why they skipped school to join their teachers on the picket lines. USA TODAY When Sonia Hernandez explained the Los Angeles teachers' strike to her 10-year-old son with autism, he almost started to cry from distress. "I don't want the teachers to miss school," Daniel told her, his voice changing tone as he immediately stood. "I don't want to go to another class. I want to be in the same classroom with my same classmates." The disruption triggered by the strike that began Monday in the nation's second-largest school district could set back Daniel and thousands of other children with developmental disabilities who need special education and consistency, parents told USA TODAY. About 62,500 students with special needs attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District School, said associate superintendent for Special Education Beth Kauffman. Students with developmental disabilities from autism to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sometimes need one-on-one aides and services such as behavioral and speech therapy at school. Each follows an individualized education plan defining their goals and needs. But, on Sunday, the day before the strike began in the pouring rain with picketing and protests, some parents told USA TODAY that schools had not provided information about alternate lesson plans that would support their students with disabilities. With three sons on the autism spectrum who attend district schools, Hernandez stayed home with her kids Monday because she worried the strike arrangements would not be safe for them. Automated phone calls notified her that schools planned to group students in auditoriums with supervision, but Hernandez said her boys would be at risk without staff to monitor and help them. Her oldest son Sebastian, 12, has an aide and needs assistance even in small groups. "They're not the best communicators," Hernandez said. "They're not ready to say, 'I'm sick,' 'Somebody pushed me,' 'Somebody kicked me.'" The boys instead worked on assignments from their teachers and did some reading, said Hernandez, not that staying at home reduced their anxiety from facing an uncertain situation at school. It would be naive to think the district would bring in substitute teachers trained to work with kids with autism, she said. During the strike, Kauffman said students with disabilities who need to be in smaller settings will be accommodated. Special education students who mostly follow the general education curriculum, however, will remain with their peers. Based on student needs, Kauffman said, the district sent 200 administrators and staff with experience in special education to support students with disabilities. Kauffman said principals should have communicated with parents to let them know the district would meet special education needs throughout the strike. Meshell Baylor (right) poses for a photo with her son Justin Baylor (left). (Photo: Courtesy of Meshell Baylor) Early Monday morning, Meshell Baylor did not know if the bus would come to take her son Justin, 18, to his district special needs school. When it arrived, she asked the regular aide what would happen with the strike. She said he told her the students would do group activities in a group setting with substitutes. Baylor said she called the school about 10 times from work to check in on Justin, who has autism, but kept getting disconnected. Eventually, Baylor said she emailed the school and got a response from the principal. He assured her that he was fine and sent a picture of him drawing. But, Baylor said she didn't know her son's substitute teacher, the teacher's background, or if the same teacher would be with him all week. "I'm literally in the dark for right now," Baylor said. Justin relies on repetition, Baylor said, so he must continue going to school and needs the teachers and aides he regularly sees. Changes to his schedule throw him off and can make him upset and frustrated for the whole day, she said, meaning he'll need to be redirected with activities such as coloring. More: Tacos for teachers: Food trucks show up to support protestors during LAUSD teacher strike More: Los Angeles teachers plan to strike Monday. Here's what you need to know Meanwhile, Baylor's younger son Christopher, 14, stayed home at his instructional aide's recommendation. Baylor said the aide called her before the school day, telling her the middle school had limited staff for a large student population. But, Christopher will return to school tomorrow, however, because of attendance requirements, she said. Leslie Blanco (right) and her daughter Diamond (left) pose for a picture. (Photo: Courtesy of Leslie Blanco) When Leslie Blanco asked her daughter Diamond, 12, what she did at middle school on Monday, Diamond told her they did not do much at all. The seventh grader has a learning disability, Blanco said, and usually takes home enough homework to last two days. She finished all of her assignments from last week and didn't get any new ones Monday. Kauffman, who worked with special needs students on Monday, said students seemed to be happy and engaged. "Learning is taking place and they're getting their breakfast, they're getting their lunch, they're safe," she said. "Things are looking pretty good at the schools. It seems like it's very organized." CLOSE Los Angeles teachers went on strike Monday after talks failed in the nation's second largest school disctrict. Schools remain open and the district superintendent said 'students are safe and learning'. (Jan 14) AP Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/15/los-angeles-teachers-strike-autism-special-needs/2566954002/ | The disruption triggered by the Los Angeles teachers' strike could set back thousands of children with developmental disabilities. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/15/los-angeles-teachers-strike-autism-special-needs/2566954002/ | 0.307887 |
What happens to the 62,500 students with special needs during Los Angeles teachers' strike? | CLOSE Students tell us why they skipped school to join their teachers on the picket lines. USA TODAY When Sonia Hernandez explained the Los Angeles teachers' strike to her 10-year-old son with autism, he almost started to cry from distress. "I don't want the teachers to miss school," Daniel told her, his voice changing tone as he immediately stood. "I don't want to go to another class. I want to be in the same classroom with my same classmates." The disruption triggered by the strike that began Monday in the nation's second-largest school district could set back Daniel and thousands of other children with developmental disabilities who need special education and consistency, parents told USA TODAY. About 62,500 students with special needs attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District School, said associate superintendent for Special Education Beth Kauffman. Students with developmental disabilities from autism to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sometimes need one-on-one aides and services such as behavioral and speech therapy at school. Each follows an individualized education plan defining their goals and needs. But, on Sunday, the day before the strike began in the pouring rain with picketing and protests, some parents told USA TODAY that schools had not provided information about alternate lesson plans that would support their students with disabilities. With three sons on the autism spectrum who attend district schools, Hernandez stayed home with her kids Monday because she worried the strike arrangements would not be safe for them. Automated phone calls notified her that schools planned to group students in auditoriums with supervision, but Hernandez said her boys would be at risk without staff to monitor and help them. Her oldest son Sebastian, 12, has an aide and needs assistance even in small groups. "They're not the best communicators," Hernandez said. "They're not ready to say, 'I'm sick,' 'Somebody pushed me,' 'Somebody kicked me.'" The boys instead worked on assignments from their teachers and did some reading, said Hernandez, not that staying at home reduced their anxiety from facing an uncertain situation at school. It would be naive to think the district would bring in substitute teachers trained to work with kids with autism, she said. During the strike, Kauffman said students with disabilities who need to be in smaller settings will be accommodated. Special education students who mostly follow the general education curriculum, however, will remain with their peers. Based on student needs, Kauffman said, the district sent 200 administrators and staff with experience in special education to support students with disabilities. Kauffman said principals should have communicated with parents to let them know the district would meet special education needs throughout the strike. Meshell Baylor (right) poses for a photo with her son Justin Baylor (left). (Photo: Courtesy of Meshell Baylor) Early Monday morning, Meshell Baylor did not know if the bus would come to take her son Justin, 18, to his district special needs school. When it arrived, she asked the regular aide what would happen with the strike. She said he told her the students would do group activities in a group setting with substitutes. Baylor said she called the school about 10 times from work to check in on Justin, who has autism, but kept getting disconnected. Eventually, Baylor said she emailed the school and got a response from the principal. He assured her that he was fine and sent a picture of him drawing. But, Baylor said she didn't know her son's substitute teacher, the teacher's background, or if the same teacher would be with him all week. "I'm literally in the dark for right now," Baylor said. Justin relies on repetition, Baylor said, so he must continue going to school and needs the teachers and aides he regularly sees. Changes to his schedule throw him off and can make him upset and frustrated for the whole day, she said, meaning he'll need to be redirected with activities such as coloring. More: Tacos for teachers: Food trucks show up to support protestors during LAUSD teacher strike More: Los Angeles teachers plan to strike Monday. Here's what you need to know Meanwhile, Baylor's younger son Christopher, 14, stayed home at his instructional aide's recommendation. Baylor said the aide called her before the school day, telling her the middle school had limited staff for a large student population. But, Christopher will return to school tomorrow, however, because of attendance requirements, she said. Leslie Blanco (right) and her daughter Diamond (left) pose for a picture. (Photo: Courtesy of Leslie Blanco) When Leslie Blanco asked her daughter Diamond, 12, what she did at middle school on Monday, Diamond told her they did not do much at all. The seventh grader has a learning disability, Blanco said, and usually takes home enough homework to last two days. She finished all of her assignments from last week and didn't get any new ones Monday. Kauffman, who worked with special needs students on Monday, said students seemed to be happy and engaged. "Learning is taking place and they're getting their breakfast, they're getting their lunch, they're safe," she said. "Things are looking pretty good at the schools. It seems like it's very organized." CLOSE Los Angeles teachers went on strike Monday after talks failed in the nation's second largest school disctrict. Schools remain open and the district superintendent said 'students are safe and learning'. (Jan 14) AP Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/15/los-angeles-teachers-strike-autism-special-needs/2566954002/ | The disruption triggered by the Los Angeles teachers strike could set back thousands of children with developmental disabilities. About 62,500 students with special needs attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/15/los-angeles-teachers-strike-autism-special-needs/2566954002/ | 0.54433 |
What happens to the 62,500 students with special needs during Los Angeles teachers' strike? | CLOSE Students tell us why they skipped school to join their teachers on the picket lines. USA TODAY When Sonia Hernandez explained the Los Angeles teachers' strike to her 10-year-old son with autism, he almost started to cry from distress. "I don't want the teachers to miss school," Daniel told her, his voice changing tone as he immediately stood. "I don't want to go to another class. I want to be in the same classroom with my same classmates." The disruption triggered by the strike that began Monday in the nation's second-largest school district could set back Daniel and thousands of other children with developmental disabilities who need special education and consistency, parents told USA TODAY. About 62,500 students with special needs attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District School, said associate superintendent for Special Education Beth Kauffman. Students with developmental disabilities from autism to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sometimes need one-on-one aides and services such as behavioral and speech therapy at school. Each follows an individualized education plan defining their goals and needs. But, on Sunday, the day before the strike began in the pouring rain with picketing and protests, some parents told USA TODAY that schools had not provided information about alternate lesson plans that would support their students with disabilities. With three sons on the autism spectrum who attend district schools, Hernandez stayed home with her kids Monday because she worried the strike arrangements would not be safe for them. Automated phone calls notified her that schools planned to group students in auditoriums with supervision, but Hernandez said her boys would be at risk without staff to monitor and help them. Her oldest son Sebastian, 12, has an aide and needs assistance even in small groups. "They're not the best communicators," Hernandez said. "They're not ready to say, 'I'm sick,' 'Somebody pushed me,' 'Somebody kicked me.'" The boys instead worked on assignments from their teachers and did some reading, said Hernandez, not that staying at home reduced their anxiety from facing an uncertain situation at school. It would be naive to think the district would bring in substitute teachers trained to work with kids with autism, she said. During the strike, Kauffman said students with disabilities who need to be in smaller settings will be accommodated. Special education students who mostly follow the general education curriculum, however, will remain with their peers. Based on student needs, Kauffman said, the district sent 200 administrators and staff with experience in special education to support students with disabilities. Kauffman said principals should have communicated with parents to let them know the district would meet special education needs throughout the strike. Meshell Baylor (right) poses for a photo with her son Justin Baylor (left). (Photo: Courtesy of Meshell Baylor) Early Monday morning, Meshell Baylor did not know if the bus would come to take her son Justin, 18, to his district special needs school. When it arrived, she asked the regular aide what would happen with the strike. She said he told her the students would do group activities in a group setting with substitutes. Baylor said she called the school about 10 times from work to check in on Justin, who has autism, but kept getting disconnected. Eventually, Baylor said she emailed the school and got a response from the principal. He assured her that he was fine and sent a picture of him drawing. But, Baylor said she didn't know her son's substitute teacher, the teacher's background, or if the same teacher would be with him all week. "I'm literally in the dark for right now," Baylor said. Justin relies on repetition, Baylor said, so he must continue going to school and needs the teachers and aides he regularly sees. Changes to his schedule throw him off and can make him upset and frustrated for the whole day, she said, meaning he'll need to be redirected with activities such as coloring. More: Tacos for teachers: Food trucks show up to support protestors during LAUSD teacher strike More: Los Angeles teachers plan to strike Monday. Here's what you need to know Meanwhile, Baylor's younger son Christopher, 14, stayed home at his instructional aide's recommendation. Baylor said the aide called her before the school day, telling her the middle school had limited staff for a large student population. But, Christopher will return to school tomorrow, however, because of attendance requirements, she said. Leslie Blanco (right) and her daughter Diamond (left) pose for a picture. (Photo: Courtesy of Leslie Blanco) When Leslie Blanco asked her daughter Diamond, 12, what she did at middle school on Monday, Diamond told her they did not do much at all. The seventh grader has a learning disability, Blanco said, and usually takes home enough homework to last two days. She finished all of her assignments from last week and didn't get any new ones Monday. Kauffman, who worked with special needs students on Monday, said students seemed to be happy and engaged. "Learning is taking place and they're getting their breakfast, they're getting their lunch, they're safe," she said. "Things are looking pretty good at the schools. It seems like it's very organized." CLOSE Los Angeles teachers went on strike Monday after talks failed in the nation's second largest school disctrict. Schools remain open and the district superintendent said 'students are safe and learning'. (Jan 14) AP Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/15/los-angeles-teachers-strike-autism-special-needs/2566954002/ | The disruption triggered by the Los Angeles teachers strike could set back thousands of children with developmental disabilities. About 62,500 students with special needs attend schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Students with developmental disabilities need one-on-one aides and services such as behavioral and speech therapy at school. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/15/los-angeles-teachers-strike-autism-special-needs/2566954002/ | 0.658814 |
Can Williams-Sonoma's Digital Innovation Combat Cost Woes? | Williams-Sonoma, Inc.s WSM solid e-commerce growth, focus on innovation, along with marketing and digitalization techniques are substantial growth drivers. This multi-channel specialty retailers shares have declined 0.9% in the past year, comparing favorably with its industrys fall of 20.3%. Notably, the companys earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, with the average being 8.7%. However, high costs associated with continued investments in e-commerce, employment-related expenses, shipping costs and a competitive retail environment remain concerns for this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company. Key Growth Drivers Williams-Sonoma has been increasing its market share on strong e-commerce growth. Its E-commerce segment, which generates 55% of net revenues, operates through e-commerce websites and direct mail catalogs. Moreover, the company saw 9.4% revenue growth in its e-commerce channel in the first nine months of fiscal 2018. The company anticipates a higher growth rate in the upcoming quarters. It focuses to re-platform mobile sites to Progressive Web App (PWA) technology, streamline checkout process, and implement the next-generation of machine learning, on-site search as well as personalization experience. Keeping in mind the ever-changing preference of consumers, Williams-Sonoma seeks to keep innovating its products. The company addresses the demand for new products very efficiently. Also, collaboration with eminent brands and designers is one of its strategies to attract new customers, invent new trends, as well as widen the companys social media reach. Consequently, it has shifted its advertisement spending toward social media campaigns and cross-brand initiatives to increase customer engagement, as well as cross-selling opportunities in its brands. In fact, the companys acquisition of Outward, Inc., a leading 3D imaging and augmented reality platform, will enhance product visualization and design capabilities. In the fiscal third quarter, the company released the customer-facing version of Outward-powered professional design tool called Design Crew Room Planner. It has been strategically transforming the retail business by offloading the fleet of underperforming stores, selectively investing in new stores, along with remodeling and relocating the existing ones. In the fiscal third quarter, Williams-Sonoma remodeled five stores and opened three new stores. Moreover, the company plans to close another 21 stores upon lease expiration in the fiscal fourth quarter. Concerns Despite reporting better-than-expected earnings over the past few quarters, the company reported lower-than-anticipated revenues in the fiscal third quarter. Also, its weak comps apparently disappointed investors. The downside was largely due to port delays in China that led to a delay in fulfilling orders. In the fiscal third quarter, comps grew 3.1%, down from the fiscal second quarters growth rate of 4.6% as well as the prior-year figure of 3.3%. The companys earnings are significantly affected by continued investments in e-commerce. Moreover, higher spending on digital advertising is leading to higher SG&A expenses. Again, higher employment-related and shipping costs are pressurizing the margins of the company. In the first nine months of fiscal 2018, non-GAAP operating margin contracted 30 basis points to 6.9%, owing to the above-mentioned headwinds. Stocks to Consider Some better-ranked stocks in the Retail-Wholesale sector are RH RH, Darden Restaurants, Inc. DRI and Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. TAST. While RH sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Darden Restaurants and Carrols both carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. RH has an expected earnings growth rate of 175.4% for fiscal 2018. Darden Restaurants earnings for fiscal 2019 are expected to increase 18.9%. Carrols has a projected earnings growth rate of 70% for 2018. Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. | Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s WSM solid e-commerce growth, focus on innovation, along with marketing and digitalization techniques are substantial growth drivers. | pegasus | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/williams-sonomas-digital-innovation-combat-143102500.html | 0.101777 |
Can Williams-Sonoma's Digital Innovation Combat Cost Woes? | Williams-Sonoma, Inc.s WSM solid e-commerce growth, focus on innovation, along with marketing and digitalization techniques are substantial growth drivers. This multi-channel specialty retailers shares have declined 0.9% in the past year, comparing favorably with its industrys fall of 20.3%. Notably, the companys earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, with the average being 8.7%. However, high costs associated with continued investments in e-commerce, employment-related expenses, shipping costs and a competitive retail environment remain concerns for this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company. Key Growth Drivers Williams-Sonoma has been increasing its market share on strong e-commerce growth. Its E-commerce segment, which generates 55% of net revenues, operates through e-commerce websites and direct mail catalogs. Moreover, the company saw 9.4% revenue growth in its e-commerce channel in the first nine months of fiscal 2018. The company anticipates a higher growth rate in the upcoming quarters. It focuses to re-platform mobile sites to Progressive Web App (PWA) technology, streamline checkout process, and implement the next-generation of machine learning, on-site search as well as personalization experience. Keeping in mind the ever-changing preference of consumers, Williams-Sonoma seeks to keep innovating its products. The company addresses the demand for new products very efficiently. Also, collaboration with eminent brands and designers is one of its strategies to attract new customers, invent new trends, as well as widen the companys social media reach. Consequently, it has shifted its advertisement spending toward social media campaigns and cross-brand initiatives to increase customer engagement, as well as cross-selling opportunities in its brands. In fact, the companys acquisition of Outward, Inc., a leading 3D imaging and augmented reality platform, will enhance product visualization and design capabilities. In the fiscal third quarter, the company released the customer-facing version of Outward-powered professional design tool called Design Crew Room Planner. It has been strategically transforming the retail business by offloading the fleet of underperforming stores, selectively investing in new stores, along with remodeling and relocating the existing ones. In the fiscal third quarter, Williams-Sonoma remodeled five stores and opened three new stores. Moreover, the company plans to close another 21 stores upon lease expiration in the fiscal fourth quarter. Concerns Despite reporting better-than-expected earnings over the past few quarters, the company reported lower-than-anticipated revenues in the fiscal third quarter. Also, its weak comps apparently disappointed investors. The downside was largely due to port delays in China that led to a delay in fulfilling orders. In the fiscal third quarter, comps grew 3.1%, down from the fiscal second quarters growth rate of 4.6% as well as the prior-year figure of 3.3%. The companys earnings are significantly affected by continued investments in e-commerce. Moreover, higher spending on digital advertising is leading to higher SG&A expenses. Again, higher employment-related and shipping costs are pressurizing the margins of the company. In the first nine months of fiscal 2018, non-GAAP operating margin contracted 30 basis points to 6.9%, owing to the above-mentioned headwinds. Stocks to Consider Some better-ranked stocks in the Retail-Wholesale sector are RH RH, Darden Restaurants, Inc. DRI and Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. TAST. While RH sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Darden Restaurants and Carrols both carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. RH has an expected earnings growth rate of 175.4% for fiscal 2018. Darden Restaurants earnings for fiscal 2019 are expected to increase 18.9%. Carrols has a projected earnings growth rate of 70% for 2018. Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. | Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s WSM solid e-commerce growth, focus on innovation, along with marketing and digitalization techniques are substantial growth drivers. However, high costs associated with continued investments in e-commerce, employment-related expenses, shipping costs and a competitive retail environment remain concerns. | pegasus | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/williams-sonomas-digital-innovation-combat-143102500.html | 0.537579 |
Should Canada ban assault-style firearms? | This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Author: R. Blake Brown, Professor, Saint Marys University The federal government has asked Bill Blair, the minister of border security and organized crime reduction, to consider whether Canada should ban handguns and assault-style rifles. The media has focused mostly on the possibility of banning handguns. The idea of outlawing assault-style weapons, however, deserves more attention because this proposal could help avoid mass shootings but is extremely controversial among firearm owners. The federal governments engagement paper on possible new gun legislation notes that Canadas current firearms legislation contains no definition of an assault rifle. The paper instead offers an illustrative description from the United States Department of Justice: In general, assault weapons are semi-automatic firearms with a large magazine of ammunition that were designed and configured for rapid fire. This definition suggests that the federal government is considering a ban on many semi-automatic rifles that is, guns that can be fired each time the trigger is pulled. Such guns are distinguishable from manual action firearms that require shooters to use a mechanism to reload guns after each discharge, thus limiting rate of fire, and from fully automatic firearms that continue to fire so long as the trigger is depressed. Canada has long prohibited the possession of automatic guns. Some semi-automatic firearms are non-restricted, meaning they can be used for hunting and only require purchasers to obtain a basic possession and acquisition licence. Other semi-automatic guns are classified as restricted weapons. Such guns must be registered and are usually only fired at shooting ranges. Owners must possess a different licence and must have authorization to transport such firearms from one location to another. Historical context of Canadian gun control The interest in stricter regulations for semi-automatic firearms, particularly guns based on modified military weapons, reflects historic changes in gun design, marketing and ownership in Canada. At the beginning of the 19th century, long guns were generally single-shot, muzzle-loaded, smooth-bore weapons that were slow to load, inaccurate beyond approximately 100 metres, and often misfired. In the mid- to late 19th century, however, breech-loading guns replaced muzzle-loaded weapons. New ammunition and rifled barrels made guns more accurate at long ranges. Manufacturers also developed firearms with magazines that could hold several rounds of ammunition to allow more rapid firing. Typically, these guns used lever action or bolt action designs to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel. When many Canadians think of a hunting rifle, what comes to mind is one of these guns, such as a lever-action Winchester rifle. Generations of Canadians used such guns to hunt deer, moose and other game. Historic department store catalogues suggest that the popularity of semi-automatic guns among hunters is quite new. Stores like Eatons, Simpsons and Army & Navy sold mostly manual-action firearms. In 1975, for instance, Eatons advertised few semi-automatic rifles. As semi-automatic firearms entered the marketplace in larger numbers, however, some Canadians began to express concern about their availability. Semi-automatic rifles have been used in many of the most infamous mass murders in Canadian history, including the murder of 14 women in the 1989 Montreal Massacre, the murder of four RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, Alberta in 2005, the murder of three RCMP officers in Moncton in 2014, and the Quebec mosque shooting of 2017. Perhaps the first fight over the classification of semi-automatic guns in Canada concerned the AR-15, the firearm used in several recent mass shootings in the United States. AR-15 restricted in Canada In 1977, Ottawa made the AR-15 a restricted weapon. Prime Minister Joe Clarks government reversed that decision, although Ottawa again declared it a restricted firearm in the 1990s. In 2016, Conservative MP Bob Zimmer sponsored a parliamentary petition asking that the AR-15 be reclassified as a non-restricted firearm. The AR-15, however, remains in the restricted category. Canadians must decide how available modern semi-automatic rifles should be. Many semi-automatic firearms based on military gun designs are now sold in Canada at stores such as Cabelas. Manufacturers and retailers often call such weapons modern sporting rifles to make them sound less threatening. Several gun groups like the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights argue that all semi-automatics with barrels of a certain length should be non-restricted. They suggest that guns like the AR-15 are restricted simply because of their physical resemblance to military weapons, and have urged politicians to make such guns non-restricted. In 2016, the Conservative Party considered this change at its national convention, and Maxime Bernier has made this proposal part of his Peoples Party platform. Gun control advocates, meanwhile, question why many semi-automatics, including the Ruger Mini-14 used in the Montreal Massacre, are non-restricted. The federal government may prove reluctant to prohibit such guns because of opposition from gun groups. Another option Another option is possible, however. Ottawa could make all semi-automatic rifles restricted weapons. This would force owners to pass a more rigorous screening process, require the registration of such guns and place limits on how theyre used and transported. This is not a new idea. In 1977, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police claimed that semi-automatic guns were basically designed as an instrument of war and that they had no sporting use either in the cultural or recreational sense. The association thus urged Ottawa to restrict all semi-automatic weapons as a category. Ottawa refused to do it. But recent mass shootings in Canada have shown that such guns, if misused, are dangerous to the public and to law enforcement. Legislators might well keep in mind the words of A.J. Somerset, author of Arms: The Culture and Credo of the Gun. He warns that as long as semi-automatic, assault-style rifles are widely available in Canada, a massacre like the 2016 nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., is not simply a U.S. nightmare on the news; its a shadow falling over us, a possibility we cant ignore. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/should-canada-ban-assault-style-firearms https:/ | The federal government has asked Bill Blair to consider whether Canada should ban handguns and assault-style rifles. | bart | 0 | https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/should-canada-ban-assault-style-firearms | 0.133078 |
Should Canada ban assault-style firearms? | This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Author: R. Blake Brown, Professor, Saint Marys University The federal government has asked Bill Blair, the minister of border security and organized crime reduction, to consider whether Canada should ban handguns and assault-style rifles. The media has focused mostly on the possibility of banning handguns. The idea of outlawing assault-style weapons, however, deserves more attention because this proposal could help avoid mass shootings but is extremely controversial among firearm owners. The federal governments engagement paper on possible new gun legislation notes that Canadas current firearms legislation contains no definition of an assault rifle. The paper instead offers an illustrative description from the United States Department of Justice: In general, assault weapons are semi-automatic firearms with a large magazine of ammunition that were designed and configured for rapid fire. This definition suggests that the federal government is considering a ban on many semi-automatic rifles that is, guns that can be fired each time the trigger is pulled. Such guns are distinguishable from manual action firearms that require shooters to use a mechanism to reload guns after each discharge, thus limiting rate of fire, and from fully automatic firearms that continue to fire so long as the trigger is depressed. Canada has long prohibited the possession of automatic guns. Some semi-automatic firearms are non-restricted, meaning they can be used for hunting and only require purchasers to obtain a basic possession and acquisition licence. Other semi-automatic guns are classified as restricted weapons. Such guns must be registered and are usually only fired at shooting ranges. Owners must possess a different licence and must have authorization to transport such firearms from one location to another. Historical context of Canadian gun control The interest in stricter regulations for semi-automatic firearms, particularly guns based on modified military weapons, reflects historic changes in gun design, marketing and ownership in Canada. At the beginning of the 19th century, long guns were generally single-shot, muzzle-loaded, smooth-bore weapons that were slow to load, inaccurate beyond approximately 100 metres, and often misfired. In the mid- to late 19th century, however, breech-loading guns replaced muzzle-loaded weapons. New ammunition and rifled barrels made guns more accurate at long ranges. Manufacturers also developed firearms with magazines that could hold several rounds of ammunition to allow more rapid firing. Typically, these guns used lever action or bolt action designs to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel. When many Canadians think of a hunting rifle, what comes to mind is one of these guns, such as a lever-action Winchester rifle. Generations of Canadians used such guns to hunt deer, moose and other game. Historic department store catalogues suggest that the popularity of semi-automatic guns among hunters is quite new. Stores like Eatons, Simpsons and Army & Navy sold mostly manual-action firearms. In 1975, for instance, Eatons advertised few semi-automatic rifles. As semi-automatic firearms entered the marketplace in larger numbers, however, some Canadians began to express concern about their availability. Semi-automatic rifles have been used in many of the most infamous mass murders in Canadian history, including the murder of 14 women in the 1989 Montreal Massacre, the murder of four RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, Alberta in 2005, the murder of three RCMP officers in Moncton in 2014, and the Quebec mosque shooting of 2017. Perhaps the first fight over the classification of semi-automatic guns in Canada concerned the AR-15, the firearm used in several recent mass shootings in the United States. AR-15 restricted in Canada In 1977, Ottawa made the AR-15 a restricted weapon. Prime Minister Joe Clarks government reversed that decision, although Ottawa again declared it a restricted firearm in the 1990s. In 2016, Conservative MP Bob Zimmer sponsored a parliamentary petition asking that the AR-15 be reclassified as a non-restricted firearm. The AR-15, however, remains in the restricted category. Canadians must decide how available modern semi-automatic rifles should be. Many semi-automatic firearms based on military gun designs are now sold in Canada at stores such as Cabelas. Manufacturers and retailers often call such weapons modern sporting rifles to make them sound less threatening. Several gun groups like the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights argue that all semi-automatics with barrels of a certain length should be non-restricted. They suggest that guns like the AR-15 are restricted simply because of their physical resemblance to military weapons, and have urged politicians to make such guns non-restricted. In 2016, the Conservative Party considered this change at its national convention, and Maxime Bernier has made this proposal part of his Peoples Party platform. Gun control advocates, meanwhile, question why many semi-automatics, including the Ruger Mini-14 used in the Montreal Massacre, are non-restricted. The federal government may prove reluctant to prohibit such guns because of opposition from gun groups. Another option Another option is possible, however. Ottawa could make all semi-automatic rifles restricted weapons. This would force owners to pass a more rigorous screening process, require the registration of such guns and place limits on how theyre used and transported. This is not a new idea. In 1977, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police claimed that semi-automatic guns were basically designed as an instrument of war and that they had no sporting use either in the cultural or recreational sense. The association thus urged Ottawa to restrict all semi-automatic weapons as a category. Ottawa refused to do it. But recent mass shootings in Canada have shown that such guns, if misused, are dangerous to the public and to law enforcement. Legislators might well keep in mind the words of A.J. Somerset, author of Arms: The Culture and Credo of the Gun. He warns that as long as semi-automatic, assault-style rifles are widely available in Canada, a massacre like the 2016 nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., is not simply a U.S. nightmare on the news; its a shadow falling over us, a possibility we cant ignore. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/should-canada-ban-assault-style-firearms https:/ | The federal government has asked Bill Blair to consider whether Canada should ban handguns and assault-style rifles. The idea of outlawing assault-style weapons could help avoid mass shootings but is extremely controversial among firearm owners. | pegasus | 1 | https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/should-canada-ban-assault-style-firearms | 0.20492 |
Should Canada ban assault-style firearms? | This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Author: R. Blake Brown, Professor, Saint Marys University The federal government has asked Bill Blair, the minister of border security and organized crime reduction, to consider whether Canada should ban handguns and assault-style rifles. The media has focused mostly on the possibility of banning handguns. The idea of outlawing assault-style weapons, however, deserves more attention because this proposal could help avoid mass shootings but is extremely controversial among firearm owners. The federal governments engagement paper on possible new gun legislation notes that Canadas current firearms legislation contains no definition of an assault rifle. The paper instead offers an illustrative description from the United States Department of Justice: In general, assault weapons are semi-automatic firearms with a large magazine of ammunition that were designed and configured for rapid fire. This definition suggests that the federal government is considering a ban on many semi-automatic rifles that is, guns that can be fired each time the trigger is pulled. Such guns are distinguishable from manual action firearms that require shooters to use a mechanism to reload guns after each discharge, thus limiting rate of fire, and from fully automatic firearms that continue to fire so long as the trigger is depressed. Canada has long prohibited the possession of automatic guns. Some semi-automatic firearms are non-restricted, meaning they can be used for hunting and only require purchasers to obtain a basic possession and acquisition licence. Other semi-automatic guns are classified as restricted weapons. Such guns must be registered and are usually only fired at shooting ranges. Owners must possess a different licence and must have authorization to transport such firearms from one location to another. Historical context of Canadian gun control The interest in stricter regulations for semi-automatic firearms, particularly guns based on modified military weapons, reflects historic changes in gun design, marketing and ownership in Canada. At the beginning of the 19th century, long guns were generally single-shot, muzzle-loaded, smooth-bore weapons that were slow to load, inaccurate beyond approximately 100 metres, and often misfired. In the mid- to late 19th century, however, breech-loading guns replaced muzzle-loaded weapons. New ammunition and rifled barrels made guns more accurate at long ranges. Manufacturers also developed firearms with magazines that could hold several rounds of ammunition to allow more rapid firing. Typically, these guns used lever action or bolt action designs to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel. When many Canadians think of a hunting rifle, what comes to mind is one of these guns, such as a lever-action Winchester rifle. Generations of Canadians used such guns to hunt deer, moose and other game. Historic department store catalogues suggest that the popularity of semi-automatic guns among hunters is quite new. Stores like Eatons, Simpsons and Army & Navy sold mostly manual-action firearms. In 1975, for instance, Eatons advertised few semi-automatic rifles. As semi-automatic firearms entered the marketplace in larger numbers, however, some Canadians began to express concern about their availability. Semi-automatic rifles have been used in many of the most infamous mass murders in Canadian history, including the murder of 14 women in the 1989 Montreal Massacre, the murder of four RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, Alberta in 2005, the murder of three RCMP officers in Moncton in 2014, and the Quebec mosque shooting of 2017. Perhaps the first fight over the classification of semi-automatic guns in Canada concerned the AR-15, the firearm used in several recent mass shootings in the United States. AR-15 restricted in Canada In 1977, Ottawa made the AR-15 a restricted weapon. Prime Minister Joe Clarks government reversed that decision, although Ottawa again declared it a restricted firearm in the 1990s. In 2016, Conservative MP Bob Zimmer sponsored a parliamentary petition asking that the AR-15 be reclassified as a non-restricted firearm. The AR-15, however, remains in the restricted category. Canadians must decide how available modern semi-automatic rifles should be. Many semi-automatic firearms based on military gun designs are now sold in Canada at stores such as Cabelas. Manufacturers and retailers often call such weapons modern sporting rifles to make them sound less threatening. Several gun groups like the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights argue that all semi-automatics with barrels of a certain length should be non-restricted. They suggest that guns like the AR-15 are restricted simply because of their physical resemblance to military weapons, and have urged politicians to make such guns non-restricted. In 2016, the Conservative Party considered this change at its national convention, and Maxime Bernier has made this proposal part of his Peoples Party platform. Gun control advocates, meanwhile, question why many semi-automatics, including the Ruger Mini-14 used in the Montreal Massacre, are non-restricted. The federal government may prove reluctant to prohibit such guns because of opposition from gun groups. Another option Another option is possible, however. Ottawa could make all semi-automatic rifles restricted weapons. This would force owners to pass a more rigorous screening process, require the registration of such guns and place limits on how theyre used and transported. This is not a new idea. In 1977, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police claimed that semi-automatic guns were basically designed as an instrument of war and that they had no sporting use either in the cultural or recreational sense. The association thus urged Ottawa to restrict all semi-automatic weapons as a category. Ottawa refused to do it. But recent mass shootings in Canada have shown that such guns, if misused, are dangerous to the public and to law enforcement. Legislators might well keep in mind the words of A.J. Somerset, author of Arms: The Culture and Credo of the Gun. He warns that as long as semi-automatic, assault-style rifles are widely available in Canada, a massacre like the 2016 nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., is not simply a U.S. nightmare on the news; its a shadow falling over us, a possibility we cant ignore. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Disclosure information is available on the original site. Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/should-canada-ban-assault-style-firearms https:/ | The federal government has asked Bill Blair to consider whether Canada should ban handguns and assault-style rifles. The idea of outlawing assault-style weapons could help avoid mass shootings but is extremely controversial among firearm owners. The interest in stricter regulations for semi-automatic firearms reflects historic changes in gun design, marketing and ownership in Canada. | pegasus | 2 | https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/should-canada-ban-assault-style-firearms | 0.296908 |
Why Did the Border Patrol Union Switch Its Position on the Wall? | In advocating for border security, President Donald Trump has repeatedly sought to enlist Border Patrol agents and their union, the Washington Post reports, even bringing union leaders for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the White House to tout the wall. That isnt surprising in one sense: Lots of politicians use uniformed law-enforcement officers as political props. But in another sense, it is rather strange. Typically, unions zealously oppose anything that makes the labor of their members less necessary. The Luddites smashed automated looms. The grocery-store checkers are against self-checkout kiosks. The fast-food workers dont want touch-screen ordering. The most charitable explanation is that members of the union earnestly believe that Trumps desired wall is in the best interest of the United States, regardless of its effect on their personal interests as laborers. Thats the impression Trump wants to create by touting their endorsement: that the men and women actually patrolling the border, with all the attendant expertise their daily work confers, believe that the sort of barrier hes advocating for will help them achieve their mission. | Trump has repeatedly sought to enlist Border Patrol agents and their union. Normally, unions zealously oppose anything that makes the labor of their members less necessary. The most charitable explanation is that members of the union earnestly believe that Trumps desired wall is in the best interest of the United States. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/01/trump-nbpc/580237/?utm_source=feed | 0.218223 |
Are autonomous vehicles coming to CVG? | CLOSE Transit X CEO Mike Stanley thinks his pods could completely replace cars in a city. The Enquirer/Hannah Sparling (Photo: Amazon) Amazon Prime Air's new hub at the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is expected to open sometime in 2021. Ahead of that opening, a collaborative effort by CVG, OKI Regional Council of Governments, and the University of Cincinnati Office of Research is looking at ways to improve transportation in the region to accommodate an influx of people. CVG was already the fastest growing cargo airport in the nation when Amazon announced in 2017 plans to build its worldwide cargo hub at the airport. Amazons expansion at CVG represents a $1.4 billion investment and will add more than 2,700 jobs to airports existing base of 10,000. That's a lot of people needing to get to and from CVG on a daily basis. To help keep traffic flowing, planners are looking to technology. Specifically, autonomous vehicles could help the airport move employees and passengers to and from parking lots to terminals. This project is coming and theres no time to waste in addressing the transportation needs for the region, OKI CEO Mark Policinski said. Its a growing area already, Policinski said. We came to the conclusion this growth is going to continue into the future. So what we have is an area of our region that will experience tremendous job growth. We have to figure out how to get people to and from their jobs. Technology could play vital role in addressing the future transportation needs, he said. The University of Cincinnati is already immersed in research involving driverless vehicles, according to Dr. Jiaqi Ma, an assistant professor of civil engineering at UCs College of Engineering and Applied Science. The partnership offers UC an opportunity to help CVG and OKI identify appropriate technology to address transportation needs, he said. It also provides the university access to a place to test autonomous vehicle technology. Theyre interested, for example, in transporting passengers from their parking lots to terminals using autonomous shuttles, Ma said. Theyre also interested in using autonomous vehicles for transporting luggage from terminals to airplanes. These are two cases weve identified for CVG. Beyond looking at autonomous vehicle applications for CVG, UC research is working on ways technology can improve the overall travel experience for the region. Ma's focus is on self-driving vehicles being part of a bigger network, connected both to other nearby vehicles and the intersections of roads around them. In a prepared statement, CVG representatives acknowledged that they have expressed interest in supporting autonomous vehicle concepts at CVG. "Our interest is leveraging CVG as a beta-site for advancing technologies that could create viable, complimentary advanced transportation solutions for the region and beyond, the statement said. Policinski emphasized that CVG is making decisions about ways to address its transportation needs for the future. OKI can invest in roads around the airport but is prohibited by law from investing in the airport proper, he said. Whatever the plans, progress will need to be swift. Its not as if we can look at it and study. We have to find solutions, Policinski said. "This isnt a situation where there are decades to identify and address needs. This is work that needs to happen over the next couple of years." Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/cvg-use-self-driving-vehicles-shuttle-people-luggage/2573079002/ | CVG has expressed interest in supporting autonomous vehicle concepts. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/cvg-use-self-driving-vehicles-shuttle-people-luggage/2573079002/ | 0.348017 |
Are autonomous vehicles coming to CVG? | CLOSE Transit X CEO Mike Stanley thinks his pods could completely replace cars in a city. The Enquirer/Hannah Sparling (Photo: Amazon) Amazon Prime Air's new hub at the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is expected to open sometime in 2021. Ahead of that opening, a collaborative effort by CVG, OKI Regional Council of Governments, and the University of Cincinnati Office of Research is looking at ways to improve transportation in the region to accommodate an influx of people. CVG was already the fastest growing cargo airport in the nation when Amazon announced in 2017 plans to build its worldwide cargo hub at the airport. Amazons expansion at CVG represents a $1.4 billion investment and will add more than 2,700 jobs to airports existing base of 10,000. That's a lot of people needing to get to and from CVG on a daily basis. To help keep traffic flowing, planners are looking to technology. Specifically, autonomous vehicles could help the airport move employees and passengers to and from parking lots to terminals. This project is coming and theres no time to waste in addressing the transportation needs for the region, OKI CEO Mark Policinski said. Its a growing area already, Policinski said. We came to the conclusion this growth is going to continue into the future. So what we have is an area of our region that will experience tremendous job growth. We have to figure out how to get people to and from their jobs. Technology could play vital role in addressing the future transportation needs, he said. The University of Cincinnati is already immersed in research involving driverless vehicles, according to Dr. Jiaqi Ma, an assistant professor of civil engineering at UCs College of Engineering and Applied Science. The partnership offers UC an opportunity to help CVG and OKI identify appropriate technology to address transportation needs, he said. It also provides the university access to a place to test autonomous vehicle technology. Theyre interested, for example, in transporting passengers from their parking lots to terminals using autonomous shuttles, Ma said. Theyre also interested in using autonomous vehicles for transporting luggage from terminals to airplanes. These are two cases weve identified for CVG. Beyond looking at autonomous vehicle applications for CVG, UC research is working on ways technology can improve the overall travel experience for the region. Ma's focus is on self-driving vehicles being part of a bigger network, connected both to other nearby vehicles and the intersections of roads around them. In a prepared statement, CVG representatives acknowledged that they have expressed interest in supporting autonomous vehicle concepts at CVG. "Our interest is leveraging CVG as a beta-site for advancing technologies that could create viable, complimentary advanced transportation solutions for the region and beyond, the statement said. Policinski emphasized that CVG is making decisions about ways to address its transportation needs for the future. OKI can invest in roads around the airport but is prohibited by law from investing in the airport proper, he said. Whatever the plans, progress will need to be swift. Its not as if we can look at it and study. We have to find solutions, Policinski said. "This isnt a situation where there are decades to identify and address needs. This is work that needs to happen over the next couple of years." Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/cvg-use-self-driving-vehicles-shuttle-people-luggage/2573079002/ | Amazon Prime Air's new hub at the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is expected to open sometime in 2021. Amazons expansion at CVG represents a $1.4 billion investment and will add more than 2,700 jobs. To help keep traffic flowing, planners are looking to technology. autonomous vehicles could help the airport move employees and passengers. | bart | 2 | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/cvg-use-self-driving-vehicles-shuttle-people-luggage/2573079002/ | 0.222148 |
Are the White Sox Serious About Manny Machado? | It's been a while since the White Sox have been serious players for a high-profile free agent. Not really since signing Albert Belle to a five-year, $55 million deal in November 1996 have they been so prominently a part of the offseason rumor mill. So it is probably fair to question whether or not their run at Manny Machado this offseason is real. Keeping track of the whirling dervish of guesses and speculation at what Machado is going to do in free agency has been dizzying. Even the official MLB Twitter account joined in yesterday, claiming that the White Sox have gone 8 years, $250 million in their offer to Machado, in a since-deleted tweet. With a month to go before spring training begins, the rumblings from baseball's most well-connected insiders have been murky at best. Pick a day and it can seem simultaneously as if he is on the verge of signing and also weeks away, sifting through offers from multiple teams. But one constant has been the link between the White Sox and Machado. Reports on just how many years and how much money they have offered him have varied, but the lowest common denominator has consistently been that they are very much in on the shortstop. They've been rumored to be going seven or eight years and as low as under $200 million and as high as nearly $300 million. Even at the low end, a contract of this size would be a first for the White Sox organization. Their estimated luxury tax payroll commitments for 2019 are a bit over $109 million, according to Rosterresource.com, and the highest paid player this season is Jose Abreu. The first baseman is set to make $16 million in 2019, the last year of his contract, and he was the most recent big contract doled out by the White Sox since Belle over twenty years ago. Given the White Sox history with free agents, signing Machado would be a break from what has been their approach for years. So, again, it's reasonable to wonder how serious they are this time. If the White Sox have offered seven years and something under $200 million for Machado, this would smack of a grandiose but ultimately insincere don't-look-behind-the-curtain attempt to placate fans who have watched favorites like Chris Sale and Jose Quintana shipped off for prospects in the past few years. An offer like that might be just enough for them to say they tried, but it wouldn't be a genuine effort. But taking into account what the White Sox have done otherwise this offseason, their effort to land Machado seems like more than just a meager hand-wave attempt at trying to sign him. Machado was at Guaranteed Rate Field to meet with team executives about a week before Christmas, and as the offseason has progressed, the White Sox have signed Yonder Alonso (Machado's brother-in-law), and Jon Jay (his close friend and winter workout buddy). Jay fits with their current outfield and is a well-liked clubhouse presence, but the Alonso signing makes little sense apart from Machado. With first baseman Jose Abreu in Chicago for at least one more year, Alonso feels superfluous. Unless he's a piece of the Machado puzzle. A move like this isn't without recent precedent. The White Sox's northside counterparts signed David Ross just before adding his buddy Jon Lester in December 2014, and the Cubs did sort of the same thing with catcher Chris Gimenez and Yu Darvish last winter. Joining the White Sox would mean that playoff contention is still realistically at least a year away, but in the meantime, Machado could come to a franchise that has some friendly faces on the roster. It's obvious that Machado would fit in nicely with the White Sox current lineup, where Tim Anderson and Yolmer Sanchez currently occupy the left side of the infield. Anderson is a respectable shortstop and Sanchez a valuable clubhouse leader, but neither would stand in the way of Machado and his 30.2 career fWAR. Adding Machado would be a major step toward making the White Sox legitimate contenders in the American League Central, and maybe even more. Chicago arguably has room to sign both Machado and Bryce Harper to handsome contracts, but it's been the former who has had the strongest link to the team so far. They are likely competing most closely with the Philadelphia Phillies -- who are also strongly linked to Harper -- and at different times the Yankees, Dodgers, and of course the perennial Mystery Team. The White Sox have sold off nearly all of the best parts of the roster over the past few years in exchange for the best prospects of more than a few opposing teams, but that seems to be at an end. If White Sox general manager Rick Hahn does land Machado, this would represent a break from recent tradition and a step toward the future for the franchise, whatever the final contract total turns out to be. Everything that the White Sox have done concretely so far would indicate that they're serious about landing Machado, and that should be refreshing news for fans on Chicago's south side. An inadequate attempt to bring one of the best free agents in years to the team would be an epic disappointment after seemingly otherwise putting all of the right pieces in place to bring Machado to Chicago. The rumor mill points in many directions, but the White Sox don't appear to be bluffing. | The White Sox have been linked to free agent Manny Machado. | bart | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredwyllys/2019/01/15/are-the-white-sox-serious-about-manny-machado/ | 0.178627 |
Are the White Sox Serious About Manny Machado? | It's been a while since the White Sox have been serious players for a high-profile free agent. Not really since signing Albert Belle to a five-year, $55 million deal in November 1996 have they been so prominently a part of the offseason rumor mill. So it is probably fair to question whether or not their run at Manny Machado this offseason is real. Keeping track of the whirling dervish of guesses and speculation at what Machado is going to do in free agency has been dizzying. Even the official MLB Twitter account joined in yesterday, claiming that the White Sox have gone 8 years, $250 million in their offer to Machado, in a since-deleted tweet. With a month to go before spring training begins, the rumblings from baseball's most well-connected insiders have been murky at best. Pick a day and it can seem simultaneously as if he is on the verge of signing and also weeks away, sifting through offers from multiple teams. But one constant has been the link between the White Sox and Machado. Reports on just how many years and how much money they have offered him have varied, but the lowest common denominator has consistently been that they are very much in on the shortstop. They've been rumored to be going seven or eight years and as low as under $200 million and as high as nearly $300 million. Even at the low end, a contract of this size would be a first for the White Sox organization. Their estimated luxury tax payroll commitments for 2019 are a bit over $109 million, according to Rosterresource.com, and the highest paid player this season is Jose Abreu. The first baseman is set to make $16 million in 2019, the last year of his contract, and he was the most recent big contract doled out by the White Sox since Belle over twenty years ago. Given the White Sox history with free agents, signing Machado would be a break from what has been their approach for years. So, again, it's reasonable to wonder how serious they are this time. If the White Sox have offered seven years and something under $200 million for Machado, this would smack of a grandiose but ultimately insincere don't-look-behind-the-curtain attempt to placate fans who have watched favorites like Chris Sale and Jose Quintana shipped off for prospects in the past few years. An offer like that might be just enough for them to say they tried, but it wouldn't be a genuine effort. But taking into account what the White Sox have done otherwise this offseason, their effort to land Machado seems like more than just a meager hand-wave attempt at trying to sign him. Machado was at Guaranteed Rate Field to meet with team executives about a week before Christmas, and as the offseason has progressed, the White Sox have signed Yonder Alonso (Machado's brother-in-law), and Jon Jay (his close friend and winter workout buddy). Jay fits with their current outfield and is a well-liked clubhouse presence, but the Alonso signing makes little sense apart from Machado. With first baseman Jose Abreu in Chicago for at least one more year, Alonso feels superfluous. Unless he's a piece of the Machado puzzle. A move like this isn't without recent precedent. The White Sox's northside counterparts signed David Ross just before adding his buddy Jon Lester in December 2014, and the Cubs did sort of the same thing with catcher Chris Gimenez and Yu Darvish last winter. Joining the White Sox would mean that playoff contention is still realistically at least a year away, but in the meantime, Machado could come to a franchise that has some friendly faces on the roster. It's obvious that Machado would fit in nicely with the White Sox current lineup, where Tim Anderson and Yolmer Sanchez currently occupy the left side of the infield. Anderson is a respectable shortstop and Sanchez a valuable clubhouse leader, but neither would stand in the way of Machado and his 30.2 career fWAR. Adding Machado would be a major step toward making the White Sox legitimate contenders in the American League Central, and maybe even more. Chicago arguably has room to sign both Machado and Bryce Harper to handsome contracts, but it's been the former who has had the strongest link to the team so far. They are likely competing most closely with the Philadelphia Phillies -- who are also strongly linked to Harper -- and at different times the Yankees, Dodgers, and of course the perennial Mystery Team. The White Sox have sold off nearly all of the best parts of the roster over the past few years in exchange for the best prospects of more than a few opposing teams, but that seems to be at an end. If White Sox general manager Rick Hahn does land Machado, this would represent a break from recent tradition and a step toward the future for the franchise, whatever the final contract total turns out to be. Everything that the White Sox have done concretely so far would indicate that they're serious about landing Machado, and that should be refreshing news for fans on Chicago's south side. An inadequate attempt to bring one of the best free agents in years to the team would be an epic disappointment after seemingly otherwise putting all of the right pieces in place to bring Machado to Chicago. The rumor mill points in many directions, but the White Sox don't appear to be bluffing. | The White Sox have been linked to free agent Manny Machado. They have been rumored to be going seven or eight years and as low as under $200 million. | bart | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredwyllys/2019/01/15/are-the-white-sox-serious-about-manny-machado/ | 0.190783 |
Are the White Sox Serious About Manny Machado? | It's been a while since the White Sox have been serious players for a high-profile free agent. Not really since signing Albert Belle to a five-year, $55 million deal in November 1996 have they been so prominently a part of the offseason rumor mill. So it is probably fair to question whether or not their run at Manny Machado this offseason is real. Keeping track of the whirling dervish of guesses and speculation at what Machado is going to do in free agency has been dizzying. Even the official MLB Twitter account joined in yesterday, claiming that the White Sox have gone 8 years, $250 million in their offer to Machado, in a since-deleted tweet. With a month to go before spring training begins, the rumblings from baseball's most well-connected insiders have been murky at best. Pick a day and it can seem simultaneously as if he is on the verge of signing and also weeks away, sifting through offers from multiple teams. But one constant has been the link between the White Sox and Machado. Reports on just how many years and how much money they have offered him have varied, but the lowest common denominator has consistently been that they are very much in on the shortstop. They've been rumored to be going seven or eight years and as low as under $200 million and as high as nearly $300 million. Even at the low end, a contract of this size would be a first for the White Sox organization. Their estimated luxury tax payroll commitments for 2019 are a bit over $109 million, according to Rosterresource.com, and the highest paid player this season is Jose Abreu. The first baseman is set to make $16 million in 2019, the last year of his contract, and he was the most recent big contract doled out by the White Sox since Belle over twenty years ago. Given the White Sox history with free agents, signing Machado would be a break from what has been their approach for years. So, again, it's reasonable to wonder how serious they are this time. If the White Sox have offered seven years and something under $200 million for Machado, this would smack of a grandiose but ultimately insincere don't-look-behind-the-curtain attempt to placate fans who have watched favorites like Chris Sale and Jose Quintana shipped off for prospects in the past few years. An offer like that might be just enough for them to say they tried, but it wouldn't be a genuine effort. But taking into account what the White Sox have done otherwise this offseason, their effort to land Machado seems like more than just a meager hand-wave attempt at trying to sign him. Machado was at Guaranteed Rate Field to meet with team executives about a week before Christmas, and as the offseason has progressed, the White Sox have signed Yonder Alonso (Machado's brother-in-law), and Jon Jay (his close friend and winter workout buddy). Jay fits with their current outfield and is a well-liked clubhouse presence, but the Alonso signing makes little sense apart from Machado. With first baseman Jose Abreu in Chicago for at least one more year, Alonso feels superfluous. Unless he's a piece of the Machado puzzle. A move like this isn't without recent precedent. The White Sox's northside counterparts signed David Ross just before adding his buddy Jon Lester in December 2014, and the Cubs did sort of the same thing with catcher Chris Gimenez and Yu Darvish last winter. Joining the White Sox would mean that playoff contention is still realistically at least a year away, but in the meantime, Machado could come to a franchise that has some friendly faces on the roster. It's obvious that Machado would fit in nicely with the White Sox current lineup, where Tim Anderson and Yolmer Sanchez currently occupy the left side of the infield. Anderson is a respectable shortstop and Sanchez a valuable clubhouse leader, but neither would stand in the way of Machado and his 30.2 career fWAR. Adding Machado would be a major step toward making the White Sox legitimate contenders in the American League Central, and maybe even more. Chicago arguably has room to sign both Machado and Bryce Harper to handsome contracts, but it's been the former who has had the strongest link to the team so far. They are likely competing most closely with the Philadelphia Phillies -- who are also strongly linked to Harper -- and at different times the Yankees, Dodgers, and of course the perennial Mystery Team. The White Sox have sold off nearly all of the best parts of the roster over the past few years in exchange for the best prospects of more than a few opposing teams, but that seems to be at an end. If White Sox general manager Rick Hahn does land Machado, this would represent a break from recent tradition and a step toward the future for the franchise, whatever the final contract total turns out to be. Everything that the White Sox have done concretely so far would indicate that they're serious about landing Machado, and that should be refreshing news for fans on Chicago's south side. An inadequate attempt to bring one of the best free agents in years to the team would be an epic disappointment after seemingly otherwise putting all of the right pieces in place to bring Machado to Chicago. The rumor mill points in many directions, but the White Sox don't appear to be bluffing. | The White Sox have been linked to free agent Manny Machado. They have been rumored to be going as low as under $200 million and as high as nearly $300 million. Even at the low end, a contract of this size would be a first for the White Sox organization. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredwyllys/2019/01/15/are-the-white-sox-serious-about-manny-machado/ | 0.204436 |
Will the Government Shutdown Delay My Social Security Benefits? | Retirees who depend on their monthly Social Security checks to make ends meet can breathe a sigh of relief: Benefits won't be affected by the partial government shutdown. The Social Security Administration is already funded through September 2019, so services remain in effect and benefits checks will continue to arrive on time, according to the Social Security administration. Good thing, too, considering those Social Security checks are bigger in 2019 thanks to a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment. It's the largest COLA increase since 2012, when benefits rose 3.6%. In the two years prior to 2012, there were no COLA increases at all due to the impact of the Great Recession. Social Security branch offices are operating at normal hours during the government shutdown; typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. But even without the impact of the shutdown, those offices can get crowded. You can avoid the wait by applying for benefits online. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount to set up an online account. You'll need to enter some personal details, answer questions to confirm your identity, and choose a unique username and a complex password. It's a good idea to set up an online account with Social Security even if you're not yet eligible for benefits. Once you've done so, identity thieves will be unable to create a fraudulent account in your name and use it to apply for benefits. In addition, you can check your earnings history against your W-2 forms or tax returns to make sure there are no gaps in your earnings record that could reduce your Social Security benefits. You can also look up estimated retirement, disability and survivor benefits and, in certain cases, request a replacement Social Security card. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly check will be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age. (Use our simple Social Security calculator to determine your full retirement age.) In 2019, the estimated average monthly Social Security benefit is now $1,461, up from $1,422 in 2018. The average monthly benefit for a couple who are both receiving benefits is $2,448, up from $2,381. And the maximum Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age is $2,861, up from $2,788 in 2018. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | Social Security benefits won't be affected by the partial government shutdown. The Social Security Administration is already funded through September 2019. | bart | 0 | https://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-delay-social-security-163213095.html | 0.491752 |
Will the Government Shutdown Delay My Social Security Benefits? | Retirees who depend on their monthly Social Security checks to make ends meet can breathe a sigh of relief: Benefits won't be affected by the partial government shutdown. The Social Security Administration is already funded through September 2019, so services remain in effect and benefits checks will continue to arrive on time, according to the Social Security administration. Good thing, too, considering those Social Security checks are bigger in 2019 thanks to a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment. It's the largest COLA increase since 2012, when benefits rose 3.6%. In the two years prior to 2012, there were no COLA increases at all due to the impact of the Great Recession. Social Security branch offices are operating at normal hours during the government shutdown; typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. But even without the impact of the shutdown, those offices can get crowded. You can avoid the wait by applying for benefits online. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount to set up an online account. You'll need to enter some personal details, answer questions to confirm your identity, and choose a unique username and a complex password. It's a good idea to set up an online account with Social Security even if you're not yet eligible for benefits. Once you've done so, identity thieves will be unable to create a fraudulent account in your name and use it to apply for benefits. In addition, you can check your earnings history against your W-2 forms or tax returns to make sure there are no gaps in your earnings record that could reduce your Social Security benefits. You can also look up estimated retirement, disability and survivor benefits and, in certain cases, request a replacement Social Security card. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly check will be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age. (Use our simple Social Security calculator to determine your full retirement age.) In 2019, the estimated average monthly Social Security benefit is now $1,461, up from $1,422 in 2018. The average monthly benefit for a couple who are both receiving benefits is $2,448, up from $2,381. And the maximum Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age is $2,861, up from $2,788 in 2018. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | Social Security benefits won't be affected by the partial government shutdown. The Social Security Administration is already funded through September 2019. The estimated average monthly Social Security benefit is now $1,461, up from $1,422 in 2018. | pegasus | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-delay-social-security-163213095.html | 0.516557 |
Will the Government Shutdown Delay My Social Security Benefits? | Retirees who depend on their monthly Social Security checks to make ends meet can breathe a sigh of relief: Benefits won't be affected by the partial government shutdown. The Social Security Administration is already funded through September 2019, so services remain in effect and benefits checks will continue to arrive on time, according to the Social Security administration. Good thing, too, considering those Social Security checks are bigger in 2019 thanks to a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment. It's the largest COLA increase since 2012, when benefits rose 3.6%. In the two years prior to 2012, there were no COLA increases at all due to the impact of the Great Recession. Social Security branch offices are operating at normal hours during the government shutdown; typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. But even without the impact of the shutdown, those offices can get crowded. You can avoid the wait by applying for benefits online. Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount to set up an online account. You'll need to enter some personal details, answer questions to confirm your identity, and choose a unique username and a complex password. It's a good idea to set up an online account with Social Security even if you're not yet eligible for benefits. Once you've done so, identity thieves will be unable to create a fraudulent account in your name and use it to apply for benefits. In addition, you can check your earnings history against your W-2 forms or tax returns to make sure there are no gaps in your earnings record that could reduce your Social Security benefits. You can also look up estimated retirement, disability and survivor benefits and, in certain cases, request a replacement Social Security card. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly check will be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age. (Use our simple Social Security calculator to determine your full retirement age.) In 2019, the estimated average monthly Social Security benefit is now $1,461, up from $1,422 in 2018. The average monthly benefit for a couple who are both receiving benefits is $2,448, up from $2,381. And the maximum Social Security benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age is $2,861, up from $2,788 in 2018. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | The Social Security Administration is already funded through September 2019. Social Security branch offices are operating at normal hours during the government shutdown. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly check will be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age. | bart | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-delay-social-security-163213095.html | 0.128082 |
What could happen next to Rep. Steve King? | As Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King faces fierce backlash for questioning why white supremacy is considered offensive, for now hes showing no signs of stepping down amid mounting pressure to resign. In an interview with the New York Times published Thursday, King asked, White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization -- how did that language become offensive? Those comments set off a series of rebukes from both sides of the aisle and ultimately resulted in the eight-term congressman being stripped of his committee assignments by GOP leadership Monday. Susan Walsh/AP Steves remarks are beneath the dignity of the Party of Lincoln and the United States of America, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said in a statement, adding, His comments call into question whether he will treat all Americans equally, without regard for race and ethnicity. Meanwhile, Democrats have scheduled a House vote on a resolution Tuesday that disapproves of Kings statements. The resolution was introduced by House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American member of Congress, and two other Democrats, Rep. Bobby Rush and Rep. Tim Ryan, have also introduced censure resolutions, which serve as more forceful reprimands. The harshest form of punishment King could face is expulsion from the House, but the bar for that is high. There have only been five members expelled from the House in history. All of those members were charged with crimes -- the first three were expelled for joining the Confederacy. The most recent example of a member facing expulsion was in 2002 when Ohio Democrat-turned-Independent Rep. James Traficant was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, filing false tax returns, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. Prior to that, Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Michael Myers was ousted in 1980 after he was convicted of bribery. Tom Williams/Getty Images In Kings case, the terms of how the rules of expulsion would apply are murky. The Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote to expel a member, but according to the Congressional Research Service, there are no specific grounds for an expulsion expressed in the Constitution, expulsion actions in both the House and the Senate have generally concerned cases of perceived disloyalty to the United States, or the conviction of a criminal statutory offense which involved abuse of ones official position. Meanwhile, Kings loss of committee assignments on the Judiciary and Agriculture Committees already renders him virtually powerless in terms of legislating, which would be problematic if he chooses to pursue a 2020 reelection bid. King is now one of three GOP House members with no committee assignments the others include Rep. Chris Collins and Rep. Duncan Hunter, both of whom are, respectively, under indictment for insider trading and misusing campaign funds. | Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King has been stripped of his committee assignments. The harshest punishment King could face is expulsion from the House. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/happen-rep-steve-king/story?id=60391518 | 0.387026 |
What could happen next to Rep. Steve King? | As Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King faces fierce backlash for questioning why white supremacy is considered offensive, for now hes showing no signs of stepping down amid mounting pressure to resign. In an interview with the New York Times published Thursday, King asked, White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization -- how did that language become offensive? Those comments set off a series of rebukes from both sides of the aisle and ultimately resulted in the eight-term congressman being stripped of his committee assignments by GOP leadership Monday. Susan Walsh/AP Steves remarks are beneath the dignity of the Party of Lincoln and the United States of America, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said in a statement, adding, His comments call into question whether he will treat all Americans equally, without regard for race and ethnicity. Meanwhile, Democrats have scheduled a House vote on a resolution Tuesday that disapproves of Kings statements. The resolution was introduced by House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American member of Congress, and two other Democrats, Rep. Bobby Rush and Rep. Tim Ryan, have also introduced censure resolutions, which serve as more forceful reprimands. The harshest form of punishment King could face is expulsion from the House, but the bar for that is high. There have only been five members expelled from the House in history. All of those members were charged with crimes -- the first three were expelled for joining the Confederacy. The most recent example of a member facing expulsion was in 2002 when Ohio Democrat-turned-Independent Rep. James Traficant was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, filing false tax returns, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. Prior to that, Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Michael Myers was ousted in 1980 after he was convicted of bribery. Tom Williams/Getty Images In Kings case, the terms of how the rules of expulsion would apply are murky. The Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote to expel a member, but according to the Congressional Research Service, there are no specific grounds for an expulsion expressed in the Constitution, expulsion actions in both the House and the Senate have generally concerned cases of perceived disloyalty to the United States, or the conviction of a criminal statutory offense which involved abuse of ones official position. Meanwhile, Kings loss of committee assignments on the Judiciary and Agriculture Committees already renders him virtually powerless in terms of legislating, which would be problematic if he chooses to pursue a 2020 reelection bid. King is now one of three GOP House members with no committee assignments the others include Rep. Chris Collins and Rep. Duncan Hunter, both of whom are, respectively, under indictment for insider trading and misusing campaign funds. | Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King has been stripped of his committee assignments. Democrats have scheduled a House vote on a resolution disapproving of Kings statements. The harshest form of punishment King could face is expulsion from the House. | bart | 1 | https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/happen-rep-steve-king/story?id=60391518 | 0.452644 |
What could happen next to Rep. Steve King? | As Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King faces fierce backlash for questioning why white supremacy is considered offensive, for now hes showing no signs of stepping down amid mounting pressure to resign. In an interview with the New York Times published Thursday, King asked, White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization -- how did that language become offensive? Those comments set off a series of rebukes from both sides of the aisle and ultimately resulted in the eight-term congressman being stripped of his committee assignments by GOP leadership Monday. Susan Walsh/AP Steves remarks are beneath the dignity of the Party of Lincoln and the United States of America, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said in a statement, adding, His comments call into question whether he will treat all Americans equally, without regard for race and ethnicity. Meanwhile, Democrats have scheduled a House vote on a resolution Tuesday that disapproves of Kings statements. The resolution was introduced by House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American member of Congress, and two other Democrats, Rep. Bobby Rush and Rep. Tim Ryan, have also introduced censure resolutions, which serve as more forceful reprimands. The harshest form of punishment King could face is expulsion from the House, but the bar for that is high. There have only been five members expelled from the House in history. All of those members were charged with crimes -- the first three were expelled for joining the Confederacy. The most recent example of a member facing expulsion was in 2002 when Ohio Democrat-turned-Independent Rep. James Traficant was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, filing false tax returns, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. Prior to that, Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Michael Myers was ousted in 1980 after he was convicted of bribery. Tom Williams/Getty Images In Kings case, the terms of how the rules of expulsion would apply are murky. The Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote to expel a member, but according to the Congressional Research Service, there are no specific grounds for an expulsion expressed in the Constitution, expulsion actions in both the House and the Senate have generally concerned cases of perceived disloyalty to the United States, or the conviction of a criminal statutory offense which involved abuse of ones official position. Meanwhile, Kings loss of committee assignments on the Judiciary and Agriculture Committees already renders him virtually powerless in terms of legislating, which would be problematic if he chooses to pursue a 2020 reelection bid. King is now one of three GOP House members with no committee assignments the others include Rep. Chris Collins and Rep. Duncan Hunter, both of whom are, respectively, under indictment for insider trading and misusing campaign funds. | Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King has been stripped of his committee assignments. Democrats have scheduled a House vote on a resolution disapproving of Kings statements. The harshest form of punishment King could face is expulsion from the House, but the bar for that is high. | bart | 2 | https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/happen-rep-steve-king/story?id=60391518 | 0.43015 |
How will Ohios 3 new medical marijuana dispensaries manage high demand? | COLUMBUS, Ohio At least two of Ohios first medical marijuana dispensaries are going to limit how much patients can buy to ensure everyone will have product in the first days of sales. Lines are expected to be long at the three dispensaries scheduled to open at 9 a.m. Wednesday -- one in Sandusky and two in Wintersville, near Steubenville. Patients have been waiting 33 months since the Ohio General Assembly passed the law legalizing medical marijuana. The law required the medical marijuana program to be fully operational Sept. 8. But that day passed without product on shelves, due to litigation, and issues the state had reviewing applications of medical marijuana businesses. First three Ohio medical marijuana dispensaries open at 9 a.m. Wednesday Our goal is to accommodate all the patients and make sure they can get their medicine -- thats what theyve been waiting for, said Jason Erkes, a spokesman for the CY+ Dispensary in Wintersville, owned by Cresco Labs, a cannabis company that operates in several states. CY+ is going to limit sales to 2 ounces per person in the first week, Erkes said. CY+ will have product from cultivators coming in all week to replenish supply that is sold. The dispensary will have close to 30 strains from three growers, he said. On Wednesday, CY+ employees will give patients a number so they dont have to stand in line, Erkes said. We have a hospitality tent set up so people can have hot chocolate and coffee and tables and chairs where they can fill out paperwork, he said. The first marijuana for sale will be in flower form since Ohio hasnt given certificates of operation to processors who use THC from marijuana plants in edibles, oils, lotions and other products. Ohio law prohibits people from smoking marijuana, but they can vape the plant form. Inside the Forest Sandusky, an Ohio medical marijuana dispensary in Sandusky. The Forest Sandusky is one of the first dispensaries expected to open. In Sandusky, patients at The Forest Sandusky will be limited to 1 ounce, said CEO Erik Vaughn. Our consultants and advisers that are an important part of our team have been through these launches in a dozen other states, Vaughn said. We are prepared for whats going to be a lot of interest in this historic moment. We expect to have adequate supply. The Forest Sandusky is expecting patients to purchase anywhere from about $60 to several hundreds of dollars in the first day. The company will charge about $50, plus tax, for a daily unit -- which is a 10th of an ounce of bud, Vaughn said. Military veterans will get a 20 percent discount, he said. Each store is only accepting payment in cash. Patients must have one of 21 qualifying conditions, a recommendation from a physician who is certified in the medical marijuana program and be registered with the state to buy medical marijuana. Also opening Wednesday is Ohio Valley Natural Relief, also in Wintersville. Its unknown whether there will be sale limits. A message left at the dispensary was not immediately returned. | Ohio's first three medical marijuana dispensaries open at 9 a.m. Wednesday. At least two of the dispensaries are going to limit how much patients can buy. Ohio law legalizing medical marijuana was passed 33 months ago. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.cleveland.com/open/2019/01/how-will-ohios-3-new-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-manage-high-demand.html | 0.211173 |
How will Ohios 3 new medical marijuana dispensaries manage high demand? | COLUMBUS, Ohio At least two of Ohios first medical marijuana dispensaries are going to limit how much patients can buy to ensure everyone will have product in the first days of sales. Lines are expected to be long at the three dispensaries scheduled to open at 9 a.m. Wednesday -- one in Sandusky and two in Wintersville, near Steubenville. Patients have been waiting 33 months since the Ohio General Assembly passed the law legalizing medical marijuana. The law required the medical marijuana program to be fully operational Sept. 8. But that day passed without product on shelves, due to litigation, and issues the state had reviewing applications of medical marijuana businesses. First three Ohio medical marijuana dispensaries open at 9 a.m. Wednesday Our goal is to accommodate all the patients and make sure they can get their medicine -- thats what theyve been waiting for, said Jason Erkes, a spokesman for the CY+ Dispensary in Wintersville, owned by Cresco Labs, a cannabis company that operates in several states. CY+ is going to limit sales to 2 ounces per person in the first week, Erkes said. CY+ will have product from cultivators coming in all week to replenish supply that is sold. The dispensary will have close to 30 strains from three growers, he said. On Wednesday, CY+ employees will give patients a number so they dont have to stand in line, Erkes said. We have a hospitality tent set up so people can have hot chocolate and coffee and tables and chairs where they can fill out paperwork, he said. The first marijuana for sale will be in flower form since Ohio hasnt given certificates of operation to processors who use THC from marijuana plants in edibles, oils, lotions and other products. Ohio law prohibits people from smoking marijuana, but they can vape the plant form. Inside the Forest Sandusky, an Ohio medical marijuana dispensary in Sandusky. The Forest Sandusky is one of the first dispensaries expected to open. In Sandusky, patients at The Forest Sandusky will be limited to 1 ounce, said CEO Erik Vaughn. Our consultants and advisers that are an important part of our team have been through these launches in a dozen other states, Vaughn said. We are prepared for whats going to be a lot of interest in this historic moment. We expect to have adequate supply. The Forest Sandusky is expecting patients to purchase anywhere from about $60 to several hundreds of dollars in the first day. The company will charge about $50, plus tax, for a daily unit -- which is a 10th of an ounce of bud, Vaughn said. Military veterans will get a 20 percent discount, he said. Each store is only accepting payment in cash. Patients must have one of 21 qualifying conditions, a recommendation from a physician who is certified in the medical marijuana program and be registered with the state to buy medical marijuana. Also opening Wednesday is Ohio Valley Natural Relief, also in Wintersville. Its unknown whether there will be sale limits. A message left at the dispensary was not immediately returned. | Ohio's first three medical marijuana dispensaries open at 9 a.m. Wednesday. At least two of the dispensaries are going to limit how much patients can buy. Patients can smoke marijuana, but they can also use it in edibles, oils, lotions and other products. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.cleveland.com/open/2019/01/how-will-ohios-3-new-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-manage-high-demand.html | 0.287054 |
What Is A Home Equity Line Of Credit And How Does It Work? | If you own a home, you've probably heard of a home equity line of credit before. However, these products can often be the something of a mystery, especially to those newer to homeownership. With that in mind, I've decided to put an end to the confusion once and for all. Below is your guide to home equity loans. It will cover what a home equity line of credit is, how it works, and how to qualify for one of your own. A home equity line of credit, commonly abbreviated as a HELOC, is essentially a second mortgage that functions similarly to a credit card. It's a line of credit that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home, as needed. Typically, this type of credit is used to cover big expenses such as medical debt, home renovations, or financing a child's education. Since HELOCs are secured by your home, meaning that the lender can foreclose on you if you decide not to pay back the loan, they often come with better interest rates than most traditional credit cards. However, their interest rates are adjustable, so you'll want to be sure to pay close attention to how much interest you could be paying over the life of the loan. HELOCs handle repayment a little differently than traditional credit cards. Instead of paying off as much of the balance as possible each month, this type of credit comes with two separate payment periods, each with their own set of rules. The first period is known as the "draw period." During this time, you're allowed to draw on the line of credit whenever you want. You also will likely only have to make payments on the interest accrued by the amount that you borrowed. After the draw period is over, you enter what's known as the "repayment period." Now, your monthly payment will likely go up substantially because you'll be responsible for repaying both the principal and the interest on whatever money you borrowed during the draw period. You'll continue making these payments over the remaining life of the loan. Qualifying for a HELOC For the most part, qualifying for a home equity line of credit is a lot like qualifying for a mortgage. Your lender will want to see proof of income through tax documents and pay stubs, your credit history, and any records of your debts and assets. However, there's one other piece that your lender will look at, as well: the amount of equity you have in your home. (Remember, equity is the percentage of your home that you own outright.) In this case, the amount of equity that you've built up by paying down your mortgage will play a key role in determining how much money you'll be allowed to borrow. Most lenders will only let you borrow against up to 85% of the equity you have in your home. Finding your maximum credit limit works like this: It's the amount your home is worth x the percentage of home equity you're allowed to borrow - how much you owe on your home For example: Let's say your home is worth $300,000 (according to a recent appraisal) and you're allowed to borrow up to 85% of your home equity, but you still have a $100,000 balance on your mortgage. $300,000 x 0.85 = 255,000 $255,000 - $100,000 = $155,000 In this case, you'd be approved for a $155,000 line of credit The difference between a home equity line of credit and a home equity loan Home equity lines of credit and home equity loans are similar in that they are both second mortgages on your home, but they function in different ways. Unlike the continuous line of credit that comes with a HELOC, home equity loans work in much the same way as your first mortgage. To start, the funds from a home equity loan are disbursed in one lump sum. Additionally, these loans often come with fixed interest rates and fixed monthly payments. If you're not sure which of the two is right for you, talk to your current loan officer and/or a financial advisor. They can help you take a more in-depth look at your options in order to decide which one will serve you the best. | A home equity line of credit is a second mortgage that functions similarly to a credit card. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/taramastroeni/2019/01/15/what-is-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-heloc-how-does-it-work/ | 0.424067 |
What Is A Home Equity Line Of Credit And How Does It Work? | If you own a home, you've probably heard of a home equity line of credit before. However, these products can often be the something of a mystery, especially to those newer to homeownership. With that in mind, I've decided to put an end to the confusion once and for all. Below is your guide to home equity loans. It will cover what a home equity line of credit is, how it works, and how to qualify for one of your own. A home equity line of credit, commonly abbreviated as a HELOC, is essentially a second mortgage that functions similarly to a credit card. It's a line of credit that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home, as needed. Typically, this type of credit is used to cover big expenses such as medical debt, home renovations, or financing a child's education. Since HELOCs are secured by your home, meaning that the lender can foreclose on you if you decide not to pay back the loan, they often come with better interest rates than most traditional credit cards. However, their interest rates are adjustable, so you'll want to be sure to pay close attention to how much interest you could be paying over the life of the loan. HELOCs handle repayment a little differently than traditional credit cards. Instead of paying off as much of the balance as possible each month, this type of credit comes with two separate payment periods, each with their own set of rules. The first period is known as the "draw period." During this time, you're allowed to draw on the line of credit whenever you want. You also will likely only have to make payments on the interest accrued by the amount that you borrowed. After the draw period is over, you enter what's known as the "repayment period." Now, your monthly payment will likely go up substantially because you'll be responsible for repaying both the principal and the interest on whatever money you borrowed during the draw period. You'll continue making these payments over the remaining life of the loan. Qualifying for a HELOC For the most part, qualifying for a home equity line of credit is a lot like qualifying for a mortgage. Your lender will want to see proof of income through tax documents and pay stubs, your credit history, and any records of your debts and assets. However, there's one other piece that your lender will look at, as well: the amount of equity you have in your home. (Remember, equity is the percentage of your home that you own outright.) In this case, the amount of equity that you've built up by paying down your mortgage will play a key role in determining how much money you'll be allowed to borrow. Most lenders will only let you borrow against up to 85% of the equity you have in your home. Finding your maximum credit limit works like this: It's the amount your home is worth x the percentage of home equity you're allowed to borrow - how much you owe on your home For example: Let's say your home is worth $300,000 (according to a recent appraisal) and you're allowed to borrow up to 85% of your home equity, but you still have a $100,000 balance on your mortgage. $300,000 x 0.85 = 255,000 $255,000 - $100,000 = $155,000 In this case, you'd be approved for a $155,000 line of credit The difference between a home equity line of credit and a home equity loan Home equity lines of credit and home equity loans are similar in that they are both second mortgages on your home, but they function in different ways. Unlike the continuous line of credit that comes with a HELOC, home equity loans work in much the same way as your first mortgage. To start, the funds from a home equity loan are disbursed in one lump sum. Additionally, these loans often come with fixed interest rates and fixed monthly payments. If you're not sure which of the two is right for you, talk to your current loan officer and/or a financial advisor. They can help you take a more in-depth look at your options in order to decide which one will serve you the best. | A home equity line of credit is essentially a second mortgage that functions similarly to a credit card. It's a line of credit that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home, as needed. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/taramastroeni/2019/01/15/what-is-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-heloc-how-does-it-work/ | 0.435959 |
What Is A Home Equity Line Of Credit And How Does It Work? | If you own a home, you've probably heard of a home equity line of credit before. However, these products can often be the something of a mystery, especially to those newer to homeownership. With that in mind, I've decided to put an end to the confusion once and for all. Below is your guide to home equity loans. It will cover what a home equity line of credit is, how it works, and how to qualify for one of your own. A home equity line of credit, commonly abbreviated as a HELOC, is essentially a second mortgage that functions similarly to a credit card. It's a line of credit that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home, as needed. Typically, this type of credit is used to cover big expenses such as medical debt, home renovations, or financing a child's education. Since HELOCs are secured by your home, meaning that the lender can foreclose on you if you decide not to pay back the loan, they often come with better interest rates than most traditional credit cards. However, their interest rates are adjustable, so you'll want to be sure to pay close attention to how much interest you could be paying over the life of the loan. HELOCs handle repayment a little differently than traditional credit cards. Instead of paying off as much of the balance as possible each month, this type of credit comes with two separate payment periods, each with their own set of rules. The first period is known as the "draw period." During this time, you're allowed to draw on the line of credit whenever you want. You also will likely only have to make payments on the interest accrued by the amount that you borrowed. After the draw period is over, you enter what's known as the "repayment period." Now, your monthly payment will likely go up substantially because you'll be responsible for repaying both the principal and the interest on whatever money you borrowed during the draw period. You'll continue making these payments over the remaining life of the loan. Qualifying for a HELOC For the most part, qualifying for a home equity line of credit is a lot like qualifying for a mortgage. Your lender will want to see proof of income through tax documents and pay stubs, your credit history, and any records of your debts and assets. However, there's one other piece that your lender will look at, as well: the amount of equity you have in your home. (Remember, equity is the percentage of your home that you own outright.) In this case, the amount of equity that you've built up by paying down your mortgage will play a key role in determining how much money you'll be allowed to borrow. Most lenders will only let you borrow against up to 85% of the equity you have in your home. Finding your maximum credit limit works like this: It's the amount your home is worth x the percentage of home equity you're allowed to borrow - how much you owe on your home For example: Let's say your home is worth $300,000 (according to a recent appraisal) and you're allowed to borrow up to 85% of your home equity, but you still have a $100,000 balance on your mortgage. $300,000 x 0.85 = 255,000 $255,000 - $100,000 = $155,000 In this case, you'd be approved for a $155,000 line of credit The difference between a home equity line of credit and a home equity loan Home equity lines of credit and home equity loans are similar in that they are both second mortgages on your home, but they function in different ways. Unlike the continuous line of credit that comes with a HELOC, home equity loans work in much the same way as your first mortgage. To start, the funds from a home equity loan are disbursed in one lump sum. Additionally, these loans often come with fixed interest rates and fixed monthly payments. If you're not sure which of the two is right for you, talk to your current loan officer and/or a financial advisor. They can help you take a more in-depth look at your options in order to decide which one will serve you the best. | A home equity line of credit is essentially a second mortgage that functions similarly to a credit card. It allows you to borrow against the equity in your home, as needed. Most lenders will only let you borrow against up to 85% of your home equity. Qualifying for a HELOC is a lot like qualifying for a mortgage. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/taramastroeni/2019/01/15/what-is-a-home-equity-line-of-credit-heloc-how-does-it-work/ | 0.542795 |
How Serious Is Borderline Personality Disorder? | originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Elinor Greenberg, PhD Psychologist, on Quora: Borderline Personality Disorder exists in that middle zone between the neurotic disorders that occur after the basic personality is formed (age 5 and over) and the psychotic disorders that are thought to have a biological basis. Psychotic Disorders I consider the psychotic disorders to be the most serious and debilitating. These include Schizophrenia, Schizo-Affective Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. (This is not a complete list). During a psychotic episode, people lose touch with reality, may have hallucinations and/or delusions, and are likely to experience other people and events in a highly distorted way. They often cannot think clearly. The choices that people make during a psychotic episode can be destructive to their life goals and very disruptive to the lives of the people who care about them. We have medications that can help with the symptoms, but they are chronic illnesses for which at present we have no cure. Psychotherapy aimed at people with psychotic disorders generally focuses on getting clients to pay attention to their stress levels to head off a psychotic episode or minimize a recurrence, educating the patient and the family about the nature of the disorder, and evaluating the effects of the medication. Neurotic Disorders The term neurotic is not actually used very often these days. It had been used to describe conflicts that arose during what Freud called the Oedipal Period of child development at about age 5. The personality is basically already formed by then. The later problems are add-ons to the existing personality, so they are fairly easy to treat by most therapists, unless they involve severe trauma. Their main symptoms are anxiety, depression, and various types of inhibitions. Personality Disorders This is the middle zone of seriousness. Personality Disorders, such as Borderline PD, Narcissistic PD, and Schizoid PD start before the age of four when the personality is still being formed. They are believed to result from the interaction of children (each with his or her own inborn temperament) with their caregivers. Personality disorders can be viewed as an adaptive attempt by a particular child to maximize the amount of love, attention, and support that he or she can get from parents or other primary caregivers. Unlike the psychotic disorders, Personality Disorders are treatable by appropriate psychotherapybut they are more complex and harder to treat than the neuroses. The Role of Object Relations: From an object relations theoretical point of view, in order to be diagnosed with a personality disorder, you need to lack whole object relations and object constancy. This essentially means that the person cannot form and maintain a stable, integrated, and realistic view of him/herself and other people. Instead they only can switch back and forth between two equally unrealistic points of viewsomeone is either all-bad or all-good. During a fight, they will not be able to maintain their positive feelings for someone they love when they feel hurt, disappointed, frustrated, or angry with them. They can go from the extremes of love to hatred, and back again. Obviously this makes their sense of identity and their relationships with other people inherently unstable and easily disrupted. Borderline Personality Disorder BPD fits into the personality disorder category. How serious it is depends on the persons level of functioning. Basically, most people with BPD have similar issues. Here are a few of the most common issues associated with BPD. Love An obsessive preoccupation with love and reparenting (under the guise of an adult romantic relationship) as the solution to all their problems. An obsessive preoccupation with love and reparenting (under the guise of an adult romantic relationship) as the solution to all their problems. Fear of Abandonment A very strong, often unwarrented concern, that someone they value will abandon them. A very strong, often unwarrented concern, that someone they value will abandon them. Fear of Engulfment Many people with BPD were used as an emotional caretaker for one of their parents. As adults, they fear that instead of their partner meeting their emotional needs, they will become engulfed by their partners emotional needs. Many people with BPD were used as an emotional caretaker for one of their parents. As adults, they fear that instead of their partner meeting their emotional needs, they will become engulfed by their partners emotional needs. Feel More Childlike, than Adult Many clients with BPD report that even when they are competently dealing with adult responsibilities, they feel as if they are really still children or teens. They wish that some real adult will come along and take care of them. Many clients with BPD report that even when they are competently dealing with adult responsibilities, they feel as if they are really still children or teens. They wish that some real adult will come along and take care of them. Emotional DisregulationThey have stronger emotional reactions to most situations and often find their negative emotions very hard to tolerate. Level of Functioning: How serious their disorder is and how much it interferes with their daily life and the lives of their loved ones depends on their level of functioning. Generally, only the lowest functioning clients who qualify for a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder ever get the diagnosis. Brief History of the Borderline Diagnosis The very low functioning group of people who tend to act impulsively, spray everyone else with their problems, become suicidal or briefly psychotic is the group that was first called Borderline. They were considered untreatable by psychoanalysis. In the earliest use of the term Borderline, it was not yet differentiated into the separate personality disorders that we recognize today. It was a catchall term to describe the varied group of people who were thought to inhabit the border between neurosis and psychosis. As time went on, different theorists separated this rather large group of people into separate subgroups depending on their pattern of symptoms and behaviors. There are different schools of thought about how many subgroups there are, whether these subgroups are variations of one thing or entirely different disorders, and so on. I subscribe to James F. Mastersons system of classification that divides most of the various permutations of personality disorders that are listed in the DSM5 into only three main groups, and includes some of the others as subsets of these main three: Borderline Narcissistic Schizoid As you can see, the meaning of the term Borderline has shifted from being the name for every disorder between psychotic and neurotic to only one specific type of this larger group. The Good News: Borderline Personality Disorder is very treatable. We now have a variety of therapies designed to help people with these issues. In addition, studies show that for most people, a great deal of the emotional turmoil decreases with age. Often, the moderate to high functioning Borderline clients who I see in private practice are handling their lives well enough that only their close friends, spouses, and relatives are likely to recognize that they have problems that qualify for this diagnosis. The General Rule: The higher the persons functioning level, the easier they are to help in psychotherapy. Borderline Personality Disorder becomes very serious at the lowest level of functioning. This is the group that finds it hard to form stable relationships, show up for work everyday, come to therapy regularly, and manage their adult responsibilities. They have trouble maintaining themselves between psychotherapy sessions and often feel quite desperate. Members of the low functioning group of people with BPD are more likely to threaten to commit suicide, cut themselves, develop severe eating disorders, and abuse alcohol and drugs. They have a much higher rate of suicide than higher functioning people with BPD. Some may decompensate and briefly become psychotic and may need to be hospitalized for a few days. However, unlike the clients with psychotic illnesses, they usually reconstitute and stop having psychotic symptoms fairly quickly. Punchline: Having Borderline Personality Disorder is serious enough to cause you a great deal of emotional pain and may interfere with your ability to stay motivated to achieve your goals. But, the higher functioning you are, the easier life will be for you. No matter what your level of functioning, there are now a variety of effective therapies available to help you heal. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions: | Elinor Greenberg, PhD Psychologist, answers questions on how serious Borderline Personality Disorder is and how to treat it. She says BPD fits into the middle zone of seriousness, between neurotic disorders and personality disorders. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/15/how-serious-is-borderline-personality-disorder/ | 0.136776 |
How Serious Is Borderline Personality Disorder? | originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Elinor Greenberg, PhD Psychologist, on Quora: Borderline Personality Disorder exists in that middle zone between the neurotic disorders that occur after the basic personality is formed (age 5 and over) and the psychotic disorders that are thought to have a biological basis. Psychotic Disorders I consider the psychotic disorders to be the most serious and debilitating. These include Schizophrenia, Schizo-Affective Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. (This is not a complete list). During a psychotic episode, people lose touch with reality, may have hallucinations and/or delusions, and are likely to experience other people and events in a highly distorted way. They often cannot think clearly. The choices that people make during a psychotic episode can be destructive to their life goals and very disruptive to the lives of the people who care about them. We have medications that can help with the symptoms, but they are chronic illnesses for which at present we have no cure. Psychotherapy aimed at people with psychotic disorders generally focuses on getting clients to pay attention to their stress levels to head off a psychotic episode or minimize a recurrence, educating the patient and the family about the nature of the disorder, and evaluating the effects of the medication. Neurotic Disorders The term neurotic is not actually used very often these days. It had been used to describe conflicts that arose during what Freud called the Oedipal Period of child development at about age 5. The personality is basically already formed by then. The later problems are add-ons to the existing personality, so they are fairly easy to treat by most therapists, unless they involve severe trauma. Their main symptoms are anxiety, depression, and various types of inhibitions. Personality Disorders This is the middle zone of seriousness. Personality Disorders, such as Borderline PD, Narcissistic PD, and Schizoid PD start before the age of four when the personality is still being formed. They are believed to result from the interaction of children (each with his or her own inborn temperament) with their caregivers. Personality disorders can be viewed as an adaptive attempt by a particular child to maximize the amount of love, attention, and support that he or she can get from parents or other primary caregivers. Unlike the psychotic disorders, Personality Disorders are treatable by appropriate psychotherapybut they are more complex and harder to treat than the neuroses. The Role of Object Relations: From an object relations theoretical point of view, in order to be diagnosed with a personality disorder, you need to lack whole object relations and object constancy. This essentially means that the person cannot form and maintain a stable, integrated, and realistic view of him/herself and other people. Instead they only can switch back and forth between two equally unrealistic points of viewsomeone is either all-bad or all-good. During a fight, they will not be able to maintain their positive feelings for someone they love when they feel hurt, disappointed, frustrated, or angry with them. They can go from the extremes of love to hatred, and back again. Obviously this makes their sense of identity and their relationships with other people inherently unstable and easily disrupted. Borderline Personality Disorder BPD fits into the personality disorder category. How serious it is depends on the persons level of functioning. Basically, most people with BPD have similar issues. Here are a few of the most common issues associated with BPD. Love An obsessive preoccupation with love and reparenting (under the guise of an adult romantic relationship) as the solution to all their problems. An obsessive preoccupation with love and reparenting (under the guise of an adult romantic relationship) as the solution to all their problems. Fear of Abandonment A very strong, often unwarrented concern, that someone they value will abandon them. A very strong, often unwarrented concern, that someone they value will abandon them. Fear of Engulfment Many people with BPD were used as an emotional caretaker for one of their parents. As adults, they fear that instead of their partner meeting their emotional needs, they will become engulfed by their partners emotional needs. Many people with BPD were used as an emotional caretaker for one of their parents. As adults, they fear that instead of their partner meeting their emotional needs, they will become engulfed by their partners emotional needs. Feel More Childlike, than Adult Many clients with BPD report that even when they are competently dealing with adult responsibilities, they feel as if they are really still children or teens. They wish that some real adult will come along and take care of them. Many clients with BPD report that even when they are competently dealing with adult responsibilities, they feel as if they are really still children or teens. They wish that some real adult will come along and take care of them. Emotional DisregulationThey have stronger emotional reactions to most situations and often find their negative emotions very hard to tolerate. Level of Functioning: How serious their disorder is and how much it interferes with their daily life and the lives of their loved ones depends on their level of functioning. Generally, only the lowest functioning clients who qualify for a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder ever get the diagnosis. Brief History of the Borderline Diagnosis The very low functioning group of people who tend to act impulsively, spray everyone else with their problems, become suicidal or briefly psychotic is the group that was first called Borderline. They were considered untreatable by psychoanalysis. In the earliest use of the term Borderline, it was not yet differentiated into the separate personality disorders that we recognize today. It was a catchall term to describe the varied group of people who were thought to inhabit the border between neurosis and psychosis. As time went on, different theorists separated this rather large group of people into separate subgroups depending on their pattern of symptoms and behaviors. There are different schools of thought about how many subgroups there are, whether these subgroups are variations of one thing or entirely different disorders, and so on. I subscribe to James F. Mastersons system of classification that divides most of the various permutations of personality disorders that are listed in the DSM5 into only three main groups, and includes some of the others as subsets of these main three: Borderline Narcissistic Schizoid As you can see, the meaning of the term Borderline has shifted from being the name for every disorder between psychotic and neurotic to only one specific type of this larger group. The Good News: Borderline Personality Disorder is very treatable. We now have a variety of therapies designed to help people with these issues. In addition, studies show that for most people, a great deal of the emotional turmoil decreases with age. Often, the moderate to high functioning Borderline clients who I see in private practice are handling their lives well enough that only their close friends, spouses, and relatives are likely to recognize that they have problems that qualify for this diagnosis. The General Rule: The higher the persons functioning level, the easier they are to help in psychotherapy. Borderline Personality Disorder becomes very serious at the lowest level of functioning. This is the group that finds it hard to form stable relationships, show up for work everyday, come to therapy regularly, and manage their adult responsibilities. They have trouble maintaining themselves between psychotherapy sessions and often feel quite desperate. Members of the low functioning group of people with BPD are more likely to threaten to commit suicide, cut themselves, develop severe eating disorders, and abuse alcohol and drugs. They have a much higher rate of suicide than higher functioning people with BPD. Some may decompensate and briefly become psychotic and may need to be hospitalized for a few days. However, unlike the clients with psychotic illnesses, they usually reconstitute and stop having psychotic symptoms fairly quickly. Punchline: Having Borderline Personality Disorder is serious enough to cause you a great deal of emotional pain and may interfere with your ability to stay motivated to achieve your goals. But, the higher functioning you are, the easier life will be for you. No matter what your level of functioning, there are now a variety of effective therapies available to help you heal. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions: | Elinor Greenberg, PhD Psychologist, answers questions on how serious Borderline Personality Disorder is and how to treat it. She says BPD fits into the middle zone of seriousness, between the neurotic disorders and the psychotic disorders that are thought to have a biological basis. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/15/how-serious-is-borderline-personality-disorder/ | 0.149496 |
Can The Government Shutdown Really Drive GDP To Zero? | The quick answer to that question is long term it could, but the shutdown is unlikely to flat-line growth this quarter. The Trump administration is now in charge of the longest running government shutdown, beating the Newt Gingrich shutdown that took place in the early 1990s over a similar budget battle. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon was quoted by CNBC saying the shutdown will kill the economy. Dimon was not coming up with the number by himself. He wisely hedged his bet. Someone estimated that if it goes on for the whole quarter, it can reduce growth to zero, Dimon said in his fourth-quarter earnings call. We just have to deal with that. Its more of a political issue than anything else. The Trump administration seemed to have corrected their original forecast today regarding the impact the shutdown would have on the economy. The original estimate was a 0.1 percentage point cut in GDP every two weeks, but they have corrected that to mean 0.1 percentage points. This figure should not surprise economists or Wall Street. Last week, Mike Gapen, an economist for Barclays Capital in New York said that 0.1% per week was the figure to watch. The Dow, S&P 500 and the Nasdaq all opened higher this morning. The market will be paying more attention to the shutdowns impact the longer it continues. I wasnt worried about the shutdown impacting GDP last week, but if it continues into this week then I will start discounting growth, says Steve Friedman, a senior economist for BNP Paribas and a former monetary policy director for the Federal Reserve in New York. Federal employees make up less than 10% of the American workforce. But many businesses depend on those workers for revenue, especially in the Beltway. You have to think of all the people that are not getting museum tickets, not going out to eat. And then consider around a million government staffers themselves who are not spending money, Friedman says. Thats where the shutdown impacts the private sector. Some 800,000 federal workers have been furloughed. Deltas CEO Ed Bastian told CNBCs Becky Quick today that the airline will lose an estimated $25 million this month. He blamed part of that loss on the government. Its not a huge loss, but its due to the fact that contractors and some officials are not traveling the way they would anticipate due to the shutdown, he said, adding that new airplanes are not getting inspected on time by the Federal Aviation Administration, a government agency. I think its a manageable situation, he said. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) estimates that third-quarter GDP was 3.5%. If 0.1% was trimmed from that over the last four weeks, then GDP would be 3.1%. The U.S. government would have to be shut down for at least the entire half of 2019 for GDP to shrink to zero. Every 10 weeks would take one full percentage point off GDP. Assuming U.S. GDP was 2.5% in the fourth quarter, a full first-quarter shutdown would drive GDP to around 1.5%. In current dollar terms, U.S. third-quarter GDP increased 4.9%, or $247.1 billion, to a level of $20.66 trillion , according to the BEA. In the second quarter, current-dollar GDP increased by 7.6% or $370.9 billion. The government had a hand in that growth. Third-quarter GDP expansion was due to personal consumption, private inventory investment from companies, and state and federal government spending. Dimon, who kicked off the morning telling investors the shutdown could push the U.S. into recession territory, reportedly said during the earnings call this morning that the underlying statistics for the economy were not bad. He noted that JPMorgan will be prepared for the eventual downturn. | The Trump administration seems to have corrected their original forecast regarding the impact the shutdown would have on the economy. The original estimate was a 0.1 percentage point cut in GDP every two weeks, but they have corrected that to mean 0.1 percentage points. Some 800,000 federal workers have been furloughed. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2019/01/15/can-the-government-shutdown-really-drive-gdp-to-zero/ | 0.121812 |
Why are men so afraid of Gillette's toxic masculinity ad? | The razor company has a new commercial that takes its decades-old slogan, The best a man can get, and turns it on its ear. The ad, which depicts bullying, sexual harassment and more toxic masculinity, in other words asks, Is this the best a man can get? And a lot of men have taken to social media to lash out at Gillette and the commercial on YouTube, the spot has garnered 82,000 likes and a whopping 342,000 dislikes. It doesnt take a sociologist or a psychologist to recognize a lot of guilt and fear masquerading as anger. Piers Morgan, the TV personality never above digging in on an iffy position if it means attention, tweeted, I've used @Gillette razors my entire adult life but this absurd virtue-signaling PC guff may drive me away to a company less eager to fuel the current pathetic global assault on masculinity. Let boys be damn boys. Let men be damn men. I've used @Gillette razors my entire adult life but this absurd virtue-signalling PC guff may drive me away to a company less eager to fuel the current pathetic global assault on masculinity. Let boys be damn boys. Let men be damn men. https://t.co/Hm66OD5lA4 Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 14, 2019 Let Piers be Piers, more like. You wonder if hes actually seen the commercial, since let boys be boys is one of the excuses it challenges. Sending a message More responses: I will NEVER buy another @Gillette or @ProcterGamble product ever again. There latest commercial attacking men of disgusting. Attacking your customers is really smart! I will NEVER buy another @Gillette or @ProcterGamble product ever again. There latest commercial attacking men of disgusting. Attacking your customers is really smart! #GilletteAd Sean (@imgoingtomars1) January 15, 2019 Its not an attack on men, by the way. Its an attack on inappropriate and abusive behavior by men. This one is more direct: (Expletive) you @Gillette Im not buying your (expletive) ever again. Even former New Jersey Gov. Mike Huckabee weighed in. Get woke, go broke. @Gillette might be next to suffer that fate, after video by female director Kim Gehrig, depicting oafish male behavior and lecturing men on toxic masculinity. Why don't they sell soap-not their soap box? Get woke, go broke. @Gillette might be next to suffer that fate, after video by female director Kim Gehrig, depicting oafish male behavior and lecturing men on toxic masculinity. Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 15, 2019 Evidently he didnt read about the rise in value of Nike stock after their controversial Colin Kaepernick commercial. The company's stance On its website, Gillette says, Its time we acknowledge that brands, like ours, play a role in influencing culture. And as a company that encourages men to be their best, we have a responsibility to make sure we are promoting positive, attainable, inclusive and healthy versions of what it means to be a man. The company says it will donate $1 million a year to non-profits in the U.S. that help men become role models for the next generation. RELATED: Mid90s actors grapple with toxic masculinity Now, a couple of things here. Yes, it is a commercial Gillettes motives arent all altruistic. Their competitors have been gaining ground on them for some time. A little social consciousness cant hurt. They could have gone a different route, maybe tried to tap into the bro culture the guys whose behavior the company is challenging shave, too, after all. Good for Gillette for making such a thought-provoking ad. CLOSE Ben Brooks profiles 75 different men like Barack Obama, Patch Adams, and Bill Gates in a colorful picture book aimed to redefine masculinity for young boys by promoting kindness, sensitivity, and selflessness. Buzz60 Also: Its really in-your-face. Some of the more-reserved criticism claims that the bad behavior is stereotypical and not representative of all men. Duh. It's a commercial. They paint with a broad brush, in an attempt to reach as wide an audience, and attract as many eyeballs, as possible. Finally, not all of the reaction is negative. In fact, some people praise Gillette for the ad, and for addressing the issue head-on and in such a dramatic way. Simmer down But honestly, some of the anger directed at the ad floating around on social media is so overdone it almost seems like parody. Like this from a woman: (Expletive) Gillette. Men are meant to be masculine. Men and women are different. Not all men harass women and not all women are innocent. I LOVE MASCULINE MEN. Do not listen to their (expletive)! Simmer down. If calling men out on toxic behavior somehow offends you, no matter whos doing the calling, well, maybe a razor commercial isnt your biggest issue. And the last time I checked, Schick was still in business. Reach Goodykoontz at [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. 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. FOLLOW AZCENTRAL'S THINGS TO DO Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/15/why-are-men-afraid-of-gillette-metoo-commercial/2581893002/ | A new Gillette ad challenges the idea of toxic masculinity. Some men are angry about the ad and its message. Others are outraged by the ad's message and are lashing out at Gillette. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/15/why-are-men-afraid-of-gillette-metoo-commercial/2581893002/ | 0.114843 |
Why are men so afraid of Gillette's toxic masculinity ad? | The razor company has a new commercial that takes its decades-old slogan, The best a man can get, and turns it on its ear. The ad, which depicts bullying, sexual harassment and more toxic masculinity, in other words asks, Is this the best a man can get? And a lot of men have taken to social media to lash out at Gillette and the commercial on YouTube, the spot has garnered 82,000 likes and a whopping 342,000 dislikes. It doesnt take a sociologist or a psychologist to recognize a lot of guilt and fear masquerading as anger. Piers Morgan, the TV personality never above digging in on an iffy position if it means attention, tweeted, I've used @Gillette razors my entire adult life but this absurd virtue-signaling PC guff may drive me away to a company less eager to fuel the current pathetic global assault on masculinity. Let boys be damn boys. Let men be damn men. I've used @Gillette razors my entire adult life but this absurd virtue-signalling PC guff may drive me away to a company less eager to fuel the current pathetic global assault on masculinity. Let boys be damn boys. Let men be damn men. https://t.co/Hm66OD5lA4 Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 14, 2019 Let Piers be Piers, more like. You wonder if hes actually seen the commercial, since let boys be boys is one of the excuses it challenges. Sending a message More responses: I will NEVER buy another @Gillette or @ProcterGamble product ever again. There latest commercial attacking men of disgusting. Attacking your customers is really smart! I will NEVER buy another @Gillette or @ProcterGamble product ever again. There latest commercial attacking men of disgusting. Attacking your customers is really smart! #GilletteAd Sean (@imgoingtomars1) January 15, 2019 Its not an attack on men, by the way. Its an attack on inappropriate and abusive behavior by men. This one is more direct: (Expletive) you @Gillette Im not buying your (expletive) ever again. Even former New Jersey Gov. Mike Huckabee weighed in. Get woke, go broke. @Gillette might be next to suffer that fate, after video by female director Kim Gehrig, depicting oafish male behavior and lecturing men on toxic masculinity. Why don't they sell soap-not their soap box? Get woke, go broke. @Gillette might be next to suffer that fate, after video by female director Kim Gehrig, depicting oafish male behavior and lecturing men on toxic masculinity. Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) January 15, 2019 Evidently he didnt read about the rise in value of Nike stock after their controversial Colin Kaepernick commercial. The company's stance On its website, Gillette says, Its time we acknowledge that brands, like ours, play a role in influencing culture. And as a company that encourages men to be their best, we have a responsibility to make sure we are promoting positive, attainable, inclusive and healthy versions of what it means to be a man. The company says it will donate $1 million a year to non-profits in the U.S. that help men become role models for the next generation. RELATED: Mid90s actors grapple with toxic masculinity Now, a couple of things here. Yes, it is a commercial Gillettes motives arent all altruistic. Their competitors have been gaining ground on them for some time. A little social consciousness cant hurt. They could have gone a different route, maybe tried to tap into the bro culture the guys whose behavior the company is challenging shave, too, after all. Good for Gillette for making such a thought-provoking ad. CLOSE Ben Brooks profiles 75 different men like Barack Obama, Patch Adams, and Bill Gates in a colorful picture book aimed to redefine masculinity for young boys by promoting kindness, sensitivity, and selflessness. Buzz60 Also: Its really in-your-face. Some of the more-reserved criticism claims that the bad behavior is stereotypical and not representative of all men. Duh. It's a commercial. They paint with a broad brush, in an attempt to reach as wide an audience, and attract as many eyeballs, as possible. Finally, not all of the reaction is negative. In fact, some people praise Gillette for the ad, and for addressing the issue head-on and in such a dramatic way. Simmer down But honestly, some of the anger directed at the ad floating around on social media is so overdone it almost seems like parody. Like this from a woman: (Expletive) Gillette. Men are meant to be masculine. Men and women are different. Not all men harass women and not all women are innocent. I LOVE MASCULINE MEN. Do not listen to their (expletive)! Simmer down. If calling men out on toxic behavior somehow offends you, no matter whos doing the calling, well, maybe a razor commercial isnt your biggest issue. And the last time I checked, Schick was still in business. Reach Goodykoontz at [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. 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. FOLLOW AZCENTRAL'S THINGS TO DO Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/15/why-are-men-afraid-of-gillette-metoo-commercial/2581893002/ | A new Gillette ad challenges the idea of toxic masculinity. Some men are angry about the ad and its message. Others are outraged by the ad's message and are lashing out at Gillette and the ad. The company says it will donate $1 million a year to non-profits. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/01/15/why-are-men-afraid-of-gillette-metoo-commercial/2581893002/ | 0.147263 |
What are the rules for riding a scooter in Austin, anyway? | Ever since thousands of electric scooters for rent first began popping up on Austin street corners in April, customers have taken nearly 300,000 rides averaging about a mile a trip, city data shows. Users of every type of scooter currently need to follow the same rules bikes do in Austin, but a rider ordinance for dockless devices will be previewed in the spring, city transportation spokeswoman Jen Samp said. "We want to be able to equip our law enforcement with policy, and then give clarification where it needs for scooter riders," Samp said. How to ride: Scooter riders should follow traffic signals and signs and ride with the flow of traffic when using a bike lane. One person is allowed to ride a scooter at a time. Yield to pedestrians, which includes people walking, biking or those with disabilities. Wear a helmet if you are 17 or younger. Where to ride: Bike lanes, vehicle lanes and on the sidewalk are fair game for you and your scooter. Through September, the city Parks and Recreation Department is implementing a pilot program and scooters can be used in Johnson Creek, Northern and Southern Walnut Creek Trail, and Shoal Creek, south of 15th Street. Where not to ride: Don't ride your scooter or leave it on the Texas Capitol grounds, unless you want a hefty fine. The State Preservation Board charges scooter companies $150 for every device left on Capitol grounds, the American-Statesman reported in December. Don't ride on parkland, unless it is part of the pilot program. Definitely don't ride while intoxicated. You can be arrested for it, after all. Where to park: Don't block the sidewalk when you park make sure there's enough room for pedestrians to walk. Bad practices: Don't park your scooter in a way that obstructs pedestrian or vehicle traffic or in or between a parking spot for vehicles. Don't park your scooter on private property. Don't park scooters in the middle of the road. Don't text and scoot. Scooter use at UT: Scooters are allowed in the same places bikes are on the University of Texas campus, according to the university's parking and transportation services. Give pedestrians the right of way, and park them at bike racks. | Austin scooter users need to follow the same rules bikes do in Austin. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.statesman.com/news/20190114/what-are-rules-for-riding-scooter-in-austin-anyway | 0.100831 |
Is Gillette's Disingenuous Lecture The Best A Man Can Get? | Gillette has long propagated its role in a man's life as the great confidence-builder, telling us a clean shave means you look good, you can get what you want and, yes, the ladies will take notice. But with its new ad under the banner, "The Best A Man Can Get," Gillette does an about-face. Whoops. No. Instead, the brand appears to blame men--all men--for aspiring to the best a man can get. It's brand whiplash. Consider this copy from a Gillette ad circa 2006 featuring David Beckham: You know the feeling. Every guy's had it. You're unbeatable, unstoppable, you've got that walking on water feeling. You look, they smile. And just as we hear the VO say "they smile" we see a beautiful woman smile at a man's rather aggressive, shadowy, even sinister gaze. And that's just one ad, there were hundreds over the years that effectively said, shave with Gillette, get the girl. I've never experienced such brand whiplash in my life. This campaign would have been wildly more powerful had the brand looked inward, not out. Gillette could have overtly admitted its role in encouraging the very behavior it's now lecturing men to resist. Oh, there's a short frame in the new spot at the :10 mark of what appears to be an old Gillette spot with a woman kissing the shaved cheek of a Gillette man, but it's way too subtle. CYA, at best. Instead Gillette chooses to draft off the political winds of the times and dissolve its brand equity around "male confidence" in the process. The brand made a calculated choice to support the newly-formed social convention that "men are bad." Did you notice at the 1:06 mark, the VO says, "To act the right way. Some already are." Meaning, some men are acting the right way. Not "most," but "some." Therefore, one can only conclude Gillette believes most men behave badly. Now, regardless of whether the correct answer is "some" or "most" here's why that decision may cost Gillette dearly. Lecturing your market is dangerous. Most individual men watching this new Gillette ad probably do not consider themselves to be bad men. Yet this ad suggests that most men are, indeed, bad. I predict a collective defensive reaction to this ad by most men--by any man who believes he is not bad. A reaction where these men are perfectly willing to acknowledge the problem (men know the #metoo movement is real), but are unwilling to be painted with the same brush as, say, Harvey Weinstein. Not to mention the painter here, as I said, is a brand who for decades was encouraging men to use Gillette to get the girl. Just a horrible brand decision. This ad is not like Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad. I know what you're thinking. Nike did an equally controversial ad using Colin Kaepernick. Raised quite a stink. I even wrote about it on these virtual pages, wondering if Nike was taking a stand on the NFL "kneeling controversy" or just celebrating a man who lived his conviction. The Nike ad says, Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything. That is not a lecture. That is not blaming an entire market for the wrongdoing of some. That's a brand celebrating a man who truly believes in something and is willing to stand his ground. It's very on brand. It's very Nike. Nike's controversial ad increased sales during that period, but I predict Gillette's controversial ad will decrease sales. The Gillette ad is a lecture, it blames an entire market for the wrongdoing of some and celebrates nothing but the current social convention that "men are bad." Remember these men are exactly the people Gillette needs to buy their more expensive products now that the likes of Dollar Shave Club have come around. I am not suggesting there is not a problem with men, culturally. That's not my expertise, other than happening to be be a man. And I'm not saying it's a bad message for some brand to take on. But I am saying it's a bad message for this brand to take on. For Gillette, after decades of advertising emboldening men to be men (and all that goes with being men), to suddenly lecture them on their bad behavior is utterly disingenuous, inauthentic and likely a result of echo-chamber marketing teams looking to tap into the latest social movement for some "talk value." Well, we're talking. | Gillette's new ad appears to blame men--all men--for aspiring to the best a man can get. Campaign would have been wildly more powerful had the brand looked inward, not out. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/willburns/2019/01/15/is-gillettes-disingenuous-lecture-the-best-a-man-can-get/ | 0.220241 |
Is Gillette's Disingenuous Lecture The Best A Man Can Get? | Gillette has long propagated its role in a man's life as the great confidence-builder, telling us a clean shave means you look good, you can get what you want and, yes, the ladies will take notice. But with its new ad under the banner, "The Best A Man Can Get," Gillette does an about-face. Whoops. No. Instead, the brand appears to blame men--all men--for aspiring to the best a man can get. It's brand whiplash. Consider this copy from a Gillette ad circa 2006 featuring David Beckham: You know the feeling. Every guy's had it. You're unbeatable, unstoppable, you've got that walking on water feeling. You look, they smile. And just as we hear the VO say "they smile" we see a beautiful woman smile at a man's rather aggressive, shadowy, even sinister gaze. And that's just one ad, there were hundreds over the years that effectively said, shave with Gillette, get the girl. I've never experienced such brand whiplash in my life. This campaign would have been wildly more powerful had the brand looked inward, not out. Gillette could have overtly admitted its role in encouraging the very behavior it's now lecturing men to resist. Oh, there's a short frame in the new spot at the :10 mark of what appears to be an old Gillette spot with a woman kissing the shaved cheek of a Gillette man, but it's way too subtle. CYA, at best. Instead Gillette chooses to draft off the political winds of the times and dissolve its brand equity around "male confidence" in the process. The brand made a calculated choice to support the newly-formed social convention that "men are bad." Did you notice at the 1:06 mark, the VO says, "To act the right way. Some already are." Meaning, some men are acting the right way. Not "most," but "some." Therefore, one can only conclude Gillette believes most men behave badly. Now, regardless of whether the correct answer is "some" or "most" here's why that decision may cost Gillette dearly. Lecturing your market is dangerous. Most individual men watching this new Gillette ad probably do not consider themselves to be bad men. Yet this ad suggests that most men are, indeed, bad. I predict a collective defensive reaction to this ad by most men--by any man who believes he is not bad. A reaction where these men are perfectly willing to acknowledge the problem (men know the #metoo movement is real), but are unwilling to be painted with the same brush as, say, Harvey Weinstein. Not to mention the painter here, as I said, is a brand who for decades was encouraging men to use Gillette to get the girl. Just a horrible brand decision. This ad is not like Nike's Colin Kaepernick ad. I know what you're thinking. Nike did an equally controversial ad using Colin Kaepernick. Raised quite a stink. I even wrote about it on these virtual pages, wondering if Nike was taking a stand on the NFL "kneeling controversy" or just celebrating a man who lived his conviction. The Nike ad says, Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything. That is not a lecture. That is not blaming an entire market for the wrongdoing of some. That's a brand celebrating a man who truly believes in something and is willing to stand his ground. It's very on brand. It's very Nike. Nike's controversial ad increased sales during that period, but I predict Gillette's controversial ad will decrease sales. The Gillette ad is a lecture, it blames an entire market for the wrongdoing of some and celebrates nothing but the current social convention that "men are bad." Remember these men are exactly the people Gillette needs to buy their more expensive products now that the likes of Dollar Shave Club have come around. I am not suggesting there is not a problem with men, culturally. That's not my expertise, other than happening to be be a man. And I'm not saying it's a bad message for some brand to take on. But I am saying it's a bad message for this brand to take on. For Gillette, after decades of advertising emboldening men to be men (and all that goes with being men), to suddenly lecture them on their bad behavior is utterly disingenuous, inauthentic and likely a result of echo-chamber marketing teams looking to tap into the latest social movement for some "talk value." Well, we're talking. | Gillette does an about-face with its new ad under the banner, "The Best A Man Can Get" Instead, the brand appears to blame men--all men--for aspiring to the best a man can get. Gillette has long propagated its role in a man's life as the great confidence-builder. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/willburns/2019/01/15/is-gillettes-disingenuous-lecture-the-best-a-man-can-get/ | 0.313838 |
Will the Government Shutdown Delay My Tax Refund? | Despite the shutdown, the IRS says it will provide refunds to taxpayers without delay. We're not so sure. As the record-setting government shutdown drags on and thousands of IRS employees sit at home, many Americans are understandably concerned about getting their tax refunds on time. However, the IRS has said that refunds will go out "as scheduled." Whether that actually happens remains to be seen. The IRS says that a significant portion of its workforce will be called back to work to process tax returns and issue refunds. More details regarding the IRS's plans are expected soon, but there's already resistance from the National Treasury Employees Union. The union has filed a lawsuit challenging the IRS's ability to force employees to work without pay. If the IRS can't recall enough employees, then the plan to issue refunds in a timely manner seems shaky. Back in 2011, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed the IRS not to pay refunds during government shutdowns. As a result, almost $4 billion in tax refunds were delayed following the October 2013 shutdown. Now, however, the OMB says the IRS may pay tax refunds during a lapse in funding. Legal challenges to this opinion could also sink the IRS's plan. We won't have to wait too long to see if the IRS is able to keep its promise. Filing season begins January 28, 2019. If the IRS is indeed on schedule this year, refunds for early-bird filers could be issued as soon as mid-February. Our advice: File as early as possible. If the IRS falls behind schedule due to the shutdown, you don't want your return at the back of a potentially massive backlog. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | Despite the shutdown, the IRS says it will provide refunds to taxpayers without delay. | bart | 0 | https://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-delay-tax-refund-191824486.html | 0.311841 |
Will the Government Shutdown Delay My Tax Refund? | Despite the shutdown, the IRS says it will provide refunds to taxpayers without delay. We're not so sure. As the record-setting government shutdown drags on and thousands of IRS employees sit at home, many Americans are understandably concerned about getting their tax refunds on time. However, the IRS has said that refunds will go out "as scheduled." Whether that actually happens remains to be seen. The IRS says that a significant portion of its workforce will be called back to work to process tax returns and issue refunds. More details regarding the IRS's plans are expected soon, but there's already resistance from the National Treasury Employees Union. The union has filed a lawsuit challenging the IRS's ability to force employees to work without pay. If the IRS can't recall enough employees, then the plan to issue refunds in a timely manner seems shaky. Back in 2011, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed the IRS not to pay refunds during government shutdowns. As a result, almost $4 billion in tax refunds were delayed following the October 2013 shutdown. Now, however, the OMB says the IRS may pay tax refunds during a lapse in funding. Legal challenges to this opinion could also sink the IRS's plan. We won't have to wait too long to see if the IRS is able to keep its promise. Filing season begins January 28, 2019. If the IRS is indeed on schedule this year, refunds for early-bird filers could be issued as soon as mid-February. Our advice: File as early as possible. If the IRS falls behind schedule due to the shutdown, you don't want your return at the back of a potentially massive backlog. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | The IRS says refunds will go out "as scheduled" Despite the shutdown, the IRS says it will provide refunds to taxpayers without delay. Legal challenges to this opinion could also sink the IRS's plan. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-delay-tax-refund-191824486.html | 0.310844 |
Will the Government Shutdown Delay My Tax Refund? | Despite the shutdown, the IRS says it will provide refunds to taxpayers without delay. We're not so sure. As the record-setting government shutdown drags on and thousands of IRS employees sit at home, many Americans are understandably concerned about getting their tax refunds on time. However, the IRS has said that refunds will go out "as scheduled." Whether that actually happens remains to be seen. The IRS says that a significant portion of its workforce will be called back to work to process tax returns and issue refunds. More details regarding the IRS's plans are expected soon, but there's already resistance from the National Treasury Employees Union. The union has filed a lawsuit challenging the IRS's ability to force employees to work without pay. If the IRS can't recall enough employees, then the plan to issue refunds in a timely manner seems shaky. Back in 2011, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) instructed the IRS not to pay refunds during government shutdowns. As a result, almost $4 billion in tax refunds were delayed following the October 2013 shutdown. Now, however, the OMB says the IRS may pay tax refunds during a lapse in funding. Legal challenges to this opinion could also sink the IRS's plan. We won't have to wait too long to see if the IRS is able to keep its promise. Filing season begins January 28, 2019. If the IRS is indeed on schedule this year, refunds for early-bird filers could be issued as soon as mid-February. Our advice: File as early as possible. If the IRS falls behind schedule due to the shutdown, you don't want your return at the back of a potentially massive backlog. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors | The IRS says refunds will go out "as scheduled" Despite the shutdown, the IRS says it will provide refunds to taxpayers without delay. If the IRS can't recall enough employees, then the plan to issue refunds in a timely manner seems shaky. The National Treasury Employees Union has filed a lawsuit challenging the IRS's ability to force employees to work without pay. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-delay-tax-refund-191824486.html | 0.396878 |
Where Did the North Pole Go? | As the humans go about their affairs, living atop a thin crust floating on molten rock, the liquid iron in the Earths core is churning in strange, erratic ways. This is a problem because those humans, clever in some ways, have figured out that the movement of the liquid iron creates a magnetic field. For centuries, their compasses have pointed north. But where that is, exactly, is changing. After observing, if not exactly understanding, the magnetic fields recent behavior, scientists decided to update the World Magnetic Model, which underlies navigation for ships and planes today. As Nature reported, the update was supposed to come January 15. But the model is jointly developed by the British Geological Survey and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. government is shut down. The NOAA web page for the World Magnetic Model currently says, The website you are trying to access is not available at this time due to a lapse in appropriation. Read: The upheaval at the end of the world This isnt a big crisis: The north magnetic pole has always drifted. Since scientists began tracking its location in the 19th century, it has moved from Canada toward Siberia. (The north magnetic pole is close to but distinct from the north geographic pole, whose location is determined by the axis on which the Earth spins.) For most of the 20th century, the pole moved about nine miles a year. Then, beginning in the 1990s, it moved about 35 miles a year. | The north magnetic pole has always drifted from Canada toward Siberia. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/north-pole-moving-shutdown/580330/?utm_source=feed | 0.229622 |
Where Did the North Pole Go? | As the humans go about their affairs, living atop a thin crust floating on molten rock, the liquid iron in the Earths core is churning in strange, erratic ways. This is a problem because those humans, clever in some ways, have figured out that the movement of the liquid iron creates a magnetic field. For centuries, their compasses have pointed north. But where that is, exactly, is changing. After observing, if not exactly understanding, the magnetic fields recent behavior, scientists decided to update the World Magnetic Model, which underlies navigation for ships and planes today. As Nature reported, the update was supposed to come January 15. But the model is jointly developed by the British Geological Survey and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. government is shut down. The NOAA web page for the World Magnetic Model currently says, The website you are trying to access is not available at this time due to a lapse in appropriation. Read: The upheaval at the end of the world This isnt a big crisis: The north magnetic pole has always drifted. Since scientists began tracking its location in the 19th century, it has moved from Canada toward Siberia. (The north magnetic pole is close to but distinct from the north geographic pole, whose location is determined by the axis on which the Earth spins.) For most of the 20th century, the pole moved about nine miles a year. Then, beginning in the 1990s, it moved about 35 miles a year. | The north magnetic pole has always drifted from Canada toward Siberia. The pole moved about 35 miles a year from the 1990s to the 2000s. The update was supposed to come January 15 but the U.S. government is shut down. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/north-pole-moving-shutdown/580330/?utm_source=feed | 0.240529 |
Where Did the North Pole Go? | As the humans go about their affairs, living atop a thin crust floating on molten rock, the liquid iron in the Earths core is churning in strange, erratic ways. This is a problem because those humans, clever in some ways, have figured out that the movement of the liquid iron creates a magnetic field. For centuries, their compasses have pointed north. But where that is, exactly, is changing. After observing, if not exactly understanding, the magnetic fields recent behavior, scientists decided to update the World Magnetic Model, which underlies navigation for ships and planes today. As Nature reported, the update was supposed to come January 15. But the model is jointly developed by the British Geological Survey and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. government is shut down. The NOAA web page for the World Magnetic Model currently says, The website you are trying to access is not available at this time due to a lapse in appropriation. Read: The upheaval at the end of the world This isnt a big crisis: The north magnetic pole has always drifted. Since scientists began tracking its location in the 19th century, it has moved from Canada toward Siberia. (The north magnetic pole is close to but distinct from the north geographic pole, whose location is determined by the axis on which the Earth spins.) For most of the 20th century, the pole moved about nine miles a year. Then, beginning in the 1990s, it moved about 35 miles a year. | The north magnetic pole has always drifted from Canada toward Siberia. The pole moved about 35 miles a year from the 1990s to the 2000s. The update was supposed to come January 15, but the U.S. government is shut down and the model is not available. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/north-pole-moving-shutdown/580330/?utm_source=feed | 0.247874 |
What exactly is going on with the Eureka Women's March? | Women raise their hands protesting racism, bigotry and male chauvinism during Black Women's March rally, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Women raise their hands protesting racism, bigotry and male chauvinism during Black Women's March rally, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Houston. 1 / 68 Back to Gallery The Women's March in Eureka continues to twist and turn. In less than a month, the Women's March in Eureka has been postponed, canceled, reinstated by new organizers, and made target of an impending boycott. Jesse Watters has mocked it on his show and tangled debates on the subject continue to crescendo. Late December, the original organizers announced they were postponing the march because the group was "overwhelming white." The reaction to this was mixed many, including the president of the Eureka chapter of the NAACP, were pleased by the news. Others were angry and disappointed their city wouldn't have a march. BACKGROUND: Northern California Women's March canceled for being 'overwhelmingly white' Not even a week had passed before Linda Atkins, a former Eureka city council member, decided to reinstate the march, and reschedule it with the help of several new organizers. Now, in a latest turn to the saga: Atkins has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack over the weekend, the Lost Coast Outpost reported. MORE: Special San Francisco trash headed to the White House Despite this, the original organizers announced in a statement that they plan to boycott the Jan. 20 march, which Kathy Srabian, a co-organizer within the new leadership, will be taking control of. According to the event's Facebook page, 682 people have expressed interest in attending the march. Srabian told the Outpost that she doesn't see why the march must necessarily be organized by those "most oppressed by the current system." She also encouraged people to boycott, if that feels most appropriate to them. | The Women's March in Eureka has been postponed, canceled, reinstated by new organizers, and made target of an impending boycott. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/eureka-womens-march-too-white-atkins-boycott-13535874.php | 0.235742 |
What exactly is going on with the Eureka Women's March? | Women raise their hands protesting racism, bigotry and male chauvinism during Black Women's March rally, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Women raise their hands protesting racism, bigotry and male chauvinism during Black Women's March rally, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Houston. 1 / 68 Back to Gallery The Women's March in Eureka continues to twist and turn. In less than a month, the Women's March in Eureka has been postponed, canceled, reinstated by new organizers, and made target of an impending boycott. Jesse Watters has mocked it on his show and tangled debates on the subject continue to crescendo. Late December, the original organizers announced they were postponing the march because the group was "overwhelming white." The reaction to this was mixed many, including the president of the Eureka chapter of the NAACP, were pleased by the news. Others were angry and disappointed their city wouldn't have a march. BACKGROUND: Northern California Women's March canceled for being 'overwhelmingly white' Not even a week had passed before Linda Atkins, a former Eureka city council member, decided to reinstate the march, and reschedule it with the help of several new organizers. Now, in a latest turn to the saga: Atkins has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack over the weekend, the Lost Coast Outpost reported. MORE: Special San Francisco trash headed to the White House Despite this, the original organizers announced in a statement that they plan to boycott the Jan. 20 march, which Kathy Srabian, a co-organizer within the new leadership, will be taking control of. According to the event's Facebook page, 682 people have expressed interest in attending the march. Srabian told the Outpost that she doesn't see why the march must necessarily be organized by those "most oppressed by the current system." She also encouraged people to boycott, if that feels most appropriate to them. | In less than a month, the Women's March in Eureka has been postponed, canceled, reinstated by new organizers, and made target of an impending boycott. | bart | 1 | https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/eureka-womens-march-too-white-atkins-boycott-13535874.php | 0.171783 |
What exactly is going on with the Eureka Women's March? | Women raise their hands protesting racism, bigotry and male chauvinism during Black Women's March rally, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Women raise their hands protesting racism, bigotry and male chauvinism during Black Women's March rally, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Houston. 1 / 68 Back to Gallery The Women's March in Eureka continues to twist and turn. In less than a month, the Women's March in Eureka has been postponed, canceled, reinstated by new organizers, and made target of an impending boycott. Jesse Watters has mocked it on his show and tangled debates on the subject continue to crescendo. Late December, the original organizers announced they were postponing the march because the group was "overwhelming white." The reaction to this was mixed many, including the president of the Eureka chapter of the NAACP, were pleased by the news. Others were angry and disappointed their city wouldn't have a march. BACKGROUND: Northern California Women's March canceled for being 'overwhelmingly white' Not even a week had passed before Linda Atkins, a former Eureka city council member, decided to reinstate the march, and reschedule it with the help of several new organizers. Now, in a latest turn to the saga: Atkins has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack over the weekend, the Lost Coast Outpost reported. MORE: Special San Francisco trash headed to the White House Despite this, the original organizers announced in a statement that they plan to boycott the Jan. 20 march, which Kathy Srabian, a co-organizer within the new leadership, will be taking control of. According to the event's Facebook page, 682 people have expressed interest in attending the march. Srabian told the Outpost that she doesn't see why the march must necessarily be organized by those "most oppressed by the current system." She also encouraged people to boycott, if that feels most appropriate to them. | The Women's March in Eureka has been postponed, canceled, reinstated by new organizers, and made target of an impending boycott. The original organizers announced they were postponing the march because the group was "overwhelming white" Now, in a latest turn to the saga, Linda Atkins has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack over the weekend. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/eureka-womens-march-too-white-atkins-boycott-13535874.php | 0.494527 |
What Do Banks Believe Family Offices Should Focus On? | Often banks are the institutions that operate closest to family offices. For this reason, family offices also look to banks more frequently for guidance to ensure they're equipped to facilitate the growth and sustainability of the family enterprises that they serve. For family firms to thrive in the fast-evolving modern world of business, family offices need to be acutely aware of shifting investment trends and the need to expand their attention outside of financial services and into the sphere of governance, information security, management culture, succession and specialist in-house expertise. Management Culture Two key performance enablers that demand attention within the family office space are agility and purpose, both proving to be highly effective ingredients of successful management culture. When companies have an articulated purpose that transcends products and services and is more significant than just money, customer loyalty and employee engagement is superior, ultimately leading to improved long-term financial performance. Purpose consultant Aaron Hurst, the founder of Imperative, found that 42% of companies that were not considered purpose- driven experienced a decline in year-on-year revenue. In contrast, 85% of purpose-led companies enjoyed positive growth. UBS & Campden Wealth 2018 Global Family Office Report indicates that only a third of family offices have a clearly defined purpose statement, which is evidence of the work required to address this gap. Agility is also essential to success. Michael Hugos, principal at Centre for Systems Innovation, estimates that companies who achieve adequate levels of agility can grow profit by an additional 2%-4% per annum. Companies should be looking at reducing structures and processes to promote flexibility, creativity and swift decision-making. Governance And Controls According to Emile Salawi, Head of Family Offices at BNP Paribas, By improving governance, the whole office can be more efficient, and the succession to next generation can also be managed far more effectively. Governance enables fast decision-making, empowering employees at all levels to make decisions according to a clear mandate. Governance structures and guidelines relating to information security and decision-making are generally more informal within the family office space, impacting efficiency and making these firms vulnerable to fraud and cyber-attacks. On this topic, Salawi claims that Cyber-security is one of the three most important focus areas for family offices. Traditionally, families have relied on banks to exercise necessary governance and compliance requirements when it comes to protecting information and funds, but the time has come for families and family offices to take more responsibility for the protection of their own data, with consideration to the entire information and document flow. Investment Trends Are Evolving According to Salawi, future-centric family offices should take note of how investment allocations and investment drivers are changing within the sector. Family offices are becoming leaner and focused, with increasing emphasis on direct investments, impact investing and more active participation in the management of the businesses that they invest in. Commenting further on direct investments, Salawi adds that very few families are taking majority stakes in businesses, rather securing minority stakes coupled with more active involvement in board decisions, and leveraging their networks to grow these companies. Direct investment into real estate (17%) and private equity (22%), now account for approximately 39% of total family office investments, and this allocation is expected to grow in the coming years, as funds shift into higher yielding, more illiquid assets. Impact Investing And The Next Generation The motivation behind investment is evolving, with social and environmental impact becoming a serious consideration. As an investment driver, impact investing is becoming increasingly popular amongst family offices, with 32% surveyed now reporting involvement in this space, a 4.2% increase versus 2017. Dr. Rebecca Gooch, Director of Research, Campden Wealth comments in their latest report: Impact investing will be an important space to watch over the coming years. Our research shows that the next generation, and millennials, in particular, are driving impact investing within the family office space. Explore Specialist In-house Expertise According to Salawi: Family offices need to understand the constraints of banks on various regulatory and compliance matters, for example concerning KYC (Knowing your customer). Hence having specialist in-house expertise can be very beneficial, eg, legal counsel, allowing for quicker reactions and decision-making. The Succession Challenge Succession planning in family businesses is often not prioritized until it is too late. It is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of U.S. businesses are family owned, yet less than a third of family businesses succeed into the second generation, and only 10 percent survive into the third. If securing multi-generational participation in the family business is a priority, more focus needs to be placed on succession planning. Worldwide, understanding key trends, unique opportunities, threats and emerging needs within this sector is crucial for family offices to provide an effective, holistic service to their families and clients. | Family offices need to be acutely aware of shifting investment trends. Cyber-security is one of the three most important focus areas for family offices. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/francoisbotha/2019/01/15/what-do-banks-believe-family-offices-should-focus-on/ | 0.477927 |
What Do Banks Believe Family Offices Should Focus On? | Often banks are the institutions that operate closest to family offices. For this reason, family offices also look to banks more frequently for guidance to ensure they're equipped to facilitate the growth and sustainability of the family enterprises that they serve. For family firms to thrive in the fast-evolving modern world of business, family offices need to be acutely aware of shifting investment trends and the need to expand their attention outside of financial services and into the sphere of governance, information security, management culture, succession and specialist in-house expertise. Management Culture Two key performance enablers that demand attention within the family office space are agility and purpose, both proving to be highly effective ingredients of successful management culture. When companies have an articulated purpose that transcends products and services and is more significant than just money, customer loyalty and employee engagement is superior, ultimately leading to improved long-term financial performance. Purpose consultant Aaron Hurst, the founder of Imperative, found that 42% of companies that were not considered purpose- driven experienced a decline in year-on-year revenue. In contrast, 85% of purpose-led companies enjoyed positive growth. UBS & Campden Wealth 2018 Global Family Office Report indicates that only a third of family offices have a clearly defined purpose statement, which is evidence of the work required to address this gap. Agility is also essential to success. Michael Hugos, principal at Centre for Systems Innovation, estimates that companies who achieve adequate levels of agility can grow profit by an additional 2%-4% per annum. Companies should be looking at reducing structures and processes to promote flexibility, creativity and swift decision-making. Governance And Controls According to Emile Salawi, Head of Family Offices at BNP Paribas, By improving governance, the whole office can be more efficient, and the succession to next generation can also be managed far more effectively. Governance enables fast decision-making, empowering employees at all levels to make decisions according to a clear mandate. Governance structures and guidelines relating to information security and decision-making are generally more informal within the family office space, impacting efficiency and making these firms vulnerable to fraud and cyber-attacks. On this topic, Salawi claims that Cyber-security is one of the three most important focus areas for family offices. Traditionally, families have relied on banks to exercise necessary governance and compliance requirements when it comes to protecting information and funds, but the time has come for families and family offices to take more responsibility for the protection of their own data, with consideration to the entire information and document flow. Investment Trends Are Evolving According to Salawi, future-centric family offices should take note of how investment allocations and investment drivers are changing within the sector. Family offices are becoming leaner and focused, with increasing emphasis on direct investments, impact investing and more active participation in the management of the businesses that they invest in. Commenting further on direct investments, Salawi adds that very few families are taking majority stakes in businesses, rather securing minority stakes coupled with more active involvement in board decisions, and leveraging their networks to grow these companies. Direct investment into real estate (17%) and private equity (22%), now account for approximately 39% of total family office investments, and this allocation is expected to grow in the coming years, as funds shift into higher yielding, more illiquid assets. Impact Investing And The Next Generation The motivation behind investment is evolving, with social and environmental impact becoming a serious consideration. As an investment driver, impact investing is becoming increasingly popular amongst family offices, with 32% surveyed now reporting involvement in this space, a 4.2% increase versus 2017. Dr. Rebecca Gooch, Director of Research, Campden Wealth comments in their latest report: Impact investing will be an important space to watch over the coming years. Our research shows that the next generation, and millennials, in particular, are driving impact investing within the family office space. Explore Specialist In-house Expertise According to Salawi: Family offices need to understand the constraints of banks on various regulatory and compliance matters, for example concerning KYC (Knowing your customer). Hence having specialist in-house expertise can be very beneficial, eg, legal counsel, allowing for quicker reactions and decision-making. The Succession Challenge Succession planning in family businesses is often not prioritized until it is too late. It is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of U.S. businesses are family owned, yet less than a third of family businesses succeed into the second generation, and only 10 percent survive into the third. If securing multi-generational participation in the family business is a priority, more focus needs to be placed on succession planning. Worldwide, understanding key trends, unique opportunities, threats and emerging needs within this sector is crucial for family offices to provide an effective, holistic service to their families and clients. | Family offices need to be acutely aware of shifting investment trends and the need to expand their attention outside of financial services. Two key performance enablers that demand attention within the family office space are agility and purpose. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/francoisbotha/2019/01/15/what-do-banks-believe-family-offices-should-focus-on/ | 0.307016 |
What Do Banks Believe Family Offices Should Focus On? | Often banks are the institutions that operate closest to family offices. For this reason, family offices also look to banks more frequently for guidance to ensure they're equipped to facilitate the growth and sustainability of the family enterprises that they serve. For family firms to thrive in the fast-evolving modern world of business, family offices need to be acutely aware of shifting investment trends and the need to expand their attention outside of financial services and into the sphere of governance, information security, management culture, succession and specialist in-house expertise. Management Culture Two key performance enablers that demand attention within the family office space are agility and purpose, both proving to be highly effective ingredients of successful management culture. When companies have an articulated purpose that transcends products and services and is more significant than just money, customer loyalty and employee engagement is superior, ultimately leading to improved long-term financial performance. Purpose consultant Aaron Hurst, the founder of Imperative, found that 42% of companies that were not considered purpose- driven experienced a decline in year-on-year revenue. In contrast, 85% of purpose-led companies enjoyed positive growth. UBS & Campden Wealth 2018 Global Family Office Report indicates that only a third of family offices have a clearly defined purpose statement, which is evidence of the work required to address this gap. Agility is also essential to success. Michael Hugos, principal at Centre for Systems Innovation, estimates that companies who achieve adequate levels of agility can grow profit by an additional 2%-4% per annum. Companies should be looking at reducing structures and processes to promote flexibility, creativity and swift decision-making. Governance And Controls According to Emile Salawi, Head of Family Offices at BNP Paribas, By improving governance, the whole office can be more efficient, and the succession to next generation can also be managed far more effectively. Governance enables fast decision-making, empowering employees at all levels to make decisions according to a clear mandate. Governance structures and guidelines relating to information security and decision-making are generally more informal within the family office space, impacting efficiency and making these firms vulnerable to fraud and cyber-attacks. On this topic, Salawi claims that Cyber-security is one of the three most important focus areas for family offices. Traditionally, families have relied on banks to exercise necessary governance and compliance requirements when it comes to protecting information and funds, but the time has come for families and family offices to take more responsibility for the protection of their own data, with consideration to the entire information and document flow. Investment Trends Are Evolving According to Salawi, future-centric family offices should take note of how investment allocations and investment drivers are changing within the sector. Family offices are becoming leaner and focused, with increasing emphasis on direct investments, impact investing and more active participation in the management of the businesses that they invest in. Commenting further on direct investments, Salawi adds that very few families are taking majority stakes in businesses, rather securing minority stakes coupled with more active involvement in board decisions, and leveraging their networks to grow these companies. Direct investment into real estate (17%) and private equity (22%), now account for approximately 39% of total family office investments, and this allocation is expected to grow in the coming years, as funds shift into higher yielding, more illiquid assets. Impact Investing And The Next Generation The motivation behind investment is evolving, with social and environmental impact becoming a serious consideration. As an investment driver, impact investing is becoming increasingly popular amongst family offices, with 32% surveyed now reporting involvement in this space, a 4.2% increase versus 2017. Dr. Rebecca Gooch, Director of Research, Campden Wealth comments in their latest report: Impact investing will be an important space to watch over the coming years. Our research shows that the next generation, and millennials, in particular, are driving impact investing within the family office space. Explore Specialist In-house Expertise According to Salawi: Family offices need to understand the constraints of banks on various regulatory and compliance matters, for example concerning KYC (Knowing your customer). Hence having specialist in-house expertise can be very beneficial, eg, legal counsel, allowing for quicker reactions and decision-making. The Succession Challenge Succession planning in family businesses is often not prioritized until it is too late. It is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of U.S. businesses are family owned, yet less than a third of family businesses succeed into the second generation, and only 10 percent survive into the third. If securing multi-generational participation in the family business is a priority, more focus needs to be placed on succession planning. Worldwide, understanding key trends, unique opportunities, threats and emerging needs within this sector is crucial for family offices to provide an effective, holistic service to their families and clients. | Family offices need to be acutely aware of shifting investment trends and the need to expand their attention outside of financial services. Two key performance enablers that demand attention within the family office space are agility and purpose. Cyber-security is one of the three most important focus areas for family offices. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/francoisbotha/2019/01/15/what-do-banks-believe-family-offices-should-focus-on/ | 0.480392 |
Can 'Catering And Delivery' Bolster Chipotle's Same Store Sales 10% By 2021? | Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) continued a strong performance in its third quarter, with the company beating consensus expectations on earnings. The 8.6% revenue increase was driven by a comparable sales increase of 4.4% and 28 new store openings. This positive performance aided in the restaurant level margin expansion of 260 basis points. We expect these strong trends to continue in the fourth quarter as well. In 2018 Chipotle has recorded nearly a 45% surge in its stock price. We have maintained our long-term price estimate for Chipotle at $468. In our interactive dashboard Whats the Upside for Chipotle if we provide a scenario in which we estimate Chipotles Share Price in a situation where the Catering and Delivery offering bolsters its same store sales by 2021. Below we detail the scenario further. The company is expected to continue growing at 8-9% and post approximately $6.1 billion in revenue in the year 2021. It is expected that the Average number of restaurants will reach approximately 2971 by 2021 while expected revenue from each restaurant will touch $2.1 million. We expect the Net Income margin to continue improving and it is anticipated at 7.25% of Total Revenue in 2021. We also estimate the P/E multiple to be 26.65 In our scenario we estimate the expected revenue from each restaurant to reach approximately $2.3 million with a further improvement of 50 basis points in Net Income margin on the back of the growth in the Catering and Delivery offering. Overall, for this scenario estimates result in an upside of $82 for Chipotle, which is almost 17.6% higher than our current Trefis Price of $468. Explore example interactive dashboards and create your own. | In our interactive dashboard Whats the Upside for Chipotle if we provide a scenario in which the Catering and Delivery offering bolsters its same store sales by 2021. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2019/01/15/can-catering-and-delivery-bolster-chipotles-same-store-sales-10-by-2021/ | 0.146314 |
Can 'Catering And Delivery' Bolster Chipotle's Same Store Sales 10% By 2021? | Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) continued a strong performance in its third quarter, with the company beating consensus expectations on earnings. The 8.6% revenue increase was driven by a comparable sales increase of 4.4% and 28 new store openings. This positive performance aided in the restaurant level margin expansion of 260 basis points. We expect these strong trends to continue in the fourth quarter as well. In 2018 Chipotle has recorded nearly a 45% surge in its stock price. We have maintained our long-term price estimate for Chipotle at $468. In our interactive dashboard Whats the Upside for Chipotle if we provide a scenario in which we estimate Chipotles Share Price in a situation where the Catering and Delivery offering bolsters its same store sales by 2021. Below we detail the scenario further. The company is expected to continue growing at 8-9% and post approximately $6.1 billion in revenue in the year 2021. It is expected that the Average number of restaurants will reach approximately 2971 by 2021 while expected revenue from each restaurant will touch $2.1 million. We expect the Net Income margin to continue improving and it is anticipated at 7.25% of Total Revenue in 2021. We also estimate the P/E multiple to be 26.65 In our scenario we estimate the expected revenue from each restaurant to reach approximately $2.3 million with a further improvement of 50 basis points in Net Income margin on the back of the growth in the Catering and Delivery offering. Overall, for this scenario estimates result in an upside of $82 for Chipotle, which is almost 17.6% higher than our current Trefis Price of $468. Explore example interactive dashboards and create your own. | In our interactive dashboard Whats the Upside for Chipotle if we provide a scenario in which the Catering and Delivery offering bolsters its same store sales by 2021. In our scenario we estimate the expected revenue from each restaurant to reach approximately $2.3 million. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2019/01/15/can-catering-and-delivery-bolster-chipotles-same-store-sales-10-by-2021/ | 0.236935 |
What's the scoop? Is Graeter's in Anderson Township closing? | CLOSE Kathrine visits Hotel Covington for a latte and talks about medical marijuana in Ohio, January babies, and fast food at the White House. Kathrine Nero, @KathrineNero on Instagram/Twitter Graeter's Ice Cream. (Photo: Provided) Ice cream fans in Anderson and Union Townships will be minus one favorite sweet spot for treats beginning Jan. 20. Graeters Ice Cream announced plans to expand and enhance one of the familys flagship locations, the Cherry Grove scoop shop on Beechmont Avenue in Anderson Township. The work requires the temporary closure of the location. The scoop shop is expected to reopen sometime in early April, just in time to meet candy and bakery needs for the Easter season, according to the ice cream maker. During renovations, Graeters said guests can still visit its locations in Loveland, Hyde Park or Taylor Mill, Kentucky. The temporary closure of the Cherry Grove scoop shop begins 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/whats-scoop-graeters-anderson-closing/2584554002/ | Graeter's Ice Cream in Anderson Township is closing for renovations. The Cherry Grove scoop shop is expected to reopen sometime in early April. | bart | 0 | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/whats-scoop-graeters-anderson-closing/2584554002/ | 0.492859 |
What's the scoop? Is Graeter's in Anderson Township closing? | CLOSE Kathrine visits Hotel Covington for a latte and talks about medical marijuana in Ohio, January babies, and fast food at the White House. Kathrine Nero, @KathrineNero on Instagram/Twitter Graeter's Ice Cream. (Photo: Provided) Ice cream fans in Anderson and Union Townships will be minus one favorite sweet spot for treats beginning Jan. 20. Graeters Ice Cream announced plans to expand and enhance one of the familys flagship locations, the Cherry Grove scoop shop on Beechmont Avenue in Anderson Township. The work requires the temporary closure of the location. The scoop shop is expected to reopen sometime in early April, just in time to meet candy and bakery needs for the Easter season, according to the ice cream maker. During renovations, Graeters said guests can still visit its locations in Loveland, Hyde Park or Taylor Mill, Kentucky. The temporary closure of the Cherry Grove scoop shop begins 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/whats-scoop-graeters-anderson-closing/2584554002/ | Graeter's Ice Cream in Anderson Township is closing for renovations. During renovations, guests can still visit its locations in Loveland, Hyde Park or Taylor Mill, Kentucky. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/whats-scoop-graeters-anderson-closing/2584554002/ | 0.614675 |
What's the scoop? Is Graeter's in Anderson Township closing? | CLOSE Kathrine visits Hotel Covington for a latte and talks about medical marijuana in Ohio, January babies, and fast food at the White House. Kathrine Nero, @KathrineNero on Instagram/Twitter Graeter's Ice Cream. (Photo: Provided) Ice cream fans in Anderson and Union Townships will be minus one favorite sweet spot for treats beginning Jan. 20. Graeters Ice Cream announced plans to expand and enhance one of the familys flagship locations, the Cherry Grove scoop shop on Beechmont Avenue in Anderson Township. The work requires the temporary closure of the location. The scoop shop is expected to reopen sometime in early April, just in time to meet candy and bakery needs for the Easter season, according to the ice cream maker. During renovations, Graeters said guests can still visit its locations in Loveland, Hyde Park or Taylor Mill, Kentucky. The temporary closure of the Cherry Grove scoop shop begins 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/whats-scoop-graeters-anderson-closing/2584554002/ | Graeter's Ice Cream in Anderson Township is closing for renovations. During renovations, guests can still visit its locations in Loveland, Hyde Park or Taylor Mill, Kentucky. The ice cream shop is expected to reopen sometime in early April, according to the ice cream maker. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/01/15/whats-scoop-graeters-anderson-closing/2584554002/ | 0.6172 |
Who's behind the egg that broke the Instagram world record? | By now, you've heard about the egg, which surpassed a photo of Kylie Jenner's daughter, Stormi, on Sunday as the most-liked post on Instagram. Here's what we know so far: 1. The egg account holder goes by "Henrietta." Henrietta is, according to a report from BuzzFeed News, a "chicken from the British countryside." 2. The account holder, however, claims to live in London. Im an individual living in London, the account holder told The Independent earlier this week. They also revealed that they only have 400 followers on their personal Instagram account. 3. The egg's name is Eugene, allegedly. In some interviews, the account holder goes by the name Eugene, bypassing the whole "Henrietta" schtick entirely. 4. The person who did the egg was participating in dry January at the time. Nothing breeds creativity like suddenly not drinking. 5. Fans of the egg are called the "Egg Gang." Sure. 6. Supreme Patty is a suspect. So far, the only public figure to have implied responsibility for the egg is Supreme Patty, an Instagram star who smokes hot sauce and is known for squeezing lemon juice into his own eyes. While Patty didn't claim he did the egg outright, one of his friends did say so in a TMZ interview. (This is, of course, to be taken with a lemon-sized grain of salt.) For what it's worth, we do not think Supreme Patty did the egg. It's more likely that he's just capitalizing on the big meme of the moment. He did get an egg tattoo, though, so kudos on committing to the bit. And the egg does follow him on Instagram ... oh god. We've reached out to Supreme Patty and will update this post if we hear back. Until then, stay tuned for more egg updates. This story is developing ... | The egg broke the record for most-liked post on Instagram on Sunday. The account holder goes by "Henrietta" The egg's name is Eugene, allegedly. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/whos-behind-egg-broke-instagram-194311538.html | 0.148852 |
Who's behind the egg that broke the Instagram world record? | By now, you've heard about the egg, which surpassed a photo of Kylie Jenner's daughter, Stormi, on Sunday as the most-liked post on Instagram. Here's what we know so far: 1. The egg account holder goes by "Henrietta." Henrietta is, according to a report from BuzzFeed News, a "chicken from the British countryside." 2. The account holder, however, claims to live in London. Im an individual living in London, the account holder told The Independent earlier this week. They also revealed that they only have 400 followers on their personal Instagram account. 3. The egg's name is Eugene, allegedly. In some interviews, the account holder goes by the name Eugene, bypassing the whole "Henrietta" schtick entirely. 4. The person who did the egg was participating in dry January at the time. Nothing breeds creativity like suddenly not drinking. 5. Fans of the egg are called the "Egg Gang." Sure. 6. Supreme Patty is a suspect. So far, the only public figure to have implied responsibility for the egg is Supreme Patty, an Instagram star who smokes hot sauce and is known for squeezing lemon juice into his own eyes. While Patty didn't claim he did the egg outright, one of his friends did say so in a TMZ interview. (This is, of course, to be taken with a lemon-sized grain of salt.) For what it's worth, we do not think Supreme Patty did the egg. It's more likely that he's just capitalizing on the big meme of the moment. He did get an egg tattoo, though, so kudos on committing to the bit. And the egg does follow him on Instagram ... oh god. We've reached out to Supreme Patty and will update this post if we hear back. Until then, stay tuned for more egg updates. This story is developing ... | The egg broke the record for most-liked post on Instagram on Sunday. The account holder goes by "Henrietta" The egg's name is Eugene, according to some reports. Supreme Patty is a suspect in the egg, but he did get an egg tattoo. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/whos-behind-egg-broke-instagram-194311538.html | 0.229727 |
Do Canadian charities and foundations have too much money sitting on the sidelines? | John Hallward is chairman of GIV3, a charity that encourages Canadians to donate and volunteer. I recently asked the folks at Statistics Canada for help with a question: What is the sum total of all assets owned by charities and foundations in Canada, and how has this trended over time? They obliged, providing me with the answer from all 85,000 charities and foundations, as reported in the T3010s filed with the Canada Revenue Agency. The numbers raised several questions in my mind. Story continues below advertisement If we exclude operating charities such as hospitals and educational institutions (which need buildings, equipment and supplies to provide their charitable services), foundations alone have now accumulated $80-billion, largely as endowment investments. This has grown at an annual rate of more than 10 per cent during the past decade and has more than doubled in the past five years. This represents a great deal of money accumulating on the sidelines, rather than being put to use supporting charities and those currently in need in our communities. I wonder how Canadians feel about this unused $80-billion while so many charities and individuals currently struggle to make ends meet. As money is donated to foundations, charitable tax credits are given from the public purse to the donors, costing each of us as taxpayers. I appreciate that foundations are required to grant and expense 3.5 per cent of their capital each year toward charitable purposes, and that many foundations exceed this level. However, the numbers show that in aggregate, the amounts being held in endowments are increasing much faster than the amounts being granted. For comparison, U.S. foundations are required to grant and expense at least 5 per cent a year. Raising the minimum disbursement requirement in Canada would have two major benefits. First, more money would be put to work immediately in our communities, helping alleviate the massive funding pressure so many charitable organizations are currently experiencing. And second, it would ensure that current taxpayers see the benefits of the lost tax revenue in their own lifetime. If the required level of disbursement was doubled to 7 per cent from 3.5 per cent, and assuming that all foundations collectively give 5 per cent currently, then this 2-per-cent net increase would yield approximately $1.6-billion more a year for our charities. I appreciate that doubling the disbursement requirement of foundations would result in the endowment eroding over time (perhaps over 30 years), but this is precisely the goal. It is morally right, and we need to have these charitable funds used now rather than sitting on the sidelines (often well past the lifetime of the donors!). Nor should we worry that we will not have foundations in the future. Every generation creates both new wealth and new philanthropists (think Balsillie, Gates, Buffet, Zuckerberg, Bezos and so on). Furthermore, as baby boomers continue to age, there is a significant amount of money likely to be donated over the next 15 to 30 years. There is every reason to believe that new dollars will be available to continue supporting the charities of coming generations. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement I urge foundation leaders, policy-makers and the public to consider this issue more closely and act quickly for the public good. Imagine what could be accomplished with billions more flowing into the charitable sector each year. | John Hallward: Canadian charities and foundations have too much money sitting on the sidelines. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-do-canadian-charities-and-foundations-have-too-much-money-sitting-on/ | 0.305459 |
Do Canadian charities and foundations have too much money sitting on the sidelines? | John Hallward is chairman of GIV3, a charity that encourages Canadians to donate and volunteer. I recently asked the folks at Statistics Canada for help with a question: What is the sum total of all assets owned by charities and foundations in Canada, and how has this trended over time? They obliged, providing me with the answer from all 85,000 charities and foundations, as reported in the T3010s filed with the Canada Revenue Agency. The numbers raised several questions in my mind. Story continues below advertisement If we exclude operating charities such as hospitals and educational institutions (which need buildings, equipment and supplies to provide their charitable services), foundations alone have now accumulated $80-billion, largely as endowment investments. This has grown at an annual rate of more than 10 per cent during the past decade and has more than doubled in the past five years. This represents a great deal of money accumulating on the sidelines, rather than being put to use supporting charities and those currently in need in our communities. I wonder how Canadians feel about this unused $80-billion while so many charities and individuals currently struggle to make ends meet. As money is donated to foundations, charitable tax credits are given from the public purse to the donors, costing each of us as taxpayers. I appreciate that foundations are required to grant and expense 3.5 per cent of their capital each year toward charitable purposes, and that many foundations exceed this level. However, the numbers show that in aggregate, the amounts being held in endowments are increasing much faster than the amounts being granted. For comparison, U.S. foundations are required to grant and expense at least 5 per cent a year. Raising the minimum disbursement requirement in Canada would have two major benefits. First, more money would be put to work immediately in our communities, helping alleviate the massive funding pressure so many charitable organizations are currently experiencing. And second, it would ensure that current taxpayers see the benefits of the lost tax revenue in their own lifetime. If the required level of disbursement was doubled to 7 per cent from 3.5 per cent, and assuming that all foundations collectively give 5 per cent currently, then this 2-per-cent net increase would yield approximately $1.6-billion more a year for our charities. I appreciate that doubling the disbursement requirement of foundations would result in the endowment eroding over time (perhaps over 30 years), but this is precisely the goal. It is morally right, and we need to have these charitable funds used now rather than sitting on the sidelines (often well past the lifetime of the donors!). Nor should we worry that we will not have foundations in the future. Every generation creates both new wealth and new philanthropists (think Balsillie, Gates, Buffet, Zuckerberg, Bezos and so on). Furthermore, as baby boomers continue to age, there is a significant amount of money likely to be donated over the next 15 to 30 years. There is every reason to believe that new dollars will be available to continue supporting the charities of coming generations. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement I urge foundation leaders, policy-makers and the public to consider this issue more closely and act quickly for the public good. Imagine what could be accomplished with billions more flowing into the charitable sector each year. | John Hallward is chairman of GIV3, a charity that encourages Canadians to donate and volunteer. He says Canadian charities and foundations have too much money sitting on the sidelines. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-do-canadian-charities-and-foundations-have-too-much-money-sitting-on/ | 0.443357 |
Do Canadian charities and foundations have too much money sitting on the sidelines? | John Hallward is chairman of GIV3, a charity that encourages Canadians to donate and volunteer. I recently asked the folks at Statistics Canada for help with a question: What is the sum total of all assets owned by charities and foundations in Canada, and how has this trended over time? They obliged, providing me with the answer from all 85,000 charities and foundations, as reported in the T3010s filed with the Canada Revenue Agency. The numbers raised several questions in my mind. Story continues below advertisement If we exclude operating charities such as hospitals and educational institutions (which need buildings, equipment and supplies to provide their charitable services), foundations alone have now accumulated $80-billion, largely as endowment investments. This has grown at an annual rate of more than 10 per cent during the past decade and has more than doubled in the past five years. This represents a great deal of money accumulating on the sidelines, rather than being put to use supporting charities and those currently in need in our communities. I wonder how Canadians feel about this unused $80-billion while so many charities and individuals currently struggle to make ends meet. As money is donated to foundations, charitable tax credits are given from the public purse to the donors, costing each of us as taxpayers. I appreciate that foundations are required to grant and expense 3.5 per cent of their capital each year toward charitable purposes, and that many foundations exceed this level. However, the numbers show that in aggregate, the amounts being held in endowments are increasing much faster than the amounts being granted. For comparison, U.S. foundations are required to grant and expense at least 5 per cent a year. Raising the minimum disbursement requirement in Canada would have two major benefits. First, more money would be put to work immediately in our communities, helping alleviate the massive funding pressure so many charitable organizations are currently experiencing. And second, it would ensure that current taxpayers see the benefits of the lost tax revenue in their own lifetime. If the required level of disbursement was doubled to 7 per cent from 3.5 per cent, and assuming that all foundations collectively give 5 per cent currently, then this 2-per-cent net increase would yield approximately $1.6-billion more a year for our charities. I appreciate that doubling the disbursement requirement of foundations would result in the endowment eroding over time (perhaps over 30 years), but this is precisely the goal. It is morally right, and we need to have these charitable funds used now rather than sitting on the sidelines (often well past the lifetime of the donors!). Nor should we worry that we will not have foundations in the future. Every generation creates both new wealth and new philanthropists (think Balsillie, Gates, Buffet, Zuckerberg, Bezos and so on). Furthermore, as baby boomers continue to age, there is a significant amount of money likely to be donated over the next 15 to 30 years. There is every reason to believe that new dollars will be available to continue supporting the charities of coming generations. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement I urge foundation leaders, policy-makers and the public to consider this issue more closely and act quickly for the public good. Imagine what could be accomplished with billions more flowing into the charitable sector each year. | John Hallward is chairman of GIV3, a charity that encourages Canadians to donate and volunteer. He says Canadian charities and foundations have too much money sitting on the sidelines. Hallward: We need to raise the minimum disbursement requirement in Canada to 7 per cent. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-do-canadian-charities-and-foundations-have-too-much-money-sitting-on/ | 0.64267 |
Could Community Christian College save junior college football in Arizona? | It's getting late in the football recruiting process for current high school seniors who want to play in college but need that bridge to get to a four-year school. With the Maricopa Community College District canceling football for financial reasons, and the programs in Tucson, Safford and Yuma dying, most Arizona's high school coaches have been telling their players to seek opportunities in California, Texas, Kansas or elsewhere. "There are definitely many less opportunities now and that hurts a lot of kids, especially kids like ours, who are not highly recruited," said Sahuarita Walden Grove coach Corey Noble. Enter Community Christian College and the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference. Thousands of future student athletes are counting on each of us to do our part, please take a moment to read and share. pic.twitter.com/zYMQom7Rkd Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference (@HJCAC) January 6, 2019 Mickey Nunez, the Arizona director of the online Community Christian College, said news will be released later this week on the formation of four teams in the Valley to play in the HJCAC next season. That news has already started to come out. JUCO FB IS BACK IN AZ! More info: https://t.co/yIwvNbLiyqpic.twitter.com/vnoHMvBOyZ Vince D'Aliesio --Coach D (@VDAliesio) January 15, 2019 So, instead of Mesa Community College, Phoenix College, Glendale Community College and Scottsdale Community College, the names on players' jerseys around the Valley next season could have "Community Christian College" on them with their city names. "We're registering students," Nunez said. "Theyre supposed to have press release. They're going to be announcing the format and the coaches. It will be ready to go by the end of the week." Community Christian College is an online program based in Redlands, Calif. There are regional athletic directors: In Arizona, Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina. According to its website, starting this summer, the quarterly course charge is $197.22 per unit for courses. That will increase the following year to $219.44 per unit. But students can apply for financial aid, Nunez said. There are private donors helping with costs, Nunez said. Players take a break during practice at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz. on Aug. 16, 2018. (Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic) The HJCAC is working to secure facilities to use around the Valley. There isn't housing for athletes. Nunez said that the accredited online courses can be taken at home, but he added, "We're going to have an on-the-ground campus to facilitate them and help them." "A kid who is failing, we send an email to the coaches that they need to send them here instead of practice to make sure they're catching up on their work," Nunez said. "I think they'll have a lot of success this way. We're keeping them accountable. We want to make sure they're succeeding. It's going to be awesome. "With freshmen, 30 percent drop out. They're not life-ready. If we get them past that first year of school, we should be able to get them to graduate and break that cycle of poverty." Phoenix Greenway coach Ed Cook said that junior college coaches from out of state have been reaching out to him since the Maricopa Community Colleges dropped football after last season. "It's tough because some kids need JUCO to mature as a football player and or as a young man," Cook said. "Now they have to be ready not just for football but also mentally, socially and also financially like going to a four-year school." Nunez believes the HJCAC can blossom into a viable option, during which the student-athletes can either obtain an Associate of Arts degree or leave after a year to play at a four-year university. Many high school coaches have been telling their players looking for college options that junior college football in Arizona is dead, but Nunez believes junior college football in Arizona will be back in the fall. "Every day, I get phone calls," he said. High school coaches are in wait-and-see mode. "The new potential opportunities of the HJCAC private JUCOS are interesting and I am hopeful that these will allow many of our athletes an opportunity to compete at the next level," Noble said. MORE SPORTS | Maricopa Community College District canceled football for financial reasons. Community Christian College is an online program based in Redlands, Calif. There are regional athletic directors: In Arizona, Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/01/15/online-community-college-program-save-juco-football-arizona/2584356002/ | 0.163626 |
Could Community Christian College save junior college football in Arizona? | It's getting late in the football recruiting process for current high school seniors who want to play in college but need that bridge to get to a four-year school. With the Maricopa Community College District canceling football for financial reasons, and the programs in Tucson, Safford and Yuma dying, most Arizona's high school coaches have been telling their players to seek opportunities in California, Texas, Kansas or elsewhere. "There are definitely many less opportunities now and that hurts a lot of kids, especially kids like ours, who are not highly recruited," said Sahuarita Walden Grove coach Corey Noble. Enter Community Christian College and the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference. Thousands of future student athletes are counting on each of us to do our part, please take a moment to read and share. pic.twitter.com/zYMQom7Rkd Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference (@HJCAC) January 6, 2019 Mickey Nunez, the Arizona director of the online Community Christian College, said news will be released later this week on the formation of four teams in the Valley to play in the HJCAC next season. That news has already started to come out. JUCO FB IS BACK IN AZ! More info: https://t.co/yIwvNbLiyqpic.twitter.com/vnoHMvBOyZ Vince D'Aliesio --Coach D (@VDAliesio) January 15, 2019 So, instead of Mesa Community College, Phoenix College, Glendale Community College and Scottsdale Community College, the names on players' jerseys around the Valley next season could have "Community Christian College" on them with their city names. "We're registering students," Nunez said. "Theyre supposed to have press release. They're going to be announcing the format and the coaches. It will be ready to go by the end of the week." Community Christian College is an online program based in Redlands, Calif. There are regional athletic directors: In Arizona, Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina. According to its website, starting this summer, the quarterly course charge is $197.22 per unit for courses. That will increase the following year to $219.44 per unit. But students can apply for financial aid, Nunez said. There are private donors helping with costs, Nunez said. Players take a break during practice at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz. on Aug. 16, 2018. (Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic) The HJCAC is working to secure facilities to use around the Valley. There isn't housing for athletes. Nunez said that the accredited online courses can be taken at home, but he added, "We're going to have an on-the-ground campus to facilitate them and help them." "A kid who is failing, we send an email to the coaches that they need to send them here instead of practice to make sure they're catching up on their work," Nunez said. "I think they'll have a lot of success this way. We're keeping them accountable. We want to make sure they're succeeding. It's going to be awesome. "With freshmen, 30 percent drop out. They're not life-ready. If we get them past that first year of school, we should be able to get them to graduate and break that cycle of poverty." Phoenix Greenway coach Ed Cook said that junior college coaches from out of state have been reaching out to him since the Maricopa Community Colleges dropped football after last season. "It's tough because some kids need JUCO to mature as a football player and or as a young man," Cook said. "Now they have to be ready not just for football but also mentally, socially and also financially like going to a four-year school." Nunez believes the HJCAC can blossom into a viable option, during which the student-athletes can either obtain an Associate of Arts degree or leave after a year to play at a four-year university. Many high school coaches have been telling their players looking for college options that junior college football in Arizona is dead, but Nunez believes junior college football in Arizona will be back in the fall. "Every day, I get phone calls," he said. High school coaches are in wait-and-see mode. "The new potential opportunities of the HJCAC private JUCOS are interesting and I am hopeful that these will allow many of our athletes an opportunity to compete at the next level," Noble said. MORE SPORTS | Maricopa Community College District canceled football for financial reasons. Community Christian College is an online program based in Redlands, Calif. There are regional athletic directors: In Arizona, Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina. The college will have four teams in the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/01/15/online-community-college-program-save-juco-football-arizona/2584356002/ | 0.243328 |
Why does NC GOP believe Mark Harris should take office? | North Carolina Republicans ratcheted up their drive to put Mark Harris in Congress on Tuesday, questioning the entire legitimacy of a state investigation into allegations of election fraud in the 9th Congressional District. North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes accused elections officials of one stalling pattern after another in a meeting with reporters in Charlotte. When there (isnt) evidence that irregularities would change the outcome of the election, Mark Harris should be certified, Hayes said. If they had discovered a shred of evidence, they would have made it public. State law, however, allows for the board to call for a new election if Irregularities or improprieties occurred to such an extent that they taint the results of the entire election and cast doubt on its fairness. The McCready campaign, in a legal brief filed Monday in Wake County Superior Court, called that finding an inevitable conclusion to the case. Digital Access for only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. Democrats, too, have accused Harris and his campaign of delaying the investigation. In a legal brief filed by the state board Monday, it argued that the Harris campaigns delayed production of documents is a substantial source of the prolonged investigation. Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul C. Ridgeway has scheduled a hearing in Harris case for 10 a.m. Jan. 22. Harris has asked the court to certify the election results or order the state boards staff to certify the results. The district that runs from Charlotte to Bladen County has remained unrepresented since the new Congress took office on Jan. 3. The election, in which Harris leads Democrat Dan McCready by 905 votes in unofficial totals, has been clouded by the allegations of fraud, particularly in Bladen County. The allegations of fraud involving mail-in absentee ballots surfaced after the nine-member bipartisan elections board voted unanimously Nov. 27 not to certify the results. Three days later, the board called for a hearing into what then-vice chairman Josh Malcolm called claims of numerous irregularities and concerted fraudulent activities related to absentee mail ballots . . . to assure that the election is determined without taint of fraud or corruption. But the hearing, originally scheduled for Jan. 11, was delayed indefinitely after a three-judge panel dissolved the board on Dec. 28 as part of a separate legal dispute. Since then, the elections staff has continued its investigation. A new board is scheduled to be named on Jan. 31. Board spokesman Patrick Gannon said in the meantime, the staff continues to conduct a thorough investigation into absentee voting irregularities in the 2018 election. We look forward to presenting a full picture of the investigation to the public when a new State Board is seated, he said. At Tuesdays news conference, Hayes used a series of PowerPoint slides to paint a timeline of the controversy, cast doubt on affidavits submitted by the McCready campaign and call into question the motives of Malcolm, a Robeson County Democrat who had been the boards chairman at the time it was dissolved. Hayes argued that officials should have provided evidence that irregularities would have changed the elections outcome. Asked why not wait two weeks until a new board is appointed, he said he has little faith in Malcolm, who could come back and head the board. Theres no reason to believe that he would not do what hes already done, which is delay, Hayes said. Its unclear who will be on the board, which will have three Democrats and two Republicans. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will make the appointments Jan. 31 from among those recommended by party chairs. Hayes sought to portray Malcolm as having conflicts as a partisan Democrat whose wife once donated to Cooper and whose daughter worked for the state Democratic Party last year. Malcolm told the Observer that no state law prevents his family from being politically involved. I do have an adult daughter whos a strong-minded, intelligent American Indian female who walks her own walk and makes her own decisions, he said. Malcolm said he wouldnt discuss the election or the lingering issues related to it. But he did note that the board twice declined to certify the 9th District election once unanimously and once by a vote of 7-2 with two GOP board members joining Democrats. In court filings, attorneys for Harris said state election officials cherry-picked the congressional race from among others clouded by allegations of election fraud. And they say Harris apparent margin of victory 905 votes exceeds the total number of votes in dispute. Meanwhile lawyers for the state board argued that the investigation should continue. By law, the State Board of Elections is . . . obligated to conduct, and complete, a full investigation into the alleged fraud impacting the (9th District) election, they wrote, adding that Harris demand that the election be certified before completion of that investigation is supported by neither sound electoral principles nor (state law). | North Carolina Republicans ratcheted up their drive to put Mark Harris in Congress on Tuesday. They questioned 'the entire legitimacy' of a state investigation into allegations of election fraud. Democrats, too, have accused Harris and his campaign of delaying the investigation. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article224556845.html | 0.15949 |
Could Soo Locks funds be diverted to build Trump's wall? | Buy Photo In this file photo, the Great Lakes Trader and the tug Joyce L. VanEnkevort exits the Poe Lock at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. (Photo: Photos by Dale G. Young / The Detroit News, Photos by Dale G. Young / The De) Washington The White House has considered diverting money for Army Corps of Engineers projects to build a border wall, but Michigan lawmakers are split on whether projects such as the Soo Locks upgrade could be among those tapped. The White House recently asked the Pentagon to identify civil works projects whose funding could be redirected to the wall if President Donald Trump uses his authority to do so under an emergency declaration. Trump has repeatedly said he'll use emergency powers if he and Democrats don't reach a deal to fund the wall, though the president seems to have put the idea on hold for now. "Im not looking to call a national emergency. This is so simple, you shouldnt have to," Trump said Monday. Nevertheless, Michigan's Democratic Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are seeking assurances from the Army Corps on whether officials are considering reallocating funding away from the Soo Locks or "other agency projects critical to the safety and well-being of Michigan and the entire Great Lakes." "It is imperative that no funding be diverted from the operations and maintenance of the Soo Locks or the initial work necessary to construct a new (large) lock," the senators wrote to the assistant secretary of the Army, stressing the economic impact of an unplanned outage. "Likewise, it is critical that no funds be diverted from projects essential to Great Lakes navigation and public safety." But Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, on Tuesday sought to minimize concerns that funds for the Soo Locks are in jeopardy. It is a false choice to say funding for the Soo Locks is at risk," said Mooleaar, who supports Trump's border wall and sits on the House Appropriations Committee. "We can build the Soo Locks and protect our border. In fact, we passed a law last year that I voted for that protects the Soo Locks funding from being redirected." Moolenaar was referring to legislative language that prohibits the secretary of the Army for Civil Works from deviating from the list of new construction starts for 2019 after its been submitted to Congress. Trump in October signed the bill from Congress authorizing funding for the long-planned shipping lock in Sault Ste. Marie that links Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Plans call for construction of a second large lock estimated at $1 billion which lawmakers and shipping interests argue is needed in the case of an outage of the only other large lock at the complex. The new 1,200-foot-long lock would mirror the 50-year-old Poe lock, which is the only one of the four shipping locks at Sault Ste. Marie that can handle the largest freighters carrying 89 percent of the cargo through the corridor. The Soo project has seen new momentum in the last year, including catching the attention of Trump, who promised to "fix" the locks during an April visit to Macomb County. And last month state and federal officials signed an agreement committing $52 million in state funds to the Soo Locks upgrade, potentially accelerating the project's completion by almost a year. The Army Corps referred to the Pentagon questions about cancelling or delaying projects in the case of a national emergency. "The Department of Defense is reviewing available authorities and funding mechanisms to identify options to enable border barrier construction," Capt. Bill Speaks, a U.S. Army spokesman, said by email. "As there has not been such a declaration made, it would be inappropriate to comment further on those efforts." [email protected] Read or Share this story: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/15/army-corps-soo-locks-border-wall/2584769002/ | The White House has considered diverting money for Army Corps of Engineers projects to build a border wall. Michigan lawmakers are split on whether projects such as the Soo Locks upgrade could be among those tapped. | bart | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/15/army-corps-soo-locks-border-wall/2584769002/ | 0.166088 |
Could Soo Locks funds be diverted to build Trump's wall? | Buy Photo In this file photo, the Great Lakes Trader and the tug Joyce L. VanEnkevort exits the Poe Lock at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. (Photo: Photos by Dale G. Young / The Detroit News, Photos by Dale G. Young / The De) Washington The White House has considered diverting money for Army Corps of Engineers projects to build a border wall, but Michigan lawmakers are split on whether projects such as the Soo Locks upgrade could be among those tapped. The White House recently asked the Pentagon to identify civil works projects whose funding could be redirected to the wall if President Donald Trump uses his authority to do so under an emergency declaration. Trump has repeatedly said he'll use emergency powers if he and Democrats don't reach a deal to fund the wall, though the president seems to have put the idea on hold for now. "Im not looking to call a national emergency. This is so simple, you shouldnt have to," Trump said Monday. Nevertheless, Michigan's Democratic Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are seeking assurances from the Army Corps on whether officials are considering reallocating funding away from the Soo Locks or "other agency projects critical to the safety and well-being of Michigan and the entire Great Lakes." "It is imperative that no funding be diverted from the operations and maintenance of the Soo Locks or the initial work necessary to construct a new (large) lock," the senators wrote to the assistant secretary of the Army, stressing the economic impact of an unplanned outage. "Likewise, it is critical that no funds be diverted from projects essential to Great Lakes navigation and public safety." But Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, on Tuesday sought to minimize concerns that funds for the Soo Locks are in jeopardy. It is a false choice to say funding for the Soo Locks is at risk," said Mooleaar, who supports Trump's border wall and sits on the House Appropriations Committee. "We can build the Soo Locks and protect our border. In fact, we passed a law last year that I voted for that protects the Soo Locks funding from being redirected." Moolenaar was referring to legislative language that prohibits the secretary of the Army for Civil Works from deviating from the list of new construction starts for 2019 after its been submitted to Congress. Trump in October signed the bill from Congress authorizing funding for the long-planned shipping lock in Sault Ste. Marie that links Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Plans call for construction of a second large lock estimated at $1 billion which lawmakers and shipping interests argue is needed in the case of an outage of the only other large lock at the complex. The new 1,200-foot-long lock would mirror the 50-year-old Poe lock, which is the only one of the four shipping locks at Sault Ste. Marie that can handle the largest freighters carrying 89 percent of the cargo through the corridor. The Soo project has seen new momentum in the last year, including catching the attention of Trump, who promised to "fix" the locks during an April visit to Macomb County. And last month state and federal officials signed an agreement committing $52 million in state funds to the Soo Locks upgrade, potentially accelerating the project's completion by almost a year. The Army Corps referred to the Pentagon questions about cancelling or delaying projects in the case of a national emergency. "The Department of Defense is reviewing available authorities and funding mechanisms to identify options to enable border barrier construction," Capt. Bill Speaks, a U.S. Army spokesman, said by email. "As there has not been such a declaration made, it would be inappropriate to comment further on those efforts." [email protected] Read or Share this story: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/15/army-corps-soo-locks-border-wall/2584769002/ | Michigan lawmakers are split on whether projects such as the Soo Locks upgrade could be among those tapped. The White House recently asked the Pentagon to identify civil works projects whose funding could be redirected to the wall if President Donald Trump uses his authority to do so under an emergency declaration. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/15/army-corps-soo-locks-border-wall/2584769002/ | 0.19631 |
Is an Earnings Beat in the Cards for M&T Bank (MTB) in Q4? | M&T Bank Corporation MTB is scheduled to report fourth quarter and 2018 results on Jan 17, before the opening bell. The companys revenues and earnings are expected to improve from the year-ago quarter. M&T Banks third-quarter 2018 results displayed top-line improvement supported by rising margins. Further, lower provisions for credit losses were reported. The company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate backed by these factors. Also, fall in expenses was another positive. The banks earnings surprise history seems impressive as it delivered positive earnings surprises in each of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 7.1%. M&T Bank Corporation Price and EPS Surprise M&T Bank Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | M&T Bank Corporation Quote Activities of M&T Bank during the October-December quarter were adequate to win analysts confidence. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter has been revised slightly upward over the past seven days. Also, the consensus estimate of $3.51 indicates an increase of 32% in the banks earnings from the prior-year quarter. Overall, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects year-over-year revenue growth of 3.3% to $1.50 billion for the to-be-reported quarter. Factors to Influence Q4 Results Net Interest Income (NII) Likely to Rise: The quarter witnessed a moderate improvement in the lending scenario primarily in commercial and Industrial, and consumer front. Thus, loan growth, combined with support from expanding margins on the back of rising interest rates, are likely to boost M&T Banks NII. However, flattening yield curve is likely to offset the benefit to some extent. Muted Fee Income Growth: Since performance of the equity markets was not very impressive during the fourth quarter, M&T Bank is unlikely to receive much support from related fees. Also, debt origination fees will likely remain low due to rising rates curbing involvement in these activities. Furthermore, with the rising interest-rate environment, no major help is expected from the mortgage banking segment. As refinancing activities slowed down during the quarter, mortgage banking revenues are not expected to witness much improvement. Expenses to Trend Higher: Expenses are projected to trend higher in the quarter due to the companys continued investments in several areas, including operational infrastructure and technology. Finally, lets have a look at what our quantitative model predicts: According to our quantitative model, chances of M&T Bank beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the fourth quarter are high. This is because it has the right combination of the two key ingredients a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better to increase the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for M&T Bank is +0.80%. Zacks Rank: M&T Bank currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Other Stocks to Consider Here are some other stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around. U.S. Bancorp USB is slated to release results on Jan 16. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.26% and currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. | M&T Bank Corporation MTB is scheduled to report fourth quarter and 2018 results on Jan 17. The bank's earnings surprise history seems impressive as it delivered positive earnings surprises in each of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 7.1%. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/earnings-beat-cards-m-t-214909607.html | 0.193016 |
Is an Earnings Beat in the Cards for M&T Bank (MTB) in Q4? | M&T Bank Corporation MTB is scheduled to report fourth quarter and 2018 results on Jan 17, before the opening bell. The companys revenues and earnings are expected to improve from the year-ago quarter. M&T Banks third-quarter 2018 results displayed top-line improvement supported by rising margins. Further, lower provisions for credit losses were reported. The company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate backed by these factors. Also, fall in expenses was another positive. The banks earnings surprise history seems impressive as it delivered positive earnings surprises in each of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 7.1%. M&T Bank Corporation Price and EPS Surprise M&T Bank Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | M&T Bank Corporation Quote Activities of M&T Bank during the October-December quarter were adequate to win analysts confidence. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter has been revised slightly upward over the past seven days. Also, the consensus estimate of $3.51 indicates an increase of 32% in the banks earnings from the prior-year quarter. Overall, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects year-over-year revenue growth of 3.3% to $1.50 billion for the to-be-reported quarter. Factors to Influence Q4 Results Net Interest Income (NII) Likely to Rise: The quarter witnessed a moderate improvement in the lending scenario primarily in commercial and Industrial, and consumer front. Thus, loan growth, combined with support from expanding margins on the back of rising interest rates, are likely to boost M&T Banks NII. However, flattening yield curve is likely to offset the benefit to some extent. Muted Fee Income Growth: Since performance of the equity markets was not very impressive during the fourth quarter, M&T Bank is unlikely to receive much support from related fees. Also, debt origination fees will likely remain low due to rising rates curbing involvement in these activities. Furthermore, with the rising interest-rate environment, no major help is expected from the mortgage banking segment. As refinancing activities slowed down during the quarter, mortgage banking revenues are not expected to witness much improvement. Expenses to Trend Higher: Expenses are projected to trend higher in the quarter due to the companys continued investments in several areas, including operational infrastructure and technology. Finally, lets have a look at what our quantitative model predicts: According to our quantitative model, chances of M&T Bank beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the fourth quarter are high. This is because it has the right combination of the two key ingredients a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better to increase the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP: The Earnings ESP for M&T Bank is +0.80%. Zacks Rank: M&T Bank currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Other Stocks to Consider Here are some other stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around. U.S. Bancorp USB is slated to release results on Jan 16. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.26% and currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. | M&T Bank Corporation MTB is scheduled to report fourth quarter and 2018 results on Jan 17, before the opening bell. The companys revenues and earnings are expected to improve from the year-ago quarter. The bank has delivered positive earnings surprises in each of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 7.1%. | bart | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/earnings-beat-cards-m-t-214909607.html | 0.252525 |
Will the Rally in Homebuilder ETFs Continue? | U.S. homebuilder ETFs struggled for the most part of 2018 with rising rates and escalating housing prices. Also, the land and labor shortages, resulting in tighter inventories, added to the concerns. Lately, the trend has reversed. The most-popular homebuilder ETF, iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF ITB, has returned 8.3% over the past four weeks and 10.5% in the year-to-date frame (as of Jan 10) (see: all the Industrials ETFs here). U.S. 30-year mortgage rates have dipped over the past two months as Fed officials have signaled that the central bank is likely to slow down or even halt rate hikes, given the signs of tightening financial conditions. For the week ended Jan 4, mortgage rates averaged 4.74% marking their lowest level since April 2018. These helped applications for home mortgages jump at a more than three years pace(for the week ended Jan 4) (read: Dovish Fed Minutes Should Boost These ETFs). The fall in mortgage rates also led to a surge in refinance activity, particularly for borrowers of larger loan size. The average loan size on refinance applications rose to the highest in the survey ($339,800) conducted by the Mortgage Bankers Association. The spike in refinance activity also pushed the refinance index to its highest level since July 2018. However, the housing markets still have plenty of issues to cope with. Government Shutdown U.S. government shutdown which began on Dec 21, 2018 has affected the real estate industry. Per a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) on the government deadlock, 11% of the respondents have reported an impact on current clients and the same percentage of respondents have reported a possible impact on potential clients (read: Second-Longest Shutdown Puts These ETFs in Focus). The report has suggested that some government employees are pulling out of purchase offers, while some are being denied loans due to the absence of wages. Also, some non-government employees are having second thoughts regarding purchases, given the overall concerns and uncertainty in the economy. Lawrence Yun, the chief economist of NAR also didnt seem pleased with the current government shutdown and reportedly said that the housing markets were already in a fragile state before the government closure. This was also reflected in the upward movement of mortgage rates, which were at their highest level since Dec 31(as of Jan 9). Other Signs of Slowdown In December 2018, Fannie Maes home purchase sentiment index fell to its lowest level in two years. Four out of 10 Americans said that its a bad time to buy a home, the highest on record since June 2010. Also, per a separate data released last month, builders also have a bleak outlook on the housing sector. In December 2018, National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index dropped to the lowest level since 2015. ETFs in Focus Though the recent dovish stance adopted by Fed officials and improved wage growth are tailwinds for the housing sector, government shutdown and escalating home prices will affect the sentiment of buyers. So, homebuilder ETFs are likely to have a volatile ride in the coming weeks. Below we highlight them in detail: ITB This fund tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction Index comprising companies building residential homes, including manufacturers of mobile and prefabricated homes. There are a total of 48 holdings in the basket, with D.R. Horton Inc DHI occupying the top weight of 13.6%. The funds AUM is $972.2 million and expense ratio is 0.43%. It currently has a Zacks ETF Rank #4 (Sell) with a High risk outlook (read: Housing Market Facing Strong Headwinds: ETFs in Focus). SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF XHB This fund tracks the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index targeting industries like building products, home furnishings, home improvement retail, home furnishing retail and household appliances. It is an equal-weighted fund. It comprises 35 holdings and Lennar Corporation Class A LEN occupies the top position with 4.8% weight. The funds AUM is $651.9 million and expense ratio is 0.35%. It has returned 8.7% in the year-to-date time frame and 5.9% over the past four weeks (as of Jan 10). The fund carries a Zacks ETF Rank #4 with a High risk outlook. | The most-popular homebuilder ETF, iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF ITB, has returned 8.3% over the past four weeks and 10.5% in the year-to-date frame (as of Jan 10) However, the housing markets still have plenty of issues to cope with. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/rally-homebuilder-etfs-continue-215409398.html | 0.127287 |
Did Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed jump the queue with her speedy resettlement to Canada? | Not according to Canadian immigration officials and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed was granted refuge in Canada after fleeing from her family she claimed were abusive. ( Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star ) While Rahafs plea for help on social media got her international headlines and drew the attention of the UNHCR to her plight, the emergency rescue effort was by no means unique though the warm embrace by a foreign minister at the airport may be. According to immigration officials, some 200 people are processed under Canadas Urgent Protection Program each year, with about 50 resettled within the rapid timelines seen in Rahafs case. The 18-year-old arrived in Toronto Saturday accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland after a tumultuous week that began with Rahaf escaping from her family during a trip to Kuwait. Rahaf then flew to Bangkok, where she was detained by Thai authorities who prepared to deport her to Saudi Arabia, where she feared for her life. Canada has the flexibility to respond quickly to individual emergency situations for a small number of refugees, said immigration department spokesperson Beatrice Fenelon. These individuals are resettled on an expedited basis due to their particular circumstances. Article Continued Below I know that there are unlucky women who disappeared after trying to escape or who could not do anything to change their reality, she told reporters. People in need of protection cannot apply directly to the special Canadian program and requests must be made by referral organizations, such as the UNHCR. Article Continued Below Since Rahafs speedy resettlement to Canada less than a week after she started a Twitter campaign while barricaded inside her hotel room she has faced backlash not only from internet trolls criticizing her as a disgrace to her family and Islam but also from refugee supporters accusing her of being a queue jumper. A Syrian refugee from a war zone who lost everything is not welcome in the west. But a person from a golden palace in Saudi-Arabia who says I am not a Muslim anymore is a hero and very welcome. Can someone explain this to me? Arnoud van Doorn, a member of The Hague City Council in the Netherlands, asked on Twitter. In Rahafs case, the UNHCR dispatched a team to her hotel room in Bangkok for an emergency resettlement assessment after learning from media reports that the teenager was going to be handed over to her family, who were en route to Thailand and planned to take her back to Saudi Arabia. Among the 25.4 million refugees worldwide, less than 1 per cent end up being resettled, many of them after years in limbo. Emergency resettlement is extremely rare, noted Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the UNHCR representative to Canada. Based on agreed-upon criteria, we refer these cases to the 30 countries that offer resettlement programs. There are many situations. It could be for the lack of medical care or the fear of torture if someone is returned to the country of origin. At her hotel in Bangkok, Rahaf was given a formal interview where she was asked to provide the details and evidence to substantiate her claims of mental and physical abuse by her family. After she got her UNHCR refugee designation, she underwent a thorough security and criminal check, as well as a medical exam, before being admitted to Canada. Rahaf met those criteria and we referred her case to several countries. Canada was the fastest to respond. Rahaf cant choose her destination. She didnt jump any queue. Its a different process with different criteria, said Beuze. Its not a unique case, but its only unique because of all the media and social media attention. While some critics fear Rahafs case may set a precedent and open the floodgates for other Middle Eastern women to claim gender oppression, experts say resettlement is only available to those who make it outside their country of origin. The assumption is your country can protect you. You become a refugee because you dont get the protection and other countries need to step in, said Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees. Due to the notion of sovereignty, you cant be a refugee in your own country. While praising Canadas quick response to Rahafs situation, Dench said government officials must not politicize the refugee resettlement process by only prioritizing cases of those who have the ears of the Prime Minister or Immigration Minister and are the favourite of the month of the media. According to the UNHCR, 1.4 million refugees have been identified for resettlement in 2019, but only 80,000 spots are available, including 11,000 in Canada. Nicholas Keung is a Toronto-based reporter covering immigration. Follow him on Twitter: @nkeung | Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed was granted refuge in Canada after fleeing from her family she claimed were abusive. | bart | 0 | https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/01/15/did-saudi-teen-jump-the-queue-with-her-speedy-resettlement-to-canada.html | 0.200482 |
Did Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed jump the queue with her speedy resettlement to Canada? | Not according to Canadian immigration officials and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed was granted refuge in Canada after fleeing from her family she claimed were abusive. ( Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star ) While Rahafs plea for help on social media got her international headlines and drew the attention of the UNHCR to her plight, the emergency rescue effort was by no means unique though the warm embrace by a foreign minister at the airport may be. According to immigration officials, some 200 people are processed under Canadas Urgent Protection Program each year, with about 50 resettled within the rapid timelines seen in Rahafs case. The 18-year-old arrived in Toronto Saturday accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland after a tumultuous week that began with Rahaf escaping from her family during a trip to Kuwait. Rahaf then flew to Bangkok, where she was detained by Thai authorities who prepared to deport her to Saudi Arabia, where she feared for her life. Canada has the flexibility to respond quickly to individual emergency situations for a small number of refugees, said immigration department spokesperson Beatrice Fenelon. These individuals are resettled on an expedited basis due to their particular circumstances. Article Continued Below I know that there are unlucky women who disappeared after trying to escape or who could not do anything to change their reality, she told reporters. People in need of protection cannot apply directly to the special Canadian program and requests must be made by referral organizations, such as the UNHCR. Article Continued Below Since Rahafs speedy resettlement to Canada less than a week after she started a Twitter campaign while barricaded inside her hotel room she has faced backlash not only from internet trolls criticizing her as a disgrace to her family and Islam but also from refugee supporters accusing her of being a queue jumper. A Syrian refugee from a war zone who lost everything is not welcome in the west. But a person from a golden palace in Saudi-Arabia who says I am not a Muslim anymore is a hero and very welcome. Can someone explain this to me? Arnoud van Doorn, a member of The Hague City Council in the Netherlands, asked on Twitter. In Rahafs case, the UNHCR dispatched a team to her hotel room in Bangkok for an emergency resettlement assessment after learning from media reports that the teenager was going to be handed over to her family, who were en route to Thailand and planned to take her back to Saudi Arabia. Among the 25.4 million refugees worldwide, less than 1 per cent end up being resettled, many of them after years in limbo. Emergency resettlement is extremely rare, noted Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the UNHCR representative to Canada. Based on agreed-upon criteria, we refer these cases to the 30 countries that offer resettlement programs. There are many situations. It could be for the lack of medical care or the fear of torture if someone is returned to the country of origin. At her hotel in Bangkok, Rahaf was given a formal interview where she was asked to provide the details and evidence to substantiate her claims of mental and physical abuse by her family. After she got her UNHCR refugee designation, she underwent a thorough security and criminal check, as well as a medical exam, before being admitted to Canada. Rahaf met those criteria and we referred her case to several countries. Canada was the fastest to respond. Rahaf cant choose her destination. She didnt jump any queue. Its a different process with different criteria, said Beuze. Its not a unique case, but its only unique because of all the media and social media attention. While some critics fear Rahafs case may set a precedent and open the floodgates for other Middle Eastern women to claim gender oppression, experts say resettlement is only available to those who make it outside their country of origin. The assumption is your country can protect you. You become a refugee because you dont get the protection and other countries need to step in, said Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees. Due to the notion of sovereignty, you cant be a refugee in your own country. While praising Canadas quick response to Rahafs situation, Dench said government officials must not politicize the refugee resettlement process by only prioritizing cases of those who have the ears of the Prime Minister or Immigration Minister and are the favourite of the month of the media. According to the UNHCR, 1.4 million refugees have been identified for resettlement in 2019, but only 80,000 spots are available, including 11,000 in Canada. Nicholas Keung is a Toronto-based reporter covering immigration. Follow him on Twitter: @nkeung | Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed was granted refuge in Canada after fleeing from her family she claimed were abusive. Rahaf arrived in Toronto Saturday after a tumultuous week that began with Rahaf escaping during a trip to Kuwait. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/01/15/did-saudi-teen-jump-the-queue-with-her-speedy-resettlement-to-canada.html | 0.235406 |
Did Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed jump the queue with her speedy resettlement to Canada? | Not according to Canadian immigration officials and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed was granted refuge in Canada after fleeing from her family she claimed were abusive. ( Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star ) While Rahafs plea for help on social media got her international headlines and drew the attention of the UNHCR to her plight, the emergency rescue effort was by no means unique though the warm embrace by a foreign minister at the airport may be. According to immigration officials, some 200 people are processed under Canadas Urgent Protection Program each year, with about 50 resettled within the rapid timelines seen in Rahafs case. The 18-year-old arrived in Toronto Saturday accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland after a tumultuous week that began with Rahaf escaping from her family during a trip to Kuwait. Rahaf then flew to Bangkok, where she was detained by Thai authorities who prepared to deport her to Saudi Arabia, where she feared for her life. Canada has the flexibility to respond quickly to individual emergency situations for a small number of refugees, said immigration department spokesperson Beatrice Fenelon. These individuals are resettled on an expedited basis due to their particular circumstances. Article Continued Below I know that there are unlucky women who disappeared after trying to escape or who could not do anything to change their reality, she told reporters. People in need of protection cannot apply directly to the special Canadian program and requests must be made by referral organizations, such as the UNHCR. Article Continued Below Since Rahafs speedy resettlement to Canada less than a week after she started a Twitter campaign while barricaded inside her hotel room she has faced backlash not only from internet trolls criticizing her as a disgrace to her family and Islam but also from refugee supporters accusing her of being a queue jumper. A Syrian refugee from a war zone who lost everything is not welcome in the west. But a person from a golden palace in Saudi-Arabia who says I am not a Muslim anymore is a hero and very welcome. Can someone explain this to me? Arnoud van Doorn, a member of The Hague City Council in the Netherlands, asked on Twitter. In Rahafs case, the UNHCR dispatched a team to her hotel room in Bangkok for an emergency resettlement assessment after learning from media reports that the teenager was going to be handed over to her family, who were en route to Thailand and planned to take her back to Saudi Arabia. Among the 25.4 million refugees worldwide, less than 1 per cent end up being resettled, many of them after years in limbo. Emergency resettlement is extremely rare, noted Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the UNHCR representative to Canada. Based on agreed-upon criteria, we refer these cases to the 30 countries that offer resettlement programs. There are many situations. It could be for the lack of medical care or the fear of torture if someone is returned to the country of origin. At her hotel in Bangkok, Rahaf was given a formal interview where she was asked to provide the details and evidence to substantiate her claims of mental and physical abuse by her family. After she got her UNHCR refugee designation, she underwent a thorough security and criminal check, as well as a medical exam, before being admitted to Canada. Rahaf met those criteria and we referred her case to several countries. Canada was the fastest to respond. Rahaf cant choose her destination. She didnt jump any queue. Its a different process with different criteria, said Beuze. Its not a unique case, but its only unique because of all the media and social media attention. While some critics fear Rahafs case may set a precedent and open the floodgates for other Middle Eastern women to claim gender oppression, experts say resettlement is only available to those who make it outside their country of origin. The assumption is your country can protect you. You become a refugee because you dont get the protection and other countries need to step in, said Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees. Due to the notion of sovereignty, you cant be a refugee in your own country. While praising Canadas quick response to Rahafs situation, Dench said government officials must not politicize the refugee resettlement process by only prioritizing cases of those who have the ears of the Prime Minister or Immigration Minister and are the favourite of the month of the media. According to the UNHCR, 1.4 million refugees have been identified for resettlement in 2019, but only 80,000 spots are available, including 11,000 in Canada. Nicholas Keung is a Toronto-based reporter covering immigration. Follow him on Twitter: @nkeung | Saudi teen Rahaf Mohammed was granted refuge in Canada after fleeing from her family she claimed were abusive. Rahaf arrived in Toronto Saturday after a tumultuous week that began with Rahaf escaping during a trip to Kuwait. She has faced backlash from internet trolls criticizing her as a disgrace to her family and Islam. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/01/15/did-saudi-teen-jump-the-queue-with-her-speedy-resettlement-to-canada.html | 0.319711 |
Should William Barr recuse himself from the Mueller investigation? | William Barr has accepted President Trump's nomination to replace Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Barr has decades of experience, previously serving as Attorney General under George H.W. Bush. Last year, Barr sent a memo to the Justice Department, claiming Robert Mueller was acting outside the law in investigating the president for obstruction of justice. Democrats feel the memo shows clear bias and he should recuse himself. Barr says he is not biased and will not recuse himself. PERSPECTIVES In his unsolicited memo, Barr claimed Mueller was acting outside the law in his investigation: Barr wrote that Mueller's apparent theory of obstruction "is premised on a novel and legally insupportable reading of the law. Moreover, in my view, if credited by the department, it would have grave consequences far beyond the immediate confines of this case and would do lasting damage to the presidency and to the administration of law within the executive branch." The Washington Post reports this has given many Democrats pause in confirming Barr, seeing this memo as an indication of bias against Mueller. Attorney general nominee wrote memo criticizing Mueller obstruction probe Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, felt the memo showed an appropriate amount of skepticism regarding the Mueller investigation, not clear-cut bias. Per the Washington Post: "He's got some concerns about turning the firing of a political appointee into an obstruction of justice case, and I share those concerns," [Lindsey] Graham said. "But that's his opinion as a private citizen. As attorney general, his job is to receive Mr. Mueller's report." William Barr's confirmation hearing expected to be a battle over Mueller's future In his opening statement, Barr himself commented on the memo. Barr claims he has nothing but respect for Robert Mueller and will protect the investigation as his job demands. I will follow the Special Counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work. Second, I also believe it is very important that the public and Congress be informed of the results of the Special Counsel's work. For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law. I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision. READ: Attorney General nominee William Barr's prepared testimony Throughout his hearing, though, Barr has refused to agree to recuse himself, even if the Ethics Committee suggests he do so. Barr's insistence on remaining in control of the hearing, even if he is deemed to have a bias against Robert Mueller, has worried some Democrats. BARR: "Because the regulations ... vest that responsibility in the attorney general." Repeats that he won't surrender any responsibilities. -- Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) January 15, 2019 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. | Last year, William Barr sent a memo to the Justice Department claiming Robert Mueller was acting outside the law in his investigation. Democrats feel the memo shows clear bias and he should recuse himself. Barr has refused to agree to recuse himself. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.nola.com/interact/2019/01/should_william_barr_recuse_him.html | 0.373217 |
Should William Barr recuse himself from the Mueller investigation? | William Barr has accepted President Trump's nomination to replace Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Barr has decades of experience, previously serving as Attorney General under George H.W. Bush. Last year, Barr sent a memo to the Justice Department, claiming Robert Mueller was acting outside the law in investigating the president for obstruction of justice. Democrats feel the memo shows clear bias and he should recuse himself. Barr says he is not biased and will not recuse himself. PERSPECTIVES In his unsolicited memo, Barr claimed Mueller was acting outside the law in his investigation: Barr wrote that Mueller's apparent theory of obstruction "is premised on a novel and legally insupportable reading of the law. Moreover, in my view, if credited by the department, it would have grave consequences far beyond the immediate confines of this case and would do lasting damage to the presidency and to the administration of law within the executive branch." The Washington Post reports this has given many Democrats pause in confirming Barr, seeing this memo as an indication of bias against Mueller. Attorney general nominee wrote memo criticizing Mueller obstruction probe Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, felt the memo showed an appropriate amount of skepticism regarding the Mueller investigation, not clear-cut bias. Per the Washington Post: "He's got some concerns about turning the firing of a political appointee into an obstruction of justice case, and I share those concerns," [Lindsey] Graham said. "But that's his opinion as a private citizen. As attorney general, his job is to receive Mr. Mueller's report." William Barr's confirmation hearing expected to be a battle over Mueller's future In his opening statement, Barr himself commented on the memo. Barr claims he has nothing but respect for Robert Mueller and will protect the investigation as his job demands. I will follow the Special Counsel regulations scrupulously and in good faith, and on my watch, Bob will be allowed to complete his work. Second, I also believe it is very important that the public and Congress be informed of the results of the Special Counsel's work. For that reason, my goal will be to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law. I can assure you that, where judgments are to be made by me, I will make those judgments based solely on the law and will let no personal, political, or other improper interests influence my decision. READ: Attorney General nominee William Barr's prepared testimony Throughout his hearing, though, Barr has refused to agree to recuse himself, even if the Ethics Committee suggests he do so. Barr's insistence on remaining in control of the hearing, even if he is deemed to have a bias against Robert Mueller, has worried some Democrats. BARR: "Because the regulations ... vest that responsibility in the attorney general." Repeats that he won't surrender any responsibilities. -- Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) January 15, 2019 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. | William Barr sent a memo to the Justice Department last year criticizing Robert Mueller's investigation. Democrats see this as an indication of bias against Mueller. Barr says he is not biased and will not recuse himself from the investigation. The hearing is expected to be a battle over Mueller's future. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.nola.com/interact/2019/01/should_william_barr_recuse_him.html | 0.486569 |
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