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President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his intention not to contest the 2023 presidential elections but determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several ECOWAS members will be going to the polls in 2020.

Buhari made his feelings known in a letter to Nigerians issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday to mark the commencement of 2020.

He said his decision to help strengthen the electoral process, particularly in Nigeria, was informed by the frustrations the nation’s electoral system had triggered.

“Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy.

“I salute the commitment of the millions who voted in peace last February and of those leaders who contested for office vigorously but fairly, submitting to the authority of the electorate, the Independent National Electoral Commission and judicial process.

“I understand very well the frustrations our system has in the past triggered. I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be available in any future elections.

“But I am determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region, where several ECOWAS members go to the polls this year,’’ he said.

On security, the president said: “As Commander-in-Chief, my primary concern is the security of the nation and the safety of our citizens.

“When I assumed office in May 2015 my first task was to rally our neighbours so that we could confront Boko Haram on a coordinated regional basis. Chaos is not a neighbour any of us hope for.

“We have been fighting on several fronts: violent extremists, cultists and organised criminal networks. It has not been easy.

“But as we are winning the war, we also look to the challenge of winning the peace, the reconstruction of lives, communities and markets.’’

According to the president, the North East Development Commission will work with local and international stakeholders to help create a new beginning for the region.

He also expressed government’s readiness to continue to work with State Governors, neighbouring countries and the international partners to tackle the root causes of violent extremism and the networks that help finance and organise terror.

“Our security forces will receive the best training and modern weaponry, and in turn will be held to the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human rights.

“We will use all the human and emerging technological resources available to tackle kidnapping, banditry and armed robbery.

“The new Ministry of Police Affairs increased recruitment of officers and the security reforms being introduced will build on what we are already delivering.

“We will work tirelessly at home and with our allies in support of our policies to protect the security of life and property,’’ he added.

Buhari maintained that his administration’s actions would be governed by the rule of law as well as engagement with well-meaning leaders and citizens to promote dialogue, partnership and understanding.

“We need a democratic government that can guarantee peace and security to realise the full potential of our ingenious, entrepreneurial and hard-working people.

“Our policies are designed to promote genuine, balanced growth that delivers jobs and rewards industry.

“Our new Economic Advisory Council brings together respected and independent thinkers to advise me on a strategy that champions inclusive and balanced growth and above all fight poverty and safeguard national economic interests.

“As we have sat down to celebrate with friends and family over this holiday season, for the first time in a generation our food plates have not all been filled with imports of products we know can easily be produced here at home,’’ he said.

He also noted that the nation’s revolution in agriculture had become a reality in all corners of the country.

The president expressed the hope that the new agreements with Morocco, Russia and others would help access on attractive terms the inputs the country needed to accelerate the transformation in farming.

“A good example of commitment to this inclusive growth is the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the creation of the National Action Committee to oversee its implementation and ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to allow us to fully capitalise on regional and continental markets.

“The joint land border security exercise currently taking place is meant to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and security. No one can doubt that we have been good neighbours and good citizens.

“We have been the helpers and shock-absorbers of the sub-region but we cannot allow our well-planned economic regeneration to be sabotaged.

“As soon as we are satisfied that the safeguards are adequate, normal cross-border movements will be resumed,’’ he added.

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he will leave office in 2023.

He gave the assurance in a New Year letter to Nigerians sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the presidency.

"I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be available in any future elections," the president wrote.

"But I am determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region, where several ECOWAS members go to the polls this year," he added.

Mr Buhari's clarification comes amidst fears by some Nigerians that he was seeking a backdoor to continue in office beyond the constitutionally permitted 2023.

The fears increased when some protesters called for a constitutional amendment to allow him stay in office beyond 2023. A member of Mr Buhari's party, APC, also approached the court to nullify the term limit set in the constitution. The party man later withdrew the suit after the APC distanced itself from it.

Mr Buhari was first elected president in 2015 on the APC platform. He won reelection earlier this year defeating dozens of other candidates including Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

In his letter titled, 'A Letter from the President at New Year', President Buhari stated that his primary concern is the security of the nation and the safety of its citizens.

"When I assumed office in May 2015, my first task was to rally our neighbours so that we could confront Boko Haram on a coordinated regional basis. Chaos is not a neighbour any of us hope for.

"We have been fighting on several fronts: violent extremists, cultists and organised criminal networks. It has not been easy. But as we are winning the war, we also look to the challenge of winning the peace, the reconstruction of lives, communities and markets. The North East Development Commission will work with local and international stakeholders to help create a new beginning for the North East," he said.

Maine's minimum wage rises $1 to $12 an hour starting in 2020 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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LIVE WITH HOW SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS PLAN TO ABSORB THE EXTRA PAYROLL COSTS. ONE BUSINESS OWNER TOLD ME OFF CAMERA - SHE IS WORRIED SHE MIGHT HAVE TO CLOSE...CALLING THE INCREASES IN THE MINIMUM WAGE - UNREALISTIC... SAYING THEY HAVE JUST ABOUT REACHED THEIR BREAKING POINT... WE RE-VISITED ANOTHER BUSINESS - TO SEE WHAT ADJUSTMENTS HE PLANS TO MAKE TO STAY ALIVE. <SOT FROM LAST YEAR-> "WE'RE DOING OUR BEST HERE TO KEEP OUR PRICES LEVEL." THAT WAS THEN ...THIS IS NOW.... <SOT-CRAIG ALLAIRE/PORTLAND HOUSE OF PIZZA-04.54> "SO, IF WE PAY MORE, SOME THINGS DO HAVE TO GO UP." CRAIG ALLAIRE IS THE OPERATIONS A MANAGER AT THE "PORTLAND HOUSE OF PIZZA." WE TALKED HIM BEFORE LAST YEAR'S MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE....AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN --AS THE MINIMUM WAGE IS SET TO INCREASE AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR FROM 11 TO 12 DOLLARS AN HOUR. <SOT-CRAIG ALLAIRE/PORTLAND HOUSE OF PIZZA-04.15> "WE'VE ALWAYS PAID MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE HERE. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON PAYING MORE - WE TRY AND KEEP OURSELVES - WE TRY TO BE BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE JOE." YET TO COMPETE AND STILL MAKE A PROFIT - ADJUSTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE AGAIN THIS YEAR..IT MAY COME DOWN TO HIGHER PRICES - PASSED ON TO HIS CUSTOMERS...BUT HE'S BEING VERY CAREFUL AND SELECTIVE...HOW HE GOES ABOUT THAT. <SOT-CRAIG ALLAIRE/PORTLAND HOUSE OF PIZZA-05.06 TO 05.14 TRT > "SUCH AS MAYBE CHEESE PRODUCT OR SOME MEATS HAVE GONE UP A LITTLE BIT." <SOT-CRAIG ALLAIRE/PORTLAND HOUSE OF PIZZA-02.02+> "IT'S GOT TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE SO YEAH WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO DO A SMALL INCREASE ON SOME OF THE PRICES - ACROSS THE BOARD NO - BUT A FEW THINGS HERE AND THERE - YEAH." WITH 23 EMPLOYEES HE'S ABLE TO STAGGER THE SCHEDULE - FEWER STAFFERS AT THE COUNTER.... MEANING WORKERS ARE WORKING HARDER.. BUT THIS IS HOW HE CAN KEEP PAYROLL DOWN, IN THE WAKE OF HIGHER SALARIES. <SOT-CRAIG ALLAIRE/PORTLAND HOUSE OF PIZZA-04.51

Police are looking for an impatient driver who threw a 'grenade' under the wheels of a car in Russia.

Footage shows the white Skoda snake across three lanes before accelerating right behind a vehicle in St Petersburg.

Seconds later, a passenger's arm is held outside of the window and appears to let off an smoking 'grenade'.

A driver held their arm outside of their Skoda to throw a 'grenade' under the wheels of another vehicle in St Petersburg, Russia

The object, which is thought to be a smoke grenade which cannot cause serious damage, releases a dark cloud.

Seconds later, the driver then puts their hand back into the car and instantly moves across to the furthest lane.

A bang is heard as though they have thrown another explosive, in the clip from December 29.

The car in front of them approaches to flash its lights as though they are trying to send them a message.

Police are hunting for the driver who is thought to have chucked an airsoft grenade on to the motorway on December 29. The car snaked across the three lanes before driving on the tail of another vehicle and launching the object

The cars steadily drive along the curved road and the impatient driver can be seen on the edge of the dash-cam footage.

They impatiently swerve over the lines on the road to try to get ahead of the build up of cars.

They grind to a halt and the car appears to have overtaken on the right-hand lane.

St. Petersburg police are now looking for the driver who threw a suspected Airsoft under the wheels of the cars behind them.

Within a matter of seconds, the car crossed to the right of the three lanes, in the dash-cam footage. Smoke was released from the object before a hang was heard

An social media user said: 'If there is a grenade, then some kind of Airsoft or even fireworks.

'For even if it was a conventional RGD, everyone around us would have blown out for a long time, including the machine that was shooting.'

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Peel police are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was shot and killed on New Year’s Eve in Brampton.

The victim has been identified as 17-year-old Jordan Henry of Brampton.

Police were called to a shooting in the area of Alderbury Cres. and Autumn Blvd. just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Investigators say the teen died at the scene of the shooting.

Police are trying to determine whether the shooting happened outside of a house party.

Anyone with information that could help with the investigation is asked to contact police.

• Danielle Franzoni, 31, a restaurant server in Alpena, Mich., who was living in a homeless shelter a year ago, said "things like this don't happen to people like me" after she got a $2,020 tip on a $23 food bill, with "Happy New Year. 2020 Tip Challenge," written on the receipt.

• Shawn Hyde and his wife, Leah, face burglary charges after rangers at the Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park near Millington, Tenn., went to prepare a cabin for a coming rental and found the Hydes and their two young children illegally staying there.

• Shakeel Ryan Massey, 20, was arrested, accused of damaging a Picasso painting, identified as a 1944 semi-abstract style portrait of a woman wearing a hat and green clothes titled Bust of a Woman, at the Tate Modern gallery in London.

• Regis Wilson and Grayson Chamberlain, two St. Louis University students, founded the Queer Closet, which they describe as a clothing library that helps transgender and gender-nonconforming students find outfits that match their gender identities.

• Jordan Olsen and his wife, Jennifer, who met in 1997 at a Subway sandwich shop in Kaysville, Utah, where they both worked, decided to celebrate their nearly 18 years of marriage by buying the shop where they were first smitten.

• Lawrence Battiste, police chief of Mobile, Ala., called it an "insensitive gesture" and apologized for an officer's social media post showing two unidentified officers holding what was described as a "homeless quilt" made of cardboard signs confiscated from panhandlers.

• Derrick Forest, 40, of Minneapolis, was charged with murder after authorities said he got into an SUV in the city's downtown and ran down a man who stabbed him in the back, killing him, after an argument between the two became physical.

• Jeff Beckman, a Hershey Co. spokesman, said the Pennsylvania chocolate company is retiring its 26-foot-long Kissmobiles -- custom vehicles that resemble three Kisses candies and have traveled across the country since 1997 -- citing safety concerns and difficulty finding replacement parts for the aging vehicles.

• Nate Takacs, 8, who said he was excited when he ran to see a Nativity scene on display in a park in Tallahassee, Fla., called it "a big sin" when he found the crib empty because someone had taken the doll depicting Baby Jesus in the manger six days after Christmas.

A Section on 01/01/2020

Weather in northwest Orange County for Tuesday, December 31, 2019:

Today:

Sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight:

Clear, with a low around 44. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid to upper 60s, dipping into the low 70s, with mostly sunny skies.

Courtesy of HistoryNet:

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Agra, Jan 1 (IANS) A bullion merchant along with his wife and daughter were found dead in a parked car on Yamuna Expressway near the Vrindavana cut.

Mathura SSP Shalabh Mathur said prima facie it seems to be a case of suicide as a suicide note has been found from the car.

The deceased have been identified as Neeraj Agarwal, 40, his wife Neha, 35, and their 8-year-old daughter.

The victim's car. (Photo credit: Anil Agarwal)

AGRA: A 37-year-old bullion trader allegedly killed himself after shooting his wife and his minor daughter in his car near 105 milestones of Yamuna Expressway in Mathura on Wednesday.While the trader, Neeraj Agarwal, his wife, Neha ( 35) and his daughter, Dhanya (6), were found dead on the back seat of the car, his son, Shaurya (10), who was also shot at, is battling for his life in a hospital in Delhi.Police said that the incident took place after 12am on Wednesday. Police sources claimed that Neeraj was “depressed” due to long ongoing Enforcement directorate inquiry against him. The inquiry had reportedly been initiated after demonetisation. Police officials said that this could have been a plausible reason behind the murders and suicide.According to SP (city) AK Meena, the family hails from Mathura but had been staying in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar for the past few months. He said the injured boy was found breathing when the police broke the glass of the car and he was immediately rushed to Nayati hospital from where he was shifted to Apollo hospital, Delhi, as his condition was critical.Meena told TOI that small note was also found inside the car and the same has been sent for a forensic wing for checking its authenticity. He said, police found a pistol in Neeraj’s right hand and he had apparently shot himself on his right temple. While Neeraj was sitting on the driver’s seat, all the other three members of his family were on the back seat and car was locked. The SP said the bodies have been sent for post mortem.Talking to TOI, Neeraj’s father Dinesh Chandra Agarwal, claimed that Neeraj could not have committed this crime and this was a murder, planned by the trader’s enemies. He said some people had attacked and shot at Neeraj two years ago in Govardhan area and a police complaint was filed in this regard. Fortunately, he survived as the bullet nicked his car only.“My son and his family members were murdered,” he said, adding that his son Neeraj had shifted to Delhi around 7 months back and used to come to Mathura frequently. He said that his wife also hailed from Mathura’s Jaganathpuri area.He admitted that an ED inquiry was going on but Neeraj had filed an appeal in the case and this could not be the reason for his death.In Video: 37-year-old bullion trader, wife and daughter found dead in car near Yamuna Expressway

East Mill Flow-Round Pond Trail, part of the Hammond Pond Wild Forest, extends 5.2 miles between Round Pond Trailhead and East Mill Flow Trailhead in the Sharp Bridge Campground.

West of Round Pond, the trail is known as the East Mill Flow Trail, and south of Round Pond the trail is known as the Round Pond Trail. The trail undulates gently over most of the distance, descending 295 feet in a 0.6-mile section before the last flat 0.6 mile along Schroon Brook to the campground. Measuring from the Round Pond Trailhead, the trail passes Trout Pond at 0.5-mile, Round Pond at 1.5 miles, and crosses East Mill Brook at 2.8 miles. This picturesque trail provides skiers and snowshoers a chance for solitude on a lesser traveled path.

Trailhead parking:

East Mill Flow Trailhead is located in the Sharp Bridge Campground off US Route 9 and is plowed for winter use.

Round Pond Trailhead Parking Area is located along Ensign Pond Road (County Route 4) off US Route 9. This parking area is also plowed for winter use. (44.0239°N, 73.6234°W)

Featured Spots are recommended by DEC.

Map East Mill FLow-Round Pond Trail courtesy Adirondack Atlas.

Chad Brown

Trainer Chad Brown notched his fifth consecutive New York Racing Association year-end training title, jockey Manny Franco won his second consecutive riding crown, and Klaravich Stables led all owners on the circuit as racing concluded for 2019 following Tuesday's card at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Brown, who has won three consecutive Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Trainer from 2016-18, saddled 142 winners at NYRA tracks, which encompasses Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct, for earnings of more than $15.67 million.

The 41-year-old Brown has paced NYRA trainers on every NYRA year-end standings list since 2015. For 2019, he finished 36 wins better than the next closest competitor in Linda Rice, who was the only other training to finish with triple-digit wins [106].

Brown's horses finished with a 142-108-97 record in 552 starts for a winning percentage of 25.72. His horses finished top-three in an impressive 62.86 percent of starts. His earnings exceeded his 2018 total of $15.62 million for the most he's compiled in one year on the NYRA circuit.

Brown won four individual meet titles, capturing both the Aqueduct and Belmont fall meets, along with his second straight H. Allen Jerkens award [and third overall] for leading Saratoga trainer, as well as pacing the Belmont spring/summer meet.

Among Brown's many accolades was posting eight of his 20 Grade 1 wins at NYRA tracks, improving on the seven Grade 1 wins his horses recorded on the circuit in 2018. Sistercharlie had two of those wins in the Diana and Flower Bowl Invitational, while Guarana also picked up two with the Coaching Club American Oaks and the Acorn.

Leading Horse of the Year contender Bricks and Mortar, a perfect 6-for-6 this year with five Grade 1 triumphs, won the Manhattan on Belmont Stakes Day, June 8, at Belmont Park, while Annals of Time was victorious in the Sword Dancer on Travers Day, August 24, at the Spa. Brown also saddled Rushing Fall, winner of the Longines Just a Game, and Dunbar Road, who gave him his first career win in the Alabama.

Franco, who earned the first two NYRA meet titles of his career during 2018, again came out on top in a pair of individual meets in 2019, winning the Aqueduct and Belmont fall slates. For the year, the Carolina, Puerto Rico native won 212 races from 1,274 mounts with earnings of more than $14.6 million. Franco was the 2018 year-end leading rider when he captured 244 races, giving him a two-year total of 456 at NYRA tracks.

Franco was one of just two riders to crack the 200-win plateau on the year, besting second-place finisher Lezcano [208 victories] by four for the top spot. Three of Franco's four Grade 1 wins come in the Big Apple, including Tiz the Law in the Champagne, and World of Trouble in the Carter Handicap and the Jaipur Invitational. His lone non-New York Grade 1 win was aboard Sharing in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in November at Santa Anita.

“I'm very thankful. I have to thank all the trainers and owners for putting me on these good horses, as well as my agent [Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr.], who has also helped me a lot during my career and especially this year,” Franco said. “It's a big accomplishment I just want to continue to ride and do well.”

Klaravich Stables went 57-46-31 with 196 starters to lead all owners, finishing with earnings of more than $5.18 million. Headed by Seth Klarman, the stable won at least a share of five of the six NYRA individual meets in 2019. Klaravich won the Belmont fall and spring/summer outright, as well as Saratoga, while tying Repole and Drawing Away Stable for the Aqueduct Spring and sharing the Aqueduct fall with Drawing Away Stable.

Michael Dubb, who finished atop the year-end owner standings from 2014-18, was second with 50 wins.

Live racing resumes Wednesday, New Year's Day, at the Big A with an eight-race card highlighted by the $150,000 Jerome in Race 7 for newly turned 3-year-olds. The one-mile contest will offer 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the top-four finishers towards the Kentucky Derby. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

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Copyright © 2020 Paulick Report.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) used an end-of-year address to take aim at the GOP lawmakers who continue to defend President Donald Trump at all costs, describing them as “fawning” and “spineless.”

“In a few hours, the dawn of a new year will break over America, offering us a moment for pause and reflection,” the Democratic presidential candidate told supporters at an event in Boston on Tuesday. “Now, it is normally a moment for optimism. But let’s face it, this year in America has been anything but normal.”

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“In the past 12 months, the president has become bolder with his lies and more brazen in his law-breaking,” Warren continued. “He has tried to squeeze a foreign government to advance his own political fortunes. Meanwhile, the Republicans in Congress have turned into fawning, spineless defenders of his crimes.”

Warren said it had “brought no one any joy” to impeach Trump over the Ukraine scandal, but said House Democrats had “upheld their sworn duty to the Constitution” in doing so. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has so far declined to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate amid fears of Republican bias in a trial of the president.

Warren warned that “unless some Senate Republicans choose truth over politics, Trump will be emboldened to try to cheat his way through yet another election.” “Our democracy hangs in the balance,” she later added.

Check out Warren’s full speech here:

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – On Thursday, Governor Tate Reeves announced his request for disaster assistance for Mississippi citizens impacted by the Pearl River flooding and severe weather in February 2020.

Reeves is requesting Federal Declaration for Public Assistance to help recover from the flooding and storms.

“Mississippians are strong and resilient, but the historic flooding and severe weather we experienced is more than anyone should have to recover from alone. When disaster strikes and a fellow Mississippian is in need, we lend a helping hand. I want to thank all the hardworking men and women who helped complete these damage assessments to ensure every community hit can receive the necessary assistance to recover,” said Reeves.

According to a media release from his office, joint public assistance damage assessments were conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance personnel, along with local governments.

Assessments began on March 9, 2020, in the following counties: Attala, Carroll, Claiborne, Clay, Copiah, Grenada, Hinds, Holmes, Leflore, Warren, and Yazoo. After the completion of all damage assessments, it was determined that each of those eleven counties met the threshold to receive assistance.

Issaquena and Sharkey Counties were also included in the joint damage assessments, but due to ongoing flooding, the damage could not be assessed. The damage in these areas will be assessed at a later date.

Reeves also stated he also requesting disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Central Mississippi communities affected by the Pearl River flooding on February 10-14, 2020.

He sent a letter to SBA Director Kem Fleming asking that low-interest loans be made available to aid small businesses and property owners in Hinds and Madison Counties damaged by the historic flooding.

U.S. government debt prices moved lower on Tuesday, the last trading day of the year.

At 3:50 a.m. ET, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to around 1.9034%, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also higher at 2.3574%. Bond yields move inversely to prices.

Investors have been taking on more risk on the back of optimism over U.S.-China trade relations. The world's two largest economies agreed earlier this month to a so-called "phase one" trade deal.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the country's top trade negotiator, is set to visit Washington later this week to sign the agreement.

In terms of economic data, investors will be looking out for consumer confidence figures for December due to be released at 10 a.m. ET.

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VANCOUVER -- Heavy waves are being blamed for sending a tank trailer full of dead fish plummeting into the water off the coast of Vancouver Island last weekend.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the trailer rolled off the deck of a landing craft – a vessel similar to a barge – early Saturday morning north of Campbell River "due to heavy wave action."

Witnesses told CTV News they saw something leaking into the water after the accident.

"There's a hatch and a valve and it's indented," said James Lawson, a commercial diver from the area. "There was some fish matter settled and then occasionally it would spurt out a pink liquid that would diffuse into the surrounding water."

But the owner of the vessel, Coastal Seatrucking Ltd., and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have insisted the trailer remained intact.

In an email to CTV News, a spokesperson for the DFO said "there was no discharge of dead fish into the environment."

The fish came from Cypress Harbour, a fish farm owned by Cermaq Canada. Officials said the deaths were not caused by disease.

Bill Vaughn, owner of Coastal Seatrucking, said the contents of the trailer were being pumped out Tuesday so the trailer could be removed from the water.

Fish farms are responsible for making sure carcasses are securely transferred to land, and officials said they will be checking to make sure proper procedures were followed.

"DFO is looking into this incident to determine if any licence conditions have been breached," the department's spokesperson said.

The incident follows less than two weeks after some 21,000 non-native salmon escaped into B.C. waters from a fish farm owned by Mowi Canada West.

DFO says heavy waves caused the trailer to roll off the deck near Campbell River

A tank trailer filled with liquefied dead fish was knocked into the water off Vancouver Island on Dec. 30, 2019. (Tavish Campbell)

An ocean transportation company says it has retrieved a tank trailer filled with liquefied fish after it was knocked into the water off Vancouver Island.

Billy Vaughn of Coastal Seatrucking says the silage was pumped into another tanker on Tuesday and the trailer was removed from the ocean near Campbell River.

Silage is a product made with dead fish that is commonly used in animal feed.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says heavy wave action caused the trailer to shift and roll off the deck of the landing craft, which is similar to a barge, on Monday.

It says the Canadian Coast Guard attended the scene and no one was injured or required rescue.

The department says the tank trailer remained afloat and was towed into Duncan Bay.

READ MORE: B.C. fish farm operator says most of escaped salmon likely eaten

Photographer Tavish Campbell says he was out boating in the area when he came across the scene Monday.

“It’s a huge tanker trailer and it was half submerged with the oil boom around it,” he said.

The Canadian Press

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As of January 1, increases in property taxes and fees are now in effect for Saskatoon.

A 3.7 per cent property tax increase — voted through by city council in November — took effect when the clock struck midnight, as did new recycling fees and water and wastewater bills.

The property tax was raised to accommodate increasing city staff and infrastructure costs, including eight new police officers who will patrol the upcoming supervised consumption site.

The new rate will also help pay for a new central library, worth $67.5 million, and a curbside organics program which was allocated $10 million.

The recycling program will now cost single households $7.38 a month and $3.71 for those in multi-unit buildings. Water and wastewater rates will go up by 4.1 per cent.

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READ MORE: 2019 carbon tax rebate decreases in Saskatchewan

An increase in the federal carbon tax, which takes place on April 1, will affect SaskEnergy and Saskatoon Light and Power rates, the former of which is expected to increase by six per cent, according to SaskEnergy. The latter will increase by two per cent to 0.63 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

SaskPower has not announced if an increase will take place.

The federal carbon tax rebate will also increase for Saskatchewan residents. A family of four, which previously would have received $903 on their income tax return, will now receive $809.

The provincial government has appealed the implementation of the carbon tax and a hearing is scheduled for early in the new year.

1:16 Meteor streaking across Saskatoon caught on video Meteor streaking across Saskatoon caught on video

US election, Brexit and China to sway the markets in 2020

After profiting from strong markets in 2019, investors are expecting 2020 to bring further rising asset prices and lively merger activity. But Brexit, the US presidential election and the US trade war with China could all spring nasty surprises over the next 12 months and give the long-running bull market a jolt.

The UK and Brexit

Relief that Brexit is resolved will be replaced by anxiety over the future relationship between Britain and the EU, with the transition period due to end in December 2020.

Dean Turner, a UK economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, predicts UK GDP will only rise by 0.9% in 2020, even weaker than the 1.2% in 2019.

“It’s possible that there will be some bounce in activity given the clarity on Brexit, but any improvement in sentiment is likely to fade as the next Brexit deadline draws closer,” Turner says.

Ruth Lea, an economic adviser to the Arbuthnot Banking Group, believes the UK will get a “fiscal boost” from the forthcoming budget, due in February. This could include an increase in the threshold for paying national insurance – in effect a tax cut.

“The economy has been facing the twin headwinds of Brexit uncertainty, which has almost certainly depressed business investment and could also have undermined the consumer, and the weaker global economy, especially in the eurozone. Having said that, there still seems to be growth,” Lea says.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Boris Johnson faces further tough talks with Brussels that could hit sterling. Photograph: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

The London stock market shrugged off Brexit anxiety during 2019 to post its best year since 2016. Several analysts predict it will rally in 2020 as relatively unloved UK shares are embraced by investors again.

Jeremy Podger, who manages Fidelity’s £2.7bn global special situations fund, says the City should benefit from the increased certainty created by the Conservative win in last month’s election.

“It appears to be the case that, in general, investors have been taking money out of the UK stock market since the referendum and that it is generally underrepresented in many international portfolios. This result could be a trigger for these investors to ‘neutralise’ their exposure while existing investors are unlikely to sell for now,” Podger explains.

But the prospect of fresh tough negotiations between London and Brussels over their future relationship will probably weigh heavily on sterling in 2020.

The UK could crash on to World Trade Organization trade rules in a year’s time if it cannot reach an agreement and refuses to extend the transition period. This would be “a significant step down from the current arrangement and an arrangement that investors fear will negatively impact the UK economy,” says Fiona Cincotta of City Index.

Takeovers in the UK

This year there could also be a rise in takeover activity. Jonathan Boyers, the head of mergers and acquisitions at KPMG, predicts a flurry of deals in the next six months now the UK has a stable government.

“Many of those who have been mulling over an exit have done their early prep work and are set to launch processes in the new year. Meanwhile, I expect there will be a significant amount of demand, keeping prices high, as the market makes up for some of the lost volume,” Boyers says.

Ben Higson, the head of the London corporate practice at law firm Hogan Lovells, also expects a “dynamic” mergers and acquisitions market in 2020.

“The removal of political uncertainty in the UK has resulted in early signs of confidence returning to deal-making activity, keeping boardrooms and other decision-makers busy in the final weeks of the year and, we expect, early in the new year,” says Higson.

Trump and US markets

Donald Trump’s attempt to win a second term is likely to dominate the headlines for much of the next 12 months.

Markets often do well in an election year – partly because the White House incumbent has every incentive to make people feel richer. Trump is rumoured to be considering a fiscal boost known as “tax cuts 2.0” which could lift his popularity, and stocks, before the November election.

Many investors have “priced in” a Trump re-election, says Edward Moya of the foreign exchange firm OANDA. A Republican win has been Wall Street’s “base case for a while”, so a Democratic win could startle the markets.

“Despite the strong economy, key battleground states such as Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania all have Biden leading Trump in recent polls. A Biden presidency would still be positive for US stocks but perhaps a few percentage points lower than a Trump victory,” Moya points out.

But if Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders were to beat Trump, tech stocks, banks and pharmaceuticals firms could all face tougher regulation, triggering a sell-off.

John Moore, a senior investment manager at Brewin Dolphin, says political concerns are already being priced into some stocks.

“Elizabeth Warren, for example, has made no secret of her feelings about Facebook and a desire to break up some of the other tech giants. Other candidates have targeted healthcare,” he points out.

On average, Wall Street strategists predict the S&P 500 will gain 5% in 2020, compared with a 28% rally in 2019.

Trade disputes

Trade tensions could escalate in 2020, particularly if the US intensifies pressure on Europe. Last month the US trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, criticised the “very unbalanced relationship” in trade across the Atlantic, signalling it was a White House priority for 2020.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Donald Trump with Xi Jinping. The US and China are due to sign a trade deal but the dispute could flare up again, leading to the reimposition of tariffs. Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images

Lighthizer’s comment “imparts a high risk of an escalation of tensions”, says Marc Ostwald of ADM Investor Services. He fears that a US-EU trade war would “inevitably” tip the German economy into recession.

The US economy is enjoying its longest expansion ever, having been growing for more than 10 years. Fears of a recession in 2019 proved unfounded, but the trade tensions stirred up by Trump are bad for growth.

“Trade tensions will continue to foster unpredictability in economic policymaking and cause a drag on demand and capital investment,” predicts Los Angeles-based Hercules Investments.

China and the US are due to sign their phase one trade deal this month. But there is a risk of this dispute flaring up again, leading to tariffs being reimposed on imports. That would have a chilling impact on the global economy.

China’s economy is also likely to keep cooling in 2020, having slowed to its slowest annual growth rate in three decades in 2019, at 6%. Beijing will keep trying to jumpstart growth in 2020, but Nariman Behravesh, the chief economist of IHS Markit, says China is fighting structural factors including an ageing population and weaker productivity growth.

“We predict China’s growth rate will slide even further, to 5.7% in 2020 and 5.6% in 2021, unless the government puts in place a more aggressive stimulus programme,” Behravesh says.

Markit also predicts that the US economy will grow by about 2.1% during 2020 – below the 3% targeted by Trump. Its manufacturing sector has slowed in recent months, but December’s jobs report did beat forecasts – an encouraging sign for Trump.

Central banks

Central banks will, once again, have a major impact on the financial markets – beyond their traditional remit of price stability. The US Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates on hold but could cut borrowing costs if economic data turns sour.

In Europe, Christine Lagarde is overseeing a review of the European Central Bank’s operations, with a new focus on the climate emergency. But she’s not expected to change the ECB’s dovish approach, so interest rates could remain at record lows for some time.

In the UK, interest rates could be cut if the UK economy fares badly once Brexit takes place on 31 January.

Bitcoin

In the cryptocurrency world, the major event will probably be a technical change that halves the reward for digitally mining bitcoins. This halving will probably take place in May, and is likely to reduce the supply of new bitcoins.

The two previous times when the block reward was halved, bitcoin rallied strongly afterwards.

“Bitcoin halvings are important events for traders because they reduce the number of new bitcoins being generated by the network. This limits the supply of new coins, so prices could rise if demand remains strong,” IG told clients.

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Andrei Jikh was teaching magic online but he found more lucrative work by switching to personal finance.

One year later, he has 300,000 subscribers and earned six figures just from ads placed on his videos by Google.

Jikh spoke to Business Insider about deciding to start a YouTube channel, how he maximizes his earnings, and how much he earned per month in 2019.

Sign up for Business Insider's influencer newsletter, Influencer Dashboard, to get more stories like this in your inbox.

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Personal finance YouTuber Andrei Jikh grew up in a family of circus performers from Russia, and he moved to the US at age 9 when his dad got a job with Cirque du Soleil.

Jikh fell in love with magic and filming home videos. Ten years later, he was hired by a startup to teach magic online.

But when his parents acquired "crazy debt," Jikh became obsessed with personal finance.

"We were immigrants when we came here," he told Business Insider. "We didn't really know how to manage our money, credit cards, so my parents got into crazy debt. It had a big effect on me when I was younger. At 19, I tried to teach myself, interviewing everyone I worked with to learn what they do."

In late 2018, he quit his job, and with the roughly $200,000 he had in savings, started making personal finance videos for YouTube.

A year later, he has 300,000 subscribers and earned more than $100,000 in 2019 from ads that run in his videos — far more than the $60,000 he made at his peak year as an online magician.

"I never wanted to be in the spotlight," he told Business Insider. "But if that's not your goal, then magic becomes extremely limited, and there's very few ways for you to earn money in that industry."

This screenshot shows all the ad formats that creators can use to monetize their videos. Source: YouTuber Marina Mogilko. Marina Mogilko

Jikh's monthly revenue quickly increased

In just a few months, Jikh was starting to make real money.

Creators with 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours are eligible to have their videos monetized with ads by joining YouTube's Partner Program. How much they earn depends on a number of factors, like a video's watch time, length, video type, and viewer demographics. Some top creators have ad-placement strategies to maximize their earnings.

Here's his monthly AdSense breakdown for 2019:

January: $0. Jikh said he didn't know how to create effective thumbnails and titles.

$0. Jikh said he didn't know how to create effective thumbnails and titles. February: $0. By the second month, he was starting to learn how to structure his videos.

$0. By the second month, he was starting to learn how to structure his videos. March: $90.48. You have to make a minimum of $100 for YouTube to get paid, so technically, he made $0 that month.

$90.48. You have to make a minimum of $100 for YouTube to get paid, so technically, he made $0 that month. April: $1,511.57, from one viral video.

$1,511.57, from one viral video. May: $1,923.07, another viral video called "How I made 781.47 with Robinhood Dividends," where he shows his income from dividends. "This was the turning point in realizing that some videos pay more depending on your topic," he said. "Personal finance, financial minimalism, finance, credit cards, brokerages, etc., pay a lot more money than most other topics on YouTube."

$1,923.07, another viral video called "How I made 781.47 with Robinhood Dividends," where he shows his income from dividends. "This was the turning point in realizing that some videos pay more depending on your topic," he said. "Personal finance, financial minimalism, finance, credit cards, brokerages, etc., pay a lot more money than most other topics on YouTube." June: $2,558.13. He learned he could monetize his videos by placing ads in the middle of videos.

$2,558.13. He learned he could monetize his videos by placing ads in the middle of videos. July: $3,895.60

$3,895.60 August : $5,808.33

: $5,808.33 September: $14,879.04, his first five-figure month. He started earning between $20 and $30 for every one thousand views (CPM).

$14,879.04, his first five-figure month. He started earning between $20 and $30 for every one thousand views (CPM). October: $11,622

$11,622 November : $30,782.18

: $30,782.18 December: $41,080.62

$41,080.62 Total for 2019: $121,000 (after YouTube's cut)

Jikh said he spent around $10,000 to build a studio and buy camera equipment and spends five to six hours per week doing research for his videos, three to four hours filming, and 10 to 18 hours on editing. He doesn't have a talent agent or manager, he said.

Jikh said he learned to make more money by including mid-roll ads, which can run in videos lasting over 10 minutes. They can be skippable or non-skippable, and creators can place them manually or have them automatically placed by YouTube.

"You can strategically place ads wherever you want," he said. "If you in the middle of talking about something important, place an ad before you say what it is. I try to place an ad every 3 to 4 minutes, just finding a natural break in the video to place it."

He said he also earns money online through Patreon, Amazon links, affiliate marketing, and hopes to add sponsored content to the mix in 2020.

For more on how to become a successful influencer, according to YouTube and Instagram stars, check out these Business Insider Prime posts:

The Nifty ended 2019 on a strong note as it gained 12% to close near 12,150 zones, while the Sensex gained 14% to settle above 41,000 levels.

The Nifty opened with marginal loss and breached its sequence of making higher highs, higher lows of last two sessions. The index formed a negative candle on daily chart; while we are witnessing formation of Doji kind of candle with long lower shadow on monthly chart. The index is expected to remain in the range of 12000 – 12300 in coming days.

However, the overall trend is positive and we maintain our ‘buy’ on dips strategy till it holds above 12,100 levels. On upside, we may see an up move towards 12,250 –12,300 zone; while on the downside, the support is seen at 12,100 and then 12,000 levels.

The Nifty ended 2019 on a strong note as it gained 12% to close near 12,150 zones, while the Sensex gained 14% to settle above 41,000 levels.

On the broader front, midcap and smallcap Indices relatively underperformed but quality stocks managed to hold its gains. On the sectorial front, financials and energy indices ended higher while pharma, auto and metals indices relatively underperformed.

Reversal in subscriber addition trend in telecom: After 10 months of weakness, the telecom industry expanded in Oct’19, with gross subscriber addition of 9.7m M-o-M to reach 1,183 million; active subscriber addition swelled 20.3 million to 981 million. This indicates that players are potentially focusing on quality subscribers.

In Oct’19, RJio launched its IUC plans, which supported active/MBB subscriber run-rate for both Bharti and VIL. Bharti has regained its top position in active subscriber market share with 31.5%. VIL has the highest market share of 31.5% in gross subscribers; however, RJio is inching toward the top spot with market share of 30.8%. Broadband subscriber adds stood at 18.6m in Oct’19 (+9.3m in Sep’19) to reach 624m, forming 63.6% (+60bp MoM) of total active subscribers in the market.

This healthy addition should support ARPU as MBB subscribers are high ARPU customers. We expect even better numbers in Nov’19, which would reflect the full month benefits.

Instruction: Retrieve semantically similar text.


Question:
A Beverly Hills plastic surgeon has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against a mortuary and crematorium for allegedly colluding with his in-laws to deny him half of his late wife's ashes after she died of cancer.

Dr. Alexander Sinclair claims he was only given two ounces of his wife Kyoko Yonezawa's ashes despite paying more than $7,000 to have her cremated after she died early last year.

His in-laws, Seiji Yonezawa and Yoriko Yonezawa, allegedly received the bulk of his wife's ashes.

Dr. Alexander Sinclair claims he was only given two ounces of his wife Kyoko Yonezawa's ashes despite paying more than $7,000 to have her cremated after she died early last year

The lawsuit claims Kubota Mortuary and Evergreen Cemetery breached the contract they had with Sinclair over the disbursement of his wife's ashes.

Sinclair, who has been a plastic surgeon for 35 years, claims his in-laws agreed to reimburse him for the cost of the services and cremation but they never paid him

He said he had a written agreement with the mortuary to receive half of the ashes, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Gene Shioda, an attorney representing Kubota Mortuary, said the situation 'took place when a different person was in charge of the mortuary'.

'The mortuary will be thoroughly investigating,' he said. 'At this time, the mortuary will deny the allegations.'

A representative for Evergreen Cemetery said the business had not received any notification about a lawsuit and could not comment.

Sinclair filed a separate lawsuit in August against his wife's parents who live in Japan.

His wife was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer back in February 2017 and she died almost two years later.

He alleges in the lawsuit that her parent's refused to let him participate in making funeral arrangements.

The lawsuit claims Kubota Mortuary and Evergreen Cemetery breached the contract they had with Sinclair over the disbursement of his wife's ashes

Kyoko Yonezawa was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer back in February 2017 and she died almost two years later

Sinclair, who has been a plastic surgeon for 35 years, claims his in-laws agreed to reimburse him for the cost of the services and cremation but they never paid him.

He claims his in-laws never approved of him marrying their daughter in Los Angeles back in 2016 after dating for several years.

Sinclair says he financially supported his wife's parents over the years even though they disapproved of the relationship.

'They were not shy about taking all they could from Dr Sinclair and using Dr Sinclair’s good character and reputation and vast resources to their personal and business advantage,” the lawsuit claims.

Sinclair is seeking an injunction ordering the defendants to provide him with half of Kyoko's ashes and punitive damages in excess of $5 million.

BEVERLY HILLS—Kubota Mortuary and the Los Angeles County Crematorium Cemetery is being sued by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, Dr. Alexander Sinclair. Sinclair alleges that Kubota Mortuary promised to give him half of his late wife Kyoko Yonezawa ashes after she died of stomach cancer on April 11, 2019.

Sinclair paid the facility nearly $7,800 for half of her ashes to be shared between himself and his wife’s parents. The lawsuit filed in court on December 27 indicates that Sinclair only received two ounces of his wife’s ashes; less than 10 percent of his wife’s ashes.

The plastic surgeon is seeking millions of dollars in damages on allegations of breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Sinclair filed a lawsuit against his late wife’s parents in August 2019 who reside in Japan.

Dr. Alexander Sinclair operates Sinclair Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles with offices in Beverly Hills and Whittier. According to the company’s website, he is a diplomate of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

He received his medical degree from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and has been operating in the Los Angeles area for over 30 years.

Written By Anita Brown and Casey Jacobs

While the Democrats plotted to overthrow the President….

It’s tough to pick only 10 accomplishments from such an extraordinary year, but here are just a few of the biggest things President Donald J. Trump has gotten done for the American people in 2019:

Americans saw plenty of Washington at its worst this year, with one party in Congress obsessed with a partisan impeachment stunt and obstructing progress at every turn. But despite getting no help from the far left, America today is soaring to new heights.

The Truth Must be Told

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The statement added that there was a " communitarian " bias to the discourses taking place with regard to the state.

Gago's theoretical framework encompasses a broad range of areas: microeconomics, transnational socioeconomic networks, communitarian ethics and surplus value, marginal neighborhoods, and clandestine textile workshops.

On this special occasion, the chief guest formally inaugurated 'The Young Communitarian of Indian Schools (YCIS)'.

THE shadow chancellor, John McDonnell's, communitarian approach to some of the former nationalised industries has much to commend it but, if anything, is too generous to shareholders.

The holiday is based on seven principles as a way to "reaffirm the communitarian vision and values of African culture and to contribute to its restoration among African peoples in the Diaspora, beginning with Africans in America and expanding to include the world African community," the official Kwanzaa website states.

They observe in the prologue the fact that most of the studies so far analyze Jewish life in the institutional framework of communitarian organizations and their political action, setting aside, or even rendering invisible, aspects of social and cultural history.

After this analysis, in the next couple of sections we delve deeper into the liberal and communitarian depictions of the self.

It is significant for the conclusions reached in this paper that diverse strands in social, political and moral thought, arising from very different locations on the political spectrum--such as Marxism (Ross, 2003) and traditional 'one-nation' conservatism (Scruton, 2001)--can be identified within communitarian thought.

The second, "The Philo-Semitic Reaction," by Segre ("a student of the Talmud who lives in Israel"), is an approximately 180-page piece that critically analyzes select texts from various 21st century intellectuals that have promoted a " communitarian " and "Jewish" perspective in support of the "struggle against anti-Semitism" and the "defense of Zionism." The goal of the analysis is to demonstrate that this ideological movement is not communitarian , but rather that it is a part of a larger reactionary imperialist ideology and that, as such, "it actually involves the betrayal of Jewish particularism."

In contrast, Part IV proposes a communitarian approach to the problems of global ill health.

0

From showrunner/executive producer Marja-Lewis Ryan, the Showtime series The L Word: Generation Q, the sequel to the groundbreaking series that debuted in 2004, continues to follow the lives of Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals), Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Heiley) and Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig), as they experience love and heartbreak in Los Angeles. And picking back up with them, 10 years later, means a chance to get to know new characters, including Dani Nùñez (Arienne Mandi), Micah Lee (Leo Sheng), Finley (Jacqueline Toboni), Sophie Suarez (Rosanny Zayas) and Gigi (Sepideh Moafi), all of whom have their own trials and tribulations on their roads of self-discovery.

During this 1-on-1 interview with Collider, creator/writer Marja-Lewis Ryan talked about how this continuation of The L Word evolved with her as the showrunner, what it’s like to go from fan of the series to running it, deciding what to keep and what to reinvent with the show, how she approached making sure that people feel represented, both on screen and behind the scenes, what the original cast wanted for their characters now that 10 years have passed, weaving the new characters into the story, exposing viewers to things they don’t typically get to see on TV, and how there’s still so much more story left to tell.

Collider: How did you end up getting this job, as the showrunner of The L Word: Generation Q? Did you go in and pitch your vision of what the series could be?

MARJA-LEWIS RYAN: Yeah, so Ilene [Chaiken], Jennifer [Beals], Kate [Moennig] and Leisha [Hailey] wanted to bring this show back. Ilene had an overall deal over at Fox, so she wasn’t available, and they were looking for somebody to come in with a new take on what the show could be. I think they went out to a few writers, but Ilene and I had met, the year before, working on a movie. We were both hired to write the adaptation of Lean In, and she and I hit it off. A couple months later, her show, The Handmaid’s Tale came on the air, and I loved it. I saw her name in it, and I sent her an email and I was just like, “I love your show. Congratulations!” She wrote back and said, “Hi, I was just thinking of you. Do you want to come and pitch on The L Word?” And I was like, “What?!” I thought she was going to invite me to come shadow on The Handmaid’s Tale. I was like, “Oh, sure! Yeah, no problem.” I was just looking for a set visit. So, I met with Leisha, Kate and Jennifer, and I got to hear about where they wanted their characters to be and things that they never wanted to do again. And then, I got to go pitch the network, all of these new characters and where I thought these three returning character might be, 10 years later. It wasn’t really that terrifying. I just thought it was a fucking blast. I’m not, I don’t know if I really thought I’d get the job. It didn’t really feel like a job. It felt like a fun assignment. It was surreal as hell. I remember getting the call that I got the job. I was living in Brooklyn with my wife and I just collapsed on the kitchen floor. I was sobbing, partially ‘cause I had to move back to L.A., but also because I was excited that I had the job.

How strange does it feel, to go from having been a fan of the show and watching the show when it was on, to then walking onto the set of the show and having everyone look at you for all of the answers to everything, as the showrunner?

RYAN: It was bananas. I have these moments of feeling like I’m living in a dream. The first time I really felt it was, when we were shooting the pilot, that scene with [Jennifer, Kate and Leisha] in it was the first time they’d shared a frame, in 10 years. I turned to the director, who’s a 39-year-old lesbian that was also a fan of the show, and I was like, “Can you believe this is what we’re up to today?” And she was like, “No, I cannot.” So, there were definitely those moments. With each director, especially the directors who really grew up watching the show, they all had moments of, “Can you fucking believe this is what we’re doing today? It’s just insane!” There are definitely moments of that, but the job is pretty all consuming, so those moments are really just moments. And then, I have to go approve a costume. It’s all in a moment that I can feel those feelings. Other than that, I’m just there to do my job.

This show is interesting because you have the original characters who are still a version of what they were before, plus you have all these new characters that you get to play with. Is it fun to get to weave all that together, and to have it feel like the show that you knew, but also have it be this new thing?

RYAN: Yeah, it was a blast. The way that I went about determining what to keep and what to re-invent was about what I loved about the show. That’s how I approached everything. What I loved about the original show were the friendships. Just watching the show when I was 18, it gave me hope that, one day, I would have my own lesbian click, so I tried to keep that part of the show. I wanted to keep the part that makes queer feel, “I love this! They’re just like us,” or “I wanna be just like them.” We’re walking that line of reality and aspiration. And then, the main thing that I wanted to improve on was who was represented and whose stories we were telling. Ilene has said that the original show really was about white lesbians, so the idea of being able to expand who is seeing themselves in this show, is just such a fucking pleasure.

It seems like it would be really cool to be able to work on something that you were a fan of, but then also make those changes that people would want to see because they’re changes that you want to see.

RYAN: Yeah, exactly. I know a lot of our peers were scared about it coming back and wondered whether I was gonna break it. But, I am a fan first. I’m not coming to it, as a hater of the show. I’m coming to it like, “These are the things that I watched it for, so I hope that we were all watching for the same reasons.” I felt like I knew who Shane, Bette and Alice were. When I was 18, I knew who Ilene Chaiken was. She was very front and center, in terms of the PR for the show, and that changed my life. The idea that I could write stories about my gay self and my gay friends had not occurred to me, until this show came on the air. So, the dream is that a few more people, who don’t look exactly like me and Ilene, can see themselves, both in front of the camera and behind it. That was a huge thing that I was working on, too, just making sure that whoever is in front of the camera is also represented behind it. We have this Noah’s arc style to the writers’ rooms, where we have two of everybody, so that no one person was responsible for telling the stories of their people, and I think it worked out pretty well. I hope that fans can see that. It’s not me telling their stories. It’s somebody who looks more like them, telling their stories.

You hear a lot of talk about how hard it is to diversify a writers’ room, or your line-up of directors, or your department heads because it’s just too hard to find the people to fill those positions. But then, there’s a show like this, where you made that work.

RYAN: In terms of being able to find people, I’ve heard that, too. I think it’s two things. One is drawing a line in the sand and being like, “No, I will not have an all white producing team. I just will not. So, go find me somebody. Everybody’s job is to go find me somebody.” And you do find them. People are like, “But I don’t know anybody.” Just because you don’t know anybody, doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. It just means that you don’t know them, so who do you need to call? When I was staffing this room, I emailed Lena Waithe, Tanya Saracho and Abbi Jacobson. I emailed people who I know have been doing this, and who I know have been mentoring people and who have friends that don’t look like me. Just do your job and make those calls. Those people will always email me back, and they will always give me people that I’m looking for, and I do the same for the straight white bros who email me and say, “We’re staffing this room and we need a lesbian. Who do you have?” I have people. Just email me. We all have people. So, it was really a real pleasure to find these people and let them rise. And it isn’t just department heads. Once you make a space like this, you can have a straight white guy who’s your gaffer, and he’ll go out of his way to find women in the electrical department, and find a trans grip. He knew what we were up to. All of us get to play, and feel seen and heard. It was really cool.

You’ve talked about how you were inspired by Ilene Chaiken. What’s it like to do something that she created, and to have her to turn to with questions, if you need to, while also finding your own groove with it?

RYAN: I definitely wanted her opinion and her feedback, on lots of things. There were story elements and things that I wanted to do with her former characters, that I really wanted her to sign off on. It’s very funny ‘cause I don’t think a lot of people will have my experience, where they see somebody doing a job and they’re like, “Oh, I can do that, too,” and then they literally have their job. I don’t think that’s normally how it goes down. That’s certainly not what I was imagining would happen to me. But, she’s always there for me. It’s pretty ego-less to be able to pass the torch to somebody, when it is something that she made, but that’s the dream. In 10 years, some 30-year-old punk will tell me that I did it wrong, and I’ll get to let her go do it, too. That’s what we’re all here for. It’s pretty exciting that she’s as involved as she is, but also isn’t in the writers’ room.

What have been the biggest challenges in making this world feel like the world that fans of the original series loved, while also making this feel like a new thing for the new viewers who will never have seen an episode of the original series?

RYAN: The way that I went about it was that this is these three characters, 10 years later. You’re not talking about things that happened 10 years ago, every day. Things come up sometimes and people come up sometimes, but they’re just like us. I don’t talk about the woman that I was dating, 10 years ago. Well, I do ‘cause I actually married her, so that’s a bad example. But mostly, I’m not talking about myself, from 10 years ago. That was a very long time ago. So, for me, what was fun finding the space to talk about who killed Jenny in Episode 2, and just being able to have little moments like that for fans, is such a fucking pleasure. One thing that we talk about in the writers’ room is a trash pass, or a garbage pass, which is to make sure that there’s enough of that soapy feeling, so that, in a group watch scenario, people are screaming at the screen. That’s the dream to me. That’s partially what the show was. It was time for all of us to just yell. We’re here to write this show for us. It’s for us, and by us, which is very exciting. There’s really nothing better than listening to a room full of queers scream. That’s fun.

Would you say that, in the last ten years, Bette, Alice and Shane have actually gotten their lives together as much as they seem to have, or is it just that they think they have?

RYAN: Their socio-economic status has changed, and that’s about it. We all suffer from the same problems we always have. I remember meeting with Leisha, very early on, and she was like, “I want Alice to be successful. I want to see Alice successful.” And I was like, “Totally.” I wanna see all of them as successful because that’s part of the dream. There are so many shows and so many times where we are the victims of our own stories, and that’s not what this show ever was. This has always been the sunniest version of the queer experience. No matter what went wrong in their lives, they always had other. Now, they have each other in really nice houses, and I don’t make any apologies for that. I think it’s super fun to watch.

I love how the original cast each has some connection to a member of your new cast, with Bette and Dani, Shane and Finley, and Alice and Sophie, and that it feels like they’re interacting with a version of themselves, at that age. Was that something that was intentional? Did you want to use those relationships to show the similarities and differences between the characters?

RYAN: Yeah, I was definitely interested in putting people in front of them like that. When I think about who my worst nightmare is, it’s basically me. I am my own worst nightmare. If you put two of me in a room, I don’t think we’d both make it out. I do feel that way about most people. When we see ourselves in other people, that’s the thing we hate most. So, that’s very intentional. It’s also fun to watch how they come apart, and how they are very distinct and different people, and I think we do accomplish that, over time. I really just wanted to put conflict in front of people. I love Shane and Finley. I could watch that sitcom. It’s very joyful.

I also really love how we get to see things on this show that you don’t normally see on TV, even if it’s just seeing a woman with hairy armpits. Did you also think about those visuals?

RYAN: Absolutely! There are a couple of things that I’m up The whole show is really a love letter to my 16-year-old self. With the opening scene, some people think it’s very gratuitous, and I do not feel that way about that scene. For me, that scene is about chipping away at shame and about providing an example of what your partner should do when you get your period. If I had known that at 16, I would have avoided many years of hardship. We have a lot of shame and body issues and body shaming, inside our community, but also with women, in general. I think straight women can relate to that, too. And the idea that Dani reacts the way she does, as a guideline for what all partners should do, is such a joy to put on television for me, and I just wish I had known that. And I never asked Jacqueline Toboni to grow her armpit hair. That’s just what she looks like. I can’t take a ton of credit for that, but I did cast her, partially because she means a lot to our community. She is a new kind of queer actor. I’ve worked with her for years. This is our third project together. We did a play together, last year. I just love her. She’s very special. On screen and off, she’s a very important person, in our community. I always tell her that armpit hair is doing a lot for us, as a group. She’s great. She’s really special. So, of course, I thought about that. And I thought about Jose and Micah, too. What they look like matters. The fact that a lot of Twitter was like, “Those boys are cute,” was the point. It’s just that simple. That was our whole statement. That gentle change, that he’s not some outcast character in the show and that they’re just really cute boys is very much by design. I’m excited that people have responded to it, the way that I had hoped they would.

This season is only eight episodes. Do you feel like there’s still a lot of story to tell with these characters? Have you thought about what a second season and beyond would look like?

RYAN: Oh, my god, there’s so much more. Our cast is fucking huge. It’s gigantic. I love Gigi. I wanna go home with her, and see where she lives and what her family is like. I wanna know what she’s up to. I love her, and we don’t get to see enough of her. We don’t get to see enough of any of them, really. I hope that we get another season and that I can dive more into where they are in their lives and what their lives are like. I also think that we’re missing some people. Not just as a diversity representation that’s checking boxes, but I am dying to see a hot Butch woman on this show. I cannot wait. That’s a whole reason to have a second season.

How much have you thought about who these characters are and where they could go? Do you know what all of these characters would be doing, if you get more seasons?

RYAN: No, I definitely don’t think like that. The way that I write, and the way that I approach story, is all character first. I step into their shoes and walk around in them for awhile. That’s how story is born, for me. I also think that a lot of the younger characters are me, at various stages of my life, so with some of them, I have a better idea of their trajectory because it’s closer to mine. Once you see Episode 8, there are some real questions that are asked that people are gonna want the answers to, in the next season. So, I hope that I get another season, and that I’m around to tell those stories.

The L Word: Generation Q airs on Sunday nights on Showtime.

Tan Tock Seng Hospital Staff Across All Departments Are Working Tirelessly Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak

The 2003 SARS outbreak had shown Singaporeans just how admirable our healthcare staff are in times of crisis.

Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), which houses the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), then stood under the spotlight.

Now back under scrutiny, the hospital management decided to give people a peep into what goes on inside.

Photos of TTSH staff across all departments working hard amidst the novel coronavirus outbreak garnered thousands of shares overnight on Saturday (8 Feb).

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Here’s a look at our everyday heroes at work.

Nurses keeping themselves healthy while caring for others

While doctors deserve praise for helping to heal patients, a lot of what they do wouldn’t be possible without the assistance of countless nurses who scurry around to ensure everything is in order.

TTSH emphasised this through photos of nurses going about their duties, like this nurse gearing up and putting on a surgical mask.

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Since the risk of infection is more imminent for them, they also need to wear protective goggles for extra caution.

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Having all that gear on and running around the hospital to attend to patients’ needs can be very exhausting, as proved by this nurse gulping down water.

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And then it’s back to more rounds in and out of hospital wards, a physical labour not many of us would consider when thinking about healthcare workers’ plights.

Employees from other departments also hard at work

Of course, the hospital doesn’t run on the medical staff alone. Hundreds of workers from other departments also keep TTSH in operation, putting their own health at risk too.

People doing the laundry for example, have to clean all the patients’ linen and ensure everything is spotless for the next person who checks in.

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Pharmacists have to distribute the correct medication according to patients’ needs, and their attention to detail is particularly crucial to ensure no mistakes.

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Service staff the first faces you see at Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Before you even enter the premises to witness all the above, service staff like this security officer will greet you.

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Staff at the information counter help visitors navigate their way around. Imagine the sheer number of people they have to interact with on a regular basis, yet they continue to do so wholeheartedly.

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Let’s salute our healthcare heroes

All hospital staff, regardless of what they do, deserve our appreciation for their unwavering dedication to their work.

They come to the hospital every day despite risking their own health, to help so many others in need.

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They work tirelessly for hours on end with little rest in a job that requires a lot of physical and mental tenacity, despite occasionally receiving undue criticism from people.

Let’s thank our healthcare workers for their efforts, because we wouldn’t be able to manage a crisis without them. They truly are our heroes.

Featured image adapted from Facebook and Facebook.

The word mindfulness is everywhere lately — people are being urged to become more mindful as a way to calm themselves and find insight in this busy, tech-driven world.

CBC News asked registered professional counsellor Mary Clements of Heartwork Wellness, and Jessica Strong, a UPEI psychology professor, to explain mindfulness and how people can try it for themselves.

Strong said the two key parts of mindfulness are being non-judgmental and being in the present moment.

"The best way it's been put to me is paying attention on purpose," said Clements, who has been a counsellor for 10 years specializing in personal development and growth, and emotional health and wellness.

"So, the more we learn about ourselves and pay attention to our emotions, our thoughts, our behaviours, then the more opportunity we have to respond to a place from our choosing, a place that is more aligned with our values and who we wish to be, versus our conditioning."

Although new businesses and apps are springing up around mindfulness, it is a concept that has been around for thousands of years, with roots in Buddhism.

Use the time you have

Clements said there are some misconceptions about what mindfulness is and how to achieve it — people don't need to spend an hour a day cross-legged sitting in a quiet place.

'It's actually really difficult to be mindful, because we live in this world where everything is just so busy all of the time,' says Prof. Jessica Strong. (Submitted by Jessica Strong)

"What research has shown and continues to show is that what really matters is consistent and regular practise, and even short bits of practise," she said.

Clements uses times in her day where she is stuck waiting — in the grocery line or at a traffic light. Other good times are when she is in the shower, falling asleep, waking up or transitioning between parts of her day — for instance, the end of the work day on the way home.

"Taking those opportunities to take a breath and cross the transition with a little more awareness."

Strong agrees formal meditation can be "a huge time-suck." She said right now, she has been trying to incorporate mindfulness into everyday tasks like washing dishes.

"Paying attention to how nice the warm water feels on my hands," or while applying hand lotion — "actually stopping to notice, and maybe slow down for a minute, and really experience that sensation."

Just breathe

Clements starts with simple breath work.

"Luckily we all know how to breathe! There's no special or right or wrong way," she said. Use breathing to "anchor," or ground, your awareness, paying attention to your inhale and exhale. The goal is to slow yourself down and be present.

Notice your thoughts and emotions, and be aware of body sensations.

Compassion and non-judgment

"It's actually really difficult to be mindful, because we live in this world where everything is just so busy all of the time," Strong said. "We might try to be in the moment, and then we're distracted."

If that happens, just note that you are having difficulty and remind yourself to refocus.

Compassion and non-judgment are key to mindfulness, the women say.

Set reminders

Both Clements and Strong remind themselves to be mindful!

'The more we learn about ourselves and pay attention to our emotions, our thoughts, our behaviours, then the more opportunity we have to respond to a place from our choosing,' says Mary Clements of Heartwork Wellness. (Submitted by Mary Clements)

Clements advises setting an alarm on your phone that will remind you a few times daily to take a couple of breaths, or that links to a short guided talk on mindfulness.

Strong leads a mindfulness meditation group with grad students at UPEI each morning, in which she plays a 10-15 minute guided audio meditation.

This is only one of many ways to practise mindfulness, she said. She also employs a simple blank sticky note at her desk to remind her to stop and take a deep breath.

'Learn how to do better'

Once you are able to slow down, ground yourself and pay attention, you can practise self-awareness and self-management, Clements said.

"You learn how to do better in terms of managing your thoughts, feelings, behaviours," she said.

Ultimately I think it's about connection to ourselves and to those around us. — Mary Clement, Heartwork Wellness

"Then, you can grow that awareness to how you might have impact on others around you."

She sees clients seeking control and freedom around relationships, and said mindfulness can help cultivate more compassion and empathy for themselves and others.

Apps and more

There are lots of resources available on mindfulness.

Apps like Headspace, Breethe and Chill can all introduce you to mindfulness and guide users through short meditations. (Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

Strong is currently using an app called Headspace, which has many exercises in various lengths. She also recommends the apps Breethe or Chill, which can introduce you to mindfulness and even send reminders, as well as the website mindful.org.

Clements has taken courses online from Mindfulness Without Borders, an organization that does international work around mindfulness. It has short audio recordings available online.

She recommends mindfulness pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn's books and audiobooks, which include Mindfulness for Beginners and Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life.

She also listens daily to Louise Hay, a well-known positive psychologist.

The result

A book or an app can't do the work for you though, Clements reminds — you have to practise regularly, even in small bits. Then you will notice the payoff, she said.

Taking a moment to appreciate a beautiful sunrise can improve one's mood, says Strong. (Submitted by Sharon Neill)

"Certain situations where you might have gotten irritable or impatient — you start to notice these times where you had a little bit more empathy or patience or compassion for yourself or for the other person, so that's a pretty cool thing," she said.

"It's wonderful when you can feel and see those effects."

'No perfect way'

"There's no perfect way to be mindful," Clements said. "That's up to every individual to figure out what works for them. And I don't think it's about changing who you are.

"Ultimately I think it's about connection to ourselves and to those around us."

Mindfulness takes time and commitment and is an ongoing process, Clements said.

Being more mindful can lead to a more positive outlook and a happier life, said Strong.

"Noticing the sunrise, as the sun's coming up — these little moments that just pause the craziness ... can really improve quality of life and mood and stress management," she said.

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Florida high school football star hit by train in suicide was under pressure, uncle says

Bryce Gowdy, 17, who died days before he was to enroll at Georgia Tech on a football scholarship, had been taking care of his mother and siblings, his uncle said.

A 17-year-old high school football star was struck and killed by a train early Monday in Deerfield Beach.

A freight train struck a pedestrian at around 4:06 a.m. in the area of Southeast Fourth Avenue and Southeast 10th Street, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

The pedestrian was taken to Broward Health North, where he died, BSO said. He was later identified as Bryce Gowdy.

Gowdy was a wide receiver and a defensive back at Deerfield Beach High School. He had just signed with Georgia Tech two weeks ago.

"We are heartbroken," Georgia Tech's head coach Goeff Collins tweeted Monday afternoon along with a statement on Gowdy's death. "Bryce will always be a part of our Georgia Tech football family. We will be praying for him and all those who love him. #BelieveIn7 #RIPSimba"

We are heartbroken. Bryce will always be a part of our Georgia Tech Football Family. We will be praying for him and all those who love him.#BelieveIn7 #RIPSimba pic.twitter.com/dtV5g50Tiq — Coach Collins🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@CoachCollins) December 30, 2019

Gowdy's family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs.

A cleric, Prophet Christopher Owolabi, has charged leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to engage in fervent prayer against its possible break-up ahead of 2023 general elections.

Owolabi, who is the General Overseer, Christ Apostolic Church, Ori-Oke Irapada, Omu-Aran, gave the charge during the Church’s cross-over night service tagged: “For a Prosperous 2020 and Beyond”, in Omu-Aran, Kwara state.

Owolabi emphasised the need for the party leaders, especially those at the top hierarchy to imbibe unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence in managing electoral victory and entrenching good governance.

According to him, the call for prayers to avert an unwarranted crisis that could jeopardise the party’s future chances and ensure good governance was a divine revelation during the church’s service.

The cleric maintained that the party’s leaders, particularly those steering nation’s affairs, need to stay focused, un-distracted to steer the ship of the country away from its numerous challenges.

“As the ruling party, whatever that affect the party leadership definitely will take its a toll on the entire country, positively or negatively.

“When two elephant fights the grass bears the brunt and no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.

“For the party to remain intact the leaders need to close ranks and engage in prayers in that regard and when that happens the country will also move forward.

“They need to put the nation’s above personal gains and political ambition to achieve its programmes and policies to better the lots of the citizenry,” he said.

Owolabi cited the lingering crisis between some of the party leaders and their god-fathers, saying such portends grave dangers not only for the party but the desire to entrench good governance.

The cleric also prophesied socio-economic posterity for the country, saying that the present administration’s various economic revival policies would gradually manifest in the new year.

“The anti-corruption fight to revive the economy, the transport sector reform, the border closure policy, the coming up of private refineries, these are God’s design, being championed by the administration, to put the country on the path of economic prosperity.

Owolabi, who was known to have predicted the emergence of Sen. Bukola Sarski as the President of 8th Senate, however, maintained that God’s design for a better and prosperous Nigeria could only manifest with the support and prayers of both the leaders and the led.

“God’s favour dwells in an atmosphere of unity, tolerance, peaceful co-existence, so achieving the desired developed economy requires a collective responsibility of stakeholders to succeed,” he said.

The man of God also urged the citizens to pray against the incidence of fire outbreaks, road accidents and air mishaps in the new year.

He charged the youth to shun anti-social vices and be more prepared, morally, spiritually and academically in taking up the mantle of leadership in the nearest future.

ELMHURST, Ill. (WLS) -- Three masked robbers forcibly stole cash and cigarettes from an Elmhurst gas station Tuesday morning, according to police.Three male suspects entered a Shell gas station, located at 301 W. Butterfield Road, about 5:45 a.m., Elmhurst police said. They were reportedly wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks. One of the individuals displayed a black handgun and then pushed a gas station employee into a back room, police said.The two others then stole money from the cash register and cigarette cartons from the store, according to police. The three left the store, and no one was injured in the incident.Police and K-9 units searched the area, but the robbery suspects remained at large later Tuesday. Tire tracks in fresh snow could be seen in a rear alley leading onto Butterfield Road Tuesday morning, police said.Elmhurst police did not have a description of the suspects' vehicle, but authorities were looking for security footage of the alleged robbery.The first suspect is described as wearing a black or dark gray hooded sweatshirt, gray pants, black gloves, and a black mask partially covering his face. He was armed with a black handgun. The second was wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, black pants, black gloves, and a black mask partially covering his face. The third was wearing a light blue hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, and a black mask partially covering his face.Anyone with information is asked to call the Elmhurst Police Department at 630-530-3050.

× How to succeed at your New Year’s resolutions this year

NEW YORK — Do you want to eat better, exercise more, stop vaping or lose weight?

Great. Now’s the time to set those New Year’s resolutions.

As we head into a year — and a new decade — your first step is to believe you can do it.

The opposite is also true, said University of Scranton psychology professor John C. Norcross, who has studied resolutions for decades. If you think you can’t do it, you’ll likely prove yourself right.

While about 40% of Americans set resolutions around January 1, about 40% to 44% of them will be successful at six months, said Norcross, reporting his results from multiple studies with colleagues.

But if you believe in yourself, you are 10 times more likely to change via a New Year’s resolution, compared to non-resolvers, when both groups have comparable goals and motivation, he reported.

Here’s how to start yourself on the strongest possible footing this year.

Make it specific

Eating better and exercising more are all nice ideas, but they’re too general and don’t give you a plan of action. People often think they lack motivation when the problem is really a lack of clarity, wrote author James Clear in his book, “Atomic Habits.”

“The simple way to apply this strategy to your habits is to fill out this sentence: I will [BEHAVIOR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION],” writes Clear.

If you want to eat better, be specific: Resolve to add a fruit or vegetable to your lunch every day, limit fast food to once per week, or have dessert once a week.

Make it possible

Avoid resolutions that sound great but are unattainable. In fact, make them them something you will enjoy. They can still be hard, but that doesn’t mean they have to make you miserable.

To eat better, put that bowl of fruit right next to your lunch bag, so you grab an apple or orange every day. Hate apples? Don’t pick apples. Pick a fruit you are likely to eat.

To exercise more, you might want to run more. But if you’re a night person, don’t make it harder on yourself by trying to run every morning before work, said Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project.” Do it after work.

Want to meditate? Great. Rubin hates meditating, so she stopped doing it. It’s ok to experiment and stop doing things you don’t like. “Know who you are, and who you’re not,” she said.

Allow yourself to fail

Everyone screws up. Expect to have occasional slips. But don’t let the occasional missed exercise class or Friday workplace donut throw you off course, explained Norcross.

Most successful resolvers slip in January, but 71% of successful resolvers say their first slip strengthened their efforts through a combination of guilt, increasing awareness of their problem’s severity, and the slip reminding them to refine their plans, he said.

If you know you’re walking into a high pressure situation, practice saying “no thanks” to your aunt’s apple pie in advance. Even people who don’t like apple pie sometimes still eat it when offered just to be polite. Instead, practice saying “No, thank you.”

And if you do slip? Focus on getting back on track, not the slip. “The people who show more compassion for themselves are more likely to get back on the horse and try again,” Rubin said.

Set yourself up for success

See what they tell you: If you’re resolved to spend less time on your phone but grab it as soon as you wake up, put your phone in another room at night. Oh, it’s your alarm, you say? Buy an alarm clock. They cost $6 now.

If you want to limit sweets, get them out of your house. Stay away from your work’s break room during Wednesday snack time (not that I’m speaking from personal experience at CNN).

Know yourself

Rather than asking you to consider your goals, Clear asks you to consider this two-step process.

Decide the type of person you want to be: A healthy person? A strong person? A writer? A musician?

Then prove it to yourself with small wins over time. Gym classes, weight lifting, writing, practicing. Every time you do something toward the goal of you who want to be, tell yourself that you are becoming that person. (I did my Pilates in the morning before I started writing this piece. It’s part of my goal to be a healthy person.)

Make it public

If you’re surrounded by supportive friends and family, making your goals public and asking for accountability can help. So can joining a gym with friendly competition or a group like Weight Watchers.

The resolution guides I spoke to agreed to go public with their resolutions: Norcross resolved to stop multitasking in 2020, and he had already started practicing during our telephone interview. (After he mentioned it, I did feel like I had his full attention.)

Psychologist Lisa Damour, author of “Under Pressure” about the lives of teen girls, plans to focus on meditating in 2020, despite having two children and a more-than-full-time career.

“I’m going to start at five minutes daily,” she said, crediting James Clear with starting a daily “atomic habit” before trying for more.

Rubin is going to try to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art every day she’s home in Manhattan, a few blocks from the museum.

While that sounds like a tall order, it’s also the subject of her next book — so it’s huge motivation to explore and learn from her new workplace in the new year.

Show (don’t tell) your children

Parents can open the door to a conversation with their children about resolutions by talking about their own reflections and hopes for the new year. They can mention that it’s hard to meet their own goals, and that perfection is not the goal.

Parents can bring up the changes they want to make and model how they want to make those changes, said Damour. It’s important to bring it up without criticizing, she said.

With children under age 10, parents can take the lead in a discussion about where family members have room to grow, she said. Once your children get to adolescence, don’t give them any ideas, she added.

“Parents should work with the assumption that no normally developing teenager wants to be told what to do,” said Damour. If the teenager is quietly doing the right thing and the parent suggests it, kids will likely stop doing it.

“Most of how we guide young people is modeling the behaviors we want,” she said. “If what you say and do don’t match, a teenager will notice and call you on your hypocrisy.”

Change it up

Do you just hate the idea of a resolution for the entire year, seeing an entire year of failure ahead of you? Follow in CNN Features Editor David Allan’s footsteps and set yourself a year of 12 monthly micro-resolutions. In 2018, he eliminated one behavior each month — think alcohol, sweets, screens around his kids, saying the word “like” — and noted the impact of his mood and the effect on himself and his family.

It went so well, this past year he decided to add something to his life every month, including meditation, movement, active listening and more sleep.

Getting enough sleep didn’t go so well for him one month, so he swapped it out. He wrote his own rules, so he could change them and therefore succeed. And you can, too.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It's been a perfect weather start to 2020 for the Tampa Bay region.

Warmer Thursday/Friday

Rain early Saturday

SEE BELOW: See our 7-day forecast ▼

Skies will be mostly clear overnight into early Thursday. Temperatures will be seasonably cool, dropping to the 50s to mid 40s.

Thursday will be mostly sunny with warmer highs in the upper 70s due to a southeast breeze.

Friday will be partly cloudy and warm with highs in the low 80s.

The next cold front will push a line of showers through late Friday night into early Saturday morning.

That will set us up for a cooler weekend ahead.

7-day forecast

We want your pictures!

Show us what the weather looks like in your neighborhood. Your photo could end up on Spectrum Bay News 9.

A report of shots fired prompted an extensive police response to an apartment complex in northwest Las Vegas early Wednesday.

Crime scene tape surrounds Atlas Apartment Homes on Madre Mesa Drive in northwest Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (Glenn Puit/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A report of shots fired prompted an extensive police response to an apartment complex in northwest Las Vegas early Wednesday, with police eventually learning a man was hospitalized because of an assault during a New Year’s party.

Las Vegas police Lt. David Gordon said police were called at 5:30 a.m. to Atlas Apartment Homes at 5067 Madre Mesa Dr., off North Decatur Boulevard, for a report of shots fired.

“When officers arrived several people with various family relations told a convoluted story, with some hearing gunshots,” Gordon said.

Police were later told a male victim was possibly run over by a vehicle. One man was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries to his face.

A preliminary investigation, however, indicates the man was assaulted during a party, but there were no shots fired. The victim was at University Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Contact Glenn Puit at gpuit@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0390. Follow @GlennatRJ on Twitter.

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