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Police say the men were not wearing seatbelts.
Last week, executives from Facebook, Google and Twitter appeared before three different US congressional committees, to answer questions about how their platforms were used to influence voters in the 2016 elections.
It is a significant moment. Other media like radio, newspapers and television have never been grilled like this, though Fox News and The New York Times surely influence voters, too.
Perhaps one difference is that the nature of legacy media influence is clear. It mimics political binaries in the US. It has also been regulated for decades, including degrees of transparency around advertising, classification and distribution. Political ads, in particular, are subject to Federal Election Commission ru...
None of these apply to social media. For most of its life, it has been perceived as neutral, a mere conduit for streams of thought. The rough convention was that users are the publishers, not the tech company.
No gatekeepers. Anonymity. Content was just content, not endorsements. Traffic or 'engagement' became the primary value. The more speech, the better.
Not surprisingly, it was women and minorities who first pointed out that this was not sustainable. The hardest push for 'Block' and 'Report' buttons came from groups vulnerable to abuse and threats online. This perversely put the onus on individuals to protect themselves, rather than on harassers to not harass, or for ...
It demonstrates how the libertarian principle driving social media, that all speech is equal, means we could hear less and less from those we need to hear the most. As former Google engineer Yonatan Zunger put it: 'If someone can impose costs on another person for speaking, then speech becomes limited to those most abl...
"We would have to hope that teachers and students are being given latitude when it comes to learning how to engage critically with information online."
The hearings reveal how this model has been exploited in other ways. It is no longer in dispute that Russian troll farms, such as the St Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, spread inflammatory content via social media. The initial sample of paid ads and metadata show that both sides of politics have been studiou...
Facebook handed over 3000 ads and removed at least 470 fake accounts. An estimated 15 per cent or 48 million Twitter accounts are fake or automated. Google traced more than 1000 YouTube videos to the Internet Research Agency.
The political impact of shareable lies can be hard to extract from partisan feeling, especially when it seems to have benefited one candidate. But the truth is that election results can be a poor measure of anything, much less the success of mischief online. Too many variables are involved, not least of which are susce...
So much has been made of foreign interference, and not enough about how the social amplification of misinformation could be so immediate and widespread.
The obvious counterpoint to this is education, both at civic and school levels. We would have to hope that teachers and students are being given latitude when it comes to learning how to engage critically with information online.
The more complex part of limiting responses to inflammatory material is good government. It is not as easy to get someone upset about their government, or politicians in general, when they can see that their healthcare, jobs, house and future are relatively secure. An inclusive discourse helps.
Our leaders essentially need to give voters reasons to see lies for what they are, instead of going, 'hey that could be true' when a malicious meme appears on their Facebook feed.
Until this comes to pass, tech giants have choices to make about the content that is circulated on their platforms. They are being exploited by malevolent actors, too.
There is a political case to be made, which will be left up to Democrats and Republicans who have so far been sorely dissatisfied with vague commitments to do better.
An economic case could also be made that an editorial voice, proposed by Zunger, would maximise user engagement and add value. It would certainly keep social media platforms in the mainstream, where the revenue is, rather than the fringe.
But there is also a moral case. Should private companies continue to profit from a supposedly neutral model that puts individuals, and even democracy itself, at risk?
Social media doesn’t kill democracy. People kill democracy.
Just like when we watch too much trash on TV, or talkback radio or gossip from friends - the best way to avoid trash talk is to switch it off! And to model this advice for our children is also the best way to deal with it - trash doesn't deserve to be analysed and respected. Just turn off the WiFi and let kids go outsi...
And people in every age have employed various contemporaneous means to strut their democratic stuff. We would be intuitively and socially as thick as six planks not to be alive to both the beneficial and harmful impacts of heavy social media use. We would be imperceptive indeed to avert the eyes from the rancid impacts...
There seems to be little discourse around the issue of the need for readers/users to be responsible for what they proliferate, pass on, give space and energy. I know, it is a long term, hard subject, and it has to be taught as from early age. Unfortunately I seem to notice we are going backwards towards a culture of bl...
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit granted New Jersey its motion for a stay on the construction of the PennEast Pipeline.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has granted New Jersey its motion for a stay on the construction of the PennEast Pipeline.
Though Tuesday's decision by federal Circuit Judge Michael Chagares stays the actual construction, PennEast will be allowed to continue surveying the land needed for the 110-mile natural gas pipeline from northeastern Pennsylvania through the western quarter of Hunterdon County parallel to the Delaware River.
"PennEast continues to make very good progress on the surveys in New Jersey and appreciates that the Third Circuit Court’s order allows PennEast to continue with the surveys," Patricia Kornick, a spokesperson for PennEast, said in a statement. "Results from the surveys will allow PennEast to submit applications to the ...
The state had appealed a lower federal court ruling by District Court Judge Martinotti that allowed the pipeline to go ahead. The $1 billion project has been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and must now receive approvals from the state and the Delaware River Basin Commission.
Environmentalist saw Tuesday's ruling as a victory.
“This is really good news," Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said in a statement "The Court of Appeals will delay the PennEast pipeline until court case is decided. Anytime you stop a bad project it is a win. The pipeline could be delayed for a year or even 2-3 years. When it comes to pipeline or ot...
The 36-inch natural gas pipeline, which would carry 1 billion feet of natural gas daily, would enter Hunterdon County north of Milford, then parallel the Delaware River before crossing into Mercer County southeast of Lambertville.
Hartlepool United have released three players and made another six available for transfer after revealing their retained list today.
New manager Matthew Bates is making sweeping changes to the Pools squad alongside director of football Craig Hignett ahead of the new season.
Pools have released trio Blair Adams, Luke George and Rhys Oates after their contracts expired, and have put Jake Cassidy, Ryan Donaldson, Scott Harrison, Louis Laing, Jack Munns and Conor Newton on the transfer list.
They have taken up the option on the contracts of Lewis Hawkins and Michael Woods, and offered new deals to Liam Donnelly, Nicky Featherstone and Devante Rodney.
Should they sign, they will join Ryan Catterick, Aaron Cunningham, Josh Hawkes, Scott Loach, Carl Magnay and Kenton Richardson, who are all under contract for another year, in the squad for next season.
A statement on the Pools website said: "The club would like to thank Blair, Luke and Rhys for all their efforts during their time at Victoria Park and wish them every success in the future."
Adams and George were brought in last summer by former boss Craig Harrison, while forward Oates has been at the club since 2015. Two of the three released were signed by the former manager, while five of the six made available for transfer were also Harrison additions.
Marc Garcia, Brandon Griffith and the Southern Oregon State University Raiders well remember that their 2001 football season ended with a 16-13 loss on a late touchdown to Carroll College in a snowstorm during the NAIA Championship Series quarterfinals.
Carroll scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left to play to win that game.
The Raiders will get a chance for some revenge Saturday when they travel to Helena, Mont., to play Carroll in another quarterfinal contest. Southern Oregon (8-2), ranked No. 9 nationally among NAIA schools, will face the No. 10 Carroll Fighting Saints (9-2) at noon (MDT).
Garcia, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound junior who, is part of the Raiders’ three-man rotation at offensive tackle. Griffith, a 6-1, 230-pound sophomore, is the team’s backup quarterback and the holder for PAT and field goal attempts.
James Powers, another Douglas product, started three seasons as a defensive tackle before graduating from Southern Oregon and is still involved with the team as defensive line coach.
Dusty McGrorty rushed 35 times for 164 yards to lead Southern Oregon past Montana-Western 30-12 in the first round of the NAIA playoffs last Saturday.
In Saturday’s other NAIA quarterfinal matchups: St. Francis, Ind. at Georgetown, Ky.; Sioux Falls, S.D. at Mary, N.D.; McKendree, Ill. at Northwestern Oklahoma State.
The government is putting all possible measures in place to promote ‘export culture’ in Pakistan as no country can progress without it.
Prime Minister’s Advisor for Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production, and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood expressed these views, while addressing the opening session of First International Cement Conference (INTERCEM) at a local hotel on Tuesday.
All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) Chairman Sayeed Saigol, Senior Vice Chairman Farid Fazal, Mian Muhammad Mansha, INTERCEM Chairman and a large number local and foreigners from cement sector were also present.
Abdul Razak added that when PTI took over government, the industry in general and export industry in particular was suffering due to multiple input and other deficiencies especially the gas and electricity. Keeping the importance of industry and exports for economic growth, the government had resolved the industry’s ma...
He said that efforts were afoot to encourage ‘Made in Pakistan’ culture in the world, asserting that increased exports would lead the country to speedy economic development. He said the government was extending all possible support to industrial sector and providing the export-oriented industry with low-tariff gas and ...
Later, talking to media, the PM’s Advisor said that holding of international exhibitions with active participation of foreigners was a good omen for Pakistan and in this way the outer world looked us in a better manner.
“Active participation of a large number of foreigners in the first international cement conference (INTERCEM) is an ample proof of world’s confidence in Pakistan,” he observed.
Abdul Razak Dawood said that cement industry was very important sector of Pakistan economy and mentioned that at present, cement industry’s production is 55 million tons and it will soon attain the target of 70 million tons per annum. Pakistan cement industry was also eying 20 million tons exports from the current five...
About clinker export to India, he said that clinker was very cheap and a low-cost transportation method around the globe.
He also ruled out provision of any subsidy by the government to cement industry with the launch of five million homes project, citing that country’s cement industry had already been exporting its production; therefore, the need of subsidy was out of question.
To a question, he said that second phase of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China would be worked out till June 2019.
To another query, he expressed firm resolve that government would grasp the economic constraints, however, it would take time as there was no short-cut for durable solutions to economic ills.
Abdul Razaq Dawood also formally opened the three-day conference by cutting the ribbon and took a round of stalls set up by cement industry players.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler and Justin Maxwell each collected three hits as the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 9-6 on Friday night.
Hosmer had a two-run single in the Royals' six-run sixth. Maxwell, who homered in the second, had two hits in the inning.
Butler, also, contributed a RBI-double in the inning.
The Royals, who are 17-4 since the All-Star break, trailed 6-3 entering the inning.
After starter Ervin Santana's early exit, four Kansas City relievers combined to shutdown the Red Sox on two hits for 5 1/3 innings. Francisley Bueno picked up the victory, allowing one hit in 2 2/3 innings.
Drake Britton (1-1) was the losing pitcher.
Greg Holland logged his 24th consecutive save, working a flawless ninth, striking out two.
Mike Napoli, who snapped a season-worst five-game hitless streak on Thursday, put the Red Sox up 6-3 in the fourth with a three-run double to center.
After Royals right-hander Ervin Santana retired the first two batters in the fourth, Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz singled and Daniel Nava was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Napoli drilled a 2-1 pitch to deep center to clear the bases and finish Santana's evening.
Santana, who was 3-0 in his previous four starts, gave up six runs, nine hits and two walks and also hit two batters in 3 2/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.
Nava singled home Shane Victorino in the first inning for the initial Red Sox run. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, also, contributed a run-producing double in the second. Ortiz homered in the third.
Maxwell and Alex Gordon blasted bases-empty home runs for the Royals in the second and third innings. Rookie David Lough's two-out single in the third scored Alcides Escobar with the third Kansas City run.
Jake Peavy, who was making his second Red Sox start since being acquired in a July 30 trade from the Chicago White Sox, gave up three runs and seven hits in the first five innings.
NOTES: Royals OFs Lorenzo Cain and Gordon added a hit before Friday's game. After an appeal, both were awarded hits from last Sunday's game at New York in which Daniel Murphy and Marlon Byrd were originally charged with errors after losing balls in the sun. ... Red Sox RHP Alex Wilson, who went on the disabled list Jul...
Blackstone Labs analyzes the contents of used motor oil to check how well engines wear over time. Earlier this month, the lab used its vast database of used oil analyses to study whether certain oil brands tend to contain more metal wear particles; the results might make you think twice before throwing down cash on per...
Blackstone receives oil samples from thousands of people around the country interested in learning how well their engines are wearing over time—in part, to predict and avoid catastrophic damage. For example, I sent in an oil sample in, and learned that engine coolant was getting into my engine. If unaddressed, this cou...
Upon receiving samples, Blackstone sends the oil through a spectrometer to learn how much of that oil—in parts per million—is made up of wear elements like aluminum (which may come from pistons or the engine case), chromium (from piston rings), iron (from cylinders, camshafts, or other parts of the valvetrain), copper ...
What this means is that Blackstone has thousands of reports showing wear particle concentrations of certain engines using certain oil types for certain oil drain intervals. In its July newsletter, the lab decided to use this data to compare different brands, and the findings suggest that buying expensive oil may not pr...
The first engine Travis Heffelfinger (the Blackstone Lab senior analyst who authored the study) looked at was the Subaru EJ 2.5-liter engine, for which the lab has 5,234 reports completed. Those 5,234 reports are associated with oil samples that, on average, were used in the engine for 3,900 miles before draining.
Travis then broke down those 5,234 reports by oil type, which owners tell Blackstone when submitting their samples. The second row in the table above shows that 1,321 samples were Rotella T6 5W-40, 483 were Mobil 1 5W-30, 184 were Subaru brand 5w-30, and so on.
Row three shows the average drain interval for each brand and type of oil (they’re all fairly close to 4,000 miles), and rows four through eight indicate parts per million of various wear particles.
For wear metals, though, there’s not nearly as much variation. Iron is between 8 and 11 ppm all across the page, and copper is between 7 and 12 ppm for each set of averages. Other metals had even less variation, and no single oil type had the lowest level of all metals.
Because the oil drain intervals weren’t all exactly the same, Heffelfinger goes on, showing a bar chart of iron wear rate (which is known to increase in proportion to vehicle mileage) per 1,000 miles driven.
What the chart shows it that, even if you normalize the iron wear by mileages on the oil sample, the difference across the board—the lowest wear rate is 2.03 ppm per 1,000 miles, the highest is 2.58— is miniscule.
Heffelfinger crunched similar data from GM 5.3-liter V8 engines, Cummins 6.7-liter ISB engines, and Volkswagen 1.9-liter TDIs.
We see much more variation in wear levels from the type of engine, the time on the oil, the viscosity, the use the engine sees, etc. Whatever differences exist from oil brand to oil brand, we don’t see a lot of difference in terms of wear for most types of engines.
It’s worth noting that the data is only based solely on what owners and fleet managers have sent in to Blackstone with various drain intervals, so there are some limitations. For example, there might be a bigger difference in wear rate among brands if all of the oil samples had much higher mileage on them. Or perhaps l...
Plus, we don’t know much about the driving styles or weather conditions associated with each sample; averaging the samples will help to limit the effect of these factors, but it’s not a perfect solution.
Still, looking at wear metal contents for different engines, and breaking results up by oil type is an interesting study. And despite its limitations, the report’s conclusion really isn’t too surprising. Engine oils have to meet certain specs to be API certified, and even the cheapest of modern oils are known to do a d...
While perhaps this study isn’t entirely exhaustive and conclusive, it supports my choice to use cheap Walmart brand oil in my old Jeeps. Plus, something tells me even it is better than what was available when the earliest version of that inline-six was first designed in the 1960s.
Elsewhere today, I heard someone sing that it's a full-time job dealing with the pain. It tends to work out that way for a lot of people, even those who seem so well-adjusted, who seem so kind, so sweet and so deserving of happiness. Just when they think they're being thrown a life raft, they discover that it's nothing...
Nashville-by way of-Iowa songwriter Hailey Whitters is one of those spectacular people who know how to pull off full disclosure tales in the most beautiful and touching ways. The people that she sings about are hurting, but they're hardly hurting. They're wounded, but you can only spot the limping if you're looking for...
While Alaskans have long endured dense mosquitoes and frigid air, we've always had the absence of venomous snakes and dog ticks.
But the latter may be establishing themselves here. Ticks that infest red squirrels, snowshoe hares and a variety of birds have always been present in Alaska, but a team of biologists and veterinarians recently found five non-native ticks on Alaska dogs and people.
In a recent study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, researchers identified brown dog ticks, American dog ticks, Rocky Mountain wood ticks, deer ticks and Lone Star ticks in Alaska. A few of those creatures hitchhiked up on animals and humans that had recently visited the Lower 48. But some had not.
"It appears the American dog tick is established in Alaska," said Kimberlee Beckmen, a wildlife veterinarian with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and a co-author of the study. "Some of the dogs (with the tick) had not traveled or hadn't had contact with traveling dogs."
"That is not a good thing," said Randy Zarnke, Beckmen's predecessor at the Department of Fish and Game. He wrote a 1990 paper about the potential for some harmful ticks to survive our winters should they reach Alaska. "(The American dog tick) attaches to humans and can spread diseases that we haven't had to worry abou...
The American dog tick can transmit the bacterium that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever and can secrete a toxin that can cause tick paralysis in dogs and humans, said Lance Durden of Georgia Southern University, lead author on the paper. Tick paralysis can be fatal if it affects breathing muscles.
In the study, three researchers looked at ticks delivered to them from around the state. Veterinarians and others sent to Fish and Game or the state veterinarian ticks they plucked off their dogs in Anchorage, Chugiak, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, North Pole, Sitka, Valdez and Wasilla. People pulled ticks from their own b...
So far, Alaskans have not reported contracting Lyme disease in Alaska. But Beckmen said our native squirrel and hare ticks are "competent vectors of Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
"All we need is an infected person to be bitten by one of our native ticks to spread that to wildlife and then to other people," she said.

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