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It’s a far busier Loan Report this weekend after a damp squib last time out with two wingers, each harbouring ambitions of returning to Stamford Bridge for another crack at the Chelsea first team squad, grabbing their first goals of the season. There were also assists for two of the five Blues in Arnhem but we begin with Victor Moses. Headliners Moses caught the eye with an impressive West Ham United debut last Monday night at home to Newcastle United and he made further headlines on Saturday when he opened the scoring in what would eventually become a famous 2-1 win away to Manchester City. It was a rather nice goal indeed: Moses has found it significantly tricky to hold down a spot as one of Jose Mourinho’s rotational attacking midfielders and so has Mohamed Salah. Back in January he packed up and moved to Italian club Fiorentina on loan before enjoying an excellent run of form that led to a fight for his services ahead of this season. Roma were the successful bidder and, after a decent Champions League display against Barcelona in midweek, Salah opened his account for the Giallorossi on Sunday at home to Sassuolo with this beauty: Moving over to the Netherlands, Vitesse staged their annual tribute to those who served in the 1944 Battle of Arnhem by adopting the claret and blue colours of the British 1st Airborne Division for the home fixture against De Graafschap. They duly ran out comfortable 3-0 winners with Lewis Baker and Dominic Solanke – in his first senior start – claiming first-half assists. Baker whipped over a corner for Guram Kashia to score for the third successive fixture, and later in the half Solanke showed the presence of mind to cut back when well placed to allow Valeri Qazaishvili to double the lead. Milot Rashica sewed the points up with a third during the second half whilst Danilo Pantic saw some thirty minutes of action, the most yet in an Arnhem shirt. Nathan, who started on the left of a front three, had a quiet 75 minutes before departing to give Izzy Brown a late cameo appearance. England Patrick Bamford and Nathan Aké have struggled for Premier League minutes so far this term but both saw action this weekend, albeit briefly. Aké played the final ten minutes of Watford’s 2-1 win at Newcastle, adding defensive presence and security to the side late on, whilst Bamford came on as an 83rd-minute substitute for a Crystal Palace side trying to overturn a 1-0 deficit at Tottenham (they were unable to). Marco van Ginkel remains a fixture in Stoke’s midfield, getting 79 minutes against Leicester, but Christian Atsu has simply not been able to work his way into Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth plans and was absent from the matchday squad yet again on Saturday. Championship sides had a double helping of football this week but, after a shaky display against MK Dons last weekend, Tomas Kalas was an unused substitute for Middlesbrough against both Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Michael Hector started both of Reading’s matches – a defeat to Derby and a win over Bolton – at centre-back, with Lucas Piazon a 79th-minute substitute in the latter. In League One, Jordan Houghton played the full ninety minutes as Gillingham lost 2-1 at Colchester, whilst Alex Davey was an unused substitute for Peterborough. France Mario Pašalić played the first half of Monaco’s Europa League Group Stage opener away to Anderlecht before going off and then playing no part in their Ligue 1 defeat at home to Lorient on Sunday. Jeremie Boga made his Rennes debut as a late substitute at home to Lille on Friday night but, in a fractious and temperamental ending to the contest, he was unable to contribute very much of note. Italy Nathaniel Chalobah is still awaiting his first involvement for Napoli as he didn’t feature in midweek Europa League action against Club Brugge nor against Lazio in Serie A on Sunday. Indeed, it was a quiet affair on the peninsula away from Salah as Stipe Perica was an unused sub as usual for Udinese whilst Wallace didn’t make Carpi’s matchday squad. Juan Cuadrado at least started Juventus’ Champions League draw at Manchester City, and played fairly well too, and he also played the full match as they won 2-0 at Genoa to finally get a league win this season. Netherlands Todd Kane’s NEC Nijmegen career has started very well indeed; he continued at right-back on Friday night in their 2-0 win over Heerenveen for a third consecutive clean sheet and has definitely caught the eye in his first month at the newly-promoted Eredivisie club. Germany Following Borussia Mönchengladbach’s latest humbling of the still-young season at Sevilla in the Champions League, Andreas Christensen was restored to the starting line-up for the first time since the opening day of the season. They still lost a fifth straight Bundesliga contest, 1-0 at Köln, but Christensen – playing at centre-back – was one of the better performers on the afternoon. Belgium Sint-Truiden go from strength to strength, moving into third place this weekend following a 3-0 win away to Westerlo, who themselves were once a regular recipient of Chelsea youngsters on loan. Victorien Angban played the full match, Cristian Cuevas got an hour at left-back, and Joao Rodriguez played most of the second half off the bench. Cristian Manea is still awaiting his first involvement for Mouscron however. Turkey Kenneth Omeruo remains an ever-present at the heart of the Kasimpasa defence and a 3-0 win at Eskisehirspor bumped them up to fifth in the table. Trabzonspor, meanwhile, are sitting second after their first defeat of the season, a 1-0 reverse to Galatasaray in which Marko Marin started for the first time, playing the full ninety minutes and hitting the crossbar. Scotland Islam Feruz was an unused substitute for Hibernian away to Livingston. Portugal Uli Dávila was an unused substitute for Vitória Setúbal on Friday night. Bosnia-Herzegovina FK Sarajevo played on Friday night, going away to Radnik Bijeljina and winning 3-0 with a clean sheet for Matej Delač. |
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Col Robert Stanley, Malmstrom Air Force Base's 341st Missile Wing, is said to have resigned his post in the wake of the cheating scandal The US Air Force has sacked nine mid-level nuclear commanders and will discipline dozens more in a test cheating scandal, officials have said. Nearly one in five of the Air Force's nuclear missile officers have been implicated in a ring of cheating on monthly proficiency tests. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has said the nuclear force is suffering from "systemic problems". A series of programmes to improve leadership are also said to be planned. None of the fired commanders is directly involved in the alleged cheating. Each was instead determined to have failed in leadership responsibility. US nuclear programme scandals October 2013 - Maj Gen Michael Carey, a two-star general in the 20th Air Force, is sacked after accusations of drunken misconduct Maj Gen Michael Carey, a two-star general in the 20th Air Force, is sacked after accusations of drunken misconduct October 2013 - US Navy Vice-Adm Tim Giardina is removed as deputy head of US Strategic Command and investigated for illegal gambling - US Navy Vice-Adm Tim Giardina is removed as deputy head of US Strategic Command and investigated for illegal gambling August 2013 - the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base fails a safety test, and its commander is relieved of duty - the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base fails a safety test, and its commander is relieved of duty May 2013 - The US Air Force temporarily strips 17 officers at Minot base in North Dakota of their nuclear watch authority following a poor grade in a missile launch test. - The US Air Force temporarily strips 17 officers at Minot base in North Dakota of their nuclear watch authority following a poor grade in a missile launch test. October 2007 - The air force relieves several officers of their duties after a B-52 bomber was mistakenly flown across the US loaded with nuclear-armed missiles In addition to the nine officers sacked, the senior commander of Malmstrom Air Force Base's 341st Missile Wing, Col Robert Stanley, was allowed to resign. Commanders of the 341st Wing's three missile squadrons - each of whom is responsible for three nuclear missiles - were also fired, the Associated Press news agency reports. Ninety-one missile launch crew members at Malmstrom have thus far been implicated in the cheating scandal, including more than 40 who face disciplinary action that may include dismissal. Cheating allegations first emerged during investigations into alleged drug use by personnel at other bases. In the wake of the revelations, the Air Force announced the entire team at the base would be re-tested. It is the latest scandal to hit the US Air Force and nuclear missile force. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel had previously ordered a high-level review of the US nuclear forces, saying he was "deeply concerned" about morale and discipline among nuclear officers, while insisting that US nuclear arms were safe. |
Leaked paper reveals scathing view of UK ministers' performance in Brexit talks BelfastTelegraph.co.uk The UK Government's performance in Brexit talks has been branded chaotic and incoherent in a leaked paper focusing on the views of top European officials. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/leaked-paper-reveals-scathing-view-of-uk-ministers-performance-in-brexit-talks-36346388.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/republic-of-ireland/article36346387.ece/12665/AUTOCROP/h342/PANews%20BT_P-dce7edd2-d99d-42a4-b27a-e714bb65e01d_I1.jpg Email The UK Government's performance in Brexit talks has been branded chaotic and incoherent in a leaked paper focusing on the views of top European officials. The internal Irish government paper, obtained by RTE news, apparently documents EU figures' scathing assessments of key UK Cabinet members such as Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. The confidential document is based on a compilation of political reports from Irish embassies across Europe between November 6 and 10. It claims that Brexit was barely mentioned during a meeting between Mr Davis and French ministers for defence and foreign affairs - something which was viewed as a wasted opportunity. In another meeting, a minister in the Czech government described Boris Johnson as "unimpressive" but noted that at least he had "avoided any gaffes" during a visit in September. The Czech deputy minister for foreign affairs Jakub Durr told officials "he felt sorry for British Ambassadors around the EU trying to communicate a coherent message when there is political confusion at home". Meanwhile, during a meeting in Luxembourg, Ian Forrester, the British judge in the European Court of Justice bemoaned "the quality of politicians in Westminster". He also wondered if the British public would view Brexit as "a great mistake" when they realised what leaving the EU entailed, according to the leaked paper. The report was compiled just weeks after Theresa May told EU leaders in Brussels that focus would be on three key issues. It highlights the significant concerns that will make it difficult to progress negotiations ahead of next month's summit. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has declined to comment on the report. Downing Street defended the UK's preparations for Brexit and insisted there was a "good and constructive" relationship between London and Dublin. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "I don't comment on leaked documents. The Government is working hard on preparations for Brexit." He added: "There is good and constructive working relationship with the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach." There had been progress in talks on the issues with Ireland - particularly the common travel area - but there was "more work to be done, everybody accepts that", the spokesman said. "Equally I think everybody is committed to ensuring a frictionless border," he added. In the Commons Liberal Democrat former minister Tom Brake called for a debate on the back of the revelations. In questions to the Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom, Mr Brake said: "H as the leader had time to read a leaked report from Irish embassies round the world which paint a rather unflattering picture of the UK Government's negotiating skills in relation to Brexit? "They talk variously of feeling sorry for British ambassadors trying to present a coherent picture when there's confusion at home. "Will the Leader make time available for a debate on the G overnment's incompetence and inability to deliver Brexit and increasing the risk of no deal?" Ms Leadsom refused to grant a debate, saying: "I would encourage him to stop talking the country down, we are extremely optimistic about the prospects for the UK as we leave the EU and his constant pessimism is not helping." |
JULY 28, 2017 MIAMI CANNABIS WALK 5k WALK FOR A CAUSE • FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017 Support the use of Cannabis for curing an ailment of a family member or friend. Join the Miami Cannabis Walk and help spread the understanding of cannabis as medicine. Friday Evening July 28th 2017 we embark on a 5k walk around Wynwood with a mission to create awareness and to show support for the use of cannabis as medicine. After crossig the finish line, a concert featuring local artists and DJs will take place at the end of the walk. All paid walkers will get a Race Bib and access to the after Concert. THE WALK Walkers will be sent in waves. Advanced Walkers doing the 5K will be the first to depart from the Start Line. Remember that the course is non-competitive. Please stay within the designated path and course. A race clock will be provided, but since this is not a timed walk, we encourage you to check the timer as you pass the start and finish lines if you’d like to track yourself. Doors, Registration & Music begins at 420pm Walk Starts at 710pm. The Party Continues after the walk til midnight. MUSIC BY: DJ OSCAR G . OTTO VON SCHIRACH . EDGAR V . LAZARO CASANOVA . CHINO DREADLION . DMS12 . DAVID MARQUEZ . GOR-D PARTICIPATE AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR A TEAM: There is no requirement to be on a team in order to participate in the MIAMI CANNABIS Walk , but we do encourage you to do so as we know that it can be a key to success when raising awareness and funds for the fight to use Cannabis as Medicine. More information will be updated from now until the event. FRIDAY • JULY 28, 2017 • WYNWOOD : RAIN OR SHINE : NO REFUNDS We reserve the right to refuse admittance to anyone |
Get the biggest Liverpool FC stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Luis Suarez has backed Mario Balotelli to come good for Liverpool - despite his poor first season at Anfield. The Italian was signed as Suarez's successor last summer after he joined Barcelona, but has struggled to make an impact on Merseyside, scoring just once in the Premier League. However Suarez, who is set to face off against Bayern Munich in Barca's Champions League semi final clash on Tuesday, defended Balotelli, reports the Liverpool Echo. “I think Mario has played for big clubs, proving himself to be a formidable player,” the 28-year-old told Mundo Deportivo. Mario Balotelli's Liverpool career 28 Games 4 Goals "It is not easy to place himself at Manchester City and return to England. It has not been easy for him but he is still a great player.” Balotelli was left out of Brendan Rodgers' squad as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with 18-year-old starlet Jerome Sinclair preferred to the former Inter, Manchester City and AC Milan forward. Suarez, meanwhile, has continued his blistering form since moving on from Anfield, bagging 25 goals for the Catalan outfit this season. |
Well met, fellow tavern-goers! Do you love Hearthstone? Looking for other worthy opponents to challenge? Want to just enjoy the game with likeminded Hearthstone players in your area? Then Fireside Gatherings are exactly what you’re looking for! Join us as we celebrate the launch of Hearthstone on iPad by attending a Fireside Gathering. Fireside Gatherings are get-togethers in public hangouts like coffee shops, book stores, and dorms where you can meet and mingle with local Hearthstone players. Trade strategy secrets, show off your decks, or even host mini tournaments—it’s all up to you! These events range in size from 5-10 people in a small group to 100+ in a huge gathering, and require absolutely no minimum skill level. The more the merrier! Behold . . . the power of friendship! Fireside Gatherings offer the opportunity to add the new “Fireside Friends” card back to your collection! This card back can be obtained by playing three matches against another player on the same network using the following criteria: Play three games at a Fireside Gathering with other players at the Fireside Gathering The Fireside Friends card back will become available starting on Saturday, April 26th for a limited time! The last day that you can add the Fireside Friends card back to your collection will be announced at a later date. Be sure to attend a Fireside Gathering near you or utilize the Players Near Me feature in Hearthstone so you don’t miss out on this opportunity to collect this unique card back that’ll make you feel right at home. While you don’t need to attend a Fireside Gathering to get this card back, attending a Fireside Gathering is a great opportunity to meet some new friends, enjoy a few rounds of Hearthstone with good company, and gain this card back in the process! The Fireside Friends card back will be instantly added to your collection as soon as you finish your three matches provided that they follow the friendly guidelines above! To find an official Hearthstone get-together in your area, visit the all-new Fireside Gatherings website here. These events are hosted in direct partnership with Blizzard Entertainment and are a great place to take your iPad and meet up with other Hearthstone-loving locals. To host these awesome events, we’ve partnered with colleges such as Brigham Young University Hawaii, University of California Irvine, University of North Texas, and University of North Carolina Charlotte! Can’t find a Fireside Gathering nearby? Don’t sweat it. Hosting a Fireside Gathering is easy! Head over to the official Fireside Gatherings website for all the resources you will need to get started. You’ll find helpful tips and tricks about how to host a great event, as well as a poster template that you can print and display at your venue! We want to encourage Fireside Gatherings everywhere there are passionate Hearthstone players, so if you don’t find an event near you, don’t hesitate to work with local gaming groups in your community to spread awareness of Fireside Gatherings near and far. Well, what are you waiting for? Sign up to attend or host a Fireside Gathering today! |
Abstract 1. With the use of the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp method, three types of voltage-activated ionic currents were examined in isolated neurons of the snail Helix pomatia: high-threshold Ca2+ current (ICa), high-threshold Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current (IK(Ca)) and high-threshold K+ current independent of Ca2+ (IK(V)). 2. The effect of bath application of the nootropics piracetam and a novel piracetam peptide analog, ethyl ester of N-phenyl-acetyl-L-prolyl-glycine (GVS-111), on these three types of voltage-activated ionic currents was studied. 3. In more than half of the tested cells, ICa was resistant to both piracetam and GVS-111. In the rest of the cells, ICa decreased 19 +/- 7% with 2 mM of piracetam and 39 +/- 14% with 2 microM of GVS-111. 4. IK(V) in almost all cells tested was resistant to piracetam at concentrations up to 2 mM. However, IK(V) in two-thirds of the cells was sensitive to GVS-111, being suppressed 49 +/- 18% with 1 microM GVS-111. 5. IK(Ca) appeared to be the most sensitive current of those studied to both piracetam and GVS-111. Piracetam at 1 mM and GVS-111 at 0.1 microM decreased the amplitude of IK(Ca) in most of the cells examined by 49 +/- 19% and 69 +/- 24%, respectively. 6. The results suggest that piracetam and GVS-111 suppression of voltage-activated calcium and potassium currents of the neuronal membrane may regulate (both up and down) Ca2+ influx into neurons. |
History Chang’e is the beautiful goddess of the Moon, and wife of the famous archer Houyi. In ancient times there were ten great sunbirds above the earth, each a child of Shangdi, and they would each take turns traveling across the sky as the sun. However one day they all decided to ascend at once, and they scorched the earth with their heat and brightness. Shangdi summoned the god Houyi to scare them away and save the world below, but they were troublesome and would not be quelled. So Houyi shot them down one by one, until only one sun remained. Shangdi was furious with the archer for killing his children, and banished he and his wife Chang’e to live on Earth as mortals. Houyi sought the aid of Xi Wang Mu on mount Kunlun to restore them, and the goddess took pity on him. She had a single vial of the elixir of life, and she gave it to him, saying that “If you drink half of the vial, you will gain eternal life. If you drink all of it, you will ascend to the heavens as an immortal god.” Houyi took the vial home, intending to drink half and leave the other half for Chang’e, so that they might both live eternally on Earth. But Chang’e found the vial while he was out hunting one day, and drank all of it, curious about what it was. She immediately became weightless and ascended up toward heaven, returned to her godlike state, and Houyi was too late to catch her. She flew up to the Moon, still banished from heaven, and lives there still with a great many white and jade rabbits as her servants. Houyi was murdered by his apprentice Feng Meng, who was jealous of the mastery of the bow which he could not achieve, and the spirit of Houyi ascended to the Sun and built a palace there. Now he and Chang’e share the sky, and like Yin and Yang they balance the world, though the Moon occasionally sojourns into the daylight sky to be with her husband for a time. Myth Unit Qilin: Immune to most powers, heals units on death. Believed to be a good omen, Qilin is a mythical creature from the far east resembling a hooved dragon with antlers and sometimes fire, which covers parts of its body. Despite its formidable appearance, Qilin was considered a peaceful creature. It would appear to wise rulers and bestow luck and prosperity, and it would only reveal its ferocious side if a pure cause was threatened. Various depictions and stories include Qilin gliding on clouds so as to not harm a single blade of grass or a living creature. God Power Barrage: Chang’e orders her husband Houyi to send down a barrage of arrows to protect her followers. The Barrage can be used to target any spot, but is most effective on large groups of units. Buildings are also affected but to a much lesser extent. Unique Technologies |
And if he does go on and deliver that championship success, it will be proof that the new, more mature Hamilton has learned how not to let adversity get him down. Formerly notorious for wearing his heart on his sleeve and occasionally allowing his emotions to get in the way of his performance, the current racing season has seen him stay focused on the job at hand despite the obstacles put in his way. But what is behind Hamilton's more mature approach? Is it a natural consequence of getting old, or has the Briton worked on rolling with the punches? "I think it's definitely a part of growing and being the age that I am, but I think it's also interpreting other people's struggles," he said. "You know many people have difficult times, but my brother... seeing him growing up, whether we played basketball or football, it's easy for me to kick around a ball and then my brother would trip, fall over. "It's easy to run rings around him because he obviously can't move his legs like that. He'd fall over, get back up and never once ever complained, never complained that he couldn't get the ball off you, or I was whooping his butt. "He just keeps getting up and keeps trying harder and I guess that's probably coming into real use, that kind of experience. "I think also now I'm just in a place in my life where as you grow older your priorities shift and you understand what's it and what's not and you don't get caught up in the unimportant things. "I think as I continue to grow those priorities will get clearer and clearer I would imagine. My friends are telling me that when you have kids then it changes again but I feel like I'm definitely in that transition, gone through that transition phase and now I don't get hung up on difficult times. I'm able to pass through it real quick and turn it [around]." Several of Hamilton's colleagues have sought the services of sports psychologists to help better understand their behaviours, and to become better racers as a consequence. Felipe Massa has heaped praise on the help he received in getting back to racing following his accident in qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, while Romain Grosjean has been similarly effusive in praise for those who helped turn the Frenchman from "first lap nutcase" to podium-sitter. Hamilton, however, prefers to look within for the growth he needs. "I don't speak to people," he said. "I don't speak to anyone. I generally just try to grow in myself. I think we all are great within our higher self and then sometimes we let other things get in the way and sometimes lose our way: say the wrong things, and think the wrong things, and for a minute you come off the road and somehow you navigate your way back. "I think [I'm] just getting better at doing that, basically. As I said, back in the day I wouldn't leave the hotel room for days in anger of making a mistake or something like that. Now, once I've left [the track] and am on the way home I feel it for a bit but then next day, it's a new day and it's a new time. "I just have the new outlook that all I can do is change what's ahead of me, or I can help shape what's ahead of me, rather than what's behind; there's nothing I can do about it. "It's just strange how life works where there are those times where you stumble and you go through that emotional roller-coaster ride and somehow as an athlete still manage to keep your head in the game, if not strengthen yourself through those experiences." Turning 30 last year was something of a watershed moment for Hamilton, both as a racing driver and as a human being. "I think last year, being 30, I was in the first year of the best years of my life," Hamilton reflected. "They say that, don't they? "And my thirties so far have been my best; really enjoyed them and I think that's just part of me being mature and knowing what I want. I'm generally around people who are younger than me most of the time, I'm generally the older one there. "I'm now finally in the place where I'm able to look at someone who is 25 or younger and actually give wisdom, which I was never in a position [to do] before. "'I'm six years ahead of you and these are the things I've experienced in those six years, you've got loads more to learn so don't worry about it.' Those kinds of things. It's kind of crazy; I'm over that hill now and kind of hoping it's not too steep a hill downhill. "I think I'm right at the top." |
Turkey has been warned by Germany that it will kill its chances of joining the European Union if it reinstates the death penalty in the wake of a failed military coup. World leaders have also threatened the country with expulsion from Nato. More than 6,000 people, mainly military personnel and workers in the interior ministry have been arrested since the coup plotters sent warplanes firing on key government installations and tanks rolling into major cities on Friday night. But the rebellion wasn't supported by the military's top brass and was quashed by loyal government forces and masses of civilians who took to the streets. At least 294 people were killed and more than 1,400 wounded. Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan has been warned by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that if he reinstates the death penalty in the wake of the military coup, it will kill Turkey's chances of joining the EU After the Turkish government said they had took back control of the country, they pledged to severely punish those responsible for the uprising. And while responding to crowds of supporters calling for the death penalty for the plotters on Sunday, President Tayyip Erdogan said such demands could not be ignored. However in Berlin today, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said Turkey's bid on joining the EU would end if Ankara restored the death penalty. Steffen Seibert told reporters that the EU is a 'community of values, therefore the institution of the death penalty can only mean that such a country could not be a member.' After the Turkish government said they had took back control of the country, the pledged to severely punish those responsible for the uprising. Pictured are military commanders accused of being the coup masterminds For the moment, he says that Germany and other EU countries are watching the internal Turkish debate on whether to institute the death penalty, but that the EU's position is clear. 'In the first hours after the failed coup, we witnessed revolting scenes of caprice and revenge against soldiers on the streets. That cannot be accepted. 'We categorically reject the death penalty and an institution of the death penalty would mean an end to the negotiations to join the EU,' he added. His comments follow those of the head of EU foreign affairs Federica Mogeherini, who also said Turkey would be barred from joining the block if they reinstated capital punishment. 'Let me be very clear... no country can become an EU state if it introduces the death penalty,' Mogherini said when asked about the possible impact on long-stalled accession talks with Ankara. While US Secretary of State John Kerry called on Turkey to uphold democracy and human rights as it pursues the military officers and anyone else involved in the plot. The top American diplomat said Turkey must 'uphold the highest standards for the country's democratic institutions and the rule of law.' While responding to crowds of supporters calling for the death penalty for the plotters on Sunday, President Erdogan said such demands could not be ignored. While he recognized the need to apprehend the coup plotters, Kerry said: 'We caution against a reach that goes beyond that.' But both Mogherini and Kerry reiterated the trans-Atlantic support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's democratically elected government. Both the EU and the U.S. need a stable Turkey right and Washington is working with its NATO partner to fight the ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Kerry credited Turkey for reopening a key air base in the south of the country and Brussels is counting on Turkey to stem refugees from reaching the continent. Erdogan is demanding that Washington hand over an exiled cleric he blames for orchestrating the violence. Kerry said no extradition request for the Pennsylvania-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, has arrived yet. But he stressed that the U.S. needed to see 'evidence, not allegations' of Gulen's responsibility. US Secretary of State John Kerry called on Turkey to uphold democracy and human rights as it pursues the military officers and anyone else involved in the plot Meanwhile Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said it was for the country's parliament to decide whether to restore the death penalty but that if it did so he would sign such a measure into law. Turkey scrapped capital punishment in 2004 as part of its push to join the European Union but calls for its reinstatement have grown following an abortive military coup on Friday evening in which more than 200 people were killed. |
Jalen Hurd's mother Tara Smotherman offered her opinion on his decision to leave the Tennessee football team. (Photo: Michael Patrick / USA Today Network) Jalen Hurd hasn't been heard from since it was announced Monday that the 1,000-yard rusher had decided to transfer from Tennessee, but his mother has weighed in on the situation. Tara Smotherman posted a comment on her Facebook page defending her son's decision to leave the Vols and finish his career at another school. "While it was not my choice for Jalen to leave Tennessee (and we were adamant about this), this is a decision that he put a lot of thought into and certainly did not take lightly. It is not my place to discuss his business and the reasons that he’s decided to transfer, but at the end of the day, he believed that it was best for everyone. People are mad, hurt and very upset, and I understand that. Yet, the reality is if you don’t know what he has been through or what he is going through now, then it is very easy to speculate & judge, make up lies & rumors, or heaven forbid, actually believe them. Jalen has chosen a different path. We don’t always agree with our children’s decisions, but nevertheless, you love and support them through it all no matter what. Thank you to all of our family, friends and Vol supporters that were so kind to us today. We are so thankful and appreciative to the University of Tennessee, the coaching staff and the wonderful fans for all the love and support throughout the years. Many blessings and much success to you all." Hurd's stepfather Arthur Smotherman also weighed in on the matter in a Facebook Live post where he offered more specific details about Hurd's decision to transfer. Arthur Smotherman said he wanted to "expel" the rumor that Hurd had been benched because coach Butch Jones was upset after he celebrated scoring a touchdown against Georgia. Hurd did not play running back for the rest of the game. "The truth of the matter is Jalen Hurd had a concussion at the Georgia game," Arthur Smotherman said. "It didn't happen on the end zone play, it happened in the beginning of the third quarter when he fell on his head. He didn't think he was hurt. He went back in the game and realized he was hurting more than he thought so they didn't put him back in for the rest of the game as part of the concussion protocol ... The whole week after the Georgia game everyone was saying, 'Jalen Hurd was showboating, he got sat down. Him and coach Jones got into it.' Newsflash, Jalen Hurd has never been benched for attitude nor for lack of production, OK? Remember that. He never has." Arthur Smotherman said the concussion, which neither Jones or Hurd ever mentioned publicly, was the reason Hurd did not travel with the Vols to play at Texas A&M. Arthur Smotherman also blamed the media for igniting rumors when reporting on why Hurd decided to leave the team. "The problem with the media is this, they assume something is going on and they don't know the truth so they begin a rumor," Arthur Smotherman said. "And the problem with fans are, they don't get the truth, so they just take off with it. So, half of you on here have been saying, 'Jalen needed to quit anyway because he got benched by the coaches, nobody wanted him there.' That's not true." Arthur Smotherman said Hurd will speak when he is ready. "At this moment, you guys need to know Jalen was never benched," Arthur Smotherman said. "If you need to ask anybody on the inside resources, ask (Tennessee running backs) coach (Robert) Gillespie ... him and coach Gillespie had a great relationship all the way til the day that Jalen decided he was leaving ... coach Gllespie will tell you that Jalen was always a warrior and always gave his all on the field. So you can say what you want about him, that's fine. But that rumor that he was benched and he's just mad because (Alvin) Kamara and (John) Kelly had taken over, that's not true." MORE ON JALEN HURD Hurd, a junior from Beech High, rushed for 1,288 yards as a sophomore at UT and had 451 yards and three touchdowns this season. He requested to transfer on Monday, two days after the Vols lost to South Carolina 24-21. Hurd did not play in the second half of the South Carolina game. He rushed for 16 yards on eight carries in the first half. Jones said Hurd did not go back into the game because of an undisclosed injury. Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter. |
The world champion Red Sox aren’t getting fat. According to a person who knows Carlos Beltran, the switch-hitting right fielder has drawn strong interest from the Yankees’ blood rivals. The person said the Yankees and Orioles are in on Beltran, too, but the Red Sox have been more aggressive. Of course, it’s early in the process and that could change. Beltran, 37 in late April, is expected to turn down the Cardinals’ $14.1 million qualifying offer Monday. Teams signing him will forfeit a draft pick in June. Monday is also the day the Yankees will learn whether Curtis Granderson accepts their qualifying offer. If he does it’s not likely the Yankees will have room for Beltran in an outfield that already houses Alfonso Soriano in left and Brett Gardner in center. If Granderson stays, he would play right field. Beltran is trending toward being a designated hitter, but he will command the type of money rarely given to a full-time DH not named David Ortiz. Boston’s aggressive approach could stem from the possibility they could lose center fielder and leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury as a free agent. If that’s the case, Shane Victorino could shift from right to center, or Jackie Bradley, Jr. could take over for Ellsbury with Victorino and Beltran playing the corners. One thing is for sure, Ortiz has a choke hold on the DH duties. The Orioles are set in right field with Nick Markakis, but could be looking at Beltran as a DH or left fielder. Beltran, an eight-time All-Star who played six-plus seasons for the Mets, is coming off a season in which he batted .296 with 24 homers, 84 RBIs and an .830 OPS. This past season was the second of a two-year, $26 million deal. He was an All-Star in each of his two seasons in St. Louis. A career .333 (60-for-180) postseason hitter with 16 homers, 41 RBIs and a 1.1280 OPS, Beltran hit .268 (15-for-56) with two homers and 15 RBIs in 17 October games for the NL champions. Despite suffering bruised ribs robbing Ortiz of a grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series, he still batted .294 (5-for-17) with three RBIs in six Series games. |
Build 00.09.08.02 Status Update It has been awhile since the last dev update and patch release. A LOT of work has been going on in the background, along with some new and exciting things which we hope to share with the public at some point this Summer. However, this project, one of our largest undertaking since the original 1996 Battlecruiser 3000AD project, is slowly winding down. Most of the work left to do is related to completing and enabling certain features for CBT testing, tweaks and improvements. For example in the upcoming update, we overhauled the Aim-Down-Sights system, as well as the HAIS drop launch and wingsuit/wingchute flight dynamics. We’re also tackling the fps dynamics because it still doesn’t feel quite right, and most of it is related to physics. With the above out of the way, and we enable user controlled planetary vehicles, that would be the bulk of GEN7-8 updates, marking the end of all such major updates. Also left to integrate, are some content (some weapons, vehicles, as well as some planetary environment assets) improvements which will improve game’s visuals. And we then go through GEN9-10 as the wrap-up phase, with the final inventory system to include the implants, and other inventory items (e.g. backpacks) which rely on that system. Of course the on-going bug fixes and tweaks will continue, right to the final release build. PRE-RELEASE WIDE TESTING Though we have enough people in the CBT (Closed Beta Test) program to help test point releases, we are still planning to do an OBT (Open Beta Test) at least a month before final release. With the ability to host and join game sessions in the final version, this will enable us to gather some international metrics from those hosting their own sessions. Though we are still going to have our two official WSG server clusters online for the public to play on, allowing everyone to host their own game sessions (as we did with our previous games, e.g. All Aspect Warfare and Angle Of Attack), allows our international gamers to have a better experience than they would if they were connecting to US servers. We don’t use cloud (Google Compute, Amazon AWS) instances, as we never designed the game around that. Contrary to popular belief, multiplayer cloud server instances are not cheap. And as a small indie studio, we simply don’t want to have to deal with the added post-release costs. THE QUEST FOR A MULTI-PLATFORM RELEASE The greatest challenge ahead, is related to the fate of the Havok based custom engine we built for the game. As I mentioned in a Nov 2016 update , we have since lost our console (XBoxOne and PS4) path due to Microsoft finally scuttling the Havok Vision Engine after their purchase of Havok. That pretty much leaves us with an almost complete PC only game, with no hope of a console version of the game. These are the choices: 1) Release the current PC version in the coming months. Cancel the console versions. The path of least resistance, and the less risky one. Except for the part where we would then have to recoup dev costs from a single PC game, as opposed to a multi-console game. 2) Release the current PC version in the coming months. Continue with the UE4 version for consoles. Another option that’s less risky in the short-term. Except that the PC version may impact the console versions depending on how long it takes to get the console versions out. It also means that, like in the old days whereby PC and console engines were very disparate, we would have to support and update two engine versions in the long-term. Even if we used a third-party studio like we did with LOD Tactics , it still means some disparity across the PC and console versions in terms of support, updates etc. And of course it means additional expenses. This adds, not only additional costs, but also a delay period of 12-14 months between the PC and console versions; assuming that they are not done in tandem. 3) Not release the current version. Complete the UE4 port as a multi-platform target. The best option, as it unifies and yields a multi-platform game. It is also the most expensive due to the revenue loss from not releasing the completed PC version, while increasing the dev costs. In addition to added costs, this options also adds a delay period of between 8-12 months. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? At this point in time, we’re still proceeding with option #1, though I have not yet ruled out the console versions. Until we wrap up the current PC version in the coming months, it won’t be clear to me which of the two remaining options to take. Game development isn’t glamorous; and sometimes you end up having to make decisions like this in order to keep a project on track, and a studio afloat. Fun times. |
Kevin Calabro recently signed a 3-year extension with ESPN Radio to call their NBA games. Last week, he did a live chat with the Seattle Times and among the topics discussed were the Sonics (of course), the potential of the NHL coming to town, the arena, and more. Here are some of the highlights; Do you think George Karl might get into the Hall of Fame one day? Oh absolutely. I think he certainly has the wins, doesn't have the ring, but certainly has the wins to warrant being in the Hall of Fame. Better Dunker; Blake Griffin or Shawn Kemp? I think Shawn Kemp, but let me tell you about Blake Griffin. He's now developing a mid-range game and the ability to get to the free throw line. Shawn was a better player, better mid-range, shooter, but Blake is closing the gap in that area. Blake has unbelievable power at the rim. Shawn had power at the rim, but Blake has suddenness at the rim. Kemp was a great weak side shot blocker, too, which Blake doesn't do much of. Are you still happy with your decision to not follow the relocated Sonics to OKC? Yeah. That was a family reason. It would be impossible to move my family. The thought of commuting back and forth, and there's no commute, which meant seeing the families a couple times of month was not good. I had 21 years of NBA basketball so I knew I could freelance and do other projects so I don't regret that. Every year a club calls and checks on my availability. If I wanted to get involved full time with another club in another market I could do that. If everything were perfect, it'd be perfect to see Kevin Durant and Westbrook work on the floor. What a thrill that must be. If you can't get jazzed up about that then you shouldn't be in the business. How would Sonics basketball be impacted in the future if the NHL were to come to Seattle first? I think it would energize the market if the NHL were here. Being a Seattle guy, it'd be great to get the NHL. Does it make it more difficult in terms of advertising dollars or fans, sure it'd make it more competitive. It'd be more competitive for the MLB, MLS and NFL. It's a big television market and that drives the bus. I think it would then, in my opinion, make the NBA take notice at what's going on here with NHL expansion. I think it'd be a stimulus to get a building done. I definitely see it as a positive factor. It means another NBA competitor but that's fine. The positives outweigh the negatives. I'm a huge fan of the NHL in the arena. Can't say I watch much unless Doc Emrick is doing a game. In the arena, it's spectacular. The energy is phenomenal and it's a great buzz. In Key Arena, even with reduced seating, I think it'd be a hot, hot ticket for the first few years of existence. Maybe they can get a commitment for a building, too. For the NBA, it's TV dollars. For the NHL it's about having seats, suites. That's what the NHL banks on. After the major letdown last year with the Sonics/Kings situation, how optimistic are you regarding the return of the NBA to Seattle? It's going to happen. Whether it happens in three or five years is up for conjecture. I happen to be an optimist and think they'll be here in three years. National TV contract is up in three years, and they're currently negotiating it. Sources tell me they may come to an agreement late this summer. Once the owners get a hold of those numbers and resolve what those numbers look like, then they'll start thinking expansion. Also, those teams not doing well will have a better gauge on their future. That means the Bucks, whose lease is up in 2017. Once the owners know what the revenue stream looks like, then they can talk about additional revenue, which means expansion fees. It would be simply mind blowing if they didn't expand that has a building plan, politically is in agreement, a strong ownership group and 41 years of great history of supporting NBA basketball. Also, a great sports market in a top TV market. How they could ignore that and not take advantage is beyond me. I'm an optimist. It was a great trial last summer but it didn't work out, and that doesn't mean there won't be more chances. You can read the whole interview here. |
First there was Michelle Gomez’s return as Missy, then there was John Simm’s comeback as the Master, and now we’ve just had confirmation of another special Doctor Who series 10 appearance. Advertisement The latest news is not about a returning character, but concerns a new actor joining the cast who has been kept under wraps until now. Actress Samantha Spiro confirmed during an appearance on BBC Breakfast that she would be appearing later in the series, although she refused to reveal what exactly her role will entail. “I’ll be in this series of Doctor Who. I can’t say how, I can’t say who, I can’t say where!” she said on the BBC1 show. The Olivier Award-winning actress was most recently seen in season six of Game Of Thrones as Melessa Tarly, and is set to appear in the BBC Barbara Windsor biopic Babs. She has also previously appeared with Doctor Who writer Mark Gatiss in Sky comedy Psychobitches. Unlike other guest stars such as David Suchet and Ralph Little, Spiro’s appearance has not been revealed until now – her name was not in showrunner Steven Moffat’s episode guide at the start of the series. Has her name been kept back until now for a reason? Who knows… Advertisement Doctor Who continues Saturday at 7.20pm on BBC1 |
Could smoking marijuana legally during out-of-state vacation get you fired? Copyright by KHON - All rights reserved Video Recreational marijuana is now legal in some of Hawaii residents' favorite travel destinations, and that includes Las Vegas, Nevada. But what you do legally in Sin City could actually get you in trouble back home in the Aloha State. Nevada legalized recreational marijuana in January, joining other states such as Washington, Colorado and Oregon. So KHON2 wanted to find out if Hawaii residents can get into trouble at work for smoking pot where it's legal while they're on vacation? We spoke with a labor attorney who says Hawaii residents have a constitutional right to privacy, so it can be argued that what you do outside of work, if it's legal, and does not affect your job performance, should not get you fired. RIGHT TO PRIVACYSection 6. The right of the people to privacy is recognized and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest. The legislature shall take affirmative steps to implement this right. [Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]SEARCHES, SEIZURES AND INVASION OF PRIVACYSection 7. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches, seizures and invasions of privacy shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized or the communications sought to be intercepted. [Am Const Con 1968 and election Nov 5, 1968; ren and am Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978] Marijuana shops have not yet opened in Las Vegas but when they do, some people might get the temptation to partake. Marijuana can stay in your system for up to 30 days, so what happens when you get home and your employer tells you to take a drug test? "Right now the law is pretty clear the employer can fire the person under those circumstances," said labor attorney David Simons. Simons says it would be hard to fight it if you're applying for the job. But what if you're already employed and your job performance is not in question? "I think the person would have a legitimate basis to question it and say that because there was no job performance problems at all," said Simons. He adds that you would probably need to take it all the way to the Hawaii Supreme Court and argue your right to privacy. "Because what I did was legal and I do have a right when I'm on my vacation somewhere to follow the laws of that state where does my right to privacy start?" he questions. "How much control should my employer have over me when I'm on vacation?" Marijuana has been the drug of choice, according to Diagnostic Laboratory Services, which does up to 300 workplace drug tests a day. Results show an increase from December 2015 to December 2016 of about 13 percent. Scientific Director Carl Linden tells me he doesn't really see a trend but he's surprised by the number of people who test positive, at a rate of two to 300 people every three months. "Keep in mind these are individuals that are applying for a job and they probably know that they're going be drug tested so it's surprising that we even have that percentage that actually test positive," said Linden. |
Three months of below average rain across large swathes of New South Wales is resulting in a continued downgrading of crops. Many agronomists now believe that 40 per cent of the yield potential has now been lost with the situation compounded by widespread frosts in many regions. Cowra agronomist Peter Watt of Elders said crops in his region were just holding on. "We need rain for some of our farmers to get out of jail this year," he said. "Unfortunately, the forecast is for extremely hot conditions coming up over the weekend and that is the last thing we need. "What has probably saved many farmers in this region is the fact they are not just cropping but they have sheep and cattle providing them with income from meat and wool." Northern crops hit hardest Further north of Cowra, between Narromine and Warren, the situation is even more desperate. Agronomist with Muldoon Pratten, Ryan Pratten, said a lot of crops were beyond saving and most likely would be used as animal fodder. "Lack of rainfall since March, an exceptionally dry winter, and a series of frosts have really knocked the crops around here," he said. "It is still unknown how much damage the frost has done to the wheat crops and it will be two weeks before we can quantify it. "Further north, around Walgett, the situation is even worse and many did not even bother to sow a crop this year." Tony Lockrey, agronomist in the Moree and Narrabri district, said they were really struggling with barley, canola, and wheat crops all under huge pressure. He said they were going backwards rapidly after a challenging year right from the start. "Some of the best margins of returns are on paddocks where nothing was planted as the costs were kept way down," he said. "Many of the failed crops are now being used as cattle feed as they are not worth harvesting." Worthless crops to become fodder for animals The parlous nature of the crops in NSW should come as no surprise. A new report by the Climate Council found Australia had experienced the hottest winter on record across the nation. It has also been one of the driest, with average maximum temperatures up to two degrees Celsius higher than usual. The report shows that this year's winter had seen 260 individual records broken for record daytime temperatures and low rainfall. The Council's Professor Lesley Hughes said statistically, this was 60 times more likely to be because of climate change and global warming and that warm weather would now be the norm. "Farmers are bearing the brunt of these extreme weather conditions and NSW is copping it this year in particular," she said. "We know that farmers are great adapters [at] choosing different varieties: earlier harvesting, changing sowing times and trying different types of crops. "However, many experts are asking just how much more farmers can adapt and still stay profitable? "The other belief is that the new warmer, drier, winters are the norm rather than the exception." |
Despite the widespread decline of elephants across Africa in recent years, one nation has reported a rising population. Elephants in Uganda have increased by 600 percent, to more than 5,000 individuals, from a low of 700 to 800 in the 1980s, reports a survey in May by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Great Elephant Census , and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Elephants were once plentiful across the East African country, but rampant poaching fueled their decline. The Wildlife Conservation Society cited better protection across Uganda’s ten national parks as a major factor in their recovery. Despite the increasing numbers, elephants in Uganda still face poaching pressure, particularly in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which now has 2,913 elephants, the report noted. And Uganda has continued to be a stopover for international smugglers, who may take advantage of local corruption. A controversial court ruling returned three tons of ivory to traffickers in March 2014—a decision made after a judge bought the defendants’ argument that the ivory had been legally imported that may also embolden smugglers. National Geographic spoke with Oliver Wonekha , Uganda’s ambassador to the United States, about the ways elephants are recovering in the country. A recent survey suggests that elephants are increasing in Uganda, while they’re decreasing across much of Africa. So what is your country doing differently? In our recent past we had a lot of political turmoil, and during that time there was a lot of poaching. The wildlife really suffered. The current government takes wildlife crime very seriously because wildlife is an important part of our tourism industry, which is now our biggest earner of foreign income. Wildlife trafficking is also a security issue, because terrorist groups use it to fund their operations. View Images A herd of elephants roams Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. Photograph by Joel Sartore, Nat Geo Image Collection What technology are you using to fight poachers? One of the challenges we have is that we need more equipment, such as cameras, vehicles, and helicopters. The Japanese government recently provided 65 cameras, which we are using to survey national parks. One of my objectives is to convince the U.S. Congress to provide more support for conservation. Many of the animals migrate across international boundaries, which can make conservation efforts harder. How do you address that? We are working with our neighbors by sharing information on traffickers and conducting joint ranger patrols across borders. In 2012 the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) listed Uganda as one of eight countries of primary concern because of the amount of illegal ivory smuggled through the country. How has your government responded? Parliament is debating legislation that would amend the 2000 Wildlife Act to provide stiffer penalties for those caught trading wildlife products, because it’s clear that current laws don’t provide enough of a deterrent. One plan is to impose a fine equivalent to an animal’s value, around $21,000 for an elephant, and jail time up to 20 years. View Images More than 830 pieces of seized ivory, weighing 6,400 pounds (2,903 kilograms), were photographed in October 2013 in a storage facility in Kampala, Uganda, during the country’s ongoing battle against poaching. Photograph by James Akena, Reuters/Corbis The government has also started a new wildlife crime unit. More effort is being put into security at airports and to seize ivory in transit. Cameras are a big help at getting convictions, because in the past people denied the charges. Agencies are working hard to stay ahead of the [smugglers], but the traders are working hard by changing up how they conceal and ship wildlife products. A Ugandan court ruling made headlines after an ivory trafficker was given three tons of ivory back in March 2014, and in November a ton of ivory was reported missing from a government vault . Do incidents like these suggest there may be some corruption problems in the country? President Museveni is trying to crack down on corruption. He recently launched a new watchdog agency, the Inspectorate of Government. Another way to fight corruption is by improving cooperation between agencies. We have recently seen more involvement around wildlife crime from the police, customs, and INTERPOL. Over the past four years, two elephants have been killed in Uganda as a result of conflicts with local people, even though it’s against the law to kill them. Some people also complain that elephants have damaged their property. How do you resolve those issues? Our human population is growing at 3.2 percent a year, among the highest in the world, so pressure on animals is increasing. When elephants stray out of national parks, they can go into farm fields and gardens, where they can cause a lot of damage. Most of the time people call park rangers, who come and chase the animals back into the parks. But it can still leave people frustrated. Killing elephants is illegal, but there is still tension. So we are experimenting with digging trenches along park borders, spraying chili oil, which elephants don’t like, and driving elephants off people’s property. We also make sure local communities benefit from the animals by getting a portion of revenues earned from sport hunting [75 percent of fees] and tourism [20 percent of entrance fees]. Over a year, communities get about one billion Uganda shillings ($300,000) from all parks combined, which they use for social projects and to decrease conflicts with wildlife. Have other animals been at risk? Gorillas haven’t been targeted much by trafficking, but the international market for body parts has driven poaching of rhinos and big cats, as well as elephants. There is also still a bush meat problem [in which wild animals are hunted for their meat], which we are dealing with in the same way. Follow Brian Clark Howard on Twitter and Google+. |
Budget airline Jetstar has lashed out at an international passenger survey after being named the worst performing airline in the world for its frequent delays and overall customer satisfaction. An airline and airport survey released on Friday by consumer advocacy group Choice found passengers rated the Qantas-owned budget airline lowest or equal lowest in six of nine categories including punctuality, comfort and meals. Jetstar claimed the survey was flawed because it did not include ratings for Virgin Australia-owned rival Tiger Airways. Choice said it did not receive enough responses from Tiger passengers to merit inclusion. ”Choice seem to enjoy criticising airlines without understanding the safety standards we operate to or recognising the role of low cost carriers in making travel more affordable for millions of Australians,” Jetstar said in a statement. The survey, which collected 11,273 responses from eight different countries, ranked Jetstar 73rd for overall satisfaction, earning it the lowest possible rating of one star. It found more than one in three Jetstar passengers (37.2 per cent) had experienced flight delays with the airline – which on average were almost four hours long. Jetstar was ranked worst of all airlines for onboard comfort (4.51 out of 10), check in process (6.43), boarding (6.13), staff satisfaction (6.64), meals (2.32) and punctuality (6.04). But despite the findings Jetstar questioned the results. “Weather is often the source of delays, particularly in the more tropical destinations we operate to, and we’ll always put safety before schedule,” Jetstar said in a statement. “We know how important it is to get customers to their destination on time, and we recognise there is room for improvement.” Qantas was the highest-ranked Australian carrier, at 36th in the world, while Virgin Australia was next-best ranked 51st. The survey deemed Emirates as the best airline in the world with an overall satisfaction rating of 8.29. |
ATHEIST Scots youngsters are being told to “keep quiet” or lie about their beliefs in order to join the Scouts. Droves of non-believers are signing up to local scouting groups across the country, despite having to pledge their allegiance to god. Pledging to do your duty to god and queen are currently key requirements for all members of the Scouts, with a review on the wording currently under way. Robert Baden-Powell started the scouts in 1907. Several humanists have admitted their children are in the Scouts, prompting calls for the Scout Association (SA) to adopt a more inclusive oath for atheists – as well as republicans. Last week a mother from Thurso, Caithness, revealed her atheist son had been allowed to pledge allegiance to “my god” when he took his oath, revealing her son’s “god” was in fact Slash, rock guitarist from Guns N’ Roses. A humanist parent from Aberdeenshire, who is the secretary of her local Scout troop, said her 12-year-old son swore the religious oath so he could join up with his friends, despite not believing in god. She said he would retire from Scouts at 14 instead of taking the oath again in order to join Explorer Scouts. The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “It makes a mockery of the oath. He does not believe in God and realises that as a consequence he may not be able to stay in the Scouts unless he lies.” The SA, which has more than 525,000 members in Britain does not officially accept atheists into its ranks. Despite its refusal it is believed there are a significant number of non-believers in its ranks. Last week, Graham Haddock, the movement’s chief commissioner in Scotland, said the organisation, is taking a “hard look” at the oath amid growing pressure from parents. Mr Haddock, a paediatric surgeon at the Glasgow children’s hospital, said: “We are currently in the throes of a review. The first stage is complete and the issue for next summer is pretty much the oath — what we call the promise. It’s being considered at the present time.” Survey A recent survey conducted by The Humanist Society Scotland conducted a review of members on the issue and was told by one celebrant, whose husband was forced to resign from the Scouts as district commissioner, that “people are actively encourages to just ‘keep quiet’ about their beliefs in order to get in.” Under current rules, Scouts must swear allegiance to God and the Queen, although foreign nationals living in Britain can swear allegiance to “the country in which I am now living”. A spokesman for the SA said: “Young people will not be refused membership solely because of their parents’ beliefs or non-beliefs. “Furthermore, scouting accepts that as they grow into independent adults, some young people may question or doubt the existence of God as they develop their personal spiritual understanding. Scouting believes that young people going through this process should be able to become or remain Scouts.” The Scout movement started in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell and had more than 41,000 members in Scotland and a worldwide membership of 31 million. |
Saparmarat Niayzov was the very first president of independent Turkmenistan after the Soviet Union came apart. He ruled the country for the first 16 years of its existence until his death in 2006. He was a despot and a kleptocrat, as many of the leaders of those emerging nations were, but Niayzov leavened his thievery with a strong dose of pure self-aggrandizing crazy, even for a west Asian dictator. He banished dogs, smoking, algebra, the Internet, ballet, opera, and lip-synching, all by official decree. He also loved giving himself titles—Leader of All Turkmen was a favorite—as well as naming and renaming things. These latter included the months of the year, the days of the week, and a meteorite. He also supposedly had a copy of one of his books flown into orbit and jettisoned into space. So anyway, that was that guy, and he was funny, and we all had a big laugh about it, right? Yeah, well, who's laughing at the Leader of All Turkmen now? From CNBC: According to a document published by the office of the Federal Register, the 45th president of the United States proclaimed Jan. 20, 2017 — Trump's Inauguration Day — to be a National Day of Patriotic Devotion. Trump made the proclamation "in order to strengthen our bonds to each other and to our country — and to renew the duties of Government to the people." "A new national pride stirs the American soul and inspires the American heart. We are one people, united by a common destiny and a shared purpose," the proclamation said. It's only a matter of time before we celebrate our independence every year on the Fourth of Ivanka. Watch it happen. Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page. |
Mexico on Sunday pushed back against a string of critical tweets from President Trump taking aim at the country, saying it refused to discuss aspects of the bilateral relationship “through social media or any other news platform.” Trump on Sunday morning took to Twitter to accuse Mexico of being “one of the highest crime nations in the world” and “very difficult” when it came to the North American Free Trade Agreement, a trade deal Trump has said he wants to renegotiate. He also reiterated his support for a wall along the southern border of the U.S., for which he has insisted Mexico will pay. ADVERTISEMENT “Mexico will not negotiate NAFTA, nor any other aspect of the bilateral relationship, through social media or any other news platform,” Mexico’s foreign ministry responded in a statement Sunday afternoon. Mexico also reiterated that it wouldn’t pay for Trump’s much-touted border wall, calling its position on the matter “a principle of national sovereignty and dignity.” As for the violence in the country, Mexico's foreign ministry said it would “only end if its root causes are addressed: high demand for drugs in the United States and supply from Mexico (and other countries).” Trump received criticism on social media for the timing of his Sunday tweets, which came as southeastern Texas was being hammered by Tropical Storm Harvey. Harvey, which first made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, was downgraded after hitting the coast. In its statement, Mexico’s foreign ministry expressed solidarity with the U.S. during the crisis, noting that it had offered help to Washington “in order to deal with the impact of this natural disaster — as good neighbors should always do in trying times.” |
Deep breaths, citizens of Westeros: HBO has unleashed 15 full minutes of Game of Thrones' gore, action and drama. The "Ice and Fire: A Foreshadowing" sneak peek video of the hit show's fourth season gives fans a glimpse at unseen footage, flashbacks and cast interviews. Prepare to learn how much this cast cries. The clip also details weird stuff they've done, new characters such as the Prince of Dorne, Oberyn Martell and dangerous dragons. And in case you weren't psyched enough, the show's executive producer and writer David Benioff says, "Some of the most shocking and mind-blowing scenes of the entire series come at the end of this coming season, some very bloody confrontations." Spring may be just 38 days away, but winter is coming on April 6. BONUS: 15 Things You Didn't Know About 'Game of Thrones' |
In researching Becky’s Dive Bar, we came across mention of another pub, Ye Olde Mitre on St Martin’s Lane, which had a reputation for selling a wide range of beer in the nineteen-fifties. (Note: not the one off Hatton Garden.) Though we’ve had no luck finding out more about the Mitre, we have, as a pleasant side-effect, found a new question to ponder on: when did people start fighting to preserve pubs? On 6 November 1968, the Covent Garden authority, a government body which had taken on ownership of the historic fruit and vegetable market and surrounding land, announced its grand redevelopment plan. It was to include widespread demolition, and the building of motorways and concrete walkways, turning a ramshackle ‘neighbourhood’ into something from Logan’s Run. (But probably a bit crapper.) There was a very successful campaign to overturn the scheme, led by local residents, and supported by architects, historians and others with an interest in heritage and preservation. What is especially interesting to us, however, is the importance placed on the area’s pubs. The Architecture Review published several pieces arguing for the preservation not of specific buildings, but of the area as a whole, because Covent Garden’s ‘unique qualities… depend on groups of buildings… [and] historic street patterns’ (22 November 1972). Dan Cruickshank and Colin Amery, in that same piece, provided a watch-list of vulnerable, unprotected properties in Covent Garden, which included many public houses, such as the Nell Gwyn and The Lamb and Flag. By 1973, preserving the area’s pubs had become a campaign in its own right, which the The Observer described in a piece on 11 February, illustrated with a gallery of pub fronts: The regular patrons had been preparing for a war of passive resistance – ‘Gandhi with an elbow bent’ as one put it – for the pubs are all within the Covent Garden Development Area and were in danger of being ‘developed’ out of existence. But the pubs have been saved from the wreckers by Mr Geoffrey Rippon, Minister for the Environment – they have been listed as being of special architectural or historical interest. Not one can be touched now… Londoners and visitors alike will thus be able to go on drinking in the Lamb and Flag, built over the narrowest thoroughfare in London, The Crown Tavern where the idea for ‘Punch’ was thought up, and The Sun, whose forerunner on the site was one of Ben Jonson’s locals. (Note, once again, the tittering amusement with which journalists write about beer and pubs.) Pete Brown argues in his Shakespeare’s Local that people began to feel nostalgic about disappearing pubs after World War I, and tells the story of how the George Inn, Southwark, was ‘saved for the nation’ by the National Trust in 1937. It seems to us, though, that it was in the sixties and seventies – when everything got its own banner-wielding march and/or campaign group – that a more general urge to ‘save’ pubs (even those without literary or historic associations, or any particular architectural merit) emerged. What we need to do next is read up on other post-war development schemes and see how prominently pubs featured in any campaigns against them. Should pubs be preserved? There are lots, and perhaps not every single one should be considered sacred, but there’s certainly no reason why they should be treated with less respect than any other type of building. UPDATE: this BBC article on historic disregard for ‘heritage’ seems relevant. |
Christ University The professor says he was opposed to the blanket rule on all departments in the new campus. The head of Christ University’s new campus on Bannerghatta Road, is "autocratic" says the former assistant professor of economics who was allegedly forced to resign last week. The assistant professor was forced to resign after he raised questions about new rules that lecturers had been asked to enforce. "While there were rules in the main campus too, my concern was why was it more stringent in the new campus," he asks. He has been working in the University for the past eight months, but the problem cropped up in the new campus which he joined when it started two months ago. According to the new rules, announced during a faculty meeting on July 25, students of Social Sciences will be required to follow rules that were earlier applicable to management students, like a formal dress code and 85% attendance. "It is so autocratic, that the head says 'as long as I am here, my rules apply'," he told The News Minute. The professor says he was opposed to the blanket rule on all departments in the new campus. “There is a pedagogical difference between the Social Sciences and Management courses. Social Sciences students need to be free thinkers. They aren't going to sit for corporate jobs or necessarily need to be shaved. These rules did not apply to them in the main campus. My concern was the difference in rules in the Bannerghatta campus,” he explains. He also says that students were unnecessarily questioned in the new campus. “If there is an 85% attendance rule, as long as the student meets the target there is no need to question them. Why are students then being asked why they were late or why they are not in class. If the students do not want to attend a class they like, as long as they have the required attendance, they should not be questioned,” he says. A former student of Christ himself, he says that he never had any problem then. But if he was a student now, he would feel "supressed", he says. The professor was also opposed to making teachers announce the management’s decision to the students. "Instead of making professors announce it to students, I asked that the authorities who had made the new changes should go to the classes and inform the students directly. I placed my concerns before them - that is to not make us repeat irrelevant things in class," he says. Teachers are frequently asked to repeat existing college rules concerning dress code and attendance in classes, he says. "The uniform dress code has been mentioned in the Code of Conduct. You don't need to keep rubbing it in. Besides, these rules did not initially apply to Social Science students," he says. Not only does this take up important class time, he says, his students often "retaliated" in front of him, raising questions about the management's decisions. The same week, a university student's blog titled "Dear Christ University, I Cannot Fly"- went viral. The student wrote against the college's decision to conduct classes even when there was a state-wide strike by public transport employees. On July 27, the professor shared the link of the blog on the teachers' WhatsApp group. "With all the rubbish that runs around in the group, I don't know why my post received the attention it did. Besides, the post had already gone viral and it was not like I was specifically extending my support to their cause," he says. The very next day, he was asked to leave. Instead of being dismissed by the institution, he was "asked to write the resignation”. "It happened in a meeting where everyone was supposed to voice their opinions.” Sometimes he wonders, if the head, who has been working “according to her whims and fancies”, is trying to prove a point. He hasn't been contacted by anyone in the University till now, and he is waiting for his salary and documents from them. “I was just told ‘we want you to leave’. I was never given a reason for it,” he says. Also read: Draconian rules on attendance and dress code, Bengaluru’s Christ Uni students are up in arms Ten really ridiculous rules Bengaluru's Christ University imposes on students |
Torch Flashbacks TORCH TALK FLASHBACK: Samoa Joe reveals original plans for ring name, talks early training days with John Cena Mar 6, 2015 - 4:17:52 AM PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO BOOKMARK US & VISIT US DAILY When Samoa Joe lands in WWE NXT later this year, chances are he will get a new ring name, unless WWE sees the value in Joe's stage name and if trademarks are worked out. Interestingly, "Samoa Joe" was never supposed to stick. In this Torch Talk Flashback to May 2004, Joe talked about the name and his early years in wrestling, which included training with John Cena... Torch Talk with Samoa Joe, pt. 1 Originally Published: May 8, 2004 PWTorch Newsletter #807 Excerpt from the VIP-exclusive Torch Talk Series, available for VIP Members... Wade Keller: What name did you wrestle under for your first match? Samoa Joe: Samoa Joe. It was a funny thing. When I first broke in, it was supposed to be my jobber name, the name I used when I first broke to lose under, then hopefully someday when I got better they'd give me a new name. But I started having some pretty decent matches from what I'm told, so when bookers would ask to book the Samoa Joe kid. That's the name booker knew. At the time I was so desperate for work and I wanted to work as much as I could, like anybody who starts out, I didn't dare change my name for fear that I might lose a booking or if I sent a resume somewhere with a different name, they wouldn't have heard of me. I didn't want to have to explain to people that I changed my name. So as more of a financial means and just to get on shows and get experience, I kept the name. So eventually I just realized Samoa Joe pretty much is my name. (laughs) Keller: Did you have an idea of what name you were going to go by instead? Samoa Joe: I never put a ton of thought into it. Even character-wise, I never really put a ton of thought into it. I think it's only just now I'm starting to develop the character that I want to develop. Before I just wanted to go out there and wrestle and do my thing. I didn't want to have a gimmick. I wasn't overly concerned with the gimmick. I was more concerned with wrestling and trying to be the best wrestler I could be... I was working in the UIWA which is in Southern California here, working a lot of local independents. Then I got a call from Ultimate Pro Wrestling, the company Rick Bassman runs. He was just starting to expand UPW. He had just begun the process of getting a developmental program going with WWE at the time. They were looking for local guys to bring in to do shows. I was called to be brought in and booked. They ended up having me replace Aaron Baker who was sick or couldn't make the show. I worked the match. After I was done with that match, Rick Bassman came up to me after the event and said, "That was great. I want you booked on every show that we have." I said, "I appreciate that. Cool." I started working with UPW. UIWA eventually went the wayside and then folded. UPW was getting really, really hot here in Southern California. A lot of great, great talent started to join up with the company such as Frankie Kazarian, the Havana Pitbulls, Chris Daniels was there because Rick knew him. That's where I first met those guys. UPW really exploded and WWE guys were sent in, they were doing training seminars at the camp. I learned a lot from them. William Regal came out and did a camp and the time I spent with him has opened my eyes tremendously. There's really not enough that I could say. Guys who have trained with William Regal know what I'm talking about. He's just a wealth of knowledge and it goes beyond wrestling. It's match theory and what you're really trying to convey to a crowd and what is really important in wrestling and what isn't. I give all the accolades in the world to him as a person and as a trainer. So I did that. Then when I started with UPW, I became a trainer at their university. I was training guys there and teaching classes for them, which was cool. During that time I met John Cena. I became good friends with him. I'm proud as heck of him right now. He's doing great for himself. From UPW, of course they had the relationship with WWE. So I started doing WWE dark matches which inevitably led to the Velocity taping. Within a two year time span, I made it onto WWE TV, so I was pretty happy. I thought I was doing pretty okay for myself. [Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com] CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE PW.NET HEADLINES |
This image was lost some time after publication. When all else fails, bring in more management consultants. We just got a copy of a memo Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang emailed employees yesterday: as we look ahead and to position us for success in 2009, we’re continuing the work already underway to get fit as an organization: actively looking for ways to make process and structural changes to our business that will allow us to work more efficiently, with more scale. we’ve enlisted the help of Bain & Co. to work with the leadership team on identifying ways to leverage our strengths, and to improve and accelerate our performance. You know it's Jerry, because there aren't any capital letters. Yang doesn't say "layoffs" or "cuts," but it's pretty clear what he means by "getting fit as an organization." The full memo: |
Glenn Beck dedicated a portion of his television program last night to the remainder of his one-on-one interview with Sen. Ted Cruz, in which the GOP presidential hopeful declared that those who believe in climate change do not bother to cite facts in support of their position because, for them, it is a religion. Pointing to a recent congressional hearing in which he grilled the president of the Sierra Club about the supposed lack of data and evidence for the existence of global warming, Cruz told Beck that “climate change is not science, it’s religion.” “Look at the language where they call you a ‘denier,'” he said. “Denier is not the language of science. Look, I’m the child of two scientists … The essence of the scientific method is to start with a hypothesis, then look to the evidence to disprove the hypothesis; you’re not trying to prove it, you’re trying to disprove it. Any good scientist is a skeptic; if he’s not, he or she should not be a scientist. But yet the language of the global warming alarmists, ‘denier’ is the language of religion, it’s heretic, you are a blasphemer. The response from the Sierra Club, ‘We have decreed this is the answer, you must accept it.’ And so he didn’t know his facts because he just knew his religion.” |
Why this is cool Hitherto, both Facebook and Google+ limited your photos to 2048 pixels across. This was depressing to me and other photographers that take HUGE photos, many of mine over 7000 pixels across. I share a new, original-sized photo here every day on the blog, and all my work is Creative Commons Noncommercial. Basically, I want people to have the original-sized photo to enjoy! I know many other photographers disagree with me and they only want to share tiny images with huge watermarks using horrible fonts. That’s okay. This isn’t for them. But if you’re like me, and you want to upload the original size images to Google and also share on Google+, well now you can! Steady Progress of Google+ and Photos I notice many various products are starting to gel together at Google. It’s a little clumsy here as the streams are colliding, but I think it will become more efficient over time. For example, the Google+ stream and Google Drive used to be totally different products, but now they are coming together. Same with Search and YouTube and Calendar and everything. It takes a while to get your head around because we are used to a bunch of Single-Purpose Silos, but when you start to use them all together and think about it like that, it makes sharing and life-integration easier. For example, I now use my Android phone to take a video, upload to YouTube, then share to a private family circle on Google+. All my family isn’t on Google+ yet, so it uses Google mail to send it around. I wasn’t experiencing that kind of integration a year ago! I used to do one thing, then another thing, then another thing, then email everyone after I put together various silos. This is the way a lot of people still think about the internet… using many silos to do discrete tasks and then piecing it all together on your own, but it doesn’t have to be like that. I know I sound like a Google fanboy, but, Jesus, I use a lot of their products. It’s like saying you’re an Oxygen fanboy. How-to Upload Full-Rez Photos to Google+ 1) Go to your Google+ settings at www.google.com/settings/plus 2) Check the box indicated in the screenshot below. 3) Get on Google+ and go upload a photo! Now the full size will go up there! Be sure to Note Any photo greater than 2048 pixels will go against your Google Drive allotment, and you will need to buy more space if you want more! Bonus Information – Using the Photo on your Blog and URL Analysis Here’s something I discovered by accident. It’s geeky but I was excited by it. I was trying to figure out, “Okay WHERE exactly is my image being stored on Google?” Well that part is a bit confusing. I r-clicked the image in the Google+ display to get the source and it gave me: Aha! See that “s1161”? That is the horizontal dimensions. It chose that dynamically based on the width of my window. So, by simply changing that number, you can have Google serve you up whatever size you want! If you make it “s0”, it wil be full-size! And my friend Dave Veffer says “if you do ‘s0-d’ it forces a download so appending -d at the end of the size specification will make the image download…useful in some situations”. For example, this image is actually 5845×3204 pixels – we get the original with that “s0” in the URL: So the full rez is: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LJpqE2A5z8E/UUujxFpc-tI/AAAAAAAGEZM/oNvVoOYoqMw/s0/Trey+Ratcliff+-+A+Tableau+Vivant+of+Horses+in+Iceland.jpg More Google Drive Updates Coming Soon I got a note from a gentleman at Google Drive that says there are More New Updates coming in a week or so… ways to embed with various image sizes, permanent links, and more. Integrating the images into your Blog These images that I have below are being served up by Google. Don’t have Google send you a HUGE image that you then downsize using HTML. Have it send you the exact size you want. In this case, I’ve asked for all the images to be 900 pixels across. I’ve then hyperlinked to their actual size on the Google servers. What Could They Improve On? Well, I’m still using SmugMug to serve up my daily images here on the blog. See my SmugMug Review for more. I do this because: 1) People like to order limited edition prints (thanks everyone btw!) 🙂 It’s very easy to begin the print-ordering process through SmugMug 2) I like how clicking on an image takes you to a proper portfolio or slideshow. I can’t figure out a good way to do that using a Google Photo Album yet. 3) I have a feeling that SmugMug is about to make a major update to their whole UI. (Why doesn’t Google just buy SmugMug and make my life easier!!) 🙂 For example, I’ll put the “Daily Photo” below so you can see the difference. If you click on the photo, you go into my nice portfolio view. Under the photo is the friendly SmugMug link to get a print. Ways for Google Photos / Drive to Improve – Your ideas? I’m interested in your ideas too. Here are a few of mine: 1) I’d like the automatic Google Photo upload to just take the full rez photo if I click a checkbox (instead of having to do this Google-Drive-end-run). If you have space on Google Drive and don’t mind your photos taking up all the GB, then just let me. 2) I’d like better album / portfolio management. Now that I have photos in Google+ photos (many at 2048) and now more in Google Drive (at original size), it’s becoming a terrible problem or organization. I’m not totally anal, but I also feel too scattered and that makes me digitally-uneasy! 3) Your ideas? Drop them in the comments! 🙂 |
IEG_Ghost Profile Joined March 2013 Korea (South) 198 Posts #1 I'm Ghost form IEG SPL 2014 : Pre-Season Quarter-finals [LIVE]15. Dec. 2013 1PM (KST) TwitchTV : Youtube (English) : hello, everyoneI'm Ghost form IEGSPL 2014 : Pre-Season Quarter-finals[LIVE]15. Dec. 2013 1PM (KST)TwitchTV : http://twitch.tv/sc2proleague Youtube (English) : ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Match info ★ Youtube channel Subscription here! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=esportstv ★ Facebook.com/sc2proleague ★ twitter @sc2proleague Thank you :D ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------★ Youtube channel Subscription here!★ Facebook.com/sc2proleague★ twitter @sc2proleagueThank you :D DiMano Profile Joined July 2011 Korea (South) 1985 Posts #2 IM.Absolute -> IM.UngNim Savage -> Climax IM.Absolute ->IM.UngNimSavage ->Climax Life, JangBi, Stork, RorO, EffOrt, herO, Hydra and all other korean players and especially rookies, know and love them all <3 Dodgin Profile Blog Joined July 2011 Canada 38849 Posts #3 What in the fuck is an UngNim Fjodorov Profile Joined December 2011 5007 Posts #4 never heard of UngNim or Eins. So many games on alterzim stronghold :o This will be alot of fun Keeemy Profile Joined November 2012 Finland 7821 Posts #5 No Byun ;;; Hello ErrantKnight Profile Joined November 2012 Switzerland 186 Posts #6 Wierd player choices from most esf teams, no Byun from PRIME, IM putting in their new recruit UngNim and not putting in Squirtle or First. Even SKTT1 isn't putting in Soulkey or Fantasy. But it's a Preaseason so I guess it's the occasion to give some exposure to other players. "Quantity is quality by itself" Noam Profile Joined September 2010 Israel 2206 Posts #7 2v2 !!! Liquipedia HolydaKing Profile Joined February 2010 18309 Posts #8 2v2!!!!! Flash! Stork PvP2v2!!!!!Flash! kurosu_ Profile Joined February 2013 France 45 Posts #9 Savage climax? Wat. Do Koreans even understand the nickname they are picking? I guess they stop at some first translation... Aeromi Profile Blog Joined August 2012 France 13983 Posts #10 On December 14 2013 20:01 kurosu_ wrote: Savage climax? Wat. Do Koreans even understand the nickname they are picking? I guess they stop at some first translation... Swagger > Climax O'Gaming Esport manager at O'Gaming | https://twitter.com/DrAeromi | Updates on live tournaments: @StarCrafteSport |
India’s foreign minister Salman Khurshid called the death of the five soldiers at the Line of Control ‘unacceptable’ and ‘extremely distressing’, and said the government was in control of the situation but would carefully consider a host of factors before deciding on an appropriate course of action. “We are vigilant. We are awake. We are conscious. We are watchful,” Khurshid told CNN-IBN when asked to respond to criticism that the UPA government had fallen asleep at the foreign policy wheel. The killing of Indian five soldiers along the Line of Control in Poonch by a group of around 20 men comprising both militants and Pakistani soldiers created an outrage yesterday, and led to angry scenes in both houses of Parliament. Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha had slammed the government in the Lok Sabha saying it was high time the country responded back to Pakistan in the same manner, calling for a debate in Parliament on the issue. “Is the Congress with India or with Pakistan? They should come clear on it,” he said. Khurshid said that the rise in the number of incursions along the LoC had not gone unnoticed and reiterated that the government would act in the national interest. According to him, all the diplomatic processes that can be used in such a situation have been put in motion and Pakistan has been made aware of India’s concerns. The next step, he said, was to wait for Pakistan’s response and then evaluate the situation at that time. “We have a categorical commitment from Pakistan that they will not allow their territory to be used for attacks on India,” Khurshid said. “We expect them to deliver on this commitment.” Refusing to be drawn into specifics because of the current session of Parliament, the minister completely rejected the opposition’s stand that AK Anthony’s statement in Parliament left Pakistan with an escape route. “He made what was in the circumstances the most prudent and careful and sensible statement based on facts that were available to him at that time,” Khurshid said. If and when new information was gathered, the situation would then be re-evaluated. He also criticised the BJP for politicising the event by saying the UPA government was weak on national security, calling it irresponsible and saying “there are none so blind as those who will not see”. As for what counts as the national interest, that would be a combination of perceptions, the government’s analysis of the threats to national security and its strategic imperatives, Khurshid said. And whatever steps the government takes would be based on careful analysis and not a knee-jerk reaction. He pointed that just because Pakistan and India do not agree on certain issues does not mean that the two countries should treat each other as untouchables. “Neighbours have to find a way of talking to each other,” he said. He reiterated that the government is taking the situation seriously though it would not be deciding on a course of action in one night. “We can’t just shut our eyes to it,” Khursheed said. “We can’t proceed as if nothing has happened. We have taken some steps. Let’s see what the response to those are.” Following Khursid’s comments, former Army chief General VP Malik told CNN-IBN during a panel discussion on the issue that it was unbelievable that Pakistan could have no knowledge of the attack because of the proximity of the two forces in that part of the Line of Control. “This ambush took place in an area where there are Pakistan and Indian troops facing each other at a distance of 200 or 250 yards,” Malik said. He also warned that both armies tended to give as good as they got on the Line of Control, which could lead to a limited skirmish or a limited war (as happened in 1999), which is why the Indian government should be prepared for such a situation. “We need to make it clear we can retaliate,” he said. KC Singh, a former Indian diplomat, said a cautious approach was the best approach in the situation and that bickering in Parliament is something that should be avoided. He said there was no reason that discussions could not go on between Pakistan and India on those topics in which both sides did agree, such as trade, while leaving out contentious issues such as Kashmir. He also pointed out that terrorism in the region spiked when the former USSR withdrew from Afghanistan and that the United States is withdrawing from the region is another inflexion point. Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button. |
Story highlights Gary Player won nine majors and nine senior majors in stellar career South African golfer renowned for his grueling fitness regime Travels world to preach health and fitness message Has a 'passion to save lives' Has Gary Player found the secret to eternal life? The 78-year-old completes 1,300 sit ups every day, follows a strict and mainly vegetarian diet and sleeps on average nine hours per night. During a remarkable competitive career spanning six decades, Player won nine majors and 165 tournaments, adopting a grueling fitness and a practice regime to help underpin his game. "The more I practice the luckier I get," was his most famous quote in reference to his unerring ability to hole shots from green side bunkers. Player's forays on to a golf course are now confined to exhibitions -- "Jack Nicklaus and I were 10-under for a better ball three weeks ago," he says -- though he still regularly beats his age by several shots. JUST WATCHED Gary Player on the Masters Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Gary Player on the Masters 02:35 JUST WATCHED Nelson Mandela embraced power of sports Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Nelson Mandela embraced power of sports 01:51 JUST WATCHED Gary Player: Why I love horses Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Gary Player: Why I love horses 06:17 JUST WATCHED McIlroy targets Open improvement Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH McIlroy targets Open improvement 04:06 "I was 12-under par (18 holes in 66 shots) recently," added the South African, who turns 79 in November. The day before this interview he'd hit 100 practice shots, so it's hardly surprising Player is still able to average about 70 shots per round, which is the mark he achieved during his professional career on the PGA then Seniors Tour, one of the best of all time. Nowadays Player is driven by a different mission. "I have a passion to save lives," he says, in reference to his desire to help confront the western world's growing obesity and type 2 diabetes problem. "Thirteen percent of the world is now obese," Player told CNN ahead of the British Open, which starts on Thursday. "We talk about wars, the number of people dying from diabetes and cancer and heart attacks -- in comparison to the numbers killed in wars are insignificant, but nobody cares about health or exercise. "I don't know why only one out of 20,000 people taka exercise and has a proper diet. How can governments allow it? Golf's "Black Knight" -- a reference to his trademark all-black attire he wore on the fairways -- doesn't expect the world to emulate his own punishing fitness regime, but he does have some simple tips to stay healthy. "My advice to fellow menfolk is every day to take you wife by the hand and go for a brisk 30 minutes walk, or get yourself a dog, they demand to be exercised! "Secondly don't go for all these fad diets, just eat half the portion of food that you originally dished up. It will change your life." The golf icon's foundation, run by his son Marc -- Player has six children and 22 grandchildren -- has raised over $50 million for underprivileged children in South Africa and around the globe. It aims to improve educational outcomes and Player is passionate that his message about health, fitness and diet reaches the younger audience globally. JUST WATCHED How far has women's golf come? Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH How far has women's golf come? 05:30 JUST WATCHED Will Donald Trump's Turnberry be a success? Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Will Donald Trump's Turnberry be a success? 03:54 "We are not teaching children in school, that's a great frustration for me." Player with Nicklaus and legendary American Arnold Palmer revolutionized golf in the early 1960s and under sports management guru Mark McCormack earned the label of the "Big Three" as they dominated the majors and took the sport to a new television audience. Player had an unquenchable thirst for victory, racking up more air miles than any athlete in history as he competed in tournaments around the world. He is particularly proud of his nine 'senior' majors -- in competitions for golfers aged over 50 -- helping to raise the standard and profile of the events as he battled it out with the likes of Palmer and Nicklaus again. Don't dare tell Player that golf isn't a physically demanding sport. The South African recounts a story about basketball legend Michael Jordan, a low handicap golfer, telling him that 36 holes of golf in a day was pretty much as exhausting as playing in a match in the NBA Finals. A slight exaggeration perhaps, but judging by the number of nonagenarians who still inhabit the fairways the notion of Golf: "A Game for Life" -- the title of Player's latest instructional offering -- might not be too far amiss. In keeping with his reputation for supreme physical fitness there is a clip which shows him -- donned in black golf wear -- running at maximum speed on a treadmill -- to the astonishment of the accompanying interviewer. JUST WATCHED Annika Sorenstam's bunker shot Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Annika Sorenstam's bunker shot 02:33 JUST WATCHED A golfing history of Royal Liverpool Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH A golfing history of Royal Liverpool 05:08 It's a breathless demonstration that men several decades younger would fail to emulate but does back up Player's central theme about a healthy life. "I tell you, walk 18 holes, it's tremendous exercise and you can play golf for a lifetime," he said. On the evidence of Player's fitness -- a recent test showed he had a resting heart beat of 39 -- the South African will be gracing the fairways of golf courses for many years to come. But he clearly wants to leave a legacy stretching beyond his sporting fame. "I said when I'm a champion I'm going to change people's lives. "On my epitaph I want it to read: 'Here was a man who contributed to society and saved lives.'" So for now he continues his punishing schedule of travel to meet burgeoning business commitments,such as golf course design, real estate, a winery and farm, as well as work for his foundation, which runs four high profile tournaments each year. "Show me a busy man and I'll show you someone who gets things done." That work ethic was engrained in him from an early age, with his mother dying when he was just eight and his father having to travel away to earn a living in gold mining. "You must accept adversity with gratitude and never give up. You will overcome it," said Player. |
It seems that Texas state Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) has given up on his state’s public school system. “No student should be locked into a poor performing school because that happens to be where they live,” Patrick said, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “I’m a big supporter of public education, and we have a lot of schools that are doing a great job, but we must also recognize the truth that we have a lot of schools that are not performing at the level that they need to be.” Despite his claim to support public education, Patrick held a one-sided hearing today featuring a parade of “school choice” advocates, thereby advancing an issue that had been dormant in the state legislature for several years: private school voucher subsidies. The American-Statesman noted that Texas cut $5.4 billion from public schools in the last legislative session, but Patrick, who may chair the Senate Education Committee next, seems to think that siphoning even more money away from those schools by giving students taxpayer dollars to attend private schools is the best way to improve education. “If now is not the time to advance major school reforms, then there will never be a time,” he told the American-Statesman. Voucher advocates like Patrick have a habit of ignoring facts. Some people claim that students at private schools who receive vouchers outperform their public school counterparts. That is untrue. According to multiple studies of the District of Columbia, Milwaukee and Cleveland school voucher programs, students offered vouchers did not perform better in reading and math than students in public schools. Just one reputable study has shown improvement by voucher students over their public school counterparts in reading, and even the author of that study admitted there was no definite "winner" between the voucher program and students at public schools. Advocates for private school vouchers also ignore that private schools are not beholden to the same standards as public schools in terms of financial and academic accountability. Patrick also doesn’t seem to realize that allowing students to attend private schools using taxpayer dollars could lead to serious church-state issues. By their very nature, private schools are not required to maintain strict church-state separation and there is absolutely no way of forcing them to do so. That’s why any public funds given to a private school could easily be used to promote religion in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Fortunately not everyone agrees with Dan Patrick, including a member of his own party. The American-Statesman reported that state Rep. Diane Patrick (R-Arlington) said she is gearing up for a fight over vouchers because Texas should be focused on improving aspects of the public school system, such as bolstering magnet and charter schools, rather than dumping money into private schools. “We’re on code red,” Diane Patrick said. It looks like there will be quite a battle in the coming months over private school vouchers in Texas. Americans United will be monitoring the situation closely, so stay tuned for updates. |
: Undefined variable: attachments inon line Australia is certainly a country that can help businesses thrive. That can pretty much explain the reason why a lot of financial firms are cropping up. A lot of businesses need professional financial services. While this is good for the country, the problem here is in terms of marketing. Competition for B2B financial leads is fierce, and your place can be drowned out by the others. So can you stand out? How can you make your B2B lead generation count? There are several ways to do that, but the three most important points are: Have a specialty – your company is special, you just need to figure out how. Understanding your company’s culture, how you work, and how you illustrate your firm’s special characteristics is important in getting past your competition. In terms of B2B leads, this is a matter of life or death. Communicate properly – why are you offering your financial services to merchant companies? So that you can make their lives easier. Be it through social media, blogs, or telemarketing, show how useful you are to your prospects. In this way, you can prove your worth to them. Be a well-rounded personality – everything about you can be the source of your uniqueness. Be it in your social commitment, hobbies, or interests; you do not need to flaunt it, you just let it be made known in the natural course of your appointment setting talk. These will add more originality, making you stand out more. It will help you better in your B2B lead generation campaign. |
The stars of the hit US sitcom The Big Bang Theory have yet to ink new contracts and are believed to be holding out for $US1 million ($1.07m) an episode. US network CBS has already green lit three more seasons of The Big Bang Theory, which airs in Australia on the Nine Network, but negotiations with actors has hit a snag. Big Buck Theory ... Jim Parsons (who plays Sheldon Cooper), Johnny Galecki (Leonard Hofstadter), Kaley Cuoco (Penny Kaley), Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj Koothrappal) are holding out for a better pay deal. The Hollywood Reporter says actors Jim Parsons (who plays Sheldon Cooper), Johnny Galecki (Leonard Hofstadter), Kaley Cuoco (Penny Kaley), Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj Koothrappal) have not signed and are working together to extract a huge pay increase. The US entertainment website quotes industry sources and says there has been no movement in the negotiations which started in September. |
Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman earned another $40.775 million in its third weekend of domestic release. That's the second-biggest third weekend gross ever for a Warner Bros./Time Warner Inc. movie, behind The Dark Knight ($42m in its third weekend) and the fourth-biggest third weekend for a superhero movie, behind The Avengers ($55m), Spider-Man ($45m) and The Dark Knight ($42m). The movie fell just 30% (!!) in its third Fri-Sun frame, bringing its total to $274.602m in 17 days of release. The film earned the 11th-biggest third weekend gross of all time, besting the likes of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Shrek 2, Alice In Wonderland and (hehe) Titanic. That 30% drop is the third-smallest third-weekend drop ever for a $100m+ opener, behind only Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (-22% over the New Year's weekend) and The Jungle Book (-29%). That drop was smaller than the likes of Spider-Man (-45%), Shrek 2 (-33%) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (-39% over New Year's). As a general rule, if you start pulling ahead of Shrek 2 in terms of legs and post-debut weekend grosses, you're really the bee's knees. Wonder Woman is truly an event movie in a sea of would-be event movies, to the point where its success is actively hurting other films in the marketplace. That's not necessarily a good thing (Captain Underpants and Rough Night deserved better), but that's the only slightly negative part about Wonder Woman's historical box office run. It has now surpassed the lifetime domestic totals of the likes of Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($259 million), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ($202m), Star Trek ($257m) and The LEGO Movie ($257m). It is pacing 11% ahead of Man of Steel and 5% ahead of Suicide Squad with much smaller drops and much larger weekend totals. By the end of next weekend, it'll probably be ahead of the 24-day total ($311m) of Batman v Superman. It is around $52m ahead of Walt Disney's Guardians of the Galaxy at this juncture (it had a $222m 17-day total from a $94m weekend). If it continues to pace accordingly, we're talking about a $400m+ domestic total for Patty Jenkins' superhero smash. It's already pacing way ahead of The Secret Life of Pets ($29 million third weekend, $260m 17-day total). It's starting to look like that pie-in-the-sky $340-$360m domestic total may be not only realistic but something of a worst-case-scenario. The Jungle Book earned $42 million in its third weekend (from a $103m debut weekend) and ended up with $368m. Zootopia earned $37m on weekend three (from a $75m weekend debut) and ended up with $341m total. And that's with Walt Disney juggling those two biggies alongside Captain America: Civil War. Skyfall dropped 13% over Thanksgiving weekend for a $35m third weekend toward a $304m domestic total. But otherwise, every movie earning more than $35m on its third weekend ended up over $400m domestic by the end. And since it will remain one-of-a-kind for the rest of the season (a kid-friendly, female-powered mega-budget superhero spectacular), the competition will still only do so much damage. Now realistically speaking it's going to start losing screens when Transformers: The Last Knight, Despicable Me 3 and Spider-Man: Homecoming roll into town, and Warner Bros. is going to have to turn its attention to The House (cough-double sneak preview-cough) and Dunkirk. But we may still be looking at a final figure awfully close to wherever Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ends up. And it's no longer a guarantee that Despicable Me 3 and/or Spider-Man: Homecoming will be able to match wherever Wonder Woman ends its domestic run. So, does Wonder Woman surpass Guardians 2 and end the season as the summer's biggest domestic earner? It's no longer an insane notion, not with legs and buzz like this. |
The Pens opened their 2015 training camp at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry on Friday morning. Here are the takeaways from the day… The 53 camp invitees were broken into two groups that used both ice surfaces at the new practice and training center. The main focus of Day 1 was “systems, details and structure,” according to head coach Mike Johnston. While most drills centered on those elements, they did run three specific drills to allow for management, watching from their perch above the ice surface, to evaluate the compete and decision-making of the players.(One note: Tom Sestito skated with Group A)The team used the following lines and defensive pairs in their sessions:Group AArchibald-Malkin-WilsonDupuis-Porter-SestitoBennett-Bonino-PlotnikovFarnham-Sundqvist-HornqvistLovejoy-PouliotScuderi-McNeillO’Neill-ErixonOleksy-WarsofskyGroup BSprong-Crosby-RustSheary-Cullen-KesselUher-Mouillierat-Perron/ZlobinKunitz-Biggs-SimonMaatta-LetangClendening-GoncharCole-DumoulinGoers-RuoppFirst off, don’t read too much into the line combinations. Don’t forget that it’s training camp. The coaching staff wants to put one young player on a line with two veteran players so that they learn the tempo and pace. Coach Johnston is already on record saying that Crosby and Kessel will start together, as will Malkin and Hornqvist. So even though they didn’t skate together on Day 1 of camp, that doesn’t mean that the plans have changed.However, there are some notable items that do jump out from some of the groupings. Dupuis is skating on the left wing. He’s a natural left winger and has played on that side most of his career, although for the past several seasons he has played exclusively on the right side. When I spoke to him during the informal skates, he said it would be an easy transition and that he is comfortable on both sides. There are two openings on the Pens’ top-6 on the left side and Dupuis should be a top candidate for those spots.It was cool seeing Sprong get an opportunity to skate with Crosby. Even though the Pens have said Sprong, the team’s 2nd-round pick in June, will likely head back to juniors this season, it’s nice that he got a taste of playing with Crosby. And you never know. If he blows everyone away at camp he could land a job there. Or maybe we’re getting a glimpse of the Pens’ future. Sprong has a nasty shot already. Imagine Crosby flanked by Sprong and Kessel down the road. Look out NHL.The defensive pairing of Maatta and Letang, both of whom are returning from extended injuries and summer rehab, will likely be the team’s top tandem this season. It’s a duo that the Pens used at times last year and one that Johnston said he likes together. Letang has fully recovered from a concussion and Maatta is back following shoulder surgery. They both were fully cleared at Thursday’s medical and fitness testing. They’ll be a fun pair to watch this season.Click here for a photo gallery from Day 1 of training camp.It was an encouraging sign to see Maatta on the ice. He underwent shoulder surgery on Jan. 14 and has spent the past nine months rehabbing.“The shoulder has come along well,” he said in the locker room. “I followed the rehab program pretty good and it feels good right now.”Maatta, who has full range of motion and power on his shot, has been testing his shoulder’s strength for the past month and a half. He’s been cleared for full contact in practice and has continued to push forward.“I always grab a couple of guys and battle in the corner after practice to get used to it,” he said.The Pens’ first preseason game is next Monday. Maatta is hoping to progress enough with his shoulder to see some preseason action.“Let’s hope so,” he said.Maatta, 21, was in a similar situation last year. He had surgery at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season and rehabbed all season. He missed the entire preseason slate, but still played in the Pens’ season-opener, notching three assists.Maatta hasn’t played since Dec. 6 of last year. And he’s eagerly awaiting his return.“I can’t wait,” he said.*Hornqvist was asked whether Kessel should play with Crosby or Malkin. His response: “Who cares? He’s a great player and ‘Geno’ and ‘Sid’ are probably the two best centermen in the world.”*Kessel admitted he was a little nervous being in a golf foursome with Mario Lemieux on Tuesday. “On the first tee I duffed a ball playing with him.”*Johnston pointed out Thursday that Farnham is a player that could be with the team at the start of the season. As expected, he was excited to hear that quote. “That’s all great to hear,” he said. “There might be one or two spots on a bottom-6 role. You keep the same mindset every year whether there is a spot or not.”*Farnham is an all-out type of player on the ice. His energy and intensity are off the charts. But don’t expect him to tone down his game in the preseason. I asked if he was afraid that would tire him out. He answered: “You have to go. You have one speed. You’re not going to hold anything back in preseason. You’re trying to make the team so you have to make the best impression possible.”*As one would expect, Sprong enjoyed skating on a line with Crosby. “It was pretty cool. He’s one of the best players in the world, or the best player in the world. Getting an opportunity to be on the same line was pretty special.” |
A 14-year-old boy in Atlanta is currently being praised by social justice warriors for his “White Boy Privilege” slam poem. The student, Royce Mann, was awarded first place for the effort during a recent contest at The Paideia School. Mann uploaded the video to YouTube recently after his school was forced to pull the video in May over negative feedback. In the nearly 4 minute rant Mann bizarrely attempts to apologize to minorities by making gross generalizations and assumptions that they are automatically oppressed and incapable at birth. “I have started life on the top of the ladder while you were born on the first rung,” Mann says. Mann continues by claiming that all women are oppressed for wearing makeup. “I love it because I don’t have to spend an hour every morning putting on make-up to meet other people’s standards,” he says. The tirade goes on to note that white people have never been poor either. “I love it because I can worry about what kind of food is on my plate instead of whether or not there is food on my plate,” Mann states. The 14-year-old also claims that minorities can’t eat “at a fancy restaurant without wait staff expecting me to steal the silverware.” “I don’t care if you think that the feminists are taking over the world, that the Black Lives Matter movement has gotten a little too strong, because that’s bullshit,” he adds. Mann concludes the poem by telling his fellow “white boys” to act like women. Speaking with reporters, Mann says he became inspired to write the poem after taking a mandatory class entitled “Race, Class and Gender.” “I wrote it because I became aware of white privilege this year,” he told Fusion. “We have a class called ‘Race, Class and Gender’ that everyone has to take, and I got really passionate about how unfair it is.” |
Did you know that – aside from cannabis – there are other herbs you can vaporize for medicinal value that have almost no psychoactive effect but still provide amazing benefits? Many of these herbs are probably in your kitchen cupboard right now and have been used for centuries for their great medicinal benefits. Just like cannabinoids and terpenes, each herb – whether it’s basil, thyme or passion flower – has its own effects and different ailments it can help treat. There are many common herbs you can vaporize for different therapeutic benefits. The great thing about these herbs is you can vaporize them alone, or you can add them to your cannabis for flavor and to boost your cannabis with extra medicinal value – the way you add a boost to your smoothie. I’ve also found that vaporizing other herbs can be really helpful when you're trying to cut back on your cannabis use, or to lower your tolerance. I love to do this during the day when I am looking for a subtle shift but still wanting to be very present. Some of the herbs like thyme and basil even have medicinal properties that are similar to THC, so if you mix them in with your cannabis before vaping you will find that you can save some money and make your cannabis last much longer. Learning about vaporizing other herbs has also come in handy for me when I am traveling some place where I will not be able to access cannabis. To give you an idea, here are just a few of my favorite herbs to vaporize: Chamomile: provides stress release and a calming effect, also relieving symptoms depression, headaches, mouth ulcers, and upset stomach. Lemon balm: helps with blood circulation and also headache relief. It also relaxes the nervous system, which helps with sleep – and it has a minty citrus flavor. Peppermint: helps alleviate allergic reactions and asthma problems. Also helps treat depression, brings relief from menstrual symptoms, gives you a boost of energy AND it can be an aphrodisiac. (Editor's note: Please do your homework on any other herbs you want to vaporize because some are not meant to be inhaled.) If you want to give this a try right now, here are 5 Tips: #1) Visual vapor difference: When you are vaporizing other herbs it’s quite likely you will see very light vapor or even none at all in comparison to vaporizing cannabis – but know that it doesn’t mean you’re not getting the medicinal benefits. The reason for this is that the oils and terpenes that come out of these kitchen herbs don’t vaporize the same way the trichomes of cannabis do, so that’s why you see less vapor. #2) Cashed bowl difference: When vaporizing cannabis, you’ll know you’ve reached the end when the herb turns brown and starts to taste like burnt popcorn. But with other herbs, they will not look much different when they have been fully vaporized, so the way you would know you are done, is that you will start getting less and less flavor and vapor sensation in your mouth. #3) Temperature is important: Each herb has a different vapor point when it comes to temperature and if you vaporize it past that temperature, you will start to burn off and even lose the herb’s medicinal properties. So it’s important to look up the temperature for each herb before consuming and to have a digital temperature vaporizer, which will allow you to set the exact temperature you need. #4) Extra is needed: Vaporizing other herbs provides much more mild effects, and I have found that I end up consuming double the amount of legal herbs as I would when vaporizing cannabis to get a noticeable effect. This is not a big deal though because legal herbs are not nearly as expensive as cannabis and with the flavors they provide it can be quite enjoyable. You might even find that you want to consume more just for the experience. #5) Create your own medicine closet: In the beginning it can be hard to remember all the ailments and effects each herb can treat. So I recommend buying a few different herbs you would like to try, put them in glass jars, and on the label put the vapor point temperature and the list of effects and/or ailments each herb is good for treating. This way each time you open up your cabinet you can quickly and easily look at your labels for what the best remedy would be for you. A good labeling system will help you make the most out of these herbs for your own medicine closet. Experimenting with different types of legal herbs was a really fun process for me personally. It was like I was conducting a big yet safe science experiment on myself! Once you learn the distinct taste and effects of each herb on your system you can start mixing them together to create your own custom blend. I highly recommend giving other legal herbs a try – in vapor form. And when you are going through the process of trying each one bring a state of curiosity and excitement to the process and you will have a great experience. Have you ever tried vaporizing other types of herbs? Let us know which herbs and what your experience was like! Please share your experience in the comments below so that we can all learn from each other as a community. Did you see the new Green Flower 2.0? An entire universe of trusted cannabis knowledge awaits you... |
FEW things frighten a British politician as much as a phone call from the News of the World, a ferocious, ruthless Sunday tabloid that is the country's best-selling newspaper. Many British daily newspapers are raucous, salacious and intrusive, while also being astonishingly professional. The NOTW takes all this to another level: no other publication devotes the same resources to getting scoops. The result is a weekly product that routinely crushes the competition, thanks to a potent blend of hard work, money and prurience. At its worst, it combines the cynicism of a brothel madame with the self-righteousness of a lynch mob. Given all this, it is at once depressing and not hard to see why David Cameron—a man who thrives on projecting a slightly old-fashioned aura of gentlemanly decency—hired as his press chief not just any old poacher turned gamekeeper, but a former editor of the NOTW, Andy Coulson. Mr Coulson, who in his day ran several stories embarrassing to senior Conservative (as well as non-Conservative) politicians, was hired in opposition, and followed Mr Cameron to Downing Street as head of communications, a post that places Mr Coulson deep inside the prime minister's inner circle. Get our daily newsletter Upgrade your inbox and get our Daily Dispatch and Editor's Picks. Mr Coulson resigned as editor of the NOTW after the tabloid's royal editor and a private investigator were imprisoned in 2007 for conspiracy to access voicemail messages on the mobile telephones of aides to Britain's royal family. Mr Coulson said at the time he was stepping down to take responsibility for the incident while insisting he had been wholly in the dark about the hacking activities of the journalist, and had never sanctioned such activities. A House of Commons committee looked into this murky tale afresh last year, but did not get very far, expressing exasperation at what the cross-party body called "collective amnesia" among newspaper executives summoned for questioning. Now Mr Coulson is back in the headlines, after a former NOTW reporter spoke to the New York Times for a lengthy investigative article published this weekend, and alleged that Mr Coulson was aware of phone hacking. Do not hold your breath for any of these allegations to be settled, one way or another. The former reporter accusing Mr Coulson is not what you could call the ideal witness: he was sacked from the NOTW because of drink and drugs problems. In a statement quoted by the Guardian, the tabloid's management said: "The New York Times story contains no new evidence – it relies on unsubstantiated allegations from unnamed sources or claims from disgruntled former employees that should be treated with extreme scepticism given the reasons for their departures from this newspaper. We reject absolutely any suggestion there was a widespread culture of wrongdoing at the News of the World." Meanwhile, defenders and attackers of Mr Coulson are forming up behind wearily partisan lines. Labour politicians, including former government ministers who suspect their phones were hacked, are demanding the police investigate further. Conservative politicians and commentators are lining up to say the whole thing is variously a Labour party campaign or an attempt by the New York Times to get at Rupert Murdoch, boss of the NOTW's parent company and of the Wall Street Journal, a rival to the New York Times. The only thing that is crystal clear is Mr Coulson's importance to the team around the prime minister. The BBC is running quotes tonight from an unnamed "very senior" figure insisting that Mr Coulson's job is safe. Mr Coulson is far from the first tabloid journalist to be hired by a prime minister, of course. Notably, Tony Blair relied heavily on a former political editor of the left-leaning Mirror, Alastair Campbell (described as a "genius" by Mr Blair in his memoirs published on September 1st). But Mr Campbell was steeped in party politics before joining the Blair team: he was close to earlier Labour leaders, notably Neil Kinnock. Mr Coulson came from the world of showbusiness and celebrity reporting, before shooting up the ranks at Mr Murdoch's British tabloid stable. He offers not just a link to Mr Murdoch's media empire and an insider's knowledge of the tougher end of the press. He is also often described as a source of invaluable advice on popular opinion for Mr Cameron and his closest allies, many of whom hail from the rarefied upper reaches of the British class system. Unless something dramatic changes, it seems likely that headlines about Mr Coulson will soon fade away, leaving the press chief to return to his work of crafting and inspiring headlines about others. Is it naive, though, to feel a certain melancholy that Mr Cameron should rely so heavily on a man who ran the News of the World, of all tabloids? It is more than just another newspaper. Even by the standards of the tabloids, it is capable of unusual cruelty and unfairness in the pursuit of a few column inches. Alongside the villains it boasts of exposing, its victims include numerous ordinary Britons whose only crime was to be considered newsworthy for a few moments on a given Sunday. Where all that fits into Mr Cameron's vision of a Big Society is something of a mystery. A typographic error in this posting was corrected on September 6th |
I am still confused. I have the 'Complete Collection' in Bender's Head that carries Seasons 1-4 and the four direct-to-dvd movies, and Volumes 6 and 7. I think I'm missing the episodes on Volume 5, but can't determine if Volume 5 and Season 5 are the same. I wish they'd stick to one nomenclature to avoid confusion. I'd like to see a list of Seasons and Volumes, side by side for comparison so I don't waste money on duplicates. Review Update: I found the information I was looking for. To save the rest of you the time/effort of online research: Futurama: from Wikipedia: The American animated science fiction sitcom Futurama, created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company, aired on Fox from March 28, 1999 to August 2003; Cartoon Network's Adult Swim aired reruns of the show from 2003 through 2007. Following a commitment from 20th Century Fox Television to produce four straight-to-DVD Futurama films, Comedy Central announced in June 2006 that they were resurrecting the show and would air the films as new Futurama episodes (reconfiguring each film into four episodes) after each film's DVD release.[1][2] Comedy Central began airing Futurama reruns in January 2008 and broadcast the first film in March 2008.[3] Following the four films (considered the fifth season of the show), Comedy Central has broadcast a sixth season of twenty-six episodes, split over 2010 and 2011.[4] A seventh season was announced in March 2011 and debuted in the summer of 2012.[5] As of August 29, 2012, Futurama has broadcast 127 episodes, concluding the first half of the seventh season. The series is currently on hiatus and will return in mid-2013.[6] The original 72-episode run of Futurama was produced as four seasons; Fox broadcast the episodes out of the intended order, resulting in five aired seasons. On April 22, 2013, Comedy Central cancelled Futurama, announcing a series finale date of September 4, 2013.[7] ===================================================================================== Here is a list of my collection, including Volume 5, which will complete it when I buy it in May [update: I now have every episode to date): Personal Note: The 'Volumes' are collections for home use, in the order they were produced... The 'Seasons' are the order they were first aired on TV... Futurama: "Complete Collection" - in Bender's Head [in a Jar]- Limited Edition: Number 3317 of 25500 consisting of the first four seasons and four direct-to-disk DVDs: Disc 1: Futurama SSN 1 Disc 1 Space Pilot 3000 The Series Has Landed I, Roommate Love's Labour Lost in Space Commentary on all episodes Animatics for Space Pilot 3000 Deleted Scenes: Two scenes from Episode Two: The Series Has Landed, two scenes from I, Roommate, one scene from Love's Labour's Lost In Space Script/Storyboard for Space Pilot 3000 Disc 2: Futurama SSN 1 Disc 2 Fear of a Bot Planet A Fishfull of Dollars My Three Suns A Big Piece of Garbage Hell is Other Robots Commentary on all episodes Deleted scenes: one scene from My Three Suns, one scene from Hell is Other Robots Disc 3: Futurama SSN 1 Disc 3 A Flight to Remember Mars University When Aliens Attack Fry & the Slurm Factory Commentary on all episodes Featurette Deleted scenes: One scene from When Aliens Attack Interactive still gallery (stills & video) Disc 4: Futurama SSN 2 Disc 1 I Second That Emotion Brannigan, Begin Again A Head in the Polls Xmas Story Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love? Commentary on all episodes Animatics for Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love? 5 Deleted Scenes 1 Easter Egg Disc 5: Futurama SSN 2 Disc 2 The Lesser of Two Evils Put Your Head on My Shoulders Raging Bender A Bicyclops Built for Two A Clone of My Own Commentary on all episodes 5 Deleted Scenes 2 Easter Eggs Disc 6: Futurama SSN 2 Disc 3 How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back The Deep South Bender Gets Made Mother's Day The Problem with Popplers Commentary on all episodes 3 Deleted Scenes 2 Easter Eggs Futurama video game trailer Disc 7: Futurama SSN 2 Disc 4 Anthology of Interest I War is the H-Word The Honking The Cryonic Woman Commentary on all episodes Still Gallery/Concept Art - 59 Static Images Alien Alphabet - 1 Static Image 2 Deleted Scenes 2 Easter Eggs Disc 8: Futurama SSN 3 Disc 1 Amazon Women In The Mood Parasites Lost A Tale Of Two Santas The Luck Of The Fryfish The Birdbot Of Ice-Catraz Bendless Love Commentary on all episodes Gallery - Storyboard Images for Parasites Lost (Approx. 275 Static Images) 6 Deleted Scenes 3 Easter Eggs: David X. Cohen Intro For A Tale Of Two Santas Table Read For A Tale Of Two Santas (Audio Only) Alternate Show Opening Quotes (Approx. 80 Static Images) Disc 9: Futurama SSN 3 Disc 2 The Day The Earth Stood Stupid That's Lobstertainment! The Cyber House Rules Where The Buggalo Roam Insane In The Mainframe The Route Of All Evil Audio Commentary For All Episodes 5 Deleted Scenes Disc 10: Futurama SSN 3 Disc 3 Bendin' In The Wind Time Keeps On Slipping I Dated A Robot A Leela Of Her Own A Pharaoh To Remember Audio Commentary on All Episodes 3 Deleted Scenes Disc 11: Futurama SSN 3 Disc 4 Anthology Of Interest II Roswell That Ends Well Godfellas Future Stock The 30% Iron Chef Audio Commentary on All Episodes Still Gallery/Character Art - 100 Static Images 2 How To Draw Characters Gallaries - Fry and Leela 80 Static Images Animatic For Anthology Of Interest Part II Alternate Animation Commentary for Roswell That Ends Well International Clip with French, Italian, Spanish and English Language 9 3D Models From Rough Draft Sequences 3 Deleted Scenes Disc 12: Futurama SSN 4 Disc 1 Kif Gets Knocked Up A Notch - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes and Storyboard Images Leela's Homeworld - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Love And Rocket - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes and International Video clip with audio in German, Portuguese, Spanish and English Less Than Hero - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes A Taste Of Freedom - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Disc 13: Futurama SSN 4 Disc 2 Bender Should Not Be Allowed On TV Jurassic Bark Crimes Of The Hot - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes The Why Of Fry - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Disc 14: Futurama SSN 4 Disc 3 Where No Fan Has Gone Before - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Bend Her - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Obsoletely Fabulous - Including Commentary, Deleted Scenes and Animatic with Subtitles Similar to Episode Easter Egg: Star Trek Panel - Consists of Three Clips Tied Together as a Single Asset: Writer Goodman on Guest Voice Actors Writer Goodman on Script Changes Actor Dimaggio on Bender Disc 15: Futurama SSN 4 Disc 4 The Farnsworth Parabox - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Three Hundred Big Boys - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes Spanish Fry - Including Commentary and Deleted Scenes The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings - Including commentary and Deleted Scenes Easter Egg: Table Read Audio Only Played Over a Static Card 11 Segments of 3D Models From Rough Drafts With Narration 2 How to Draw Characters Galleries of Fender and Professor Still Gallery and Nine Pencil Test Segments Disc 16: Futurama Bender's Big Score Complete commentary by Matt Groening, David X. Cohen, and cast members All new, full-length episode of "Everybody Loves Hypnotoad," including TV commercials of the future Mind-bending Futurama math lecture by Professor Sarah Greenwald Promo for "An Inconvenient Truth" starring Bender and Al Gore, including commentary by the former Vice President. Disc 17: Futurama Beast With A Billion Backs Commentary Extra Episode from XBOX Game XBOX Game Episode Commentary Animatic - Feature Deleted Scenes / Storyboards Blooper Reel / Record Sessions 3D Models / 3D Turnarounds - With Audio Description Celebrity Featurette - David Cross Bender or Cast Reads Credits Bender sings his version of the Futurama Song - which consists solely of "Bite My ShinyMetal Ass" or "Bender is Great!" New Character / Design Sketches Disc 18: Futurama Bender's Game Audio Commentary by Matt Groening,David X. Cohen, Billy West, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Michael Rowe, Claudia Katz, and Dwayne Carey-Hill Storyboard Animatic: Bender's Game, Part One Futurama Genetics Lab - Cross-breed your favorite characters! D&D&F (Dungeons & Dragons & Futurama) Featurette: Futurama's band of warrior-writers discuss the influence of Dungeons & Dragons on Futurama (and everything else that matters) How to Draw Futurama in 83 Easy Steps A step-by-step-by-step guide with the Rough Draft crew 3D models with animator discussion Deleted Scene: "Cup or Nozzle? Blooperama 2: Outtakes from Bender's Game Bender's Anti-Piracy Warning Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder - A sneak peek at the next Futurama Epic! Disc 19: Futurama Into The Wild Green Yonder Audio Commentary Storyboard Animatic: Into the WIld Green Yonder, Part 1 Docudramarama: How We Make Futurama So Good "Louder, Louder!": The Acting Technique of Penn Jillette Golden Stinkers: A Treasury of Deleted Scenes Blooperama 3: Electric Blooperoo How to Draw Futurama in 10 Very Difficult Steps 3D Models with Animator Discussion Bender's Movie Theater Etiquette Zapp Branningan's Guide to Making Love at a Woman Easter Egg - Bender Toilet Paper Joke - Stills TBD Easter Egg - Zero-G, Matt and David in Space Easter Egg - Season 5 First Day - Footage of DXC, Matt Groening, and Ken Keeler hard at work on Futurama ========================================================================== Volume 5 1 Rebirth 2 In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela 3 Attack of the Killer App 4 Proposition Infinity 5 The Duh-Vinci Code 6 Lethal Inspection 7 The Late Philip J. Fry 8 That Darn Katz! 9 A Clockwork Origin 10 The Prisoner of Benda 11 Lrrreconcilable Ndndifferences 12 The Mutants Are Revolting 13 Holiday Spectacular ========================================================================== Volume 6 1 The Silence of the Clamps 2 Mobius Dick 3 Law & Oracle 4 Benderama 5 The Tip of the Zoidberg 6 Ghost in the Machines 7 Neutopia 8 Yo Leela Leela 9 Fry am the Egg Man 10 All the Presidents' Heads 11 Cold Warriors 12 Overclockwise 13 Reincarnation ========================================================================== Volume 7 1 Bots and the Bees, The 2 Farewell to Arms, A 3 Decision 3012 4 Thief of Baghead, The 5 Zapp Dingbat 6 Butterjunk Effect, The 7 The Six Million Dollar Mon 8 Fun On a Bun 9 Free Will Hunting 10 Near-Death Wish 11 31st Century Fox 12 Viva Mars Vegas 13 Naturama Other than that, I love the series and am disappointed that they are, again, being cancelled (by Comedy Central this time). I hope they can return to TV soon. I also hope they do what they did the last time, and release new episodes as direct-to-dvd movies. I hate it when the Networks cancel a popular show, just because 'ratings' are down. I would love to see Comedy Central FLOODED with requests to keep Futurama. Maybe with enough fan mail, they'll reconsider their folly and bring Futurama back. Also, enough complaints to the FCC will help to inform them that this show is in the public interest and should be reinstated... At the very least, I hope Matt and David chose to make direct to DVD movies in the interim... |
The offbeat bride: Natalie Her offbeat partner: Iliana Date and location of wedding: Barrier Free Lodge at Beach Lake, Chugiak, AK — August 10, 2012 Our offbeat wedding at a glance: Since we wanted to maintain a low budget, we were very flexible with our plans and ideas, allowing things to evolve in their own way. We wanted to be outside (which can be a gamble with summer weddings in Alaska), and we knew we wanted to write our own vows. Our friends and family really outdid themselves. Iliana's mother and sister flew in from NYC, and made all our food (and there were no leftovers)! You can't beat authentic Latin food. My sister flew in from California, and I don't know what I would have done without her. Our amazing friend Jill (who was also the officiant), runs her own photo booth business, AK Mojo Photo Booth, and provided her services to us free of charge. She also rented us a bounce house, that our two-year-old daughter and all the other kids (and our wedding party) couldn't get enough of. Our best man Mike brewed some beer for the occasion, and a lovely group of volunteers helped us whip up some mojitos before the festivities began. We had hula hoops, bubbles, a fire pit, and a s'mores station. We also had s'mores favors for our guests, and treat bags for the treat table. Tell us about the ceremony: Being a same sex couple, we didn't have any specific traditions we wanted to adhere to. We just wanted it to be heartfelt. We kept it short since were very aware that the children wouldn't want to sit long, and we didn't want the adults to feel stressed in any way. We provided little puzzles and crayons to keep them occupied. We also set up the bounce house out of sight of the ceremony so that the children wouldn't be distracted and ansty. Our biggest challenge: We did everything ourselves, so even though we rented the lodge for three days, we were still running around like crazy trying to get things done (with a toddler no less). It all ended up being completely worth it though. My favorite moment: Everyone got a laugh out of our daughter, who was placing rocks under my dress throughout a good portion of the ceremony. My most cherished moment of the evening was the couple of minutes Iliana and I had alone on the dock to just look out on the water and take it all in. My funniest moment: When the wedding party were all jumping in the bounce house. Our best man is 6'4", and anytime he jumped near one of the girls, they would go flying. My bustle tore in the bounce house, and I didn't even care because I couldn't stop laughing at everyone. Was there anything you were sure was going to be a total disaster that unexpectedly turned out great? We were really concerned that it might rain. Rain in August in Alaska is a pretty safe bet. We took a big gamble on the small lodge, but we knew it had to be the place. Between the amazing scenery, the fire pit, and the over all rustic feel of it… we just couldn't say no. We rented it for three nights just so we could stay and not feel rushed on anything. As it turned out, it ended up being a gorgeous sunny day! Care to share a few vendor/shopping links? Enough talk — show me the wedding porn! |
Rick Sacra will spend nearly four weeks working at ELWA hospital, returning with immunity to the strain of the Ebola virus that has swept west Africa US doctor to return to Liberia after Ebola recovery: 'I need to give something back' Just over four months ago, Dr Rick Sacra was lying in an isolation ward at the Liberian hospital where he worked, severely ill with Ebola. Now, after careful treatment and weeks of recovery, the family doctor from Massachusetts is ready to go back to Liberia, where he believes he has more work to do. “If God has loved me enough and cared for me enough to get me through Ebola, I need to give something back to him,” Sacra told the Guardian in an interview on Tuesday. Sacra, 52, a medical missionary with the Christian organization SIM, will spend nearly four weeks working at ELWA hospital, the hospital where he contracted the disease. He will not be working in the Ebola treatment units. Rather, Sacra will work in the hospital’s maternity ward, and will treat patients with malaria and chronic health issues. The decision to go back was an easy one, he said. As a survivor, Sacra returns with something he and only a handful of Americans have: immunity to the strain of the Ebola virus still threatening parts of west Africa. “I’m less nervous about this trip because I know what I’m getting into a little more,” Sacra said earlier this week during a press conference at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he is an assistant professor. “And also because the thing I was afraid of last time, I’ve had it. And thank God, I’m through it.” Sacra said he trusts that he is immune to the disease, but does not plan to test it. He said he will follow all safety protocols that are in place to guard health care professionals against exposure. When he returns home he will be monitored by Massachusetts health officials for 21 days, the incubation period of the Ebola virus. His wife, Debbie, said there was never any doubt her husband would return to Liberia, where they lived for 15 years as missionaries with the Christian aid group, during a brutal civil war and the HIV/Aids epidemic. “That’s just part of our relationship and our calling from the Lord,” Debbie said during the conference. “We know that there’s a need; we know that he has a big contribution to make. We’re happy that he’s only going for a few weeks.” It was this same desire to serve that pulled him back to the country in early August as the epidemic was escalating. Two American aid workers, fellow missionaries with SIM, had just been flown to the US for treatment, bringing humans infected with Ebola to the US for the first time. Fear of the virus abounded on both sides of the Atlantic, but Sacra was not put off. The Massachusetts doctor arrived in Monrovia on 3 August, to help his colleagues reopen the hospital there, which had been temporarily closed due to the outbreak. He recalled how patients in desperate need of care collapsed in the street outside the care units as they waited for a bed to become free. Sometimes one would become free, but it would be too late. “It was a very, very horrible situation,” he said. He witnessed these horrors for almost four weeks, before, on 29 August, he developed the symptoms he had identified so many times in his patients, symptoms that in nearly half the cases – at the time – were a precursor to an imminent death. “I knew I could die, of course,” Sacra said. “Honestly, I didn’t have too much concern, though. I never got to a stage when I thought to myself: ‘Today’s the day.’” At first he wasn’t sure he’d be evacuated to the US, like his colleagues had been, and so he said he mentally prepared himself to undergo treatment in Liberia. There he was alone, without his wife and three sons who were at home in Massachusetts. But days after his diagnosis, he was flown by air ambulance and taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a National Institutes of Health facility in Omaha. At a press conference ahead of his arrival, his wife, choking back tears, told reporters: “We are indeed praying that Rick will stay longer with us so that he will continue the good work that he has been doing in Liberia, but he would want you to know that he would not be afraid to pass into eternal life with the Lord.” Debbie Sacra’s prayers were answered; her husband recovered fully. The only lingering effect from the virus is some inflammation in his left eye, he said. As part of his treatment, he received a blood transfusion from his colleague, Dr Kent Brantly, who had survived the disease. Sacra later donated his blood to an Ebola patient sent to the Omaha hospital. Sacra said he wasn’t upset by the media attention his diagnosis received, and believed it was useful in shining a light on the situation in west Africa. In the months after his recovery, Sacra joined fellow Ebola survivors in urging the international community to step up its response to the outbreak, advocating for increased aid to the region and boosting the development of a vaccine. This summer the US and other countries ramped up their aid response, though many criticized the international community for missing the window to manage the outbreak before it spiraled out of control. To date, the Ebola outbreak has killed nearly 8,400 people in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the most affected countries, out of an estimated 21,100 known cases, according to the latest available figures from the World Health Organization (WHO). Though health officials still caution that there is a long way to go before the outbreak is fully eradicated, the situation in Liberia, once the heart of the epidemic, has improved dramatically. Case incidences have plunged from a high of 300 per week in August and September to eight new cases reported in the five days leading up to 2 January, according to the WHO. Now the country must work to rebuild its healthcare system, which was devastated by the epidemic. “The health system is still really in shambles and will need continued support for some time to come. Liberia hasn’t even gotten back to where we were before Ebola, and that wasn’t adequate,” Sacra said, adding that he hopes to help with its reconstruction on this and future missions. But recovery will take time, he conceded, saying that he is heartened by the gains Liberia has made in his absence. But he said for Liberia to truly begin to come back from this crippling epidemic, the virus must be wiped out completely. Until then, he said, “Pray for west Africa.” “We need to keep pushing and making every effort possible to eradicate Ebola. We really shouldn’t rest until we have zero cases.” |
Here we are again, bemoaning the passing of time, watching the kids grow before our eyes, counting our grey hairs and in the case of this particular article, counting back one year of PBC shows. In case you missed it, in part one we started to have a look at how well Al Haymon has been matching his fighters, what opportunities he has created for them and how busy he has been keping them. So far we have looked at 15 PBC fighters in alphabetical order, from Devon Alexander to Danny Garcia. I have attempted to give grades mostly based on how well they were matched by the PBC team as opposed to how well they performed in the ring, which is mostly outside the control of the matchmakers. We are mostly interested in how well Al Haymon has been keeping his promise to his fighters of delivering good bouts for them, what with most of them leaving behind contracts and promoters and all. Let's pick it up where we left off: Robert Guerrero - PBC have transformed Robert Guerrero into a big name opponent brought in to lose to their better names without embarrassing himself. Normally this would be a shitty promotional job but honestly, that is exactly what Guerrero is at this stage. They are at least keeping him active and getting him paid but he has been in 3 brutal bouts under PBC. Grade for Guerrero's year with PBC: C Daniel Jacobs - Jacobs has possibly been the PBC's biggest beneficiary. He arguably comes out of the PBC year with the biggest rise in name and fame. After two routine 'title' defenses, Jacobs was matched with Peter Quillin in one of the years' more anticipated and well-matched bouts. He smoked Qullin. Grade for Jacobs' year with PBC: A Amir Khan - Khan only fought once with PBC, a tougher-than-expected win over Chris Algieri in May. Other than about one occasional stay-busy fight per year, Amir Khan seems to only be interested in big-money PPV bouts like Mayweather, Pacquiao or Canelo, something PBC cannot deliver for him. The coup for Khan was outside the PBC franchise: the Canelo bout. Al Haymon either decided to allow it or was powerless to stop it. At this point there seems to be a mismatch between what Khan wants and how PBC operates. Grade for Khan' year with PBC: D Erislandy Lara - Lara is often regarded by hardcore fans as one of the World's better fighters that just can't seem to get significant fights. Before PBC, Lara's increasingly high-profile wins over Alfredo Angulo and Austin Trout finally got him a big-money bout against Canelo Alvarez, where he acquitted himself well. The PBC took that momentum and buried it in concrete. His two bouts where supremely irrelevant 'title defenses' against faded Delvin Rodriguez and very faded Jan Zaveck. Lara is almost as good as inactive. Grade for Lara' year with PBC: E Abner Mares - Mares was one of the more reluctant fighters to join Al Haymon, as it initially appeared as if he'd stay with Golden Boy. PBC gave him a tune-up in March and a big-profile bout against Leo Santa Cruz in August which was very entertaining but which he lost. No word yet on how or if PBC plan to help him recover from that loss. Grade for Mares' year with PBC: C Charles Martin - Charles Martin signed with PBC in July and if you look at the articles announcing it, almost all the fan comments are 'Another bum for Haymon', 'Who the hell is Charles?', 'Another Joe Hanks' and 'This guy is too poor to even feed to Wilder'. The PBC were not the ones to get him the mandatory IBF shot and they weren't responsible for Glazkov's knee cracking, so you can't really say they delivered a title for him. What they did do was invest in him buy bidding high on the purse bid and putting him on the same card as Deontay Wilder. Grade for Martin' year with PBC: A Lamont Peterson - Peterson was convinced to go to 143 pounds for his bout against Danny Garcia in which he more then held his own, but in the end that resulted in him being stripped of his 140-pound title and then making another step towards 147 pounds by beating Felix Diaz. I have absolutely no idea what the plan is for Peterson's career from here on out and I think neither does he. Grade for Peterson's year with PBC: D Shawn Porter - In 2014, fighting under the Golden Boy banner, Porter defended his title easily against Paulie Malignaggi and then lost it in a rough, competitive fight against Kell Brook. In 2015, fighting under the PBC banner, Porter beat replacement opponent Erick Bone in an entertaining fight in March, and then beat Adrien Broner in a fairly high-profile bout in June. He has been inactive ever since but was slated to face Keith Thurman in a very anticipated matchup before the fight was postponed. Overall his career has taken visible steps forward since joining up with PBC. Grade for Porter's year with PBC: A- Peter Quillin - Like Garcia, Quillin entered the PBC year with a reputation of a protected fighter. In retrospect he revealed that Al Haymon conviced him to avoid challenges in the anticipation of PBC, where he would be given big opportunities. For starters he was matched with Andy Lee for the WBO title, a bout that was he was favoured to win against a decent opponent that was at the same time the weakest titlist. Quillin came in overweight and then could only manage a draw. He was given an egregious mismatch for a return bout but then was matched against Danny Jacobs in what was supposed to be one of the best-matched bouts of the year. Qullin was unexpectedly stopped in one round. Like Omar Figueroa but to a bigger extent, Quillin was given not one but two excellent opportunities. The fact that he missed weight, failed to beat the beatable Andy Lee and then was smashed by Jacobs is more a reflection of his actual ability than of Al Haymon, who I think at least partially delivered for Quillin. Grade for Quillin's year with PBC: E. Grade for Al Haymon keeping his promise to Quillin: B Leo Santa Cruz - Leo was the one fighter Haymon chose to put on the biggest stage in boxing: the Mayweather - Pacquiao PPV (but against a dreadful opponent). He then put him in an awesome matchup in August against Mares, where Santa Cruz dazzled. He was inactive until this February when he was fed a no-hoper in Kiko Martinez. He absolutely needs to be matched tough again because he is in danger of falling back into his old matchmaking ways. Grade for Leo's year with PBC: B- Errol Spence Jr. - Spence is approaching the end of his 'prospect' days. He fought 4 times on PBC cards against increasing opposition, including a dominant win against fringe contender Chris Van Heerden. He has now been matched against fringe contender Chris Algieri. I kinda like how Haymon is building Spence. Grade for Errol's year with PBC: C+ Adonis Stevenson - With defenses against Sakio Bika and Tommy Karpency Stevenson is now breaking new ground on what it means to be a protected ducker. And I don't even mean ducking Kovalev. Fine, I have already resigned myself that the Kovalev bout is not happening, but Stevenson isn't even fighting top-20 opponents anymore. At least one of the other 175-pounders in the PBC stable like Edwin Rodriguez for crying out loud! Grade for Stevenson's year with PBC: F+ Keith Thurman - Like Danny Garcia, Thurman is one of the cornerstones of the PBC franchise. And like Garcia, he was fed slightly over-the-hill former contenders who were supposed to make things competitive and interesting but had little shot of winning: Robert Guerrero and Luis Collazo. The best bout of the bunch would have been the now-postponed bout against Shawn Porter. The following grade assumes matchmaking of Guerrero, Collazo and Porter: Grade for Thurman's year with PBC: B- Austin Trout - After losing what was supposed to be a competitive bout against Erislandy Lara, in 2014 Trout treaded water with a couple of wins over non-contenders Daniel Dawson and Luis Grajeda. In 2015, PBC matched him up with 2 more non-contenders as he beat Luis Galarza and Joey Hernandez. Trout still finds himself outside the title picture despite him easily being a top-10 world 154-pounder and the PBC stable being stacked with other notable Jr. Middleweights. Grade for Trout's year with PBC: D Deontay Wilder - Wilder won the WBC title just before the first PBC shows started. On actual PBC shows he had three bouts: subpar title defenses against Eric Molina and Johann Duhaupas and a slightly better bout against Artur Szpilka. On the one hand his team was able to postpone the mandatory bout with Alexander Povetkin as much as possible to give Wilder time to improve but on the other hand they were unable to collaborate with Showtime and Povetkin's Russian promoters to agree on staging the bout in America, something they were willing to do for the right price. Grade for Thurman's year with PBC: C- Special Guest: Badou Jack. Jack is not officially a PBC fighter since he is signed with Floyd Mayweather's promotional company. But he is still advised by Al Haymon, he did win his title on a PBC show in April of last year and he was supposed to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on a PBC show this spring. Jack had an arguably spectacular year, going from seemingly busted prospect to a respected and top-3 ranked titleholder with victories over Anthony Dirrell and George Groves. Grade for Jack's year in and around PBC: A- Conclusions: I think if you ask the average fan, the PBC franchise has an image of organizing mismatches, keeping their fighters from fighting outside their stable and failing to deliver as much excitement as their roster might allow them to. To a certain degree this is still a function, even to this day, of a 2014 when several of their fighters really took a hit PR-wise for dodging legitimate competition, what with Adonis Stevenson ducking Kovalev, Danny Garcia fighting You-Know-Who, Leo Santa Cruz fighting poor opposition and Peter Quillin dumping his title rather then defend against a non - Al Haymon fighter. And even to this day it's still true that several of PBC's high profile fighters still look complacent fighting inferior opposition. The careers of guys like Adonis Stevenson, Erislandy Lara, Devon Alexander, Austin Trout or even Lamont Peterson seem to be quickly going down the drain. And Danny Garcia, while fighting much better opposition than he did in 2014, still hasn't managed to shake the impression that he is purposely being fed inferior opposition. But to be fair, compiling this list made me realize how many fighters have received very good opportunities fighting for the PBC franchise. Guys like James DeGale, Badou Jack, Danny Jacobs, Javier Fortuna, Jermall Charlo, Rances Barthelemy have all gone from lower-top-10 contenders to respected titleholders, in and around the top-3 of their respective weight classes. Shawn Porter and Andrzey Fonfara have built their careers back up with the help of PBC matchmaking. Bute has resurfaced as a contender. Even guys that lost pretty big this year were given good opportunities. Adrien Broner, Peter Quillin, Abner Mares, Andre Dirrell and Andre Berto were all given pretty big opportunities. Sure, they lost some, they won some, but all of them got much better bouts than they had been given in the previous one or two years. And somehow the PBC roster now has two young American heavyweight titleholders. Not 100% Al Haymon's direct doing, but damn, who would have predicted that would be a reality about mid 2014? What do you guys think? What to make of Al Haymon's matchmaking? |
Medium’s Best Design Writing of 2015 Daniel Eckler Blocked Unblock Follow Following Dec 22, 2015 This article needs little introduction: we’ve curated and categorized 62 of Medium’s best design posts from the past year. Enjoy! Approaches to the Creative Process The pathway to creative success is neither static nor singular, as the following articles reveal. What Kind of Design Work Should I Do? by Julie Zhuo. What Do You Think? details a terrifying, albeit life-changing encounter with Steve Jobs; by Arno Gourdol. The Jony Ive Principle discusses the care and thought we ought to pour into the products we design; by Daniel Rakhamimov. The Inspiration Lie dismisses the notion that creatives ought to wait for inspiration to strike; by Tobias van Schneider. The Unfair Truth About How Creative People Really Succeed by Jeff Goins. The Day You Became a Better Designer introduces the idea that the best place to find design inspiration is outside of the field; by Tobias van Schneider. What Designers Can Learn from Project Managers by Julie Zhuo. What Steve Jobs Taught Google’s Tony Fadell About Designing Simple Products by Greg Ferenstein. Behind the Scenes of the Creative Process The following posts provide in-depth looks into some of the tech industry’s most successful products. The processes of Slack, Facebook and Foursquare are laid bare for you to soak up. Designing Moments is a behind-the-scenes look at how a multidisciplinary team built the photo sharing app Moments; by Laura Javier. Slack’s $2.8 Billion Dollar Secret Sauce by Andrew Wilkinson. What I’ve Learned Designing Small Things at Facebook by Jasmine Friedl. A List of Creative Exercises for Creative Teams by Foursquare’s Jon Steinback. UX User experience is a broad topic and the focal point of any great product. Luckily, the following collection of UX pieces covers a vast amount of ground, from basic tips to cutting edge recommendations. Making Learning Easy by Design summarizes Google Primer’s attempt to engage adults with an educational app; by Sandra Nam. 5 Simple UX Principles to Guide Your Product Design by Invision. Why Product Thinking is the Next Big Thing in UX Design by Nikkel Blaase. Design the Beginning suggests that a great user experience begins the moment someone comes in contact with a brand; by Julie Zhuo. 4 User Experiences You Never Knew About by Michael Wong. Emotional Intelligence in Design proposes a handful of ways that digital design could evolve to become more emotionally receptive; by Beth Dean. 7 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About Web Accessibility by Jesse Hausler. Misused Mobile UX Patterns by Zoltan Kollin. Material Design is Different, Not Better by Meng To. Material Design is Design Science by Daniel Hollick. UI UI is a robust, fascinating topic, especially in 2015. The following pieces reframe long-held assumptions concerning spatial issues, design states and present trends. Will UI Designers be Unemployed Soon? by Ariel Verber. No UI is the New UI details the emergence of conversational interfaces and the consequent design implications; by Tony Aubé, Spatial Interfaces suggests that great software should mimic how we move through the world and interact with objects; by Pasquale D’Silva. The Nine States of Design catalogues the paths a user might take when interacting with an interface, and many of them are not ideal; by Vince Speelman. Logo Design The logo is an organization’s visual handshake with the public, and a tricky element to master. Fortunately the articles below offer a host of sage advice. The 7 Step Paul Rand Logo Test asks how your logo stands up to the scrutiny of legendary logo designer Paul Rand; by Dave Schools. The Story Behind Medium’s New Logo by Erich Nagler and Karen Jaimes. Asana Logo Rebrand by Micah Daigle. Animation / GIFs Animation has become an integral part of digital design, and its implementation has ignited some interesting debate and discussion over the past year. The Principles of UX Choreography suggests that Disney’s animation principles are an excellent blueprint for great interactive design; by Rebecca Ussai. Your UI Isn’t a Disney Movie by Sophie Paxton. How A Well-Crafted Easing Curve Can Improve UX unpacks the term “easing curve” and discusses how its implementation can make good animation great; by Ryan Brownhill. How to Design Animated Gifs by InVision. Funniest Animated GIFs of 2015 by Muzli. Color Color, a design element that is often taken for granted, is covered below by a couple of veterans with a unique, seasoned perspective. How I Work with Color by Justin Mezzell. The Colors of an App Icon uses infographic maps to catalogue the most popular app icon colors; by Stuart Hall. Trends Whether it’s mobile’s widespread adoption of the layered interface, or the death of the fold in web design, 2015’s design trends are covered below in great detail. The 21 Best Designed Apps of 2015 by Daniel Eckler (disclaimer: that’s me) Mobile: 2015 UI/UX Trends by Onur Oral. 7 Future Web Design Trends by Jowita Ziobro. The Future of Design in Technology by Julie Zhuo. We Don’t Need More Designers Who Can Code by Jesse Weaver. The Rise of the Full Stack Designer and the Tools They Use by Eden Vidal. Misc. The following pieces aren’t easily categorized, but merit inclusion on this list for their array of valuable thoughts on design. How to Design a Pitch Deck by Daniel Eckler (disclaimer: that’s me). Want a Better Pitch? Watch This by Andy Raskin. Saul Bass on his Approach to Designing Movie Title Sequences is a classic 1977 interview with the visionary movie title designer; by The Academy. How We Changed the Facebook Friends Icon by Caitlin Winner. How I’d Redesign Piano Sheet Music by Alex Couch. The Future of Web Design is Hidden in the History of Architecture by Mike Sall. Designer Blindness discusses a designer’s inability to use poorly designed digital products; by Jeffrey Zeldman. Explaining Graphic Design to Four-Year-Olds by Dean Vipond. Designing for (and with) Color Blindness by Aaron Tenbuuren. The Dribbblisation of Design is an account of how Dribbble provides a somewhat hollow, superficial vision of product design; by Intercom. The Secret of Apple’s New San Francisco Fonts by Akinori Machino. Intro to Product Design by Stephanie Engle. The Big Mistake Nearly Every Designer Makes by marie poulin. Tools & Resources No best of 2015 list would be complete without an obligatory rundown of key design tools and resources. The Perfect UX / UI Design Tool. 13 Things Designers Need Most by Tom Koszyk. Designing at 1x: The Ideal Product Designer’s Workflow discusses the myriad ways that Sketch is the most efficient workflow design tool; by Brad Wrage. Building Silver, the Do-It-All Design Tool is the story of Silver, the mobile design tool and Sketch extension; by Aby Nimbalkar. Modern Design Tools: Adaptive Layouts proposes a variety of ways that design tools (including Sketch) could evolve in order to create better digital experiences; by Josh Puckett. Exploring Dynamic Layout in Sketch details a designer’s experimentation with Sketch’s layout features; by Matej Hrescak. The Only UX Reading List Ever by Simon Pan. Stock Photos That Don’t Suck by Dustin Senos. Thanks! That’s it — all of our favourite design writing from the past 12 months. Thanks for reading (or skimming). If we missed a great design post from 2015, please let us know! If you enjoyed reading this article, please hit the ♥ button in the footer so that more people can appreciate great design! Hi, I’m Daniel. I’ve founded a few companies including Piccsy (acq. 2014) and EveryGuyed (acq. 2011). I am currently open to new career and consulting opportunities. Get in touch via email. This article was co-authored by Shaun Roncken. You May Also Like: Design for Humanity An interactive essay I wrote exploring the past, present, and future of anthropomorphic design. Also available as a talk for conferences, events, etc. |
Say it ain’t so: A shortage of everyone’s favorite guacamole-bearing fruit, avocados, has caused prices to skyrocket nationwide. But how did the green miracles make their way to the United States to begin with? María Elena Galindo-Tovar, Amaury M. Arzate-Fernández, Nisao Ogata-Aguilar, and Ivonne Landero-Torres give you something to think about while you sob into your (now prohibitively expensive) avocado toast. Avocados have ancient roots, and had an important place in Mesoamerican peoples’ diet, mythology, and culture. It’s possible that they were eaten in the Tehuacan Valley of what is now central Mexico as long as 10,000 years ago. As cultures blended and met in Mesoamerica, it is thought that avocado came along for the ride. Scientists think that the fruit first originated in Africa, then made it to North America, then traveled down to Central America. Conditions for avocado cultivation may have existed as far back as 16,000 B.C.E., the team writes—and its long history among Caral, Mokaya, and Maya peoples points to its beloved status. Avocado can be found as the name of the 14th month on the Maya calendar, on Pacal tombs in Chiapas, and in Aztec paintings. Linguistic clues point to avocados’ significance, too. “The presence of a plant or animal in nature alone is not enough for it to be named,” the authors note; “it is necessary for the society or human group to acknowledge the importance of the species before naming it.” Want more stories like this one? Get your fix of JSTOR Daily’s best stories in your inbox each Thursday. Privacy Policy Contact Us You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the provided link on any marketing message. Many cultures did just that, and the regard with which they held avocados is demonstrated by the many words with which they referred to it. As cultures blended and met in Mesoamerica, it is thought that avocado came along for the ride. By the time Spaniards came to the Americas, the team writes, “the avocado was consumed from Mesoamerica to Peru.” The Spanish were intrigued not just by the biological diversity of the lands they conquered, but its delicious foods. An early explorer who found avocado in what is now Colombia wrote that its flesh “is like butter and is of marvelous flavor, so good and pleasing to the palate that it is a marvelous thing.” Spanish invaders took note of avocados, learned about their flavor profiles and potential medicinal applications, and wrote back to royalty about the fruit. The authors document three circumstances in which avocado was “used as tribute,” given by indigenous people to their rulers or used as money in commercial transactions. They note the use of avocados as animal feed, remedy for bruises and split ends, and even as stamps on fabric. As the Spaniards traveled outward to other colonies, they brought the avocado with them. They’ve been in California since the 1850s and had made their way all over the world by 1998. And though the world is still sorting through its modern avocado supply problem—blame the shortage on weather, labor issues, and increased demand—the ascendance of the humble avocado makes even more sense when you recognize its old-school roots. |
Maria Strydom, an Australian climber and lecturer at Monash University, was in Arnold's 40-person expedition. Strydom displayed signs of altitude sickness — caused by the lack of oxygen atop the 29,000-foot mountain — and died on Saturday, not long after Arnold. She and her husband, both vegans, were attempting to complete the "seven summits" by reaching the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. She had already scaled Denali in Alaska, Aconcagua in Argentina, Mount Ararat in Turkey, and Kilimanjaro in Kenya. In a local television interview earlier this year, Arnold said he had dreamt of climbing Everest since he was a kid, and that he used to have a poster of the mountain above his bed. According to the Associated Press, Arnold had complained of weakness and died on Friday night. He tweeted a picture of himself after making it to the top. Dutch mountaineer Eric Arnold, 35, died making his descent after he finally reached the mountain's summit on his fifth attempt. "Two-thirds of the accidents happen on the way down," Arnold told a radio station in the Netherlands before the climb. "If you get euphoric and think 'I have reached my goal,' the most dangerous part is still ahead of you." The weekend on Mount Everest was divided between tragedy and triumph. Two climbers died of apparent altitude sickness and two more are missing, but a Nepalese woman who works as a housekeeper in Connecticut broke her own record for ascents by a female, and a man became the first combat amputee to summit the world's tallest peak. Read more The weekend on Mount Everest was divided between tragedy and triumph. Two climbers died of apparent altitude sickness and two more are missing, but a Nepalese woman who works as a housekeeper in Connecticut broke her own record for ascents by a female, and a man became the first combat amputee to summit the world's tallest peak. Dutch mountaineer Eric Arnold, 35, died making his descent after he finally reached the mountain's summit on his fifth attempt. "Two-thirds of the accidents happen on the way down," Arnold told a radio station in the Netherlands before the climb. "If you get euphoric and think 'I have reached my goal,' the most dangerous part is still ahead of you." In a local television interview earlier this year, Arnold said he had dreamt of climbing Everest since he was a kid, and that he used to have a poster of the mountain above his bed. According to the Associated Press, Arnold had complained of weakness and died on Friday night. He tweeted a picture of himself after making it to the top. Bergbeklimmer Eric Arnold bereikt top Mount Everest bij vijfde poging — Eric Arnold (@EricArnold8850)May 20, 2016 Maria Strydom, an Australian climber and lecturer at Monash University, was in Arnold's 40-person expedition. Strydom displayed signs of altitude sickness — caused by the lack of oxygen atop the 29,000-foot mountain — and died on Saturday, not long after Arnold. She and her husband, both vegans, were attempting to complete the "seven summits" by reaching the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. She had already scaled Denali in Alaska, Aconcagua in Argentina, Mount Ararat in Turkey, and Kilimanjaro in Kenya. Related: This Simulation Found Most Glaciers Near Mount Everest Could Be Gone By 2100 "It seems that people have this warped idea of vegans being malnourished and weak," Strydom said, according to the AP. "By climbing the seven summits, we want to prove that vegans can do anything and more." Wishing — Monash University (@MonashUni)April 8, 2016 Other cases of altitude sickness and severe frostbite have affected more than 30 climbers this season. Pemba Sherpa from the Seven Summit Treks agency in Kathmandu told the Guardian that one Indian climber had such advanced frostbite that she couldn't move, and said that several sherpas carried her to a lower camp, where efforts to rescue her by helicopter were underway. Related: Climbers Can No Longer Scale a Section of Mount Everest Because of Climate Change Wangchu Sherpa of the Trekking Camp Nepal agency in Kathmandu told AP that two Indian climbers, Paresh Nath and Goutam Ghosh, have been missing on Everest since Saturday. They were last seen near the mountain's summit. Meanwhile, Lhapka Sherpa, 42, climbed the mountain for a seventh time, breaking her own record for ascents of Everest by a woman. She had traveled to Nepal, where she was born and raised, from Hartford, Connecticut, where she now lives with her two children and works as a housekeeper. Retired US Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Charlie Linville, 30, became the first combat-wounded veteran to reach the mountain's summit. Lineville lost a portion of his right leg and parts of his fingers on his left hand when an explosive device went off as he tried to defuse bombs in Afghanistan in 2011. Linville's plans to climb Everest in 2014 and 2015 were hampered by a huge avalanche above base camp that killed 16 Sherpa guides, and the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal last year. 12:30 pm 5/19/16 Nepali time. Charlie Linville is the first combat wounded veteran to reach the top of — The Heroes Project (@HeroesProjectUS)May 20, 2016 Congrats to USMC Staff Sgt. Charlie Linville--the 1st combat wounded vet to summit Mt — Sarah Huisenga (@SarahHuisenga)May 20, 2016 Because climbing efforts were more or less abandoned in the last two years due to natural disasters, trekking companies were banking on this year's season, which runs from March until the end of May, to be a success. So far, there has been good weather and hundreds of climbers have reached the summit. Related: One Year After Deadly Disaster, Climbers Are Still Leaving Shit All Over Mount Everest Follow Tess Owen on Twitter: @misstessowen |
Leticia has an uncommon knack for blending visionary thinking with feet-on-the-ground realism. Her remarkable emotional intelligence allows her to intervene in crises with the right degree of warmth and firmness to get girls back on track.Bridget Cooke, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Adelante Mujeres When Leticia Aguilar joined Adelante Mujeres part-time as the Chicas administrative assistant in 2009, she wasnt certain she was cut out for the job. I didnt want to be the person that says, Do as I say, not as I do, she now says. At the time, Aguilar was a young, married, pregnant high school graduate who hadnt gone to college and was working the desk at an insurance agency. Her parentsmigrants from Mexico to Forest Grovefeared deportation after realizing Aguilars financial aid applications required a social security number they didnt have. But she was hired, and after being trained to mentor elementary school girls, Aguilar realized she was indeed meant to serve as a role model for young Latinas. Now, one community college degree, three promotions and six years later, Aguilar serves as the Chicas Youth Development program coordinator. Adelante Mujeres translates to empowering women, or moving women forward. The Forest Grove-based organization does exactly that. Adelante Mujeres served 411 Latina students during the 2014-2015 school year. All 19 of the seniors from last year are currently enrolled in college. Of the elementary and middle school girls, exit surveys show improved self-image, deeper confidence and better grades than Latina counterparts not in the program. Aguilar, 28, has had her hands in nearly all of this. In six years with the program, she has led nearly a dozen after-school groups. She stuck with one of these groups from third through ninth grade. Her sessions cover topics from alcohol-abuse prevention to STEM to LGBTQ support. Aguilar repeats one particular session with nearly every group she has mentored: Why you should appreciate your Spanish culture. I want them to love who they are, not be ashamed, she says, explaining that her girls often feel they are ugly, unsupported or hated by their peers. The low-income girls Adelante Mujeres serves have working parents, several of them with field labor jobs, according to Aguilar. When they leave school, these girls return home to assist with cooking and cleaning; only then can they attempt their homework. Girls come in [to the program] with anger, blaming their parents for things, she says. But they leave here with a completely different mentality. They begin to appreciate the hard work. Aguilar is no stranger to the topic of hard work. In addition to mentoring, she takes high schoolers and their parents on college visits, for which she coordinates the transportation and on-campus experience. I like taking the girls, she says. But I like taking the families more. Often times they are afraid to let their daughters go to college. They dont want them to go out of town. Visits to University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Western Oregon University, Linfield College and PSU usually mean all-day Saturday trips. At Aguilars urging, colleges facilitate student panels with other minority students, lunch with Latinas attending the school, admissions workshops and dorm tours. Aguilar aims to show parents and girls what helpful services the school can provide. We can enroll our girls, she explains. But then what? Whos going to be there to make them feel connected to the college? That is what I want them to know. From across a conference table in Adelante Mujeres second floor office, she explains that many of her Chicas girls view her as a second mom. She is a mom to two of her own, (ages 7 and 2), a youth soccer coach, wife, daughter and member of Forest Groves Lions Club. Does she sleep? You get used to it, she says with a shrug and a laugh. I cant remember what its like to come home and not do anything. But doing nothing isnt really Aguilars style. Her next goal includes finishing a second degree in human development. I want to provide more support to the girls and really understand the development stages they are going through, she says. Steph Barnhart BOTTOM LINE FOR PORTLAND Aguilar assists more than 400 Latina girls in Forest Grove annually by providing leadership education, mentorship and college prep. Leticia Aguilars prize is generously sponsored by Grady Britton. |
Ironically, the rise in the stock market we have seen in the last few days is likely to cause a much steeper and longer stock market crash in 2015 than the one we just went through. To understand the psychology that is set up to rapidly play out now, think of a horror movie. Think of how the director sets you up with a little sound that makes you think something really bad is about to happen and then it turns out to be only a little toy making the innocent sound. You settle back into your theater seat. (I’ll come back to this in a moment to show how this plays out.) The foreshadowing of Stock Market Crash 2015 Only a few days ago, the stock market plunged for a day upon hearing that the Federal Reserve would continue its stimulus. That was the market’s first fall on that kind of news in years. As I mentioned in my last article (http://thegreatrecession.info/blog/global-economic-collapse-2/), that marked a sea change. For the first time since Fed stimulus began, the continuation of stimulus was seen as a bad thing, which took the market down quickly. You see, after so many months of predicting a rate increase (building suspense with a lot of ominous music), the Fed’s postponement finally caused people to fear that the Fed cannot raise rates without killing the economy. That sent a shock through the market as it opened people’s eyes to realize that the Fed does not believe the US economy is immune to what is happening overseas and that it does not believe the recovery is strong enough to survive what is happening around it without stimulus (because all the Fed’s normal reasons for ending stimulus were in place, but it couldn’t end it). But, then … nothing bad happened. The market fell, but righted itself. It all turned out to be just a little noise. So it would seem. It was just a toy. I’ve been saying that, by this fall, the Fed’s stimulus would go from producing less and less of a benefit (the fundamental economic law of diminishing returns) to actually producing a negative impact on the economy. That’s because the Fed’s stimulus is long in the tooth to where each continuance now will make it all the more obvious that a sustainable recovery is eluding the Fed and the country. But why do I say the present rise in the stock market is exactly what is likely to cause Stock Market Crash 2015? Psychology. The sharp-but-brief drop that happened recently caused even the likes of CNBC’s Jim Cramer to tremble (as I noted in the article linked to above) so that he fell off the bull-market bandwagon and finally saw that we’re entering a bear market. In fact, it cause many of the market’s permabulls to start actually writing that the bull market was over. That was the sea change. Then, just as suddenly, the market started to rise, and the permabulls are already breathing a huge sigh of relief and writing, “Whew! We didn’t go over the cliff, and we’re headed back to a bull market after all.” As could be expected, Cramer suddenly wanted to jump back on the bull-market wagon, too, saying he was rethinking his recent bearishness. Some analysts are already writing that this week’s upward move means the worst if is finally behind us because we didn’t go lower than the last bottom. So, presumably, that means we’ve found the bottom. Thus, all the permabulls are wiping their brows and settling back in their theater seats again. “Whew! The noise was just a toy.” In a well-setup horror movie, that is exactly when the next bad news suddenly breaks the calm. A good craftsman of horror knows that, just when the audience thinks they are in the clear, that is the moment when surprise will cause the most shock and panic. Horror goes beyond terror. It is the realization that the bottom is falling out. That realization hits immediately as one says, “Oh my God, it’s all giving away again.” Suddenly that deep dread that the bottom really won’t hold strips away all of everyone’s false security. Even the brief relief they felt only heightens the sense of falling by giving an upward jog before the fall. It leaves them with the sense there is nothing they can hang on to. Likewise with market panics. It is that moment when people suddenly feel that the bottom is not holding that they realize in a flash there really is no salvation for the market. THAT is what makes something that might have been a mere downturn, a panic. When you are watching a scary movie and just settling down because the scare didn’t materialize — it was just a toy — and suddenly death stares you in the face, that is when you scream! That’s why the present stock market rise is a set-up for a much, much sharper panic in the very, very near future. (I don’t mean a conspiratorial setup, just that’s how it will likely function.) It is exactly the kind of momentary relaxation that can set people up for a bigger shock. “But,” you may say, “this is a market, not a movie. You’re talking psychology, and it is facts that drive a market.” No, it is never facts that drive a panic in the market. It is a fact that triggers a panic, but it is psychology and timing that causes the sudden stampede for the theater doors. If the psychological framework were not perfectly set, the same economic fact would not trigger a run on banks or bonds or a stock market crash. It is when the right psychological moment times out with the right bad fact that we get those rare all-out crashes. Let’s look back to Stock Market Crash 1929 for an example Here’s a graph from Zero Hedge of the crash in October of 1929. Now compare the green and red-lined portions to the stock market today: In ’29, there was a foreshock drop months ahead of the crash (from which point the green line begins) like the one we saw last October of 2014. In ’29 that was followed by a period of rising, as we saw after October 2014. That was followed by a rounded top, as we saw in the begging months of 2015. The rounded top was followed by a steep drop, as we have just experienced. Then came a large bounce back up that made it look like the fall had ended — as we have also just experienced. THEN, after that brief sense that balance had been recovered, came the steep, steep crash over the cliff — the stock market crash of 1929. That is followed in the first graph by the Great Depression — that long, long low that continued sideways after the drop over the cliff. So, the entire setup is in place. What we don’t know is if the cliff and depression are what follows … or if things will go back to rising now as the permabulls believe. However, something there is in October that loves a scare and loves a good stock market crash. Most of our worst stock market crashes have come in October. Maybe it is just that it is Halloween month so that people are primed for panic. Even if that is all there is to why the worst market crashes usually happen in October, we still are primely set up. If there is something more sinister to October’s than that, then there is all the more reason to think a crash is set up to happen. Either way, the recent rise creates that illusion that all is well, so we can sigh relief. It is exactly as we sigh, that the breath gets sucked out of us. If something bad happens in the market at that moment, that’s when people panic and run for the exits. The fact that the moment is perfectly set up for a big scare, of course doesn’t mean there will be a bad event that is significant enough to seize the moment. However, my continuing thesis has been that there are so many bad things poised to happen this fall that the odds are strongly in favor of a panic. The underlying reality for a stock market crash in 2015 The bull market is over. We can see that the Fed’s game is beginning to turn on them now that the permabulls (see my previous article) are turning against the bull market when the Fed promises stimulus. The market has that ashen macabre look now. Death is already its underlying reality, but it doesn’t know that it is dead yet. The big scare comes if it looks in the mirror and suddenly realizes it has already died. The market has clearly bounced off a ceiling for an entire year now. It wants to go down. The only question that remains is whether the market will go over the cliff in a mad run for the doors because it suddenly sees itself in the mirror or whether the bear market will play out in a long series of drops and bounces that works its way to finding out that it is dead. That bottom is a long, long ways down because the stimulus has lofted things a long, long ways up. The reason I’ve bet my blog that the name of this movie is Stock Market Crash 2015 with great assurance is that the shear preponderance of bad things piling up against this economy causes me to believe some very big, bad news is quite likely this month, just as we are perfectly primed for a stock market crash. My assuredness comes from more than the likelihood of bad things happening with perfect timing. The change of mood is happening because that line graphing diminishing returns for Fed stimulus turns negative for the first time. That means we are now in totally new territory, and the Fed doesn’t know it. It is damned if it does raise interest but now also damned if it doesn’t. We know that because we just saw it happen for the first time when the Fed’s assurance that it would continue easing caused the opposite reaction to what the Fed and all the rest of us have come to expect after all the preceding years of Fed stimulus. This market wants to go down as people are now transitioning back to a state where bad economic news is simply bad news and where good news about Fed stimulus is also bad news. When it goes, it couldn’t happen to a nicer (or more rickety) market. When the stock market crashes, it may get a last bounce up by a sudden application of negative interest rates to trump zero interest rates or QE4 from the Fed, but that will be a bounce straight into oblivion (with very little time, if any, back in the upward trajectory) because it will solidify proof that there is no recovery and never has been a recovery at all. It will instantly prove that QE has has lost its power and that the market is totally dependent upon it. That’s a true horror moment when the bottom falls way, way out. Those who watch the Fed’s every move expecting salvation are starting to realize their emperor has no clothes, but the big scare comes when they take a second look and realize their emperor actually has no skin. Reading on the stock market crash of 1929: Liked it? Take a second to support David Haggith on Patreon! Help a site with valuable information by sharing this article: Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pocket Reddit Tumblr Pinterest |
In his New York Times column today, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman dismantles the notion -- widespread among many in the political chattering class -- that business leaders boast unique insight into how the economy works. Experience, Krugman observes, suggests quite the opposite. Writing from Japan, where the country's central bank just voted to aggressively expand its economic stimulus efforts, Krugman notes that the central bank members who opposed the move were all close allies of Japan's business community. Advertisement: "Some of the people I’ve spoken to here argue that the opposition of many Japanese business leaders to the Bank of Japan’s actions shows that it’s on the wrong track," Krugman writes. But, he argues, "business leaders often give remarkably bad economic advice, especially in troubled times." Take the public assault on the Federal Reserve's economic stimulus efforts waged by many business elites, or the largely unquestioned view of many corporate leaders that the deficit must be addressed nownownow, lest our economy collapse. Business people hold these views even though expansionary monetary policy and deficit spending are precisely what a depressed economy requires. So why doesn't a business background confer any special economic expertise? "The answer, to quote the title of a paper I published many years ago, is that a country is not a company," Krugman contends. "National economic policy, even in small countries, needs to take into account kinds of feedback that rarely matter in business life. For example, even the biggest corporations sell only a small fraction of what they make to their own workers, whereas even very small countries mostly sell goods and services to themselves," he adds. The differences between running a company and running a country can cloud business leaders' economic judgment, leading them to make wrongheaded economic policy prescriptions, Krugman writes: |
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