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Why do lumber prices keep soaring? And when might they come back down? | The price of lumber futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange recently surged above $1,500 per thousand board feet. Thats a 300% rise from this time last year. 2x4s are suddenly very, very expensive and so are things made with the softwoods. The cost of building a new home, for example, is up by about $36,000 on average. That question led me to Bob Bauer, Executive Director of the Kentucky Forest Industries Association. Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length. You can listen to the interview on the May 20 edition of Eastern Standard, 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on 88.9 WEKU. Bauer: Our association represents a wide range of the industry mostly dominated by hardwood sawmills. Of course, we represent the loggers out there in the woods and also a lot of the secondary people that produce things like hardwood flooring and in the paper industry. Bauer: Yes, as far as the hardwood industry, actually there was a lot of anticipation that the markets were going to get better. In early March of last year, they finally worked out agreements as far as export markets, which has a big impact on the hardwood industry - a lot of the higher grades of lumber are exported. That was decided in early March, so there was an expectation that things were going to get better. But, when the pandemic hit, we actually had things fall off considerably. Then the market started to recover a lot faster than people thought. Bauer: Yes. Were dominated by hardwood because thats whats in our forests here. Our members that produce all types of things that are in the home: the flooring, doors, millwork, the cabinets, furniture. And our industries heavily produce a lot of palettes, cross ties for the railroad industry and those types of things, which the lower quality wood goes into. Bauer: Weve seen an impact in the hardwoods. The pandemic did cause a slowdown. It was harder for everybody to work. Luckily the hardwood forestry business was declared an essential industry, so they were able to work and operate throughout the pandemic. Part of our industry is the paper industry and you know how important all of that is, the packaging, toilet paper. And we did see quite a slowdown through probably the first four to six months. But as last summer ended the market started to improve some in the hardwood business and theyve continued and now the markets are pretty strong - better than they were last March for sure. Bauer: Here in Kentucky, our paper industry is tied closer to fine paper which would be office paper, that type of thing. We lost a large paper mill down in Tennessee because of the demand for office paper, those kind of things, which has had a ripple effect on our industry because all of these hardwood sawmills, anything that they dont use in the lumber is chipped into chips that then go to the paper industry. So, we did see an effect where it made it a little tougher to get rid of those those things from the hardwood sawmills. Martin: Lets turn to to the softwoods. This is the lumber used in construction to make things like palettes and fence posts, not to mention in homes. Bauer: The softwood side obviously was affected too going into the pandemic. Obviously, there was a huge concern just like every other industry. So, as that started our industry cut way back with the assumption that the markets were going to slow. And for a brief period of time they saw that just because everybody was held at home. But, as time went on, people had time on their hands, so they started doing more home improvement, adding on a garage or whatever. The softwoods go into that construction: lumber, plywood, all those things that are used in the structural parts of building. So, that market quickly stayed the same or improved. And with the demand increasing, those large mills tried to start ramping up. Of course, they had the pandemic to deal with so its basically put them behind the eight ball and theyre still struggling. And one difference between the hardwood and the softwood business is in the the way those hardwood logs are sawn. Theres much smaller volume at hardwood sawmills. An average size hardwood sawmill may produce 10 million board feet a year, whereas some of the (softwood) mills in the south produce 300 to 400 million a year. One of those mills closing down, you can see how that would quickly affect the supply. So, that demand, came back quickly and theyve struggled to catch up. And on top of that, the housing markets are very much improved and were seeing that on the upswing the last number of months, so thats also created even more demand. Boy, its really been a tough time trying to get back up to that level of production to meet all the needs out there. Bauer: Thats a huge issue. With the pandemic there were things they had to do to keep people protected, which they continue to do, but that has made it very difficult to get people back online. Ive been out in the last month visiting a number of mills and nearly every place I go theyre looking for employees and cant find them. Without enough people, they cant ramp up production. There are a number of things driving that. The number one thing that I hear, especially out in the rural areas of the state and from my counterparts in the south is with all of the packages that have been put together, the high amount of money thats going into unemployment, they simply cant compete with somebody that can sit at home and make that kind of money instead of working. So, thats become a real issue out there for the industry. Martin: Lumber industry analysts say that $1,500 per thousand board feet of softwood that I mentioned earlier is, of course, not sustainable. But, the pre-COVID price of $300 to $500 may never come back and instead we might get stuck in a higher range, maybe $800 to $1,000. Bauer: Well, its hard to say. Its a great question. What Ive seen especially related to the hardwood industry over the years is that eventually that supply reaches back to where it meets the demand. I guess I wouldnt be surprised that maybe its a little higher. I think well see the upper range in the $500 or $600 area. But, I think as you see production increase and weve already seen some newer mills coming online and people increasing production that will stabilize that back. I dont think well see a huge change in that obviously. | The price of lumber futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange recently surged above $1,500 per thousand board feet. Bob Bauer, Executive Director of the Kentucky Forest Industries Association, explains why prices are soaring. Bauer: The hardwood forestry business was declared an essential industry, so they were able to work and operate throughout the pandemic. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/why-lumber-prices-keep-soaring-184237553.html | 0.177262 |
How worrying is the India coronavirus variant for UK plans to unlock this summer? | Mondays change in the rules was supposed to be a moment of celebration but the new variant spreading in the UK meant it came with a cautionary note. This time last week, most of us were feeling optimistic about the next step in the governments irreversible plan to end lockdown. Then scientists started to warn that the accelerating spread of the India variant of coronavirus meant that we should proceed carefully and even consider slowing down. While the plans went ahead on Monday, they came with a heavy dose of caution and warnings that the last stage of the relaxation set for 21 June could be delayed. The Guardians science correspondent Nicola Davis tells Anushka Asthana about the latest setback in the fight against Covid and what it means for what happens next. | New variant of coronavirus has spread to the UK for the first time. Scientists have warned that the government's plan to end lockdown could be delayed. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/audio/2021/may/18/how-worrying-is-the-india-coronavirus-variant-for-uk-plans-to-unlock-this-summer | 0.196872 |
How worrying is the India coronavirus variant for UK plans to unlock this summer? | Mondays change in the rules was supposed to be a moment of celebration but the new variant spreading in the UK meant it came with a cautionary note. This time last week, most of us were feeling optimistic about the next step in the governments irreversible plan to end lockdown. Then scientists started to warn that the accelerating spread of the India variant of coronavirus meant that we should proceed carefully and even consider slowing down. While the plans went ahead on Monday, they came with a heavy dose of caution and warnings that the last stage of the relaxation set for 21 June could be delayed. The Guardians science correspondent Nicola Davis tells Anushka Asthana about the latest setback in the fight against Covid and what it means for what happens next. | New variant of coronavirus has spread to the UK for the first time. Scientists have warned that the government's plan to end lockdown could be delayed. Asthana speaks to Guardian science correspondent Nicola Davis about the latest setback in the fight against Covid. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/audio/2021/may/18/how-worrying-is-the-india-coronavirus-variant-for-uk-plans-to-unlock-this-summer | 0.230658 |
Why is Huawei still in the UK? | Huawei logo, London bus It's not just the unseasonally cold weather that's creating a somewhat chilly climate for Huawei's UK operations. It's been banned from the UK's 5G infrastructure and it faces ongoing scrutiny from the National Cyber Security Centre over its security practices, and whether it has links with the Chinese government, which it denies. On a consumer level, its handset sales have plummeted all over Europe since the US introduced a trade ban, which makes them incompatible with essential Google apps, including Gmail, Google Maps and the Play Store. And yet while you or I might have got our coats and left by now, Huawei remains. Not only is it still here, it's still investing in the UK - creating jobs, and funding university research. It insists its reasons are altruistic - that it takes pride in its collaborative work here and admires UK innovation - and says it gains in return valuable research insight into the future direction of the telecoms industry. It is speaking out following a slew of negative press about its associations with some of the country's top academic institutions - which have a tendency to keep quiet about their connections. Critics say universities should not be accepting its cash. But plenty are. Huawei says it has "partnerships" with 35 UK universities including Imperial College London, Surrey, Cambridge and Southampton. It also has its own in-house research and development centres in Bristol, Ipswich and Edinburgh, and two in Cambridge, and says it has spent an annual average of 80m over the last ten years on UK-based research in general. Part of the issue is that these partnerships are shrouded in secrecy. Journalists like me regularly get research news from universities, and academics are often keen to trumpet who has sponsored their latest breakthrough, in order to maintain their funding. This is not so common when that funding comes from Huawei, and it makes some in government uneasy. Story continues "These quiet ongoing partnerships between British universities and Chinese state-backed companies must be more transparent," said MP Tom Tugendhat, who co-runs the China Research Group. "Universities need to think hard about who they choose to partner with." Huawei denies any links with the Chinese state. 'Due diligence' Oxford University suspended new donations and sponsorships with Huawei in 2019 but I contacted three universities known to have ongoing relationships with the firm. Southampton University told me it had a "strategic corporate partnership" with Huawei but did not spell out what it was. Edinburgh said its collaboration focused on "new technologies in data management and information technology" and added that it had "undergone a rigorous process of due diligence". Cambridge did not respond. Huawei insists that it doesn't mind the lack of publicity. It's not unusual for collaborators to sign non-disclosure agreements because of the confidential nature of research, it says. It adds that it doesn't want intellectual property either - despite a keen interest in patents, it says it hardly ever takes ownership of the research from universities who make discoveries with its co-operation. It's not even after the brain power - while it "sometimes" employs UK university graduates, the affable Victor Zhang, Huawei's UK Vice-President, says he can't recall poaching any UK-based professors. "We are proud of our partnerships with universities and we wish for those partnerships to continue," he says. Mr Zhang gives me three reasons why Huawei UK remains: there is still Huawei kit in legacy broadband infrastructure, largely belonging to BT and Vodafone, which it says needs maintaining it is "proud" of its UK partnerships it "admires" the UK's innovation and corporate social responsibilities in areas such as climate change research "We give universities money, technology and platforms for research," he says, "and we take awareness of the direction of the future." Mr Zhang insists the firm is "not buying something" with its largesse, and that to think that it is, is a "misunderstanding". Former Science Minister Jo Johnson believes China research partnerships need to be maintained. Tom Tugendhat argues that funding from China "rarely comes without strings attached". Perhaps Huawei is playing the long game, hoping that one day all of the controversy will melt away, there will be a new threat to focus on, and it can resume business as usual. Certainly the UK has not cooled on all Chinese relationships, and economically, it's clear why. The number of Chinese students at UK universities has more than trebled since 2006, according to the National Institute of Economics and Social Research. Tuition fees from Chinese students add up to at least 1.7bn a year across universities and independent schools. And at an event last week, former science minister Jo Johnson said that the number of UK-China research partnerships has ballooned from 750 in 2000 to 16,000 in 2020, although he acknowledged that universities could "better organise themselves" in terms of the contracts they negotiate, served perhaps by a centralised framework. However, severing those ties, he said, would "pose a severe handicap" to UK research. "The idea that any decoupling of China is in the national interest seems to me highly unlikely," he said. | Huawei has been banned from the UK's 5G infrastructure. But it's still investing in the UK - creating jobs, and funding university research. | bart | 0 | https://news.yahoo.com/why-huawei-still-uk-164344606.html | 0.321599 |
Why is Huawei still in the UK? | Huawei logo, London bus It's not just the unseasonally cold weather that's creating a somewhat chilly climate for Huawei's UK operations. It's been banned from the UK's 5G infrastructure and it faces ongoing scrutiny from the National Cyber Security Centre over its security practices, and whether it has links with the Chinese government, which it denies. On a consumer level, its handset sales have plummeted all over Europe since the US introduced a trade ban, which makes them incompatible with essential Google apps, including Gmail, Google Maps and the Play Store. And yet while you or I might have got our coats and left by now, Huawei remains. Not only is it still here, it's still investing in the UK - creating jobs, and funding university research. It insists its reasons are altruistic - that it takes pride in its collaborative work here and admires UK innovation - and says it gains in return valuable research insight into the future direction of the telecoms industry. It is speaking out following a slew of negative press about its associations with some of the country's top academic institutions - which have a tendency to keep quiet about their connections. Critics say universities should not be accepting its cash. But plenty are. Huawei says it has "partnerships" with 35 UK universities including Imperial College London, Surrey, Cambridge and Southampton. It also has its own in-house research and development centres in Bristol, Ipswich and Edinburgh, and two in Cambridge, and says it has spent an annual average of 80m over the last ten years on UK-based research in general. Part of the issue is that these partnerships are shrouded in secrecy. Journalists like me regularly get research news from universities, and academics are often keen to trumpet who has sponsored their latest breakthrough, in order to maintain their funding. This is not so common when that funding comes from Huawei, and it makes some in government uneasy. Story continues "These quiet ongoing partnerships between British universities and Chinese state-backed companies must be more transparent," said MP Tom Tugendhat, who co-runs the China Research Group. "Universities need to think hard about who they choose to partner with." Huawei denies any links with the Chinese state. 'Due diligence' Oxford University suspended new donations and sponsorships with Huawei in 2019 but I contacted three universities known to have ongoing relationships with the firm. Southampton University told me it had a "strategic corporate partnership" with Huawei but did not spell out what it was. Edinburgh said its collaboration focused on "new technologies in data management and information technology" and added that it had "undergone a rigorous process of due diligence". Cambridge did not respond. Huawei insists that it doesn't mind the lack of publicity. It's not unusual for collaborators to sign non-disclosure agreements because of the confidential nature of research, it says. It adds that it doesn't want intellectual property either - despite a keen interest in patents, it says it hardly ever takes ownership of the research from universities who make discoveries with its co-operation. It's not even after the brain power - while it "sometimes" employs UK university graduates, the affable Victor Zhang, Huawei's UK Vice-President, says he can't recall poaching any UK-based professors. "We are proud of our partnerships with universities and we wish for those partnerships to continue," he says. Mr Zhang gives me three reasons why Huawei UK remains: there is still Huawei kit in legacy broadband infrastructure, largely belonging to BT and Vodafone, which it says needs maintaining it is "proud" of its UK partnerships it "admires" the UK's innovation and corporate social responsibilities in areas such as climate change research "We give universities money, technology and platforms for research," he says, "and we take awareness of the direction of the future." Mr Zhang insists the firm is "not buying something" with its largesse, and that to think that it is, is a "misunderstanding". Former Science Minister Jo Johnson believes China research partnerships need to be maintained. Tom Tugendhat argues that funding from China "rarely comes without strings attached". Perhaps Huawei is playing the long game, hoping that one day all of the controversy will melt away, there will be a new threat to focus on, and it can resume business as usual. Certainly the UK has not cooled on all Chinese relationships, and economically, it's clear why. The number of Chinese students at UK universities has more than trebled since 2006, according to the National Institute of Economics and Social Research. Tuition fees from Chinese students add up to at least 1.7bn a year across universities and independent schools. And at an event last week, former science minister Jo Johnson said that the number of UK-China research partnerships has ballooned from 750 in 2000 to 16,000 in 2020, although he acknowledged that universities could "better organise themselves" in terms of the contracts they negotiate, served perhaps by a centralised framework. However, severing those ties, he said, would "pose a severe handicap" to UK research. "The idea that any decoupling of China is in the national interest seems to me highly unlikely," he said. | Huawei has been banned from the UK's 5G infrastructure. But it's still investing in the UK - creating jobs, and funding university research. It insists its reasons are altruistic - that it takes pride in its collaborative work here. | bart | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/why-huawei-still-uk-164344606.html | 0.313012 |
Why is Huawei still in the UK? | Huawei logo, London bus It's not just the unseasonally cold weather that's creating a somewhat chilly climate for Huawei's UK operations. It's been banned from the UK's 5G infrastructure and it faces ongoing scrutiny from the National Cyber Security Centre over its security practices, and whether it has links with the Chinese government, which it denies. On a consumer level, its handset sales have plummeted all over Europe since the US introduced a trade ban, which makes them incompatible with essential Google apps, including Gmail, Google Maps and the Play Store. And yet while you or I might have got our coats and left by now, Huawei remains. Not only is it still here, it's still investing in the UK - creating jobs, and funding university research. It insists its reasons are altruistic - that it takes pride in its collaborative work here and admires UK innovation - and says it gains in return valuable research insight into the future direction of the telecoms industry. It is speaking out following a slew of negative press about its associations with some of the country's top academic institutions - which have a tendency to keep quiet about their connections. Critics say universities should not be accepting its cash. But plenty are. Huawei says it has "partnerships" with 35 UK universities including Imperial College London, Surrey, Cambridge and Southampton. It also has its own in-house research and development centres in Bristol, Ipswich and Edinburgh, and two in Cambridge, and says it has spent an annual average of 80m over the last ten years on UK-based research in general. Part of the issue is that these partnerships are shrouded in secrecy. Journalists like me regularly get research news from universities, and academics are often keen to trumpet who has sponsored their latest breakthrough, in order to maintain their funding. This is not so common when that funding comes from Huawei, and it makes some in government uneasy. Story continues "These quiet ongoing partnerships between British universities and Chinese state-backed companies must be more transparent," said MP Tom Tugendhat, who co-runs the China Research Group. "Universities need to think hard about who they choose to partner with." Huawei denies any links with the Chinese state. 'Due diligence' Oxford University suspended new donations and sponsorships with Huawei in 2019 but I contacted three universities known to have ongoing relationships with the firm. Southampton University told me it had a "strategic corporate partnership" with Huawei but did not spell out what it was. Edinburgh said its collaboration focused on "new technologies in data management and information technology" and added that it had "undergone a rigorous process of due diligence". Cambridge did not respond. Huawei insists that it doesn't mind the lack of publicity. It's not unusual for collaborators to sign non-disclosure agreements because of the confidential nature of research, it says. It adds that it doesn't want intellectual property either - despite a keen interest in patents, it says it hardly ever takes ownership of the research from universities who make discoveries with its co-operation. It's not even after the brain power - while it "sometimes" employs UK university graduates, the affable Victor Zhang, Huawei's UK Vice-President, says he can't recall poaching any UK-based professors. "We are proud of our partnerships with universities and we wish for those partnerships to continue," he says. Mr Zhang gives me three reasons why Huawei UK remains: there is still Huawei kit in legacy broadband infrastructure, largely belonging to BT and Vodafone, which it says needs maintaining it is "proud" of its UK partnerships it "admires" the UK's innovation and corporate social responsibilities in areas such as climate change research "We give universities money, technology and platforms for research," he says, "and we take awareness of the direction of the future." Mr Zhang insists the firm is "not buying something" with its largesse, and that to think that it is, is a "misunderstanding". Former Science Minister Jo Johnson believes China research partnerships need to be maintained. Tom Tugendhat argues that funding from China "rarely comes without strings attached". Perhaps Huawei is playing the long game, hoping that one day all of the controversy will melt away, there will be a new threat to focus on, and it can resume business as usual. Certainly the UK has not cooled on all Chinese relationships, and economically, it's clear why. The number of Chinese students at UK universities has more than trebled since 2006, according to the National Institute of Economics and Social Research. Tuition fees from Chinese students add up to at least 1.7bn a year across universities and independent schools. And at an event last week, former science minister Jo Johnson said that the number of UK-China research partnerships has ballooned from 750 in 2000 to 16,000 in 2020, although he acknowledged that universities could "better organise themselves" in terms of the contracts they negotiate, served perhaps by a centralised framework. However, severing those ties, he said, would "pose a severe handicap" to UK research. "The idea that any decoupling of China is in the national interest seems to me highly unlikely," he said. | Huawei has been banned from the UK's 5G infrastructure. But it's still investing in the UK - creating jobs, and funding university research. It insists its reasons are altruistic - that it takes pride in its collaborative work. Critics say universities should not be accepting its cash. But plenty are. | bart | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/why-huawei-still-uk-164344606.html | 0.419005 |
Why cant I talk to anyone in Ikea customer service? | It seems that many hundreds of people, including me, are having problems, and it is almost impossible to talk to anyone. Since January, I have been trying to return four items which I ordered online. It is difficult to find the customer service number and, when you do, either you are on hold until you lose the will to live, or they tell you that you can just turn up at a store with your receipt. Another part of the website suggests that this is not the case. The complain by email section does not actually provide an email address. There is also no contact telephone number for my local Gateshead branch, so I dont know whether I can actually return items to the store. SB, Durham Ikea is another company that hasnt had a great year customer service-wise. The internet is awash with unhappy Ikea customers and an inability to be able to talk to someone is a repeated complaint. Happily, the firms press people are more on the ball and have arranged to have your four items collected and a refund paid. The company blames a huge leap in online demand, coupled with Covid-related supply chain problems, which, in turn, doubled calls to its contact centre. We know that this experience does not live up to our expectations for our customers, and we have been working extremely hard to resolve these issues, it says. And, for the record, it says you can take items bought online back to the stores. We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions | Ikea is another company that hasn't had a great year customer service-wise. It seems that many hundreds of people, including me, are having problems, and it is almost impossible to talk to anyone. The company blames a huge leap in online demand, coupled with supply chain problems. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/may/18/why-cant-i-talk-to-anyone-in-ikea-customer-service | 0.459136 |
What was Germanwings co-pilot's mental state? | Story highlights Investigators believe Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9525, killing himself and 149 others Lubitz suffered from anxiety and depression symptoms dating back to 2009, French newspaper reported Doctor: It's 'rare for depression to cause people to kill other people' (CNN) Barring a revelation from his parents or girlfriend, we may never know what was going through the mind of Andreas Lubitz in the moments leading up to the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525. What we now know is that all indications point to Lubitz as the perpetrator of the crash, locking the pilot out of the cockpit and setting the aircraft on a fatal trajectory into a remote mountain range in the French Alps. Every day, more details come to light, as the world struggles to make sense of why a 27-year-old German man would apparently choose to deliberately crash a plane with 150 people on board, including himself and remain so calm while doing it. Unfit to work When investigators searched Lubitzs home in Dusseldorf, they found medical leave notes slashed, suggesting Lubitz was hiding an illness or illnesses from his employers. The dates for which Lubitz was excused from work included the day of the crash, though investigators have not yet revealed the reason he was excused, if any reason was written on the notes by his doctor. We do know, from a German aviation source, that Lubitz passed his annual pilot recertification examination last summer. An official with Lufthansa, the parent company of the budget airline Germanwings, said that the exam only tests physical health, not psychological health. He was 100% fit to fly without restrictions, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told reporters at press conference last week. His flight performance was perfect. There was nothing to worry about. Spohr added that Lubitz had interrupted his training, which he began in 2008. That break lasted several months, he said, but that such an interruption isnt uncommon. Lubitz suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, with severe depression symptoms dating back to 2009, according to French newspaper Le Parisien. While the main medical clinic in Dusseldorf denies it was treating Lubitz for depression, German investigators found antidepressant medications in Lubitzs apartment, according to published reports that CNN has not yet been able to independently confirm. Die Welt, a German newspaper, over the weekend cited an unidentified senior investigator, who said Lubitz suffered from severe subjective burnout syndrome and severe depression. More on the medications Someone who has a significant depressive episode or depressive disorder will oftentimes get an antidepressant alone, and many times will have a good resolution of those symptoms, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta told Poppy Harlow Sunday on CNN Newsroom. People who relapse or develop more of what is called a psychotic depression in addition may have symptoms of psychosis. Maybe they could be having delusions or hallucinations, but the idea is having breaks with reality. One of the medications Lubitz was prescribed is said to be Agomelatine (an antidepressant medication), according to Le Perisien. Antidepressants can sometimes make people suicidal, especially those suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other times, they can make patients manic or psychotic. The drugs list of warnings and precautions include metabolic changes such as weight gain and the potential for cognitive and motor impairment. Has potential to impair judgment, thinking and motor skills; use caution when operating machinery. In 2010, Lubitz received Olanzpine injections (an antipsychotic medication) to treat OCD, according to Le Perisien. Doctors advised Lubitz to be more active, practice a new sport and regain self-confidence. This is a powerful medication, said Gupta. If this is true, it sort of reads into the severity of just how bad the psychosis was, at least at one point in his life. There are other things besides psychosis for which the drug may be administered, but thats the most common use. One of the side effects is blurred vision. Citing two officials with knowledge of the investigation, The New York Times Saturday reported that Lubitz sought treatment for vision problems that might have put his career at risk. If he was prescribed this medication as an injectable five years ago, was now taking it as an oral antipsychotic and wasnt taking it because of it was causing these detrimental side effects, that could be very concerning, as well, said Gupta. Authorities have not ruled out that Lubitzs vision problem could have been psychosomatic. Many people have been asking how likely it is that depression could result in this sort of horrific action. In a word: Unlikely, says Dr. Charles Raison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona. Most people would just kill themselves, he says. Its very, very rare for depression to cause people to kill other people. This leads me to believe theres something else going on, like a personality character flaw. Forensic psychologist Jeff Gardere agrees. It has to be a very severe depression to the point that theres a psychosis thats a result of that depression, he says. Thats different than the schizophrenia part of psychosis. With this kind of depression, its so deep that you actually break with reality. Remember, Lubitz was in his late 20s and the odds of mental illness presenting at this age are much higher for someone in their 20s or 30s. Sometimes people lose touch with reality slowly. Other times, they lose touch really quickly, says Raison. Bipolar psychotic states can develop in as little as a day or two. Im most curious what was going on in this guys life the week before this happened. Theres a pretty good chance something would come up in speaking with the people in his life. If a story doesnt make sense, it means you dont have the real story, says Raison. Even people who are psychotic will tell you a crazy story. Its crazy, but it makes sense. More details are needed on Lubitzs story. Robotic and calm Perhaps the most chilling revelation so far is that Lubitz not only decided to do what he did, but that he ignored the pilots pleas to think about the lives on board and change his mind. It tells you hes at peace with what hes doing, says Raison. If you were uncertain or anxious, you might still open the cabin door (when the pilot was banging on the door and yelling to be let in). Calm determination to do this tells you he really believed in what he was doing. If you look at school shooters, they go into a dissociative state, says Gardere. Theyve been planning for quite some time. They go into this personality where they can calmly go into murder mode robotic and calm. Even when theyre shooting or doing something rageful, they behave in a calm manner. (Lubitz) knew when he got onto that plane that he wasnt coming back. World weighs in On Monday, Britains most senior psychiatrist told CNNs Christiane Amanpour that when a pilot is acutely depressed or suffering from any mental illness that impairs his or her ability to fly, he or she cannot fly an aircraft. We dont let pilots fly with depression, not because were worried that theyre going to murder everybody on board. Thats such an extraordinary possibility that thats not depression but because theyre impaired in concentration, memory and attention, which isnt good for a pilot, said Sir Simon Wessely, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and an adviser to the British army. Wessely added that the Germanwings plane crash might open a discussion on relaxing the laws of (doctor-patient) confidentiality in different countries, though in the United Kingdom, as well as in many other countries, a doctor is obliged to go to the authorities if he or she believes that people are genuinely being put at risk by one of their patients. CNNs John Bonifield contributed to this report. | Investigators believe Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9525. Lubitz suffered from anxiety and depression symptoms dating back to 2009, French newspaper reported. | bart | 0 | https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/31/europe/germanwings-co-pilot-medication/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_europe+%28RSS%3A+CNNi+-+Europe%29 | 0.307378 |
What was Germanwings co-pilot's mental state? | Story highlights Investigators believe Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9525, killing himself and 149 others Lubitz suffered from anxiety and depression symptoms dating back to 2009, French newspaper reported Doctor: It's 'rare for depression to cause people to kill other people' (CNN) Barring a revelation from his parents or girlfriend, we may never know what was going through the mind of Andreas Lubitz in the moments leading up to the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525. What we now know is that all indications point to Lubitz as the perpetrator of the crash, locking the pilot out of the cockpit and setting the aircraft on a fatal trajectory into a remote mountain range in the French Alps. Every day, more details come to light, as the world struggles to make sense of why a 27-year-old German man would apparently choose to deliberately crash a plane with 150 people on board, including himself and remain so calm while doing it. Unfit to work When investigators searched Lubitzs home in Dusseldorf, they found medical leave notes slashed, suggesting Lubitz was hiding an illness or illnesses from his employers. The dates for which Lubitz was excused from work included the day of the crash, though investigators have not yet revealed the reason he was excused, if any reason was written on the notes by his doctor. We do know, from a German aviation source, that Lubitz passed his annual pilot recertification examination last summer. An official with Lufthansa, the parent company of the budget airline Germanwings, said that the exam only tests physical health, not psychological health. He was 100% fit to fly without restrictions, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told reporters at press conference last week. His flight performance was perfect. There was nothing to worry about. Spohr added that Lubitz had interrupted his training, which he began in 2008. That break lasted several months, he said, but that such an interruption isnt uncommon. Lubitz suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, with severe depression symptoms dating back to 2009, according to French newspaper Le Parisien. While the main medical clinic in Dusseldorf denies it was treating Lubitz for depression, German investigators found antidepressant medications in Lubitzs apartment, according to published reports that CNN has not yet been able to independently confirm. Die Welt, a German newspaper, over the weekend cited an unidentified senior investigator, who said Lubitz suffered from severe subjective burnout syndrome and severe depression. More on the medications Someone who has a significant depressive episode or depressive disorder will oftentimes get an antidepressant alone, and many times will have a good resolution of those symptoms, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta told Poppy Harlow Sunday on CNN Newsroom. People who relapse or develop more of what is called a psychotic depression in addition may have symptoms of psychosis. Maybe they could be having delusions or hallucinations, but the idea is having breaks with reality. One of the medications Lubitz was prescribed is said to be Agomelatine (an antidepressant medication), according to Le Perisien. Antidepressants can sometimes make people suicidal, especially those suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other times, they can make patients manic or psychotic. The drugs list of warnings and precautions include metabolic changes such as weight gain and the potential for cognitive and motor impairment. Has potential to impair judgment, thinking and motor skills; use caution when operating machinery. In 2010, Lubitz received Olanzpine injections (an antipsychotic medication) to treat OCD, according to Le Perisien. Doctors advised Lubitz to be more active, practice a new sport and regain self-confidence. This is a powerful medication, said Gupta. If this is true, it sort of reads into the severity of just how bad the psychosis was, at least at one point in his life. There are other things besides psychosis for which the drug may be administered, but thats the most common use. One of the side effects is blurred vision. Citing two officials with knowledge of the investigation, The New York Times Saturday reported that Lubitz sought treatment for vision problems that might have put his career at risk. If he was prescribed this medication as an injectable five years ago, was now taking it as an oral antipsychotic and wasnt taking it because of it was causing these detrimental side effects, that could be very concerning, as well, said Gupta. Authorities have not ruled out that Lubitzs vision problem could have been psychosomatic. Many people have been asking how likely it is that depression could result in this sort of horrific action. In a word: Unlikely, says Dr. Charles Raison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona. Most people would just kill themselves, he says. Its very, very rare for depression to cause people to kill other people. This leads me to believe theres something else going on, like a personality character flaw. Forensic psychologist Jeff Gardere agrees. It has to be a very severe depression to the point that theres a psychosis thats a result of that depression, he says. Thats different than the schizophrenia part of psychosis. With this kind of depression, its so deep that you actually break with reality. Remember, Lubitz was in his late 20s and the odds of mental illness presenting at this age are much higher for someone in their 20s or 30s. Sometimes people lose touch with reality slowly. Other times, they lose touch really quickly, says Raison. Bipolar psychotic states can develop in as little as a day or two. Im most curious what was going on in this guys life the week before this happened. Theres a pretty good chance something would come up in speaking with the people in his life. If a story doesnt make sense, it means you dont have the real story, says Raison. Even people who are psychotic will tell you a crazy story. Its crazy, but it makes sense. More details are needed on Lubitzs story. Robotic and calm Perhaps the most chilling revelation so far is that Lubitz not only decided to do what he did, but that he ignored the pilots pleas to think about the lives on board and change his mind. It tells you hes at peace with what hes doing, says Raison. If you were uncertain or anxious, you might still open the cabin door (when the pilot was banging on the door and yelling to be let in). Calm determination to do this tells you he really believed in what he was doing. If you look at school shooters, they go into a dissociative state, says Gardere. Theyve been planning for quite some time. They go into this personality where they can calmly go into murder mode robotic and calm. Even when theyre shooting or doing something rageful, they behave in a calm manner. (Lubitz) knew when he got onto that plane that he wasnt coming back. World weighs in On Monday, Britains most senior psychiatrist told CNNs Christiane Amanpour that when a pilot is acutely depressed or suffering from any mental illness that impairs his or her ability to fly, he or she cannot fly an aircraft. We dont let pilots fly with depression, not because were worried that theyre going to murder everybody on board. Thats such an extraordinary possibility that thats not depression but because theyre impaired in concentration, memory and attention, which isnt good for a pilot, said Sir Simon Wessely, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and an adviser to the British army. Wessely added that the Germanwings plane crash might open a discussion on relaxing the laws of (doctor-patient) confidentiality in different countries, though in the United Kingdom, as well as in many other countries, a doctor is obliged to go to the authorities if he or she believes that people are genuinely being put at risk by one of their patients. CNNs John Bonifield contributed to this report. | Investigators believe Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9525. Lubitz suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, with severe depression symptoms dating back to 2009. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/31/europe/germanwings-co-pilot-medication/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_europe+%28RSS%3A+CNNi+-+Europe%29 | 0.405953 |
What was Germanwings co-pilot's mental state? | Story highlights Investigators believe Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9525, killing himself and 149 others Lubitz suffered from anxiety and depression symptoms dating back to 2009, French newspaper reported Doctor: It's 'rare for depression to cause people to kill other people' (CNN) Barring a revelation from his parents or girlfriend, we may never know what was going through the mind of Andreas Lubitz in the moments leading up to the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525. What we now know is that all indications point to Lubitz as the perpetrator of the crash, locking the pilot out of the cockpit and setting the aircraft on a fatal trajectory into a remote mountain range in the French Alps. Every day, more details come to light, as the world struggles to make sense of why a 27-year-old German man would apparently choose to deliberately crash a plane with 150 people on board, including himself and remain so calm while doing it. Unfit to work When investigators searched Lubitzs home in Dusseldorf, they found medical leave notes slashed, suggesting Lubitz was hiding an illness or illnesses from his employers. The dates for which Lubitz was excused from work included the day of the crash, though investigators have not yet revealed the reason he was excused, if any reason was written on the notes by his doctor. We do know, from a German aviation source, that Lubitz passed his annual pilot recertification examination last summer. An official with Lufthansa, the parent company of the budget airline Germanwings, said that the exam only tests physical health, not psychological health. He was 100% fit to fly without restrictions, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told reporters at press conference last week. His flight performance was perfect. There was nothing to worry about. Spohr added that Lubitz had interrupted his training, which he began in 2008. That break lasted several months, he said, but that such an interruption isnt uncommon. Lubitz suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, with severe depression symptoms dating back to 2009, according to French newspaper Le Parisien. While the main medical clinic in Dusseldorf denies it was treating Lubitz for depression, German investigators found antidepressant medications in Lubitzs apartment, according to published reports that CNN has not yet been able to independently confirm. Die Welt, a German newspaper, over the weekend cited an unidentified senior investigator, who said Lubitz suffered from severe subjective burnout syndrome and severe depression. More on the medications Someone who has a significant depressive episode or depressive disorder will oftentimes get an antidepressant alone, and many times will have a good resolution of those symptoms, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta told Poppy Harlow Sunday on CNN Newsroom. People who relapse or develop more of what is called a psychotic depression in addition may have symptoms of psychosis. Maybe they could be having delusions or hallucinations, but the idea is having breaks with reality. One of the medications Lubitz was prescribed is said to be Agomelatine (an antidepressant medication), according to Le Perisien. Antidepressants can sometimes make people suicidal, especially those suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other times, they can make patients manic or psychotic. The drugs list of warnings and precautions include metabolic changes such as weight gain and the potential for cognitive and motor impairment. Has potential to impair judgment, thinking and motor skills; use caution when operating machinery. In 2010, Lubitz received Olanzpine injections (an antipsychotic medication) to treat OCD, according to Le Perisien. Doctors advised Lubitz to be more active, practice a new sport and regain self-confidence. This is a powerful medication, said Gupta. If this is true, it sort of reads into the severity of just how bad the psychosis was, at least at one point in his life. There are other things besides psychosis for which the drug may be administered, but thats the most common use. One of the side effects is blurred vision. Citing two officials with knowledge of the investigation, The New York Times Saturday reported that Lubitz sought treatment for vision problems that might have put his career at risk. If he was prescribed this medication as an injectable five years ago, was now taking it as an oral antipsychotic and wasnt taking it because of it was causing these detrimental side effects, that could be very concerning, as well, said Gupta. Authorities have not ruled out that Lubitzs vision problem could have been psychosomatic. Many people have been asking how likely it is that depression could result in this sort of horrific action. In a word: Unlikely, says Dr. Charles Raison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona. Most people would just kill themselves, he says. Its very, very rare for depression to cause people to kill other people. This leads me to believe theres something else going on, like a personality character flaw. Forensic psychologist Jeff Gardere agrees. It has to be a very severe depression to the point that theres a psychosis thats a result of that depression, he says. Thats different than the schizophrenia part of psychosis. With this kind of depression, its so deep that you actually break with reality. Remember, Lubitz was in his late 20s and the odds of mental illness presenting at this age are much higher for someone in their 20s or 30s. Sometimes people lose touch with reality slowly. Other times, they lose touch really quickly, says Raison. Bipolar psychotic states can develop in as little as a day or two. Im most curious what was going on in this guys life the week before this happened. Theres a pretty good chance something would come up in speaking with the people in his life. If a story doesnt make sense, it means you dont have the real story, says Raison. Even people who are psychotic will tell you a crazy story. Its crazy, but it makes sense. More details are needed on Lubitzs story. Robotic and calm Perhaps the most chilling revelation so far is that Lubitz not only decided to do what he did, but that he ignored the pilots pleas to think about the lives on board and change his mind. It tells you hes at peace with what hes doing, says Raison. If you were uncertain or anxious, you might still open the cabin door (when the pilot was banging on the door and yelling to be let in). Calm determination to do this tells you he really believed in what he was doing. If you look at school shooters, they go into a dissociative state, says Gardere. Theyve been planning for quite some time. They go into this personality where they can calmly go into murder mode robotic and calm. Even when theyre shooting or doing something rageful, they behave in a calm manner. (Lubitz) knew when he got onto that plane that he wasnt coming back. World weighs in On Monday, Britains most senior psychiatrist told CNNs Christiane Amanpour that when a pilot is acutely depressed or suffering from any mental illness that impairs his or her ability to fly, he or she cannot fly an aircraft. We dont let pilots fly with depression, not because were worried that theyre going to murder everybody on board. Thats such an extraordinary possibility that thats not depression but because theyre impaired in concentration, memory and attention, which isnt good for a pilot, said Sir Simon Wessely, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and an adviser to the British army. Wessely added that the Germanwings plane crash might open a discussion on relaxing the laws of (doctor-patient) confidentiality in different countries, though in the United Kingdom, as well as in many other countries, a doctor is obliged to go to the authorities if he or she believes that people are genuinely being put at risk by one of their patients. CNNs John Bonifield contributed to this report. | Investigators believe Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9525. Lubitz suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, with severe depression symptoms dating back to 2009, French newspaper Le Parisien reports. The Germanwings co-pilot was prescribed an antidepressant, Le Perisien says. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/31/europe/germanwings-co-pilot-medication/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_europe+%28RSS%3A+CNNi+-+Europe%29 | 0.575959 |
What are cow dung cakes and why are people taking them to the US? | Cow dung cakes are potential carriers of the highly contagious Foot and Mouth disease (US Customs and Border Protection) Customs officials at Dulles Airport in suburban Washington, DC, were stunned to discover a stash of cow dung cakes left behind in the baggage of an Air India passenger last week. The mystery manure bricks had to be taken away and destroyed by perplexed US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on Tuesday. That is not a typo, CBP wrote in a tweet, warning travellers against importing such items in future. CBP agriculture specialists found two cow dung cakes in a suitcase that was left behind after passengers from an Air India flight cleared CBPs inspection station on April 4. Elaborating on their find, the agency acknowledged that: Cow dung is reported to be a vital energy and cooking source in some parts of the world. Cow dung has also been reportedly used as a skin detoxifier, an antimicrobial, and as a fertiliser. However, their import is banned in the US because of their potential to carry Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a sickness the countrys cattle has not suffered from since 1929 but a single case of which has the potential to bring the international livestock trade to a total standstill. FMD is one of the animal diseases that livestock owners dread most, has grave economic consequences, and it is a critical threat focus of Customs and Border Protections agriculture protection mission, commented Keith Fleming, acting director of field operations for CBPs Baltimore Field Office. CBPs agriculture specialists are our nations frontline protectors of vital agricultural and natural resources that help keep our nations economy strong and robust. The UK suffered a disastrous outbreak of FMD in 2001, when an estimated 2,000 cases were diagnosed across the country, leading to the killing of six million cows and sheep to stop the spread at a cost of 8bn to the British economy in lost revenue from agriculture and rural tourism. As for the dung cakes, they are traditionally used as a potent, cheap and practical biofuel in parts of India, hand-sculpted into dry slabs and employed in domestic cooking on a hearth known as a Chulha. Story continues They are readily available for purchase from Amazon in India and are popular given that a single smouldering patty can give off as much as 2,100 kilojoules of energy once lit, so their absence from US barbecue grills may be Americas loss. Having said that, US citizens could perfectly well make their own by buying a bag from Walmart. Cattle excrement made the news for a second time last week, when doctors in Covid-hit India warned Hindu residents of Gujarat against slathering their bodies in the stuff to fend off the coronavirus, insisting it offered no protection and was more likely to endanger health than boost it. Worshippers pray after applying cow dung to their bodies on the outskirts of AhmedabadReuters Dr Dnyaneshwar Dhobale Pati, president of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, told The Independent that smearing cow dung on the body risked causing infections and triggering allergies as numerous micro-organisms are present in the matter. It is cow faeces at the end of the day and has many micro-organisms, which can enter the body. Its excess usage can also aggravate pneumonia. There is no scientific evidence of its medicinal usage. So by all means burn it, just dont smuggle it aboard US-bound flights or baste it on your skin. Read More US customs finds and destroys cow dung cakes found in baggage of Indian passenger at airport Indias top medical association warns over health risks of using cow dung as Covid treatment | Cow dung cakes are banned in the US because of their potential to carry Foot and Mouth Disease. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://news.yahoo.com/cow-dung-cakes-why-people-163523229.html | 0.420055 |
What are cow dung cakes and why are people taking them to the US? | Cow dung cakes are potential carriers of the highly contagious Foot and Mouth disease (US Customs and Border Protection) Customs officials at Dulles Airport in suburban Washington, DC, were stunned to discover a stash of cow dung cakes left behind in the baggage of an Air India passenger last week. The mystery manure bricks had to be taken away and destroyed by perplexed US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on Tuesday. That is not a typo, CBP wrote in a tweet, warning travellers against importing such items in future. CBP agriculture specialists found two cow dung cakes in a suitcase that was left behind after passengers from an Air India flight cleared CBPs inspection station on April 4. Elaborating on their find, the agency acknowledged that: Cow dung is reported to be a vital energy and cooking source in some parts of the world. Cow dung has also been reportedly used as a skin detoxifier, an antimicrobial, and as a fertiliser. However, their import is banned in the US because of their potential to carry Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a sickness the countrys cattle has not suffered from since 1929 but a single case of which has the potential to bring the international livestock trade to a total standstill. FMD is one of the animal diseases that livestock owners dread most, has grave economic consequences, and it is a critical threat focus of Customs and Border Protections agriculture protection mission, commented Keith Fleming, acting director of field operations for CBPs Baltimore Field Office. CBPs agriculture specialists are our nations frontline protectors of vital agricultural and natural resources that help keep our nations economy strong and robust. The UK suffered a disastrous outbreak of FMD in 2001, when an estimated 2,000 cases were diagnosed across the country, leading to the killing of six million cows and sheep to stop the spread at a cost of 8bn to the British economy in lost revenue from agriculture and rural tourism. As for the dung cakes, they are traditionally used as a potent, cheap and practical biofuel in parts of India, hand-sculpted into dry slabs and employed in domestic cooking on a hearth known as a Chulha. Story continues They are readily available for purchase from Amazon in India and are popular given that a single smouldering patty can give off as much as 2,100 kilojoules of energy once lit, so their absence from US barbecue grills may be Americas loss. Having said that, US citizens could perfectly well make their own by buying a bag from Walmart. Cattle excrement made the news for a second time last week, when doctors in Covid-hit India warned Hindu residents of Gujarat against slathering their bodies in the stuff to fend off the coronavirus, insisting it offered no protection and was more likely to endanger health than boost it. Worshippers pray after applying cow dung to their bodies on the outskirts of AhmedabadReuters Dr Dnyaneshwar Dhobale Pati, president of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, told The Independent that smearing cow dung on the body risked causing infections and triggering allergies as numerous micro-organisms are present in the matter. It is cow faeces at the end of the day and has many micro-organisms, which can enter the body. Its excess usage can also aggravate pneumonia. There is no scientific evidence of its medicinal usage. So by all means burn it, just dont smuggle it aboard US-bound flights or baste it on your skin. Read More US customs finds and destroys cow dung cakes found in baggage of Indian passenger at airport Indias top medical association warns over health risks of using cow dung as Covid treatment | Cow dung cakes are banned in the US because of their potential to carry Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) A single case of FMD has the potential to bring the international livestock trade to a total standstill. | bart | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/cow-dung-cakes-why-people-163523229.html | 0.532383 |
What are cow dung cakes and why are people taking them to the US? | Cow dung cakes are potential carriers of the highly contagious Foot and Mouth disease (US Customs and Border Protection) Customs officials at Dulles Airport in suburban Washington, DC, were stunned to discover a stash of cow dung cakes left behind in the baggage of an Air India passenger last week. The mystery manure bricks had to be taken away and destroyed by perplexed US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents on Tuesday. That is not a typo, CBP wrote in a tweet, warning travellers against importing such items in future. CBP agriculture specialists found two cow dung cakes in a suitcase that was left behind after passengers from an Air India flight cleared CBPs inspection station on April 4. Elaborating on their find, the agency acknowledged that: Cow dung is reported to be a vital energy and cooking source in some parts of the world. Cow dung has also been reportedly used as a skin detoxifier, an antimicrobial, and as a fertiliser. However, their import is banned in the US because of their potential to carry Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a sickness the countrys cattle has not suffered from since 1929 but a single case of which has the potential to bring the international livestock trade to a total standstill. FMD is one of the animal diseases that livestock owners dread most, has grave economic consequences, and it is a critical threat focus of Customs and Border Protections agriculture protection mission, commented Keith Fleming, acting director of field operations for CBPs Baltimore Field Office. CBPs agriculture specialists are our nations frontline protectors of vital agricultural and natural resources that help keep our nations economy strong and robust. The UK suffered a disastrous outbreak of FMD in 2001, when an estimated 2,000 cases were diagnosed across the country, leading to the killing of six million cows and sheep to stop the spread at a cost of 8bn to the British economy in lost revenue from agriculture and rural tourism. As for the dung cakes, they are traditionally used as a potent, cheap and practical biofuel in parts of India, hand-sculpted into dry slabs and employed in domestic cooking on a hearth known as a Chulha. Story continues They are readily available for purchase from Amazon in India and are popular given that a single smouldering patty can give off as much as 2,100 kilojoules of energy once lit, so their absence from US barbecue grills may be Americas loss. Having said that, US citizens could perfectly well make their own by buying a bag from Walmart. Cattle excrement made the news for a second time last week, when doctors in Covid-hit India warned Hindu residents of Gujarat against slathering their bodies in the stuff to fend off the coronavirus, insisting it offered no protection and was more likely to endanger health than boost it. Worshippers pray after applying cow dung to their bodies on the outskirts of AhmedabadReuters Dr Dnyaneshwar Dhobale Pati, president of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, told The Independent that smearing cow dung on the body risked causing infections and triggering allergies as numerous micro-organisms are present in the matter. It is cow faeces at the end of the day and has many micro-organisms, which can enter the body. Its excess usage can also aggravate pneumonia. There is no scientific evidence of its medicinal usage. So by all means burn it, just dont smuggle it aboard US-bound flights or baste it on your skin. Read More US customs finds and destroys cow dung cakes found in baggage of Indian passenger at airport Indias top medical association warns over health risks of using cow dung as Covid treatment | Cow dung cakes are banned in the US because of their potential to carry Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) A single case of FMD has the potential to bring the international livestock trade to a total standstill. Cow dung is traditionally used as a potent, cheap and practical biofuel in parts of India. | bart | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/cow-dung-cakes-why-people-163523229.html | 0.559516 |
Is it time to give auto consignment a test drive? | The United States has felt a disruption in every corner of the economy over the last year, and auto sales are no exception. In April, the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index rose to 179.2, a 26.2% increase from a year ago, according to Cox Automotive. It is not uncommon to see a spring bounce in wholesale prices, but a 26.2% increase is a leap by any measure, Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke said in a news release. And, as we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel that is the coronavirus pandemic, increasing consumer confidence and decreasing unemployment create market conditions that lead to sizable price gains in the first quarter. As used-vehicle sales increase with limited demand, you may be wondering how to get the highest value for your car when selling and avoid paying an inflated price when buying. The good news is, theres more than one way to buy and sell quality used cars. Auto consignment is when a vehicle owner allows a dealership to market and sell their car for an agreed-upon price. On the buying side, consignment customers often have the option of browsing auto inventory online and requesting upfront pricing before visiting the dealership for a test drive. Auto consignment is a great option for both sellers and buyers because it provides all the value benefits and more of a private party sale with the convenience benefits of working with a high-end retailer, says Michael Bor, CEO of CarLotz. Sellers dont have to settle for the lowball dealership offer as they get to benefit from the actual retail price of the vehicle less a small fee for the sale. And buyers get high-quality vehicles at a slight discount to retail and all the benefits of a high-end retailer like financing options, trade-ins and more. As Bor notes, like traditional pre-owned sales, cars bought through consignment are available for local test drives, and youll still find essential items like an inspection report, limited warranty and financing options attached to the deal. Advertising In his experience, CarLotz COO John Foley says the most surprising thing for their customers is what isnt part of the deal. Our team, as opposed to traditional dealers, has noncommissioned sales associates, he says. So whether or not you even buy a car, theyll get compensated. Theyre just there to take care of you. And if you do want to buy a car, there is no car that as a company or as a team, we are more motivated to sell. We just want to make sure our guests find the car thats right for them. With sales transparency comes a greater understanding of the process for both buyers and sellers, which is less common in non-consignment deals. Foley notes that CarLotz charges car sellers $299 to list and market the vehicle and a flat $799 fee once the car sells successfully. He also encourages buyers to work with their sales associates to compare the benefits of upfront consignment pricing with the wholesale price of a used car. In either case, the terms are clearly outlined. All of our fees are listed on our web page, Foley says, so everybody knows when they buy from us exactly what CarLotz is making through the transaction. An online presence with a local feel Technology has shifted the way consumers prefer to shop for cars. While 75% of Americans still want to see a vehicle in person before buying, most want to do their research, warranty and financing paperwork online, according to consulting firm Deloittes 2021 Global Automotive Consumer Study. The hybrid approach to car buying and selling is already the center of CarLotzs business model. While CarLotz is a national company, its success hinges on local expertise. When we select a new market to enter, the first thing we do is find a local champion who understands the market to be our general manager, Bor says. Our business doesnt exist without a focus on hiring the best talent in the local market, he says. Its more about the people than the cars. CarLotzs Lynnwood location has vehicles available to see and test drive locally. Weve had a lot of demand for our services on the West Coast, Foley says. We are definitely bringing job opportunities to people in the community and also putting more money back into the local economy by helping buyers get the best deals and helping sellers earn more money that they can turn around and spend in their own neighborhoods. The CarLotz auto consignment model reduces overhead and inventory costs, so buyers pay below traditional dealer prices. Noncommissioned sales and our simple finance process makes buying easy. Swing by anytime for a test drive, or shop 100% online. | Auto consignment is when a vehicle owner allows a dealership to market and sell their car for an agreed-upon price. Consignment customers often have the option of requesting upfront pricing before visiting the dealership for a test drive. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sponsored/is-it-time-to-give-auto-consignment-a-test-drive/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all | 0.252301 |
Should the Mets have let Taijuan Walker pitch on Monday? | Mets Taijuan Walker front facing vs Braves 5/17 In Taijuan Walkers start last Wednesday against Baltimore, his left side was enough of an issue that he did not swing in three at-bats to protect it. Five days later, Walker ended his outing in Atlanta early because of tightness in his side. The question comes in light of recent injuries that Jacob deGrom and Jeff McNeil tried to play through before landing on the injured list. Now down more players than we can recite from memory, the team can hardly afford to take additional risks. Walker will undergo an MRI on Tuesday but maintained that his injury wasnt anything too serious. Asked why he started five days after feeling unable to swing, he said, I felt pretty good. We did a lot of work to get it better, and I felt good yesterday. Threw off the mound a little bit yesterday and it felt good. The first pitch [on Monday] it just kind of grabbed on me and just never got better throughout the game. Its natural for an athlete to want to compete, and they often play through minor injuries. If a pitcher skipped a start every time he felt tight somewhere, he would hardly ever pitch. But with side muscles -- obliques, intercostals, rib cages -- re-injury is a particular risk, and setbacks can become long-term absences. Manager Luis Rojas defended the teams process in evaluating Walker between starts. He had some light tightness, Rojas said. Thats what everyone called it. He called it. The medical staff called it as well. Nothing concerning that would put him in a situation where he couldnt pitch or he couldnt compete out there. He didnt swing because I believe that he started feeling the tightness on a swing that he took. But there was no concern whatsoever going into this start ... he checked all the boxes going in there, the same as he did in the two previous starts Rojas also correctly noted that Walker was cruising through three scoreless innings before determining that he couldnt continue. When something is tight, its different from when its really sore, Rojas said. Its not the same thing. Tightness you can work it out and be fine guys play through tightness and they get their treatment pregame and they loosen the area up and they go and play. And thats what we felt Taijuan was dealing with. On Tuesday, the Mets will learn more about if they will lose Walker for longer. For now, they are left to hope that the outcome is better than it was with deGrom and McNeil. | Taijuan Walker left Monday's start against the Braves early because of tightness in his side. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://sports.yahoo.com/mets-left-taijuan-walker-pitch-040205422.html?src=rss | 0.172641 |
Should the Mets have let Taijuan Walker pitch on Monday? | Mets Taijuan Walker front facing vs Braves 5/17 In Taijuan Walkers start last Wednesday against Baltimore, his left side was enough of an issue that he did not swing in three at-bats to protect it. Five days later, Walker ended his outing in Atlanta early because of tightness in his side. The question comes in light of recent injuries that Jacob deGrom and Jeff McNeil tried to play through before landing on the injured list. Now down more players than we can recite from memory, the team can hardly afford to take additional risks. Walker will undergo an MRI on Tuesday but maintained that his injury wasnt anything too serious. Asked why he started five days after feeling unable to swing, he said, I felt pretty good. We did a lot of work to get it better, and I felt good yesterday. Threw off the mound a little bit yesterday and it felt good. The first pitch [on Monday] it just kind of grabbed on me and just never got better throughout the game. Its natural for an athlete to want to compete, and they often play through minor injuries. If a pitcher skipped a start every time he felt tight somewhere, he would hardly ever pitch. But with side muscles -- obliques, intercostals, rib cages -- re-injury is a particular risk, and setbacks can become long-term absences. Manager Luis Rojas defended the teams process in evaluating Walker between starts. He had some light tightness, Rojas said. Thats what everyone called it. He called it. The medical staff called it as well. Nothing concerning that would put him in a situation where he couldnt pitch or he couldnt compete out there. He didnt swing because I believe that he started feeling the tightness on a swing that he took. But there was no concern whatsoever going into this start ... he checked all the boxes going in there, the same as he did in the two previous starts Rojas also correctly noted that Walker was cruising through three scoreless innings before determining that he couldnt continue. When something is tight, its different from when its really sore, Rojas said. Its not the same thing. Tightness you can work it out and be fine guys play through tightness and they get their treatment pregame and they loosen the area up and they go and play. And thats what we felt Taijuan was dealing with. On Tuesday, the Mets will learn more about if they will lose Walker for longer. For now, they are left to hope that the outcome is better than it was with deGrom and McNeil. | Taijuan Walker left Monday's start against the Braves early because of tightness in his side. Mets manager Luis Rojas defended the team's process in evaluating Walker between starts. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/mets-left-taijuan-walker-pitch-040205422.html?src=rss | 0.324313 |
Should the Mets have let Taijuan Walker pitch on Monday? | Mets Taijuan Walker front facing vs Braves 5/17 In Taijuan Walkers start last Wednesday against Baltimore, his left side was enough of an issue that he did not swing in three at-bats to protect it. Five days later, Walker ended his outing in Atlanta early because of tightness in his side. The question comes in light of recent injuries that Jacob deGrom and Jeff McNeil tried to play through before landing on the injured list. Now down more players than we can recite from memory, the team can hardly afford to take additional risks. Walker will undergo an MRI on Tuesday but maintained that his injury wasnt anything too serious. Asked why he started five days after feeling unable to swing, he said, I felt pretty good. We did a lot of work to get it better, and I felt good yesterday. Threw off the mound a little bit yesterday and it felt good. The first pitch [on Monday] it just kind of grabbed on me and just never got better throughout the game. Its natural for an athlete to want to compete, and they often play through minor injuries. If a pitcher skipped a start every time he felt tight somewhere, he would hardly ever pitch. But with side muscles -- obliques, intercostals, rib cages -- re-injury is a particular risk, and setbacks can become long-term absences. Manager Luis Rojas defended the teams process in evaluating Walker between starts. He had some light tightness, Rojas said. Thats what everyone called it. He called it. The medical staff called it as well. Nothing concerning that would put him in a situation where he couldnt pitch or he couldnt compete out there. He didnt swing because I believe that he started feeling the tightness on a swing that he took. But there was no concern whatsoever going into this start ... he checked all the boxes going in there, the same as he did in the two previous starts Rojas also correctly noted that Walker was cruising through three scoreless innings before determining that he couldnt continue. When something is tight, its different from when its really sore, Rojas said. Its not the same thing. Tightness you can work it out and be fine guys play through tightness and they get their treatment pregame and they loosen the area up and they go and play. And thats what we felt Taijuan was dealing with. On Tuesday, the Mets will learn more about if they will lose Walker for longer. For now, they are left to hope that the outcome is better than it was with deGrom and McNeil. | Taijuan Walker left Monday's start against the Braves early because of tightness in his side. Mets manager Luis Rojas defended the team's process in evaluating Walker between starts. The Mets are now down more players than we can recite from memory, the team can hardly afford to take additional risks. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/mets-left-taijuan-walker-pitch-040205422.html?src=rss | 0.419832 |
Does Johnson & Johnsons Covid Vaccine Still Matter? | Johnson and Johnson vaccine manufacturer logo is photographed with a vial and spilled liquid for an ... [+] illustration photo. Krakow, Poland on May 5th, 2021. Within less than 12 months after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several research teams rose to the challenge and developed vaccines that protect from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images Although Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) began the rollout of its Covid-19 vaccine in the United States in early March 2021, it is seeing a very slow deployment. Just about 600k doses were allocated to states for the week of May 10th, compared to over 10 million doses for Pfizers shot, and no doses are apparently allocated for this week. The slow rollout comes amid fears of extremely rare but potentially deadly blood clots in patients who received the J&J shot and also due to supply constraints, with a manufacturing facility operated by J&J subcontractor Emergent Biosolutions EBS coming under scrutiny by the U.S. FDA for multiple lapses. Now with about half the U.S population having received at least one shot of a vaccine, and inoculation drives moving to lower age groups with the approval of Pfizers shot for adolescents, the J&J shot seems unlikely to play a major role in the U.S. inoculation drive. That said, we still think the vaccine has a lot of room for scaling up internationally. The global inoculation drive is still in the early stages, with just about 1.45 billion doses being administered globally per the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker enough to fully vaccinate under 10% of the worlds population. We still think the J&J shot could do much of the heavy lifting in getting the global population, particularly in lower-income countries, inoculated against Covid-19, given its single-dose requirement and relatively easy storage. For instance, South Africa is likely to rely heavily on the J&J shot, while the shot is also likely to be available in India in the coming months. Moreover, most experts think that Covid is likely to become endemic, and vaccine shots could become an annual occurrence, much like flu shots. J&J has indicated that it was studying booster shots and new vaccines that might be needed to tackle evolving variants of the virus. While J&J pledged to sell its Covid vaccine on a not-for-profit basis through the current pandemic, it could potentially turn a profit from new vaccines and booster shots in the future. See our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines. [Updated 12/4/2020] Johnson & Johnson JNJ Vaccine UpdatesJohnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) began the rollout of its single-dose Covid-19 vaccine in the United States in early March 2021. Below are some of the recent updates relating to the vaccine. The supply of J&Js Covid-19 vaccine is expected to decline by about 85% in the U.S. this week, as the company faces some manufacturing challenges. Total supply through the U.S. is likely to stand at about 1.5 million doses, down from 11 million for last week. That said, the company says that it is on track to deliver 100 million doses to the United States government by the end of May. Separately, the European Unions health agency is investigating reports that a few people developed serious blood clots after receiving J&Js Covid-19 vaccine in the U.S. However, we think its unlikely that this will impact the eventual rollout of the shot which was recently approved for use in the E.U. There have been only four reported cases of serious blood clots. In comparison, J&J shipped about 20 million doses of the shot to the U.S. in March. This likely means that the benefits of the vaccine should outweigh a very small risk of severe adverse effects. J&J plans to conduct a bridging study for its Covid-19 vaccine in India shortly. Bridging trials are supplementary clinical studies performed in a new country in order to gather data on efficacy, safety, and dose regimen based on the regional demographics. India, which has a population of over 1.3 billion people, is facing a shortage of vaccines just as Covid-19 cases in the country soar. A successful bridging study should enable J&J to deploy its one-dose shot locally. See our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines. [4/1/2021] How Is J&Js Vaccine Rollout Going?Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) began the rollout of its single-dose Covid-19 shot in the U.S. in early March. Here are some of the recent developments relating to the vaccine. While Johnson & Johnson beat its March delivery target for the U.S., providing the government with over 20 million doses, a recent error at the plant of a vaccine manufacturing partner, Emergent BioSolutions, apparently contaminated about 15 million doses of the shot. The problem was identified quickly, and none of the doses left the plant. While we think it is likely that the error could impact near-term supply growth for the shot, J&J says that it is on track to deliver 100 million doses to the U.S. by the end of June, or possibly sooner. Separately, the vaccine received approval from E.U regulators in mid-March and Johnson & Johnson says that it is likely to start delivering doses to the bloc starting from April 19. The E.U has entered into a firm order for 200 million doses of the vaccine, and has an option for 200 million additional doses. The E.Us vaccination drive has been progressing much slower than expected, and it is likely that the J&J shot will help to speed up inoculation efforts considerably. Thus far, less than 4% of the global population ((Bloomberg vaccine tracker)) has been vaccinated for Covid-19 and we think that J&Js shot could play a big role in improving coverage. The shots single-dose requirement and the fact that it can be stored at standard refrigerator temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius should make it much more accessible. J&J plans to produce around one billion doses this year. Although the headline efficacy number for the vaccine (66%) is lower compared to rivals, the shot still provides 100% efficacy against Covid-related hospitalization and death which is a key endpoint for vaccines. [3/2/2021] J&Js Vaccine Is Approved Johnson & Johnsons (NYSE:JNJ) single-dose Covid-19 vaccine received emergency use approval from the U.S. FDA late last week, with a rollout expected to begin shortly. Overall, the vaccine isnt expected to really move the needle for J&Js bottom line, as it intends to sell the shot at cost through the pandemic. However, J&Js quick development of a differentiated Covid-19 vaccine should give investors confidence that the company still has the capability to innovate quickly, despite the fact that it isnt really a major vaccine maker. In contrast, even Merck which has a rich history of vaccine development had to abandon its Covid-19 vaccine program last month citing a weak immune response. Separately, the vaccine should help J&J rebuild its brand image after it faced setbacks amid lawsuits relating to contamination of its baby and other talc products. The end of Covid-19 should also bode well for diversified healthcare companies like Johnson & Johnson, as hospital visits and elective procedures rebound. Now J&J has about four million doses of the shot ready to ship this week, with a total of 100 million doses expected to be delivered to the U.S. by the end of June, per a contract with the U.S. government. J&J plans to produce around one billion doses by the end of this year. Although the vaccines efficacy figure of 72% in U.S. clinical trials is behind Pfizer and Moderna who have shots that are around 95% effective, the J&J shot is 100% effective against hospitalization and death. Also, being a single dose shot, governments can vaccinate populations twice as fast with a given number of doses compared to the other shots on the market. Moreover, this is the first vaccine to be reviewed by the FDA after the two new variants of the novel Coronavirus were discovered. [2/19/2021] J&J Vaccine UpdatesJohnson & Johnsons (NYSE:JNJ) single-dose Covid-19 vaccine has started to roll-out in South Africa. The shot is being administered as part of a research study that is targeting up to half a million healthcare workers and marks the first time the vaccine is being deployed outside of clinical trials. Earlier this month, South Africa paused the roll-out of AstraZenecas vaccine, which was apparently not effective against the Covid-19 strain dominant in the country. The J&J shot, on the other hand, has shown about 57% efficacy in preventing moderate and severe Covid-19 infections in South African trials. Separately, the U.S. FDA is likely to review the vaccine data on February 26, and its likely that the vaccine will be granted emergency authorization by early March with vaccinations potentially starting shortly after that. J&J has a contract with the U.S. government to supply about 100 million doses by the end of June, although initial supplies are reportedly very limited. J&J is also seeking authorization for its shot from the E.U. The European Medicines Agency, the European drug regulator, is expected to issue an opinion on the shot by mid-March. See our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines. [2/1/2021] J&J Vaccines 66% Efficacy Is Better Than It LooksJohnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) announced that its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine was 66% effective in preventing moderate and severe cases of Covid-19 in its global phase 3 trials. Efficacy varied by region, with the shot proving 72% effective in the U.S., 66% effective in Latin America, and around 57% effective in South Africa. Although the headline efficacy figures put J&J behind both Moderna and Pfizer, which have vaccines that are over 90% effective in the market, J&Js shot remains very promising for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the shot only requires a single dose and this should greatly reduce logistical costs and help to vaccinate populations twice as fast with a given number of doses compared to the other shots on the market. This is valuable in the midst of a pandemic. Secondly, the shot has shown complete protection against hospitalization and deaths, 28 days post-vaccination. [1] Moreover, the efficacy figures actually compare quite favorably with some other vaccines. For example, the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine posted an efficacy rate of roughly 62% with the standard two-dose regimen that is currently being used in the U.K. In fact, even annual flu vaccines are typically only around 40% to 60% effective. Additionally, J&J started late-stage trials to evaluate a two-dose regimen of its vaccine, with recruitment likely to be completed by this March. Its possible that this dosing could offer better efficacy levels. See our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines. [1/25/2021] Johnson & Johnson Vaccine UpdatedJohnson & Johnsons (NYSE:JNJ) Covid-19 vaccine is one of the most closely watched shots against the novel coronavirus, given that it is backed by one of the worlds largest pharma companies and is expected to require only a single dose. Heres a quick rundown of the expected timeline for the vaccines launch. Johnson & Johnson is expected to provide data from its phase 3 trial of around 45k participants around the last week of January or the first week of February and file for emergency use approval with the U.S. FDA post that if the results are positive. The process of preparing and filing for an application could take a week or two, after which the FDA review and potential approval is likely to take another two to three weeks. For perspective, the FDA review process took about three weeks for Pfizer and slightly less for Moderna. Considering this, its likely that the J&J shot should be approved for use by sometime in March. This would put the shot at least two to three months behind Pfizer, which received emergency approval from the FDA on December 11, 2020. That being said, theres plenty of room for the company to scale up as vaccination drives are still in the very early stages. Per the Bloomberg vaccine tracker, only around 66 million people, in the 56 countries being tracked, have been vaccinated. The U.S. has administered 22.4 million doses. [2] Moreover, J&Js shot should see strong demand, given that it is likely to be a one-dose vaccine that is apparently going to be easy to store and distribute, helping to make mass vaccination drives much more straightforward. See our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines. [1/15/2021] Johnson & Johnson Vaccine UpdatesJohnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is developing one of the most closely watched Covid-19 vaccines, considering that it is a single-dose shot that should be relatively easy to distribute. Heres a quick rundown on the recent developments for the vaccine. Based on data from the phase 1/2 trials of 805 participants, published on Wednesday, the vaccine generated a long-lasting immune response with 90% of participants generating neutralizing antibodies against the Coronavirus. [3] Based on these early-stage findings the company expects the vaccine to be more than 70% effective, noting that efficacy could reach very high levels. For perspective, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are being rolled out in the U.S. are over 90% effective. More conclusive efficacy data from J&Js phase 3 study which has 45,000 volunteers is expected in the coming weeks with the company likely to proceed with emergency approval if the results are favorable. Separately, there have been reports that the company is seeing some manufacturing delays for the vaccine. While J&J was expected to deliver 12 million doses by the end of February and 100 million by the end of June, it has reportedly fallen behind these goals by as much as two months. [4] As of last September, the company said that it had plans to deliver over a billion doses by the end of 2021. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is expected to report interim data from the phase 3 trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate this month, providing insight into its safety and efficacy. The company has completed enrollment on the trial, with 45,000 people for the trial, below its initial target of 60,000, although this is unlikely to make a difference as higher rates of Coronavirus infections in the U.S. are likely to allow it to gather the data it needs with fewer volunteers. If all goes well, J&J could apply for emergency use approval from the U.S. FDA as early as February. Although J&J is at least two months behind Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) who have already started to roll out their vaccines, J&Js shot could be much sought after if it proves as safe and effective as rivals, considering that it likely requires only a single dose, unlike rival vaccines which require two shots to be given a few weeks apart. Overall, the vaccine isnt expected to really move the needle for J&J financially, as it intends to sell the vaccine at cost through the pandemic. However, the vaccine should help the company rebuild its brand image after it faced setbacks amid lawsuits relating to contamination of its baby and other talc products. Secondly, the end of Covid-19 should bode well for diversified healthcare companies like Johnson and Johnson, as hospital visits and elective procedures rise. The focus could also shift back to the companys blockbuster drugs, including Stelara, Imbruvica, and Darzalex, which posted about 22% y-o-y growth over the first nine months of 2020. See our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines. [Updated 12/7/2020] Covid-19 Vaccine stocksJohnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is seen as a key player in the Covid-19 vaccine race. The company started phase 3 trials in September and expects to file for emergency approval by early 2021 if the vaccine is safe and effective. While rivals Pfizer and Modernas vaccines will have a head start, given that they have completed phase 3 trials with exceptionally strong results and are likely to start shipping their vaccines in the coming weeks, Johnson & Johnsons candidate remains promising for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the company is targeting a single-dose regimen for the vaccine, unlike most of the other players which require two doses (although it also started a two-dose regimen to evaluate incremental benefits). This should make it much easier to administer at the time of a pandemic, putting less stress on the healthcare infrastructure. Secondly, the distribution could also be relatively seamless as the vaccine is expected to remain stable for at least three months at refrigerator-like temperatures, unlike some other vaccines (such as Pfizers) that need specialized freezers. The vaccine is also likely to be relatively affordable. Per a deal with the U.S. government, Johnson & Johnson has priced its vaccine at about $10 per dose. Thats well below Pfizers ($19 per dose) and Moderna ($25 to $37 per dose). Although the vaccine is unlikely to move the needle for the company in the near-term, as it will provide the shots for a not-for-profit basis through the pandemic, it could have an incremental impact post that. See our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines. [Updated 11/4/2020] Covid-19 Vaccine stocks Our indicative theme of Covid-19 Vaccine stocks which includes a diverse set of U.S.-based pharma and biotech companies developing Covid vaccines is up by about 560% year-to-date, on an equally weighted basis, compared to the S&P 500 which has gained just about 4% over the same period. While most vaccine stocks declined last week, amid a broader sell-off in the markets, they are likely to come back into the spotlight as efficacy data from late-stage trials is expected from frontrunners Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) in the coming weeks. Below is a bit more on the companies in our theme of Coronavirus Vaccine stocks and their relative performance. Novavax (NVAX), a vaccine development company, began late-stage trials of its Covid vaccine in the U.K in September, and large-scale phase 3 trials are due to begin in the U.S. and Mexico this month. While the company doesnt have any other products on the market yet, its flu vaccine NanoFlu could be ready for potential FDA approval. The company has received about $1.6 billion in funding from the Federal government. The stock has soared 2,000% year-to-date. NVAX Moderna (MRNA) , a clinical-stage biotech company, is carrying out phase 3 trials of its Covid-19 vaccine, completing enrollment of 30,000 participants. The company is likely to have data on whether its vaccine works or not by this month, and has noted that it would seek emergency approval from the FDA if the vaccine is at least 70% effective. The stock is up 253% this year. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): Unlike most other vaccine candidates, which are likely to require two shots, J&J is targeting a single-dose vaccine. While the company had to pause trials in mid-October after an illness was reported in a volunteer, the company is now preparing to resume trials. The stock is down by -5.1% this year. Pfizer (PFE) is working with German partner BioNTech on a Covid-19 vaccine. The company is likely to have efficacy data from late-stage trials available shortly. The company could supply about 40 million doses in the United States in 2020 if the data is positive and regulators approve the vaccine. The stock is down by about -7.6% this year. See How Its Powering New Collaboration and What-Ifs For CFOs and Finance Teams | Product, R&D, and Marketing Teams Notes: | Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) began the rollout of its Covid-19 vaccine in the U.S. in early March 2021. The vaccine has a lot of room for scaling up internationally, particularly in lower-income countries, given its single-dose requirement and relatively easy storage. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2021/05/18/does-johnson--johnsons-covid-vaccine-still-matter/ | 0.129951 |
Who is Dalton Gomez, Ariana Grande's husband? | Ariana Grande made some major moves over the weekend when she tied the knot to her fianc Dalton Gomez in a surprise, intimate ceremony in California. Fox News confirmed the 27-year-old "Thank U, Next" singer and Gomez, 25, exchanged their nuptials at the pop star's home in Montecito, Calif. over the weekend. The ceremony was said to be attended by fewer than 20 guests from both sides of their respective families. "They couldn't be happier, they're just so excited. This is a happy time for them, both sets of parents are thrilled," a source told People shortly after the star's rep confirmed the wedding. While Grande's love life has dominated headlines almost as much as her chart-topping hits in recent years, she and Gomez, a real estate professional, have managed to keep intimate details of their relationship under wraps. ARIANA GRANDE, FIANC DALTON GOMEZ MARRIED Fortunately for Grande's fanbase, the singer has alluded to being head-over-heels for the man, thanks to her social media profiles. Here's a look at what we know about the man who captured the worldwide superstar's heart. He's a real estate agent Grande's now-husband is a luxury real estate agent, having worked at the Aaron Kirman Group (AKG) for five years. According to his bio on the agency's website, Gomez is the sole buyers agent for the Beverly Hills-based company. In his first three years at AKG, Gomez worked as the Director of Operations. The company applauds him for holding "one of the largest rolodexes of A-list buyers" in Hollywood. He reportedly even helped his now-wife in purchasing real estate in 2020. He's a California native Gomez was born and raised in California. Meanwhile, Grande was born in Boca Raton, Fla. and grew up in the state. While her home base appears to be in California, she also has a residence in New York City. ARIANA GRANDE TO JOIN 'THE VOICE' AS COACH FOR SEASON 21 Gomez stars in Grande and Justin Bieber's music video The singer and real estate agent went public in quite a creative way in 2020. Just a couple of months after rumors swirled that they were an item, Gomez starred in Grande's and Bieber's " Stuck With U " music video, which dropped on May 8. He popped the question in late 2020 The "Positions" singer announced her engagement to Gomez in December 2020 with a series of photos posted to Instagram, where she has a whopping 235 million followers. The series also included some snaps of her brand new engagement ring. "forever n then some," she captioned the post . Gomez popped the question with a rare sparkler with the help of jeweler Jack Solow, who dished about it in an interview last year. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Dalton was involved in every step of the selection process through FaceTime and Zoom since he was on the west coast and I was here in my office in New York. He was very, very specific about what he wanted," Solow told E! News. "He had very strong feelings about how he wanted this to look, a contemporary kind of way. It was his idea to do the diamond on an angle and he said to me we had to incorporate a pearl into the finished piece because it is very sentimentally special, the element of a pearl is very, very sentimentally special to Ariana. He wanted to include that in the ring." He's been living with the pop star for some time Grande and Gomez were reportedly living together long before becoming husband and wife. The duo reportedly began living together in early 2020, quarantining in California at the singer's home during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Montecito mansion where the two are said to have tied the knot over the weekend is a property the two have made memories in together, according to reports. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP | Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez married over the weekend. Gomez is a real estate agent. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/who-is-dalton-gomez-ariana-grande-husband | 0.260521 |
Who is Dalton Gomez, Ariana Grande's husband? | Ariana Grande made some major moves over the weekend when she tied the knot to her fianc Dalton Gomez in a surprise, intimate ceremony in California. Fox News confirmed the 27-year-old "Thank U, Next" singer and Gomez, 25, exchanged their nuptials at the pop star's home in Montecito, Calif. over the weekend. The ceremony was said to be attended by fewer than 20 guests from both sides of their respective families. "They couldn't be happier, they're just so excited. This is a happy time for them, both sets of parents are thrilled," a source told People shortly after the star's rep confirmed the wedding. While Grande's love life has dominated headlines almost as much as her chart-topping hits in recent years, she and Gomez, a real estate professional, have managed to keep intimate details of their relationship under wraps. ARIANA GRANDE, FIANC DALTON GOMEZ MARRIED Fortunately for Grande's fanbase, the singer has alluded to being head-over-heels for the man, thanks to her social media profiles. Here's a look at what we know about the man who captured the worldwide superstar's heart. He's a real estate agent Grande's now-husband is a luxury real estate agent, having worked at the Aaron Kirman Group (AKG) for five years. According to his bio on the agency's website, Gomez is the sole buyers agent for the Beverly Hills-based company. In his first three years at AKG, Gomez worked as the Director of Operations. The company applauds him for holding "one of the largest rolodexes of A-list buyers" in Hollywood. He reportedly even helped his now-wife in purchasing real estate in 2020. He's a California native Gomez was born and raised in California. Meanwhile, Grande was born in Boca Raton, Fla. and grew up in the state. While her home base appears to be in California, she also has a residence in New York City. ARIANA GRANDE TO JOIN 'THE VOICE' AS COACH FOR SEASON 21 Gomez stars in Grande and Justin Bieber's music video The singer and real estate agent went public in quite a creative way in 2020. Just a couple of months after rumors swirled that they were an item, Gomez starred in Grande's and Bieber's " Stuck With U " music video, which dropped on May 8. He popped the question in late 2020 The "Positions" singer announced her engagement to Gomez in December 2020 with a series of photos posted to Instagram, where she has a whopping 235 million followers. The series also included some snaps of her brand new engagement ring. "forever n then some," she captioned the post . Gomez popped the question with a rare sparkler with the help of jeweler Jack Solow, who dished about it in an interview last year. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Dalton was involved in every step of the selection process through FaceTime and Zoom since he was on the west coast and I was here in my office in New York. He was very, very specific about what he wanted," Solow told E! News. "He had very strong feelings about how he wanted this to look, a contemporary kind of way. It was his idea to do the diamond on an angle and he said to me we had to incorporate a pearl into the finished piece because it is very sentimentally special, the element of a pearl is very, very sentimentally special to Ariana. He wanted to include that in the ring." He's been living with the pop star for some time Grande and Gomez were reportedly living together long before becoming husband and wife. The duo reportedly began living together in early 2020, quarantining in California at the singer's home during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Montecito mansion where the two are said to have tied the knot over the weekend is a property the two have made memories in together, according to reports. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP | Ariana Grande tied the knot with Dalton Gomez over the weekend. The ceremony was said to be attended by fewer than 20 guests. Gomez is a real estate agent. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/who-is-dalton-gomez-ariana-grande-husband | 0.134446 |
Who is Dalton Gomez, Ariana Grande's husband? | Ariana Grande made some major moves over the weekend when she tied the knot to her fianc Dalton Gomez in a surprise, intimate ceremony in California. Fox News confirmed the 27-year-old "Thank U, Next" singer and Gomez, 25, exchanged their nuptials at the pop star's home in Montecito, Calif. over the weekend. The ceremony was said to be attended by fewer than 20 guests from both sides of their respective families. "They couldn't be happier, they're just so excited. This is a happy time for them, both sets of parents are thrilled," a source told People shortly after the star's rep confirmed the wedding. While Grande's love life has dominated headlines almost as much as her chart-topping hits in recent years, she and Gomez, a real estate professional, have managed to keep intimate details of their relationship under wraps. ARIANA GRANDE, FIANC DALTON GOMEZ MARRIED Fortunately for Grande's fanbase, the singer has alluded to being head-over-heels for the man, thanks to her social media profiles. Here's a look at what we know about the man who captured the worldwide superstar's heart. He's a real estate agent Grande's now-husband is a luxury real estate agent, having worked at the Aaron Kirman Group (AKG) for five years. According to his bio on the agency's website, Gomez is the sole buyers agent for the Beverly Hills-based company. In his first three years at AKG, Gomez worked as the Director of Operations. The company applauds him for holding "one of the largest rolodexes of A-list buyers" in Hollywood. He reportedly even helped his now-wife in purchasing real estate in 2020. He's a California native Gomez was born and raised in California. Meanwhile, Grande was born in Boca Raton, Fla. and grew up in the state. While her home base appears to be in California, she also has a residence in New York City. ARIANA GRANDE TO JOIN 'THE VOICE' AS COACH FOR SEASON 21 Gomez stars in Grande and Justin Bieber's music video The singer and real estate agent went public in quite a creative way in 2020. Just a couple of months after rumors swirled that they were an item, Gomez starred in Grande's and Bieber's " Stuck With U " music video, which dropped on May 8. He popped the question in late 2020 The "Positions" singer announced her engagement to Gomez in December 2020 with a series of photos posted to Instagram, where she has a whopping 235 million followers. The series also included some snaps of her brand new engagement ring. "forever n then some," she captioned the post . Gomez popped the question with a rare sparkler with the help of jeweler Jack Solow, who dished about it in an interview last year. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Dalton was involved in every step of the selection process through FaceTime and Zoom since he was on the west coast and I was here in my office in New York. He was very, very specific about what he wanted," Solow told E! News. "He had very strong feelings about how he wanted this to look, a contemporary kind of way. It was his idea to do the diamond on an angle and he said to me we had to incorporate a pearl into the finished piece because it is very sentimentally special, the element of a pearl is very, very sentimentally special to Ariana. He wanted to include that in the ring." He's been living with the pop star for some time Grande and Gomez were reportedly living together long before becoming husband and wife. The duo reportedly began living together in early 2020, quarantining in California at the singer's home during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Montecito mansion where the two are said to have tied the knot over the weekend is a property the two have made memories in together, according to reports. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP | Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez tied the knot over the weekend. The ceremony was said to be attended by fewer than 20 guests. Gomez is a real estate agent. The pair reportedly began living together in California in early 2020. He popped the question in late 2020. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/who-is-dalton-gomez-ariana-grande-husband | 0.139624 |
Could International player Aaron Donkor be more than a project for the Seahawks? | A quick glance at Aaron Donkors resume might easily lead to the conclusion that he is something of a project as he begins his Seahawks career. A native of Goettingen, Germany, Donkor did not play football until 2016 at the age of 21 with a season in his native country. That led to two years at a junior college in New Mexico and then playing six games for Arkansas State in 2019. Now, he is a Seahawk, thanks to the leagues International Player Pathway Program. A linebacker listed at 6-1, 240 pounds, Donkor participated in his first two NFL practices over the weekend in Seattles rookie minicamp. But while like any rookie, Donkor has a lot to learn, he showed enough for coach Pete Carroll to quickly brush aside the idea that Donkor is a player who will inevitably need more seasoning than anyone else in the camp. No, no, he looks very comfortable, Carroll said Saturday of Donkor. Hes had a couple plays we showed on highlights yesterday, just running and chasing the football. He looks like he fits in. Advertising Carroll, of course, is never short of optimism, and especially in the heady days of May when the hard work of the offseason is over and he gets to the fun part of coaching on the field. But Donkor himself knows theres no time like the present to make a statement. Time is flying and youve got to adjust, he said philosophically of what he learned of his time at Arkansas State, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic (he did not play football in 2020). Adjust is exactly what Donkor did five years ago when he decided to give football a shot, and what he will do now with the Seahawks in making the move from defensive end to linebacker. He was initially a basketball player in Germany, playing three seasons with BG Goettingen (a club whose alums include former Washington State standout Taylor Rochestie). But at the age of 21 he was encouraged to give football a shot and played his first season in 2016 with the Dusseldorf Panther club of the German Football League. Advertising Donkor said he first got acquainted with football during his basketball days when he had a number of teammates from the United States who introduced him to the Madden video game and with whom hed watch the Super Bowl. Noting his physical basketball style, he said a few of his teammate told him he should try football. I got a little encouragement to try out, see what happens, he said. And it was fun, it came easy to me, just flying around. His success in Germany led to a chance to play in the United States and two years at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. From there he went to Arkansas State and had 25 tackles in six games in 2019. Deciding to turn pro this year, Donkor trained at the IMG Academy in Florida this winter and shined at the NFL International Combine, running a 4.46 40 with a 39-inch vertical leap. Advertising That earned him a spot as one of the four players in the leagues International Pathways Program for 2021. The program originated in 2017 and according to the NFL aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. The NFC West was chosen at random this year to be the division in which each team would be allocated one player from the program with Seattle getting Donkor. Each player does not count against the teams 90-man roster limit (Seattle currently has 91 thanks to Donknors presence). And if the international player does not make the initial 53-man roster after training camp he can then be placed on the practice squad but without counting against practice squad limits. The caveat is that an IPP player on a practice squad roster exemption cannot be called up to the active roster during the season. The practice squad seems like Donkors logical destination this season since it would give Seattle essentially a free player to help with practices all season and evaluate and groom for the future, Sponsored But it was notable that the Seahawks used Donkor as an inside linebacker during rookie minicamp instead of on the outside. He was a defensive end at Arkansas State, but his size and speed, the Seahawks think, makes him a better fit as an off-ball linebacker. Hes played a lot on the end of the line of scrimmage which he wont do as much for us, Carroll said Saturday. Hell be more behind the line of scrimmage. We need to see how he adapts to that. Linebacker and especially the inside spots are one position where Seattle could use some depth. The Seahawks have Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks returning as the starters at the inside spots (middle and weakside, respectively) with K.J. Wright unsigned and any possibility of his return seeming a little murkier by the day. Seattles other five listed linebackers are Cody Barton, who can play the inside spots but also figures to contend for the outside strongside linebacker position; Ben Burr-Kirven, who plays inside; recently claimed Nate Evans, who was playing at SLB during rookie minicamp; undrafted free agent rookie signee Jon Rhattigan (who was inside during minicamp) and Donkor. Advertising Darrell Taylor is also being tried as a strongside linebacker in the teams base defense. With the depth the team has on the defensive line and secondary, Seattle could keep just five linebackers, and Wagner, Brooks, Barton and Burr-Kirven could well be four with Taylor maybe the fifth depending on how his transition goes. But with Barton and Burr-Kirven (not to mention Wagner) entering the final years of their contracts in 2022, the Seahawks could be looking for some depth down the road. Donkor said whatever role Seahawks find for him is fine with him he just wants to have one. And ultimately, he hopes to follow in the path (or should it be pathway?) of a few other players from the program who have carved out careers in the NFL, including Jakob Johnson, a native of Stuttgart, Germany who has played in 20 games at fullback for the Patriots the last two years with 14 starts. My goal for this year is to make this team better, whatever it takes, he said. And I just have to earn the trust on the coaches, I feel like I have the shot, like every guy on this team, to make (the Seahawks) a special team, if Im coachable, if I show my effort on the field. And I really, really want to grow and play linebacker, and I feel like my God-given traits just translate to that position. Its just earning that trust and competing for a position. | Aaron Donkor is a 6-1, 240-pound linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. He was selected as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. He played football in Germany for three seasons before turning pro this year. | bart | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/could-international-player-aaron-donkor-be-more-than-a-project-for-the-seahawks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_seahawks | 0.162858 |
Could International player Aaron Donkor be more than a project for the Seahawks? | A quick glance at Aaron Donkors resume might easily lead to the conclusion that he is something of a project as he begins his Seahawks career. A native of Goettingen, Germany, Donkor did not play football until 2016 at the age of 21 with a season in his native country. That led to two years at a junior college in New Mexico and then playing six games for Arkansas State in 2019. Now, he is a Seahawk, thanks to the leagues International Player Pathway Program. A linebacker listed at 6-1, 240 pounds, Donkor participated in his first two NFL practices over the weekend in Seattles rookie minicamp. But while like any rookie, Donkor has a lot to learn, he showed enough for coach Pete Carroll to quickly brush aside the idea that Donkor is a player who will inevitably need more seasoning than anyone else in the camp. No, no, he looks very comfortable, Carroll said Saturday of Donkor. Hes had a couple plays we showed on highlights yesterday, just running and chasing the football. He looks like he fits in. Advertising Carroll, of course, is never short of optimism, and especially in the heady days of May when the hard work of the offseason is over and he gets to the fun part of coaching on the field. But Donkor himself knows theres no time like the present to make a statement. Time is flying and youve got to adjust, he said philosophically of what he learned of his time at Arkansas State, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic (he did not play football in 2020). Adjust is exactly what Donkor did five years ago when he decided to give football a shot, and what he will do now with the Seahawks in making the move from defensive end to linebacker. He was initially a basketball player in Germany, playing three seasons with BG Goettingen (a club whose alums include former Washington State standout Taylor Rochestie). But at the age of 21 he was encouraged to give football a shot and played his first season in 2016 with the Dusseldorf Panther club of the German Football League. Advertising Donkor said he first got acquainted with football during his basketball days when he had a number of teammates from the United States who introduced him to the Madden video game and with whom hed watch the Super Bowl. Noting his physical basketball style, he said a few of his teammate told him he should try football. I got a little encouragement to try out, see what happens, he said. And it was fun, it came easy to me, just flying around. His success in Germany led to a chance to play in the United States and two years at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell. From there he went to Arkansas State and had 25 tackles in six games in 2019. Deciding to turn pro this year, Donkor trained at the IMG Academy in Florida this winter and shined at the NFL International Combine, running a 4.46 40 with a 39-inch vertical leap. Advertising That earned him a spot as one of the four players in the leagues International Pathways Program for 2021. The program originated in 2017 and according to the NFL aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. The NFC West was chosen at random this year to be the division in which each team would be allocated one player from the program with Seattle getting Donkor. Each player does not count against the teams 90-man roster limit (Seattle currently has 91 thanks to Donknors presence). And if the international player does not make the initial 53-man roster after training camp he can then be placed on the practice squad but without counting against practice squad limits. The caveat is that an IPP player on a practice squad roster exemption cannot be called up to the active roster during the season. The practice squad seems like Donkors logical destination this season since it would give Seattle essentially a free player to help with practices all season and evaluate and groom for the future, Sponsored But it was notable that the Seahawks used Donkor as an inside linebacker during rookie minicamp instead of on the outside. He was a defensive end at Arkansas State, but his size and speed, the Seahawks think, makes him a better fit as an off-ball linebacker. Hes played a lot on the end of the line of scrimmage which he wont do as much for us, Carroll said Saturday. Hell be more behind the line of scrimmage. We need to see how he adapts to that. Linebacker and especially the inside spots are one position where Seattle could use some depth. The Seahawks have Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks returning as the starters at the inside spots (middle and weakside, respectively) with K.J. Wright unsigned and any possibility of his return seeming a little murkier by the day. Seattles other five listed linebackers are Cody Barton, who can play the inside spots but also figures to contend for the outside strongside linebacker position; Ben Burr-Kirven, who plays inside; recently claimed Nate Evans, who was playing at SLB during rookie minicamp; undrafted free agent rookie signee Jon Rhattigan (who was inside during minicamp) and Donkor. Advertising Darrell Taylor is also being tried as a strongside linebacker in the teams base defense. With the depth the team has on the defensive line and secondary, Seattle could keep just five linebackers, and Wagner, Brooks, Barton and Burr-Kirven could well be four with Taylor maybe the fifth depending on how his transition goes. But with Barton and Burr-Kirven (not to mention Wagner) entering the final years of their contracts in 2022, the Seahawks could be looking for some depth down the road. Donkor said whatever role Seahawks find for him is fine with him he just wants to have one. And ultimately, he hopes to follow in the path (or should it be pathway?) of a few other players from the program who have carved out careers in the NFL, including Jakob Johnson, a native of Stuttgart, Germany who has played in 20 games at fullback for the Patriots the last two years with 14 starts. My goal for this year is to make this team better, whatever it takes, he said. And I just have to earn the trust on the coaches, I feel like I have the shot, like every guy on this team, to make (the Seahawks) a special team, if Im coachable, if I show my effort on the field. And I really, really want to grow and play linebacker, and I feel like my God-given traits just translate to that position. Its just earning that trust and competing for a position. | Aaron Donkor is a 6-1, 240-pound linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. He was selected as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program. He played football in Germany for three seasons before turning pro this year. The program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level. | bart | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/could-international-player-aaron-donkor-be-more-than-a-project-for-the-seahawks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_seahawks | 0.236467 |
Whats really behind the restaurant labor shortage? | In a sharp reversal, restaurants that once grappled with widespread pandemic-induced layoffs are now struggling to find enough workers to fill positions as diners return and business begins to rebound. Across the country, many restaurant owners have pointed to unemployment benefits as the reason people arent applying for jobs, but the rank and file of the restaurant industry say the lack of workers is the result of a widespread exodus from an already unforgiving industry, which was made even more unforgiving by the pandemic. According to a report from the National Restaurant Association, employment in restaurants and bars has been on a steady incline since the beginning of the year. But the restaurant industry is still down 1.8 million jobs from pre-pandemic employment levels, with full-service restaurants experiencing the most significant job losses since February 2020. Resident Taqueria in Lake Highlands is one of countless restaurants in the Dallas area flooding job boards and social media sites with job postings. Owner Andrew Savoie said hes been trying to fill two line cook positions for months with no luck, and he has a third position opening next month. The jobs start at $9 an hour plus tips. He said hes worried about how he and his employees will manage if they cant fill the jobs soon. Its hard to find people right now. There are so many openings. Nothing comes in or, if it does, youre seeing just not well-put-together job applications with no resumes or anything, he said. Savoie never had to let employees go during the pandemic. The openings he has in his restaurant are the result of natural turnover in the industry, he said, but it doesnt make them any easier to fill. He believes that the lack of qualified candidates is the result of workers fleeing the industry when jobs dried up last year. We have a skill job, and if youre not being utilized, you have to find another skill, Savoie said. Im not sure where people have gone, but theyve gone off to find another skill in the meantime. Im sure they will, but Im not sure when. Other jobs recently posted in a Dallas service industry Facebook group: Cooks and cashiers at Greenville Avenue Pizza Company with starting pay of $13-$16 an hour; a part-time dish/prep cook at Thunderbird Station paying $12-$14 an hour; and a morning line cook at La Reunion paying $15-$20 an hour. Many eateries are even touting sign-on bonuses. A hiring sign outside of Rocket Fizz in Deep Ellum (Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer) Christopher Slijk, an associate economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, said the Texas labor market has experienced a rather rapid recovery over the past few months, but its still a far cry from pre-pandemic levels, particularly in the hospitality industry. In a survey conducted by the Dallas Fed in April, 56% percent of the Texas service industry executives who participated said they are currently trying to hire or recall workers. About 52% of respondents said they currently have a reduced employee headcount, with the average headcount decline hovering around 27%. Of those that were trying to hire or bring people back, about two-thirds said they were facing a lack of applicants. That was really consistent across the board, said Slijk. Roughly 42% of the executives surveyed listed generous unemployment benefits as a main roadblock in the hiring search, meaning potential employees are more lured by unemployment benefits than service industry jobs. Slijk said its possible some people in the restaurant industry are choosing to stay on unemployment benefits rather than return to their service jobs, but suggestions as such are purely anecdotal, and it will be months to a year before theres enough data to have a granular picture of the labor shortage and its root cause. He noted, though, that Dallas was already facing a tight labor market prior to the pandemic, and some of what employers are experiencing is a pre-existing condition. Without supplemental pandemic payments like the $300 weekly federal benefit, Texas average unemployment benefit is around $246 a week with a maximum payout of $521. Dozens of Texas business groups have lobbied for the state to end the extra federal unemployment pay, and Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced that Texas do just that opt out of the additional $300 payments to jobless Texans effective June 26. Britt Philyaw, executive director of the Heard That Foundation, a Dallas non-profit that provides support for hospitality workers, said she doesnt know of anyone who has turned down restaurant jobs to stay on unemployment. I find it really disturbing some of the things that Ive seen on social media. I dont like that the labor shortage is being politicized and how it is being said that people are lazy or theyre making more money on unemployment. I dont think its the truth. The people weve worked with throughout the pandemic who were on unemployment and got their stimulus checks were not making ends meet, she said. What the pandemic did, in her opinion, was highlight the instability of restaurant jobs. The quirks of service industry work like tips and irregular schedules are often draws for many people in the industry, but they were cast in a different light when the pandemic hit, Philyaw said. Suddenly the things that were once perks of the business were no longer worth sacrificing health insurance, predictable pay and stability for. Something that is desperately lacking from the conversation is the fact that 70% of the population that works in the industry are women, some of them single with kids. I think that should be a huge part of the conversation, Philyaw said. The service industry labor market was already tight before the pandemic, and with even more jobs than there are workers, Philyaw said employees have the ability to be choosy about who they do go work for, which is making it even harder for employers, some of whom are offering sign-on bonuses and raising wages to attract new hires. People in front-of-house and back-of-house [of restaurants] are shopping around, she said. Am I going to work in an environment where Im not going to be harassed or bullied or forced to work for free? So theres just a lot of things at play, but I really dont think its as simple as the stories that grab the most attention. Andrea Winn, who now works at Whole Foods as a full-time beverage buyer and part-time as a sommelier at Trova Wine + Market, is one of many restaurant workers who left full-time tipped wages behind during the pandemic. The shortage of workers in the restaurant industry has brought on more hours and pressure, making restaurant workers like Andrea want to leave for other jobs that include more benefits. (Shelby Tauber / Special Contributor) For Andrea Winn, a long-time restaurant industry professional whos held server, sommelier and wine director positions at Dallas restaurants like Bolsa and Abacus, the decision to leave the restaurant industry came when the downtown Dallas restaurant she was working at reopened over the summer and management did not adhere to capacity limits, mask mandates and other safety protocols. She took a full-time job as a wine and beer buyer for Whole Foods, stepping away from the industry she loved and had worked in since completing her degree in history and getting out of a desk job she loathed. It wasnt easy to leave the dining room she was saying goodbye to higher pay, flexible hours and the ability to travel when she wanted but the benefits outweighed the cons, she said. I have a job now [at Whole Foods] where I am guaranteed a certain amount of hours every week, I know how much Im going to get paid, and I have health insurance and sick time. The sick time was a really big thing because working in restaurants, unless you are really sick, you are expected to work sick. Youre looked down upon, and your schedule will be threatened if you dont [work], Winn said. There is a common perception that restaurant workers are young, uneducated and in the industry out of necessity, Winn said, and such thinking makes it easy to believe that the shortage of workers is due to an unwillingness to work. But the reality is the industry is made up of seasoned professionals like her who sought out restaurant and bar careers and are now choosing to pursue careers that offer a better quality of life, she said. Many people she knows made the decision to leave the industry last year when jobs were unavailable or wildly unpredictable to go back to school or pursue careers in the fields they studied in college, she said, and they dont seem to have plans to go back. As for Winn herself, she said shes turned down a handful of restaurant job offers, but now works a few shifts a week as a sommelier at Trova Wine + Market in Dallas just to scratch the itch of being in the bustle of a restaurant. I get to hold onto my full-time job with my full-time benefits and my sick time, but also get to do the thing that I love at least once or twice a week. I think that is something more people in my position are going to do, she said. I wouldnt necessarily be opposed to taking a full-time tipped job at a restaurant again because those people are making piles of money but theres no benefits, and once you have that, its really difficult to go back. | Restaurant industry is still down 1.8 million jobs from pre-pandemic employment levels. Restaurant owners say the lack of workers is the result of a widespread exodus from an already unforgiving industry, which was made even more unforgiving by the pandemic. Many eateries in the Dallas area flooding job boards and social media sites with job postings. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaurant-news/2021/05/18/whats-really-behind-the-restaurant-labor-shortage/ | 0.392468 |
Where does Cowboys Dak Prescott rank in the tiers of NFL quarterbacks? | Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys finally agreed to a 4-year, 160 million megadeal this offseason. The deal gives Prescott the second-highest average salary ($40 million) in the NFL behind Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes ($45 million). Not necessarily. CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora ranked the leagues quarterbacks by tier heading into the 2021 season. Despite Prescott being paid as a franchise player, he wasnt ranked in La Canforas top tier. La Canfora ranked Prescott in his second tier, titled top pros, proven winners, alongside Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford, Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield. Dak may have already made the leap to Tier 1 had an injury not wiped out almost all of his 2020 season, La Canfora writes. But I also worry about that offensive line and run game and am not ready to anoint anything pertaining to the 2021 Dallas Cowboys just yet. Prescott is about seven months removed from an Oct. 11 ankle surgery to repair an open fracture he sustained against the New York Giants. He also underwent a second surgery in December to further stabilize the ankle. Prescott is poised to be a full-go for the start of training camp. Entering his sixth season, Prescott will try to return to the elite trajectory he appeared to be on. In 2019, he threw for a career-high 4,902 yards and was on pace to far surpass that in 2020, throwing for 1,856 yards in just five games. In his top tier, titled bona fide franchise quarterbacks, is Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Deshaun Watson. While most of Prescotts stats the last two seasons were on the pace with the best in the game, the most critical one was missing in 2019-20: wins. After leading the Cowboys to winning seasons in each of his first three years, Prescott and the Cowboys have gone 10-11 over the last two years in games hes played. While Prescott probably shoulders the least blame for his teams struggles (especially with a defense that allowed a franchise-record 473 points last season), its unlikely for him to be seen as an elite quarterback without the wins to back up that status. Luckily for Prescott, hes just 27 years old and has plenty of time to rack up wins. In the tier above him, Brady (43), Rodgers (37) and Wilson (32) are all above 30 years old, not to mention Brady is fresh off his seventh Super Bowl win. If Prescott can couple his production from the last two seasons with more wins, he should be in good shape to move up a tier in the rankings. Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. | Dak Prescott was ranked in the second tier of NFL quarterbacks by Jason La Canfora. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2021/05/18/where-does-cowboys-dak-prescott-rank-in-the-tiers-of-nfl-quarterbacks/ | 0.462124 |
Where does Cowboys Dak Prescott rank in the tiers of NFL quarterbacks? | Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys finally agreed to a 4-year, 160 million megadeal this offseason. The deal gives Prescott the second-highest average salary ($40 million) in the NFL behind Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes ($45 million). Not necessarily. CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora ranked the leagues quarterbacks by tier heading into the 2021 season. Despite Prescott being paid as a franchise player, he wasnt ranked in La Canforas top tier. La Canfora ranked Prescott in his second tier, titled top pros, proven winners, alongside Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford, Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield. Dak may have already made the leap to Tier 1 had an injury not wiped out almost all of his 2020 season, La Canfora writes. But I also worry about that offensive line and run game and am not ready to anoint anything pertaining to the 2021 Dallas Cowboys just yet. Prescott is about seven months removed from an Oct. 11 ankle surgery to repair an open fracture he sustained against the New York Giants. He also underwent a second surgery in December to further stabilize the ankle. Prescott is poised to be a full-go for the start of training camp. Entering his sixth season, Prescott will try to return to the elite trajectory he appeared to be on. In 2019, he threw for a career-high 4,902 yards and was on pace to far surpass that in 2020, throwing for 1,856 yards in just five games. In his top tier, titled bona fide franchise quarterbacks, is Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Deshaun Watson. While most of Prescotts stats the last two seasons were on the pace with the best in the game, the most critical one was missing in 2019-20: wins. After leading the Cowboys to winning seasons in each of his first three years, Prescott and the Cowboys have gone 10-11 over the last two years in games hes played. While Prescott probably shoulders the least blame for his teams struggles (especially with a defense that allowed a franchise-record 473 points last season), its unlikely for him to be seen as an elite quarterback without the wins to back up that status. Luckily for Prescott, hes just 27 years old and has plenty of time to rack up wins. In the tier above him, Brady (43), Rodgers (37) and Wilson (32) are all above 30 years old, not to mention Brady is fresh off his seventh Super Bowl win. If Prescott can couple his production from the last two seasons with more wins, he should be in good shape to move up a tier in the rankings. Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. | Dak Prescott was ranked in the second tier of NFL quarterbacks by Jason La Canfora. Prescott is expected to be a full-go for the start of training camp. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2021/05/18/where-does-cowboys-dak-prescott-rank-in-the-tiers-of-nfl-quarterbacks/ | 0.561818 |
Where does Cowboys Dak Prescott rank in the tiers of NFL quarterbacks? | Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys finally agreed to a 4-year, 160 million megadeal this offseason. The deal gives Prescott the second-highest average salary ($40 million) in the NFL behind Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes ($45 million). Not necessarily. CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora ranked the leagues quarterbacks by tier heading into the 2021 season. Despite Prescott being paid as a franchise player, he wasnt ranked in La Canforas top tier. La Canfora ranked Prescott in his second tier, titled top pros, proven winners, alongside Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford, Ryan Tannehill and Baker Mayfield. Dak may have already made the leap to Tier 1 had an injury not wiped out almost all of his 2020 season, La Canfora writes. But I also worry about that offensive line and run game and am not ready to anoint anything pertaining to the 2021 Dallas Cowboys just yet. Prescott is about seven months removed from an Oct. 11 ankle surgery to repair an open fracture he sustained against the New York Giants. He also underwent a second surgery in December to further stabilize the ankle. Prescott is poised to be a full-go for the start of training camp. Entering his sixth season, Prescott will try to return to the elite trajectory he appeared to be on. In 2019, he threw for a career-high 4,902 yards and was on pace to far surpass that in 2020, throwing for 1,856 yards in just five games. In his top tier, titled bona fide franchise quarterbacks, is Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Deshaun Watson. While most of Prescotts stats the last two seasons were on the pace with the best in the game, the most critical one was missing in 2019-20: wins. After leading the Cowboys to winning seasons in each of his first three years, Prescott and the Cowboys have gone 10-11 over the last two years in games hes played. While Prescott probably shoulders the least blame for his teams struggles (especially with a defense that allowed a franchise-record 473 points last season), its unlikely for him to be seen as an elite quarterback without the wins to back up that status. Luckily for Prescott, hes just 27 years old and has plenty of time to rack up wins. In the tier above him, Brady (43), Rodgers (37) and Wilson (32) are all above 30 years old, not to mention Brady is fresh off his seventh Super Bowl win. If Prescott can couple his production from the last two seasons with more wins, he should be in good shape to move up a tier in the rankings. Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. | Dak Prescott was ranked in the second tier of NFL quarterbacks by Jason La Canfora. Prescott is expected to be a full-go for the start of training camp in August. The 27-year-old is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he threw for 4,902 yards. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2021/05/18/where-does-cowboys-dak-prescott-rank-in-the-tiers-of-nfl-quarterbacks/ | 0.578646 |
How Can Businesses Implement AI Successfully? | Business network concept. Business meeting. Marketing. originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Ash Fontana, Author of The AI-First Company, on Quora: Taking a model from the lab to live typically involves lots of people, processes, and pieces of software. Every implementation is idiosyncratic, so the purpose here is not to offer a comprehensive guide but rather signposts to help guide the process. Successful implementations involve: cleaning data; integrating with existing software; securing data; setting up sensors/feedback devices to get information about the systems performance in the real world; providing services to deal with systems for which you dont already have an integration; and staffing clients people that may need to ensure data quality, label data or otherwise. There are many steps to acceptance, namely making the return on investment clear, securing an appropriate budget, setting incentives for people to give feedback, reducing the time to value, engaging users with experiments, embedding explainability, providing executive education, and more. Business AI Ash Fontana This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. | Every implementation is idiosyncratic, so the purpose here is not to offer a comprehensive guide but rather signposts to help guide the process. Successful implementations involve: cleaning data; integrating with existing software; securing data. | bart | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2021/05/18/how-can-businesses-implement-ai-successfully/ | 0.174587 |
How Can Businesses Implement AI Successfully? | Business network concept. Business meeting. Marketing. originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Ash Fontana, Author of The AI-First Company, on Quora: Taking a model from the lab to live typically involves lots of people, processes, and pieces of software. Every implementation is idiosyncratic, so the purpose here is not to offer a comprehensive guide but rather signposts to help guide the process. Successful implementations involve: cleaning data; integrating with existing software; securing data; setting up sensors/feedback devices to get information about the systems performance in the real world; providing services to deal with systems for which you dont already have an integration; and staffing clients people that may need to ensure data quality, label data or otherwise. There are many steps to acceptance, namely making the return on investment clear, securing an appropriate budget, setting incentives for people to give feedback, reducing the time to value, engaging users with experiments, embedding explainability, providing executive education, and more. Business AI Ash Fontana This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. | Taking a model from the lab to live typically involves lots of people, processes, and pieces of software. Successful implementations involve cleaning data, integrating with existing software, securing data and setting up sensors/feedback devices. There are many steps to acceptance, namely making the return on investment clear and securing an appropriate budget. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2021/05/18/how-can-businesses-implement-ai-successfully/ | 0.254342 |
How worrying is the COVID-19 variant first seen in India? | LONDON For the first time in months, people across England are meeting indoors at pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms and elsewhere as coronavirus rules were relaxed this week. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britons to be cautious and some of the scientists advising him say restrictions might need to be reimposed quickly because of a worrying variant first detected in India. The COVID-19 variant first identified in India has been classified as a variant of concern by Britain and the World Health Organization, meaning there is some evidence that it spreads more easily between people, causes more severe disease, or might be less responsive to treatments and vaccines. The absolute numbers of cases (of the variant) in the U.K. remain quite small, but the growth rate is quite high, said Nick Loman, a professor of microbial genomics at the University of Birmingham. To date, there have been more than 2,300 cases identified in Britain. Figures released by Public Health England show cases of the variant first detected in India have tripled in the past week and experts say its on track to become the most dominant COVID-19 variant in the country. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHOs COVID-19 technical lead, said more information was still needed about the variants spread globally. We need more sequencing, targeted sequencing to be done and to be shared in India and elsewhere so that we know how much of this virus is circulating, she said. We dont entirely know. But according to the minutes of an expert group advising the government last week, scientists said it is a realistic possibility that (the variant first seen in India) is as much as 50% more transmissible than the variant first reported in Britain whose explosive spread led to the countrys longest lockdown in January. There are plausible biological reasons as to why some of the mutations present could make this variant more transmissible, they concluded. If the variant proves to be 40 to 50% more transmissible, the scientists predicted that would lead to a much larger peak of cases, hospitalizations and deaths than previous waves of coronavirus particularly if the government continues with its existing plans to exit lockdown. Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and one of the scientists advising the government, said it was entirely possible the COVID-19 restrictions relaxed on Monday might need to be reintroduced soon if the variants spread leads to a spike in hospitalizations and deaths. A very careful lifting (of restrictions) is reasonable, but we may have to reverse that, Farrar warned. Experts think the next few weeks should provide more details about how quickly the variant identified in India is sickening people and whether that might overwhelm hospitals. Johnson said any proof the variant identified in India is more dangerous could pose a serious disruption to the U.K. governments plans to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions next month. Scientists think so but are still waiting for definitive answers. At a press briefing last week, Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency, said the data appeared rather reassuring that vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna would protect against the variant first seen in India. He said the agency was still gathering more information on the effectiveness of the shots made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson and was pretty confident those vaccines too would afford people enough protection from the variant. Urgent experimental data is being generated (for this variant), said Sharon Peacock of the U.K. COVID-19 Genomics Consortium. She noted that vaccines appear to work against other variants to date but that it is important to determine if one dose is effective or if two are needed. In the areas of the U.K. worst hit by the variant, Britains health secretary Matt Hancock said most people hospitalized had chosen not to have the jab. On Monday, Johnson said people over 50 and those with underlying health conditions would have their wait for a second vaccine dose cut from 12 weeks to eight, over concerns about the variants rapid spread. Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox. | The COVID-19 variant first identified in India has been classified as a variant of concern by Britain and the World Health Organization. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.denverpost.com/2021/05/18/covid-19-variant-first-seen-in-india-explainer/ | 0.430278 |
How worrying is the COVID-19 variant first seen in India? | LONDON For the first time in months, people across England are meeting indoors at pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms and elsewhere as coronavirus rules were relaxed this week. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britons to be cautious and some of the scientists advising him say restrictions might need to be reimposed quickly because of a worrying variant first detected in India. The COVID-19 variant first identified in India has been classified as a variant of concern by Britain and the World Health Organization, meaning there is some evidence that it spreads more easily between people, causes more severe disease, or might be less responsive to treatments and vaccines. The absolute numbers of cases (of the variant) in the U.K. remain quite small, but the growth rate is quite high, said Nick Loman, a professor of microbial genomics at the University of Birmingham. To date, there have been more than 2,300 cases identified in Britain. Figures released by Public Health England show cases of the variant first detected in India have tripled in the past week and experts say its on track to become the most dominant COVID-19 variant in the country. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHOs COVID-19 technical lead, said more information was still needed about the variants spread globally. We need more sequencing, targeted sequencing to be done and to be shared in India and elsewhere so that we know how much of this virus is circulating, she said. We dont entirely know. But according to the minutes of an expert group advising the government last week, scientists said it is a realistic possibility that (the variant first seen in India) is as much as 50% more transmissible than the variant first reported in Britain whose explosive spread led to the countrys longest lockdown in January. There are plausible biological reasons as to why some of the mutations present could make this variant more transmissible, they concluded. If the variant proves to be 40 to 50% more transmissible, the scientists predicted that would lead to a much larger peak of cases, hospitalizations and deaths than previous waves of coronavirus particularly if the government continues with its existing plans to exit lockdown. Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and one of the scientists advising the government, said it was entirely possible the COVID-19 restrictions relaxed on Monday might need to be reintroduced soon if the variants spread leads to a spike in hospitalizations and deaths. A very careful lifting (of restrictions) is reasonable, but we may have to reverse that, Farrar warned. Experts think the next few weeks should provide more details about how quickly the variant identified in India is sickening people and whether that might overwhelm hospitals. Johnson said any proof the variant identified in India is more dangerous could pose a serious disruption to the U.K. governments plans to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions next month. Scientists think so but are still waiting for definitive answers. At a press briefing last week, Marco Cavaleri, head of vaccines at the European Medicines Agency, said the data appeared rather reassuring that vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna would protect against the variant first seen in India. He said the agency was still gathering more information on the effectiveness of the shots made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson and was pretty confident those vaccines too would afford people enough protection from the variant. Urgent experimental data is being generated (for this variant), said Sharon Peacock of the U.K. COVID-19 Genomics Consortium. She noted that vaccines appear to work against other variants to date but that it is important to determine if one dose is effective or if two are needed. In the areas of the U.K. worst hit by the variant, Britains health secretary Matt Hancock said most people hospitalized had chosen not to have the jab. On Monday, Johnson said people over 50 and those with underlying health conditions would have their wait for a second vaccine dose cut from 12 weeks to eight, over concerns about the variants rapid spread. Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox. | The COVID-19 variant first identified in India has been classified as a variant of concern by Britain and the World Health Organization. Scientists say it is possible the variant is as much as 50% more transmissible than the variant first reported in Britain. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.denverpost.com/2021/05/18/covid-19-variant-first-seen-in-india-explainer/ | 0.544891 |
Could the Endless Frontier Act fuel anti-Asian hate? | Presented by Internet Association With help from John Hendel, Leah Nylen, Gavin Bade and Emily Birnbaum Editors Note: Morning Tech is a free version of POLITICO Pro Technology's morning newsletter, which is delivered to our subscribers each morning at 6 a.m. The POLITICO Pro platform combines the news you need with tools you can use to take action on the days biggest stories.Act on the news with POLITICO Pro. The Endless Frontier Act has made some progressives worry about the anti-China rhetoric the bills backers are using. Broadband day: House appropriators will discuss how and whether to provide more funding for universal broadband access. 13(b) reasons why: House Energy and Commerce Republicans want to know what the Justice Department thinks about legislation to buff up the FTC's authority to force companies that engage in wrongdoing to pay back consumers. ITS TUESDAY; WELCOME TO MORNING TECH. Im your host, Benjamin Din. Fun fact: When I was in college, I would sometimes use my leftover meal swipes to buy ice cream. Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream. Also a big fan of Tillamook's Marionberry Pie flavor. I'd love to hear about it. Email [email protected]. Send details to [email protected]. Team info below. And don't forget: Add @MorningTech and @PoliticoPro on Twitter. A message from Internet Association: Now more than ever, the internet is connecting us to what matters most. With more than 90% of Americans connected to the internet, people undoubtedly find value in the services internet platforms offer. They have become an integral part of lifeeven more so during COVID-19. Every day we engage with the internet whether its through emails, video calls, posts on social media platforms, memes, product reviews, restaurant ratings, neighborhood blogs, and more. Rhetoric about doing battle with China, invoked by some supporters of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers S. 1260 (117), has prompted worries among progressives that it will further stoke nascent anti-Asian sentiment among the public. But Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat of South Asian descent who is sponsoring the companion bill in the House, H.R. 2731 (117), said he sees the legislation as promoting American leadership. I think its perfectly appropriate to want to make sure that our values of freedom and liberal democracy win, and we don't allow authoritarian or surveillance capitalism to win," he told Emily. "Everyone in the U.S. Congress could agree we want America to be the leader of the 21st century." The backstory: Progressive lawmakers and activists are growing skeptical of the increasingly bipartisan consensus toward taking a hard line on China, Gavin Bade reports for Pros. Language used to promote new bills risks inflaming racial hatred and could spur decades of low-level conflict with Beijing, akin to a "new Cold War," they warn. We need to distinguish between justified criticisms of the Chinese governments human rights record and a Cold War mentality that uses China as a scapegoat for our own domestic problems and demonizes Chinese Americans, said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). On Monday, a coalition of over 60 anti-war and progressive groups sent a letter to congressional leadership decrying the messaging around the Endless Frontier Act, which they said needlessly casts the U.S.-China relationship as a zero-sum economic and military struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. QUIGLEY: PANDEMIC BROADBAND EFFORTS JUST THE BEGINNING House appropriators will use a hearing this morning to dive into the debate around obtaining universal broadband. And Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), who chairs the subcommittee overseeing FCC funding, plans to tout the many pandemic relief efforts Congress has enacted to fund programs such as the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit, which launched last week. Those efforts are just the beginning, Quigley will say, according to his prepared remarks. He will highlight bipartisan support for expanding broadband access, as well as the Biden administration's decision to prioritize broadband buildout in its infrastructure package. But Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, the subpanels top Republican, plans to caution policymakers to look at existing pots of broadband aid before determining whether Congress needs to provide more, per his own prepared remarks. And in the Senate: A Senate Finance hearing this morning will focus on how to pay for Bidens multitrillion-dollar infrastructure package, including its connectivity provisions. Rural telecom trade group NTCA chief Shirley Bloomfield will attend. Broadband date to watch: On or around June 1. Thats when the FCC plans to issue a request for proposals to compile the broadband serviceable location fabric database, the next step in acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcels quest to fix the agencys much-criticized maps of internet access. Bids for the contract will be due no less than 30 days after the formal request goes out, according to an FCC notice. State utility regulators weigh in, too: A broadband task force for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners unveiled draft recommendations for expanding broadband access on Monday that include improving coordination of various U.S. broadband subsidy programs. The task force plans to complete them by a July summer meeting. AT&T DOUBLES DOWN ON BROADBAND AT&Ts big announcement Monday that its spinning off its Time Warner entertainment assets, including HBO and CNN, marked a sharp turnabout for the telecom giant, which had fought so intensely to obtain them during the Trump era. Those assets will be combined into a new venture with Discoverys entertainment properties, while AT&T pursues its broadband business. AT&T CEO John Stankey offered a bullish message about the companys new tack, outlining plans to expand 5G while extending its fiber broadband footprint to reach 30 million customer locations by the end of 2025. A new antitrust test: Analysts didnt see immediate regulatory red flags, but the deal lands just as the Biden administration is facing demands for more aggressive antitrust enforcement. We think the deal ultimately gets approved, either by the DOJ or by the courts, but there is some risk of rejection, New Street analyst Blair Levin wrote in an investor note. The FCC probably wont have a role in reviewing the deal, given that no federal licenses would appear to be changing hands. Still, antitrust prosecutors will be keen to examine the deals structure, which gives AT&T a 71 percent stake in the new media company, and gauge whether that new company will gain greater leverage in negotiations with cable providers. It should be a straightforward process, Stankey argued during an investor call, stressing that this is going to be a lot different [for WarnerMedia employees] than the Time Warner period and wont feature a holding pattern while the transaction awaits approval. Executives expect the deal to close in mid-2022. There will be eyes on this, nonetheless: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who sits on the antitrust subcommittee, said the deal demands close scrutiny to protect consumers pocket books instead of accelerating further concentration among corporate behemoths. AT&T is seeking a bailout from a merger that should have never been approved, said former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, now with Common Cause, attacking the deal as another potential recipe for consumer harms and job losses. ADVICE WANTED FROM MERRICK GARLAND Top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee called on the attorney general to weigh in on the FTC's section 13(b) authority, which a recent Supreme Court ruling upended. In a Monday letter, GOP Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the panels ranking member, and Gus Bilirakis of Florida asked for the Justice Departments views on Rep. Tony Crdenas (D-Calif.) Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, H.R. 2668 (117). Cardenas bill would guarantee the FTC's ability to seek consumer reimbursement from companies that violate the law. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the commission doesnt have that authority. The Republican lawmakers said they endorsed the spirit of the bill, but were concerned that H.R. 2668 goes much further and does not include necessary safeguards that ensure due process. They also asked whether DOJ believes the new bill would extend to antitrust cases. Major implications: Last month, Facebook cited this same Supreme Court decision in a motion to dismiss the FTCs antitrust suit against the company, arguing that the agency lacked the authority to go after Facebook for its past conduct. The high court's ruling dealt with a different part of the statute. But Republican lawmakers also asked Garland about constitutional issues with the new legislation, which seeks to make the FTCs authority retroactive for the past 10 years. For a reminder on why the FTC might need stronger enforcement authorities, look no further than Leah's blockbuster investigation into the agency's handling of Google in the Obama era. APPLE-EPIC UPDATE APPLES SCHILLER MAKES HIS CASE FOR THE APP STORE Longtime Apple exec Philip Schiller answered questions from Apple-side lawyers Monday and will be grilled by plaintiff Epic Games lawyers today. (Leahs got the full details.) Some key numbers from his testimony: $50 million: How much Apple spends per year on its developer conference. 17 percent: Game apps on the App Store that use the freemium model like Epics Fortnite (free to download, pay for in-game extras). About 75 percent of games are free, and make money via displaying ads. 150,000: How many application programming interfaces Apple provides to developers. It adds 1,000 to 5,000 new ones annually. Transitions The FTC will name Eyitayo St. Matthew-Daniel as its top antitrust enforcer, The Information reports. WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar is negotiating his exit, NYT reports. Along with its return to the iOS App Store, Parler announced its leadership team: George Farmer as CEO, Mike Hebert as COO and Patrick Galbraith as CTO. Chetna Mahajan is joining ZoomInfo as chief information officer. Uber executive Peeyush Nahar is joining Goldman Sachs to run its digital banking unit, Marcus. Kevin Xu is joining GitHub as senior director of international expansion strategy. Hugo Barra is leaving Facebook Reality Labs. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has added Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi and South Dakota to its National Broadband Availability Map. German digital publishing house Axel Springer is partnering with Facebook to distribute content. Calix is joining USTelecom | The Broadband Association. Silicon Valley Must Reads Terms and conditions: Apple's move into China two decades ago helped make it the most valuable company in the world. But its profits come at the cost of surveillance and censorship, NYT reports. Rural revival: Broadband access could be the key to bringing workers back to rural areas. More from NYT. Revealed: Researchers have identified a Chinese business tied to Steve Bannon as a central figure behind a massive disinformation network, WaPo reports. To find out, the Trump DOJ subpoenaed Twitter, the Hill reports. Sharing is caring: Facebook wants other companies to use the Oversight Board, too, via Engadget. ICYMI: Tech billionaire Peter Thiel is pouring major cash into the coffers of two Senate candidates, POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt reports. A message from Internet Association: The internet plays an important role in Americans everyday lives. It means connection, opportunity, and jobs for every community in every state. Whether its students attending classes from home, a grandmother watching her childs first steps, or working together with colleagues - the internet continues connecting what matters most. Schools to students. Artists to audiences. Seller to buyers. Restaurants to diners. Travel industry to travelers. Every day, the internet industry keeps us connected. To learn more, please visit www.internetassociation.org Quick Downloads Podcast OTD: The latest episode of TBD: Technology By Design features a conversation with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) on her push for a national data privacy standard. More media moves: Amazon is weighing a deal to buy MGM, The Information reports. BGR takes a look. Cushy gig: Elon Musk impersonators have swindled people out of $2M in cryptocurrency, FTC says, via CNET. Send them along via email to our team: Bob King ([email protected]), Heidi Vogt ([email protected]), John Hendel ([email protected]), Cristiano Lima ([email protected]), Alexandra S. Levine ([email protected]), Leah Nylen ([email protected]), Emily Birnbaum ([email protected]), and Benjamin Din ([email protected]). Send details to [email protected]. And don't forget: Add @MorningTech and @PoliticoPro on Twitter. SEE YOU TOMORROW! Follow us on Twitter Heidi Vogt @HeidiVogt Alexandra S. Levine @ali_lev John Hendel @johnhendel Cristiano Lima @viacristiano Leah Nylen @leah_nylen Benjamin Din @benjamindin Emily Birnbaum @birnbaum_e | The Endless Frontier Act has made some progressives worry about the anti-China rhetoric the bills backers are using. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2021/05/18/could-the-endless-frontier-act-fuel-anti-asian-hate-795374 | 0.142988 |
Could the Endless Frontier Act fuel anti-Asian hate? | Presented by Internet Association With help from John Hendel, Leah Nylen, Gavin Bade and Emily Birnbaum Editors Note: Morning Tech is a free version of POLITICO Pro Technology's morning newsletter, which is delivered to our subscribers each morning at 6 a.m. The POLITICO Pro platform combines the news you need with tools you can use to take action on the days biggest stories.Act on the news with POLITICO Pro. The Endless Frontier Act has made some progressives worry about the anti-China rhetoric the bills backers are using. Broadband day: House appropriators will discuss how and whether to provide more funding for universal broadband access. 13(b) reasons why: House Energy and Commerce Republicans want to know what the Justice Department thinks about legislation to buff up the FTC's authority to force companies that engage in wrongdoing to pay back consumers. ITS TUESDAY; WELCOME TO MORNING TECH. Im your host, Benjamin Din. Fun fact: When I was in college, I would sometimes use my leftover meal swipes to buy ice cream. Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream. Also a big fan of Tillamook's Marionberry Pie flavor. I'd love to hear about it. Email [email protected]. Send details to [email protected]. Team info below. And don't forget: Add @MorningTech and @PoliticoPro on Twitter. A message from Internet Association: Now more than ever, the internet is connecting us to what matters most. With more than 90% of Americans connected to the internet, people undoubtedly find value in the services internet platforms offer. They have become an integral part of lifeeven more so during COVID-19. Every day we engage with the internet whether its through emails, video calls, posts on social media platforms, memes, product reviews, restaurant ratings, neighborhood blogs, and more. Rhetoric about doing battle with China, invoked by some supporters of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers S. 1260 (117), has prompted worries among progressives that it will further stoke nascent anti-Asian sentiment among the public. But Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat of South Asian descent who is sponsoring the companion bill in the House, H.R. 2731 (117), said he sees the legislation as promoting American leadership. I think its perfectly appropriate to want to make sure that our values of freedom and liberal democracy win, and we don't allow authoritarian or surveillance capitalism to win," he told Emily. "Everyone in the U.S. Congress could agree we want America to be the leader of the 21st century." The backstory: Progressive lawmakers and activists are growing skeptical of the increasingly bipartisan consensus toward taking a hard line on China, Gavin Bade reports for Pros. Language used to promote new bills risks inflaming racial hatred and could spur decades of low-level conflict with Beijing, akin to a "new Cold War," they warn. We need to distinguish between justified criticisms of the Chinese governments human rights record and a Cold War mentality that uses China as a scapegoat for our own domestic problems and demonizes Chinese Americans, said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). On Monday, a coalition of over 60 anti-war and progressive groups sent a letter to congressional leadership decrying the messaging around the Endless Frontier Act, which they said needlessly casts the U.S.-China relationship as a zero-sum economic and military struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. QUIGLEY: PANDEMIC BROADBAND EFFORTS JUST THE BEGINNING House appropriators will use a hearing this morning to dive into the debate around obtaining universal broadband. And Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), who chairs the subcommittee overseeing FCC funding, plans to tout the many pandemic relief efforts Congress has enacted to fund programs such as the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit, which launched last week. Those efforts are just the beginning, Quigley will say, according to his prepared remarks. He will highlight bipartisan support for expanding broadband access, as well as the Biden administration's decision to prioritize broadband buildout in its infrastructure package. But Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, the subpanels top Republican, plans to caution policymakers to look at existing pots of broadband aid before determining whether Congress needs to provide more, per his own prepared remarks. And in the Senate: A Senate Finance hearing this morning will focus on how to pay for Bidens multitrillion-dollar infrastructure package, including its connectivity provisions. Rural telecom trade group NTCA chief Shirley Bloomfield will attend. Broadband date to watch: On or around June 1. Thats when the FCC plans to issue a request for proposals to compile the broadband serviceable location fabric database, the next step in acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcels quest to fix the agencys much-criticized maps of internet access. Bids for the contract will be due no less than 30 days after the formal request goes out, according to an FCC notice. State utility regulators weigh in, too: A broadband task force for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners unveiled draft recommendations for expanding broadband access on Monday that include improving coordination of various U.S. broadband subsidy programs. The task force plans to complete them by a July summer meeting. AT&T DOUBLES DOWN ON BROADBAND AT&Ts big announcement Monday that its spinning off its Time Warner entertainment assets, including HBO and CNN, marked a sharp turnabout for the telecom giant, which had fought so intensely to obtain them during the Trump era. Those assets will be combined into a new venture with Discoverys entertainment properties, while AT&T pursues its broadband business. AT&T CEO John Stankey offered a bullish message about the companys new tack, outlining plans to expand 5G while extending its fiber broadband footprint to reach 30 million customer locations by the end of 2025. A new antitrust test: Analysts didnt see immediate regulatory red flags, but the deal lands just as the Biden administration is facing demands for more aggressive antitrust enforcement. We think the deal ultimately gets approved, either by the DOJ or by the courts, but there is some risk of rejection, New Street analyst Blair Levin wrote in an investor note. The FCC probably wont have a role in reviewing the deal, given that no federal licenses would appear to be changing hands. Still, antitrust prosecutors will be keen to examine the deals structure, which gives AT&T a 71 percent stake in the new media company, and gauge whether that new company will gain greater leverage in negotiations with cable providers. It should be a straightforward process, Stankey argued during an investor call, stressing that this is going to be a lot different [for WarnerMedia employees] than the Time Warner period and wont feature a holding pattern while the transaction awaits approval. Executives expect the deal to close in mid-2022. There will be eyes on this, nonetheless: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who sits on the antitrust subcommittee, said the deal demands close scrutiny to protect consumers pocket books instead of accelerating further concentration among corporate behemoths. AT&T is seeking a bailout from a merger that should have never been approved, said former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, now with Common Cause, attacking the deal as another potential recipe for consumer harms and job losses. ADVICE WANTED FROM MERRICK GARLAND Top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee called on the attorney general to weigh in on the FTC's section 13(b) authority, which a recent Supreme Court ruling upended. In a Monday letter, GOP Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the panels ranking member, and Gus Bilirakis of Florida asked for the Justice Departments views on Rep. Tony Crdenas (D-Calif.) Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, H.R. 2668 (117). Cardenas bill would guarantee the FTC's ability to seek consumer reimbursement from companies that violate the law. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the commission doesnt have that authority. The Republican lawmakers said they endorsed the spirit of the bill, but were concerned that H.R. 2668 goes much further and does not include necessary safeguards that ensure due process. They also asked whether DOJ believes the new bill would extend to antitrust cases. Major implications: Last month, Facebook cited this same Supreme Court decision in a motion to dismiss the FTCs antitrust suit against the company, arguing that the agency lacked the authority to go after Facebook for its past conduct. The high court's ruling dealt with a different part of the statute. But Republican lawmakers also asked Garland about constitutional issues with the new legislation, which seeks to make the FTCs authority retroactive for the past 10 years. For a reminder on why the FTC might need stronger enforcement authorities, look no further than Leah's blockbuster investigation into the agency's handling of Google in the Obama era. APPLE-EPIC UPDATE APPLES SCHILLER MAKES HIS CASE FOR THE APP STORE Longtime Apple exec Philip Schiller answered questions from Apple-side lawyers Monday and will be grilled by plaintiff Epic Games lawyers today. (Leahs got the full details.) Some key numbers from his testimony: $50 million: How much Apple spends per year on its developer conference. 17 percent: Game apps on the App Store that use the freemium model like Epics Fortnite (free to download, pay for in-game extras). About 75 percent of games are free, and make money via displaying ads. 150,000: How many application programming interfaces Apple provides to developers. It adds 1,000 to 5,000 new ones annually. Transitions The FTC will name Eyitayo St. Matthew-Daniel as its top antitrust enforcer, The Information reports. WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar is negotiating his exit, NYT reports. Along with its return to the iOS App Store, Parler announced its leadership team: George Farmer as CEO, Mike Hebert as COO and Patrick Galbraith as CTO. Chetna Mahajan is joining ZoomInfo as chief information officer. Uber executive Peeyush Nahar is joining Goldman Sachs to run its digital banking unit, Marcus. Kevin Xu is joining GitHub as senior director of international expansion strategy. Hugo Barra is leaving Facebook Reality Labs. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has added Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi and South Dakota to its National Broadband Availability Map. German digital publishing house Axel Springer is partnering with Facebook to distribute content. Calix is joining USTelecom | The Broadband Association. Silicon Valley Must Reads Terms and conditions: Apple's move into China two decades ago helped make it the most valuable company in the world. But its profits come at the cost of surveillance and censorship, NYT reports. Rural revival: Broadband access could be the key to bringing workers back to rural areas. More from NYT. Revealed: Researchers have identified a Chinese business tied to Steve Bannon as a central figure behind a massive disinformation network, WaPo reports. To find out, the Trump DOJ subpoenaed Twitter, the Hill reports. Sharing is caring: Facebook wants other companies to use the Oversight Board, too, via Engadget. ICYMI: Tech billionaire Peter Thiel is pouring major cash into the coffers of two Senate candidates, POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt reports. A message from Internet Association: The internet plays an important role in Americans everyday lives. It means connection, opportunity, and jobs for every community in every state. Whether its students attending classes from home, a grandmother watching her childs first steps, or working together with colleagues - the internet continues connecting what matters most. Schools to students. Artists to audiences. Seller to buyers. Restaurants to diners. Travel industry to travelers. Every day, the internet industry keeps us connected. To learn more, please visit www.internetassociation.org Quick Downloads Podcast OTD: The latest episode of TBD: Technology By Design features a conversation with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) on her push for a national data privacy standard. More media moves: Amazon is weighing a deal to buy MGM, The Information reports. BGR takes a look. Cushy gig: Elon Musk impersonators have swindled people out of $2M in cryptocurrency, FTC says, via CNET. Send them along via email to our team: Bob King ([email protected]), Heidi Vogt ([email protected]), John Hendel ([email protected]), Cristiano Lima ([email protected]), Alexandra S. Levine ([email protected]), Leah Nylen ([email protected]), Emily Birnbaum ([email protected]), and Benjamin Din ([email protected]). Send details to [email protected]. And don't forget: Add @MorningTech and @PoliticoPro on Twitter. SEE YOU TOMORROW! Follow us on Twitter Heidi Vogt @HeidiVogt Alexandra S. Levine @ali_lev John Hendel @johnhendel Cristiano Lima @viacristiano Leah Nylen @leah_nylen Benjamin Din @benjamindin Emily Birnbaum @birnbaum_e | The Endless Frontier Act has made some progressives worry about the anti-China rhetoric the bills backers are using. House appropriators will discuss how and whether to provide more funding for universal broadband access. | bart | 1 | https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2021/05/18/could-the-endless-frontier-act-fuel-anti-asian-hate-795374 | 0.149845 |
Could the Endless Frontier Act fuel anti-Asian hate? | Presented by Internet Association With help from John Hendel, Leah Nylen, Gavin Bade and Emily Birnbaum Editors Note: Morning Tech is a free version of POLITICO Pro Technology's morning newsletter, which is delivered to our subscribers each morning at 6 a.m. The POLITICO Pro platform combines the news you need with tools you can use to take action on the days biggest stories.Act on the news with POLITICO Pro. The Endless Frontier Act has made some progressives worry about the anti-China rhetoric the bills backers are using. Broadband day: House appropriators will discuss how and whether to provide more funding for universal broadband access. 13(b) reasons why: House Energy and Commerce Republicans want to know what the Justice Department thinks about legislation to buff up the FTC's authority to force companies that engage in wrongdoing to pay back consumers. ITS TUESDAY; WELCOME TO MORNING TECH. Im your host, Benjamin Din. Fun fact: When I was in college, I would sometimes use my leftover meal swipes to buy ice cream. Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream. Also a big fan of Tillamook's Marionberry Pie flavor. I'd love to hear about it. Email [email protected]. Send details to [email protected]. Team info below. And don't forget: Add @MorningTech and @PoliticoPro on Twitter. A message from Internet Association: Now more than ever, the internet is connecting us to what matters most. With more than 90% of Americans connected to the internet, people undoubtedly find value in the services internet platforms offer. They have become an integral part of lifeeven more so during COVID-19. Every day we engage with the internet whether its through emails, video calls, posts on social media platforms, memes, product reviews, restaurant ratings, neighborhood blogs, and more. Rhetoric about doing battle with China, invoked by some supporters of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers S. 1260 (117), has prompted worries among progressives that it will further stoke nascent anti-Asian sentiment among the public. But Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat of South Asian descent who is sponsoring the companion bill in the House, H.R. 2731 (117), said he sees the legislation as promoting American leadership. I think its perfectly appropriate to want to make sure that our values of freedom and liberal democracy win, and we don't allow authoritarian or surveillance capitalism to win," he told Emily. "Everyone in the U.S. Congress could agree we want America to be the leader of the 21st century." The backstory: Progressive lawmakers and activists are growing skeptical of the increasingly bipartisan consensus toward taking a hard line on China, Gavin Bade reports for Pros. Language used to promote new bills risks inflaming racial hatred and could spur decades of low-level conflict with Beijing, akin to a "new Cold War," they warn. We need to distinguish between justified criticisms of the Chinese governments human rights record and a Cold War mentality that uses China as a scapegoat for our own domestic problems and demonizes Chinese Americans, said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). On Monday, a coalition of over 60 anti-war and progressive groups sent a letter to congressional leadership decrying the messaging around the Endless Frontier Act, which they said needlessly casts the U.S.-China relationship as a zero-sum economic and military struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. QUIGLEY: PANDEMIC BROADBAND EFFORTS JUST THE BEGINNING House appropriators will use a hearing this morning to dive into the debate around obtaining universal broadband. And Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), who chairs the subcommittee overseeing FCC funding, plans to tout the many pandemic relief efforts Congress has enacted to fund programs such as the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit, which launched last week. Those efforts are just the beginning, Quigley will say, according to his prepared remarks. He will highlight bipartisan support for expanding broadband access, as well as the Biden administration's decision to prioritize broadband buildout in its infrastructure package. But Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, the subpanels top Republican, plans to caution policymakers to look at existing pots of broadband aid before determining whether Congress needs to provide more, per his own prepared remarks. And in the Senate: A Senate Finance hearing this morning will focus on how to pay for Bidens multitrillion-dollar infrastructure package, including its connectivity provisions. Rural telecom trade group NTCA chief Shirley Bloomfield will attend. Broadband date to watch: On or around June 1. Thats when the FCC plans to issue a request for proposals to compile the broadband serviceable location fabric database, the next step in acting Chair Jessica Rosenworcels quest to fix the agencys much-criticized maps of internet access. Bids for the contract will be due no less than 30 days after the formal request goes out, according to an FCC notice. State utility regulators weigh in, too: A broadband task force for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners unveiled draft recommendations for expanding broadband access on Monday that include improving coordination of various U.S. broadband subsidy programs. The task force plans to complete them by a July summer meeting. AT&T DOUBLES DOWN ON BROADBAND AT&Ts big announcement Monday that its spinning off its Time Warner entertainment assets, including HBO and CNN, marked a sharp turnabout for the telecom giant, which had fought so intensely to obtain them during the Trump era. Those assets will be combined into a new venture with Discoverys entertainment properties, while AT&T pursues its broadband business. AT&T CEO John Stankey offered a bullish message about the companys new tack, outlining plans to expand 5G while extending its fiber broadband footprint to reach 30 million customer locations by the end of 2025. A new antitrust test: Analysts didnt see immediate regulatory red flags, but the deal lands just as the Biden administration is facing demands for more aggressive antitrust enforcement. We think the deal ultimately gets approved, either by the DOJ or by the courts, but there is some risk of rejection, New Street analyst Blair Levin wrote in an investor note. The FCC probably wont have a role in reviewing the deal, given that no federal licenses would appear to be changing hands. Still, antitrust prosecutors will be keen to examine the deals structure, which gives AT&T a 71 percent stake in the new media company, and gauge whether that new company will gain greater leverage in negotiations with cable providers. It should be a straightforward process, Stankey argued during an investor call, stressing that this is going to be a lot different [for WarnerMedia employees] than the Time Warner period and wont feature a holding pattern while the transaction awaits approval. Executives expect the deal to close in mid-2022. There will be eyes on this, nonetheless: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who sits on the antitrust subcommittee, said the deal demands close scrutiny to protect consumers pocket books instead of accelerating further concentration among corporate behemoths. AT&T is seeking a bailout from a merger that should have never been approved, said former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, now with Common Cause, attacking the deal as another potential recipe for consumer harms and job losses. ADVICE WANTED FROM MERRICK GARLAND Top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee called on the attorney general to weigh in on the FTC's section 13(b) authority, which a recent Supreme Court ruling upended. In a Monday letter, GOP Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the panels ranking member, and Gus Bilirakis of Florida asked for the Justice Departments views on Rep. Tony Crdenas (D-Calif.) Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, H.R. 2668 (117). Cardenas bill would guarantee the FTC's ability to seek consumer reimbursement from companies that violate the law. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the commission doesnt have that authority. The Republican lawmakers said they endorsed the spirit of the bill, but were concerned that H.R. 2668 goes much further and does not include necessary safeguards that ensure due process. They also asked whether DOJ believes the new bill would extend to antitrust cases. Major implications: Last month, Facebook cited this same Supreme Court decision in a motion to dismiss the FTCs antitrust suit against the company, arguing that the agency lacked the authority to go after Facebook for its past conduct. The high court's ruling dealt with a different part of the statute. But Republican lawmakers also asked Garland about constitutional issues with the new legislation, which seeks to make the FTCs authority retroactive for the past 10 years. For a reminder on why the FTC might need stronger enforcement authorities, look no further than Leah's blockbuster investigation into the agency's handling of Google in the Obama era. APPLE-EPIC UPDATE APPLES SCHILLER MAKES HIS CASE FOR THE APP STORE Longtime Apple exec Philip Schiller answered questions from Apple-side lawyers Monday and will be grilled by plaintiff Epic Games lawyers today. (Leahs got the full details.) Some key numbers from his testimony: $50 million: How much Apple spends per year on its developer conference. 17 percent: Game apps on the App Store that use the freemium model like Epics Fortnite (free to download, pay for in-game extras). About 75 percent of games are free, and make money via displaying ads. 150,000: How many application programming interfaces Apple provides to developers. It adds 1,000 to 5,000 new ones annually. Transitions The FTC will name Eyitayo St. Matthew-Daniel as its top antitrust enforcer, The Information reports. WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar is negotiating his exit, NYT reports. Along with its return to the iOS App Store, Parler announced its leadership team: George Farmer as CEO, Mike Hebert as COO and Patrick Galbraith as CTO. Chetna Mahajan is joining ZoomInfo as chief information officer. Uber executive Peeyush Nahar is joining Goldman Sachs to run its digital banking unit, Marcus. Kevin Xu is joining GitHub as senior director of international expansion strategy. Hugo Barra is leaving Facebook Reality Labs. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has added Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi and South Dakota to its National Broadband Availability Map. German digital publishing house Axel Springer is partnering with Facebook to distribute content. Calix is joining USTelecom | The Broadband Association. Silicon Valley Must Reads Terms and conditions: Apple's move into China two decades ago helped make it the most valuable company in the world. But its profits come at the cost of surveillance and censorship, NYT reports. Rural revival: Broadband access could be the key to bringing workers back to rural areas. More from NYT. Revealed: Researchers have identified a Chinese business tied to Steve Bannon as a central figure behind a massive disinformation network, WaPo reports. To find out, the Trump DOJ subpoenaed Twitter, the Hill reports. Sharing is caring: Facebook wants other companies to use the Oversight Board, too, via Engadget. ICYMI: Tech billionaire Peter Thiel is pouring major cash into the coffers of two Senate candidates, POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt reports. A message from Internet Association: The internet plays an important role in Americans everyday lives. It means connection, opportunity, and jobs for every community in every state. Whether its students attending classes from home, a grandmother watching her childs first steps, or working together with colleagues - the internet continues connecting what matters most. Schools to students. Artists to audiences. Seller to buyers. Restaurants to diners. Travel industry to travelers. Every day, the internet industry keeps us connected. To learn more, please visit www.internetassociation.org Quick Downloads Podcast OTD: The latest episode of TBD: Technology By Design features a conversation with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) on her push for a national data privacy standard. More media moves: Amazon is weighing a deal to buy MGM, The Information reports. BGR takes a look. Cushy gig: Elon Musk impersonators have swindled people out of $2M in cryptocurrency, FTC says, via CNET. Send them along via email to our team: Bob King ([email protected]), Heidi Vogt ([email protected]), John Hendel ([email protected]), Cristiano Lima ([email protected]), Alexandra S. Levine ([email protected]), Leah Nylen ([email protected]), Emily Birnbaum ([email protected]), and Benjamin Din ([email protected]). Send details to [email protected]. And don't forget: Add @MorningTech and @PoliticoPro on Twitter. SEE YOU TOMORROW! Follow us on Twitter Heidi Vogt @HeidiVogt Alexandra S. Levine @ali_lev John Hendel @johnhendel Cristiano Lima @viacristiano Leah Nylen @leah_nylen Benjamin Din @benjamindin Emily Birnbaum @birnbaum_e | The Endless Frontier Act has made some progressives worry about the anti-China rhetoric the bills backers are using. House appropriators will discuss how and whether to provide more funding for universal broadband access. House Republicans want to know what the Justice Department thinks about legislation to buff up the FTC's authority. | bart | 2 | https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2021/05/18/could-the-endless-frontier-act-fuel-anti-asian-hate-795374 | 0.12726 |
How much did Joe and Jill Biden pay in 2020 taxes? | President Joe Biden restored a long-standing presidential tradition Monday by releasing his tax returns, showing that the Bidens paid $157,414 in income tax, or 25.9% of the first couples income went to the federal government in 2020. The average federal income tax rate is just over 14%. Mr. Biden and his wife, Jill, a teacher, earned $607,336 last year while he was running for president. That is down from $985,223 in 2019, when they primarily earned money from book sales, speeches, and positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia Community College. Those income opportunities diminished because of the campaign. Mr. Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, declined to release his tax returns, a precedent that the new administration rejected. I would expect that we will continue to release the presidents tax returns, as should be expected by every president of the United States, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday ahead of the release. The Bidens donated $30,704 to 10 charities last year. The largest gift was $10,000 to the Beau Biden Foundation, a nonprofit focused on child abuse that is named after the presidents deceased son. The president separately released his financial holdings through the Office of Government Ethics and has assets worth between $1.2 million and $2.88 million. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, also released their 2020 tax filings. They paid a rate of 36.7% on income of $1,695,225 and contributed $27,006 to charity. Ms. Harris was previously a U.S. senator representing California, while Mr. Emhoff was a Los Angeles-based entertainment lawyer. He now teaches law at Georgetown University. Ms. Harris also made public her financial holdings through the Office of Government Ethics, showing her assets valued at between $1 million and $2.4 million. Ms. Harris also listed just under $359,000 in advance payments for her 2019 memoir, The Truths We Hold. And Boomberg reports: Both Biden and Harris would end up paying higher tax rates under Bidens American Family Plan based on their incomes this year. Harris and Emhoff would also be subject to an increase in the capital gains rates since they earned more than $1 million. Both couples would benefit from efforts among some House Democrats to repeal the $10,000 limit on deductions for state and local taxes, or SALT. The Bidens paid $90,289 in SALT while Harris and her husband paid $280,421, amounts they could fully write off if Democrats succeed in restoring the tax break that was curbed by former President Donald Trump. Mr. Biden campaigned on the transparency of his personal finances, releasing 22 years worth of tax filings ahead of the 2020 election. It was a direct challenge to Trump, who claimed for several years that an audit prevented him from releasing his taxes even though the IRS had mandated for more than four decades that the tax returns of a sitting president and vice president be audited. The New York Times later obtained the tax records of the reputed billionaire and reported that he paid just $750 in federal income taxes during his first year in the White House. IRS figures indicate that the average tax filer paid roughly $12,200 in 2017, about 16 times more than what the former president paid. You have not released a single solitary year of your tax returns, Mr. Biden told Mr. Trump at one of their presidential debates. What are you hiding? Mr. Trump claimed without evidence that he had prepaid his taxes and that he thought the $750 was a filing fee. Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Your email address By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy The IRS does not charge filing fees. This story was reported by The Associated Press. | Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, earned $607,336 last year while he was running for president. | bart | 0 | https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2021/0518/How-much-did-Joe-and-Jill-Biden-pay-in-2020-taxes?icid=rss | 0.141271 |
How much did Joe and Jill Biden pay in 2020 taxes? | President Joe Biden restored a long-standing presidential tradition Monday by releasing his tax returns, showing that the Bidens paid $157,414 in income tax, or 25.9% of the first couples income went to the federal government in 2020. The average federal income tax rate is just over 14%. Mr. Biden and his wife, Jill, a teacher, earned $607,336 last year while he was running for president. That is down from $985,223 in 2019, when they primarily earned money from book sales, speeches, and positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia Community College. Those income opportunities diminished because of the campaign. Mr. Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, declined to release his tax returns, a precedent that the new administration rejected. I would expect that we will continue to release the presidents tax returns, as should be expected by every president of the United States, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday ahead of the release. The Bidens donated $30,704 to 10 charities last year. The largest gift was $10,000 to the Beau Biden Foundation, a nonprofit focused on child abuse that is named after the presidents deceased son. The president separately released his financial holdings through the Office of Government Ethics and has assets worth between $1.2 million and $2.88 million. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, also released their 2020 tax filings. They paid a rate of 36.7% on income of $1,695,225 and contributed $27,006 to charity. Ms. Harris was previously a U.S. senator representing California, while Mr. Emhoff was a Los Angeles-based entertainment lawyer. He now teaches law at Georgetown University. Ms. Harris also made public her financial holdings through the Office of Government Ethics, showing her assets valued at between $1 million and $2.4 million. Ms. Harris also listed just under $359,000 in advance payments for her 2019 memoir, The Truths We Hold. And Boomberg reports: Both Biden and Harris would end up paying higher tax rates under Bidens American Family Plan based on their incomes this year. Harris and Emhoff would also be subject to an increase in the capital gains rates since they earned more than $1 million. Both couples would benefit from efforts among some House Democrats to repeal the $10,000 limit on deductions for state and local taxes, or SALT. The Bidens paid $90,289 in SALT while Harris and her husband paid $280,421, amounts they could fully write off if Democrats succeed in restoring the tax break that was curbed by former President Donald Trump. Mr. Biden campaigned on the transparency of his personal finances, releasing 22 years worth of tax filings ahead of the 2020 election. It was a direct challenge to Trump, who claimed for several years that an audit prevented him from releasing his taxes even though the IRS had mandated for more than four decades that the tax returns of a sitting president and vice president be audited. The New York Times later obtained the tax records of the reputed billionaire and reported that he paid just $750 in federal income taxes during his first year in the White House. IRS figures indicate that the average tax filer paid roughly $12,200 in 2017, about 16 times more than what the former president paid. You have not released a single solitary year of your tax returns, Mr. Biden told Mr. Trump at one of their presidential debates. What are you hiding? Mr. Trump claimed without evidence that he had prepaid his taxes and that he thought the $750 was a filing fee. Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Your email address By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy The IRS does not charge filing fees. This story was reported by The Associated Press. | The average federal income tax rate is just over 14%. Mr. Biden and his wife, Jill, a teacher, earned $607,336 last year while he was running for president. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2021/0518/How-much-did-Joe-and-Jill-Biden-pay-in-2020-taxes?icid=rss | 0.110804 |
How much did Joe and Jill Biden pay in 2020 taxes? | President Joe Biden restored a long-standing presidential tradition Monday by releasing his tax returns, showing that the Bidens paid $157,414 in income tax, or 25.9% of the first couples income went to the federal government in 2020. The average federal income tax rate is just over 14%. Mr. Biden and his wife, Jill, a teacher, earned $607,336 last year while he was running for president. That is down from $985,223 in 2019, when they primarily earned money from book sales, speeches, and positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia Community College. Those income opportunities diminished because of the campaign. Mr. Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, declined to release his tax returns, a precedent that the new administration rejected. I would expect that we will continue to release the presidents tax returns, as should be expected by every president of the United States, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday ahead of the release. The Bidens donated $30,704 to 10 charities last year. The largest gift was $10,000 to the Beau Biden Foundation, a nonprofit focused on child abuse that is named after the presidents deceased son. The president separately released his financial holdings through the Office of Government Ethics and has assets worth between $1.2 million and $2.88 million. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, also released their 2020 tax filings. They paid a rate of 36.7% on income of $1,695,225 and contributed $27,006 to charity. Ms. Harris was previously a U.S. senator representing California, while Mr. Emhoff was a Los Angeles-based entertainment lawyer. He now teaches law at Georgetown University. Ms. Harris also made public her financial holdings through the Office of Government Ethics, showing her assets valued at between $1 million and $2.4 million. Ms. Harris also listed just under $359,000 in advance payments for her 2019 memoir, The Truths We Hold. And Boomberg reports: Both Biden and Harris would end up paying higher tax rates under Bidens American Family Plan based on their incomes this year. Harris and Emhoff would also be subject to an increase in the capital gains rates since they earned more than $1 million. Both couples would benefit from efforts among some House Democrats to repeal the $10,000 limit on deductions for state and local taxes, or SALT. The Bidens paid $90,289 in SALT while Harris and her husband paid $280,421, amounts they could fully write off if Democrats succeed in restoring the tax break that was curbed by former President Donald Trump. Mr. Biden campaigned on the transparency of his personal finances, releasing 22 years worth of tax filings ahead of the 2020 election. It was a direct challenge to Trump, who claimed for several years that an audit prevented him from releasing his taxes even though the IRS had mandated for more than four decades that the tax returns of a sitting president and vice president be audited. The New York Times later obtained the tax records of the reputed billionaire and reported that he paid just $750 in federal income taxes during his first year in the White House. IRS figures indicate that the average tax filer paid roughly $12,200 in 2017, about 16 times more than what the former president paid. You have not released a single solitary year of your tax returns, Mr. Biden told Mr. Trump at one of their presidential debates. What are you hiding? Mr. Trump claimed without evidence that he had prepaid his taxes and that he thought the $750 was a filing fee. Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Your email address By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy The IRS does not charge filing fees. This story was reported by The Associated Press. | Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, earned $607,336 last year while he was running for president. The Bidens paid $157,414 in income tax, or 25.9% of the first couples income went to the federal government in 2020. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2021/0518/How-much-did-Joe-and-Jill-Biden-pay-in-2020-taxes?icid=rss | 0.592856 |
Has Roush Fenway Racing offered Brad Keselowski an ownership stake? | According to a report by Motorsport, Keselowski has been offered a contract to drive the No. 6 car for Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and beyond. That offer also reportedly includes an ownership stake in the team. From Motorsport: Keselowski, 37, has been offered a fulltime Cup series ride with Roush Fenway Racing beginning next season in a deal that would also include part ownership in a renamed team called RFK (Roush-Fenway-Keselowski) Racing, multiple sources with knowledge of the deal have confirmed. Keselowski would become the driver of the No. 6 Ford, but it remains unclear how much of an ownership percentage he would have in the renamed team. However, Keselowski would be expected to play a large role on the competition side of the organization, sources said. Keselowski's current deal with Team Penske expires at the end of the season. He was set to be a free agent at the end of the 2020 season and signed a one-year extension with the team during the pandemic-impacted 2020 campaign. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Keselowski has 35 career wins Keselowski has driven for Team Penske for the entirety of his full-time Cup Series career. The team signed him at the end of the 2009 season after Keselowski drove part-time in the Cup Series that season for Phoenix Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. All but one of Keselowski's 35 career Cup Series wins have come at Penske and he won the 2012 championship with the team. That title was the first Cup Series championship for Roger Penske. Keselowski has significant NASCAR ownership experience. He owned and operated Brad Keselowski Racing in the Truck Series and his team employed drivers like Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric. Keselowski shut the team down to start his Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing in 2018. If the offer becomes reality, Keselowski would join Denny Hamlin as an active owner-driver in the Cup Series. Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan. Hamlin became the first prominent owner-driver in the Cup Series in 2021 since Tony Stewart retired from the Cup Series after the 2016 season. A move to add Keselowski to the team could be a boost for Roush similar to the boost that Haas CNC Racing got when it made Stewart a co-owner ahead of the 2009 season. Haas was a Cup Series backmarker until Stewart came along and then became one of the best teams in NASCAR thanks to an increased technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. Stewart won the 2011 Cup Series title and then Kevin Harvick got his first title in 2014. Roush is no backmarker Cup Series team but its performance is also nothing like it used to be. Roush was one of the biggest and best teams in the 2000s and even had five cars in the 10-car playoff field in 2005. Now it's a two-car team that has just two wins since Carl Edwards left the team after the 2014 season. The addition of Keselowski if it comes to fruition and the addition of the new Cup Series car in 2022 could be a jolt for the team. More from Yahoo Sports: | According to a report by Motorsport, Keselowski has been offered a contract to drive the No. 6 car for Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and beyond. That offer also reportedly includes an ownership stake in the team. | bart | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/has-roush-fenway-racing-offered-brad-keselowski-an-ownership-stake-162857676.html?src=rss | 0.382284 |
Has Roush Fenway Racing offered Brad Keselowski an ownership stake? | According to a report by Motorsport, Keselowski has been offered a contract to drive the No. 6 car for Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and beyond. That offer also reportedly includes an ownership stake in the team. From Motorsport: Keselowski, 37, has been offered a fulltime Cup series ride with Roush Fenway Racing beginning next season in a deal that would also include part ownership in a renamed team called RFK (Roush-Fenway-Keselowski) Racing, multiple sources with knowledge of the deal have confirmed. Keselowski would become the driver of the No. 6 Ford, but it remains unclear how much of an ownership percentage he would have in the renamed team. However, Keselowski would be expected to play a large role on the competition side of the organization, sources said. Keselowski's current deal with Team Penske expires at the end of the season. He was set to be a free agent at the end of the 2020 season and signed a one-year extension with the team during the pandemic-impacted 2020 campaign. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Keselowski has 35 career wins Keselowski has driven for Team Penske for the entirety of his full-time Cup Series career. The team signed him at the end of the 2009 season after Keselowski drove part-time in the Cup Series that season for Phoenix Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. All but one of Keselowski's 35 career Cup Series wins have come at Penske and he won the 2012 championship with the team. That title was the first Cup Series championship for Roger Penske. Keselowski has significant NASCAR ownership experience. He owned and operated Brad Keselowski Racing in the Truck Series and his team employed drivers like Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric. Keselowski shut the team down to start his Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing in 2018. If the offer becomes reality, Keselowski would join Denny Hamlin as an active owner-driver in the Cup Series. Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan. Hamlin became the first prominent owner-driver in the Cup Series in 2021 since Tony Stewart retired from the Cup Series after the 2016 season. A move to add Keselowski to the team could be a boost for Roush similar to the boost that Haas CNC Racing got when it made Stewart a co-owner ahead of the 2009 season. Haas was a Cup Series backmarker until Stewart came along and then became one of the best teams in NASCAR thanks to an increased technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. Stewart won the 2011 Cup Series title and then Kevin Harvick got his first title in 2014. Roush is no backmarker Cup Series team but its performance is also nothing like it used to be. Roush was one of the biggest and best teams in the 2000s and even had five cars in the 10-car playoff field in 2005. Now it's a two-car team that has just two wins since Carl Edwards left the team after the 2014 season. The addition of Keselowski if it comes to fruition and the addition of the new Cup Series car in 2022 could be a jolt for the team. More from Yahoo Sports: | According to a report by Motorsport, Keselowski has been offered a contract to drive the No. 6 car for Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and beyond. That offer also reportedly includes an ownership stake in the team. It remains unclear how much of an ownership percentage he would have in the renamed team. | bart | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/has-roush-fenway-racing-offered-brad-keselowski-an-ownership-stake-162857676.html?src=rss | 0.448703 |
What does Brian Hoyer's return mean for Cam Newton's Patriots future? | Curran: What Hoyer's return means for Cam Newton's future with Pats originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston If Brian Hoyer takes a meaningful snap in 2021 for the Patriots, something went terribly wrong. You know it. I know it. Brian Hoyer knows it. Hoyers return, news of which popped Monday night, is for one vital reason. To give tutelage. The first-round quarterback, Mac Jones. Our man Phil Perry hit on the Hoyer re-signing as well, laying out some of the reasons it came down Monday night. But what intrigues me is what Hoyer coming back means for Cam Newton. Or, more specifically, what it says about the projected role of Newton in the development of Jones. I know what youre thinking. Why dont you guys just put out a special section fer crissake. How about this. Its May. Leave us alone. Understand its far too early to say with any certainty what the Patriots quarterback depth chart will look like in September. And Hoyer, who sunk roots in Foxboro, was in the Patriots' plans before Jones was even drafted. But now that Jones is in the fold, Hoyers 2020 role as emergency backup/seasoned pro in the room will morph a little. Hes going to be asked to pour his brain into Jones ears. This is something the Patriots have done all over their roster through the years and not just at quarterback. Junior Seau filled the role for the linebackers in the late aughts. Alge Crumpler was signed in 2010 and quickly became the Yoda for Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as tight ends. Make no mistake, Hoyer re-signed with the Patriots in 2020 with designs on starting. He was promised a chance to compete with Jarrett Stidham before Newton was signed in late June. Hoyer actually started camp taking most of the early reps and performed well in the first days. Story continues Patriots Talk Podcast: Chad Pennington: Ideally Mac Jones follows the Patrick Mahomes plan | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube But when he flagged a little and Stidham got hurt, Newton nudged ahead. And the landscape became apparent. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound former MVP Newton who could run the ball might be a better option in a run-heavy offense than the cerebral, accurate but undersized, aging and not-very-strong-armed Hoyer. Hoyer got thrown into the cauldron against the Chiefs in Week 4. He had one of the worst performances of his career, got benched, then got buried behind Stidham on the depth chart. And there he stayed even though the performances of both Newton and Stidham during the rest of the season had plenty of people wondering at various points if Hoyer might not be able to make the offense look at least competent. Now, its vastly different. The Patriots have an array of talent at tight end and wide receiver that just wasnt there last season. And they have a rookie quarterback they are hoping can turn into a 10-year answer at the position. Two of the prime goals for this season will be competing for the division title (and more) and prepping Jones to be that answer. Newton may figure in satisfying the first goal. Its less likely hell be valuable in satisfying the second. First, Newton is -- by his own admission -- still learning the Patriots offense. Without an offseason or full training camp last year and because of COVID, Newton never got the full immersion treatment. Newton might be able to tell Jones and Stidham plenty about leadership, professionalism, time management, life in the league or other teams defensive tendencies or personnel. Not so much. Newton ran an offense last season with a far different focus than what even Stidham ran. Second, Newton is hanging onto his NFL career by a cuticle. At least his role as a starter. Bill Belichick bucks Newton up every chance he gets because Belichicks sympathetic to the fact Newton is inevitably going to feel like the rug is slowly being pulled out from under him. Newton is happy to hand out nicknames, tousle everyones hair and be the big brother when its clear to everyone hes the lead dog. That would be asking a lot of a player who is very sure hes still got it. What we dont know right now is whether Newton is the fail-safe. Signing Hoyer doesnt mean Cam is on the clock. Newtons on a one-year deal with a low salary and the Patriots just spent a first rounder on a quarterback. He already was on the clock. But the clock could be speeding up. | Brian Hoyer re-signed with the Patriots in 2020 with designs on starting. Hoyer's return is for one vital reason: to give tutelage to Mac Jones. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/does-brian-hoyers-return-mean-150441367.html?src=rss | 0.140326 |
What does Brian Hoyer's return mean for Cam Newton's Patriots future? | Curran: What Hoyer's return means for Cam Newton's future with Pats originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston If Brian Hoyer takes a meaningful snap in 2021 for the Patriots, something went terribly wrong. You know it. I know it. Brian Hoyer knows it. Hoyers return, news of which popped Monday night, is for one vital reason. To give tutelage. The first-round quarterback, Mac Jones. Our man Phil Perry hit on the Hoyer re-signing as well, laying out some of the reasons it came down Monday night. But what intrigues me is what Hoyer coming back means for Cam Newton. Or, more specifically, what it says about the projected role of Newton in the development of Jones. I know what youre thinking. Why dont you guys just put out a special section fer crissake. How about this. Its May. Leave us alone. Understand its far too early to say with any certainty what the Patriots quarterback depth chart will look like in September. And Hoyer, who sunk roots in Foxboro, was in the Patriots' plans before Jones was even drafted. But now that Jones is in the fold, Hoyers 2020 role as emergency backup/seasoned pro in the room will morph a little. Hes going to be asked to pour his brain into Jones ears. This is something the Patriots have done all over their roster through the years and not just at quarterback. Junior Seau filled the role for the linebackers in the late aughts. Alge Crumpler was signed in 2010 and quickly became the Yoda for Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez as tight ends. Make no mistake, Hoyer re-signed with the Patriots in 2020 with designs on starting. He was promised a chance to compete with Jarrett Stidham before Newton was signed in late June. Hoyer actually started camp taking most of the early reps and performed well in the first days. Story continues Patriots Talk Podcast: Chad Pennington: Ideally Mac Jones follows the Patrick Mahomes plan | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube But when he flagged a little and Stidham got hurt, Newton nudged ahead. And the landscape became apparent. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound former MVP Newton who could run the ball might be a better option in a run-heavy offense than the cerebral, accurate but undersized, aging and not-very-strong-armed Hoyer. Hoyer got thrown into the cauldron against the Chiefs in Week 4. He had one of the worst performances of his career, got benched, then got buried behind Stidham on the depth chart. And there he stayed even though the performances of both Newton and Stidham during the rest of the season had plenty of people wondering at various points if Hoyer might not be able to make the offense look at least competent. Now, its vastly different. The Patriots have an array of talent at tight end and wide receiver that just wasnt there last season. And they have a rookie quarterback they are hoping can turn into a 10-year answer at the position. Two of the prime goals for this season will be competing for the division title (and more) and prepping Jones to be that answer. Newton may figure in satisfying the first goal. Its less likely hell be valuable in satisfying the second. First, Newton is -- by his own admission -- still learning the Patriots offense. Without an offseason or full training camp last year and because of COVID, Newton never got the full immersion treatment. Newton might be able to tell Jones and Stidham plenty about leadership, professionalism, time management, life in the league or other teams defensive tendencies or personnel. Not so much. Newton ran an offense last season with a far different focus than what even Stidham ran. Second, Newton is hanging onto his NFL career by a cuticle. At least his role as a starter. Bill Belichick bucks Newton up every chance he gets because Belichicks sympathetic to the fact Newton is inevitably going to feel like the rug is slowly being pulled out from under him. Newton is happy to hand out nicknames, tousle everyones hair and be the big brother when its clear to everyone hes the lead dog. That would be asking a lot of a player who is very sure hes still got it. What we dont know right now is whether Newton is the fail-safe. Signing Hoyer doesnt mean Cam is on the clock. Newtons on a one-year deal with a low salary and the Patriots just spent a first rounder on a quarterback. He already was on the clock. But the clock could be speeding up. | Brian Hoyer re-signed with the Patriots in 2020 with designs on starting. Hoyer's return is for one vital reason: To give tutelage to the first-round quarterback, Mac Jones. Newton is -- by his own admission -- still learning the Patriots offense. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/does-brian-hoyers-return-mean-150441367.html?src=rss | 0.272158 |
Can the 49ers Recreate their D-Line Dominance from 2019? | 2019 was special. The 49ers were so dominant on the defensive side of the ball that sometimes even the greatest quarterbacks looked like scared kids on the field. People usually said it was because the arrival of Nick Bosa but there were way more factors than just a great draft pick. I remember what I wrote to the Hungarian faithful community when they asked me if I could give a prediction of what record I expect from the team back in 2019. Surprisingly I was negative (as usual) and I said it was going to be a 6-10 season. I couldn't believe my eyes when the team proved me wrong. As a man I hate being wrong, but I always admit when I am (sooner or later). Understanding the fact that you're not always right is a huge step forward to adulthood, which is almost as important as staying as positive in every situation as possible. I don't like predictions at all, in my opinion predicting something is like future telling based on statistics and trends and hoping that nothing will turn things around. But I was never as happy as I was in 2019 when I was wrong with my prediction. Sadly almost all my predictions were bullseyes in 2020 (those weren't positive at all...) and I almost hit the center of the darts target before the 2021 draft but a miracle happened so I'm here writing this article hoping that I'm not going to be right with this but I want to share my concerns about our defensive line so here we are. No, it wasn't just Bosa, but he was a huge part of it. Remember, our best four men up front were Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Bosa. The 49ers defense played Wide 9 back then with a widely spread defensive line, versatile linebackers and cornerbacks who had hole responsibilities as well and safeties who read the field as fast as possible and attacked the box lighting fast when it was necessary. That was the first year when Robert Saleh showed the world what a genius he is, although back then he made some "high risk - high gain" calls that sometimes put the defense into bad situations where they gave up some points. In 2020, Saleh proved he's a defensive mastermind in the NFL with third- and fourth-string players and a completely different scheme and, most importantly, with a way less dominant D-line. Bosa and Solomon Thomas got injured fast and the team traded Buckner to draft Javon Kinlaw into the defensive tackle position which was one of the greatest mistakes this franchise did in the past decade. I see the pure talent and the upside Kin(raw)law has but to be honest I doubt that he could ever be as good as Buckner is right now. In 2019 with our best defensive lineup, the defense was unstoppable, and Buckner was a huge part of that. From our four starting linemen there were three who were forcing other teams to double team them: Buckner, Ford and Bosa. Ford earned a lot of hate in the past years because of him being injury prone but if I want to be honest he made Bosa look better in 2019. Ford is a really unique kind of defensive end who has the ability to convert his amazing speed into strength. He has great technique and understands the game in a way that most players simply don't. He could have been one of the greatest defensive ends, but injuries have ruined his career. If you watch his tape from 2019 you can see that he was double teamed a lot by a running back and a tackle, and that gave Bosa the opportunity to fight in one-on-one situations that were way easier. That's why Bosa had way better stats when Ford was on the field. So we can agree that the defensive ends were scary two years ago, but the interior line was even scarier with the two "big guys" -- DeFo and Armstead -- who both had career years two seasons ago. DeFo was the engine of that defense ever since he arrived to the team and in 2019 was among the guys who made the most pressure against double teams. And he faced double teams most of the time because he was (and still is) an unstoppable force for any O-line. The only DT who earned the right to be mentioned on the same page with Aaron Donald. Armstead was in a different situation. With the "magic three" mentioned before he had a way easier job generating pressure because offensive lines concentrated on the other three rushers. Arik is a physically-gifted, versatile lineman who never really had a position in the defensive line. He is not fast enough to be an effective pass rusher and can't use his mass to be good enough as an interior defensive lineman, but he found the holes the other three generated and lived with the opportunity. The rest is history. Being the fourth-best lineman earned him a new contract, and the team chose to re-sign him, not Buckner. But nobody cared, because everyone was so excited about the "Revenge Tour" that most of them forgot that Buckner was one of the three reasons why team went to the Super Bowl. But there was no revenge, not from the Niners The defensive line wasn't good. It was above average with Kerry Hyder being the best rusher and Kevin Givens being the best defensive tackle. Kinlaw's first year was disappointing, Givens might not play football in the near future, Hyder is not the part of the team anymore and Armstead's performance just doesn't deserve a word (nor a contract). Oh, and I forgot to mention that Ford will most likely retire from football so what we have right now is: Armstead, Bosa, Javon Kinlaw and an almost healthy Ford. I won't put Samson Ebukam on this list because I believe he will be a situational rusher, not an all-around defensive lineman. If Kinlaw makes a jump this year, the line can improve big time, but he is not the type of player that Buckner is and he never will be. You should never trade the leader of your defense for a first-round pick when you have the money to keep him. And I'm still concerned about DeMeco Ryans. You shouldn't expect him to be as good as Saleh was. He doesn't have the experience and we still don't have a clue what scheme the team will use in the future but I'm sure his first year won't be as strong as some people think it will be. | The 49ers defense played Wide 9 back then with a widely spread defensive line. In 2019 with our best defensive lineup, the defense was unstoppable. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/can-the-san-francisco-49ers-recreate-their-d-line-dominance-from-2019 | 0.194135 |
Can the 49ers Recreate their D-Line Dominance from 2019? | 2019 was special. The 49ers were so dominant on the defensive side of the ball that sometimes even the greatest quarterbacks looked like scared kids on the field. People usually said it was because the arrival of Nick Bosa but there were way more factors than just a great draft pick. I remember what I wrote to the Hungarian faithful community when they asked me if I could give a prediction of what record I expect from the team back in 2019. Surprisingly I was negative (as usual) and I said it was going to be a 6-10 season. I couldn't believe my eyes when the team proved me wrong. As a man I hate being wrong, but I always admit when I am (sooner or later). Understanding the fact that you're not always right is a huge step forward to adulthood, which is almost as important as staying as positive in every situation as possible. I don't like predictions at all, in my opinion predicting something is like future telling based on statistics and trends and hoping that nothing will turn things around. But I was never as happy as I was in 2019 when I was wrong with my prediction. Sadly almost all my predictions were bullseyes in 2020 (those weren't positive at all...) and I almost hit the center of the darts target before the 2021 draft but a miracle happened so I'm here writing this article hoping that I'm not going to be right with this but I want to share my concerns about our defensive line so here we are. No, it wasn't just Bosa, but he was a huge part of it. Remember, our best four men up front were Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Bosa. The 49ers defense played Wide 9 back then with a widely spread defensive line, versatile linebackers and cornerbacks who had hole responsibilities as well and safeties who read the field as fast as possible and attacked the box lighting fast when it was necessary. That was the first year when Robert Saleh showed the world what a genius he is, although back then he made some "high risk - high gain" calls that sometimes put the defense into bad situations where they gave up some points. In 2020, Saleh proved he's a defensive mastermind in the NFL with third- and fourth-string players and a completely different scheme and, most importantly, with a way less dominant D-line. Bosa and Solomon Thomas got injured fast and the team traded Buckner to draft Javon Kinlaw into the defensive tackle position which was one of the greatest mistakes this franchise did in the past decade. I see the pure talent and the upside Kin(raw)law has but to be honest I doubt that he could ever be as good as Buckner is right now. In 2019 with our best defensive lineup, the defense was unstoppable, and Buckner was a huge part of that. From our four starting linemen there were three who were forcing other teams to double team them: Buckner, Ford and Bosa. Ford earned a lot of hate in the past years because of him being injury prone but if I want to be honest he made Bosa look better in 2019. Ford is a really unique kind of defensive end who has the ability to convert his amazing speed into strength. He has great technique and understands the game in a way that most players simply don't. He could have been one of the greatest defensive ends, but injuries have ruined his career. If you watch his tape from 2019 you can see that he was double teamed a lot by a running back and a tackle, and that gave Bosa the opportunity to fight in one-on-one situations that were way easier. That's why Bosa had way better stats when Ford was on the field. So we can agree that the defensive ends were scary two years ago, but the interior line was even scarier with the two "big guys" -- DeFo and Armstead -- who both had career years two seasons ago. DeFo was the engine of that defense ever since he arrived to the team and in 2019 was among the guys who made the most pressure against double teams. And he faced double teams most of the time because he was (and still is) an unstoppable force for any O-line. The only DT who earned the right to be mentioned on the same page with Aaron Donald. Armstead was in a different situation. With the "magic three" mentioned before he had a way easier job generating pressure because offensive lines concentrated on the other three rushers. Arik is a physically-gifted, versatile lineman who never really had a position in the defensive line. He is not fast enough to be an effective pass rusher and can't use his mass to be good enough as an interior defensive lineman, but he found the holes the other three generated and lived with the opportunity. The rest is history. Being the fourth-best lineman earned him a new contract, and the team chose to re-sign him, not Buckner. But nobody cared, because everyone was so excited about the "Revenge Tour" that most of them forgot that Buckner was one of the three reasons why team went to the Super Bowl. But there was no revenge, not from the Niners The defensive line wasn't good. It was above average with Kerry Hyder being the best rusher and Kevin Givens being the best defensive tackle. Kinlaw's first year was disappointing, Givens might not play football in the near future, Hyder is not the part of the team anymore and Armstead's performance just doesn't deserve a word (nor a contract). Oh, and I forgot to mention that Ford will most likely retire from football so what we have right now is: Armstead, Bosa, Javon Kinlaw and an almost healthy Ford. I won't put Samson Ebukam on this list because I believe he will be a situational rusher, not an all-around defensive lineman. If Kinlaw makes a jump this year, the line can improve big time, but he is not the type of player that Buckner is and he never will be. You should never trade the leader of your defense for a first-round pick when you have the money to keep him. And I'm still concerned about DeMeco Ryans. You shouldn't expect him to be as good as Saleh was. He doesn't have the experience and we still don't have a clue what scheme the team will use in the future but I'm sure his first year won't be as strong as some people think it will be. | In 2019, the 49ers defense was unstoppable, and Nick Bosa was a huge part of that. In 2020, Robert Saleh proved he's a defensive mastermind in the NFL with third- and fourth-string players and a completely different scheme. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/can-the-san-francisco-49ers-recreate-their-d-line-dominance-from-2019 | 0.169176 |
Can the 49ers Recreate their D-Line Dominance from 2019? | 2019 was special. The 49ers were so dominant on the defensive side of the ball that sometimes even the greatest quarterbacks looked like scared kids on the field. People usually said it was because the arrival of Nick Bosa but there were way more factors than just a great draft pick. I remember what I wrote to the Hungarian faithful community when they asked me if I could give a prediction of what record I expect from the team back in 2019. Surprisingly I was negative (as usual) and I said it was going to be a 6-10 season. I couldn't believe my eyes when the team proved me wrong. As a man I hate being wrong, but I always admit when I am (sooner or later). Understanding the fact that you're not always right is a huge step forward to adulthood, which is almost as important as staying as positive in every situation as possible. I don't like predictions at all, in my opinion predicting something is like future telling based on statistics and trends and hoping that nothing will turn things around. But I was never as happy as I was in 2019 when I was wrong with my prediction. Sadly almost all my predictions were bullseyes in 2020 (those weren't positive at all...) and I almost hit the center of the darts target before the 2021 draft but a miracle happened so I'm here writing this article hoping that I'm not going to be right with this but I want to share my concerns about our defensive line so here we are. No, it wasn't just Bosa, but he was a huge part of it. Remember, our best four men up front were Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Bosa. The 49ers defense played Wide 9 back then with a widely spread defensive line, versatile linebackers and cornerbacks who had hole responsibilities as well and safeties who read the field as fast as possible and attacked the box lighting fast when it was necessary. That was the first year when Robert Saleh showed the world what a genius he is, although back then he made some "high risk - high gain" calls that sometimes put the defense into bad situations where they gave up some points. In 2020, Saleh proved he's a defensive mastermind in the NFL with third- and fourth-string players and a completely different scheme and, most importantly, with a way less dominant D-line. Bosa and Solomon Thomas got injured fast and the team traded Buckner to draft Javon Kinlaw into the defensive tackle position which was one of the greatest mistakes this franchise did in the past decade. I see the pure talent and the upside Kin(raw)law has but to be honest I doubt that he could ever be as good as Buckner is right now. In 2019 with our best defensive lineup, the defense was unstoppable, and Buckner was a huge part of that. From our four starting linemen there were three who were forcing other teams to double team them: Buckner, Ford and Bosa. Ford earned a lot of hate in the past years because of him being injury prone but if I want to be honest he made Bosa look better in 2019. Ford is a really unique kind of defensive end who has the ability to convert his amazing speed into strength. He has great technique and understands the game in a way that most players simply don't. He could have been one of the greatest defensive ends, but injuries have ruined his career. If you watch his tape from 2019 you can see that he was double teamed a lot by a running back and a tackle, and that gave Bosa the opportunity to fight in one-on-one situations that were way easier. That's why Bosa had way better stats when Ford was on the field. So we can agree that the defensive ends were scary two years ago, but the interior line was even scarier with the two "big guys" -- DeFo and Armstead -- who both had career years two seasons ago. DeFo was the engine of that defense ever since he arrived to the team and in 2019 was among the guys who made the most pressure against double teams. And he faced double teams most of the time because he was (and still is) an unstoppable force for any O-line. The only DT who earned the right to be mentioned on the same page with Aaron Donald. Armstead was in a different situation. With the "magic three" mentioned before he had a way easier job generating pressure because offensive lines concentrated on the other three rushers. Arik is a physically-gifted, versatile lineman who never really had a position in the defensive line. He is not fast enough to be an effective pass rusher and can't use his mass to be good enough as an interior defensive lineman, but he found the holes the other three generated and lived with the opportunity. The rest is history. Being the fourth-best lineman earned him a new contract, and the team chose to re-sign him, not Buckner. But nobody cared, because everyone was so excited about the "Revenge Tour" that most of them forgot that Buckner was one of the three reasons why team went to the Super Bowl. But there was no revenge, not from the Niners The defensive line wasn't good. It was above average with Kerry Hyder being the best rusher and Kevin Givens being the best defensive tackle. Kinlaw's first year was disappointing, Givens might not play football in the near future, Hyder is not the part of the team anymore and Armstead's performance just doesn't deserve a word (nor a contract). Oh, and I forgot to mention that Ford will most likely retire from football so what we have right now is: Armstead, Bosa, Javon Kinlaw and an almost healthy Ford. I won't put Samson Ebukam on this list because I believe he will be a situational rusher, not an all-around defensive lineman. If Kinlaw makes a jump this year, the line can improve big time, but he is not the type of player that Buckner is and he never will be. You should never trade the leader of your defense for a first-round pick when you have the money to keep him. And I'm still concerned about DeMeco Ryans. You shouldn't expect him to be as good as Saleh was. He doesn't have the experience and we still don't have a clue what scheme the team will use in the future but I'm sure his first year won't be as strong as some people think it will be. | In 2019, the 49ers defense was unstoppable, and Nick Bosa was a huge part of that. In 2020, Robert Saleh proved he's a defensive mastermind in the NFL with third- and fourth-string players and a completely different scheme and, most importantly, with a way less dominant D-line. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/can-the-san-francisco-49ers-recreate-their-d-line-dominance-from-2019 | 0.262047 |
Was Steelers QB Ben Roethlisbergers 2020 season a failure? | First off, I am not asking if the 2020 season of the Pittsburgh Steelers was a failure. It absolutely was. An abject failure on all fronts. After starting the season 11-0, the team fell apart down the stretch and took a beatdown in the first round of the playoffs. First, the numbers. Roethlisberger started 15 games, only sitting out the final week of the season when playoff seeding was decided. In those 15 games, Roethlisberger threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Roethlisberger completed 65.6 percent of his passes and finished with a 94.1 quarterback rating. The one number that does stand out as the biggest negative is yards per attempt. Thanks to a non-existent run game and questionable offensive line the passing offense was relegated to an almost horizontal passing game with very little vertical threat. But Im passing the question off to all of you. Cast your vote and tell us how you would characterize Roethlisbergers 2020 season. List | Ben Roethlisberger started 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. | pegasus | 0 | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-qb-ben-roethlisberger-2020-172459792.html?src=rss | 0.11298 |
Was Steelers QB Ben Roethlisbergers 2020 season a failure? | First off, I am not asking if the 2020 season of the Pittsburgh Steelers was a failure. It absolutely was. An abject failure on all fronts. After starting the season 11-0, the team fell apart down the stretch and took a beatdown in the first round of the playoffs. First, the numbers. Roethlisberger started 15 games, only sitting out the final week of the season when playoff seeding was decided. In those 15 games, Roethlisberger threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Roethlisberger completed 65.6 percent of his passes and finished with a 94.1 quarterback rating. The one number that does stand out as the biggest negative is yards per attempt. Thanks to a non-existent run game and questionable offensive line the passing offense was relegated to an almost horizontal passing game with very little vertical threat. But Im passing the question off to all of you. Cast your vote and tell us how you would characterize Roethlisbergers 2020 season. List | Ben Roethlisberger started 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. In those 15 games, Roethlisberger threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. | pegasus | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-qb-ben-roethlisberger-2020-172459792.html?src=rss | 0.224113 |
Was Steelers QB Ben Roethlisbergers 2020 season a failure? | First off, I am not asking if the 2020 season of the Pittsburgh Steelers was a failure. It absolutely was. An abject failure on all fronts. After starting the season 11-0, the team fell apart down the stretch and took a beatdown in the first round of the playoffs. First, the numbers. Roethlisberger started 15 games, only sitting out the final week of the season when playoff seeding was decided. In those 15 games, Roethlisberger threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Roethlisberger completed 65.6 percent of his passes and finished with a 94.1 quarterback rating. The one number that does stand out as the biggest negative is yards per attempt. Thanks to a non-existent run game and questionable offensive line the passing offense was relegated to an almost horizontal passing game with very little vertical threat. But Im passing the question off to all of you. Cast your vote and tell us how you would characterize Roethlisbergers 2020 season. List | Ben Roethlisberger started 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. In those 15 games, Roethlisberger threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The one number that does stand out as the biggest negative is yards per attempt. | pegasus | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-qb-ben-roethlisberger-2020-172459792.html?src=rss | 0.226888 |
Is the Black Lives Matter movement on borrowed time? | Nestled in the woods of the Charlottesville countryside, it is a magnificent place. As the descendant of enslaved Africans, I visited the plantation with the same apprehension with which I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. expecting my heart to be broken. What I came away with instead was a strange sympathy for Jefferson. As I walked the rolling, manicured lawns and explored the well-ordered geometry of his architectural masterpiece, for the first time in my life, as a Black man, I think I really understood the attraction of slavery. Despite his better judgment, Jefferson embraced the institution of slavery because he enjoyed its benefits. The moral conflict that inspired him to introduce a Virginia law prohibiting the importation of enslaved Africans in 1778, even as he personally committed all manner of horrors against the Africans he owned, is an illustration of the strong pull selfishness can have on all of us. Like freedom, selfishness is a foundation stone of the American experience. Our history is one long pattern of certain people satisfying their selfish needs at the expense of a selected few beginning with a dispossession of the Indigenous peoples and then the exploitation of enslaved Africans. The observant learn quickly that racial justice in America arrives and recedes like the sweep of a pendulum: out toward justice for a time and then back again toward selfishness. It is for this reason that we know the Black Lives Matter movement is on borrowed time. If past is indeed prologue, one day soon, the heat of the BLM movement will fade away like all previous similar movements, to be replaced by some bland, nostalgic approximation. Weve witnessed the pendulum of racial justice swing back and forth for centuries in America, and yet we continue to be surprised that racism persists. Advertising In the late 1860s, after centuries of slavery, the pendulum swung in favor of Reconstruction and hung there in the air for a time, until the opportunity to seize the reins of presidential power in 1877 convinced supporters of justice in the North to turn a blind eye to injustices in the South setting the pendulum in motion toward Jim Crow. In the late 1960s, television brought the horrors of the segregated South into American homes with a power and immediacy that was difficult to ignore, setting the pendulum in motion toward justice again. For a time, ordinary people were suddenly open to the idea that it might be wrong to beat a man bloody for simply wanting to vote. This acceptance fueled support for the civil rights advances of the 1970s and 80s and, for a time, the pendulum swung in favor of policies supporting school desegregation and Affirmative Action. But the pendulum swung back again as soon as the majority recognized that equal justice often means equal sacrifice. Today the pendulum is poised in judgment above the debate over Critical Race Theory. At the heart of CRT is the concept that racism is woven into the fabric of the American psyche, its systems and its institutions, and that only deliberate action can correct the damage it has done. Across this country, there is a movement afoot fed and fueled by such groups as the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute to oppose the spread of Critical Race Theory. You can see the fruits of their labor on TikTok in tutorials about Black people owning slaves; in Twitter rants equating CRT with public sanctioned racism; and in state legislatures and among House Republicans in Congress, where there is a push to ban its teaching in public schools. Opponents of CRT push back despite a preponderance of evidence that even people new to this country can see. Immigrants watch and make their judgments as the benefits of the GI Bill and favorable home mortgages and places at our elite universities accrue with abundant regularity to certain people. They see how the cards are stacked. At present, the pendulum hangs in the favor of supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and Critical Race Theory, but the pendulum waits for no one. Now is the time for those seeking lasting racial justice to grab as much psychic, moral and political real estate as they can before its too late. | LZ Granderson: Black Lives Matter movement is on borrowed time. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/is-the-black-lives-matter-movement-on-borrowed-time/ | 0.467418 |
Is the Black Lives Matter movement on borrowed time? | Nestled in the woods of the Charlottesville countryside, it is a magnificent place. As the descendant of enslaved Africans, I visited the plantation with the same apprehension with which I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. expecting my heart to be broken. What I came away with instead was a strange sympathy for Jefferson. As I walked the rolling, manicured lawns and explored the well-ordered geometry of his architectural masterpiece, for the first time in my life, as a Black man, I think I really understood the attraction of slavery. Despite his better judgment, Jefferson embraced the institution of slavery because he enjoyed its benefits. The moral conflict that inspired him to introduce a Virginia law prohibiting the importation of enslaved Africans in 1778, even as he personally committed all manner of horrors against the Africans he owned, is an illustration of the strong pull selfishness can have on all of us. Like freedom, selfishness is a foundation stone of the American experience. Our history is one long pattern of certain people satisfying their selfish needs at the expense of a selected few beginning with a dispossession of the Indigenous peoples and then the exploitation of enslaved Africans. The observant learn quickly that racial justice in America arrives and recedes like the sweep of a pendulum: out toward justice for a time and then back again toward selfishness. It is for this reason that we know the Black Lives Matter movement is on borrowed time. If past is indeed prologue, one day soon, the heat of the BLM movement will fade away like all previous similar movements, to be replaced by some bland, nostalgic approximation. Weve witnessed the pendulum of racial justice swing back and forth for centuries in America, and yet we continue to be surprised that racism persists. Advertising In the late 1860s, after centuries of slavery, the pendulum swung in favor of Reconstruction and hung there in the air for a time, until the opportunity to seize the reins of presidential power in 1877 convinced supporters of justice in the North to turn a blind eye to injustices in the South setting the pendulum in motion toward Jim Crow. In the late 1960s, television brought the horrors of the segregated South into American homes with a power and immediacy that was difficult to ignore, setting the pendulum in motion toward justice again. For a time, ordinary people were suddenly open to the idea that it might be wrong to beat a man bloody for simply wanting to vote. This acceptance fueled support for the civil rights advances of the 1970s and 80s and, for a time, the pendulum swung in favor of policies supporting school desegregation and Affirmative Action. But the pendulum swung back again as soon as the majority recognized that equal justice often means equal sacrifice. Today the pendulum is poised in judgment above the debate over Critical Race Theory. At the heart of CRT is the concept that racism is woven into the fabric of the American psyche, its systems and its institutions, and that only deliberate action can correct the damage it has done. Across this country, there is a movement afoot fed and fueled by such groups as the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute to oppose the spread of Critical Race Theory. You can see the fruits of their labor on TikTok in tutorials about Black people owning slaves; in Twitter rants equating CRT with public sanctioned racism; and in state legislatures and among House Republicans in Congress, where there is a push to ban its teaching in public schools. Opponents of CRT push back despite a preponderance of evidence that even people new to this country can see. Immigrants watch and make their judgments as the benefits of the GI Bill and favorable home mortgages and places at our elite universities accrue with abundant regularity to certain people. They see how the cards are stacked. At present, the pendulum hangs in the favor of supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and Critical Race Theory, but the pendulum waits for no one. Now is the time for those seeking lasting racial justice to grab as much psychic, moral and political real estate as they can before its too late. | LZ Granderson: Black Lives Matter movement is on borrowed time. He says the pendulum of racial justice in America swings like a pendulum, toward justice for a time and then back again. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/is-the-black-lives-matter-movement-on-borrowed-time/ | 0.659185 |
Is the Black Lives Matter movement on borrowed time? | Nestled in the woods of the Charlottesville countryside, it is a magnificent place. As the descendant of enslaved Africans, I visited the plantation with the same apprehension with which I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. expecting my heart to be broken. What I came away with instead was a strange sympathy for Jefferson. As I walked the rolling, manicured lawns and explored the well-ordered geometry of his architectural masterpiece, for the first time in my life, as a Black man, I think I really understood the attraction of slavery. Despite his better judgment, Jefferson embraced the institution of slavery because he enjoyed its benefits. The moral conflict that inspired him to introduce a Virginia law prohibiting the importation of enslaved Africans in 1778, even as he personally committed all manner of horrors against the Africans he owned, is an illustration of the strong pull selfishness can have on all of us. Like freedom, selfishness is a foundation stone of the American experience. Our history is one long pattern of certain people satisfying their selfish needs at the expense of a selected few beginning with a dispossession of the Indigenous peoples and then the exploitation of enslaved Africans. The observant learn quickly that racial justice in America arrives and recedes like the sweep of a pendulum: out toward justice for a time and then back again toward selfishness. It is for this reason that we know the Black Lives Matter movement is on borrowed time. If past is indeed prologue, one day soon, the heat of the BLM movement will fade away like all previous similar movements, to be replaced by some bland, nostalgic approximation. Weve witnessed the pendulum of racial justice swing back and forth for centuries in America, and yet we continue to be surprised that racism persists. Advertising In the late 1860s, after centuries of slavery, the pendulum swung in favor of Reconstruction and hung there in the air for a time, until the opportunity to seize the reins of presidential power in 1877 convinced supporters of justice in the North to turn a blind eye to injustices in the South setting the pendulum in motion toward Jim Crow. In the late 1960s, television brought the horrors of the segregated South into American homes with a power and immediacy that was difficult to ignore, setting the pendulum in motion toward justice again. For a time, ordinary people were suddenly open to the idea that it might be wrong to beat a man bloody for simply wanting to vote. This acceptance fueled support for the civil rights advances of the 1970s and 80s and, for a time, the pendulum swung in favor of policies supporting school desegregation and Affirmative Action. But the pendulum swung back again as soon as the majority recognized that equal justice often means equal sacrifice. Today the pendulum is poised in judgment above the debate over Critical Race Theory. At the heart of CRT is the concept that racism is woven into the fabric of the American psyche, its systems and its institutions, and that only deliberate action can correct the damage it has done. Across this country, there is a movement afoot fed and fueled by such groups as the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute to oppose the spread of Critical Race Theory. You can see the fruits of their labor on TikTok in tutorials about Black people owning slaves; in Twitter rants equating CRT with public sanctioned racism; and in state legislatures and among House Republicans in Congress, where there is a push to ban its teaching in public schools. Opponents of CRT push back despite a preponderance of evidence that even people new to this country can see. Immigrants watch and make their judgments as the benefits of the GI Bill and favorable home mortgages and places at our elite universities accrue with abundant regularity to certain people. They see how the cards are stacked. At present, the pendulum hangs in the favor of supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and Critical Race Theory, but the pendulum waits for no one. Now is the time for those seeking lasting racial justice to grab as much psychic, moral and political real estate as they can before its too late. | LZ Granderson: Black Lives Matter movement is on borrowed time. He says the pendulum of racial justice in America swings like a pendulum, toward justice for a time and then back again toward selfishness. LZ: We continue to be surprised that racism persists in the U.S. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/is-the-black-lives-matter-movement-on-borrowed-time/ | 0.724476 |
Could the Yankees Trade For Byron Buxton? | The Twins have the worst record in baseball and are poised to be sellers at the Trade Deadline. The Yankees are in need of outfielders due to injuries and lack of production. MLB insider Joel Sherman, of the New York Post, recently listed Byron Buxton as a potential trade candidate for the Yankees as they inch closer to this summer's MLB Trade Deadline. Let's break it down. The justification from Sherman was the latest injury to Aaron Hicks. The center fielder could be sidelined for an extended period of time due to a torn sheath in his left wrist, landing him on the 10-day injured list. Besides Aaron Judge, New York hasn't had consistent production from the rest of the outfielders on this roster. With Giancarlo Stanton's injury woes rearing its ugly head once againresulting in a trip on the injured list due to a quad strainthere's no question this offense could use a spark at some point in the near future. In other circumstances, this idea would be completely outlandish. The Twins came into this season looking to win their division for the third season in a row. Yes, the Twins have struggled quite a bit in the postseason, but even with the surging Chicago White Sox, the consensus entering this spring was that Minnesota would be in contention once again in 2021. Instead, the Twins are 13-26 and already 11.5 games back of first place in the American League Central. With what appears to be an already insurmountable deficit in the standings, all signs point toward Minnesota trading away some pieces over the next few months to recoup some talent. We'll call it a soft rebuild of sorts. The question is, would they be willing to part ways with a star like Buxton. The center fielder has all five tools, showcasing his MVP-caliber skillset early on this season. Before landing on the injured list, Buxton was hitting .370 (34-for-92) with nine home runs and a 1.180 OPS over 24 games. The 27-year-old's injury history has been a recurring theme over the last several seasons, though. Buxton has only played in more than 100 games in a single season once over seven years in the big leagues. That one full season came in 2017 when Buxton played in 140 games during his age-23 campaign. Injuries aside, if the Twins were ever to make Buxton available, countless teams would be interested. That in mind, it would take a haul to convince the Twins to make any sort of deal including Buxton, but a club like the Yankees may theoretically have what it takes to put together an enticing offer. Although New York would make their top prospectphenom Jasson Dominguezuntouchable, odds are a mix of pitchers Deivi Garca and Clarke Schmidt, along with big leaguers Clint Frazier and Miguel Andjar, would factor in. It's worth noting that the Twins and Yankees have a history making trades. These two franchises have recently negotiated on separate deals that sent Hicks, Lance Lynn and Jaime Garca to the Bronx. As much as this might seem relatively feasible on paper, it's time to snap back to reality. First off, the Yankees would benefit more than anything from trading for a left-handed hitter. The production from the left side for New York has been putrid to this point of the season, so if the Yankees part ways with prospects to make any deal, it's hard to imagine a package not being invested in a lefty bat. That means Buxton's teammate Max Kepler would be more in line with New York's needs. Otherwise, names like Joey Gallo of the Rangers, Arizona's David Peralta, Joc Pederson of the Cubs, San Francisco's Mike Yastrzemski, Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Brewers and more make sense as possible targets. Further, New York has made it clear that they're trying to stay below the Competitive Balance Tax threshold. The financial implications of adding a player like Buxton to the payroll would need to be considered here if GM Brian Cashman hopes to remain below the luxury tax. The biggest factor, however, is the Twins would be silly to trade away Buxton. As alluded to earlier, even if 2021 is a wash for Minnesota, the center fielder is only 27 and has the potential to be one of the league's best players if he can stay healthy. Bottom line, even on the off chance that Buxton is placed on the trade block, the Yankees will likely be looking elsewhere (if anywhere at all). Besides, the Twins won't be dangling Buxton on the trade market. They'd be better served trading away Nelson Cruz, Andrelton Simmons, Michael Pineda or J.A. Happ, veterans on expiring contracts. MORE: Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), on Facebook (also @MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Inside The Pinstripes and check back daily for news, analysis and more. | MLB insider Joel Sherman listed Byron Buxton as a potential trade candidate for the Yankees. The Yankees are in need of outfielders due to injuries and lack of production. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/mlb/yankees/news/could-new-york-yankees-trade-for-minnesota-twins-center-fielder-byron-buxton-trade-deadline | 0.274062 |
Could the Yankees Trade For Byron Buxton? | The Twins have the worst record in baseball and are poised to be sellers at the Trade Deadline. The Yankees are in need of outfielders due to injuries and lack of production. MLB insider Joel Sherman, of the New York Post, recently listed Byron Buxton as a potential trade candidate for the Yankees as they inch closer to this summer's MLB Trade Deadline. Let's break it down. The justification from Sherman was the latest injury to Aaron Hicks. The center fielder could be sidelined for an extended period of time due to a torn sheath in his left wrist, landing him on the 10-day injured list. Besides Aaron Judge, New York hasn't had consistent production from the rest of the outfielders on this roster. With Giancarlo Stanton's injury woes rearing its ugly head once againresulting in a trip on the injured list due to a quad strainthere's no question this offense could use a spark at some point in the near future. In other circumstances, this idea would be completely outlandish. The Twins came into this season looking to win their division for the third season in a row. Yes, the Twins have struggled quite a bit in the postseason, but even with the surging Chicago White Sox, the consensus entering this spring was that Minnesota would be in contention once again in 2021. Instead, the Twins are 13-26 and already 11.5 games back of first place in the American League Central. With what appears to be an already insurmountable deficit in the standings, all signs point toward Minnesota trading away some pieces over the next few months to recoup some talent. We'll call it a soft rebuild of sorts. The question is, would they be willing to part ways with a star like Buxton. The center fielder has all five tools, showcasing his MVP-caliber skillset early on this season. Before landing on the injured list, Buxton was hitting .370 (34-for-92) with nine home runs and a 1.180 OPS over 24 games. The 27-year-old's injury history has been a recurring theme over the last several seasons, though. Buxton has only played in more than 100 games in a single season once over seven years in the big leagues. That one full season came in 2017 when Buxton played in 140 games during his age-23 campaign. Injuries aside, if the Twins were ever to make Buxton available, countless teams would be interested. That in mind, it would take a haul to convince the Twins to make any sort of deal including Buxton, but a club like the Yankees may theoretically have what it takes to put together an enticing offer. Although New York would make their top prospectphenom Jasson Dominguezuntouchable, odds are a mix of pitchers Deivi Garca and Clarke Schmidt, along with big leaguers Clint Frazier and Miguel Andjar, would factor in. It's worth noting that the Twins and Yankees have a history making trades. These two franchises have recently negotiated on separate deals that sent Hicks, Lance Lynn and Jaime Garca to the Bronx. As much as this might seem relatively feasible on paper, it's time to snap back to reality. First off, the Yankees would benefit more than anything from trading for a left-handed hitter. The production from the left side for New York has been putrid to this point of the season, so if the Yankees part ways with prospects to make any deal, it's hard to imagine a package not being invested in a lefty bat. That means Buxton's teammate Max Kepler would be more in line with New York's needs. Otherwise, names like Joey Gallo of the Rangers, Arizona's David Peralta, Joc Pederson of the Cubs, San Francisco's Mike Yastrzemski, Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Brewers and more make sense as possible targets. Further, New York has made it clear that they're trying to stay below the Competitive Balance Tax threshold. The financial implications of adding a player like Buxton to the payroll would need to be considered here if GM Brian Cashman hopes to remain below the luxury tax. The biggest factor, however, is the Twins would be silly to trade away Buxton. As alluded to earlier, even if 2021 is a wash for Minnesota, the center fielder is only 27 and has the potential to be one of the league's best players if he can stay healthy. Bottom line, even on the off chance that Buxton is placed on the trade block, the Yankees will likely be looking elsewhere (if anywhere at all). Besides, the Twins won't be dangling Buxton on the trade market. They'd be better served trading away Nelson Cruz, Andrelton Simmons, Michael Pineda or J.A. Happ, veterans on expiring contracts. MORE: Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), on Facebook (also @MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Inside The Pinstripes and check back daily for news, analysis and more. | MLB insider Joel Sherman listed Byron Buxton as a potential trade candidate for the Yankees. The Twins have the worst record in baseball and are poised to be sellers at the Trade Deadline. The Yankees would benefit more than anything from trading for a left-handed hitter. It would take a haul to convince the Twins to make any sort of deal including Buxton. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.si.com/mlb/yankees/news/could-new-york-yankees-trade-for-minnesota-twins-center-fielder-byron-buxton-trade-deadline | 0.341374 |
Could local lockdown return in Bolton as Covid cases rise? | Coronavirus cases have surged in Bolton, raising the possibility of a new local lockdown. This is not the first time the town in Greater Manchester has faced local restrictions and the area has been a bellwether for a national lockdown in the past. However, the rapid spread of the India variant and the vaccine rollout are new factors. Bolton has the highest case rate in England with 275 cases per 100,000 residents in the week to 12 May more than 10 times the country-wide rate. Prof Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia who specialises in infectious diseases, said: The big anxiety at the moment is that this [India] variant does seem to be pretty much in most parts of the UK now. The issue is always going to be how much more rapidly will it take off in these other areas, and that is the big uncertainty. On Sunday, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, appeared to link rising case rates in Bolton with vaccine hesitancy, but No 10 later downplayed these comments and said hesitancy remained very low throughout the UK. Boltons vaccination rate among over-40s is in line with the national average of 89.8% although there are differences locally. The rise in cases has not yet translated into a rise in hospital admissions and previously there has been a 10-day lag between cases and hospitalisations. Bolton has had some form of restriction in place for almost 10 months. The first began on 31 July when the case rate was 20 per 100,000 population. When restrictions were eased on 3 October the rate was 249 per 100,000. A week later Bolton went into tier 2, by which point cases had risen to 336 per 100,000. By 23 October they had risen a further 65%, at which time tier 3 restrictions were imposed. Cases plateaued but only shortly before England entered a second national lockdown. Another local lockdown in December also failed to stop a rise in cases. Local lockdowns were not completely effective last year. Cases doubled in the majority of English towns and cities where long-term lockdowns were in place, according to analysis in late September 2020. However, experts say timing, decisive action and enforcement are critical in making restrictions effective. Prof Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, said: The effectiveness of local lockdowns remains controversial, particularly the three-tier system introduced into England last October. Where local lockdowns have been effective, they have been accompanied by rigorous testing, tracing and isolation. The key to the success of local lockdowns appears to be going in early when just a few cases are detected and enforcing hard restrictions to prevent person-to-person virus transmission. The gamechanger between now and the last lockdown is vaccination. Almost 37 million people in England have had their first vaccination and 20 million have received both doses. Hunter says vaccines will make things a lot easier: We almost certainly wont achieve herd immunity but vaccines are enabling us to do two things theyre reducing the probability of severe disease in people who are infected and theyre going a long way to reducing transmission and reducing the reproduction rate. Another consideration is that the case rate is lower in those age groups who have already been offered their first vaccines: among under-40s in England the case rate is 2.3 times higher than among those aged 40-plus, a ratio reflected in Bolton. This is an important distinction as, to date, hospitalisations and deaths have been less severe in younger age groups. | Bolton has the highest case rate in England with 275 cases per 100,000. The area has been a bellwether for a national lockdown in the past. The rapid spread of the India variant and the vaccine rollout are new factors. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/could-local-lockdown-return-bolton-covid-cases-rise | 0.213813 |
Could local lockdown return in Bolton as Covid cases rise? | Coronavirus cases have surged in Bolton, raising the possibility of a new local lockdown. This is not the first time the town in Greater Manchester has faced local restrictions and the area has been a bellwether for a national lockdown in the past. However, the rapid spread of the India variant and the vaccine rollout are new factors. Bolton has the highest case rate in England with 275 cases per 100,000 residents in the week to 12 May more than 10 times the country-wide rate. Prof Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia who specialises in infectious diseases, said: The big anxiety at the moment is that this [India] variant does seem to be pretty much in most parts of the UK now. The issue is always going to be how much more rapidly will it take off in these other areas, and that is the big uncertainty. On Sunday, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, appeared to link rising case rates in Bolton with vaccine hesitancy, but No 10 later downplayed these comments and said hesitancy remained very low throughout the UK. Boltons vaccination rate among over-40s is in line with the national average of 89.8% although there are differences locally. The rise in cases has not yet translated into a rise in hospital admissions and previously there has been a 10-day lag between cases and hospitalisations. Bolton has had some form of restriction in place for almost 10 months. The first began on 31 July when the case rate was 20 per 100,000 population. When restrictions were eased on 3 October the rate was 249 per 100,000. A week later Bolton went into tier 2, by which point cases had risen to 336 per 100,000. By 23 October they had risen a further 65%, at which time tier 3 restrictions were imposed. Cases plateaued but only shortly before England entered a second national lockdown. Another local lockdown in December also failed to stop a rise in cases. Local lockdowns were not completely effective last year. Cases doubled in the majority of English towns and cities where long-term lockdowns were in place, according to analysis in late September 2020. However, experts say timing, decisive action and enforcement are critical in making restrictions effective. Prof Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, said: The effectiveness of local lockdowns remains controversial, particularly the three-tier system introduced into England last October. Where local lockdowns have been effective, they have been accompanied by rigorous testing, tracing and isolation. The key to the success of local lockdowns appears to be going in early when just a few cases are detected and enforcing hard restrictions to prevent person-to-person virus transmission. The gamechanger between now and the last lockdown is vaccination. Almost 37 million people in England have had their first vaccination and 20 million have received both doses. Hunter says vaccines will make things a lot easier: We almost certainly wont achieve herd immunity but vaccines are enabling us to do two things theyre reducing the probability of severe disease in people who are infected and theyre going a long way to reducing transmission and reducing the reproduction rate. Another consideration is that the case rate is lower in those age groups who have already been offered their first vaccines: among under-40s in England the case rate is 2.3 times higher than among those aged 40-plus, a ratio reflected in Bolton. This is an important distinction as, to date, hospitalisations and deaths have been less severe in younger age groups. | Bolton has the highest case rate in England with 275 cases per 100,000. The area has been a bellwether for a national lockdown in the past. The rapid spread of the India variant and the vaccine rollout are new factors. The rise in cases has not yet translated into a rise in hospital admissions. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/18/could-local-lockdown-return-bolton-covid-cases-rise | 0.306133 |
Can Higher Taxes On The Mega-Rich Create More Unicorn-Entrepreneurs? | getty There is a debate about whether taxes should be raised on the mega-rich. Media outlets that cater to the business and investment communities worry about how taxing billionaires is unfair or will unleash Armageddon (Economist, 11/9/19, page 68). Billionaires are lamenting that they may not be allowed to control or keep their wealth, or distribute it as they see fit. But taken to its extreme, none of us should be paying taxes. We should all be able to target our money to our favorite causes. I think the debate has been poorly framed. The question we should ask ourselves is whether we should preserve wealth or create wealth. If our goal is to increase our standard of living, creating more unicorns helps. I am sure most of us will agree that we need more unicorn ventures to create wealth and jobs. To do so, we need more unicorn-entrepreneurs who can capitalize on emerging industries and emerging trends to create the next generation of unicorns. They will need leading-edge technical skills and education to jump on emerging trends and dominate them. Unicorn-entrepreneurs need to bring the venture from idea to Aha, when potential is evident, because VCs invest after Aha. This means unicorn-entrepreneurs need to know how to grow from idea to Aha without VC. It is not possible to look at their eyes to predict which entrepreneur will succeed. Hopefully Adam Neumann (WeWork) and Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos) have put this belief to rest. No one knows where the next generation of unicorn-entrepreneurs will come from. This means we need to train everyone and see who emerges to create unicorns. Unicorn-entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Niraj Shah, Thai Lee, and Glen Taylor have done us all a great service by building unicorns. If you look at their backgrounds, they all had the right level of education to succeed, the technical skills in the latest emerging technologies to find the right opportunities, and the business skills to develop the right strategies to succeed. These entrepreneurs came from various strata of society, but most were from the lower-middle-class to middle-class not from the privileged class. Few were born in the manor. But they were born in the strata of society that could afford to give them a good education. This meant that they could use their talents and skills to the maximum. And having been born in the strata of society where they did not inherit a fortune meant that they had to seek their own fortune if they wanted one. So they had the motivation to succeed and the skills to do so in emerging industries, where new fortunes are created. I dont think so. We worry about the wealth tax after we have made our fortune not before. And if we are worried about capital formation for new ventures, most unicorn-entrepreneurs took off without VC. If we want to create the next generation of unicorn-entrepreneurs in America, we will have to make leading-edge technology skills available to everyone in every segment of society, especially in the lower- and middle-income strata. The hope is that some of these students will start and build the next generation of unicorns. This means that funds, i.e. taxes, need to be targeted to give a great education to the strata of society that cannot afford one. Since no one can predict potential successes, offering excellent education to everyone from the all levels of society is the best way to get the next generation of unicorn-entrepreneurs. Without tapping the hunger of Americas motivated classes, the next emerging industries may be in China or India not here. The mega-rich may want to focus on their own goals. But the rest of us need to focus on Americas goals. And hope that we make the next generation rich rather than just keeping the last one rich. MY TAKE: To build the next generation of unicorn-entrepreneurs, we need highly motivated, hungry, and educated entrepreneurs who are experts in emerging technologies and industries. This means educating everyone with the best education especially the children of the motivated classes. Educating everyone needs money. Taxes. Thats how we can keep the American dream alive for all. | Yes, if we want to increase our standard of living, creating more unicorns helps. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/dileeprao/2021/05/18/can-higher-taxes-on-the-mega-rich-create-more-unicorn-entrepreneurs/ | 0.135353 |
Will Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Catch Passes From USC QB Kedon Slovis Next Year? | Pro Football Focus released their early 2022 mock draft and Kedon Slovis failed finish as a top-three overall pick. PFF predicts that Slovis will be selected as the No. 13 overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, stating that, "Slovis had an up and down sophomore year after an outstanding true freshman campaign. He doesnt quite have the arm of some others in this class, but hes been one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the class for two years running." If Kedon Slovis does decide to declare for the NFL Draft after USC's 2021 season, and Pittsburgh selects him, he would join offensive weapons Zach Banner and JuJu Smith-Schuster, who are both two former USC Trojans. The chances of Slovis coming into Pittsburgh and starting immediately are slim to none, but nonetheless the possibility of the Arizona native connecting with Banner and Smith-Schuster are decently possible. [READ: Kedon Slovis Goes No. 2 in NFL Mock Draft] Earlier this month ESPN's senior draft analyst Todd McShay predicted that Slovis would land in Detroit as the No. 2 overall pick. This would allow him to reconnect with former USC wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. McShay wrote,"Current Lions QB Jared Goff was part of the return in the Matthew Stafford trade in January, and a lot of what the Lions do with their two first-rounders in 2022 will depend on how he performs in his sixth NFL season. Detroit does have a potential out on Goff's contract after the 2022 season with a $10 million dead cap hit, so it could certainly be in the quarterback market next April. Slovis is 6-foot-3 with a strong arm, and his 70% completion percentage over 2019-20 ranks seventh among FBS signal-callers." Although Slovis' selection on the draft boards remains unclear ahead of the 2021 college football season, one constant is that the USC QB will need to have a stellar campaign this year to catch the eyes of NFL Draft scouts. If Slovis can establish himself as one of the premiere prospects in the country, he might have a shot at climbing the boards all the way up to No. 1. Comment and join in on the discussion below! ------- You may also like: [READ: Former USC RB Stephen Carr will 'Boost' Indiana's Offense] [READ: Stephen Carr Commits to Indiana] ------- Be sure to stay locked into AllTrojans all the time! Follow AllTrojans on Twitter: @SI_AllTrojans Follow Claudette Montana Pattison on Twitter: @claudette_mp Like and follow AllTrojans on Facebook Subscribe on YOUTUBE! For more USC news visit www.alltrojans.com Promo Photo: USC Athletics | Kedon Slovis is expected to declare for the NFL Draft after USC's 2021 season. PFF predicts that Slovis will be selected as the No. 13 overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Slovis would join offensive weapons Zach Banner and JuJu Smith-Schuster, who are both former USC Trojans. | bart | 2 | https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/will-juju-smith-schuster-catch-passes-from-kedon-slovis-next-year | 0.356661 |
Will New Orleans Saints Cornerback Paulson Adebo Start in Week 1? | New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo has a strong chance of not only making the team's 53-man roster, but also becoming a starter at cornerback. New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo has a strong chance of not only making the team's 53-man roster, but also becoming a starter at cornerback. All-Pro cornerback Marshon Lattimore's return as a starter is up in the air after his recent legal entanglement in Cleveland this past March. The New Orleans Saints and NFL have not issued an official announcement on his status for the season opener against the Green Packers. The young corner will join cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore, Patrick Robinson, PJ Williams, Ken Crawley, Keith Washington, Grant Haley, and rookies Bryce Thompson and Lawrence Woods. SEAN PAYTON ON ADEBO After the completion of April's draft, Sean Payton said of Adebo, "We like all of his traits, every one of them and Mickey (Loomis) alluded to it last night. We feel like we're drafting a good football player, and we'll begin that process of developing him shortly." Reading between the lines, Payton shared his vision on Adebo in New Orleans, "He will compete like all of these guys will. And I would not say we are definitely going to, but I would not also discount that we might look to sign another player." ADEBO VS. THE VETS Adebo would have to leap several veterans - Robinson, Williams, Crawley - to see the field as a starter. It's not a knock on those players, but the backup role better suits their capabilities at this point in their careers. Keith Washington may push for playing time in 2021 after serving as a practice squad player the entire 2020 season. Stanford Cardinal cornerback Paulson Adebo (11) warms up on the field before the game against the Washington Huskies. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sean Payton referred to signing another player; possibly a free-agent veteran is still an option for New Orleans. Richard Sherman expressed concerns about joining the Saints after they drafted his Stanford alum Adebo. Bashaud Breeland, Gareon Conley, Brian Poole, Nikell Robey-Coleman, D.J. Hayden, and Steven Nelson are a few well-noted corners still available. Nonetheless, Adebo has the potential to be inserted into the New Orleans starting lineup in 2021. If Lattimore receives an NFL suspension, expect an earlier start for Adebo. He still needs development. But as a professional, player availability, poor performance, or suspensions can get your number called at any moment in the NFL. I don't envy Saints defensive backfield coach Kris Richard this summer. There will be plenty of decisions to make this training camp - but none more significant than Adebo's role. At this point, it's fair to say the odds are in Adebo's favor to make an early impact during his rookie campaign. Don't miss out on any Saints news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our FREE newsletter and get breaking Saints news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Saints News Newsletter: https://news.snts.us/saintsnewletter Subscribe to the New Orleans Saints YT Channel: https://news.snts.us/saintsnewsyoutube For more Saints News: https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/ or https://www.saints.media Like us on Facebook: https://news.snts.us/saintsnews-fb Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/saintsnews | New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo has a strong chance of not only making the team's 53-man roster, but also becoming a starter at cornerback. All-Pro cornerback Marshon Lattimore's return as a starter is up in the air after his recent legal entanglement in Cleveland. | bart | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/training-camp/will-cornerback-paulson-adebo-start-week-1 | 0.107036 |
Has Green Bay turned on Aaron Rodgers? | GREEN BAY, Wis. Marion Peterson came here, to the outskirts of Lambeau Field, for reasons unrelated to her beloved Green Bay Packers. When she planned a leisurely day trip to Titletown on a mid-May afternoon, Peterson, a retired speech pathologist, wondered who she might run into. She wondered, specifically, about Aaron Rodgers. Because she had a message for him: I feel disappointed in you." Peterson grew up an hour north of here. As a child, she had no means to get to Packer games. Soon enough, the bus trips and end-zone bleacher seats endeared her. Later in life, she fell for the teams MVP. She thought of Rodgers as an outstanding quarterback, and a man of integrity. Her husband, Rick, bought her an authentic Rodgers jersey, her special jersey, which she wore with pride. That is, until reports began trickling out that Rodgers wanted out of Green Bay. She looked at the jersey, with its bulging No. 12, and thought: Man, I'm gonna have to lay this to rest now? She hopes the reports arent true. She, like many Packer fans, hopes Rodgers will remain in Green Bay for the rest of his career. But she, like many Packer fans, feels aggrieved. I feel betrayed by him, she said on this calm May evening, with Lambeau looming over her right shoulder. "We've all held him in such high esteem. So why does he want to do this, to the people that support him?" Maybe his character's not the character I thought it was, she mused. I'm just very, very disappointed in him as a person. I lost what I felt for him as being an important person with a lot of virtue. And if you were to roam around Green Bay now, to pubs and public spaces and Packer hot spots, youd find many fans who agree. Not all do. Opinions on the Rodgers drama vary wildly. There's plenty of blame to go around everywhere, said Ben Culbertson, one lifelong fan. This is a small, tight-knit community, a town of 100,000, where, as one Wisconsinite in his 50s put it, a handshake means the world to most people. If we tell you we're gonna do something, we do something. Story continues And many feel that Rodgers is breaking his pledge. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Suck it up, buttercup Standing at the bar inside D2 Sports Pub, a few hundred yards away from Lambeau, with country music trying to drown out his words, Jeff Stoeberl, a local teacher, is getting worked up. Let's take a look at the Packers, he begins. They drafted a quarterback [Rodgers] in the first round when everybody else passed on him, gave him a chance. They pushed out a first-ballot Hall of Famer [Brett Favre], pushed him out, sent him packing, said [to Rodgers], We're going with you. And so they embrace Aaron Rodgers, they give him $240 million. I think that's BS, Stoeberl seethes. You don't treat the [Packers] like that when they did all that for you. He has a short memory. They pushed Brett Favre out the door, for you. What are you talking about? Its a common sentiment around town. Not just the Favre comparisons, but the feeling that Rodgers, in reportedly pushing for an exit, has wronged the franchise and the city. At Cranky Pats Pizza toward the end of lunch hour, two middle-aged locals, John and Curt, are discussing just that. It's to the point where you think, OK, are you letting the fans down? John says. "Yeah, it's a kick in the shorts for us," Curt agrees. John continues: "My feeling is, OK, you're spoiled goods now. Adds Curt: "This team, this community, Packers fans did a lot to support this guy. I think it's kinda foolish that he's doing this. "I think he oughta grow up and deal with it, Curt continues. He's got a contract. A very good contract." "It's your job," John says. Thats the other belief that arises again and again all across this working-class city. Theres a deep reverence for honoring commitments. When I sign a contract, I have to live up to it, said one local contractor named Mark, who chose not to give his last name because he feared potentially losing work due to his opinions. Rodgers, Mark said, shouldnt be exempt from contractual obligations just because he makes a million times more money than I do. I think anybody that gets paid that type of money oughta do what his boss tells him to do. Mark said he did some work at Rodgers house soon after the QB arrived in Green Bay, and he was real nice. Now, I think he's kinda got an attitude. Back at D2, fans on both sides of the bar felt similarly. "He just needs to suck it up, buttercup, and do your job, a woman named Cynthia said. Or, as Justin, a man whose company shirt had the Packers logo on one sleeve, said: If he's a drama queen, and wants to play his little game, go away. When train travelers arrive in Green Bay, they immediately know they are in Packer land. (Yahoo Sports) Either way, hes retiring a Packer Outside the Packers Pro Shop, in front of statues that welcome you to hallowed Lambeau grounds, Rick Westby is juggling two allegiances. "I think he oughta be treated well, Westby, a middle-aged fan, says of Rodgers. He's still the man. And he deserves to get paid, and if he felt like he's been mistreated, then he's got the right to respond. And if he ended up on another team, I'd still kinda root for him. But, Westby clarifies, I always want the Packers to win. Its still Go Pack. And that, perhaps, is the one thing that everybody here can agree on, from the man in a knock-off Packers shirsey taking his dog for an afternoon stroll to the babysitter in a Packers cap pushing a stroller down an exit ramp; from the east side bartender in a Packers hat and sweatshirt to the antsy elementary schooler, waiting in the outfield during a parking-lot tee-ball game, fiddling with his Packers t-shirt. Their allegiances to individuals come and go. Their allegiance to the team and to the city, where garbage bins are green and yellow with Packers logos is binding. "Whether Rodgers is here or Rodgers is not, we're still fans, said John, the season ticket-holder digesting his lunch at Cranky Pats. I'll still go to the games, and buy overpriced beer and hotdogs, and drop 200 bucks. And the bartender at D2: I just want the bar to be busy. No matter what, it'll be busy, whether he's in or he's not. Packer fans are Packer fans. Many, to be clear, not only want Rodgers back but think he will be back. One-hundred-percent chance Rodgers is a Packer this year, Dylan Flaskrud promised after sipping an IPA at Hinterland, a popular brewery in Lambeaus shadow. He called the reports all bulls*** and blown out of proportion. Back at D2, Patrick Boomer agreed: "I think this is getting all overblown. I think when September comes, Rodgers will be under center, and they're saying nice things, and it's gonna be a thing of the past." And if it is, some fans say, this saga will be forgotten. Winning will cure all ills. "As soon as he drives the ball 80 yards and goes like this, said Stoeberl, the teacher, as he mimed one of Rodgers signature celebrations. Green Bay fans have a short memory. Just win, baby." And even if Rodgers leaves, Ben Culbertson says: Either way, he's retiring as a Packer. One day we'll honor him like we did Brett Favre, and we'll retire No. 12, and we'll name a street after him. In fact, he already has a place alongside Packer legends on a front yard mural across the street from Lambeau. Some fans, however, arent so sure about that legacy. In fact, if Rodgers doesnt emerge to deny the reports, they say, it might, at least temporarily, be tainted. Whatever happens with the Aaron Rodgers saga, he will always have a place among Packers' legends. (Yahoo Sports) Tired of the talk The last overwhelming sentiment is that fans are tired. Tired of Rodgers ego and diva act. I'm just sick of talking all about him, Culbertson says. Sports talk radio shows, he says, even amid promising Bucks and Brewers seasons, have been all Rodgers, all the time. Says Boomer, who donned a Bucks t-shirt, of the Rodgers drama: Just ridiculous. Several fans pointed out that it differs in key ways from Favres exit a decade and a half ago. Brett Favre never brought up, 'I wanna play somewhere else. He never said that," Stoeberl points out. "He came back, we said, You're too late. Rodgers is the opposite. He's saying, I'm not playing. ... Green Bay will not forget that." Of course, Rodgers hasnt actually said that he hasnt said anything publicly since the reports started to swirl which makes deciphering the situation difficult. The more measured Packers fans have taken an equivocal approach. Back outside Lambeau, as children milled about behind her, Marion Peterson tried to remind herself: I recognize that some of what's been put out there by the media, maybe it's not all true or accurate. But still, she continued, he hasn't come forward to correct this. I thought, I know this guy, I know his integrity, Peterson said. Now, I'm doubting him. More from Yahoo Sports: | Many Green Bay Packers fans feel betrayed by Aaron Rodgers. Some fans feel he is breaking his pledge to stay in Green Bay. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://sports.yahoo.com/has-green-bay-turned-on-aaron-rodgers-210606049.html?src=rss | 0.266782 |
Has Green Bay turned on Aaron Rodgers? | GREEN BAY, Wis. Marion Peterson came here, to the outskirts of Lambeau Field, for reasons unrelated to her beloved Green Bay Packers. When she planned a leisurely day trip to Titletown on a mid-May afternoon, Peterson, a retired speech pathologist, wondered who she might run into. She wondered, specifically, about Aaron Rodgers. Because she had a message for him: I feel disappointed in you." Peterson grew up an hour north of here. As a child, she had no means to get to Packer games. Soon enough, the bus trips and end-zone bleacher seats endeared her. Later in life, she fell for the teams MVP. She thought of Rodgers as an outstanding quarterback, and a man of integrity. Her husband, Rick, bought her an authentic Rodgers jersey, her special jersey, which she wore with pride. That is, until reports began trickling out that Rodgers wanted out of Green Bay. She looked at the jersey, with its bulging No. 12, and thought: Man, I'm gonna have to lay this to rest now? She hopes the reports arent true. She, like many Packer fans, hopes Rodgers will remain in Green Bay for the rest of his career. But she, like many Packer fans, feels aggrieved. I feel betrayed by him, she said on this calm May evening, with Lambeau looming over her right shoulder. "We've all held him in such high esteem. So why does he want to do this, to the people that support him?" Maybe his character's not the character I thought it was, she mused. I'm just very, very disappointed in him as a person. I lost what I felt for him as being an important person with a lot of virtue. And if you were to roam around Green Bay now, to pubs and public spaces and Packer hot spots, youd find many fans who agree. Not all do. Opinions on the Rodgers drama vary wildly. There's plenty of blame to go around everywhere, said Ben Culbertson, one lifelong fan. This is a small, tight-knit community, a town of 100,000, where, as one Wisconsinite in his 50s put it, a handshake means the world to most people. If we tell you we're gonna do something, we do something. Story continues And many feel that Rodgers is breaking his pledge. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Suck it up, buttercup Standing at the bar inside D2 Sports Pub, a few hundred yards away from Lambeau, with country music trying to drown out his words, Jeff Stoeberl, a local teacher, is getting worked up. Let's take a look at the Packers, he begins. They drafted a quarterback [Rodgers] in the first round when everybody else passed on him, gave him a chance. They pushed out a first-ballot Hall of Famer [Brett Favre], pushed him out, sent him packing, said [to Rodgers], We're going with you. And so they embrace Aaron Rodgers, they give him $240 million. I think that's BS, Stoeberl seethes. You don't treat the [Packers] like that when they did all that for you. He has a short memory. They pushed Brett Favre out the door, for you. What are you talking about? Its a common sentiment around town. Not just the Favre comparisons, but the feeling that Rodgers, in reportedly pushing for an exit, has wronged the franchise and the city. At Cranky Pats Pizza toward the end of lunch hour, two middle-aged locals, John and Curt, are discussing just that. It's to the point where you think, OK, are you letting the fans down? John says. "Yeah, it's a kick in the shorts for us," Curt agrees. John continues: "My feeling is, OK, you're spoiled goods now. Adds Curt: "This team, this community, Packers fans did a lot to support this guy. I think it's kinda foolish that he's doing this. "I think he oughta grow up and deal with it, Curt continues. He's got a contract. A very good contract." "It's your job," John says. Thats the other belief that arises again and again all across this working-class city. Theres a deep reverence for honoring commitments. When I sign a contract, I have to live up to it, said one local contractor named Mark, who chose not to give his last name because he feared potentially losing work due to his opinions. Rodgers, Mark said, shouldnt be exempt from contractual obligations just because he makes a million times more money than I do. I think anybody that gets paid that type of money oughta do what his boss tells him to do. Mark said he did some work at Rodgers house soon after the QB arrived in Green Bay, and he was real nice. Now, I think he's kinda got an attitude. Back at D2, fans on both sides of the bar felt similarly. "He just needs to suck it up, buttercup, and do your job, a woman named Cynthia said. Or, as Justin, a man whose company shirt had the Packers logo on one sleeve, said: If he's a drama queen, and wants to play his little game, go away. When train travelers arrive in Green Bay, they immediately know they are in Packer land. (Yahoo Sports) Either way, hes retiring a Packer Outside the Packers Pro Shop, in front of statues that welcome you to hallowed Lambeau grounds, Rick Westby is juggling two allegiances. "I think he oughta be treated well, Westby, a middle-aged fan, says of Rodgers. He's still the man. And he deserves to get paid, and if he felt like he's been mistreated, then he's got the right to respond. And if he ended up on another team, I'd still kinda root for him. But, Westby clarifies, I always want the Packers to win. Its still Go Pack. And that, perhaps, is the one thing that everybody here can agree on, from the man in a knock-off Packers shirsey taking his dog for an afternoon stroll to the babysitter in a Packers cap pushing a stroller down an exit ramp; from the east side bartender in a Packers hat and sweatshirt to the antsy elementary schooler, waiting in the outfield during a parking-lot tee-ball game, fiddling with his Packers t-shirt. Their allegiances to individuals come and go. Their allegiance to the team and to the city, where garbage bins are green and yellow with Packers logos is binding. "Whether Rodgers is here or Rodgers is not, we're still fans, said John, the season ticket-holder digesting his lunch at Cranky Pats. I'll still go to the games, and buy overpriced beer and hotdogs, and drop 200 bucks. And the bartender at D2: I just want the bar to be busy. No matter what, it'll be busy, whether he's in or he's not. Packer fans are Packer fans. Many, to be clear, not only want Rodgers back but think he will be back. One-hundred-percent chance Rodgers is a Packer this year, Dylan Flaskrud promised after sipping an IPA at Hinterland, a popular brewery in Lambeaus shadow. He called the reports all bulls*** and blown out of proportion. Back at D2, Patrick Boomer agreed: "I think this is getting all overblown. I think when September comes, Rodgers will be under center, and they're saying nice things, and it's gonna be a thing of the past." And if it is, some fans say, this saga will be forgotten. Winning will cure all ills. "As soon as he drives the ball 80 yards and goes like this, said Stoeberl, the teacher, as he mimed one of Rodgers signature celebrations. Green Bay fans have a short memory. Just win, baby." And even if Rodgers leaves, Ben Culbertson says: Either way, he's retiring as a Packer. One day we'll honor him like we did Brett Favre, and we'll retire No. 12, and we'll name a street after him. In fact, he already has a place alongside Packer legends on a front yard mural across the street from Lambeau. Some fans, however, arent so sure about that legacy. In fact, if Rodgers doesnt emerge to deny the reports, they say, it might, at least temporarily, be tainted. Whatever happens with the Aaron Rodgers saga, he will always have a place among Packers' legends. (Yahoo Sports) Tired of the talk The last overwhelming sentiment is that fans are tired. Tired of Rodgers ego and diva act. I'm just sick of talking all about him, Culbertson says. Sports talk radio shows, he says, even amid promising Bucks and Brewers seasons, have been all Rodgers, all the time. Says Boomer, who donned a Bucks t-shirt, of the Rodgers drama: Just ridiculous. Several fans pointed out that it differs in key ways from Favres exit a decade and a half ago. Brett Favre never brought up, 'I wanna play somewhere else. He never said that," Stoeberl points out. "He came back, we said, You're too late. Rodgers is the opposite. He's saying, I'm not playing. ... Green Bay will not forget that." Of course, Rodgers hasnt actually said that he hasnt said anything publicly since the reports started to swirl which makes deciphering the situation difficult. The more measured Packers fans have taken an equivocal approach. Back outside Lambeau, as children milled about behind her, Marion Peterson tried to remind herself: I recognize that some of what's been put out there by the media, maybe it's not all true or accurate. But still, she continued, he hasn't come forward to correct this. I thought, I know this guy, I know his integrity, Peterson said. Now, I'm doubting him. More from Yahoo Sports: | Many Green Bay Packers fans feel betrayed by Aaron Rodgers. Some fans feel that Rodgers is breaking his pledge to stay in Green Bay. Others feel that he is betraying those who gave him a chance. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/has-green-bay-turned-on-aaron-rodgers-210606049.html?src=rss | 0.308872 |
Has Green Bay turned on Aaron Rodgers? | GREEN BAY, Wis. Marion Peterson came here, to the outskirts of Lambeau Field, for reasons unrelated to her beloved Green Bay Packers. When she planned a leisurely day trip to Titletown on a mid-May afternoon, Peterson, a retired speech pathologist, wondered who she might run into. She wondered, specifically, about Aaron Rodgers. Because she had a message for him: I feel disappointed in you." Peterson grew up an hour north of here. As a child, she had no means to get to Packer games. Soon enough, the bus trips and end-zone bleacher seats endeared her. Later in life, she fell for the teams MVP. She thought of Rodgers as an outstanding quarterback, and a man of integrity. Her husband, Rick, bought her an authentic Rodgers jersey, her special jersey, which she wore with pride. That is, until reports began trickling out that Rodgers wanted out of Green Bay. She looked at the jersey, with its bulging No. 12, and thought: Man, I'm gonna have to lay this to rest now? She hopes the reports arent true. She, like many Packer fans, hopes Rodgers will remain in Green Bay for the rest of his career. But she, like many Packer fans, feels aggrieved. I feel betrayed by him, she said on this calm May evening, with Lambeau looming over her right shoulder. "We've all held him in such high esteem. So why does he want to do this, to the people that support him?" Maybe his character's not the character I thought it was, she mused. I'm just very, very disappointed in him as a person. I lost what I felt for him as being an important person with a lot of virtue. And if you were to roam around Green Bay now, to pubs and public spaces and Packer hot spots, youd find many fans who agree. Not all do. Opinions on the Rodgers drama vary wildly. There's plenty of blame to go around everywhere, said Ben Culbertson, one lifelong fan. This is a small, tight-knit community, a town of 100,000, where, as one Wisconsinite in his 50s put it, a handshake means the world to most people. If we tell you we're gonna do something, we do something. Story continues And many feel that Rodgers is breaking his pledge. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Suck it up, buttercup Standing at the bar inside D2 Sports Pub, a few hundred yards away from Lambeau, with country music trying to drown out his words, Jeff Stoeberl, a local teacher, is getting worked up. Let's take a look at the Packers, he begins. They drafted a quarterback [Rodgers] in the first round when everybody else passed on him, gave him a chance. They pushed out a first-ballot Hall of Famer [Brett Favre], pushed him out, sent him packing, said [to Rodgers], We're going with you. And so they embrace Aaron Rodgers, they give him $240 million. I think that's BS, Stoeberl seethes. You don't treat the [Packers] like that when they did all that for you. He has a short memory. They pushed Brett Favre out the door, for you. What are you talking about? Its a common sentiment around town. Not just the Favre comparisons, but the feeling that Rodgers, in reportedly pushing for an exit, has wronged the franchise and the city. At Cranky Pats Pizza toward the end of lunch hour, two middle-aged locals, John and Curt, are discussing just that. It's to the point where you think, OK, are you letting the fans down? John says. "Yeah, it's a kick in the shorts for us," Curt agrees. John continues: "My feeling is, OK, you're spoiled goods now. Adds Curt: "This team, this community, Packers fans did a lot to support this guy. I think it's kinda foolish that he's doing this. "I think he oughta grow up and deal with it, Curt continues. He's got a contract. A very good contract." "It's your job," John says. Thats the other belief that arises again and again all across this working-class city. Theres a deep reverence for honoring commitments. When I sign a contract, I have to live up to it, said one local contractor named Mark, who chose not to give his last name because he feared potentially losing work due to his opinions. Rodgers, Mark said, shouldnt be exempt from contractual obligations just because he makes a million times more money than I do. I think anybody that gets paid that type of money oughta do what his boss tells him to do. Mark said he did some work at Rodgers house soon after the QB arrived in Green Bay, and he was real nice. Now, I think he's kinda got an attitude. Back at D2, fans on both sides of the bar felt similarly. "He just needs to suck it up, buttercup, and do your job, a woman named Cynthia said. Or, as Justin, a man whose company shirt had the Packers logo on one sleeve, said: If he's a drama queen, and wants to play his little game, go away. When train travelers arrive in Green Bay, they immediately know they are in Packer land. (Yahoo Sports) Either way, hes retiring a Packer Outside the Packers Pro Shop, in front of statues that welcome you to hallowed Lambeau grounds, Rick Westby is juggling two allegiances. "I think he oughta be treated well, Westby, a middle-aged fan, says of Rodgers. He's still the man. And he deserves to get paid, and if he felt like he's been mistreated, then he's got the right to respond. And if he ended up on another team, I'd still kinda root for him. But, Westby clarifies, I always want the Packers to win. Its still Go Pack. And that, perhaps, is the one thing that everybody here can agree on, from the man in a knock-off Packers shirsey taking his dog for an afternoon stroll to the babysitter in a Packers cap pushing a stroller down an exit ramp; from the east side bartender in a Packers hat and sweatshirt to the antsy elementary schooler, waiting in the outfield during a parking-lot tee-ball game, fiddling with his Packers t-shirt. Their allegiances to individuals come and go. Their allegiance to the team and to the city, where garbage bins are green and yellow with Packers logos is binding. "Whether Rodgers is here or Rodgers is not, we're still fans, said John, the season ticket-holder digesting his lunch at Cranky Pats. I'll still go to the games, and buy overpriced beer and hotdogs, and drop 200 bucks. And the bartender at D2: I just want the bar to be busy. No matter what, it'll be busy, whether he's in or he's not. Packer fans are Packer fans. Many, to be clear, not only want Rodgers back but think he will be back. One-hundred-percent chance Rodgers is a Packer this year, Dylan Flaskrud promised after sipping an IPA at Hinterland, a popular brewery in Lambeaus shadow. He called the reports all bulls*** and blown out of proportion. Back at D2, Patrick Boomer agreed: "I think this is getting all overblown. I think when September comes, Rodgers will be under center, and they're saying nice things, and it's gonna be a thing of the past." And if it is, some fans say, this saga will be forgotten. Winning will cure all ills. "As soon as he drives the ball 80 yards and goes like this, said Stoeberl, the teacher, as he mimed one of Rodgers signature celebrations. Green Bay fans have a short memory. Just win, baby." And even if Rodgers leaves, Ben Culbertson says: Either way, he's retiring as a Packer. One day we'll honor him like we did Brett Favre, and we'll retire No. 12, and we'll name a street after him. In fact, he already has a place alongside Packer legends on a front yard mural across the street from Lambeau. Some fans, however, arent so sure about that legacy. In fact, if Rodgers doesnt emerge to deny the reports, they say, it might, at least temporarily, be tainted. Whatever happens with the Aaron Rodgers saga, he will always have a place among Packers' legends. (Yahoo Sports) Tired of the talk The last overwhelming sentiment is that fans are tired. Tired of Rodgers ego and diva act. I'm just sick of talking all about him, Culbertson says. Sports talk radio shows, he says, even amid promising Bucks and Brewers seasons, have been all Rodgers, all the time. Says Boomer, who donned a Bucks t-shirt, of the Rodgers drama: Just ridiculous. Several fans pointed out that it differs in key ways from Favres exit a decade and a half ago. Brett Favre never brought up, 'I wanna play somewhere else. He never said that," Stoeberl points out. "He came back, we said, You're too late. Rodgers is the opposite. He's saying, I'm not playing. ... Green Bay will not forget that." Of course, Rodgers hasnt actually said that he hasnt said anything publicly since the reports started to swirl which makes deciphering the situation difficult. The more measured Packers fans have taken an equivocal approach. Back outside Lambeau, as children milled about behind her, Marion Peterson tried to remind herself: I recognize that some of what's been put out there by the media, maybe it's not all true or accurate. But still, she continued, he hasn't come forward to correct this. I thought, I know this guy, I know his integrity, Peterson said. Now, I'm doubting him. More from Yahoo Sports: | Many Green Bay Packers fans feel betrayed by Aaron Rodgers. Some fans feel that Rodgers is breaking his pledge to stay in Green Bay. Others feel that he is betraying those who gave him a chance to be a Packer. "There's plenty of blame to go around everywhere, said Ben Culbertson. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/has-green-bay-turned-on-aaron-rodgers-210606049.html?src=rss | 0.343655 |
What police reforms have the best odds of passing in Minnesota this year? | The debate over police reform is shifting behind closed doors as the Minnesota Legislature goes into overtime. Yet a clearer picture of what may and may not pass is coming into focus. Support is coalescing around reforms related to traffic stops and new no-knock warrant regulations as lawmakers work to find agreement on one of the year's most pressing policy issues. Yet House Democrats are holding out hope that all 12 police-related bills offered up in the final weeks of the regular session still have a chance. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka meanwhile is doubling down on a commitment to oppose "anything that is anti-police or makes the job of law enforcement more difficult," singling out measures such as new civilian oversight of police. "I just think that we're at a point where we can end the legislative session with very good policies regarding the interaction of police officers with their communities," Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, told reporters after the Senate adjourned its regular session on Monday. "There are attitudes both in the community and in policing that need a lot of help, they need a lot of guidance, they need a lot of coming to terms with who they are and how they're perceived by each other. That's going to be a much harder thing and I don't know if legislation can necessarily do that." Limmer said he has identified "some common ground" with what House DFL lawmakers are proposing but he declined to identify what policies he's open to and what are non-starters. Rep. Carlos Mariani, the St. Paul Democrat who is leading final public safety spending bill talks with Limmer, said he believes "everything is on the table" and defended his caucus' proposals as "anti-bad cop" rather than "anti-police." "It feels more possible to me than ever before," he said. After the Brooklyn Center fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright in April, Democrats in the legislature proposed new limits prohibiting police from stopping motorists for equipment violations or expired tabs and a bill that would stop police from arresting people for warrants related to missed court appearances for certain low-level charges. DFL lawmakers also want to ban licensed peace officers from affiliating with white supremacist groups, require model policies for responding to public assemblies and allow communities to create citizen oversight panels for their local law enforcement agencies. Other proposals include new regulations on no-knock warrants such as requiring police chiefs to review all applications for such warrants and to report data on them to the public safety commissioner. In addition, Democrats proposed a new requirement that relatives be able to review body camera footage of fatal encounters within 48 hours. State law enforcement lobbying groups oppose this provision, but supporters argue that the bill exempts cases where early release could hinder investigations. A coalition of the state's largest law enforcement lobbying groups the Minnesota Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs' Associations, and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association outlined their opposition to certain policies in a letter to the Minnesota House before it passed its public safety spending bill that included numerous police reform bills. The coalition wrote that "our associations oppose the current bill language based on several key provisions that are omitted from the omnibus bill and several items included that we firmly believe are detrimental to public safety in our state." They said the new body camera requirements do not "recognize how investigations are conducted," and wrote that they opposed giving civilian review boards the power to subpoena officers, make decisions over law enforcement agency policy and discipline officers. The groups also did not support requiring dispatchers to refer emergency calls to a mental health crisis team, citing a lack of 24/7 resources statewide. Earlier this year, the law enforcement coalition also spoke out against the proposal to end civil statutes of limitations against officers. "Statutes of limitation are designed to promote justice by encouraging plaintiffs to diligently pursue their claims," the groups wrote in February. "Timeliness is important, as without it, evidence could be lost, memories could fade, and witnesses may disappear." Leaders of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and Minnesota Sheriff's Association declined to comment Tuesday as they plan to remain a part of the final negotiations over public safety policies. The Chiefs of Police Association was not immediately available for comment. Although the two traffic-stop related bills were among the latest to be proposed this year, Mariani believes their chances of passing are high. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association has previously expressed support for the so-called "sign-and-release warrant" bill in cases where someone has missed a court date for nonviolent charges. "The point is that all of that stuff is really common sense and we're pretty hopeful on those two provisions in particular," Mariani said. "But obviously we're not giving up on the others." Leaders representing each of the state's largest law enforcement lobbying groups delivered public testimony earlier this month before the public safety conference committee that Limmer and Mariani alternated leading. Brian Peters, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, told lawmakers that his group was also "very close to agreeing" on the no-knock bill. Peters also urged "thoughtful review to sort out which proposals will lead to safer communities with less crime as well as more help for victims of crime and which proposals seek to needlessly demonize those who protect and serve." This and other testimony also led DFL Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park to request that the committee run through the House's 12-item list of police reform proposals to poll the law enforcement groups' positions on each bill. "I think we need to bring them out for all of us to understand so we can see where are there real disagreements if we need to decide to work through and where there are not any disagreements and where this could easily be resolved," Latz said. Limmer was open to the idea, but that day's meeting ran out of time for such an exercise. Now, if that debate takes place, it will likely be in private unless Limmer and Mariani agree to a public meeting of their informal working group. Stephen Montemayor 612-673-1755 Twitter: @smontemayor | The debate over police reform is shifting behind closed doors as the Minnesota Legislature goes into overtime. Support is coalescing around reforms related to traffic stops and new no-knock warrant regulations. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.startribune.com/what-police-reforms-have-the-best-odds-of-passing-in-minnesota-this-year/600058606/ | 0.130568 |
What police reforms have the best odds of passing in Minnesota this year? | The debate over police reform is shifting behind closed doors as the Minnesota Legislature goes into overtime. Yet a clearer picture of what may and may not pass is coming into focus. Support is coalescing around reforms related to traffic stops and new no-knock warrant regulations as lawmakers work to find agreement on one of the year's most pressing policy issues. Yet House Democrats are holding out hope that all 12 police-related bills offered up in the final weeks of the regular session still have a chance. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka meanwhile is doubling down on a commitment to oppose "anything that is anti-police or makes the job of law enforcement more difficult," singling out measures such as new civilian oversight of police. "I just think that we're at a point where we can end the legislative session with very good policies regarding the interaction of police officers with their communities," Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, told reporters after the Senate adjourned its regular session on Monday. "There are attitudes both in the community and in policing that need a lot of help, they need a lot of guidance, they need a lot of coming to terms with who they are and how they're perceived by each other. That's going to be a much harder thing and I don't know if legislation can necessarily do that." Limmer said he has identified "some common ground" with what House DFL lawmakers are proposing but he declined to identify what policies he's open to and what are non-starters. Rep. Carlos Mariani, the St. Paul Democrat who is leading final public safety spending bill talks with Limmer, said he believes "everything is on the table" and defended his caucus' proposals as "anti-bad cop" rather than "anti-police." "It feels more possible to me than ever before," he said. After the Brooklyn Center fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright in April, Democrats in the legislature proposed new limits prohibiting police from stopping motorists for equipment violations or expired tabs and a bill that would stop police from arresting people for warrants related to missed court appearances for certain low-level charges. DFL lawmakers also want to ban licensed peace officers from affiliating with white supremacist groups, require model policies for responding to public assemblies and allow communities to create citizen oversight panels for their local law enforcement agencies. Other proposals include new regulations on no-knock warrants such as requiring police chiefs to review all applications for such warrants and to report data on them to the public safety commissioner. In addition, Democrats proposed a new requirement that relatives be able to review body camera footage of fatal encounters within 48 hours. State law enforcement lobbying groups oppose this provision, but supporters argue that the bill exempts cases where early release could hinder investigations. A coalition of the state's largest law enforcement lobbying groups the Minnesota Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs' Associations, and the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association outlined their opposition to certain policies in a letter to the Minnesota House before it passed its public safety spending bill that included numerous police reform bills. The coalition wrote that "our associations oppose the current bill language based on several key provisions that are omitted from the omnibus bill and several items included that we firmly believe are detrimental to public safety in our state." They said the new body camera requirements do not "recognize how investigations are conducted," and wrote that they opposed giving civilian review boards the power to subpoena officers, make decisions over law enforcement agency policy and discipline officers. The groups also did not support requiring dispatchers to refer emergency calls to a mental health crisis team, citing a lack of 24/7 resources statewide. Earlier this year, the law enforcement coalition also spoke out against the proposal to end civil statutes of limitations against officers. "Statutes of limitation are designed to promote justice by encouraging plaintiffs to diligently pursue their claims," the groups wrote in February. "Timeliness is important, as without it, evidence could be lost, memories could fade, and witnesses may disappear." Leaders of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and Minnesota Sheriff's Association declined to comment Tuesday as they plan to remain a part of the final negotiations over public safety policies. The Chiefs of Police Association was not immediately available for comment. Although the two traffic-stop related bills were among the latest to be proposed this year, Mariani believes their chances of passing are high. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association has previously expressed support for the so-called "sign-and-release warrant" bill in cases where someone has missed a court date for nonviolent charges. "The point is that all of that stuff is really common sense and we're pretty hopeful on those two provisions in particular," Mariani said. "But obviously we're not giving up on the others." Leaders representing each of the state's largest law enforcement lobbying groups delivered public testimony earlier this month before the public safety conference committee that Limmer and Mariani alternated leading. Brian Peters, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, told lawmakers that his group was also "very close to agreeing" on the no-knock bill. Peters also urged "thoughtful review to sort out which proposals will lead to safer communities with less crime as well as more help for victims of crime and which proposals seek to needlessly demonize those who protect and serve." This and other testimony also led DFL Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park to request that the committee run through the House's 12-item list of police reform proposals to poll the law enforcement groups' positions on each bill. "I think we need to bring them out for all of us to understand so we can see where are there real disagreements if we need to decide to work through and where there are not any disagreements and where this could easily be resolved," Latz said. Limmer was open to the idea, but that day's meeting ran out of time for such an exercise. Now, if that debate takes place, it will likely be in private unless Limmer and Mariani agree to a public meeting of their informal working group. Stephen Montemayor 612-673-1755 Twitter: @smontemayor | The debate over police reform is shifting behind closed doors as the Minnesota Legislature goes into overtime. Support is coalescing around reforms related to traffic stops and new no-knock warrant regulations. House Democrats are holding out hope that all 12 police-related bills still have a chance. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.startribune.com/what-police-reforms-have-the-best-odds-of-passing-in-minnesota-this-year/600058606/ | 0.203853 |
Is it Concerning That the 49ers Don't Have a True Slot Receiver? | The 49ers are lacking in one specific area. That area is the slot wide receiver position, or even just a No. 3 receiver. With Kendrick Bourne now with the Patriots, the 49ers do not have a sweet trio of wide receivers. Having a strong core of three wideouts has usually optimized Kyle Shanahan's offense. Now that they are without one, the offense cannot be fully maximized. There isn't an answer in free agency, either. It all rests on the 49ers rolling the dice on the current receivers already on their roster. Operating from the slot is a lethal way to attack for an offense, so the 49ers are limiting themselves. While it is a bummer to not have a clear-cut player in that spot -- there is no concern. Shanahan himself as admitted that he does like having a player in that role, but that it is not a necessity. Spoken like a true adaptive offensive coordinator, Shanahan does not need any exclusive receiver there. He can easily platoon it with the guys he has now. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle are the obvious players who can and will kick inside. But there are still players on the roster that they can mold and hope to show what they can do like Shanahan mentioned at one of his post-draft pressers. Richie James Jr. is one player I believe that can step up in that role. Even Mohamed Sanu could be someone that fills in. When it comes to slot receiver, it is going to be an open-ended question for the 49ers. There is not one definite answer. Even the running backs they have can fill in there, whether that is a straight up alignment or being motioned there. And do not forget of the capabilities of Kyle Juszczyk as a receiver. 2021 looks to be the season where he finally sees his utilization increased. Plus, how could anyone who has watched the 49ers since Shanahan took over not realize that a No. What Shanahan loves most in his offense, and is the key to it, is running the football. Drafting two running backs and two offensive linemen indicated as such. Shanahan is looking to reinvigorate himself in that aspect because he knows in order for the game to come easy to Trey Lance, and even Jimmy Garoppolo since he struggles processing, he needs an efficient ground attack. Without it, Lance would be demanded to immediately pick up the slack and immensely increase the pressure on his shoulders. There is plenty of time for a player to step up until and throughout the regular season as the slot receiver. But if no one does, then it will not matter. Running the ball down everyone's throat is going to be the way the offense is skewed in the end. | The 49ers do not have a clear-cut player in the slot wide receiver position. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/is-it-concerning-that-the-49ers-dont-have-a-true-slot-receiver | 0.228469 |
Which 20-something golfer is best bet to win PGA Championship? | The PGA Championship has seen a youth movement, as nine of the past 11 winners have been in their 20s, including Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa last year. Viktor Hovland watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the fourth round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow on Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) Viktor Hovland putts the ball on the third hole during the fourth round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow on Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The PGA Championship has seen a youth movement in recent years, as nine of the past 11 winners have been in their 20s. Handicapper Wes Reynolds and Westgate sportsbook vice president of risk Jeff Sherman expect that trend to continue this week at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. They each listed Viktor Hovland, 23, as one of their best bets to win the years second major. Hovland, 26-1 at Circa, is the same age Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa was last year when he won the Wanamaker Trophy. The Norwegian has yet to post a top 10 in a major in his young career, but neither had Morikawa before he won last years PGA, said Reynolds (@WesReynolds1). I bet Hovland two weeks ago at 33-1, and his price has now been cut after two consecutive third-place finishes. He looks like he is peaking at the right time, like Morikawa had last year. Sherman (@golfodds) lowered Hovland, ranked 11th in the world, to the 20-1 eighth choice to win the event. I personally wouldnt look for anyone 20-1 or less. I do like Hovland in the 25-1 range, he said. Hes been solid. And if it does get windy, with his European pedigree, I think he could handle those conditions. Sherman likes Daniel Berger (31-1), too, and also played Cameron Smith (49-1), Abraham Ancer (53-1) and Corey Conners (66-1). Theyve been consistent all season and flirting with wins, he said. At those prices, I definitely could see one of those guys being live on Sunday. Reynolds, co-host of VSINs Long Shots golf betting show, offers his other best bets (with comments): Jon Rahm, 14-1 Despite being near the top of the odds board, few seem to be picking him. Rory McIlroy showed two weeks ago that even out of form, elite players are never too far away from winning, and Rahm certainly qualifies in that category. Bryson DeChambeau, 19-1 It seems too obvious to take the worlds longest hitter on the longest course in major championship history. But his long-iron approach game is as good as anyone in this field. Scottie Scheffler, 50-1 He tied for fourth in the PGA Championship last August, tied for 19th in his Masters debut and tied for 18th on his return to Augusta National last month. Tyrrell Hatton, 54-1 He was tied for sixth earlier this year in Saudi Arabia on paspalum greens. In addition, Hatton finished third last year at the RBC Heritage on another Pete Dye design at Harbour Town. Will Zalatoris, 65-1 Zalatoris has taken a liking to coastal courses, placing seventh earlier this year at Torrey Pines. He also has fared well on paspalum courses, finishing in the top eight in two events last year. Joaquin Niemann, 66-1 Hes a very good wind player that can use his low ball flight to his advantage at Kiawah Island. He had back-to-back runner-up finishes earlier this year off of the coast in Hawaii. Jason Kokrak, 120-1 He is just a few weeks removed from three consecutive top-10 finishes on the Florida swing. Keegan Bradley is the biggest liability at the Westgate, which took a $1,000 wager to win $200,000 on the golfer (200-1). Sam Burns is the second-largest liability, behind Jordan Spieth, at William Hill. His odds have been slashed from 125-1 to 30-1 after compiling a win and runner-up finish in his past two tournaments. Sam Burns is a big problem for us, William Hill sportsbook director Nick Bogdanovich said. People got some big numbers on him. Hes a hot commodity right now. Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter. | The PGA Championship has seen a youth movement in recent years. Nine of the past 11 winners have been in their 20s. Viktor Hovland, 23, is the same age Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa was last year. | bart | 1 | https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/which-20-something-golfer-is-best-bet-to-win-pga-championship-2357335/ | 0.239886 |
Which 20-something golfer is best bet to win PGA Championship? | The PGA Championship has seen a youth movement, as nine of the past 11 winners have been in their 20s, including Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa last year. Viktor Hovland watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the fourth round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow on Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) Viktor Hovland putts the ball on the third hole during the fourth round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow on Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) The PGA Championship has seen a youth movement in recent years, as nine of the past 11 winners have been in their 20s. Handicapper Wes Reynolds and Westgate sportsbook vice president of risk Jeff Sherman expect that trend to continue this week at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. They each listed Viktor Hovland, 23, as one of their best bets to win the years second major. Hovland, 26-1 at Circa, is the same age Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa was last year when he won the Wanamaker Trophy. The Norwegian has yet to post a top 10 in a major in his young career, but neither had Morikawa before he won last years PGA, said Reynolds (@WesReynolds1). I bet Hovland two weeks ago at 33-1, and his price has now been cut after two consecutive third-place finishes. He looks like he is peaking at the right time, like Morikawa had last year. Sherman (@golfodds) lowered Hovland, ranked 11th in the world, to the 20-1 eighth choice to win the event. I personally wouldnt look for anyone 20-1 or less. I do like Hovland in the 25-1 range, he said. Hes been solid. And if it does get windy, with his European pedigree, I think he could handle those conditions. Sherman likes Daniel Berger (31-1), too, and also played Cameron Smith (49-1), Abraham Ancer (53-1) and Corey Conners (66-1). Theyve been consistent all season and flirting with wins, he said. At those prices, I definitely could see one of those guys being live on Sunday. Reynolds, co-host of VSINs Long Shots golf betting show, offers his other best bets (with comments): Jon Rahm, 14-1 Despite being near the top of the odds board, few seem to be picking him. Rory McIlroy showed two weeks ago that even out of form, elite players are never too far away from winning, and Rahm certainly qualifies in that category. Bryson DeChambeau, 19-1 It seems too obvious to take the worlds longest hitter on the longest course in major championship history. But his long-iron approach game is as good as anyone in this field. Scottie Scheffler, 50-1 He tied for fourth in the PGA Championship last August, tied for 19th in his Masters debut and tied for 18th on his return to Augusta National last month. Tyrrell Hatton, 54-1 He was tied for sixth earlier this year in Saudi Arabia on paspalum greens. In addition, Hatton finished third last year at the RBC Heritage on another Pete Dye design at Harbour Town. Will Zalatoris, 65-1 Zalatoris has taken a liking to coastal courses, placing seventh earlier this year at Torrey Pines. He also has fared well on paspalum courses, finishing in the top eight in two events last year. Joaquin Niemann, 66-1 Hes a very good wind player that can use his low ball flight to his advantage at Kiawah Island. He had back-to-back runner-up finishes earlier this year off of the coast in Hawaii. Jason Kokrak, 120-1 He is just a few weeks removed from three consecutive top-10 finishes on the Florida swing. Keegan Bradley is the biggest liability at the Westgate, which took a $1,000 wager to win $200,000 on the golfer (200-1). Sam Burns is the second-largest liability, behind Jordan Spieth, at William Hill. His odds have been slashed from 125-1 to 30-1 after compiling a win and runner-up finish in his past two tournaments. Sam Burns is a big problem for us, William Hill sportsbook director Nick Bogdanovich said. People got some big numbers on him. Hes a hot commodity right now. Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter. | The PGA Championship has seen a youth movement in recent years. Nine of the past 11 winners have been in their 20s. Viktor Hovland, 23, is the same age Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa was last year when he won the Wanamaker Trophy. | bart | 2 | https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/which-20-something-golfer-is-best-bet-to-win-pga-championship-2357335/ | 0.268884 |
Could Quebecs successful battle against the opioid epidemic be turning? | Open this photo in gallery Jean-Francois Mary, the executive director of Cactus, sits by the dispensing window at Cactus' Safe Injection Site on April 29, 2021, in Montreal, QC. Mary explained that they have seen a steady increase of overdoses over the last years, which was most recently 500 overdoses last year. That is more than an overdose a day. Andrej Ivanov/The Globe and Mail The harm prevention worker Jean-Franois Mary carries a black zip-up case about the size of an old phone receiver wherever he goes in Montreal. Inside are four vials of naloxone, which helps counteract opioid overdoses. He and his colleagues have had to jab the antidote into more users than they can count this year far more than ever before. Until recently, Quebec existed in a charmed circle all its own amid the raging opioid epidemic. In 2018, it ranked second from the bottom among Canadian provinces and U.S. states in terms of opioid fatalities, with 207 deaths. Story continues below advertisement But the provinces advantage is beginning to slip away. In 2020, it recorded 547 drug overdose deaths, a 32-per-cent increase over the year before. We have more than one death a day in Quebec right now and nobody cares, says Mr. Mary, executive director of CACTUS Montral, a non-profit that operates a supervised injection site in Montreals downtown. The cost of a crisis The rise in opioid poisoning in Quebec is in line with a countrywide explosion during the pandemic. But the recent spike is an especially worrying trend for la belle province, which had largely remained insulated from the crisis. A chorus of activists and academics are now calling on the provincial government to act quickly, before Quebec goes the way of the rest of the country, where a toxic drug supply has killed nearly 20,000 people since 2016. We were an exception in North America, he says. But May showed us we werent a real exception. It could happen to us, too. How Quebec managed to protect itself from such an expansive public health crisis reflects several quirks of the provinces distinct society, including its political orientation, medical culture and criminal distribution networks. Andr-Anne Parent, a professor in the school of social work at the University of Montreal, credited the provincial governments relatively generous and consistent funding of community organizations, including those that help drug users. Quebec funds these groups in part through a program known by its French acronym, PSOC, with stable money tied to their mission, rather than one-off grants for particular projects as in some other provinces, allowing them to operate more effectively, he argues. Story continues below advertisement Thats a structural difference in Quebec, Dr. Parent says. Its a factor for sure. Although he disputes the generosity of his government funding, Mr. Mary allows that on-the-ground intervention by groups like CACTUS, founded in 1989 as North Americas first needle-exchange program, saves many lives. He and his colleagues have managed to train a large number of community support workers in CPR and overdose prevention, he says; they stand out in downtown Montreal thanks to the yellow containers they carry for collecting used syringes. Quebec community health groups say they also learned valuable lessons from coping with a particularly punishing HIV/AIDS epidemic, including the importance of trying experimental treatments and the primacy of harm reduction. Were not going to ask people to stop using drugs because its not realistic, just like its not realistic to ask people to stop having sexual encounters, says Chantal Montmorency, co-ordinator-general of the Association qubcoise pour la promotion de la sant des personnes utilisatrices de drogues (AQPSUD). The provincial ministry of health and social services also touted Quebecs relatively early adoption of free naloxone kits in pharmacies. When the program rolled out in 2017, it was ahead of several Western provinces, including Saskatchewan and B.C. Nothing seems to have protected Quebec as well, however, as the peculiarities of its legal and illegal drug markets. Quebec has by far the lowest rate of opioid prescription in the country, for example. Its pharmacists dispensed just 3.6 defined daily doses of the six most popular opioids per resident in 2016, according to a study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information less than half of Albertas rate and far below the national average of 6.1. Story continues below advertisement Better training for health professionals and the absence of private pain management clinics of a kind that are common in Ontario have kept a lid on the spread of that class of drugs, Quebecs health ministry said in a written statement. The provinces linguistic bubble might have also spared the province from some of the aggressive pharmaceutical marketing that pushed many doctors to overprescribe opioids in the rest of North America, says Mr. Mary of CACTUS. In a continent with 350 million anglophones and fewer than 10 million francophones, learning to push certain drugs in Quebec wasnt worth it for Big Pharma. (Dr. Robyn Tamblyn, professor of medicine and epidemiology at McGill University, says the idea that doctors trained in francophone medical schools would be less exposed to opioid marketing than those in the English-speaking world is a reasonable possibility but has not been tested.) The provinces illicit drug dealers have also contributed, almost inadvertently, to keeping dangerous opioids off the streets. Black-market versions of the painkiller fentanyl have been a leading cause of overdoses across Canada in recent years, but they are far less prevalent in Quebec. About 5 per cent of the provinces accidental overdoses were found to have been caused by fentanyl in 2017, according to a recent study of coroners reports by Dr. Parent and colleagues. (That year in B.C., about 80 per cent of overdose deaths involved fentanyl or its analogues.) The tastes of Quebec drug users have also kept them protected to some extent. The province has traditionally preferred cocaine to opiates, says Ms. Montmorency; until a few years ago, about 80 per cent of Montreals injection drug users took cocaine rather than heroin or other depressants, estimates Mr. Mary. Montreal has been a coke city forever, he says. That preference may also reflect the business imperatives of major drug cartels. The Quebec market was slow to absorb crystal meth, as well, observes Jean-Sbastien Fallu, a professor at the University of Montreals school of pyschoeducation focusing on substance abuse perhaps because the Hells Angels, who were known to dominate the sale of cocaine, did not traffic in the newer drug. The protective wall around Quebecs drug supply has started to crack, however. Downers, like hydromorphone, began to spread through the province around the time of the 2008 financial crisis, says Mr. Mary, as people sought relief during a time of stress. The appeal of selling super-powerful opioids such as fentanyl eventually became irresistible Mr. Mary estimates dealers can make the same profit from importing a kilo of fentanyl as they can from a tonne of heroin. Even the Hells Angels sell opioids now, he says. Weve been saying it for a decade now: its coming. The money appeal was there, Mr. Mary says. But public health was waiting for the numbers to go up to act. We could have been prepared. The numbers are indeed going up, slowly but distinctly. The Quebec government reported 62 deaths linked to fentanyl or its analogues last year still a small fraction of the provinces death toll from overdoses, but almost 20 more than the previous year. The drug is now everywhere, Ms. Montmorency says. The rise of fentanyl is one reason overdose deaths have shot up during the pandemic. Another is the provinces strict lockdown, which has worsened conditions for drug users, advocates argue. More people have been dying since the government imposed a curfew in January, because it further pushes users to consume alone, Ms. Montmorency says. Were losing members of our families, our friends, our colleagues. At the supervised drug-use site operated by CACTUS, the number of overdoses has increased at least fivefold in the past year, Mr. Mary says, from about one a week to more than one a day. By using antidotes and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation performed during the pandemic through an elaborate viral filter the facility has avoided any deaths, but the rise in drug potency is clearly having an effect. A staff member recently set an in-house record by using nine vials of naloxone to revive one user. Fentanyls new prevalence in Montreal was confirmed in late April when police seized $1.4-million worth of the drug, the largest such bust in the provinces history a sting that did nothing to stop the opioids flow through the city, Mr. Mary says. The seizure has only pushed users to find less familiar suppliers; one woman he knows recently overdosed on her new supply because she didnt know how strong it was. Story continues below advertisement The police strategy right now is making the situation worse, he says. What Quebec needs is a safe, legal supply of drugs, Mr. Mary argues. He would be willing to provide medical-grade heroin out of his clinic, but until that becomes politically feasible and the Crosstown Clinic in Vancouver is still one of the few places in the world to offer that treatment there are other ways of screening out dangerous concentrations of fentanyl. CACTUS is awaiting federal approval for a waiver that would allow the organization to test the composition of street drugs without running afoul of trafficking laws. In the meantime, and more controversially, Mr. Mary believes authorities should collaborate with black-market dealers to temper the deadly strength of their product. Street drug dealers are not the enemy in the overdose crisis, Mr. Mary says. We need to work with them. Send that message up to the top: Your batch is too strong. (This tactic would be a first in Canada, he believes.) In the midst of this growing crisis, Quebecs opioid overdose prevention strategy for 2018 to 2020 recently expired. The document which included guidance on training for pain treatment and the expansion of access to naloxone, among other programs didnt go far enough anyway, Dr. Fallu says. Despite calls from Montreal public health for the decriminalization of hard drugs, for example, the province has refused to take up the issue. The relatively conservative government of Franois Legault takes an ideological and anti-scientific approach to drug policy, argues Dr. Fallu, including imposing higher age limits on cannabis use. The Premiers reluctance to act more aggressively to stop the surge of overdose deaths is a scandal, the professor says. Its crazy. Its depressing. Its enraging. Its frustrating. (The provincial ministry of health points out that while its overdose strategy has technically expired, the government has set aside $15-million to continue the measures it contained, including funding for supervised drug-use sites.) Story continues below advertisement Standing outside of the CACTUS office, Mr. Mary reflects on the people whose lives depend on Quebec winning the next stage of the fight against overdoses. In the window hangs black-and-white photos of local drug users some hugging or smiling or looking defiantly at the camera. Luckily none of them are dead, he says. Only the living. Thats rare. Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the days most important headlines. Sign up today. | Until recently, Quebec existed in a charmed circle all its own amid the raging opioid epidemic. But the provinces advantage is beginning to slip away. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-could-quebecs-successful-battle-against-the-opioid-epidemic-be-turning/ | 0.154239 |
Could Quebecs successful battle against the opioid epidemic be turning? | Open this photo in gallery Jean-Francois Mary, the executive director of Cactus, sits by the dispensing window at Cactus' Safe Injection Site on April 29, 2021, in Montreal, QC. Mary explained that they have seen a steady increase of overdoses over the last years, which was most recently 500 overdoses last year. That is more than an overdose a day. Andrej Ivanov/The Globe and Mail The harm prevention worker Jean-Franois Mary carries a black zip-up case about the size of an old phone receiver wherever he goes in Montreal. Inside are four vials of naloxone, which helps counteract opioid overdoses. He and his colleagues have had to jab the antidote into more users than they can count this year far more than ever before. Until recently, Quebec existed in a charmed circle all its own amid the raging opioid epidemic. In 2018, it ranked second from the bottom among Canadian provinces and U.S. states in terms of opioid fatalities, with 207 deaths. Story continues below advertisement But the provinces advantage is beginning to slip away. In 2020, it recorded 547 drug overdose deaths, a 32-per-cent increase over the year before. We have more than one death a day in Quebec right now and nobody cares, says Mr. Mary, executive director of CACTUS Montral, a non-profit that operates a supervised injection site in Montreals downtown. The cost of a crisis The rise in opioid poisoning in Quebec is in line with a countrywide explosion during the pandemic. But the recent spike is an especially worrying trend for la belle province, which had largely remained insulated from the crisis. A chorus of activists and academics are now calling on the provincial government to act quickly, before Quebec goes the way of the rest of the country, where a toxic drug supply has killed nearly 20,000 people since 2016. We were an exception in North America, he says. But May showed us we werent a real exception. It could happen to us, too. How Quebec managed to protect itself from such an expansive public health crisis reflects several quirks of the provinces distinct society, including its political orientation, medical culture and criminal distribution networks. Andr-Anne Parent, a professor in the school of social work at the University of Montreal, credited the provincial governments relatively generous and consistent funding of community organizations, including those that help drug users. Quebec funds these groups in part through a program known by its French acronym, PSOC, with stable money tied to their mission, rather than one-off grants for particular projects as in some other provinces, allowing them to operate more effectively, he argues. Story continues below advertisement Thats a structural difference in Quebec, Dr. Parent says. Its a factor for sure. Although he disputes the generosity of his government funding, Mr. Mary allows that on-the-ground intervention by groups like CACTUS, founded in 1989 as North Americas first needle-exchange program, saves many lives. He and his colleagues have managed to train a large number of community support workers in CPR and overdose prevention, he says; they stand out in downtown Montreal thanks to the yellow containers they carry for collecting used syringes. Quebec community health groups say they also learned valuable lessons from coping with a particularly punishing HIV/AIDS epidemic, including the importance of trying experimental treatments and the primacy of harm reduction. Were not going to ask people to stop using drugs because its not realistic, just like its not realistic to ask people to stop having sexual encounters, says Chantal Montmorency, co-ordinator-general of the Association qubcoise pour la promotion de la sant des personnes utilisatrices de drogues (AQPSUD). The provincial ministry of health and social services also touted Quebecs relatively early adoption of free naloxone kits in pharmacies. When the program rolled out in 2017, it was ahead of several Western provinces, including Saskatchewan and B.C. Nothing seems to have protected Quebec as well, however, as the peculiarities of its legal and illegal drug markets. Quebec has by far the lowest rate of opioid prescription in the country, for example. Its pharmacists dispensed just 3.6 defined daily doses of the six most popular opioids per resident in 2016, according to a study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information less than half of Albertas rate and far below the national average of 6.1. Story continues below advertisement Better training for health professionals and the absence of private pain management clinics of a kind that are common in Ontario have kept a lid on the spread of that class of drugs, Quebecs health ministry said in a written statement. The provinces linguistic bubble might have also spared the province from some of the aggressive pharmaceutical marketing that pushed many doctors to overprescribe opioids in the rest of North America, says Mr. Mary of CACTUS. In a continent with 350 million anglophones and fewer than 10 million francophones, learning to push certain drugs in Quebec wasnt worth it for Big Pharma. (Dr. Robyn Tamblyn, professor of medicine and epidemiology at McGill University, says the idea that doctors trained in francophone medical schools would be less exposed to opioid marketing than those in the English-speaking world is a reasonable possibility but has not been tested.) The provinces illicit drug dealers have also contributed, almost inadvertently, to keeping dangerous opioids off the streets. Black-market versions of the painkiller fentanyl have been a leading cause of overdoses across Canada in recent years, but they are far less prevalent in Quebec. About 5 per cent of the provinces accidental overdoses were found to have been caused by fentanyl in 2017, according to a recent study of coroners reports by Dr. Parent and colleagues. (That year in B.C., about 80 per cent of overdose deaths involved fentanyl or its analogues.) The tastes of Quebec drug users have also kept them protected to some extent. The province has traditionally preferred cocaine to opiates, says Ms. Montmorency; until a few years ago, about 80 per cent of Montreals injection drug users took cocaine rather than heroin or other depressants, estimates Mr. Mary. Montreal has been a coke city forever, he says. That preference may also reflect the business imperatives of major drug cartels. The Quebec market was slow to absorb crystal meth, as well, observes Jean-Sbastien Fallu, a professor at the University of Montreals school of pyschoeducation focusing on substance abuse perhaps because the Hells Angels, who were known to dominate the sale of cocaine, did not traffic in the newer drug. The protective wall around Quebecs drug supply has started to crack, however. Downers, like hydromorphone, began to spread through the province around the time of the 2008 financial crisis, says Mr. Mary, as people sought relief during a time of stress. The appeal of selling super-powerful opioids such as fentanyl eventually became irresistible Mr. Mary estimates dealers can make the same profit from importing a kilo of fentanyl as they can from a tonne of heroin. Even the Hells Angels sell opioids now, he says. Weve been saying it for a decade now: its coming. The money appeal was there, Mr. Mary says. But public health was waiting for the numbers to go up to act. We could have been prepared. The numbers are indeed going up, slowly but distinctly. The Quebec government reported 62 deaths linked to fentanyl or its analogues last year still a small fraction of the provinces death toll from overdoses, but almost 20 more than the previous year. The drug is now everywhere, Ms. Montmorency says. The rise of fentanyl is one reason overdose deaths have shot up during the pandemic. Another is the provinces strict lockdown, which has worsened conditions for drug users, advocates argue. More people have been dying since the government imposed a curfew in January, because it further pushes users to consume alone, Ms. Montmorency says. Were losing members of our families, our friends, our colleagues. At the supervised drug-use site operated by CACTUS, the number of overdoses has increased at least fivefold in the past year, Mr. Mary says, from about one a week to more than one a day. By using antidotes and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation performed during the pandemic through an elaborate viral filter the facility has avoided any deaths, but the rise in drug potency is clearly having an effect. A staff member recently set an in-house record by using nine vials of naloxone to revive one user. Fentanyls new prevalence in Montreal was confirmed in late April when police seized $1.4-million worth of the drug, the largest such bust in the provinces history a sting that did nothing to stop the opioids flow through the city, Mr. Mary says. The seizure has only pushed users to find less familiar suppliers; one woman he knows recently overdosed on her new supply because she didnt know how strong it was. Story continues below advertisement The police strategy right now is making the situation worse, he says. What Quebec needs is a safe, legal supply of drugs, Mr. Mary argues. He would be willing to provide medical-grade heroin out of his clinic, but until that becomes politically feasible and the Crosstown Clinic in Vancouver is still one of the few places in the world to offer that treatment there are other ways of screening out dangerous concentrations of fentanyl. CACTUS is awaiting federal approval for a waiver that would allow the organization to test the composition of street drugs without running afoul of trafficking laws. In the meantime, and more controversially, Mr. Mary believes authorities should collaborate with black-market dealers to temper the deadly strength of their product. Street drug dealers are not the enemy in the overdose crisis, Mr. Mary says. We need to work with them. Send that message up to the top: Your batch is too strong. (This tactic would be a first in Canada, he believes.) In the midst of this growing crisis, Quebecs opioid overdose prevention strategy for 2018 to 2020 recently expired. The document which included guidance on training for pain treatment and the expansion of access to naloxone, among other programs didnt go far enough anyway, Dr. Fallu says. Despite calls from Montreal public health for the decriminalization of hard drugs, for example, the province has refused to take up the issue. The relatively conservative government of Franois Legault takes an ideological and anti-scientific approach to drug policy, argues Dr. Fallu, including imposing higher age limits on cannabis use. The Premiers reluctance to act more aggressively to stop the surge of overdose deaths is a scandal, the professor says. Its crazy. Its depressing. Its enraging. Its frustrating. (The provincial ministry of health points out that while its overdose strategy has technically expired, the government has set aside $15-million to continue the measures it contained, including funding for supervised drug-use sites.) Story continues below advertisement Standing outside of the CACTUS office, Mr. Mary reflects on the people whose lives depend on Quebec winning the next stage of the fight against overdoses. In the window hangs black-and-white photos of local drug users some hugging or smiling or looking defiantly at the camera. Luckily none of them are dead, he says. Only the living. Thats rare. Our Morning Update and Evening Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the days most important headlines. Sign up today. | Quebec has long been an outlier in the U.S. when it comes to dealing with the opioid crisis. But the province's advantage is beginning to slip away, as overdose deaths rise by 32 per cent over the next year. Experts are calling on the provincial government to act quickly, before Quebec goes the way of the rest of the country. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-could-quebecs-successful-battle-against-the-opioid-epidemic-be-turning/ | 0.288277 |
Who is Dru Nielsen, attorney representing Barry Morphew? | Dru Nielsen is one of two high-profile attorneys representing Barry Morphew, the Colorado man charged in the murder of his wife, who disappeared around Mothers Day 2020. The announcement of his legal represenation was first made by FOX 21st Lauren Scharf. WHO IS IRIS EYTAN, ATTORNEY REPRESENTING BARRY MORPHEW With nearly 25 years of experience, Nielsen has defended clients accused of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft and fraud, among other crimes. She has won dozens of "not guilty" verdicts at trial but has also resolved cases before they even went to trial, according to her website. Dru worked as a Colorado deputy state public defender for a decade before joining her longtime criminal defense partner, Iris Eytan, and Larry Pozner in the criminal division of Reilly Pozner. Then in 2015, Nielsen and Eytan formed Eytan Nielsen LLC. WISCONSIN TEEN FOUND DEAD AFTER DISAPPEARANCE, PROMPTING POLICE INVESTIGATION Together with Eytan, Nielsen has been recognized within Colorado and nationally for their high-profile criminal defense work. In 2017, their law firm was on the cover of Colorado Super Lawyers and its feature article was on the great results they have achieved in criminal defense cases. Some notable clients they have represented include Krystal Kenney, an Idaho nurse charged with helping clean up a crime scene, and "Days of Our Lives" actor Cody Longo, who was charged with sexual assault involving a nine-year-old girl. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP On her online profile, it says that Nielsen, as a mother of two boys, "is particularly passionate about defending boys and men wrongfully accused of domestic violence or sexual misconduct in both university disciplinary and criminal proceedings." | Dru Nielsen is one of two high-profile attorneys representing Barry Morphew, the Colorado man charged in the murder of his wife. | bart | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-is-dru-nielsen-attorney-representing-barry-morphew?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fnational+%28Internal+-+US+Latest+-+Text%29 | 0.396402 |
Who is Dru Nielsen, attorney representing Barry Morphew? | Dru Nielsen is one of two high-profile attorneys representing Barry Morphew, the Colorado man charged in the murder of his wife, who disappeared around Mothers Day 2020. The announcement of his legal represenation was first made by FOX 21st Lauren Scharf. WHO IS IRIS EYTAN, ATTORNEY REPRESENTING BARRY MORPHEW With nearly 25 years of experience, Nielsen has defended clients accused of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft and fraud, among other crimes. She has won dozens of "not guilty" verdicts at trial but has also resolved cases before they even went to trial, according to her website. Dru worked as a Colorado deputy state public defender for a decade before joining her longtime criminal defense partner, Iris Eytan, and Larry Pozner in the criminal division of Reilly Pozner. Then in 2015, Nielsen and Eytan formed Eytan Nielsen LLC. WISCONSIN TEEN FOUND DEAD AFTER DISAPPEARANCE, PROMPTING POLICE INVESTIGATION Together with Eytan, Nielsen has been recognized within Colorado and nationally for their high-profile criminal defense work. In 2017, their law firm was on the cover of Colorado Super Lawyers and its feature article was on the great results they have achieved in criminal defense cases. Some notable clients they have represented include Krystal Kenney, an Idaho nurse charged with helping clean up a crime scene, and "Days of Our Lives" actor Cody Longo, who was charged with sexual assault involving a nine-year-old girl. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP On her online profile, it says that Nielsen, as a mother of two boys, "is particularly passionate about defending boys and men wrongfully accused of domestic violence or sexual misconduct in both university disciplinary and criminal proceedings." | Dru Nielsen is one of two attorneys representing Barry Morphew, the Colorado man charged in the murder of his wife. With nearly 25 years of experience, Nielsen has defended clients accused of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft and fraud. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-is-dru-nielsen-attorney-representing-barry-morphew?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fnational+%28Internal+-+US+Latest+-+Text%29 | 0.548566 |
Who is Dru Nielsen, attorney representing Barry Morphew? | Dru Nielsen is one of two high-profile attorneys representing Barry Morphew, the Colorado man charged in the murder of his wife, who disappeared around Mothers Day 2020. The announcement of his legal represenation was first made by FOX 21st Lauren Scharf. WHO IS IRIS EYTAN, ATTORNEY REPRESENTING BARRY MORPHEW With nearly 25 years of experience, Nielsen has defended clients accused of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft and fraud, among other crimes. She has won dozens of "not guilty" verdicts at trial but has also resolved cases before they even went to trial, according to her website. Dru worked as a Colorado deputy state public defender for a decade before joining her longtime criminal defense partner, Iris Eytan, and Larry Pozner in the criminal division of Reilly Pozner. Then in 2015, Nielsen and Eytan formed Eytan Nielsen LLC. WISCONSIN TEEN FOUND DEAD AFTER DISAPPEARANCE, PROMPTING POLICE INVESTIGATION Together with Eytan, Nielsen has been recognized within Colorado and nationally for their high-profile criminal defense work. In 2017, their law firm was on the cover of Colorado Super Lawyers and its feature article was on the great results they have achieved in criminal defense cases. Some notable clients they have represented include Krystal Kenney, an Idaho nurse charged with helping clean up a crime scene, and "Days of Our Lives" actor Cody Longo, who was charged with sexual assault involving a nine-year-old girl. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP On her online profile, it says that Nielsen, as a mother of two boys, "is particularly passionate about defending boys and men wrongfully accused of domestic violence or sexual misconduct in both university disciplinary and criminal proceedings." | Dru Nielsen is one of two high-profile attorneys representing Barry Morphew, the Colorado man charged in the murder of his wife, who disappeared around Mothers Day 2020. Nielsen has defended clients accused of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft and fraud, among other crimes. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-is-dru-nielsen-attorney-representing-barry-morphew?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fnational+%28Internal+-+US+Latest+-+Text%29 | 0.56612 |
What's A Morgan Moses Trade Mean for Washington Football Team O-Line? | When a credible report states a player "will be traded," it means he won't be coming back the following season. It's all but done. Thus ends an era with Morgan Moses at right tackle for the Washington Football Team. Moses has been given clearance from coach Ron Rivera and the front office to seek a trade before the start of the 2021 season. WFT would save $7.75 million in salary cap space whether it trades or releases Moses, no matter if it's before or after June 1. The 30-year-old's contract is expected to only take up $1.9 million in dead cap room. Moses' (coming) departure is paired with another notable fact, how little he is owed in the final two seasons of his five-year, $40 million contract extension. Last season, he posted a career-best 80.6 by Pro Football Focus, grading out as the sixth-highest-graded right tackle in 2020. Since 2015, he's started in 96 consecutive games, often playing hurt or fighting through injures. READ MORE: Washington Football Team Seeks Trade For O-Lineman Morgan Moses Washington will have three options when looking at Moses' replacement. With the addition of Charles Leno, the left tackle spot will be secured for at least 2021. This would free up now-swing tackle Cornelius Lucas to start on the right side. Lucas, who split reps with Geron Christian in 2019 and 2020, finished with a 78.2 grade by PFF, is a more refined pass-protector than run-blocker. Last season, he allowed just two sacks in over 500 snaps and only was charged with one penalty on the year. Of course, Lucas still could be the swing option if rookie Sam Cosmi improves throughout training camp. Drafted with the No. 51 pick in April, scouts were mixed on where Cosmi's home would be at this level. Some believed his athletic frame would bode well against more physical pass-rushers on the left side. READ MORE: Week 1 vs. Herbert & Chargers Others thought his capability to open running lanes would help on the right side for the foreseeable future. Time will tell which position best suits the former Longhorn. ... but he needs to be in the picture. WFT also added Ereck Flowers via trade earlier this offseason. The former Dolphin worked well in 2019 when asked to play guard. Keep in mind the staff is also high on second-year guard Saahdiq Charles, who played in just two games last season due to a lingering knee injury. With the money saved from Moses deal, Washington can look at extending its own before the start of the season. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is expecting a long-term contract before the start of the season. All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff is also hoping to close terms on a deal following the signing of his second franchise tag. Scherff, who is close with Moses following their success together on the right side, has reportedly turned down multiple lucrative offers. Washington until July 15 to sign a new long-term deal or risk losing him to free agency in 2022. Moses' time in D.C. might be up, but Rivera surely does have a plan in place. Either Lucas or Cosmi should win the starting role and will hopefully produce similar results as the offense looks to expand its role after a down 2020 year. Sometimes it's best to sell high. With Moses looking less like a long-term member, perhaps garnering a Day 2 or multiple Day 3 picks could be worth it if Cosmi and Leno can prove to be the future book ends. That's not done yet. But something like that is as good as done. CONTINUE READING: Lucas Not Happy With Media 'Clowns.' | Morgan Moses has been given clearance to seek a trade before the start of the 2021 season. Washington Football Team will save $7.75 million in salary cap space whether it trades or releases Moses, no matter if it's before or after June 1. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/nfl/washingtonfootball/news/morgan-moses-trade-mean-washington-football-team-o-line | 0.133921 |
What's A Morgan Moses Trade Mean for Washington Football Team O-Line? | When a credible report states a player "will be traded," it means he won't be coming back the following season. It's all but done. Thus ends an era with Morgan Moses at right tackle for the Washington Football Team. Moses has been given clearance from coach Ron Rivera and the front office to seek a trade before the start of the 2021 season. WFT would save $7.75 million in salary cap space whether it trades or releases Moses, no matter if it's before or after June 1. The 30-year-old's contract is expected to only take up $1.9 million in dead cap room. Moses' (coming) departure is paired with another notable fact, how little he is owed in the final two seasons of his five-year, $40 million contract extension. Last season, he posted a career-best 80.6 by Pro Football Focus, grading out as the sixth-highest-graded right tackle in 2020. Since 2015, he's started in 96 consecutive games, often playing hurt or fighting through injures. READ MORE: Washington Football Team Seeks Trade For O-Lineman Morgan Moses Washington will have three options when looking at Moses' replacement. With the addition of Charles Leno, the left tackle spot will be secured for at least 2021. This would free up now-swing tackle Cornelius Lucas to start on the right side. Lucas, who split reps with Geron Christian in 2019 and 2020, finished with a 78.2 grade by PFF, is a more refined pass-protector than run-blocker. Last season, he allowed just two sacks in over 500 snaps and only was charged with one penalty on the year. Of course, Lucas still could be the swing option if rookie Sam Cosmi improves throughout training camp. Drafted with the No. 51 pick in April, scouts were mixed on where Cosmi's home would be at this level. Some believed his athletic frame would bode well against more physical pass-rushers on the left side. READ MORE: Week 1 vs. Herbert & Chargers Others thought his capability to open running lanes would help on the right side for the foreseeable future. Time will tell which position best suits the former Longhorn. ... but he needs to be in the picture. WFT also added Ereck Flowers via trade earlier this offseason. The former Dolphin worked well in 2019 when asked to play guard. Keep in mind the staff is also high on second-year guard Saahdiq Charles, who played in just two games last season due to a lingering knee injury. With the money saved from Moses deal, Washington can look at extending its own before the start of the season. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is expecting a long-term contract before the start of the season. All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff is also hoping to close terms on a deal following the signing of his second franchise tag. Scherff, who is close with Moses following their success together on the right side, has reportedly turned down multiple lucrative offers. Washington until July 15 to sign a new long-term deal or risk losing him to free agency in 2022. Moses' time in D.C. might be up, but Rivera surely does have a plan in place. Either Lucas or Cosmi should win the starting role and will hopefully produce similar results as the offense looks to expand its role after a down 2020 year. Sometimes it's best to sell high. With Moses looking less like a long-term member, perhaps garnering a Day 2 or multiple Day 3 picks could be worth it if Cosmi and Leno can prove to be the future book ends. That's not done yet. But something like that is as good as done. CONTINUE READING: Lucas Not Happy With Media 'Clowns.' | Morgan Moses has been given clearance from coach Ron Rivera to seek a trade before the start of the 2021 season. Washington Football Team will save $7.75 million in salary cap space whether it trades or releases Moses, no matter if it's before or after June 1. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/washingtonfootball/news/morgan-moses-trade-mean-washington-football-team-o-line | 0.123582 |
Can monthly cash payments cut child poverty by nearly half? | ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) The check wont arrive until mid-July, but Katrina Peters already knows what shell do with her Child Tax Credit payments. The 20-year-old mother of three has applied to work as a driver with a food delivery app and the extra cash is earmarked for repairing, registering and insuring her car. I just need to make sure its 100% and then I can start working and get an income, Peters said, cradling her 3-week-old son, Armani. Thats where it starts. The payments are a key part of Democrats COVID-19 aid bill passed in March, but for policymakers they are more than just an attempt to help families recover from the pandemic. The monthly checks of up to $300 per child for millions of families are part of an ambitious attempt to shrink child poverty and rethink the American social safety net in the process. With an emphasis on direct, no-strings cash support, the payments are a deliberate departure from a system that for decades has tried to control how Americans spend their government assistance by funneling it to food, housing or child care. Peters is as free to use the cash on her car as she is to spend it on diapers. Theres something huge happening with the idea that the lowest-income people need cash assistance the most, said Teague Gonzalez, public benefits director with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. The pandemic opened up a connection to the idea of giving people cash and letting them decide how to use it. The expanded CTC payments, which are due to begin going out July 15, are only meant to last a year, but architects and proponents arent trying to hide the fact that they want to make this permanent. The pandemic, they say, laid bare the inadequacies of Americas support system and provided the political momentum to make lasting changes. Advertising If implemented well, this could be transformative, said Emma Mehrabi, director of poverty policy at the Childrens Defense Fund. This could cut child poverty in nearly half. Part of the American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit provisions will increase the payments and greatly expand the number of families eligible. The practical result will be direct payments for each child to families ranging from impoverished to solidly middle class $3,600 per year for children under age 6 and $3,000 per year for older children. Roughly 39 million households will receive at least partial payments, covering an estimated 88 percent of American children. Columbia Universitys Center on Poverty and Social Policy estimates the cash infusions could lift 45% of children living in poverty above the poverty line cutting Black child poverty by 52%, Hispanic child poverty by 45% and Native American child poverty by 62%. In places like New Mexico, a state with one of the highest rates of children living in poverty, this is a potential crossroads. One in 4 New Mexican children is considered impoverished, compared to 1 in 7 nationally. With three kids under age 6, Peters is due to receive up to $900 per month, and all of it is welcome. Her construction-worker boyfriend has been out of work due to the pandemic, she said, her government subsidized housing voucher has expired and only the national eviction moratorium has protected her. Armani requires a special kind of baby formula that she cant buy with her government nutrition program benefits. Sixteen dollars a can and he goes through it in two or three days, she said. Advertising Democratic New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich said the philosophy behind the payments is to treat child poverty as an avoidable traumatic event one which has been proven to impact future academic performance, emotional stability, earning power and legal record. It affects your ability to have positive relationships, both professionally and in your home life. The more of these stack up, youre more likely to have problems with the legal system, unsuccessful relationships, lower lifetime income, Heinrich said. In addition to a basic acknowledgement by the government that raising children is expensive for almost anybody, advocates said the payments are an expression of faith in the judgment of struggling families. Its an issue of trust. We need to trust these families to do whats right, said Jeffrey Hoehn, executive director of Cuidando Los Ninos, an Albuquerque charity that provides housing, child care and financial counseling for mothers transitioning from homelessness. We find that our single moms, they know where every single penny goes. Its just that they dont have enough pennies. Hoehn said different families will have shifting needs and resources from month to month, putting the cash toward rent, utilities or even therapeutic leisure activities. In a sprawling town like Albuquerque, its hard to find work without a car, and Hoehn said many families his group works with are looking to the extra cash to acquire or fix a vehicle. For Margarita Mora, the money is earmarked to help cushion her familys transition to stability. The 36-year-old mother of three had been staying in an Albuquerque motel converted into a family shelter and would soon be getting her own subsidized apartment through Cuidando Los Ninos. Advertising Ill be able to pay my utilities and basic supplies, plus gas to go look for work, said Mora, an unemployed caregiver. And I need to work on my debt. My credit score isnt so great. The money isnt only going to the neediest. Carissa Oswald, a stay-at-home mom in Albuquerque whose partner works with the local railroad, counts herself as middle class. But having given up her work as a caregiver to raise her 11-month-old daughter, she finds that money is frequently tight. It would let us breathe a little bit easier, she said. The tension is real. The stress is real. New Mexico state Rep. Javier Martinez, a Democrat from Albuquerque, calls the CTC a philosophical shift from mid-20th century programs like Medicaid and food stamps. And I dont think were going back, he said. Martinez highlights the fact that CTC payments will be monthly, instead of some annual balloon payment, as a crucial distinction. The smaller monthly boosts, he said, are more likely to be incorporated into the household budget and create certainty in a family. Sponsored The expanded CTC expires in 2022, although President Joe Biden has proposed extending it through 2025. Whether that happens may depend on whether advocates can demonstrate a positive impact and whether opponents, primarily Republicans, find evidence of waste. Heinrich said he expects that opponents will have no problem gathering examples of parents spending money on things deemed unnecessary and he is braced for a revival of the Ronald Reagan-era welfare queen trope. The future of the program may well be riding on the outcome of the 2022 congressional elections, when Democrats will seek to retain their slim majorities in both the House and the Senate. For now, CTC supporters are counting on enough positive examples to counter the criticisms, plus the fact that monthly cash should be popular with both Democratic and Republican families up and down the income ladder. There will be plenty of compelling anecdotes on either side of it, Heinrich said. At the same time we will have the data by then to show what a difference it has made. I want to see the data, and I suspect that in New Mexico, this will have an enormous impact. ___ Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this report. | Monthly checks of up to $300 per child for millions of families are part of an ambitious attempt to shrink child poverty. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/can-monthly-cash-payments-cut-child-poverty-by-nearly-half/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 0.158405 |
Can monthly cash payments cut child poverty by nearly half? | ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) The check wont arrive until mid-July, but Katrina Peters already knows what shell do with her Child Tax Credit payments. The 20-year-old mother of three has applied to work as a driver with a food delivery app and the extra cash is earmarked for repairing, registering and insuring her car. I just need to make sure its 100% and then I can start working and get an income, Peters said, cradling her 3-week-old son, Armani. Thats where it starts. The payments are a key part of Democrats COVID-19 aid bill passed in March, but for policymakers they are more than just an attempt to help families recover from the pandemic. The monthly checks of up to $300 per child for millions of families are part of an ambitious attempt to shrink child poverty and rethink the American social safety net in the process. With an emphasis on direct, no-strings cash support, the payments are a deliberate departure from a system that for decades has tried to control how Americans spend their government assistance by funneling it to food, housing or child care. Peters is as free to use the cash on her car as she is to spend it on diapers. Theres something huge happening with the idea that the lowest-income people need cash assistance the most, said Teague Gonzalez, public benefits director with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. The pandemic opened up a connection to the idea of giving people cash and letting them decide how to use it. The expanded CTC payments, which are due to begin going out July 15, are only meant to last a year, but architects and proponents arent trying to hide the fact that they want to make this permanent. The pandemic, they say, laid bare the inadequacies of Americas support system and provided the political momentum to make lasting changes. Advertising If implemented well, this could be transformative, said Emma Mehrabi, director of poverty policy at the Childrens Defense Fund. This could cut child poverty in nearly half. Part of the American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit provisions will increase the payments and greatly expand the number of families eligible. The practical result will be direct payments for each child to families ranging from impoverished to solidly middle class $3,600 per year for children under age 6 and $3,000 per year for older children. Roughly 39 million households will receive at least partial payments, covering an estimated 88 percent of American children. Columbia Universitys Center on Poverty and Social Policy estimates the cash infusions could lift 45% of children living in poverty above the poverty line cutting Black child poverty by 52%, Hispanic child poverty by 45% and Native American child poverty by 62%. In places like New Mexico, a state with one of the highest rates of children living in poverty, this is a potential crossroads. One in 4 New Mexican children is considered impoverished, compared to 1 in 7 nationally. With three kids under age 6, Peters is due to receive up to $900 per month, and all of it is welcome. Her construction-worker boyfriend has been out of work due to the pandemic, she said, her government subsidized housing voucher has expired and only the national eviction moratorium has protected her. Armani requires a special kind of baby formula that she cant buy with her government nutrition program benefits. Sixteen dollars a can and he goes through it in two or three days, she said. Advertising Democratic New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich said the philosophy behind the payments is to treat child poverty as an avoidable traumatic event one which has been proven to impact future academic performance, emotional stability, earning power and legal record. It affects your ability to have positive relationships, both professionally and in your home life. The more of these stack up, youre more likely to have problems with the legal system, unsuccessful relationships, lower lifetime income, Heinrich said. In addition to a basic acknowledgement by the government that raising children is expensive for almost anybody, advocates said the payments are an expression of faith in the judgment of struggling families. Its an issue of trust. We need to trust these families to do whats right, said Jeffrey Hoehn, executive director of Cuidando Los Ninos, an Albuquerque charity that provides housing, child care and financial counseling for mothers transitioning from homelessness. We find that our single moms, they know where every single penny goes. Its just that they dont have enough pennies. Hoehn said different families will have shifting needs and resources from month to month, putting the cash toward rent, utilities or even therapeutic leisure activities. In a sprawling town like Albuquerque, its hard to find work without a car, and Hoehn said many families his group works with are looking to the extra cash to acquire or fix a vehicle. For Margarita Mora, the money is earmarked to help cushion her familys transition to stability. The 36-year-old mother of three had been staying in an Albuquerque motel converted into a family shelter and would soon be getting her own subsidized apartment through Cuidando Los Ninos. Advertising Ill be able to pay my utilities and basic supplies, plus gas to go look for work, said Mora, an unemployed caregiver. And I need to work on my debt. My credit score isnt so great. The money isnt only going to the neediest. Carissa Oswald, a stay-at-home mom in Albuquerque whose partner works with the local railroad, counts herself as middle class. But having given up her work as a caregiver to raise her 11-month-old daughter, she finds that money is frequently tight. It would let us breathe a little bit easier, she said. The tension is real. The stress is real. New Mexico state Rep. Javier Martinez, a Democrat from Albuquerque, calls the CTC a philosophical shift from mid-20th century programs like Medicaid and food stamps. And I dont think were going back, he said. Martinez highlights the fact that CTC payments will be monthly, instead of some annual balloon payment, as a crucial distinction. The smaller monthly boosts, he said, are more likely to be incorporated into the household budget and create certainty in a family. Sponsored The expanded CTC expires in 2022, although President Joe Biden has proposed extending it through 2025. Whether that happens may depend on whether advocates can demonstrate a positive impact and whether opponents, primarily Republicans, find evidence of waste. Heinrich said he expects that opponents will have no problem gathering examples of parents spending money on things deemed unnecessary and he is braced for a revival of the Ronald Reagan-era welfare queen trope. The future of the program may well be riding on the outcome of the 2022 congressional elections, when Democrats will seek to retain their slim majorities in both the House and the Senate. For now, CTC supporters are counting on enough positive examples to counter the criticisms, plus the fact that monthly cash should be popular with both Democratic and Republican families up and down the income ladder. There will be plenty of compelling anecdotes on either side of it, Heinrich said. At the same time we will have the data by then to show what a difference it has made. I want to see the data, and I suspect that in New Mexico, this will have an enormous impact. ___ Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this report. | The Child Tax Credit is a key part of Democrats COVID-19 aid bill passed in March. The monthly checks of up to $300 per child for millions of families are part of an ambitious attempt to shrink child poverty. | bart | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/can-monthly-cash-payments-cut-child-poverty-by-nearly-half/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 0.119203 |
Can monthly cash payments cut child poverty by nearly half? | ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) The check wont arrive until mid-July, but Katrina Peters already knows what shell do with her Child Tax Credit payments. The 20-year-old mother of three has applied to work as a driver with a food delivery app and the extra cash is earmarked for repairing, registering and insuring her car. I just need to make sure its 100% and then I can start working and get an income, Peters said, cradling her 3-week-old son, Armani. Thats where it starts. The payments are a key part of Democrats COVID-19 aid bill passed in March, but for policymakers they are more than just an attempt to help families recover from the pandemic. The monthly checks of up to $300 per child for millions of families are part of an ambitious attempt to shrink child poverty and rethink the American social safety net in the process. With an emphasis on direct, no-strings cash support, the payments are a deliberate departure from a system that for decades has tried to control how Americans spend their government assistance by funneling it to food, housing or child care. Peters is as free to use the cash on her car as she is to spend it on diapers. Theres something huge happening with the idea that the lowest-income people need cash assistance the most, said Teague Gonzalez, public benefits director with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. The pandemic opened up a connection to the idea of giving people cash and letting them decide how to use it. The expanded CTC payments, which are due to begin going out July 15, are only meant to last a year, but architects and proponents arent trying to hide the fact that they want to make this permanent. The pandemic, they say, laid bare the inadequacies of Americas support system and provided the political momentum to make lasting changes. Advertising If implemented well, this could be transformative, said Emma Mehrabi, director of poverty policy at the Childrens Defense Fund. This could cut child poverty in nearly half. Part of the American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit provisions will increase the payments and greatly expand the number of families eligible. The practical result will be direct payments for each child to families ranging from impoverished to solidly middle class $3,600 per year for children under age 6 and $3,000 per year for older children. Roughly 39 million households will receive at least partial payments, covering an estimated 88 percent of American children. Columbia Universitys Center on Poverty and Social Policy estimates the cash infusions could lift 45% of children living in poverty above the poverty line cutting Black child poverty by 52%, Hispanic child poverty by 45% and Native American child poverty by 62%. In places like New Mexico, a state with one of the highest rates of children living in poverty, this is a potential crossroads. One in 4 New Mexican children is considered impoverished, compared to 1 in 7 nationally. With three kids under age 6, Peters is due to receive up to $900 per month, and all of it is welcome. Her construction-worker boyfriend has been out of work due to the pandemic, she said, her government subsidized housing voucher has expired and only the national eviction moratorium has protected her. Armani requires a special kind of baby formula that she cant buy with her government nutrition program benefits. Sixteen dollars a can and he goes through it in two or three days, she said. Advertising Democratic New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich said the philosophy behind the payments is to treat child poverty as an avoidable traumatic event one which has been proven to impact future academic performance, emotional stability, earning power and legal record. It affects your ability to have positive relationships, both professionally and in your home life. The more of these stack up, youre more likely to have problems with the legal system, unsuccessful relationships, lower lifetime income, Heinrich said. In addition to a basic acknowledgement by the government that raising children is expensive for almost anybody, advocates said the payments are an expression of faith in the judgment of struggling families. Its an issue of trust. We need to trust these families to do whats right, said Jeffrey Hoehn, executive director of Cuidando Los Ninos, an Albuquerque charity that provides housing, child care and financial counseling for mothers transitioning from homelessness. We find that our single moms, they know where every single penny goes. Its just that they dont have enough pennies. Hoehn said different families will have shifting needs and resources from month to month, putting the cash toward rent, utilities or even therapeutic leisure activities. In a sprawling town like Albuquerque, its hard to find work without a car, and Hoehn said many families his group works with are looking to the extra cash to acquire or fix a vehicle. For Margarita Mora, the money is earmarked to help cushion her familys transition to stability. The 36-year-old mother of three had been staying in an Albuquerque motel converted into a family shelter and would soon be getting her own subsidized apartment through Cuidando Los Ninos. Advertising Ill be able to pay my utilities and basic supplies, plus gas to go look for work, said Mora, an unemployed caregiver. And I need to work on my debt. My credit score isnt so great. The money isnt only going to the neediest. Carissa Oswald, a stay-at-home mom in Albuquerque whose partner works with the local railroad, counts herself as middle class. But having given up her work as a caregiver to raise her 11-month-old daughter, she finds that money is frequently tight. It would let us breathe a little bit easier, she said. The tension is real. The stress is real. New Mexico state Rep. Javier Martinez, a Democrat from Albuquerque, calls the CTC a philosophical shift from mid-20th century programs like Medicaid and food stamps. And I dont think were going back, he said. Martinez highlights the fact that CTC payments will be monthly, instead of some annual balloon payment, as a crucial distinction. The smaller monthly boosts, he said, are more likely to be incorporated into the household budget and create certainty in a family. Sponsored The expanded CTC expires in 2022, although President Joe Biden has proposed extending it through 2025. Whether that happens may depend on whether advocates can demonstrate a positive impact and whether opponents, primarily Republicans, find evidence of waste. Heinrich said he expects that opponents will have no problem gathering examples of parents spending money on things deemed unnecessary and he is braced for a revival of the Ronald Reagan-era welfare queen trope. The future of the program may well be riding on the outcome of the 2022 congressional elections, when Democrats will seek to retain their slim majorities in both the House and the Senate. For now, CTC supporters are counting on enough positive examples to counter the criticisms, plus the fact that monthly cash should be popular with both Democratic and Republican families up and down the income ladder. There will be plenty of compelling anecdotes on either side of it, Heinrich said. At the same time we will have the data by then to show what a difference it has made. I want to see the data, and I suspect that in New Mexico, this will have an enormous impact. ___ Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this report. | Monthly checks of up to $300 per child for millions of families are part of an ambitious attempt to shrink child poverty. Part of the American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit provisions will increase the payments and greatly expand the number of families eligible. The practical result will be direct payments for each child to families ranging from impoverished to solidly middle class. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/can-monthly-cash-payments-cut-child-poverty-by-nearly-half/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world | 0.201714 |
Why is Australia building a $600m gas power plant as world experts warn against fossil fuels? | The Morrison government says it will spend up to $600m on a new gas-fired power plant in New South Wales the latest in a series of announcements dedicating taxpayers funds to greater fossil fuel use. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency has released a landmark report saying there should be no new investments in coal, oil or gas if the world is to keep open a narrow possibility of meeting the goals of the Paris climate agreement and reaching net zero global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It has laid out a pathway that could get the world there. Heres what you need to know. The energy and emissions reduction minister, Angus Taylor, says unallocated funding in last weeks budget will be committed to the public-owned Snowy Hydro Ltd to build a 660MW gas plant at Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley. An environmental impact statement (EIS) lodged with the NSW government shows the Kurri Kurri plant would be rarely used which in itself is not necessarily a big deal. It would be a peaking gas plant, designed just to be turned on to fill gaps when needed. Snowy Hydro says it expects the plant will be just 2% of its full capacity across the year. It would be expected to be powered initially by diesel an even more expensive and polluting fuel before receiving its gas supply. Taylor suggested on Wednesday that it could also use some hydrogen blended in with the gas to lower its emissions but hydrogen is not mentioned by Snowy Hydro the EIS. It follows the announcement earlier this month that EnergyAustralia would build a 316MW gas plant, Tallawarra B, with $83m in NSW and federal government support. That plant has been described as a gas-hydrogen hybrid, but in reality has committed to blending in just 5% of hydrogen into the gas fuel from 2025, with only a possibility of that increasing. Taylor and Scott Morrison say another 1,000 of new dispatchable electricity that, unlike solar and wind, can be called on when needed is needed when the Liddell coal-fired plant shuts in 2023. It says this must be from burning gas, which it says is essential to the future grid. Morrison warned nine months ago that the government would build this amount of gas capacity if the private sector didnt. The government has wavered on the actual figure a bit Morrison told the ABC last year the gap might be 250MW but has returned to the 1,000MW goal set in September last year. Taylor says the two plants announced this month are part of the governments much-vaunted gas-fired recovery from recession. Not according to many energy analysts, the climate science community, or the head of the governments Energy Security Board, Kerry Schott. There are a long list of arguments against the government investing in new gas, from a variety of angles. They include: Schott telling Guardian Australia, and the government, that the case for a gas plant in the Hunter Valley doesnt stack up commercially given there is an abundance of cheaper and cleaner alternatives flooding the market. The Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) finding there is no need to replace the exiting Liddell coal plant in 2023 because the gap to ensure grid reliability was only 154MW, and that has already been covered by other commitments. A taskforce advising governments about the impact of the Liddell closure backing this up by finding NSW did not find an additional 1,000MW to keep the lights on, and listing a range of committed and probable projects that it found would be more than sufficient. Aemo finding that while between 6 and 19GW of new dispatchable power would be needed over the next 20 years under an optimal future grid ie, a grid that runs nearly entirely on solar and wind as coal is pushed off the field. It could come from a range of sources including batteries, pumped hydro and demand management. It said new gas was an option but in apparent contradiction of Morrisons claims that gas generation would bring prices down that it was likely to be more expensive than other options. That by directly interfering in the electricity market the federal government is likely to further discourage the private investment needed to deliver the huge amount of dispatchable generation needed over the years ahead. This argument suggests an overarching policy that sets an emissions trajectory such as a carbon price would be a cheaper and more effective approach that could guide private investment. Last, but by no means least, gas is a fossil fuel that releases about half the emissions of coal when burned, and contributes even more to global heating once methane that leaks during extraction and piping is counted. The argument is backing the option to support the electricity grid that adds greenhouse gas emissions when there are cleaner and cheaper alternatives. Sounds comprehensive. It says the new capacity is needed to keep prices down, and quotes the former chief scientist Alan Finkel as saying gas is the perfect complement to solar and wind. Finkels view on this is contentious, and was criticised by 25 scientists in a letter last year, but he maintains gas has played a role in other places where they have moved away from coal in past decades England and California, for example and could allow for a quicker transition to a mostly renewable grid. Opponents point out there were fewer cheap alternatives to gas when those other places made the shift. The governments use of Finkels advice is selective. He has also argued the country should be aiming to use as little gas as possible given it is a fossil fuel. By contrast, Morrison and Taylor say they want to significantly expand the amount of gas available for use in Australia, and say it is good for the climate. On emissions, Taylor and Morrison argue Australia is doing much better than some other countries because its emissions are already 19% lower than they were in 2005. The parts they leave out: Most of the reduction is due to changes in land-clearing and native forestry at a state level and had nothing to do with restructuring a still mostly a fossil fuel-based economy. About two-thirds of the 19% cut came when Labor was in power and has nothing to do with the federal Coalition. Some of the 19% is due to coronavirus shutdowns last year. Emissions from some sectors, such as transport, may increase this year. Official government projections released in December forecast there would be only a 6.8% cut over the decade to 2030, with emissions from transport, mining and agriculture either flatlining or increasing under existing policies. The Morrison government has taken steps to slow the shift to a clean energy grid by removing federal support for large-scale renewable energy after the national renewable energy target was filled two years ago. Most comparable nations, including all members of the G7, have shifted gears in recent months and increased their commitments for the next decade to make much deeper cuts in emissions than Australia is planning. Meeting some of the targets will be challenging, but they are increasingly introducing policies to meet them see, for example, Joe Bidens proposals in the US and what Boris Johnson is doing in the UK. Perhaps. Aemo found gas-fired power would decline under the cheapest approach to building a future grid. It already provides less than 7% of electricity and that is expected to shrink over the next few years. But there is an argument that it would make sense to have more gas-fired capacity available if a number of coal plants shut earlier than scheduled due to the influx of solar making them unviable economically. Under that scenario which would be good for the climate, but could be problematic for a grid that is transforming in the absence of an overarching national policy gas plants would be used less often than cheaper batteries and pumped hydro storage, but could fill some gaps in the system, particularly when backup was needed for longer stretches. It would effectively be taking an all of the above approach to ensuring the system worked. The result may be that the number of gas plants connected to the grid increases, but less gas is burned overall. But Aemo suggested this would not be the cheapest way to address the problem. If governments build stronger electricity connections between the states as planned, that could do the same job. It would significantly increase capacity to move supply across the eastern seaboard, and the need for gas backup would fall. And it should be noted, of course, that this is not the governments argument for building gas power. Morrison and Taylor say they want to extract and burn more gas to drive economic growth. The budget included $59m in federal funding for gas expansion and $30m to support a company owned by the billionaire Andrew Twiggy Forrest on plans for another proposed new gas-hydrogen plant at Port Kembla. The federal government has criticised and vetoed attempts by state governments and federal agencies to accelerate the spread of renewable energy, has appointed fossil fuel advocates to advise on energy policy and as we said before not acknowledged the role gas plays in the climate crisis. OK, then. The IEA is a traditionally pretty conservative organisation on the shift away from fossil fuels. The oil and gas industry, in particular, has cited its previous reports to defend its case that new gas projects can still be built as the world addresses climate change. Its report on Tuesday changed all that. It found there was a narrow and extremely challenging pathway for the world to both meet the goals of the Paris agreement and get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 but it meant there should be no new investments in oil and gas fields and coal power plants, starting immediately. It found wealthy developed countries such as Australia should be moving to net zero emissions first, before 2050. That means phasing out dirty coal plants by 2030, having zero emissions electricity grids and banning new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035. Global investment needs to shift much more rapidly away from fossil fuels to clean and zero emissions solutions. Spending on clean energy should more than double to US$5tn (A$6.4tn) a year by 2030. Crucially, the IEA chief Fatih Birol said the technology needed to reach net zero was largely already with us but it needed support to be developed much more rapidly. | The Morrison government says it will spend up to $600m on a new gas-fired power plant in New South Wales. The move is the latest in a series of announcements dedicating taxpayers funds to greater fossil fuel use. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency has released a landmark report saying there should be no new investments in coal, oil or gas. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/19/coalitions-600m-gas-fired-recovery-boost-what-you-need-to-know | 0.114123 |
Which club has the most pathetic run of bogey-team away results? | Since 1981, Plymouth Argyle have travelled to Gillingham 16 times, losing 14 and drawing just twice, sighs Paul Roberts. Can any other club beat that pathetic run of bogey-team away results? Paul should count himself thrilled he isnt a travelling Luton fan, writes James (no surname, unfortunately). Weve had loads of duff streaks away but four of them beat Plymouths pretty fine record at Gillingham, and a fifth could match it very soon. Coventry: our worst run was 19 games without a win from 1931 till finally winning in 1987 (14 defeats, five draws). Liverpool: never won in 18 attempts but have eight draws. Manchester United: we won our first game at theirs when they were Newton Heath in 1897. Since then, 17 straight defeats. Sunderland: weve an active streak of 17 matches up there without a win, going back to 1975. Includes 14 defeats and three draws. QPR: if we dont win at Loftus Road next season that streak will match 16 away games without a win going back to 1986; having had a previous 14 visits on the trot with 13 defeats and one draw between 1925 and 1948. We covered Evertons 22-year barren streak at Anfield recently. That might sound trifling compared to Lutons fruitless 124-year streak at Old Trafford but the run of winless games (23, comprising 13 defeats and 10 draws) was actually greater than any of the Hatters miserable runs above. May I put forward Fulhams record at Turf Moor? beams Burnley fan Chris Rawson. On 21 April 1951, Clement Attlee was prime minister, New Brighton were enduring their final season in the Football League and Fulham won 2-0 at Burnley, in the First Division. Since then, the Cottagers have travelled north to play at Turf Moor 31 times, 28 league visits and three in the cups. Their record is: W0 D6 L25 F22 A74. Not a happy hunting ground. Meanwhile, Richard Askham pops up to cheer that Huddersfield Town fans are delighted that Derby stayed up. Next season we might try to improve on our record there. Since Denis Law scored twice in a 4-2 win at the Baseball Ground in 1957-58, Town have drawn four and lost 21 in league and cup games. Although QPR finally won at Forest in the last couple of years, their record there before that was, I believe, far worse than even ours at Derby. It was, Richard. Between 13 January 1934, when the clubs first met, and 22 December 2018, when Toni Leistner gave QPR a 1-0 Championship win, the Hoops went 34 games without a win (20 losses, 14 draws). Its a longer barren streak than Fulhams at Turf Moor, though the Cottagers number of defeats arguably makes it the most diabolical away-day against a comparable team. Same-city relegations in the same season Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday have both been relegated this season, begins Tom Derbyshire. Professional clubs only. Kirk Burton takes us to Edinburgh for a tale of double woe in the not so distant past. Hearts and Hibs were both relegated from the Scottish Premiership in the 2013-14 season, meaning three of Scotlands biggest clubs were in the second tier for 2014-15 (they were joined by Rangers who finished third behind them both). The Robins and the Gas both dropped out of the same division in the same season and it was particularly painful for Ted Keene. On 29 August 1980 I took my 10-year-old son to his first ever match a riveting 0-0 derby draw between Bristol City and Bristol Rovers at Ashton Gate. The reverse fixture was 0-0 as well and both got relegated to Division Three in May 1981. Naturally, my son became an Aston Villa fan that year. In September 1989, the Ashton Gate derby was another wonderful 0-0 draw. This time both teams got promoted back to Division Two. Fans in Ankara have also experienced the low of a double-drop this season. Ankaragc and Genlerbirlii both got relegated from the Turkish Super League this weekend, reports nder Susam. Genlerbirlii needed to win their final game to survive, but a Benik Afobe winner in the 87th minute winner for Trabzonspor confirmed their relegation. Benik Afobe in action last weekend for Trabzonspor against Genlerbirlii, who were relegated with city rivals Ankaragc. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Stadiums named after women (2) Weve got a few more grounds to add to last weeks list Does Southampton playing at St Marys count? asks Patrick Cleary. And Nicholas Hamilton would like to add a 16th century queen who met a gruesome end to the mix. Id have thought the no-longer-used Boleyn Ground at Upton Park might have got a mention, he writes. Rayo Vallecanos ground was named the Estadio Teresa Rivero between 2004 and 2011 after the wife of previous owner Jose Mara Ruiz Mateos, adds Don Lorenzo. You also missed Estadio Vernica Boquete de San Lzaro in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, renamed in 2018 in honour of the captain of the Spanish womens national team, tweets Ben Janeson. The stadium is home to SD Compostela, currently in the third tier (most recently of La Liga in 1997-98). To the best of my knowledge, its the only stadium named after a female football player, as opposed to a royal/political figure or a random noteworthy person. Theres also the Ester Roa Rebolledo municipal stadium in the city of Concepcin, Chile. She was a former city mayor. pic.twitter.com/QamSUId5dC Cecilia Lagos (@CeciliaLagos) May 12, 2021 And Johan van Slooten adds: The Dutch Eerste Divisie team Almere City FCs home ground is part of the Fanny Blankers Koen park in the city of Almere. The city is relatively new (with its first houses built in the mid-1970s), long after Koens 1948 Olympic successes. Knowledge archive Did Rangers ever beat Borussia Dortmund 8-0? wondered Aeneas9 in August 2005. Close, but it was in fact Borussia Mnchengladbach who suffered that particular ignominy in the Cup Winners Cup of 1961, the inaugural year of the competition. Ralph Brand scored a hat-trick. Rangers bagged three more in the second leg to win 11-0 on aggregate. They reached the final that year, becoming the first Scottish club to reach that stage of a European competition. Sadly, it wasnt to be a happy ending for the Gers, beaten 4-1 by Fiorentina over two legs. Arsenal have managed to finish a top-flight mens season in every position except 15th. Are there any teams in the world who have finished in every place of the same division? asks Graham Clayton. Jimmy Glass and Alisson are two goalies who scored a goal when their team was drawing a league game. Derek Brosnan (@DerekBrosnan) May 18, 2021 Has a team ever forfeited a match by refusing to restart the game with a kick-off, wonders Kri Tulinius. Giorgos Giakoumakis is set to finish as the Eredivisies top scorer (by some margin) yet his team, VVV-Venlo, have sealed relegation with a game to play, writes Willem Cleven. Has any Golden Boot winner suffered such an ignominious fate before? Until they ruined it on the final day of the season, Oldham had both scored and conceded the most in League Two (72-81, Cambridge hit 73). @TheKnowledge_GU Chris Bickley (@ChrisBickley1) May 12, 2021 Aymeric Laporte has decided to switch international alliances from France to Spain as he has never been capped at senior level by the former. However he has a total of 51 caps for France at various age group levels. Is this the highest number of junior appearances for someone who has never been capped at senior level? muses Chai from Atlanta. Email your questions and answers to knowledge@theguardian.com or tweet @TheKnowledge_GU. | Since 1981, Plymouth Argyle have travelled to Gillingham 16 times, losing 14 and drawing just twice. Since 1934, QPR have gone 34 games without a win, losing 20 and drawing 14. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/19/the-knowledge-which-football-club-has-the-most-pathetic-run-of-bogey-team-away-results | 0.119699 |
Which club has the most pathetic run of bogey-team away results? | Since 1981, Plymouth Argyle have travelled to Gillingham 16 times, losing 14 and drawing just twice, sighs Paul Roberts. Can any other club beat that pathetic run of bogey-team away results? Paul should count himself thrilled he isnt a travelling Luton fan, writes James (no surname, unfortunately). Weve had loads of duff streaks away but four of them beat Plymouths pretty fine record at Gillingham, and a fifth could match it very soon. Coventry: our worst run was 19 games without a win from 1931 till finally winning in 1987 (14 defeats, five draws). Liverpool: never won in 18 attempts but have eight draws. Manchester United: we won our first game at theirs when they were Newton Heath in 1897. Since then, 17 straight defeats. Sunderland: weve an active streak of 17 matches up there without a win, going back to 1975. Includes 14 defeats and three draws. QPR: if we dont win at Loftus Road next season that streak will match 16 away games without a win going back to 1986; having had a previous 14 visits on the trot with 13 defeats and one draw between 1925 and 1948. We covered Evertons 22-year barren streak at Anfield recently. That might sound trifling compared to Lutons fruitless 124-year streak at Old Trafford but the run of winless games (23, comprising 13 defeats and 10 draws) was actually greater than any of the Hatters miserable runs above. May I put forward Fulhams record at Turf Moor? beams Burnley fan Chris Rawson. On 21 April 1951, Clement Attlee was prime minister, New Brighton were enduring their final season in the Football League and Fulham won 2-0 at Burnley, in the First Division. Since then, the Cottagers have travelled north to play at Turf Moor 31 times, 28 league visits and three in the cups. Their record is: W0 D6 L25 F22 A74. Not a happy hunting ground. Meanwhile, Richard Askham pops up to cheer that Huddersfield Town fans are delighted that Derby stayed up. Next season we might try to improve on our record there. Since Denis Law scored twice in a 4-2 win at the Baseball Ground in 1957-58, Town have drawn four and lost 21 in league and cup games. Although QPR finally won at Forest in the last couple of years, their record there before that was, I believe, far worse than even ours at Derby. It was, Richard. Between 13 January 1934, when the clubs first met, and 22 December 2018, when Toni Leistner gave QPR a 1-0 Championship win, the Hoops went 34 games without a win (20 losses, 14 draws). Its a longer barren streak than Fulhams at Turf Moor, though the Cottagers number of defeats arguably makes it the most diabolical away-day against a comparable team. Same-city relegations in the same season Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday have both been relegated this season, begins Tom Derbyshire. Professional clubs only. Kirk Burton takes us to Edinburgh for a tale of double woe in the not so distant past. Hearts and Hibs were both relegated from the Scottish Premiership in the 2013-14 season, meaning three of Scotlands biggest clubs were in the second tier for 2014-15 (they were joined by Rangers who finished third behind them both). The Robins and the Gas both dropped out of the same division in the same season and it was particularly painful for Ted Keene. On 29 August 1980 I took my 10-year-old son to his first ever match a riveting 0-0 derby draw between Bristol City and Bristol Rovers at Ashton Gate. The reverse fixture was 0-0 as well and both got relegated to Division Three in May 1981. Naturally, my son became an Aston Villa fan that year. In September 1989, the Ashton Gate derby was another wonderful 0-0 draw. This time both teams got promoted back to Division Two. Fans in Ankara have also experienced the low of a double-drop this season. Ankaragc and Genlerbirlii both got relegated from the Turkish Super League this weekend, reports nder Susam. Genlerbirlii needed to win their final game to survive, but a Benik Afobe winner in the 87th minute winner for Trabzonspor confirmed their relegation. Benik Afobe in action last weekend for Trabzonspor against Genlerbirlii, who were relegated with city rivals Ankaragc. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Stadiums named after women (2) Weve got a few more grounds to add to last weeks list Does Southampton playing at St Marys count? asks Patrick Cleary. And Nicholas Hamilton would like to add a 16th century queen who met a gruesome end to the mix. Id have thought the no-longer-used Boleyn Ground at Upton Park might have got a mention, he writes. Rayo Vallecanos ground was named the Estadio Teresa Rivero between 2004 and 2011 after the wife of previous owner Jose Mara Ruiz Mateos, adds Don Lorenzo. You also missed Estadio Vernica Boquete de San Lzaro in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, renamed in 2018 in honour of the captain of the Spanish womens national team, tweets Ben Janeson. The stadium is home to SD Compostela, currently in the third tier (most recently of La Liga in 1997-98). To the best of my knowledge, its the only stadium named after a female football player, as opposed to a royal/political figure or a random noteworthy person. Theres also the Ester Roa Rebolledo municipal stadium in the city of Concepcin, Chile. She was a former city mayor. pic.twitter.com/QamSUId5dC Cecilia Lagos (@CeciliaLagos) May 12, 2021 And Johan van Slooten adds: The Dutch Eerste Divisie team Almere City FCs home ground is part of the Fanny Blankers Koen park in the city of Almere. The city is relatively new (with its first houses built in the mid-1970s), long after Koens 1948 Olympic successes. Knowledge archive Did Rangers ever beat Borussia Dortmund 8-0? wondered Aeneas9 in August 2005. Close, but it was in fact Borussia Mnchengladbach who suffered that particular ignominy in the Cup Winners Cup of 1961, the inaugural year of the competition. Ralph Brand scored a hat-trick. Rangers bagged three more in the second leg to win 11-0 on aggregate. They reached the final that year, becoming the first Scottish club to reach that stage of a European competition. Sadly, it wasnt to be a happy ending for the Gers, beaten 4-1 by Fiorentina over two legs. Arsenal have managed to finish a top-flight mens season in every position except 15th. Are there any teams in the world who have finished in every place of the same division? asks Graham Clayton. Jimmy Glass and Alisson are two goalies who scored a goal when their team was drawing a league game. Derek Brosnan (@DerekBrosnan) May 18, 2021 Has a team ever forfeited a match by refusing to restart the game with a kick-off, wonders Kri Tulinius. Giorgos Giakoumakis is set to finish as the Eredivisies top scorer (by some margin) yet his team, VVV-Venlo, have sealed relegation with a game to play, writes Willem Cleven. Has any Golden Boot winner suffered such an ignominious fate before? Until they ruined it on the final day of the season, Oldham had both scored and conceded the most in League Two (72-81, Cambridge hit 73). @TheKnowledge_GU Chris Bickley (@ChrisBickley1) May 12, 2021 Aymeric Laporte has decided to switch international alliances from France to Spain as he has never been capped at senior level by the former. However he has a total of 51 caps for France at various age group levels. Is this the highest number of junior appearances for someone who has never been capped at senior level? muses Chai from Atlanta. Email your questions and answers to knowledge@theguardian.com or tweet @TheKnowledge_GU. | Since 1981, Plymouth Argyle have travelled to Gillingham 16 times, losing 14 and drawing just twice. Since 1934, QPR have gone 34 games without a win, losing 20 and drawing 14. Huddersfield Town have drawn four and lost 21 in league and cup games. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/19/the-knowledge-which-football-club-has-the-most-pathetic-run-of-bogey-team-away-results | 0.106098 |
Will the Pact Save Peace? | THE TREATY DIFFERS from its predecessors also in that it encourages standardization of the weapons of the alliance members and provides for distribution of arms to the members at American expense. Thus it embodies features of lend-lease and the Marshall Plan. A number of Western countries have asked America for weapons during the past year on the ground that inadequate military strength prevents the development of the sense of national confidence encourages investors to put money into capital enterprise and thus get on with the Marshall Plan. Some of the requests, as that of the Norwegians, are certainly sincere. Yet this military effort to make the Marshall Plan work might harm the plan unless the Administration can control the American economy strictly than it does now. America lacks material to equip her own armed forces at authorized strength. Despite its hullabaloo over the need for an air force of 70 groups, the Air Department is able to arm adequately only 34 of the 55 groups that now comprise it. The need for steel in peacetime industries is so much greater than present production that President Truman, in his message on the State of the Union, threatened the industry with his plan to have the federal government set up steel mills. Congressional approval of the St. Lawrence Seaway agreement and construction of the power plant at International Falls would enable Canada to manufacture some arms for Europe. But the plant would not go into operation for years. The scarcity of arms gives the European governments with whom the United States has been negotiating the character of heirs to a moderately wealthy man. Each heir hopes the beneficiaries of the legacy will be limited in number. If there is not going to be a mountain of weapons, the Brussels-pact powers want what is available for themselves alone. This again produces conflict. The United States is said to want the membership of the alliance to be wide, to embrace, now at least, the Scandinavian powers (including Iceland, and probably excluding Finland) and Portugal, and perhaps in time to extend over the whole of non-Soviet Europe, taking in Yugoslavia, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain (if this can be wangled over the sensibilities of France and the British Labor Party), and Western Germany, besides the countries which have signed the Brussels pact. To dissuade Norway, Denmark and Sweden from organizing their own regional alliance separate from the North Atlantic pact, the State Department has announced that non-members of the Atlantic alliance will not receive arms. But Washington has been giving planes, tanks, machine guns and artillery for two years to Greece and Turkey without benefit of alliance, and the conclusion of the North Atlantic pact, if it ever is concluded, would not mean cutting off Greeks and Turks without another bullet. Those who get the weapons may be asked to give up bases in return, but at the moment we have rights in Portuguese bases, while we have not given Portugal arms for the Privilege. If America assumed an obligation to furnish every member of the alliance with arms by signing the pact, she could not live up to it. At that point we would have given the Soviet Union justification for the complaint that it was being encircled, without having strengthened ourselves to cope with the policies the USSR might adopt in reprisal. | Yes, if the U.S. can control the American economy more strictly than it does now. Q: How will the pact work, and what will it mean for the world? A. It will help the world, but it will not save peace. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://newrepublic.com/article/105999/will-the-pact-save-peace | 0.265651 |
How to choose a business credit card? | By: Armando Herrera, General Manager Cards at Konfo. Obtaining a corporate credit card offers different advantages for your business such as, for example, separating personal finances from those of the company, obtaining immediate liquidity, documenting deductible expenses and generating credit history for your company, which can help in the future if you are looking to obtain a business loan. With a growing offering of financial products, it is important to stop and study each one to determine which is the best option for your business. Some of the main factors to consider are: Cost per opening Credit limit Annuity Minimum pay Interests Protection and coverage. However, there are other types of benefits that you should take into account, especially considering the daily use of your business plastic, such as the experience with the customer. In traditional banking you will find an important variety of cards and plans, but we know that bureaucratic processes can be, yes, very bureaucratic. From the application process to customer service for doubts or complaints, these are usually very tedious processes. Today, modern technology companies have arrived on the market and some of them offer you to carry out all these procedures online, in addition to providing 24/7 customer service through an application, without having to invest valuable time on a telephone line. You may be interested: How to use your credit card in the face of the coronavirus crisis The flexibility of your line of credit is also important, as a businesswoman or businessman, you know that many times you are in charge of businesses with very particular characteristics and banks tend to pigeonhole their clients into very rigid categories, look for an option that is versatile and adapt to your needs from day one. Another very important factor is security, check what tools they offer you as protection against fraudulent operations or control of additional cards. This is particularly important for businesses that need more than one card, making it easier to control employee movements, especially on trips and other regular purchases. For these cases, you may be interested in more modern options that allow you to activate or deactivate your cards from an application, or impose individual limits per card, as well as configure alerts for unusual charges or purchases. Story continues Image: Depositphotos.com And speaking of travel, don't forget international coverage, if the card is going to be used abroad it is essential to have a backup to carry out operations outside of Mexico. In addition to the protection that your provider can offer you, we recommend that you create an internal policy on the use of the corporate card to have better control, you can even assign a different line of credit to each of the corporate cards. Finally, if you need additional cards, take into account that you do not always have to pay for the extensions, some companies offer up to a certain number of free cards while others will charge you for each one. Finally, a benefit that may not be essential, but is worth it, is customization. - If not as the type of attention that the financial institution can offer you, if they allow you personalize the card it is very likely that the attention they will give you will be more particular. Remember that no business is too small to apply for a business card, it does not matter if you work as a freelancer or run a company with dozens of collaborators, as long as you meet the requirements established by the financial institution of your choice, you can aspire to a card, which As we have seen, it is a very convenient product to be able to obtain another means of financing. | A corporate credit card offers different advantages for your business. Cost per opening, credit limit, Annuity and Minimum pay are some of the main factors to consider. Other benefits that you should take into account include the experience with the customer. | bart | 1 | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/choose-business-credit-card-083000145.html | 0.293401 |
How to choose a business credit card? | By: Armando Herrera, General Manager Cards at Konfo. Obtaining a corporate credit card offers different advantages for your business such as, for example, separating personal finances from those of the company, obtaining immediate liquidity, documenting deductible expenses and generating credit history for your company, which can help in the future if you are looking to obtain a business loan. With a growing offering of financial products, it is important to stop and study each one to determine which is the best option for your business. Some of the main factors to consider are: Cost per opening Credit limit Annuity Minimum pay Interests Protection and coverage. However, there are other types of benefits that you should take into account, especially considering the daily use of your business plastic, such as the experience with the customer. In traditional banking you will find an important variety of cards and plans, but we know that bureaucratic processes can be, yes, very bureaucratic. From the application process to customer service for doubts or complaints, these are usually very tedious processes. Today, modern technology companies have arrived on the market and some of them offer you to carry out all these procedures online, in addition to providing 24/7 customer service through an application, without having to invest valuable time on a telephone line. You may be interested: How to use your credit card in the face of the coronavirus crisis The flexibility of your line of credit is also important, as a businesswoman or businessman, you know that many times you are in charge of businesses with very particular characteristics and banks tend to pigeonhole their clients into very rigid categories, look for an option that is versatile and adapt to your needs from day one. Another very important factor is security, check what tools they offer you as protection against fraudulent operations or control of additional cards. This is particularly important for businesses that need more than one card, making it easier to control employee movements, especially on trips and other regular purchases. For these cases, you may be interested in more modern options that allow you to activate or deactivate your cards from an application, or impose individual limits per card, as well as configure alerts for unusual charges or purchases. Story continues Image: Depositphotos.com And speaking of travel, don't forget international coverage, if the card is going to be used abroad it is essential to have a backup to carry out operations outside of Mexico. In addition to the protection that your provider can offer you, we recommend that you create an internal policy on the use of the corporate card to have better control, you can even assign a different line of credit to each of the corporate cards. Finally, if you need additional cards, take into account that you do not always have to pay for the extensions, some companies offer up to a certain number of free cards while others will charge you for each one. Finally, a benefit that may not be essential, but is worth it, is customization. - If not as the type of attention that the financial institution can offer you, if they allow you personalize the card it is very likely that the attention they will give you will be more particular. Remember that no business is too small to apply for a business card, it does not matter if you work as a freelancer or run a company with dozens of collaborators, as long as you meet the requirements established by the financial institution of your choice, you can aspire to a card, which As we have seen, it is a very convenient product to be able to obtain another means of financing. | A guide to choosing the right business credit card for your business. From cost per opening to security and international coverage, there are many factors to take into account when choosing a card. The best option for businesses is a corporate credit card, according to Armando Herrera, General Manager Cards at Konfo. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/choose-business-credit-card-083000145.html | 0.369616 |
How Should The Boston Celtics Approach Playoff Matchup With Brooklyn Nets? | NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles as Kyrie Irving #11 of ... [+] the Brooklyn Nets defends during the first half at Barclays Center on April 23, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Getty Images The Boston Celtics took down the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night behind an eye-popping 50-point performance from Jayson Tatum. The win clinched the Eastern Conferences No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup with Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets. It isnt breaking news that Brooklyns roster, led by Kevin Durant, James Harden and Irving, is as star-studded as they come. Boston enters this series as a heavy underdog against the title contenders, which takes most of the pressure off of Tatum and Kemba Walker and the rest of the roster. The absence of Jaylen Brown significantly lowers the Celtics ceiling, and that becomes even more limited against a team like the Nets. Boston simply does not have the personnel to match up with the trio of Durant, Harden and Irving. Most teams dont, however the Celtics are in a particularly difficult spot without Brown. Brooklyns defense has been below-average for most of the season, but this talented Nets roster can often prevail in a high-scoring shootout a scenario that will likely play out at some point during this series. On the bright side of things, Brad Stevens-coached teams often thrive when playing with house money, and Boston hopes that will be the case once again in round one. The Nets havent had a clean bill of health much at all this season, so the Celtics could look to jump on Brooklyn early as it works back into rhythm with one another at the front of what head coach Steve Nash hopes is a long postseason run. That being said, the ceiling here for Boston likely is stealing a few games. Its going to take a near-perfect performance for the Celtics to have any chance in this seven-game series. During his postgame availability Tuesday, Stevens called Brooklyn the most talented team that has been assembled since he has been in the NBA. Well get ready for Brooklyn starting on Thursday when we get back together, Stevens said. We know that challenge is those guys are the best of the best. Going into that, if Im just a general fan of the NBA, I have a hard time seeing them lose. So, were going to have to play great. Were going to have to play great together. And were going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor. Entering this long-shot scenario, Boston should not push the envelope to a point where it could threaten any element of next season. The Celtics were hindered by covid-related absences, a slew of injuries and poor roster construction this year, but ideally the league format returns to normal next season. With better luck and a some personnel changes, the outlook on the 2021-22 campaign is rather bright for Boston. In other words, dont do things in this series that will put portions of next season in jeopardy. It simply isnt worth it. Take Robert Williams, for example. The third-year big has been dealing with turf toe on his left foot for the last few weeks, an ailment that sidelined him for 12 of the 17 games leading up to Tuesdays play-in matchup with Washington. He hyperextended the toe in the second quarter after colliding with Tatum on a defensive rebound, but ultimately returned out of halftime. It took just 70 seconds for Williams to check himself out of the game and return to the locker room, however. Stevens said hell receive treatment on the toe and theyll see what happens over the next few days. The answer is, they shouldnt. Having a player of Tatums caliber in the lineup gives Boston the chance to give Brooklyn some trouble, even if taking the series remains a far-fetched task. No Brown lowers the expectations for the Celtics, but also allows Tatum to be the guy for Boston, without Brown by his side. With seemingly nothing to lose entering this series, that should serve as an intriguing opportunity for Tatum, who clearly has zero issue taking on the bulk of his teams scoring. Obviously, its going to be tough without (Brown), Tatum said after Tuesdays win. We know how good of a team (Brooklyn is). Everybody knows the guys that they have over there. But, you know, excited to get this opportunity, to be in the playoffs its my fourth year in a row. I dont take that for granted. Myself and everybody else, were excited. Its the playoffs, so you just get ready for the next game. Tatum has the right approach here. The Celtics arent as talented as Brooklyn, but its the playoffs. Everyone is excited about the postseason, no matter the caliber of your teams opponent. Boston has the chance to be an annoying out for one of the best teams in the NBA, and that alone is a fun approach heading into this matchup. No, they wont take the series from Brooklyn, so Boston needs to prioritize health and keep next season in mind. That being said, with Tatum leading the way, the Celtics have a chance to make this series more entertaining than it should be. That alone would be a fun way to wrap up what has been a gloomy season to this point. The Celtics and Nets kick off their first-round series in Brooklyn on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. ET. | The Boston Celtics take on the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Celtics are the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Nets are No. 4. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2021/05/19/how-should-the-boston-celtics-approach-playoff-matchup-with-brooklyn-nets/ | 0.117572 |
How Should The Boston Celtics Approach Playoff Matchup With Brooklyn Nets? | NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles as Kyrie Irving #11 of ... [+] the Brooklyn Nets defends during the first half at Barclays Center on April 23, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Getty Images The Boston Celtics took down the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night behind an eye-popping 50-point performance from Jayson Tatum. The win clinched the Eastern Conferences No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup with Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets. It isnt breaking news that Brooklyns roster, led by Kevin Durant, James Harden and Irving, is as star-studded as they come. Boston enters this series as a heavy underdog against the title contenders, which takes most of the pressure off of Tatum and Kemba Walker and the rest of the roster. The absence of Jaylen Brown significantly lowers the Celtics ceiling, and that becomes even more limited against a team like the Nets. Boston simply does not have the personnel to match up with the trio of Durant, Harden and Irving. Most teams dont, however the Celtics are in a particularly difficult spot without Brown. Brooklyns defense has been below-average for most of the season, but this talented Nets roster can often prevail in a high-scoring shootout a scenario that will likely play out at some point during this series. On the bright side of things, Brad Stevens-coached teams often thrive when playing with house money, and Boston hopes that will be the case once again in round one. The Nets havent had a clean bill of health much at all this season, so the Celtics could look to jump on Brooklyn early as it works back into rhythm with one another at the front of what head coach Steve Nash hopes is a long postseason run. That being said, the ceiling here for Boston likely is stealing a few games. Its going to take a near-perfect performance for the Celtics to have any chance in this seven-game series. During his postgame availability Tuesday, Stevens called Brooklyn the most talented team that has been assembled since he has been in the NBA. Well get ready for Brooklyn starting on Thursday when we get back together, Stevens said. We know that challenge is those guys are the best of the best. Going into that, if Im just a general fan of the NBA, I have a hard time seeing them lose. So, were going to have to play great. Were going to have to play great together. And were going to have to be really, really sound on both ends of the floor. Entering this long-shot scenario, Boston should not push the envelope to a point where it could threaten any element of next season. The Celtics were hindered by covid-related absences, a slew of injuries and poor roster construction this year, but ideally the league format returns to normal next season. With better luck and a some personnel changes, the outlook on the 2021-22 campaign is rather bright for Boston. In other words, dont do things in this series that will put portions of next season in jeopardy. It simply isnt worth it. Take Robert Williams, for example. The third-year big has been dealing with turf toe on his left foot for the last few weeks, an ailment that sidelined him for 12 of the 17 games leading up to Tuesdays play-in matchup with Washington. He hyperextended the toe in the second quarter after colliding with Tatum on a defensive rebound, but ultimately returned out of halftime. It took just 70 seconds for Williams to check himself out of the game and return to the locker room, however. Stevens said hell receive treatment on the toe and theyll see what happens over the next few days. The answer is, they shouldnt. Having a player of Tatums caliber in the lineup gives Boston the chance to give Brooklyn some trouble, even if taking the series remains a far-fetched task. No Brown lowers the expectations for the Celtics, but also allows Tatum to be the guy for Boston, without Brown by his side. With seemingly nothing to lose entering this series, that should serve as an intriguing opportunity for Tatum, who clearly has zero issue taking on the bulk of his teams scoring. Obviously, its going to be tough without (Brown), Tatum said after Tuesdays win. We know how good of a team (Brooklyn is). Everybody knows the guys that they have over there. But, you know, excited to get this opportunity, to be in the playoffs its my fourth year in a row. I dont take that for granted. Myself and everybody else, were excited. Its the playoffs, so you just get ready for the next game. Tatum has the right approach here. The Celtics arent as talented as Brooklyn, but its the playoffs. Everyone is excited about the postseason, no matter the caliber of your teams opponent. Boston has the chance to be an annoying out for one of the best teams in the NBA, and that alone is a fun approach heading into this matchup. No, they wont take the series from Brooklyn, so Boston needs to prioritize health and keep next season in mind. That being said, with Tatum leading the way, the Celtics have a chance to make this series more entertaining than it should be. That alone would be a fun way to wrap up what has been a gloomy season to this point. The Celtics and Nets kick off their first-round series in Brooklyn on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. ET. | The Boston Celtics take on the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Celtics are the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Nets are No. 4. The Nets have the most talented roster in the NBA, according to coach Steve Nash. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2021/05/19/how-should-the-boston-celtics-approach-playoff-matchup-with-brooklyn-nets/ | 0.147645 |
Is SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) a Strong ETF Right Now? | A smart beta exchange traded fund, the SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) debuted on 09/28/2011, and offers broad exposure to the Technology ETFs category of the market. The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market. Market cap weighted indexes offer a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way of replicating market returns, and are a good option for investors who believe in market efficiency. There are some investors, though, who think it's possible to beat the market with great stock selection; this group likely invests in another class of funds known as smart beta, which track non-cap weighted strategies. Non-cap weighted indexes try to choose stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, which is based on specific fundamental characteristics, or a mix of other such characteristics. Even though this space provides many choices to investors--think one of the simplest methodologies like equal-weighting and more complicated ones like fundamental and volatility/momentum based weighting--not all have been able to deliver first-rate results. Fund Sponsor & Index Managed by State Street Global Advisors, XSW has amassed assets over $574.12 million, making it one of the average sized ETFs in the Technology ETFs. XSW seeks to match the performance of the S&P Software & Services Select Industry Index before fees and expenses. The S&P Software & Services Select Industry Index represents the software sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Stock Market Index. The S&P TMI tracks all the U.S. common stocks listed on the NYSE, AMEX, NASDAQ National Market and NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Software Index is a modified equal weight index. Cost & Other Expenses When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal. Story continues With one of the least expensive products in the space, this ETF has annual operating expenses of 0.35%. The fund has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.05%. Sector Exposure and Top Holdings Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure which minimizes single stock risk, it is still important to look into a fund's holdings before investing. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis. For XSW, it has heaviest allocation in the Information Technology sector --about 93.60% of the portfolio. When you look at individual holdings, Riot Blockchain Inc (RIOT) accounts for about 2.72% of the fund's total assets, followed by Microstrategy Incorporated Class A (MSTR) and Digital Turbine Inc. (APPS). Its top 10 holdings account for approximately 10.29% of XSW's total assets under management. Performance and Risk The ETF has gained about 1.98% and is up roughly 54.48% so far this year and in the past one year (as of 05/19/2021), respectively. XSW has traded between $101.59 and $175.77 during this last 52-week period. The ETF has a beta of 1.16 and standard deviation of 27.97% for the trailing three-year period, making it a high risk choice in the space. With about 179 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk. Alternatives SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF is a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Technology ETFs segment of the market. However, there are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider. Invesco Dynamic Software ETF (PSJ) tracks Dynamic Software Intellidex Index and the iShares Expanded TechSoftware Sector ETF (IGV) tracks S&P North American Technology-Software Index. Invesco Dynamic Software ETF has $571.32 million in assets, iShares Expanded TechSoftware Sector ETF has $4.82 billion. PSJ has an expense ratio of 0.56% and IGV charges 0.46%. Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Technology ETFs. Bottom Line To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SPDR-SP SOF&SER (XSW): ETF Research Reports MicroStrategy Incorporated (MSTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Digital Turbine, Inc. (APPS) : Free Stock Analysis Report ISHARS-EX TEC-S (IGV): ETF Research Reports INVS-DYN SFTWR (PSJ): ETF Research Reports Riot Blockchain, Inc. (RIOT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. | The SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) debuted on 09/28/2011. XSW has gained about 1.98% and is up roughly 54.48% so far this year and in the past one year. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/spdr-p-software-services-etf-102010381.html | 0.128957 |
Is SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) a Strong ETF Right Now? | A smart beta exchange traded fund, the SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) debuted on 09/28/2011, and offers broad exposure to the Technology ETFs category of the market. The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market. Market cap weighted indexes offer a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way of replicating market returns, and are a good option for investors who believe in market efficiency. There are some investors, though, who think it's possible to beat the market with great stock selection; this group likely invests in another class of funds known as smart beta, which track non-cap weighted strategies. Non-cap weighted indexes try to choose stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, which is based on specific fundamental characteristics, or a mix of other such characteristics. Even though this space provides many choices to investors--think one of the simplest methodologies like equal-weighting and more complicated ones like fundamental and volatility/momentum based weighting--not all have been able to deliver first-rate results. Fund Sponsor & Index Managed by State Street Global Advisors, XSW has amassed assets over $574.12 million, making it one of the average sized ETFs in the Technology ETFs. XSW seeks to match the performance of the S&P Software & Services Select Industry Index before fees and expenses. The S&P Software & Services Select Industry Index represents the software sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Stock Market Index. The S&P TMI tracks all the U.S. common stocks listed on the NYSE, AMEX, NASDAQ National Market and NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Software Index is a modified equal weight index. Cost & Other Expenses When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal. Story continues With one of the least expensive products in the space, this ETF has annual operating expenses of 0.35%. The fund has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.05%. Sector Exposure and Top Holdings Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure which minimizes single stock risk, it is still important to look into a fund's holdings before investing. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis. For XSW, it has heaviest allocation in the Information Technology sector --about 93.60% of the portfolio. When you look at individual holdings, Riot Blockchain Inc (RIOT) accounts for about 2.72% of the fund's total assets, followed by Microstrategy Incorporated Class A (MSTR) and Digital Turbine Inc. (APPS). Its top 10 holdings account for approximately 10.29% of XSW's total assets under management. Performance and Risk The ETF has gained about 1.98% and is up roughly 54.48% so far this year and in the past one year (as of 05/19/2021), respectively. XSW has traded between $101.59 and $175.77 during this last 52-week period. The ETF has a beta of 1.16 and standard deviation of 27.97% for the trailing three-year period, making it a high risk choice in the space. With about 179 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk. Alternatives SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF is a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Technology ETFs segment of the market. However, there are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider. Invesco Dynamic Software ETF (PSJ) tracks Dynamic Software Intellidex Index and the iShares Expanded TechSoftware Sector ETF (IGV) tracks S&P North American Technology-Software Index. Invesco Dynamic Software ETF has $571.32 million in assets, iShares Expanded TechSoftware Sector ETF has $4.82 billion. PSJ has an expense ratio of 0.56% and IGV charges 0.46%. Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Technology ETFs. Bottom Line To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SPDR-SP SOF&SER (XSW): ETF Research Reports MicroStrategy Incorporated (MSTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Digital Turbine, Inc. (APPS) : Free Stock Analysis Report ISHARS-EX TEC-S (IGV): ETF Research Reports INVS-DYN SFTWR (PSJ): ETF Research Reports Riot Blockchain, Inc. (RIOT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. | The SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) offers broad exposure to the Technology ETFs category of the market. XSW has gained about 1.98% and is up roughly 54.48% so far this year and in the past one year. With about 179 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk. | bart | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/spdr-p-software-services-etf-102010381.html | 0.268088 |
What To Expect From Deeres Q2? | HAMPSHIRE, IL - AUGUST 19: A John Deere logo is painted on the side of a piece of farm equipment ... [+] offered for sale at the Buck Bros. dealership August 19, 2009 in Hampshire, Illinois. Deere & Co., the worlds largest maker of farm equipment, today posted a decline of approximately 27 percent in third-quarter profit. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is scheduled to report its fiscal second-quarter results on Friday, May 21. We expect Deere to likely post revenues and earnings slightly below the consensus estimates. Deere is expected to benefit from improved demand for agriculture as well as construction equipment, as the economies are opening up gradually, bolstering its overall revenue growth during the quarter. Our forecast indicates that Deeres valuation is around $384 per share, which is in-line with the current market price. Now, based on our estimates, the company will likely report numbers below the street expectations, which is likely to result in DE stock trading lower post the Q1 announcement, and that may offer a good entry point for long term investors to buy the stock. for more details. (1) Revenues expected to be below the consensus estimate Trefis estimates Deeres Q2 fiscal 2021 total revenues to be around $10.2 Bil, slightly below the consensus estimate of $10.4 Bil. The company saw a strong rebound in the demand for construction as well as agriculture equipment in Q1, with revenue rising a solid 19% to $9.1 billion. The company, of late, has seen an increase in spending on agricultural equipment, primarily small tractors, and this could continue to drive the revenue growth in Q2. Deere in its previous earnings conference call provided an outlook for roughly 20% revenue growth for both Agriculture & Turf as well as Construction & Forestry segments in 2021, primarily small agriculture, which ended the year at historic lows for inventory to sales ratio, and the company expects the inventory levels to rebound in 2021. However, a high inflation due to high demand and supply constraints post the pandemic could result in increased expenses for farmers, impacting the overall spend on agricultural equipment, over the coming quarters. Our dashboard on Deere Revenues provides more details on segment-wise revenue breakup. 2) EPS likely to be below the consensus estimates Deeres Q2 2021 earnings per share is expected to be $4.25 per Trefis analysis, 6% below the consensus estimate of $4.52. Deeres net income of $1.2 billion in Q1, reflected a 137% growth from its $517 million profit in the prior year quarter, led by a decline in operating expenses. Q1 also saw a higher price realization for all the segments, aiding the overall margins, a trend which may continue in Q2 as well. Looking at the full year 2021, we expect a 70% y-o-y growth in EPS to $14.75, aided by both revenue growth as well as margin expansion. (3) Stock price estimate in-line with the current market price Going by our Deere & Company Valuation, with an EPS estimate of around $14.75 and P/E multiple of 26x in fiscal 2021, this translates into a price of $384, which is in-line with the current market price - $384. Although the coronavirus outbreak has had a sizable impact on Deeres business in fiscal 2020 due to lower demand for its equipment, the demand for both agriculture as well as construction equipment is seeing a rebound as the spread of the virus subsides, and this will result in strong revenue and earnings growth for Deere in the near term, in our view. That said, the rebound appears to be already priced in the current share value of $384, implying DE stock is fully valued at the current levels. Note: P/E Multiples are based on Share Price at the end of the year, and reported (or expected) Adjusted Earnings for the full year While DE stock looks fully valued, it is helpful to see how its peers stack up. DE stock comparison with its peers summarizes how Deere compares against peers on metrics that matter. You can find more such useful comparisons on Peer Comparisons. See How Its Powering New Collaboration and What-Ifs For CFOs and Finance Teams | Product, R&D, and Marketing Teams | Deere & Company is scheduled to report its fiscal second-quarter results on Friday, May 21. We expect Deere to likely post revenues and earnings slightly below the consensus estimates. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2021/05/19/what-to-expect-from-deeres-q2/ | 0.236027 |
What To Expect From Deeres Q2? | HAMPSHIRE, IL - AUGUST 19: A John Deere logo is painted on the side of a piece of farm equipment ... [+] offered for sale at the Buck Bros. dealership August 19, 2009 in Hampshire, Illinois. Deere & Co., the worlds largest maker of farm equipment, today posted a decline of approximately 27 percent in third-quarter profit. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is scheduled to report its fiscal second-quarter results on Friday, May 21. We expect Deere to likely post revenues and earnings slightly below the consensus estimates. Deere is expected to benefit from improved demand for agriculture as well as construction equipment, as the economies are opening up gradually, bolstering its overall revenue growth during the quarter. Our forecast indicates that Deeres valuation is around $384 per share, which is in-line with the current market price. Now, based on our estimates, the company will likely report numbers below the street expectations, which is likely to result in DE stock trading lower post the Q1 announcement, and that may offer a good entry point for long term investors to buy the stock. for more details. (1) Revenues expected to be below the consensus estimate Trefis estimates Deeres Q2 fiscal 2021 total revenues to be around $10.2 Bil, slightly below the consensus estimate of $10.4 Bil. The company saw a strong rebound in the demand for construction as well as agriculture equipment in Q1, with revenue rising a solid 19% to $9.1 billion. The company, of late, has seen an increase in spending on agricultural equipment, primarily small tractors, and this could continue to drive the revenue growth in Q2. Deere in its previous earnings conference call provided an outlook for roughly 20% revenue growth for both Agriculture & Turf as well as Construction & Forestry segments in 2021, primarily small agriculture, which ended the year at historic lows for inventory to sales ratio, and the company expects the inventory levels to rebound in 2021. However, a high inflation due to high demand and supply constraints post the pandemic could result in increased expenses for farmers, impacting the overall spend on agricultural equipment, over the coming quarters. Our dashboard on Deere Revenues provides more details on segment-wise revenue breakup. 2) EPS likely to be below the consensus estimates Deeres Q2 2021 earnings per share is expected to be $4.25 per Trefis analysis, 6% below the consensus estimate of $4.52. Deeres net income of $1.2 billion in Q1, reflected a 137% growth from its $517 million profit in the prior year quarter, led by a decline in operating expenses. Q1 also saw a higher price realization for all the segments, aiding the overall margins, a trend which may continue in Q2 as well. Looking at the full year 2021, we expect a 70% y-o-y growth in EPS to $14.75, aided by both revenue growth as well as margin expansion. (3) Stock price estimate in-line with the current market price Going by our Deere & Company Valuation, with an EPS estimate of around $14.75 and P/E multiple of 26x in fiscal 2021, this translates into a price of $384, which is in-line with the current market price - $384. Although the coronavirus outbreak has had a sizable impact on Deeres business in fiscal 2020 due to lower demand for its equipment, the demand for both agriculture as well as construction equipment is seeing a rebound as the spread of the virus subsides, and this will result in strong revenue and earnings growth for Deere in the near term, in our view. That said, the rebound appears to be already priced in the current share value of $384, implying DE stock is fully valued at the current levels. Note: P/E Multiples are based on Share Price at the end of the year, and reported (or expected) Adjusted Earnings for the full year While DE stock looks fully valued, it is helpful to see how its peers stack up. DE stock comparison with its peers summarizes how Deere compares against peers on metrics that matter. You can find more such useful comparisons on Peer Comparisons. See How Its Powering New Collaboration and What-Ifs For CFOs and Finance Teams | Product, R&D, and Marketing Teams | Deere & Company is scheduled to report its fiscal second-quarter results on Friday, May 21. We expect Deere to likely post revenues and earnings slightly below the consensus estimates. Our forecast indicates that Deeres valuation is around $384 per share, which is in-line with the current market price. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2021/05/19/what-to-expect-from-deeres-q2/ | 0.365354 |
Can Trae Young take the Hawks to the top? | Like many, David Goldstein took a long, winding route on the way to becoming a Hawks fan. He grew up in Birmingham as a loyal NBA follower despite not having a team, then moved to Colorado for college. After graduating, he took a job in New York City, where hed live for six years. In 2009, he went back South and put down roots in Atlanta, a city hes lived in for about 12 years now. Goldstein, a 39-year-old who owns a sports video production company, maintained his love of basketball throughout his time moving around the country. But when he planted himself in Atlanta, he didnt feel the urge to invest emotionally in any of the local sports teams. When I got here, I couldnt have cared less about the Hawks, the Braves or the Falcons, he says. Id go to games as an observer, to see Kevin Durant when the Thunder came in town and stuff like that. I think a lot of people here in Atlanta were like that, where we mostly wanted to see the star players and other teams when theyd come through and play. The Hawks magical, egalitarian run in 2015, when they came out of nowhere to win 60 regular-season games without a superstar on the roster, converted Goldstein and scores of others into fans of the club. Yet reality swept in quickly in the form of a conference-finals broom. Without a ceiling-raising superstar like LeBron James, who thrashed the Hawks that entire series, Atlanta would likely always be left in the dust. Eventually, the Hawks front office reached the same conclusion. By the summer of 2017, Atlanta had made the playoffs 10 straight times, the longest active streak in the conference, without reaching the Finals. With seemingly no potential, a limited fan base and no clear pathway to land a star, Atlanta blew things up in hopes of rebuilding better. Fast forward to now, and fans like Goldsteinwhod merely dipped their toes into Hawks fandom beforehave signed on as season-ticket holders, feeling that this might finally be Atlantas moment. Because not only are the Hawks back in the playoffs. For the first time in nearly 30 years, they have a jaw-dropping star, fueling hope that something meaningful might be on the horizon for a club thats been overlooked for much of its existence. Photo Illustration by Dan Larkin; Kevin D. Liles/Sports Illustrated One could unfurl an entire list of reasons that the Hawkswho ranked 20th or lower in the NBA in home-attendance percentage for nine consecutive years from 2011 to 19have struggled to draw fans. Theres the fact that Atlanta is far more transient than most major U.S. cities, leaving transplants like Goldsteinwho have no lifelong affiliation with the local clubsless likely to become supporters. Theres the citys natural pecking order, which naturally gives the Braves (who were dominant for a decade and a half while playing every game on their owners network, exposing them to a national audience) and the Falcons (who play in the nations most popular league) a leg up. Georgia football is a factor every fall. And since its founding in 2014, soccer club Atlanta United has become the hottest ticket in town, not only selling out regularly but also building a season-ticket wait list thousands of people long. But its difficult to compare teams like the Hawks and Braves; not every team is competing for the same group of fans. Between where the Hawks and Braves games are played, and the age of the people who make up the crowds, its two different fan bases. The Hawks fan base skews younger, and is much more urban and racially diverse than the baseball crowd, says Princeton University history professor Kevin M. Kruse, the author of White Flight, which examines the racial and political impetus behind white people moving from Atlanta to its suburbs en masse in the 1960s and 70s. Really, from the time the Hawks first got to Atlanta [from St. Louis back in 68], theyve always been tied in with the racial politics of the state. Divisions between the city and its suburbs have been on display in recent yearsboth politically, and in a sports sense. Since 2005, a number of wealthier Atlanta-area neighborhoods essentially have voted to form their own cities, a move that gave them separate, improved municipal services while also draining Fulton Countys tax base of tens of millions of dollars per year. And as the controversial suburban secession movement got underway, the Braves, too, began making arrangements to leave the city by bidding farewell to their relatively young stadium near downtown, Turner Field, to build a brand-new one in suburban Cobb County, where the bulk of their fan base lives. The team moved there in 17. In 2012, at the the height of that movement, then Hawks majority owner Bruce Levenson sent an email to other team executives, saying he worried that fans arena experiencefrom cheerleaders, to the hip-hop music, down to the Kiss Camwas too urban to draw affluent white ticket buyers to games. His message stated that the black crowd scared away the whites and there are simply not enough affluent black fans to build a significant season ticket base. After the email went public in 14, Levenson apologized for the message, which suggested white fans were more valuable than Black ones, and sold his stake in the team. If anything, the franchise has only leaned into the citys culture even more since owner Tony Ressler took over in 2014. Rapper 2 Chainz and rap group Migos, both area natives, sit courtside to take in games (2 Chainz is a co-owner of the Hawks G League team). The newly renovated venue features rapper Killer Mikes Barbershop, which is positioned right above the lower bowl and allows fans to get haircuts as they watch the game. The hip-hop tunes of Sir Foster, the most unique organist in the sports world, boom throughout the stadium. In surveys, fans have ranked Hawks games as the No. 1 experience in the league the past two seasons. You have to hold a mirror to your city, and this is our city, says Hawks CEO Steve Koonin, another Atlanta native. Thats our audience. So instead of trying to go for white, middle-aged fans like myself, we market to an audience that rarely gets marketed to. By no means are we exclusionary. The majority of our ticket-holders are white. But its a very different audience, thats uniquely Atlanta. Yet few of these things, if any, would make a difference to the average person if it werent for Trae Young. Killer Mike now runs a barbershop inside State Farm Arena where fans can watch the Hawks while getting a haircut. Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports From Henry Aaron and Deion Sanders to Chipper Jones and Michael Vick, the city of Atlanta has long enjoyed its larger-than-life sports stars. But the Hawks went a few decades without one. Sure, the Hawks had Joe Johnson, a seven-time All-Star who could quietly score in one-on-one situations with the best of them. But he was the quietest star possible, doing just enough to keep the Hawks in the middle of the pack, but not quite doing enough to push them beyond that. The Hawks paid him handsomelyJohnson was even the highest-paid player in the NBA at one pointbut he didnt have an electrifying smile or personality. And for all his talent, he wasnt putting casual Atlanta fans in the seats. Heres one way to look at just how long its been since the Hawks have had a superstar. You have to go back 28 years, to Dominique Wilkins in 1993, to find the last time Atlanta had a player finish among the top 10 in league MVP voting for a season. Thats not only the longest dry spell in the NBA. Its a full 10 years longer than the Nets, who have endured the leagues second-longest drought. Its been awhile, says Wilkins, when told of the stat. And its weird, because the citys always had these iconic sports figures. But its a good feeling to know things are finally coming back around. Young and his team still have more work to do to catapult him into MVP talks. (He narrowly missed the All-Star team this season.) But if the last three decades have been a superstar desert for the Hawks, the diminutive guard has been a literal splash bucket to quench the clubs thirst. Still just 22, Young has the impromptu passing ability of a Harlem Globetrotter and the long-distance shooting range of Robin Hood. Of the six players with the audacity to attempt 25 shots from 30 feet or more this season, only Stephen Curry (37.4%) knocked down a better percentage than Youngs 36.4%. And while he takes plenty of shots from other ZIP codes, Young is active in the paint, and made more free throws than anyone in the league. Hes become most known for his scoring (25.3 points this year) but ranked second in the NBA in assists per game. Youngs become highly annoying to defend. If you stay back too far on a screen, hell pull up from 40. Come up too much, and hell burst into the paint and either loft a floater or throw a lob for center Clint Capela, which flat-out deceives rim protectors, because the lobs look like floaters, too. Dominique Wilkins was the last Hawk to be an undisputed superstar. Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated Even if you play him perfectlyclosing out just enough to deter the long triple, and recovering enough to catch up to him before he gets off the floater or the lobthe floor general still might get the best of you. Like Chris Paul, hes perfected stopping on a dime to prompt trailing defenders to crash into him. Most impressive to those who work with Young: Hes quickly adjusted to the clubs improved rotation, realizing that the upgraded talent around him can only make him more difficult to stop down the stretch. They talked about this with Michael back in the day when he first came into the league: He was putting up a lot of numbers before Phil Jackson came in with the triangle, says Hawks coach Nate McMillan, whose midseason takeover turned the teams season around. [The triangle] forced him to move the ball around and get other players involved, because he really hadnt had a lot of [team] success. Thats part of the growth with a young player. Traes still trying to establish himself. He came in as a guy that could score and create offense. But when youre trying to take that next stepwin gamesyoure not going to be able to do it by yourself. The teams brought in enough talent to win games, and he has to learn to use the talent that he has. They have to form that chemistry on the floor, but I see them starting to do that. Much like Young has been the focus of opposing defensesranging from aggressive traps and even occasional box-and-one lookshes generated massive interest among a new wave of Hawks fans. Chris Keith, a 50-year-old health-care administrator who lives in Alpharetta, just north of Atlanta, says the club was barely on his radar years ago. After Dominique, they kind of became an afterthought, he says. But then Keiths 12-year-old son, Carter, grew more intrigued with the sport after participating in church-league basketball. I introduced him to the NCAA tournament [in 2018] when Trae was in it. Then he wanted to watch the draft for the first time that year. And the Hawks ended up with Trae. Now, my son has all the jerseys. Keith indulged his son by taking him to a handful of Hawks games each of the past few years. After a while, it made more sense to become a season-ticket holder. I do feel like Im on an island a little bit, he says, adding that the rest of his suburban neighborhood is full of die-hard Braves and Falcons fans, with fewer Hawks supporters. But I see a lot of Trae Young jerseys on my sons friends. In a short amount of time, the Hawks became my familys life. We went from casual watchers to living and dying with it. Many wanted the Hawks to use their 2018 first-rounder, the third pick, to take Luka Doni, the six-foot-seven Slovenian guard who was being described by many as a potentially generational prospect. When Atlanta passed him up, fans didnt initially understand the Hawks choice. I was at the [Hawks] draft night party that night, and I think a lot of us were pretty distraught. We kind of couldnt believe it was happening, says season-ticket holder Will Balkcom, 27, who lives in the citys Buckhead neighborhood. We knew how good Luka was. Wed seen Traes college highlights and knew he could play. We just worried about it. But in the weeks and months that followed, I understood it more in hindsight. In a city like Atlanta, with the players that weve historically latched onto, Trae fits in right into that category. Fans began to feel Youngs star power could generate a greater level of magnetism. And between newer ticket-holders like Jessica Mercon (whose 12-year-daughter treasures a silicone bracelet Young took off and gave her after a game) and Andrew Hill (who says hell stay on as a season-ticket holder despite his familys plan to move four hours away to Tennessee soon), that appears to be true for a number of people. Trae Young is the MVP-caliber player that Atlanta hasn't had since the 90s. Kevin D. Liles/Sports Illustrated The Hawks dont exactly run away from the idea that Youngs marketability was a factor. While general manager Travis Schlenk got extra value out of passing on DoniAtlanta was able to get an extra first-round pick that became Cam Reddish by trading down with the MavericksKoonin says he was adamantly in favor of taking Young, and that his interests went beyond just basketball. Travis will tell you that, for his part, he was looking for value. Meaning, we like Trae a lot, and we like Luka a lot. But getting another lottery pick was the tipping point, Koonin says. But the business side, we raised our hand and we said, Trae. Luka is an incredible player. I wish we had them both. Hes fantastic. Trae is on the path to superstardom, but for more than what he can do on the court. We saw in Trae somebody who was a dynamic player who had a real chance to connect with fans on many levels. Koonin is quick to add that his business-centric point of view about Young means jacks--- to Travis. (Less than zero, he says.) And he understands the Hawks would likely be in a good place regardless of which player the team had taken. But he also points to a key figure. Our youth jersey sales went up 1200% with Trae, Koonin says. Hes helping us create an emotional connection with our fans. Part of that was likely Youngs visibility as a high-profile prospect whod become must-see TV at the college level, while Doni was still an unknown to the average American fan. And its hard to imagine the team didnt see an opportunity to market Young to one of the nations largest primarily Black cities. In talking about Youngs impact on youth fans, Koonin mentioned Currywhom Schlenk worked with in his prior stop with the Warriorsand how Atlanta had to open its arena earlier than usual whenever Golden State was in town. Fans would show up at hours before tip-off, just to watch Currys otherworldly shooting routine. And on some level, Koonin hopes, if not believes, that Young can inspire the same sort of fan intrigue with his own flashy skill set. The question now, of course, is what comes next for the franchise, which owns the NBAs second-longest title drought, and hasnt won the championship since moving to Atlanta five-plus decades ago. Photo Illustration by Dan Larkin; Erick W. Rasco (Durant, Embiid, Mitchell); Greg Nelson (Leonard) At 2511, the Hawks tied for the NBAs third-best mark after the All-Star break, an affirmation that the clubwhich spent big last offseasoncan more than hold its own when its healthy. Just as important: Atlanta now has a clear-cut blueprintample shooting, solid secondary ballhandling, plus a top-flight rim protector and pick-and-roll partnerfor how to build a winner around Youngs relative shortcomings. It bodes well for the future, which makes this feel fundamentally different than the 60-win season in 201415. Fans often packed the stadium that year, giving the club a franchise-record 25 regular-season sellouts. Yet there was a LeBron-sized obstacle in the way back then, and a feeling that those Hawks veterans were at the absolute peak of their powers. The current teams youth brings more long-term hope. The team says its local television ratings were up about 10% this year from last season, a jump that sounds ho-hum until you realize that 201920 numbers were already up by almost 50% from the season prior. The ratings are still toward the low end of the league. But its clear that Young has the city engaged in a way it hasnt been in years. I thought we could do it [in 2015] without the star player, and with team basketball. But we learned quickly that wasnt enough, says 28-year-old Lovejoy resident Dominique Hill, a longtime Hawks supporter who recently bought a ticket package. Having that star player with such a young team makes this feel different. Like, Ive got a friend out here whos a Celtics fan, and Im not showing no mercy. I told him its never too late to convert to the Hawks. Its a good feeling after all those years where our home games felt like they were on the road, because of who the majority of the crowd was rooting for. The club will get a plum opportunity to earn the national relevance it so desperately craves with a first-round matchup against the big-market Knicks, who won all three contests with Atlanta during the regular season. (One of the Knicks wins came last month when the Hawks blew a late-game lead after Young had to be helped off the floor at Madison Square Garden with an ankle injury.) If theres any irony here, its that the Hawks will again have an abundance of empty seats during their postseason run, despite being more relevant than theyve been in years. Obviously wed rather not have our first taste of [postseason] in COVID circumstances, sharpshooting Hawks wing Kevin Huerter says. But for the first time in decades, there is a growing hope that the seats could be full soon on a regular basis. Because if you build it with an icon, chances are the stargazing Atlanta fans will eventually come. Utah's Journey from Dysfunction to Dominance | The Atlanta Hawks are back in the playoffs for the first time in nearly 30 years. The team has struggled to attract fans in recent years. Trae Young is the team's star player, and fans are hoping he can lead them to the top. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/nba/2021/05/19/nba-playoff-preview-2021-atlanta-hawks-trae-young-daily-cover | 0.240001 |
Can Trae Young take the Hawks to the top? | Like many, David Goldstein took a long, winding route on the way to becoming a Hawks fan. He grew up in Birmingham as a loyal NBA follower despite not having a team, then moved to Colorado for college. After graduating, he took a job in New York City, where hed live for six years. In 2009, he went back South and put down roots in Atlanta, a city hes lived in for about 12 years now. Goldstein, a 39-year-old who owns a sports video production company, maintained his love of basketball throughout his time moving around the country. But when he planted himself in Atlanta, he didnt feel the urge to invest emotionally in any of the local sports teams. When I got here, I couldnt have cared less about the Hawks, the Braves or the Falcons, he says. Id go to games as an observer, to see Kevin Durant when the Thunder came in town and stuff like that. I think a lot of people here in Atlanta were like that, where we mostly wanted to see the star players and other teams when theyd come through and play. The Hawks magical, egalitarian run in 2015, when they came out of nowhere to win 60 regular-season games without a superstar on the roster, converted Goldstein and scores of others into fans of the club. Yet reality swept in quickly in the form of a conference-finals broom. Without a ceiling-raising superstar like LeBron James, who thrashed the Hawks that entire series, Atlanta would likely always be left in the dust. Eventually, the Hawks front office reached the same conclusion. By the summer of 2017, Atlanta had made the playoffs 10 straight times, the longest active streak in the conference, without reaching the Finals. With seemingly no potential, a limited fan base and no clear pathway to land a star, Atlanta blew things up in hopes of rebuilding better. Fast forward to now, and fans like Goldsteinwhod merely dipped their toes into Hawks fandom beforehave signed on as season-ticket holders, feeling that this might finally be Atlantas moment. Because not only are the Hawks back in the playoffs. For the first time in nearly 30 years, they have a jaw-dropping star, fueling hope that something meaningful might be on the horizon for a club thats been overlooked for much of its existence. Photo Illustration by Dan Larkin; Kevin D. Liles/Sports Illustrated One could unfurl an entire list of reasons that the Hawkswho ranked 20th or lower in the NBA in home-attendance percentage for nine consecutive years from 2011 to 19have struggled to draw fans. Theres the fact that Atlanta is far more transient than most major U.S. cities, leaving transplants like Goldsteinwho have no lifelong affiliation with the local clubsless likely to become supporters. Theres the citys natural pecking order, which naturally gives the Braves (who were dominant for a decade and a half while playing every game on their owners network, exposing them to a national audience) and the Falcons (who play in the nations most popular league) a leg up. Georgia football is a factor every fall. And since its founding in 2014, soccer club Atlanta United has become the hottest ticket in town, not only selling out regularly but also building a season-ticket wait list thousands of people long. But its difficult to compare teams like the Hawks and Braves; not every team is competing for the same group of fans. Between where the Hawks and Braves games are played, and the age of the people who make up the crowds, its two different fan bases. The Hawks fan base skews younger, and is much more urban and racially diverse than the baseball crowd, says Princeton University history professor Kevin M. Kruse, the author of White Flight, which examines the racial and political impetus behind white people moving from Atlanta to its suburbs en masse in the 1960s and 70s. Really, from the time the Hawks first got to Atlanta [from St. Louis back in 68], theyve always been tied in with the racial politics of the state. Divisions between the city and its suburbs have been on display in recent yearsboth politically, and in a sports sense. Since 2005, a number of wealthier Atlanta-area neighborhoods essentially have voted to form their own cities, a move that gave them separate, improved municipal services while also draining Fulton Countys tax base of tens of millions of dollars per year. And as the controversial suburban secession movement got underway, the Braves, too, began making arrangements to leave the city by bidding farewell to their relatively young stadium near downtown, Turner Field, to build a brand-new one in suburban Cobb County, where the bulk of their fan base lives. The team moved there in 17. In 2012, at the the height of that movement, then Hawks majority owner Bruce Levenson sent an email to other team executives, saying he worried that fans arena experiencefrom cheerleaders, to the hip-hop music, down to the Kiss Camwas too urban to draw affluent white ticket buyers to games. His message stated that the black crowd scared away the whites and there are simply not enough affluent black fans to build a significant season ticket base. After the email went public in 14, Levenson apologized for the message, which suggested white fans were more valuable than Black ones, and sold his stake in the team. If anything, the franchise has only leaned into the citys culture even more since owner Tony Ressler took over in 2014. Rapper 2 Chainz and rap group Migos, both area natives, sit courtside to take in games (2 Chainz is a co-owner of the Hawks G League team). The newly renovated venue features rapper Killer Mikes Barbershop, which is positioned right above the lower bowl and allows fans to get haircuts as they watch the game. The hip-hop tunes of Sir Foster, the most unique organist in the sports world, boom throughout the stadium. In surveys, fans have ranked Hawks games as the No. 1 experience in the league the past two seasons. You have to hold a mirror to your city, and this is our city, says Hawks CEO Steve Koonin, another Atlanta native. Thats our audience. So instead of trying to go for white, middle-aged fans like myself, we market to an audience that rarely gets marketed to. By no means are we exclusionary. The majority of our ticket-holders are white. But its a very different audience, thats uniquely Atlanta. Yet few of these things, if any, would make a difference to the average person if it werent for Trae Young. Killer Mike now runs a barbershop inside State Farm Arena where fans can watch the Hawks while getting a haircut. Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports From Henry Aaron and Deion Sanders to Chipper Jones and Michael Vick, the city of Atlanta has long enjoyed its larger-than-life sports stars. But the Hawks went a few decades without one. Sure, the Hawks had Joe Johnson, a seven-time All-Star who could quietly score in one-on-one situations with the best of them. But he was the quietest star possible, doing just enough to keep the Hawks in the middle of the pack, but not quite doing enough to push them beyond that. The Hawks paid him handsomelyJohnson was even the highest-paid player in the NBA at one pointbut he didnt have an electrifying smile or personality. And for all his talent, he wasnt putting casual Atlanta fans in the seats. Heres one way to look at just how long its been since the Hawks have had a superstar. You have to go back 28 years, to Dominique Wilkins in 1993, to find the last time Atlanta had a player finish among the top 10 in league MVP voting for a season. Thats not only the longest dry spell in the NBA. Its a full 10 years longer than the Nets, who have endured the leagues second-longest drought. Its been awhile, says Wilkins, when told of the stat. And its weird, because the citys always had these iconic sports figures. But its a good feeling to know things are finally coming back around. Young and his team still have more work to do to catapult him into MVP talks. (He narrowly missed the All-Star team this season.) But if the last three decades have been a superstar desert for the Hawks, the diminutive guard has been a literal splash bucket to quench the clubs thirst. Still just 22, Young has the impromptu passing ability of a Harlem Globetrotter and the long-distance shooting range of Robin Hood. Of the six players with the audacity to attempt 25 shots from 30 feet or more this season, only Stephen Curry (37.4%) knocked down a better percentage than Youngs 36.4%. And while he takes plenty of shots from other ZIP codes, Young is active in the paint, and made more free throws than anyone in the league. Hes become most known for his scoring (25.3 points this year) but ranked second in the NBA in assists per game. Youngs become highly annoying to defend. If you stay back too far on a screen, hell pull up from 40. Come up too much, and hell burst into the paint and either loft a floater or throw a lob for center Clint Capela, which flat-out deceives rim protectors, because the lobs look like floaters, too. Dominique Wilkins was the last Hawk to be an undisputed superstar. Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated Even if you play him perfectlyclosing out just enough to deter the long triple, and recovering enough to catch up to him before he gets off the floater or the lobthe floor general still might get the best of you. Like Chris Paul, hes perfected stopping on a dime to prompt trailing defenders to crash into him. Most impressive to those who work with Young: Hes quickly adjusted to the clubs improved rotation, realizing that the upgraded talent around him can only make him more difficult to stop down the stretch. They talked about this with Michael back in the day when he first came into the league: He was putting up a lot of numbers before Phil Jackson came in with the triangle, says Hawks coach Nate McMillan, whose midseason takeover turned the teams season around. [The triangle] forced him to move the ball around and get other players involved, because he really hadnt had a lot of [team] success. Thats part of the growth with a young player. Traes still trying to establish himself. He came in as a guy that could score and create offense. But when youre trying to take that next stepwin gamesyoure not going to be able to do it by yourself. The teams brought in enough talent to win games, and he has to learn to use the talent that he has. They have to form that chemistry on the floor, but I see them starting to do that. Much like Young has been the focus of opposing defensesranging from aggressive traps and even occasional box-and-one lookshes generated massive interest among a new wave of Hawks fans. Chris Keith, a 50-year-old health-care administrator who lives in Alpharetta, just north of Atlanta, says the club was barely on his radar years ago. After Dominique, they kind of became an afterthought, he says. But then Keiths 12-year-old son, Carter, grew more intrigued with the sport after participating in church-league basketball. I introduced him to the NCAA tournament [in 2018] when Trae was in it. Then he wanted to watch the draft for the first time that year. And the Hawks ended up with Trae. Now, my son has all the jerseys. Keith indulged his son by taking him to a handful of Hawks games each of the past few years. After a while, it made more sense to become a season-ticket holder. I do feel like Im on an island a little bit, he says, adding that the rest of his suburban neighborhood is full of die-hard Braves and Falcons fans, with fewer Hawks supporters. But I see a lot of Trae Young jerseys on my sons friends. In a short amount of time, the Hawks became my familys life. We went from casual watchers to living and dying with it. Many wanted the Hawks to use their 2018 first-rounder, the third pick, to take Luka Doni, the six-foot-seven Slovenian guard who was being described by many as a potentially generational prospect. When Atlanta passed him up, fans didnt initially understand the Hawks choice. I was at the [Hawks] draft night party that night, and I think a lot of us were pretty distraught. We kind of couldnt believe it was happening, says season-ticket holder Will Balkcom, 27, who lives in the citys Buckhead neighborhood. We knew how good Luka was. Wed seen Traes college highlights and knew he could play. We just worried about it. But in the weeks and months that followed, I understood it more in hindsight. In a city like Atlanta, with the players that weve historically latched onto, Trae fits in right into that category. Fans began to feel Youngs star power could generate a greater level of magnetism. And between newer ticket-holders like Jessica Mercon (whose 12-year-daughter treasures a silicone bracelet Young took off and gave her after a game) and Andrew Hill (who says hell stay on as a season-ticket holder despite his familys plan to move four hours away to Tennessee soon), that appears to be true for a number of people. Trae Young is the MVP-caliber player that Atlanta hasn't had since the 90s. Kevin D. Liles/Sports Illustrated The Hawks dont exactly run away from the idea that Youngs marketability was a factor. While general manager Travis Schlenk got extra value out of passing on DoniAtlanta was able to get an extra first-round pick that became Cam Reddish by trading down with the MavericksKoonin says he was adamantly in favor of taking Young, and that his interests went beyond just basketball. Travis will tell you that, for his part, he was looking for value. Meaning, we like Trae a lot, and we like Luka a lot. But getting another lottery pick was the tipping point, Koonin says. But the business side, we raised our hand and we said, Trae. Luka is an incredible player. I wish we had them both. Hes fantastic. Trae is on the path to superstardom, but for more than what he can do on the court. We saw in Trae somebody who was a dynamic player who had a real chance to connect with fans on many levels. Koonin is quick to add that his business-centric point of view about Young means jacks--- to Travis. (Less than zero, he says.) And he understands the Hawks would likely be in a good place regardless of which player the team had taken. But he also points to a key figure. Our youth jersey sales went up 1200% with Trae, Koonin says. Hes helping us create an emotional connection with our fans. Part of that was likely Youngs visibility as a high-profile prospect whod become must-see TV at the college level, while Doni was still an unknown to the average American fan. And its hard to imagine the team didnt see an opportunity to market Young to one of the nations largest primarily Black cities. In talking about Youngs impact on youth fans, Koonin mentioned Currywhom Schlenk worked with in his prior stop with the Warriorsand how Atlanta had to open its arena earlier than usual whenever Golden State was in town. Fans would show up at hours before tip-off, just to watch Currys otherworldly shooting routine. And on some level, Koonin hopes, if not believes, that Young can inspire the same sort of fan intrigue with his own flashy skill set. The question now, of course, is what comes next for the franchise, which owns the NBAs second-longest title drought, and hasnt won the championship since moving to Atlanta five-plus decades ago. Photo Illustration by Dan Larkin; Erick W. Rasco (Durant, Embiid, Mitchell); Greg Nelson (Leonard) At 2511, the Hawks tied for the NBAs third-best mark after the All-Star break, an affirmation that the clubwhich spent big last offseasoncan more than hold its own when its healthy. Just as important: Atlanta now has a clear-cut blueprintample shooting, solid secondary ballhandling, plus a top-flight rim protector and pick-and-roll partnerfor how to build a winner around Youngs relative shortcomings. It bodes well for the future, which makes this feel fundamentally different than the 60-win season in 201415. Fans often packed the stadium that year, giving the club a franchise-record 25 regular-season sellouts. Yet there was a LeBron-sized obstacle in the way back then, and a feeling that those Hawks veterans were at the absolute peak of their powers. The current teams youth brings more long-term hope. The team says its local television ratings were up about 10% this year from last season, a jump that sounds ho-hum until you realize that 201920 numbers were already up by almost 50% from the season prior. The ratings are still toward the low end of the league. But its clear that Young has the city engaged in a way it hasnt been in years. I thought we could do it [in 2015] without the star player, and with team basketball. But we learned quickly that wasnt enough, says 28-year-old Lovejoy resident Dominique Hill, a longtime Hawks supporter who recently bought a ticket package. Having that star player with such a young team makes this feel different. Like, Ive got a friend out here whos a Celtics fan, and Im not showing no mercy. I told him its never too late to convert to the Hawks. Its a good feeling after all those years where our home games felt like they were on the road, because of who the majority of the crowd was rooting for. The club will get a plum opportunity to earn the national relevance it so desperately craves with a first-round matchup against the big-market Knicks, who won all three contests with Atlanta during the regular season. (One of the Knicks wins came last month when the Hawks blew a late-game lead after Young had to be helped off the floor at Madison Square Garden with an ankle injury.) If theres any irony here, its that the Hawks will again have an abundance of empty seats during their postseason run, despite being more relevant than theyve been in years. Obviously wed rather not have our first taste of [postseason] in COVID circumstances, sharpshooting Hawks wing Kevin Huerter says. But for the first time in decades, there is a growing hope that the seats could be full soon on a regular basis. Because if you build it with an icon, chances are the stargazing Atlanta fans will eventually come. Utah's Journey from Dysfunction to Dominance | The Atlanta Hawks are back in the playoffs for the first time in nearly 30 years. The team has struggled to attract fans in recent years. Trae Young is the team's star player, and fans are hoping he can lead the team to the top. The Hawks have struggled to draw fans because of their lack of a superstar. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.si.com/nba/2021/05/19/nba-playoff-preview-2021-atlanta-hawks-trae-young-daily-cover | 0.34647 |
What Is The $1.2 Trillion Dollar Freelance Economy? | Sarah Archer, Freelance marketing manager with expertise in leading content strategy, SEO, and PR ... [+] across diverse industries ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Sarah Archer 29% of workers say they will quit if forced back to the office. But theres a deeper force than remote work you need to be aware of: the independent freelance economy. In the next 5 years, over half of your talent will choose self employment. Of those that stay employees, a good amount will freelance on the side. The Freelance Economy is Independent Contracting Made Easier Through Software The freelance economy is a technology disruption in how we get work done. In 2011 Marc Andreessen said software is eating the world. The freelance economy is the result of software eating staffing, agencies and independent contracting. As a term, the freelance economy gets bundled into the gig economy, passion economy, creator economy and many more, but at its core the freelance economy is independent contract work made easier through digital tools and the shift to the cloud. The freelance economy is fueled by three technology disruptions. The internet made it possible to connect with anyone in the world. Remote tools made it possible to collaborate with anyone in the world. Workflow (contracting, payment, project management) tools made it possible for freelancers to run scalable and profitable one person businesses. The Core Disruption Is Connecting You Direct-To-Talent Outsourcing to external vendors is nothing new. Large tech firms like Google are already heavily contingent. But historically outsourcing has needed staffing firms, consulting firms and temp agencies. The disruption in the freelance economy is that you as a leader can go direct-to-talent. Rather than going through an intermediary (agency, staffing firm), you can connect, communicate, collaborate and contract directly with a freelancer anywhere in the world at the touch of a button. Hansell Shook, executive and venture investor based in Miami, Florida. Hansell Shook As Hansell Shook, executive and venture investor told me, Team formation is critical for companies. Hiring external talent for specialized parts of the team logically makes sense, but the dollars lost and wasted time of having a bad hire can make outsourcing not worth it. especially on important projects. Yet, if you can see the whites of their eyes, working directly with them, you can lower the probability of a bad hire. In seconds you can start working with Kemal Avdovic. He can help you with your brand positioning and your web presence. Kemal is based in Bosnia, but he works with clients around the globe. Kemal Avdovic, freelance designer based in Bosnia helps businesses build their online brand presence ... [+] using strategy and design. Kemal Avdovic Thanks to invoice software like Freshbooks, contract software like PandaDoc, email and Google Drive, Kemal can scale his one person business to directly compete against your traditional agency partner (in most scenarios hell be faster and more cost efficient). Screenshot below of services Kemal can provide. Kemal Avdovic, freelance brand and web designer based in Bosnia, helps businesses build their brands ... [+] and their online presence using strategy and design. Venture L The Freelance Economy Is Shifting From Gig Work To Big Work The freelance economy in current form started around 1998 when Elance was founded. Elance merged with Odesk in 2013 and in 2015 became Upwork. Since then the freelance economy has had major accomplishments: But the largest shift currently underway is the shift from transaction based gig work to large core to the business projects. Tim Sanders, Upworks VP Customer Insights called this the shift from gig work to big work. The Human Cloud highlighted a North American motorcycle manufacturer working with over 25 freelancers to digitally transform their rider experience. Freelance product managers, designers, developers and Bluetooth engineers globally distributed and collaborating on a multi-year project that resulted in a mobile app with over 150,000 downloads and a 5-star rating (with over 8,000 reviews). Jesse Chambers, prior Global Head of Premium Content Strategy at Version and VP of Monetization at AOL, told me how freelancers enabled wrkfrce to launch with 60 pieces of live content thanks to hiring 20+ freelance writers and 10+ freelance copy editors. Screenshot of wrkfrce homepage. Freelancers enabled wrkfrce to launch with 60 pieces of live content ... [+] thanks to hiring 20+ freelance writers and 10+ freelance copy editors. wrkfrce For Jesse, hiring freelancers enabled efficiency, flexibility and access to specialized expertise. As he said, Efficiency has been a real thing for us, and freelancers provide an elastic, adaptive conveyor belt for producing content. More than quantity, freelancers also provided a quality advantage as he told me, "Hiring freelancers helps us find people with specific areas of expertise. For example Sarah Archer, someone who is a digital nomad herself, built our remote playbooks. The Freelance Economy Wont Be The Future In 5 years we might stop using the words freelancer and refer to freelancers like every other employee. As Jon Younger pointed out, the difference between traditional employees and freelancers is shrinking fast. Likewise the ability to hire freelancers is expanding quickly. Freelancers dont replace employees. They amplify the impact each employee can make. Thus instead of freelancer or employee, the growth of the freelance economy results in the blend of employees and freelancers getting work done. We can call it the hybrid workforce. Stay tuned! In the coming weeks well learn how to integrate freelancers in your re-opening plan along with learning from top freelancers how to work with them. | The freelance economy is a technology disruption in how we get work done. It is fueled by three technology disruptions: the internet, workflow tools and the shift to the cloud. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewmottola/2021/05/19/what-is-the-12-trillion-dollar-freelance-economy/ | 0.110534 |
What Is The $1.2 Trillion Dollar Freelance Economy? | Sarah Archer, Freelance marketing manager with expertise in leading content strategy, SEO, and PR ... [+] across diverse industries ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Sarah Archer 29% of workers say they will quit if forced back to the office. But theres a deeper force than remote work you need to be aware of: the independent freelance economy. In the next 5 years, over half of your talent will choose self employment. Of those that stay employees, a good amount will freelance on the side. The Freelance Economy is Independent Contracting Made Easier Through Software The freelance economy is a technology disruption in how we get work done. In 2011 Marc Andreessen said software is eating the world. The freelance economy is the result of software eating staffing, agencies and independent contracting. As a term, the freelance economy gets bundled into the gig economy, passion economy, creator economy and many more, but at its core the freelance economy is independent contract work made easier through digital tools and the shift to the cloud. The freelance economy is fueled by three technology disruptions. The internet made it possible to connect with anyone in the world. Remote tools made it possible to collaborate with anyone in the world. Workflow (contracting, payment, project management) tools made it possible for freelancers to run scalable and profitable one person businesses. The Core Disruption Is Connecting You Direct-To-Talent Outsourcing to external vendors is nothing new. Large tech firms like Google are already heavily contingent. But historically outsourcing has needed staffing firms, consulting firms and temp agencies. The disruption in the freelance economy is that you as a leader can go direct-to-talent. Rather than going through an intermediary (agency, staffing firm), you can connect, communicate, collaborate and contract directly with a freelancer anywhere in the world at the touch of a button. Hansell Shook, executive and venture investor based in Miami, Florida. Hansell Shook As Hansell Shook, executive and venture investor told me, Team formation is critical for companies. Hiring external talent for specialized parts of the team logically makes sense, but the dollars lost and wasted time of having a bad hire can make outsourcing not worth it. especially on important projects. Yet, if you can see the whites of their eyes, working directly with them, you can lower the probability of a bad hire. In seconds you can start working with Kemal Avdovic. He can help you with your brand positioning and your web presence. Kemal is based in Bosnia, but he works with clients around the globe. Kemal Avdovic, freelance designer based in Bosnia helps businesses build their online brand presence ... [+] using strategy and design. Kemal Avdovic Thanks to invoice software like Freshbooks, contract software like PandaDoc, email and Google Drive, Kemal can scale his one person business to directly compete against your traditional agency partner (in most scenarios hell be faster and more cost efficient). Screenshot below of services Kemal can provide. Kemal Avdovic, freelance brand and web designer based in Bosnia, helps businesses build their brands ... [+] and their online presence using strategy and design. Venture L The Freelance Economy Is Shifting From Gig Work To Big Work The freelance economy in current form started around 1998 when Elance was founded. Elance merged with Odesk in 2013 and in 2015 became Upwork. Since then the freelance economy has had major accomplishments: But the largest shift currently underway is the shift from transaction based gig work to large core to the business projects. Tim Sanders, Upworks VP Customer Insights called this the shift from gig work to big work. The Human Cloud highlighted a North American motorcycle manufacturer working with over 25 freelancers to digitally transform their rider experience. Freelance product managers, designers, developers and Bluetooth engineers globally distributed and collaborating on a multi-year project that resulted in a mobile app with over 150,000 downloads and a 5-star rating (with over 8,000 reviews). Jesse Chambers, prior Global Head of Premium Content Strategy at Version and VP of Monetization at AOL, told me how freelancers enabled wrkfrce to launch with 60 pieces of live content thanks to hiring 20+ freelance writers and 10+ freelance copy editors. Screenshot of wrkfrce homepage. Freelancers enabled wrkfrce to launch with 60 pieces of live content ... [+] thanks to hiring 20+ freelance writers and 10+ freelance copy editors. wrkfrce For Jesse, hiring freelancers enabled efficiency, flexibility and access to specialized expertise. As he said, Efficiency has been a real thing for us, and freelancers provide an elastic, adaptive conveyor belt for producing content. More than quantity, freelancers also provided a quality advantage as he told me, "Hiring freelancers helps us find people with specific areas of expertise. For example Sarah Archer, someone who is a digital nomad herself, built our remote playbooks. The Freelance Economy Wont Be The Future In 5 years we might stop using the words freelancer and refer to freelancers like every other employee. As Jon Younger pointed out, the difference between traditional employees and freelancers is shrinking fast. Likewise the ability to hire freelancers is expanding quickly. Freelancers dont replace employees. They amplify the impact each employee can make. Thus instead of freelancer or employee, the growth of the freelance economy results in the blend of employees and freelancers getting work done. We can call it the hybrid workforce. Stay tuned! In the coming weeks well learn how to integrate freelancers in your re-opening plan along with learning from top freelancers how to work with them. | The freelance economy is a technology disruption in how we get work done. It is fueled by three technology disruptions: the internet, workflow tools and the shift to the cloud. The Freelance Economy is Shifting From Gig Work To Big Work. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewmottola/2021/05/19/what-is-the-12-trillion-dollar-freelance-economy/ | 0.107351 |
Could a pilot home composting program help decrease food, yard waste in Lexington? | The city of Lexington may soon offer compost units to encourage more people to throw away less food and yard waste. Under the proposed pilot program, participants on city garbage service can either choose a free compost unit or get a compost unit at a reduced cost after participating in workshops that will cover how to compost and use various compost units, troubleshooting and other topics. Pilot participants will also take short surveys over a one-year process. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Hannah LeGris had proposed the pilot program to increase composting and decreasing food and yard waste from going to the landfills. The pilot program will cost $9,000. LeGris said Tuesday she will ask for the program to be funded in the upcoming budget, which begins July 1. The money would come from the urban services fund, which is separate from the general fund, which is the citys main checking account. LFUCG has begun much-needed discussions about what happens to the citys waste, said LeGris Tuesday during the councils Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee. The next step in that conversation is about food waste and how we can divert it from the waste stream. Angela Poe, program manager for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works, said the pilot would consist of three workshops starting in August. Seedleaf, a nonprofit that focuses on community gardening and composting, has offered to host the workshops. There are three different types of composters at three different price points, Poe said. One of Seedleafs composting bins on Third Street in Lexington. Seedleaf, a nonprofit, is a community gardening and composting organization. A worm composter costs about $50. That composter would be given to participants for free. A stationary composter, which typically accommodates larger amounts, usually costs around $85. Participants could get it at a discounted rate of $35. A tumbling composter, which can rotate the waste, typically costs around $100. It would be given to participants for $50. The plan is for the city to buy these and then to give them to the participants, Poe said. Poe said its possible the city, because it will buy the units in bulk, will get a discount, further decreasing the costs to households. Story continues Poe said the city has not held a workshop on composting in many years. However, when it did, those workshops sold out, Poe said, indicating potential interest in a program. Poe said the $9,000, which includes Seedleafs workshops, the compost units and other costs, would cover 60 households. The council will likely take its first vote on the budget sometime in June. No council member spoke against the pilot proposal Tuesday. | The city of Lexington may soon offer compost units to encourage more people to throw away less food and yard waste. | pegasus | 0 | https://news.yahoo.com/could-pilot-home-composting-program-113705998.html | 0.15361 |
Could a pilot home composting program help decrease food, yard waste in Lexington? | The city of Lexington may soon offer compost units to encourage more people to throw away less food and yard waste. Under the proposed pilot program, participants on city garbage service can either choose a free compost unit or get a compost unit at a reduced cost after participating in workshops that will cover how to compost and use various compost units, troubleshooting and other topics. Pilot participants will also take short surveys over a one-year process. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Hannah LeGris had proposed the pilot program to increase composting and decreasing food and yard waste from going to the landfills. The pilot program will cost $9,000. LeGris said Tuesday she will ask for the program to be funded in the upcoming budget, which begins July 1. The money would come from the urban services fund, which is separate from the general fund, which is the citys main checking account. LFUCG has begun much-needed discussions about what happens to the citys waste, said LeGris Tuesday during the councils Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee. The next step in that conversation is about food waste and how we can divert it from the waste stream. Angela Poe, program manager for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works, said the pilot would consist of three workshops starting in August. Seedleaf, a nonprofit that focuses on community gardening and composting, has offered to host the workshops. There are three different types of composters at three different price points, Poe said. One of Seedleafs composting bins on Third Street in Lexington. Seedleaf, a nonprofit, is a community gardening and composting organization. A worm composter costs about $50. That composter would be given to participants for free. A stationary composter, which typically accommodates larger amounts, usually costs around $85. Participants could get it at a discounted rate of $35. A tumbling composter, which can rotate the waste, typically costs around $100. It would be given to participants for $50. The plan is for the city to buy these and then to give them to the participants, Poe said. Poe said its possible the city, because it will buy the units in bulk, will get a discount, further decreasing the costs to households. Story continues Poe said the city has not held a workshop on composting in many years. However, when it did, those workshops sold out, Poe said, indicating potential interest in a program. Poe said the $9,000, which includes Seedleafs workshops, the compost units and other costs, would cover 60 households. The council will likely take its first vote on the budget sometime in June. No council member spoke against the pilot proposal Tuesday. | The pilot program will cost $9,000. The goal is to increase composting and decrease food and yard waste from going to the landfills. The city will buy the units and then give them to participants for free. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://news.yahoo.com/could-pilot-home-composting-program-113705998.html | 0.281703 |
Could a pilot home composting program help decrease food, yard waste in Lexington? | The city of Lexington may soon offer compost units to encourage more people to throw away less food and yard waste. Under the proposed pilot program, participants on city garbage service can either choose a free compost unit or get a compost unit at a reduced cost after participating in workshops that will cover how to compost and use various compost units, troubleshooting and other topics. Pilot participants will also take short surveys over a one-year process. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Hannah LeGris had proposed the pilot program to increase composting and decreasing food and yard waste from going to the landfills. The pilot program will cost $9,000. LeGris said Tuesday she will ask for the program to be funded in the upcoming budget, which begins July 1. The money would come from the urban services fund, which is separate from the general fund, which is the citys main checking account. LFUCG has begun much-needed discussions about what happens to the citys waste, said LeGris Tuesday during the councils Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee. The next step in that conversation is about food waste and how we can divert it from the waste stream. Angela Poe, program manager for the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works, said the pilot would consist of three workshops starting in August. Seedleaf, a nonprofit that focuses on community gardening and composting, has offered to host the workshops. There are three different types of composters at three different price points, Poe said. One of Seedleafs composting bins on Third Street in Lexington. Seedleaf, a nonprofit, is a community gardening and composting organization. A worm composter costs about $50. That composter would be given to participants for free. A stationary composter, which typically accommodates larger amounts, usually costs around $85. Participants could get it at a discounted rate of $35. A tumbling composter, which can rotate the waste, typically costs around $100. It would be given to participants for $50. The plan is for the city to buy these and then to give them to the participants, Poe said. Poe said its possible the city, because it will buy the units in bulk, will get a discount, further decreasing the costs to households. Story continues Poe said the city has not held a workshop on composting in many years. However, when it did, those workshops sold out, Poe said, indicating potential interest in a program. Poe said the $9,000, which includes Seedleafs workshops, the compost units and other costs, would cover 60 households. The council will likely take its first vote on the budget sometime in June. No council member spoke against the pilot proposal Tuesday. | The city of Lexington may soon offer compost units to encourage more people to throw away less food and yard waste. Under the proposed pilot program, participants on city garbage service can choose a free compost unit or get a compost unit at a reduced cost. Pilot participants will also take short surveys over a one-year process. | pegasus | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/could-pilot-home-composting-program-113705998.html | 0.277991 |
Do The Cyberpunk 2077 Lawsuits Have A Solid Case? | Cyberpunk 2077 CDPR CD Projekt Red is facing down at least four different lawsuits in the wake of the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, a rather bizarre affair that combined a very broken game with an astonishing amount of sales all the same. 13.7 million in its first few weeks alone. Two of the class action lawsuits are from CDPRs own shareholders. That CDPR made false or misleading statements, or failed to disclose the fact that Cyberpunk 2077 was virtually unplayable on the current-generation Xbox or PlayStation systems due to an enormous number of bugs. The idea is that players, investors, critics, everyone was mislead or purposefully misdirected away from the state of the game on those consoles, which caused huge issues at release, with players asking for refunds and the issues contributing to Sony removing Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store, where it remains banished nearly six months after release. Despite the big sales, the controversy has tanked CDPR stock, which is why investors are riled up. There are two main factors at play here. The first is that CDPR only provided PC review codes to outlets ahead of the release of Cyberpunk 2077, and requests for console codes were met with a range of responses from the idea that they were simply not available, to later, an explanation that they were trying to patch that version of the game up until the last minute, and they thought it would be fixed by launch. Cyberpunk 2077 CDPR I suppose you could view that as part of the case here. CDPR only put forth the best version of the game (PC, usually running on high-end hardware) for early reviews, and it performed well enough to charm many outlets into giving it high scores, something CDPR was quick to brag about at launch. But then release happened, and everyone actually got to play the console versions. They were, in fact, borderline unplayable, riddled with bugs and performing so poorly many players were prompted to ask for refunds. And here lies the most important thing to note with all this, the fact that the only information we had about the performance of the game on last gen consoles was this statement from an investor call by CDPRs Adam Kiciski. Heres hes talking about base console performance versus the Pro (PS4 Pro and Xbox One X) versions: Of course, a bit lower than on Pros, but surprisingly good, I would say for such a huge world. So, bit lower, but very good. That's the answer. That is what I would call the definition of a misleading statement, as either Kiciski was playing some base console version of the game that simply never existed, he has a very, very low bar for the definition of very good or he was justlying. Regardless, this statement spawned headlines like Cyberpunk 2077 runs surprisingly well on current-gen consoles according to CD Projekts CEO which is all the information that consumers had before the game launched, combined with the other fact that the press was not given console codes to review to say anything different. Im no lawyer, but that doesnt look great and at least that aspect of it seems pretty cut and dry. I dont know how CDPR can defend those pre-launch statements now, seeing the game that we got at launch, and yet even in their follow-up apology videos, they were saying things like they simply didnt see the bugs that players saw in testing, which again, is extremely hard to believe. It will likely take a while for these cases to work their way through the system, and who knows what the end result will be. In the meantime, Cyberpunk 2077 continues the process of repairing itself, and should finally be adding new content over the summer. Ive asked CDPR for comment on the upcoming lawsuits and will update when I hear back. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to my free weekly content round-up newsletter, God Rolls. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series, and The Earthborn Trilogy, which is also on audiobook. | Cyberpunk 2077 CDPR is facing at least four different lawsuits in the wake of the launch. The lawsuits allege that CDPR made false or misleading statements about the state of the game on consoles. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/05/19/do-the-cyberpunk-2077-lawsuits-have-a-solid-case/ | 0.260434 |
Do The Cyberpunk 2077 Lawsuits Have A Solid Case? | Cyberpunk 2077 CDPR CD Projekt Red is facing down at least four different lawsuits in the wake of the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, a rather bizarre affair that combined a very broken game with an astonishing amount of sales all the same. 13.7 million in its first few weeks alone. Two of the class action lawsuits are from CDPRs own shareholders. That CDPR made false or misleading statements, or failed to disclose the fact that Cyberpunk 2077 was virtually unplayable on the current-generation Xbox or PlayStation systems due to an enormous number of bugs. The idea is that players, investors, critics, everyone was mislead or purposefully misdirected away from the state of the game on those consoles, which caused huge issues at release, with players asking for refunds and the issues contributing to Sony removing Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store, where it remains banished nearly six months after release. Despite the big sales, the controversy has tanked CDPR stock, which is why investors are riled up. There are two main factors at play here. The first is that CDPR only provided PC review codes to outlets ahead of the release of Cyberpunk 2077, and requests for console codes were met with a range of responses from the idea that they were simply not available, to later, an explanation that they were trying to patch that version of the game up until the last minute, and they thought it would be fixed by launch. Cyberpunk 2077 CDPR I suppose you could view that as part of the case here. CDPR only put forth the best version of the game (PC, usually running on high-end hardware) for early reviews, and it performed well enough to charm many outlets into giving it high scores, something CDPR was quick to brag about at launch. But then release happened, and everyone actually got to play the console versions. They were, in fact, borderline unplayable, riddled with bugs and performing so poorly many players were prompted to ask for refunds. And here lies the most important thing to note with all this, the fact that the only information we had about the performance of the game on last gen consoles was this statement from an investor call by CDPRs Adam Kiciski. Heres hes talking about base console performance versus the Pro (PS4 Pro and Xbox One X) versions: Of course, a bit lower than on Pros, but surprisingly good, I would say for such a huge world. So, bit lower, but very good. That's the answer. That is what I would call the definition of a misleading statement, as either Kiciski was playing some base console version of the game that simply never existed, he has a very, very low bar for the definition of very good or he was justlying. Regardless, this statement spawned headlines like Cyberpunk 2077 runs surprisingly well on current-gen consoles according to CD Projekts CEO which is all the information that consumers had before the game launched, combined with the other fact that the press was not given console codes to review to say anything different. Im no lawyer, but that doesnt look great and at least that aspect of it seems pretty cut and dry. I dont know how CDPR can defend those pre-launch statements now, seeing the game that we got at launch, and yet even in their follow-up apology videos, they were saying things like they simply didnt see the bugs that players saw in testing, which again, is extremely hard to believe. It will likely take a while for these cases to work their way through the system, and who knows what the end result will be. In the meantime, Cyberpunk 2077 continues the process of repairing itself, and should finally be adding new content over the summer. Ive asked CDPR for comment on the upcoming lawsuits and will update when I hear back. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to my free weekly content round-up newsletter, God Rolls. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series, and The Earthborn Trilogy, which is also on audiobook. | Cyberpunk 2077 CDPR is facing at least four different lawsuits in the wake of the launch. The lawsuits allege that CDPR made false or misleading statements about the state of the game on current-gen consoles, which caused huge issues at release, with players asking for refunds. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/05/19/do-the-cyberpunk-2077-lawsuits-have-a-solid-case/ | 0.414931 |
Will meat tenderizer ease pain from bee stings? | Q: I used to have several beehives. Sometimes I would accidentally crush a bee when working on the hives. When that happened, they went into attack mode, and I got stung a lot. A name-brand meat tenderizer was the ticket to take the pain away. I think it dissolved or chemically altered the venom. Id make a paste and get it on as soon as possible. A: Many other readers agree with you that a paste of meat tenderizer and water can ease the pain of a bee sting. This was first written up in JAMA (April 24, 1972). Dr. Harry Arnold wrote: There is, however, an immediately effective remedy for such lesions, available in most kitchens: meat tenderizer. The effectiveness of this material, applied in a dilute solution of tap water, prepared on the spot by mixing a quarter-teaspoonful or so with a teaspoonful or two of water, presumably depends on its content of papain. This proteolytic enzyme probably breaks down the venoms and kinins injected by the insect. The solution is merely rubbed into the skin at the site of the sting, and virtually all pain stops within seconds. As far as we can tell, there has been no rigorous research to test this treatment. If you would like to learn more about simple ways to overcome common conditions and the science to support them, you may be interested in our eGuide to Favorite Home Remedies. This electronic resource is available in the Health eGuides section of PeoplesPharmacy.com. Q: My mother, my father, my grandmother and my mother-in-law all developed uncontrollable, nasty diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile after taking antibiotics (especially Cipro). C. diff is the name of bacteria that lives in the gut with other normal bacteria, causing no problems when a person is healthy. However, when a person takes a strong antibiotic for an infection, the medicine kills the normal bacteria in the gut and the C. diff remains. It no longer has any competition from normal flora. When it grows, it produces a toxin that causes severe diarrhea. A pharmacist recommended taking the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii whenever we are on an antibiotic. This yeast is not susceptible to most antibiotics. It helps keep C. diff in check and prevents diarrhea. It seems to work for my family. A: Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic that has been recommended widely to help counteract antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In fact, research demonstrates that when hospitalized patients take S. boulardii they are less likely to develop diarrhea after antibiotics (Clinical Infectious Diseases, June 23, 2020; European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, August 2018). Q: I am a doctor with gout. I try to avoid purines and oxalates in my diet, and I also try to avoid NSAIDs because of their side effects (cardiac events, ulcers, kidney problems). Remedies like cherry juice, cider vinegar, lemon juice, excess hydration or avoiding meats, beer and wine have not been very helpful. I do not want to take allopurinol or colchicine. But I started taking turmeric capsules, and after five days, my foot is much better. A: Gout is due to uric acid crystals depositing in joints. A study in mice demonstrated that turmeric nanoparticles lowered uric acid levels (Medicina, Jan. 11, 2019). A study in humans, however, failed to show similar benefit (Journal of Dietary Supplements, May-June 2021). The active ingredient, curcumin, does have anti-inflammatory activity. That may explain the benefit you have experienced. Contact the Graedons at peoplespharmacy.com. | A paste of meat tenderizer and water can ease the pain of a bee sting. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/health/article/Will-meat-tenderizer-ease-pain-from-bee-stings-16188238.php | 0.536742 |
Will meat tenderizer ease pain from bee stings? | Q: I used to have several beehives. Sometimes I would accidentally crush a bee when working on the hives. When that happened, they went into attack mode, and I got stung a lot. A name-brand meat tenderizer was the ticket to take the pain away. I think it dissolved or chemically altered the venom. Id make a paste and get it on as soon as possible. A: Many other readers agree with you that a paste of meat tenderizer and water can ease the pain of a bee sting. This was first written up in JAMA (April 24, 1972). Dr. Harry Arnold wrote: There is, however, an immediately effective remedy for such lesions, available in most kitchens: meat tenderizer. The effectiveness of this material, applied in a dilute solution of tap water, prepared on the spot by mixing a quarter-teaspoonful or so with a teaspoonful or two of water, presumably depends on its content of papain. This proteolytic enzyme probably breaks down the venoms and kinins injected by the insect. The solution is merely rubbed into the skin at the site of the sting, and virtually all pain stops within seconds. As far as we can tell, there has been no rigorous research to test this treatment. If you would like to learn more about simple ways to overcome common conditions and the science to support them, you may be interested in our eGuide to Favorite Home Remedies. This electronic resource is available in the Health eGuides section of PeoplesPharmacy.com. Q: My mother, my father, my grandmother and my mother-in-law all developed uncontrollable, nasty diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile after taking antibiotics (especially Cipro). C. diff is the name of bacteria that lives in the gut with other normal bacteria, causing no problems when a person is healthy. However, when a person takes a strong antibiotic for an infection, the medicine kills the normal bacteria in the gut and the C. diff remains. It no longer has any competition from normal flora. When it grows, it produces a toxin that causes severe diarrhea. A pharmacist recommended taking the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii whenever we are on an antibiotic. This yeast is not susceptible to most antibiotics. It helps keep C. diff in check and prevents diarrhea. It seems to work for my family. A: Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic that has been recommended widely to help counteract antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In fact, research demonstrates that when hospitalized patients take S. boulardii they are less likely to develop diarrhea after antibiotics (Clinical Infectious Diseases, June 23, 2020; European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, August 2018). Q: I am a doctor with gout. I try to avoid purines and oxalates in my diet, and I also try to avoid NSAIDs because of their side effects (cardiac events, ulcers, kidney problems). Remedies like cherry juice, cider vinegar, lemon juice, excess hydration or avoiding meats, beer and wine have not been very helpful. I do not want to take allopurinol or colchicine. But I started taking turmeric capsules, and after five days, my foot is much better. A: Gout is due to uric acid crystals depositing in joints. A study in mice demonstrated that turmeric nanoparticles lowered uric acid levels (Medicina, Jan. 11, 2019). A study in humans, however, failed to show similar benefit (Journal of Dietary Supplements, May-June 2021). The active ingredient, curcumin, does have anti-inflammatory activity. That may explain the benefit you have experienced. Contact the Graedons at peoplespharmacy.com. | A paste of meat tenderizer and water can ease the pain of a bee sting. Gout is due to uric acid crystals depositing in joints. Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic that has been recommended widely. | bart | 1 | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/health/article/Will-meat-tenderizer-ease-pain-from-bee-stings-16188238.php | 0.672057 |
Will meat tenderizer ease pain from bee stings? | Q: I used to have several beehives. Sometimes I would accidentally crush a bee when working on the hives. When that happened, they went into attack mode, and I got stung a lot. A name-brand meat tenderizer was the ticket to take the pain away. I think it dissolved or chemically altered the venom. Id make a paste and get it on as soon as possible. A: Many other readers agree with you that a paste of meat tenderizer and water can ease the pain of a bee sting. This was first written up in JAMA (April 24, 1972). Dr. Harry Arnold wrote: There is, however, an immediately effective remedy for such lesions, available in most kitchens: meat tenderizer. The effectiveness of this material, applied in a dilute solution of tap water, prepared on the spot by mixing a quarter-teaspoonful or so with a teaspoonful or two of water, presumably depends on its content of papain. This proteolytic enzyme probably breaks down the venoms and kinins injected by the insect. The solution is merely rubbed into the skin at the site of the sting, and virtually all pain stops within seconds. As far as we can tell, there has been no rigorous research to test this treatment. If you would like to learn more about simple ways to overcome common conditions and the science to support them, you may be interested in our eGuide to Favorite Home Remedies. This electronic resource is available in the Health eGuides section of PeoplesPharmacy.com. Q: My mother, my father, my grandmother and my mother-in-law all developed uncontrollable, nasty diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile after taking antibiotics (especially Cipro). C. diff is the name of bacteria that lives in the gut with other normal bacteria, causing no problems when a person is healthy. However, when a person takes a strong antibiotic for an infection, the medicine kills the normal bacteria in the gut and the C. diff remains. It no longer has any competition from normal flora. When it grows, it produces a toxin that causes severe diarrhea. A pharmacist recommended taking the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii whenever we are on an antibiotic. This yeast is not susceptible to most antibiotics. It helps keep C. diff in check and prevents diarrhea. It seems to work for my family. A: Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic that has been recommended widely to help counteract antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In fact, research demonstrates that when hospitalized patients take S. boulardii they are less likely to develop diarrhea after antibiotics (Clinical Infectious Diseases, June 23, 2020; European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, August 2018). Q: I am a doctor with gout. I try to avoid purines and oxalates in my diet, and I also try to avoid NSAIDs because of their side effects (cardiac events, ulcers, kidney problems). Remedies like cherry juice, cider vinegar, lemon juice, excess hydration or avoiding meats, beer and wine have not been very helpful. I do not want to take allopurinol or colchicine. But I started taking turmeric capsules, and after five days, my foot is much better. A: Gout is due to uric acid crystals depositing in joints. A study in mice demonstrated that turmeric nanoparticles lowered uric acid levels (Medicina, Jan. 11, 2019). A study in humans, however, failed to show similar benefit (Journal of Dietary Supplements, May-June 2021). The active ingredient, curcumin, does have anti-inflammatory activity. That may explain the benefit you have experienced. Contact the Graedons at peoplespharmacy.com. | A paste of meat tenderizer and water can ease the pain of a bee sting. A probiotic is recommended to help counteract antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Turmeric can help with gout, according to a doctor who has gout himself. The FDA has approved turmeric for use in children. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/health/article/Will-meat-tenderizer-ease-pain-from-bee-stings-16188238.php | 0.712048 |
Could Private Student Loans Be Forgiven Under Biden? | TOPSHOT - US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the COVID-19 response and the vaccination in ... [+] the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC on May 17, 2021. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images President Biden has directed attorneys at the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice to conduct a legal review of his options to cancel student debt. That legal review is ongoing, and it is unclear what the conclusions will be, although we may know soon. Biden has consistently expressed support for cancelling student debt, but he has opposed calls for upwards of $50,000 or more in student loan forgiveness, an amount pushed by progressive Democrats and a broad coalition of advocacy groups, labor unions, and civil rights organizations. He has indicated that he would support $10,000 in student loan forgiveness, and he has also argued that any student debt cancellation should be targeted to lower income borrowers. Heres what we know. Private Student Loans Private student loans are originated by commercial lenders such as banks, schools, state-related or nonprofit lending authorities, and other private entities. These types of student loans often have higher interest rates than federal loans and fewer repayment options. They may also require a cosigner. Private student loans differ from an older federal student loan program called the Family Federal Education Loan (FFEL) program, whereby a private lender originated a type of federal loan that was backed or guaranteed by the government. Those types of loans could be eligible for certain federal student loan repayment and forgiveness programs, and can also be consolidated into a government-owned student loan through the federal Direct consolidation program. But purely private student loans cannot access any federal loan programs, and cannot be consolidated into a federal Direct loan. Biden Cancelling Student Loan Debt Through Executive Action While Biden has expressed general support for cancelling student loan debt, he has expressed serious doubts that he would have authority to enact any sort of mass student loan forgiveness through executive action. Several leading student loan legal advocacy groups, as well as their allies in Congress (such as Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren), have argued that the Higher Education Act the sweeping statute that governs much of the federal student aid system gives the president very broad powers to compromise, waive, or release a borrowers student debt obligations. Borrower advocates have also pointed to the HEROES Act, which Biden (and President Trump, before him) used to suspend payments and interest on government-held federal student loans in response to the Covid-19 emergency, effectively cancelling billions of dollars in student loan interest in the process. But other experts disagree. Attorneys at the Department of Education under former Secretary Betsy DeVos concluded that neither the Higher Education Act nor the HEROES Act gives the president the kind of power that advocates of student loan cancellation say exists. In a legal opinion memo, Department attorneys argued that mass student loan forgiveness would be contrary to what Congress intended when it drafted and enacted these statutes. The attorneys concluded that, Congress appropriated funds for student loans with the expectation that such loans would be repaid absent extraordinary and specific circumstances. Even if the current legal review being conducted by the Biden administration concludes that mass student loan forgiveness is achievable using executive action, any relief would almost certainly be limited to federal student loans only. The Higher Education Act and the HEROES Act only govern the federal student aid system. Private student loans are governed largely by individual loan contracts and promissory notes between the borrower and lender, with a mix of state and federal regulation. Biden Could Sign a Bill Passed by Congress to Cancel Private Student Loans The Biden administration has repeatedly stated that the President would gladly sign a student debt cancellation bill passed by Congress. And there have been several recent proposals that could benefit private student loan borrowers: Last year, the House passed a bill that would provide for $10,000 in private student loan forgiveness for borrowers experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic. Also last year, an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act would have provided up to $10,000 in financial assistance to borrowers to help them pay down their private student loans. In February, Senate Democrats unveiled the Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2021. This bill would make several reforms to the U.S. bankruptcy code, and would make it much easier for student loan borrowers (including those with private student loans) to discharge their federal and private student debt in bankruptcy something that is currently very difficult to do because of the bankruptcy codes harsh treatment of student loan debt. Earlier this month, the House passed the Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act, which would allow private student loan borrowers and their cosigners to discharge their loans if they become totally and permanently disabled. While these bills are promising, they face long odds in the Senate, where Democrats hold only a bare majority, and most legislation requires buy-in from Republicans to overcome a filibuster. In addition, Congresss attention is currently on other matters including infrastructure legislation, police reform, and voting rights. Ultimately, significant private student loan reform and cancellation is possible, but its a long shot, and Biden has limited powers to address private student loans unilaterally using executive authority. It would probably take Congressional legislation that passes both the House and the Senate for there to be sweeping private student loan forgiveness. Whether that will happen remains to be seen. College Cancels Student Loan Debt Using Money From Bidens Stimulus Bill If Youve Been Paying Your Student Loans, You May Be Entitled To A Refund | President Biden has directed attorneys at the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice to conduct a legal review of his options to cancel student debt. Biden has consistently expressed support for cancelling student debt, but he has opposed calls for upwards of $50,000 or more in student loan forgiveness. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2021/05/19/could-private-student-loans-be-forgiven-under-biden/ | 0.1859 |
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