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Does Zach Plesacs latest start show the Cleveland Indians are getting closer to a no-hitter? | Register for Indians Subtext to hear your Tribe questions answered exclusively on the show. Send a text to 216-208-4346 to subscribe for $3.99/mo. CLEVELAND, Ohio Zach Plesac nearly ended 40 years of frustration on Thursday when he came within six outs of the first Indians no-hitter since Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. On Fridays Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at the reasons why its been so long between no-nos for the Indians and which pitcher on the current roster they expect to throw the next one. Click here. We have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe to it here. You can also subscribe on Google Play and listen on Spotify. Search Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast or download the audio here. - New Indians face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity. Podcast Indians still working through details of increased attendance Why its a big deal that Indians witness debut of two Seattle prospects Rosario getting comfortable in center, heating up at plate Indians-Mariners series preview, pitching matchups Amed Rosarios walk-off single beats Cubs, 2-1 Bieber searching for his slider, but hes still dominating Hernandez, the reluctant leadoff hitter, shows Indians the way | Zach Plesac came within six outs of the first Indians no-hitter since Len Barkers perfect game in 1981. Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at the reasons why its been so long between no-nos for the Indians. They also look at which pitcher on the current roster they expect to throw the next one. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/05/does-zach-plesacs-latest-start-show-the-cleveland-indians-are-getting-closer-to-a-no-hitter.html | 0.422998 |
Which states are still requiring masks after the CDC's updated guidance? | At least five states said they would not change their current mask rules. At least five states and a string of local leaders are holding off on changing their mask mandates following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new guidance that allows fully vaccinated Americans to go without masks indoors or outdoors. At least eight Democrat-led states -- Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington state -- said they would change their rules to follow the agency's new guidance, hours after it was announced. However, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and North Carolina announced that for now, they plan to keep their mask mandates in place. Over a dozen other states and jurisdictions have yet to announce their plans. Local leaders in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, California, Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, D.C., which are all led by Democrats, said Thursday they'd take the new CDC guidance under advisement before adopting. Whether states that choose to follow CDC guidelines will keep their mask mandates in place for unvaccinated individuals, remains unclear. "If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a White House briefing Thursday. The CDC said locals must continue to abide by existing state and local regulations and business rules. The new guidance comes on the heels of the CDCs approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds on Wednesday. Currently, 24 state governments, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, require people to wear face coverings in public settings. The pandemic saw local leaders impose restrictions upon their constituents, with many of the most stringent lockdowns ordered by Democratic leaders. At a city level, mayors in Washington, D.C., and New York City are reviewing the guidance before announcing any official changes. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday the city will review the new rules as masks will still be important for schools, public transportation, doctors' offices and more." Similarly, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said "L.A. County and the state will review the recommendations in order to make sensible adjustments." Gov. Gavin Newsom said this week the state would drop outdoor mask mandates on June 15, when the state intends to fully reopen. In Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee didnt wear a mask for his news conference Thursday saying the state was immediately adopting the new federal guidance on mask wearing. This is a really good reason to get vaccinated. That shot is a ticket to freedom from masks," Inslee said. North Carolina Gov. Roy Coopers office released a statement Thursday saying the indoor mask mandate will be in effect as state officials review the CDC recommendations. So far, 45.5% of North Carolina adults are fully vaccinated. States that havent announced a new guidance yet include California, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, D.C. and Puerto Rico as of Friday morning. The new recommendation, which carves out exceptions for buses, planes, trains, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, will have significant implications for schools and businesses as the country begins to reopen. Even on Capitol Hill, lawmakers must abide by the mask guidance until all House staffers are vaccinated, according to a memo by the office of the attending physician obtained by ABC News. Some critics wonder if the decision comes too hastily as variants still threaten the spread of COVID-19 and several regions of the country still grapple with vaccine hesitancy. So far, 35.8% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, or more than 118 million people. That number is projected to surge now that children are eligible for the vaccine. | At least five states said they would not change their current mask rules. Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and North Carolina announced that for now, they will keep their mask mandates in place. | bart | 1 | https://abcnews.go.com/Health/states-requiring-masks-cdcs-updated-guidance/story?id=77688271 | 0.226007 |
Can we tell if the vaccines are working in Minnesota? | After a year of fear, tragedy, waiting (and more waiting), and a furious all-out vaccination campaign, we're all wondering if we'll ever be past our COVID-centric existence. Short answer: Yes! Longer answer: It's exceptionally complicated. The basic problem is there's no way to know who would have contracted COVID-19, but didn't, because they have been vaccinated. So if we can't look at individuals, the other option is to look for any declines in COVID spread or case rates that are likely explained by expanding vaccinations. It's easier said than done, because even if scientists fully understood precisely how easily and in what circumstances COVID spreads which they don't there are so many variables that affect how likely someone is to be exposed to the virus, and how sick (or not) they might get. Another issue is the data we have is far from perfect. None of it existed just over a year ago, and the systems for collecting and distributing it are still developing and inconsistent. And there's a lot of data that governments and health care providers have that they haven't released. But even beyond those issues, epidemiologists are cautious about over-interpreting what data we do have, with good reason. That's especially true with COVID, which we don't fully understand, not to mention the heightened level of distrust many people feel toward experts prescribing preventative measures like masks and brand new vaccines. Let's start with the data points most experts do agree on. Data point 1: Cases among Minnesotans in long-term care have steadily declined, and stayed down The initial focus in most states' vaccine rollout was to first rapidly inoculate health care workers and people living in long-term care facilities. There's only very limited publicly available data on cases among health care workers in Minnesota, but there is data on cases in long-term care facilities. If enough people in long-term care have been vaccinated, we'd expect to see case rates falling. And that's what the data show. Since early March, Minnesota has reported fewer than 100 cases among long-term care residents per week, the lowest numbers seen since late July 2020. And long-term care facilities didn't see a spike in cases in April, while most areas of the state were fighting a new wave of infections. (The blip on the week of March 7 is due to a big dump of older, previously unconfirmed cases due to problems with four labs.) Cases in long-term care facilities were the first signal Residents of long-term care facilities were among the first priorities for vaccination in Minnesota. Even through the state's April case spike, long-term care cases stayed low. *Date is the day MDH releases weekly figures. Source: Minnesota Department of Health By C.J. Sinner, Star Tribune Data point 2: Elderly Minnesotans are accounting for a smaller and smaller share of the state's COVID cases Minnesota's second target for early vaccination was people over the age of 65 and essential workers. Again, we don't have good data for cases among essential workers, but we do have data on cases by age group. This is a little tricky. While seniors and people with underlying health conditions have been at the highest risk of dying from COVID, they've never made up a huge percentage of the state's overall cases. Younger people have always made up the bulk of cases they're just less likely, in general, to be hospitalized or die. So the best way to look for changes in age groups is to focus on cases in that group as a percentage of total cases. And there's a clear trend. Since January, cases among seniors age 70 and older have made up a smaller percentage of the state's weekly cases than their share of the population. Cases among oldest dropped as vaccine became available Officials targeted the oldest Minnesotans for vaccinations first, particularly those in long-term care facilities. And as vaccinations have increased in each descending age group, cases have fallen as well. Minnesotans under 40 have only recently been eligible to get vaccinated in large numbers. *Date is the day MDH releases weekly figures. Source: Minnesota Department of Health By C.J. Sinner, Star Tribune The trend has been especially durable among Minnesotans over 80, who haven't made up more than 1% of the state's weekly cases since February. Data point 3: Very few people who have been hospitalized this year have also been vaccinated So far, the vaccines seem to be living up to the hype of keeping people from getting seriously ill, according to data collected by HealthPartners. Dr. Mark Sannes, a leader of the health care network's COVID-19 response, said that as of late April, HealthPartners had just over 1,200 hospitalizations for COVID since the start of the year at the network's eight hospitals, and they document every patient's vaccination status. "Ten people were fully vaccinated out of those 1,200," Sannes said. "We simply have not had very many people hospitalized that have had their full vaccination." Hospitalizations among older people mirror the decline in case rates among those groups, Sannes said. "We have seen the number of folks in that older population in the hospital decline significantly really since the onset of vaccination," he said. "Not only in the age of the individuals that are coming in, where we're seeing 55 year olds now instead of 65 year olds on average, but deaths have dropped off so much during this four-month period." With any vaccine, some percentage of people who receive it will still contract the disease. That can happen because a person was exposed to the disease before the vaccine had time to fully take effect, but also in rarer "breakthrough cases," the virus finds a way to gain traction despite the vaccine. While many people may find this scary, it's something experts expect. The COVID vaccines available in the United States actually have a remarkably high estimated effectiveness compared to other more familiar vaccines flu vaccines are sometimes as low as 50 to 60 percent effective, for example. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are thought to be about 90 percent effective in the real world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There's less real-world data on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, but in clinical trials was found to be 66 percent effective. Data point 4: Counties with higher vaccination rates have lower case rates, on average, than counties with lower vaccination rates OK, now it gets a little controversial. All the experts we interviewed agree that the declines in cases in long-term care and among older people in general are likely signs that the vaccines are working. But when you start talking about data at the county level, there's not a clear consensus. Let's start with what we do know. Since the beginning of vaccinations, some Minnesota counties have been significantly faster or slower than others. Cook County has long been the vaccination champion, with nearly 70 percent of all residents with at least one dose. Meanwhile, Benton County has not yet reached 30 percent, with most other counties between 38 and 45 percent. That means no county, except maybe the overachievers in Cook County, is close to the threshold of herd immunity. That's why most counties, except for some of the state's least populous, haven't seen their case rates plunge to near zero there are still plenty of people around to get infected. Still, even short of herd immunity, there does appear to be a difference in case rates between counties that are higher and lower on the vaccination scale. This was especially apparent during Minnesota's April surge. While case rates went up nearly everywhere, they went up more in counties with lower vaccination rates. This became most apparent in mid-April, right about the time vaccines started becoming more widely available. New cases vs. vaccination rates: A pattern emerged in April Earlier in the pandemic there wasn't much of a visible relationship between a county's case rate and vaccination rate. But since mid-April, more vaccinations has generally meant a lower case rate. The difference was especially pronounced during the state's April case spike. Hit play to show timelapse, or drag the circle along the timeline for specific dates. Source: Minnesota Department of Health By C.J. Sinner, Star Tribune And this is where epidemiologists get really itchy. We can say that counties with higher vaccination rates, on average, have had lower case rates since mid April, and vice versa. We can say that relationship is "statistically significant" by running a linear regression analysis on the data, using the percent of the population that had completed vaccination 14 days prior, in order to give immunity time to kick in. "The big picture is that on average more vaccination equals lower rates, that's really clear," said Ryan Demmer, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota. "It's basically looking the way you would expect, with at least some kind of noise that you would always expect as well." That "noise" that Demmer is referring to is that there are a lot of reasons that case rates might vary between counties that have nothing to do with vaccination, such as localized short-term outbreaks, different variants affecting some counties more than others, differences in age and racial demographics and higher shares of workers in vulnerable industries. And then there are the potential problems that can arise when comparing two variables that might be connected to each other for reasons other than the things you want to measure. For example, people who were eager to get vaccinated were likely also trying their hardest to observe preventative measures like masking and social distancing. And people working in lower-income jobs that exposed them to more COVID risk may also have had more difficulty in accessing vaccines if it meant taking time off work and driving a long way away. Epidemiologists at the Minnesota Health Department said they don't think looking at the data by county is appropriate, and that there are too many complicating factors to make any judgements using a regression analysis. "What you found might be true, but we don't feel it's a conclusion you can draw from the methods that you're using," said Kristin Sweet, an epidemiologist and COVID-19 data lead for the health department. "Given the challenges we've had in predicting how disease moves through populations, I would say that right now we don't feel confident in saying there is a relationship over different geographic areas." Demmer said he agrees with the health department that a regression analysis isn't an ideal tool to look at COVID, but that there aren't well agreed upon alternative methods, either. "Overall, your goal here is less scientific and more descriptive and informative, which is why I don't see a major problem with showing some descriptive patterns," Demmer said. Maria Sundaram, a University of Minnesota-trained epidemiologist, said that there are almost always complicating factors in epidemiological analysis, so it's important to be transparent about what assumptions are being made and what can't be accounted for. "And if our assumptions are wrong, here's how it would change our results," Sundaram said. "Every epidemiological study has limitations." And there are plenty of caveats and limitations. First, for example, the relationship between cases and vaccination is stronger in more populous counties than in smaller ones. Trend is most apparent in large counties The trend is more clear in Minnesota counties with larger populations, particularly those in the metro or with larger cities, like St. Louis, Olmsted and Stearns counties, home to Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud, respectively. Counties with smaller populations have more volatile case rates, and many have large remote areas with fewer people in close contact. Counties with populations below median May 13 Counties with populations at or above median May 13 Source: Minnesota Department of Health By C.J. Sinner, Star Tribune That could mean that the urban counties have a larger number of data points and therefore we can trust their results more than numbers from counties with fewer data points to rely on. Or it could mean that people in urban and rural counties act completely differently. For example they might be better at social distancing and mask-wearing, or limits on gatherings are more strictly enforced there. Or it could mean that a particular outbreak or a particular variant has led to more infections in a cluster of rural counties, which is skewing the data. In any of those cases, the trend wouldn't have anything to do with vaccination. "We have to use all our critical capacities because the world is so messy," said Jessie Shmool, another health department epidemiologist who doesn't think the regression is the right way to analyze regional variations. Just because we expect it to be true doesn't mean it's true." Even counties doing relatively well at vaccination have seen short-term outbreaks that shoot their case rate through the roof. Those have generally been smaller counties, but Itasca County, which has 45,000 residents, has had several weeks of elevated rates despite a better-than-average completed vaccination rate of nearly 40 percent. Demmer said it's not surprising that some counties with middle-of-the-pack vaccination rates are still occasionally seeing higher case rates because half the population still isn't vaccinated. He also noted that the data has implications for counties lagging behind, but also for the rest of the state. "If you have low vaccination rates in your county, your county is likely going to continue to experience higher infection rates and the outcomes associated with it," Demmer said. "And the other issue is that to some degree we're all in this together. So the infection isn't really going to be confined to counties." | There's no way to know who would have contracted COVID-19, but didn't. The initial focus in most states' vaccine rollout was to first rapidly inoculate health care workers. Since early March, Minnesota has reported fewer than 100 cases among long-term care residents per week. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.startribune.com/can-we-tell-if-the-vaccines-are-working-in-minnesota/600053046/ | 0.261715 |
How did Gophers sprinter Amira Young break the team's 46-year-old 200-meter record? | Within the first two steps of her 200-meter dash at the M City Classic on April 30, Amira Young knew this could be the race she'd been looking for. Her arms opened up as she exploded out of the starting blocks, taking the lead from Lane 5 as she entered the final 100 meters and drew on the work she'd done with Gophers track and field director Matt Bingle to find another gear. The junior crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of a field of five, and glanced over at the clock to see if the times had proven her hunch correct. "After I saw the time, I'm like, 'Whoa,'" she recalled. The realization she'd toppled the longest-standing record in program history came later. Young's time of 23.21 seconds smashed the 23.44-second mark Jane Oas set in 1975, giving her the only program record that had yet to be set in this century. That she broke it was something of a fait accompli; she'd run 23.16 indoors, placed fourth in the Big Ten as a freshman before COVID-19 shut down her sophomore outdoor season. She'll have opportunities to break it again with warmer weather and strong competition, possibly as soon as this weekend during the Big Ten outdoor championships in Champaign, Ill. It also was a footnote for a woman whose pursuit of perfection and love of process drives her more than the digits on a clock. Young came to Minnesota with a clear idea of what she wanted to do on and off the track, planning to sprint at as high a level as she could and pursue a physician's assistant degree after that. She is a third-generation sprinter whose grandmother Maddie Young ran in high school and college and father Maurice Young competed at Illinois; Amira Young didn't take to the sport as a child, before two years dancing ballet and pointe at Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center gave her the discipline she needed for the track. She often begins her days meditating, before an early-morning weight-lifting session, a demanding class schedule and track practices. Her focus comes from a family with which Bingle connected almost immediately during the recruiting process. Now, they know his wife and kids, and he knows her younger brother. He and Young can speak directly to one another; she cuts through grueling practices smiling as she makes up a game on the track. "Within a couple phone calls, you could tell she has a vision of who she wants to be, where she wants to go," Bingle said. "That made it easy for us on our end to say, 'We want this young lady to be a part of our program.'" Young earned all-city, all-section and all-state honors for four years at Chicago's Whitney Young High School, and broke Tahesia Harrigan's 17-year-old 100-meter dash record during her freshman year at the U. The 200, though, was initially her weaker event, as she worked to acquire the speed endurance she'd need for the latter stages of the race. An exposure to collegiate training made the difference. So did the occasional 1,600-meter relay. "It's not something I like and Coach Bingle knows that," Young said with a laugh. "But I understand it helps with speed endurance. "It's just interesting, the transition. I'm still a good 100 runner, for sure, but I feel like I'm better in the [200] lately." After she broke Oas' 46-year-old record, Young exchanged a quick high-five with Bingle, and the two quickly shifted to a review of her race. Her 200 time is the second-fastest in the Big Ten behind Purdue freshman Alyssa Robinson, and the NCAA West Regional qualifier looms 10 days beyond the conference meet. She will be integral to the Gophers' chances of following their conference indoor title with an outdoor championship, and she'll search for faster races in the weeks to come, when training peaks combine with higher stakes. Any records she breaks as a result are just part of what Young has committed to so steadfastly: the process. "I think it just comes from how I was raised, with my parents, my grandparents," she said. "We always like to have a plan for something, to have goals on how to get there." | Amira Young broke the University of Minnesota's 200-meter dash record in April. Her time of 23.21 seconds smashed the 23.44-second mark Jane Oas set in 1975. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.startribune.com/how-did-gophers-sprinter-amira-young-break-the-teams-46-year-old-200-meter-record/600057136/ | 0.110061 |
How did Gophers sprinter Amira Young break the team's 46-year-old 200-meter record? | Within the first two steps of her 200-meter dash at the M City Classic on April 30, Amira Young knew this could be the race she'd been looking for. Her arms opened up as she exploded out of the starting blocks, taking the lead from Lane 5 as she entered the final 100 meters and drew on the work she'd done with Gophers track and field director Matt Bingle to find another gear. The junior crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of a field of five, and glanced over at the clock to see if the times had proven her hunch correct. "After I saw the time, I'm like, 'Whoa,'" she recalled. The realization she'd toppled the longest-standing record in program history came later. Young's time of 23.21 seconds smashed the 23.44-second mark Jane Oas set in 1975, giving her the only program record that had yet to be set in this century. That she broke it was something of a fait accompli; she'd run 23.16 indoors, placed fourth in the Big Ten as a freshman before COVID-19 shut down her sophomore outdoor season. She'll have opportunities to break it again with warmer weather and strong competition, possibly as soon as this weekend during the Big Ten outdoor championships in Champaign, Ill. It also was a footnote for a woman whose pursuit of perfection and love of process drives her more than the digits on a clock. Young came to Minnesota with a clear idea of what she wanted to do on and off the track, planning to sprint at as high a level as she could and pursue a physician's assistant degree after that. She is a third-generation sprinter whose grandmother Maddie Young ran in high school and college and father Maurice Young competed at Illinois; Amira Young didn't take to the sport as a child, before two years dancing ballet and pointe at Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center gave her the discipline she needed for the track. She often begins her days meditating, before an early-morning weight-lifting session, a demanding class schedule and track practices. Her focus comes from a family with which Bingle connected almost immediately during the recruiting process. Now, they know his wife and kids, and he knows her younger brother. He and Young can speak directly to one another; she cuts through grueling practices smiling as she makes up a game on the track. "Within a couple phone calls, you could tell she has a vision of who she wants to be, where she wants to go," Bingle said. "That made it easy for us on our end to say, 'We want this young lady to be a part of our program.'" Young earned all-city, all-section and all-state honors for four years at Chicago's Whitney Young High School, and broke Tahesia Harrigan's 17-year-old 100-meter dash record during her freshman year at the U. The 200, though, was initially her weaker event, as she worked to acquire the speed endurance she'd need for the latter stages of the race. An exposure to collegiate training made the difference. So did the occasional 1,600-meter relay. "It's not something I like and Coach Bingle knows that," Young said with a laugh. "But I understand it helps with speed endurance. "It's just interesting, the transition. I'm still a good 100 runner, for sure, but I feel like I'm better in the [200] lately." After she broke Oas' 46-year-old record, Young exchanged a quick high-five with Bingle, and the two quickly shifted to a review of her race. Her 200 time is the second-fastest in the Big Ten behind Purdue freshman Alyssa Robinson, and the NCAA West Regional qualifier looms 10 days beyond the conference meet. She will be integral to the Gophers' chances of following their conference indoor title with an outdoor championship, and she'll search for faster races in the weeks to come, when training peaks combine with higher stakes. Any records she breaks as a result are just part of what Young has committed to so steadfastly: the process. "I think it just comes from how I was raised, with my parents, my grandparents," she said. "We always like to have a plan for something, to have goals on how to get there." | Amira Young broke a 46-year-old record in the 200-meter dash at the M City Classic. Her time of 23.21 seconds smashed the 23.44-second mark Jane Oas set in 1975. Her 200 time is the second-fastest in the Big Ten behind Purdue freshman Alyssa Robinson. | bart | 2 | https://www.startribune.com/how-did-gophers-sprinter-amira-young-break-the-teams-46-year-old-200-meter-record/600057136/ | 0.144356 |
How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament Work? | At the end of the 2020-21 NBA regular season, but prior to the first round of the postseason, the NBA will be conducting a play-in tournament. The tournament will be used to determine the final two playoff spots. The tournament, which features four teams in each conference, was implemented to minimize tanking during the final weeks of the regular season. As Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck recently noted, 24 teams were still competing with about a dozen games left on the schedule. "That isnt just dramatic by recent NBA standards. Its downright revolutionary," Beck wrote. Twenty-four is the highest weve ever had, in the history of the league, with a month left, Evan Wasch, the NBAs executive vice president of basketball strategy and analytics, told SI. The play-in tournament will begin Tuesday, May 18 and conclude Friday, May 21. The team with the seventh-highest winning percentage in each conference will host one game against the team with the eighth-highest winning percentage, with the winner in each conference earning the No. 7 seed. In another game, the team with the ninth-highest winning percentage in each conference will host the team with the tenth-highest winning percentage. While the loser of that game will be eliminated from postseason contention, the winner of the No. 9 vs. 10 game will play the loser of the No. 7 vs. 8 game. The winner of that last gamebetween the 7/8 loser and the 9/10 winnerin each conference will earn the No. 8 seed. As of Friday evening, three teams in the Eastern Conferencethe Celtics, Hornets and Pacersare locked into the play-in tournament field. The Wizards are also currently in the play-in tournament field, but could drop out if they lose their remaining two games and the Bulls win their remaining two games. Seeding among the three teams in the field, however, will likely change in the final days of the regular season. In the Western Conference, three teamsthe Warriors, Grizzlies and Spursare locked into the play-in tournament field. The Warriors and Grizzlies will play on Sunday to determine who will be the No. 8 seed and who will be the No. 9 seed. San Antonio is locked into the No. 10 spot. The Lakers are also currently in the play-in tournament draw. If they win both of their remaining two games and the Blazers lose their regular-season finale to the Nuggets, Los Angeles will be the No. 6 seed in the West, while Portland will drop to No. 7 and into the play-in tournament. If Los Angeles loses one of its final two games or if Portland defeats Denver, the Lakers will enter the play-in tournament as the No. 7 seed. Following a Lakers loss in early May to the Raptors, LeBron James criticized the league's new play-in tournament format. "Whoever came up with that s--- needs to be fired," James said. The loss dropped the Lakers into a three-way tie with the Mavericks and Blazers for the No. 6 seed. It marked the team's sixth loss in seven games. James was not alone in voicing his recent criticism over the new format. In mid-April, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban called the addition of the play-in tournament an "enormous mistake." At the time of Cuban's comments Dallas was in the play-in tournament field. The NBA board of governors, which includes Cuban, had unanimously approved the implementation of the play-in tournament this offseason. James himself has also expressed varying sentiments about a possible format change. Ahead of the NBA bubble last summer, James floated the idea of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference being decided through a short series. Previously in 2018, though, James called the idea "wack." The NBA postseason officially gets underway on May 22. More NBA Coverage: | The NBA will conduct a play-in tournament at the end of the 2020-21 regular season. The tournament will be used to determine the final two playoff spots in each conference. Three teams in the Eastern Conference are currently locked into the field. | bart | 1 | https://www.si.com/nba/2021/05/14/play-in-tournament-format-dates-explained | 0.25562 |
How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament Work? | At the end of the 2020-21 NBA regular season, but prior to the first round of the postseason, the NBA will be conducting a play-in tournament. The tournament will be used to determine the final two playoff spots. The tournament, which features four teams in each conference, was implemented to minimize tanking during the final weeks of the regular season. As Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck recently noted, 24 teams were still competing with about a dozen games left on the schedule. "That isnt just dramatic by recent NBA standards. Its downright revolutionary," Beck wrote. Twenty-four is the highest weve ever had, in the history of the league, with a month left, Evan Wasch, the NBAs executive vice president of basketball strategy and analytics, told SI. The play-in tournament will begin Tuesday, May 18 and conclude Friday, May 21. The team with the seventh-highest winning percentage in each conference will host one game against the team with the eighth-highest winning percentage, with the winner in each conference earning the No. 7 seed. In another game, the team with the ninth-highest winning percentage in each conference will host the team with the tenth-highest winning percentage. While the loser of that game will be eliminated from postseason contention, the winner of the No. 9 vs. 10 game will play the loser of the No. 7 vs. 8 game. The winner of that last gamebetween the 7/8 loser and the 9/10 winnerin each conference will earn the No. 8 seed. As of Friday evening, three teams in the Eastern Conferencethe Celtics, Hornets and Pacersare locked into the play-in tournament field. The Wizards are also currently in the play-in tournament field, but could drop out if they lose their remaining two games and the Bulls win their remaining two games. Seeding among the three teams in the field, however, will likely change in the final days of the regular season. In the Western Conference, three teamsthe Warriors, Grizzlies and Spursare locked into the play-in tournament field. The Warriors and Grizzlies will play on Sunday to determine who will be the No. 8 seed and who will be the No. 9 seed. San Antonio is locked into the No. 10 spot. The Lakers are also currently in the play-in tournament draw. If they win both of their remaining two games and the Blazers lose their regular-season finale to the Nuggets, Los Angeles will be the No. 6 seed in the West, while Portland will drop to No. 7 and into the play-in tournament. If Los Angeles loses one of its final two games or if Portland defeats Denver, the Lakers will enter the play-in tournament as the No. 7 seed. Following a Lakers loss in early May to the Raptors, LeBron James criticized the league's new play-in tournament format. "Whoever came up with that s--- needs to be fired," James said. The loss dropped the Lakers into a three-way tie with the Mavericks and Blazers for the No. 6 seed. It marked the team's sixth loss in seven games. James was not alone in voicing his recent criticism over the new format. In mid-April, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban called the addition of the play-in tournament an "enormous mistake." At the time of Cuban's comments Dallas was in the play-in tournament field. The NBA board of governors, which includes Cuban, had unanimously approved the implementation of the play-in tournament this offseason. James himself has also expressed varying sentiments about a possible format change. Ahead of the NBA bubble last summer, James floated the idea of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference being decided through a short series. Previously in 2018, though, James called the idea "wack." The NBA postseason officially gets underway on May 22. More NBA Coverage: | The NBA will conduct a play-in tournament at the end of the 2020-21 regular season. The tournament will be used to determine the final two playoff spots in each conference. Three teams in the Eastern Conference are currently locked into the field. In the Western Conference, the Warriors, Grizzlies and Spurs are all in the tournament field. | bart | 2 | https://www.si.com/nba/2021/05/14/play-in-tournament-format-dates-explained | 0.319615 |
How concerned should we be about the Los Angeles Dodgers? | L.A. enters Friday third in the NL West, having lost 15 of its last 22 games. The Dodgers were widely considered the best team in baseball when the season began. After all, they won the World Series after a thoroughly dominant 2020 campaign and this winter added the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner. Then, they jumped out to a 132 record to start the season, confirming the hype was for real. That is, until they slipped. Injuries mounted and some key players underperformed. Los Angeles is 715 since its 13th win. Sports Illustrateds MLB experts weigh in. Tom Verducci Welcome to the year after winning the World Series. Nineteen consecutive teams could not defend their title, the longest streak since the Fall Classic began. But dont worry about the Dodgers until we get to October. This team is relentless on offence because it does not chase. It forces pitchers into the strike zone and then pounces. To beat Los Angeles, you better have pitchers with elite stuff who can get misses in the strike zone, which is why the Darvish-Snell-Musgrove trio in San Diego (.231 average in zone) and the Woodruff-Burnes-Peralta (.172) trio in Milwaukee are so formidable. The one area the Dodgers should be concerned about in the near term is their bullpen. Injuries (Corey Knebel, David Price, Brustar Graterol) have turned this into an ordinary group that doesnt have the same efficiency and power of their bullpen last year. The Dodgers entered play Thursday with a bullpen strikeout-to-walk rate that was the third worst in baseball (1.86). Last year it was second best (3.44). Kenley Jansen is featuring a very good cutter/sinker combination, but his 14 walks in 14 games are alarming, especially for a guy who doesnt hold runners well. Stephanie Apstein Im not terribly concerned. This is still the most talented team in baseball. The Dodgers struggles have been caused more by injuries than by ineffectiveness, and the cavalry will return at some point. The bigger issue is how well the Giants have played and how good the Padres are. San Francisco probably isnt a real threat to win the division, but San Diego is, and Los Angeles cant un-lose these games. It could be a tighter September than the Dodgers expected. Still, they are going to make the playoffs, and once they get there, theyre better equipped than anyone else to succeed. Emma Baccellieri Im not terribly concerned. Yes, its been a brutal three weeks, but theyve played better than their record indicates they still have the best run differential in the National League! (Even if you concern yourself only with the meat of their losing stretch, dropping 15 of 22, theyve been outscored by just one run; thats not ideal, obviously, but its not proof of a team going completely off the rails, either.) While its awful to lose a pitcher like Dustin May, most of their other current injuries either have good outlooks for the short term or are to less crucial members of the roster. (And they have more than enough depth to go forward, anyway.) The bullpen hasnt looked great, but its not broken, and theres not an overarching structural or managerial issue in there that strikes me as particularly worrying. The Dodgers are still a very (very!) good team. Theyre just suffering through one bad stretch. Will Laws The Dodgers have been unlucky so far, with a 16 record in extra innings and a league-high 10 losses in one-run games (only the Marlins have even eight one-run losses, and 21 teams have five or fewer). They still have the NLs best run differential (+40) and a MLB-high 96 per cent chance to make the playoffs, per FanGraphs, with the leagues second-highest World Series odds (16.8 per cent), behind only the Yankees. They are certainly still very good. But as the defending champions with baseballs highest payroll, this is a World Series or bust team. And in that context, Im quite concerned they wont meet those expectations. Los Angeles finally seems to be scraping the bottom of its organizational depth on offence, with the latest reinforcements not consistently cutting it. Theyre now behind the Mets and White Sox among the list of divisional favourites, with a 62.7 per cent chance to win the NL West. The Padres already have shown this season they have what it takes to match them at their best, and the emergence of the Giants further muddles the odds of L.A.s being able to skip the wild-card game. The Dodgers still have the top-to-bottom talent to be the favourites in any given series, but anything can happen in a winner-take-all game especially considering the NLs imposing group of potential wild-card starters. Matt Martell Your level of concern should depend on your pre-season expectations for the Dodgers. If you expected them to win the World Series, then you better be worried. Sure, they added Trevor Bauer to their already elite rotation and most of their championship roster was returning, but its incredibly hard for World Series winners to defend their title. Just look at how thats gone for teams over the last two decades. Speaking of how defending champs have fared the last 20 years, only five of them have even won the division in their title-defense season. Theres a lot of pressure to repeat, and the other teams within the division usually improve to try to contend the following year (Hello, Padres). All this said, I am concerned not because I picked them to win the World Series this year (I didnt), but because of what their performance this year means for them beyond it. As Will said above, their organizational depth on offence is finally thinning. The Bauer contract will handcuff how much they can spend in the off-season, when Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw are free agents. Cody Bellinger stands to earn raises through arbitration entering the next two years before he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season. They will have some difficult decisions to make these next few years, regardless of where they finish this season. What were seeing now could be the beginning of the end for baseballs most dominant organization over the last 10 years and thats concerning. Nick Selbe Not too concerned. For all the doom and gloom in Dodgerland, this is still a team that has the highest run differential in the National League and ranks among the top five in hitting and pitching WAR. Injuries have played a critical role in the teams early-season struggles, with Bellingers absence and Mays season-ending surgery having the biggest impact. The four starting pitchers who have been able to stay healthy Kershaw, Bauer, Walker Buehler and Julio Uras have all been excellent, and they project to be particularly lethal for opposing hitters to deal with in a playoff series. This team was projected for big things in 2021 for a reason, and their depth of talent rivals any other in the league. Expect the panicked cries from Chavez Ravine to die down by the All-Star break. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Michael Shapiro Its probably pretty foolish to be concerned about the Dodgers unless these struggles continue through June. Los Angeles is just three games back in the NL West entering Friday, and Bellinger should return to the lineup by the end of the month. This is still a dominant rotation even with May out. Mookie Betts should regain his All-Star form sooner than later. Perhaps the Padres knock off the Dodgers in October, but that was already a possibility before Los Angeless early-season struggles. They remain the favourite to win the National League, even if our pre-season expectations were a bit out of control. | Sports Illustrated's MLB experts weigh in on the Los Angeles Dodgers' struggles. The Dodgers have lost 15 of their last 22 games and are currently third in the NL West. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.thestar.com/sports/si/2021/05/14/how-concerned-should-we-be-about-the-los-angeles-dodgers.html | 0.106399 |
How concerned should we be about the Los Angeles Dodgers? | L.A. enters Friday third in the NL West, having lost 15 of its last 22 games. The Dodgers were widely considered the best team in baseball when the season began. After all, they won the World Series after a thoroughly dominant 2020 campaign and this winter added the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner. Then, they jumped out to a 132 record to start the season, confirming the hype was for real. That is, until they slipped. Injuries mounted and some key players underperformed. Los Angeles is 715 since its 13th win. Sports Illustrateds MLB experts weigh in. Tom Verducci Welcome to the year after winning the World Series. Nineteen consecutive teams could not defend their title, the longest streak since the Fall Classic began. But dont worry about the Dodgers until we get to October. This team is relentless on offence because it does not chase. It forces pitchers into the strike zone and then pounces. To beat Los Angeles, you better have pitchers with elite stuff who can get misses in the strike zone, which is why the Darvish-Snell-Musgrove trio in San Diego (.231 average in zone) and the Woodruff-Burnes-Peralta (.172) trio in Milwaukee are so formidable. The one area the Dodgers should be concerned about in the near term is their bullpen. Injuries (Corey Knebel, David Price, Brustar Graterol) have turned this into an ordinary group that doesnt have the same efficiency and power of their bullpen last year. The Dodgers entered play Thursday with a bullpen strikeout-to-walk rate that was the third worst in baseball (1.86). Last year it was second best (3.44). Kenley Jansen is featuring a very good cutter/sinker combination, but his 14 walks in 14 games are alarming, especially for a guy who doesnt hold runners well. Stephanie Apstein Im not terribly concerned. This is still the most talented team in baseball. The Dodgers struggles have been caused more by injuries than by ineffectiveness, and the cavalry will return at some point. The bigger issue is how well the Giants have played and how good the Padres are. San Francisco probably isnt a real threat to win the division, but San Diego is, and Los Angeles cant un-lose these games. It could be a tighter September than the Dodgers expected. Still, they are going to make the playoffs, and once they get there, theyre better equipped than anyone else to succeed. Emma Baccellieri Im not terribly concerned. Yes, its been a brutal three weeks, but theyve played better than their record indicates they still have the best run differential in the National League! (Even if you concern yourself only with the meat of their losing stretch, dropping 15 of 22, theyve been outscored by just one run; thats not ideal, obviously, but its not proof of a team going completely off the rails, either.) While its awful to lose a pitcher like Dustin May, most of their other current injuries either have good outlooks for the short term or are to less crucial members of the roster. (And they have more than enough depth to go forward, anyway.) The bullpen hasnt looked great, but its not broken, and theres not an overarching structural or managerial issue in there that strikes me as particularly worrying. The Dodgers are still a very (very!) good team. Theyre just suffering through one bad stretch. Will Laws The Dodgers have been unlucky so far, with a 16 record in extra innings and a league-high 10 losses in one-run games (only the Marlins have even eight one-run losses, and 21 teams have five or fewer). They still have the NLs best run differential (+40) and a MLB-high 96 per cent chance to make the playoffs, per FanGraphs, with the leagues second-highest World Series odds (16.8 per cent), behind only the Yankees. They are certainly still very good. But as the defending champions with baseballs highest payroll, this is a World Series or bust team. And in that context, Im quite concerned they wont meet those expectations. Los Angeles finally seems to be scraping the bottom of its organizational depth on offence, with the latest reinforcements not consistently cutting it. Theyre now behind the Mets and White Sox among the list of divisional favourites, with a 62.7 per cent chance to win the NL West. The Padres already have shown this season they have what it takes to match them at their best, and the emergence of the Giants further muddles the odds of L.A.s being able to skip the wild-card game. The Dodgers still have the top-to-bottom talent to be the favourites in any given series, but anything can happen in a winner-take-all game especially considering the NLs imposing group of potential wild-card starters. Matt Martell Your level of concern should depend on your pre-season expectations for the Dodgers. If you expected them to win the World Series, then you better be worried. Sure, they added Trevor Bauer to their already elite rotation and most of their championship roster was returning, but its incredibly hard for World Series winners to defend their title. Just look at how thats gone for teams over the last two decades. Speaking of how defending champs have fared the last 20 years, only five of them have even won the division in their title-defense season. Theres a lot of pressure to repeat, and the other teams within the division usually improve to try to contend the following year (Hello, Padres). All this said, I am concerned not because I picked them to win the World Series this year (I didnt), but because of what their performance this year means for them beyond it. As Will said above, their organizational depth on offence is finally thinning. The Bauer contract will handcuff how much they can spend in the off-season, when Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw are free agents. Cody Bellinger stands to earn raises through arbitration entering the next two years before he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season. They will have some difficult decisions to make these next few years, regardless of where they finish this season. What were seeing now could be the beginning of the end for baseballs most dominant organization over the last 10 years and thats concerning. Nick Selbe Not too concerned. For all the doom and gloom in Dodgerland, this is still a team that has the highest run differential in the National League and ranks among the top five in hitting and pitching WAR. Injuries have played a critical role in the teams early-season struggles, with Bellingers absence and Mays season-ending surgery having the biggest impact. The four starting pitchers who have been able to stay healthy Kershaw, Bauer, Walker Buehler and Julio Uras have all been excellent, and they project to be particularly lethal for opposing hitters to deal with in a playoff series. This team was projected for big things in 2021 for a reason, and their depth of talent rivals any other in the league. Expect the panicked cries from Chavez Ravine to die down by the All-Star break. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Michael Shapiro Its probably pretty foolish to be concerned about the Dodgers unless these struggles continue through June. Los Angeles is just three games back in the NL West entering Friday, and Bellinger should return to the lineup by the end of the month. This is still a dominant rotation even with May out. Mookie Betts should regain his All-Star form sooner than later. Perhaps the Padres knock off the Dodgers in October, but that was already a possibility before Los Angeless early-season struggles. They remain the favourite to win the National League, even if our pre-season expectations were a bit out of control. | L.A. enters Friday third in the NL West, having lost 15 of its last 22 games. The Dodgers were widely considered the best team in baseball when the season began. The one area the Dodgers should be concerned about in the near term is their bullpen. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.thestar.com/sports/si/2021/05/14/how-concerned-should-we-be-about-the-los-angeles-dodgers.html | 0.314219 |
When is Memorial Day weekend 2021? | Memorial Day weekend 2021 kicks off May 29 and Americans are already making plans. This year, Memorial Day which honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military is officially observed on Monday, May 31. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to officially establish Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. This effectively created a three-day weekend for federal employees, although the change didn't take effect until 1971. MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL TO INCREASE 60% IN 2021 COMPARED TO LAST YEAR: AAA Many consider the holiday weekend the unofficial start to summer and plan short vacations. In fact, AAA projects that travel will increase now that an increasing number of Americans are getting inoculated. The auto club expects more than 37 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend, an increase of 60% from last year, which was the lowest since AAA began keeping records in 2000. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP AAA said 34 million Americans plan driving trips between May 27 and May 31, a 52% increase over last year, and nearly 2.5 million will take plane trips, nearly six times more than the same period in 2020. A small number will take buses or trains. The Associated Press contributed to this report. | Memorial Day weekend 2021 kicks off May 29 and Americans are already making plans. This year, Memorial Day is officially observed on Monday, May 31. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/memorial-day-weekend-2021 | 0.394366 |
When is Memorial Day weekend 2021? | Memorial Day weekend 2021 kicks off May 29 and Americans are already making plans. This year, Memorial Day which honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military is officially observed on Monday, May 31. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to officially establish Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. This effectively created a three-day weekend for federal employees, although the change didn't take effect until 1971. MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL TO INCREASE 60% IN 2021 COMPARED TO LAST YEAR: AAA Many consider the holiday weekend the unofficial start to summer and plan short vacations. In fact, AAA projects that travel will increase now that an increasing number of Americans are getting inoculated. The auto club expects more than 37 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend, an increase of 60% from last year, which was the lowest since AAA began keeping records in 2000. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP AAA said 34 million Americans plan driving trips between May 27 and May 31, a 52% increase over last year, and nearly 2.5 million will take plane trips, nearly six times more than the same period in 2020. A small number will take buses or trains. The Associated Press contributed to this report. | Memorial Day weekend 2021 kicks off May 29 and Americans are already making plans. AAA expects more than 37 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend, an increase of 60% from last year. | bart | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/memorial-day-weekend-2021 | 0.316295 |
When is Memorial Day weekend 2021? | Memorial Day weekend 2021 kicks off May 29 and Americans are already making plans. This year, Memorial Day which honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military is officially observed on Monday, May 31. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to officially establish Memorial Day as the last Monday in May. This effectively created a three-day weekend for federal employees, although the change didn't take effect until 1971. MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL TO INCREASE 60% IN 2021 COMPARED TO LAST YEAR: AAA Many consider the holiday weekend the unofficial start to summer and plan short vacations. In fact, AAA projects that travel will increase now that an increasing number of Americans are getting inoculated. The auto club expects more than 37 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday weekend, an increase of 60% from last year, which was the lowest since AAA began keeping records in 2000. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP AAA said 34 million Americans plan driving trips between May 27 and May 31, a 52% increase over last year, and nearly 2.5 million will take plane trips, nearly six times more than the same period in 2020. A small number will take buses or trains. The Associated Press contributed to this report. | Memorial Day weekend 2021 kicks off May 29 and Americans are already making plans. This year, Memorial Day which honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military is officially observed on Monday, May 31. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.foxnews.com/us/memorial-day-weekend-2021 | 0.357066 |
What's Ahead For LGBTQ Senior Housing? | By Mary Siobhan Brier, Next Avenue Kate De Haven and her wife Nancy Kelly at Village Hearth, a co-housing community for LGBTQ+ people ... [+] 55+ Nancy Kelly From 2001 to 2004, Bonnie McGowan found herself dealing with a lengthy discrimination lawsuit. She had purchased 157 acres in New Mexico with plans to build an LGBTQ-friendly retirement village and was promptly sued by the surrounding community. McGowan and her lawyers were able to demonstrate that a housing development that would be accepting to gay, lesbian and trans residents would not be discriminatory against heterosexual families who lived nearby. Regardless, locals scrambled to find reasons to extend and appeal the lawsuit, eventually warning McGowan not to "bulldoze our way of life." The judge assigned to McGowan's case said in a public hearing: "Ms. McGowan, if I could rule against you, I would. But you've done nothing wrong." The case was ultimately thrown out by the New Mexico state supreme court. The acres McGowan bought are now home to the Birds of a Feather retirement community in Pecos, N.M. Since McGowan's experience, LGBTQ-friendly senior housing has come a long way. The New LGBTQ-friendly Senior Housing Communities Hundreds of LGBTQ senior living facilities have opened around the country and more are coming on stream, sometimes targeted to low-income people. McGowan noted that there has been a massive spike in demand since the beginning of Covid-19. "I think the pandemic and politics really just drove people to seek more peaceful, safe communities of people of like minds. Last year I was just insanely busy," said McGowan. Pat McAulay, a co-founder of Village Hearth, a co-housing community for 55+ LGBTQ people and allies in Durham, N.C., said she has experienced the same increase in demand. Since Village Hearth started move-in in May 2020, it has been inundated with calls from people looking for housing. Many activists hope the number of LGBTQ-friendly housing options will continue to grow. Sydney Kopp-Richardson, director of the National LGBT Elder Housing Initiative at SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), noted that LGBTQ older adults are especially at-risk when it comes to housing insecurity and poverty. Exacerbating this issue, many LGBTQ people feel discriminated against in senior housing. "We see the long-term impact of discrimination on someone's ability to successfully age," Kopp-Richardson said. Many older LGBTQ people don't have children or have been rejected by their original nuclear family. "It's a lot harder to get to a point of economic security and mobility if you don't have a support network," said Kopp-Richardson. Recent studies show that one-third of LGBTQ people 50 and older live below the federal poverty threshold. Considering the proven adverse health effects of social isolation and discrimination, many LGBTQ older adults recognize the need to age in communities that accept and celebrate their identity. A Welcoming Home Nancy Kelly, a resident at Village Hearth, is familiar with the feeling of social rejection. Through the years, neighbors have pelted her home with eggs, teachers have targeted her daughter and a clergyman publicly denied her communion at her family church due to her sexual orientation. As Kelly grew older, she witnessed an aging friend feeling petrified to come out as gay in her nursing home due to the opinions of the other residents. Said Kelly: "You can do all the work you want with staff, so that they don't discriminate. But when you have fifty other elders who bring their own values with them to a congregate living facility, you can't tell them what to think or how to act." That' s why she was so relieved to hear about Village Hearth. Said Kelly: "[My wife Kate DeHaven ] and I held hands walking to the common house the other day. We feel very safe. We feel very comfortable. It just makes all the difference in the world that you're not a minority anymore to be living in co-housing that has an intentionality about being LGBT. You can be who you are." Village Hearth bungalows cost between roughly $300,000 and $400,000 with shared monthly fees of about $300 to $400. McAulay lamented not being able to make the units even more economical. "We tried to keep it affordable," she said. "But in these times, it's just impossible on a one-off project without any federal funding." There are at least 1,100 affordable units of housing in the U.S. for older LGBTQ people, according to SAGE. Crowdsourcing an LGBTQ Apartment Complex Also opening: new places like the G.L.I.T.S. House, a Queens, N.Y. community designed to house predominantly trans women of color, people who have been sex workers and ones who have been housing insecure. (G.L.I.T.S. stands for Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society.) G.L.I.T.S. House, which has 12 apartments, was built with the support of crowdsourcing and community-based fundraising. Said Kopp-Richardson: "People are finding creative ways, which we always have done in LGBTQ communities, to take care of one another when government and systems fail." When it comes to LGBTQ senior housing, said McGowan, "People just want safety. They want peace. They want to live out the rest of their life feeling safe." If you're looking for LGBTQ-friendly retirement housing, SAGE has a useful directory. And the National Fair Housing alliance site has valuable resources on housing discrimination and legal help. | Hundreds of LGBTQ senior living facilities have opened around the country. Many activists hope the number of LGBTQ-friendly housing options will continue to grow. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/05/14/whats-ahead-for-lgbtq-senior-housing/ | 0.128485 |
What's Ahead For LGBTQ Senior Housing? | By Mary Siobhan Brier, Next Avenue Kate De Haven and her wife Nancy Kelly at Village Hearth, a co-housing community for LGBTQ+ people ... [+] 55+ Nancy Kelly From 2001 to 2004, Bonnie McGowan found herself dealing with a lengthy discrimination lawsuit. She had purchased 157 acres in New Mexico with plans to build an LGBTQ-friendly retirement village and was promptly sued by the surrounding community. McGowan and her lawyers were able to demonstrate that a housing development that would be accepting to gay, lesbian and trans residents would not be discriminatory against heterosexual families who lived nearby. Regardless, locals scrambled to find reasons to extend and appeal the lawsuit, eventually warning McGowan not to "bulldoze our way of life." The judge assigned to McGowan's case said in a public hearing: "Ms. McGowan, if I could rule against you, I would. But you've done nothing wrong." The case was ultimately thrown out by the New Mexico state supreme court. The acres McGowan bought are now home to the Birds of a Feather retirement community in Pecos, N.M. Since McGowan's experience, LGBTQ-friendly senior housing has come a long way. The New LGBTQ-friendly Senior Housing Communities Hundreds of LGBTQ senior living facilities have opened around the country and more are coming on stream, sometimes targeted to low-income people. McGowan noted that there has been a massive spike in demand since the beginning of Covid-19. "I think the pandemic and politics really just drove people to seek more peaceful, safe communities of people of like minds. Last year I was just insanely busy," said McGowan. Pat McAulay, a co-founder of Village Hearth, a co-housing community for 55+ LGBTQ people and allies in Durham, N.C., said she has experienced the same increase in demand. Since Village Hearth started move-in in May 2020, it has been inundated with calls from people looking for housing. Many activists hope the number of LGBTQ-friendly housing options will continue to grow. Sydney Kopp-Richardson, director of the National LGBT Elder Housing Initiative at SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), noted that LGBTQ older adults are especially at-risk when it comes to housing insecurity and poverty. Exacerbating this issue, many LGBTQ people feel discriminated against in senior housing. "We see the long-term impact of discrimination on someone's ability to successfully age," Kopp-Richardson said. Many older LGBTQ people don't have children or have been rejected by their original nuclear family. "It's a lot harder to get to a point of economic security and mobility if you don't have a support network," said Kopp-Richardson. Recent studies show that one-third of LGBTQ people 50 and older live below the federal poverty threshold. Considering the proven adverse health effects of social isolation and discrimination, many LGBTQ older adults recognize the need to age in communities that accept and celebrate their identity. A Welcoming Home Nancy Kelly, a resident at Village Hearth, is familiar with the feeling of social rejection. Through the years, neighbors have pelted her home with eggs, teachers have targeted her daughter and a clergyman publicly denied her communion at her family church due to her sexual orientation. As Kelly grew older, she witnessed an aging friend feeling petrified to come out as gay in her nursing home due to the opinions of the other residents. Said Kelly: "You can do all the work you want with staff, so that they don't discriminate. But when you have fifty other elders who bring their own values with them to a congregate living facility, you can't tell them what to think or how to act." That' s why she was so relieved to hear about Village Hearth. Said Kelly: "[My wife Kate DeHaven ] and I held hands walking to the common house the other day. We feel very safe. We feel very comfortable. It just makes all the difference in the world that you're not a minority anymore to be living in co-housing that has an intentionality about being LGBT. You can be who you are." Village Hearth bungalows cost between roughly $300,000 and $400,000 with shared monthly fees of about $300 to $400. McAulay lamented not being able to make the units even more economical. "We tried to keep it affordable," she said. "But in these times, it's just impossible on a one-off project without any federal funding." There are at least 1,100 affordable units of housing in the U.S. for older LGBTQ people, according to SAGE. Crowdsourcing an LGBTQ Apartment Complex Also opening: new places like the G.L.I.T.S. House, a Queens, N.Y. community designed to house predominantly trans women of color, people who have been sex workers and ones who have been housing insecure. (G.L.I.T.S. stands for Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society.) G.L.I.T.S. House, which has 12 apartments, was built with the support of crowdsourcing and community-based fundraising. Said Kopp-Richardson: "People are finding creative ways, which we always have done in LGBTQ communities, to take care of one another when government and systems fail." When it comes to LGBTQ senior housing, said McGowan, "People just want safety. They want peace. They want to live out the rest of their life feeling safe." If you're looking for LGBTQ-friendly retirement housing, SAGE has a useful directory. And the National Fair Housing alliance site has valuable resources on housing discrimination and legal help. | Hundreds of LGBTQ senior living facilities have opened around the country and more are coming on stream. Many activists hope the number of LGBTQ-friendly housing options will continue to grow. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/05/14/whats-ahead-for-lgbtq-senior-housing/ | 0.129122 |
What's Ahead For LGBTQ Senior Housing? | By Mary Siobhan Brier, Next Avenue Kate De Haven and her wife Nancy Kelly at Village Hearth, a co-housing community for LGBTQ+ people ... [+] 55+ Nancy Kelly From 2001 to 2004, Bonnie McGowan found herself dealing with a lengthy discrimination lawsuit. She had purchased 157 acres in New Mexico with plans to build an LGBTQ-friendly retirement village and was promptly sued by the surrounding community. McGowan and her lawyers were able to demonstrate that a housing development that would be accepting to gay, lesbian and trans residents would not be discriminatory against heterosexual families who lived nearby. Regardless, locals scrambled to find reasons to extend and appeal the lawsuit, eventually warning McGowan not to "bulldoze our way of life." The judge assigned to McGowan's case said in a public hearing: "Ms. McGowan, if I could rule against you, I would. But you've done nothing wrong." The case was ultimately thrown out by the New Mexico state supreme court. The acres McGowan bought are now home to the Birds of a Feather retirement community in Pecos, N.M. Since McGowan's experience, LGBTQ-friendly senior housing has come a long way. The New LGBTQ-friendly Senior Housing Communities Hundreds of LGBTQ senior living facilities have opened around the country and more are coming on stream, sometimes targeted to low-income people. McGowan noted that there has been a massive spike in demand since the beginning of Covid-19. "I think the pandemic and politics really just drove people to seek more peaceful, safe communities of people of like minds. Last year I was just insanely busy," said McGowan. Pat McAulay, a co-founder of Village Hearth, a co-housing community for 55+ LGBTQ people and allies in Durham, N.C., said she has experienced the same increase in demand. Since Village Hearth started move-in in May 2020, it has been inundated with calls from people looking for housing. Many activists hope the number of LGBTQ-friendly housing options will continue to grow. Sydney Kopp-Richardson, director of the National LGBT Elder Housing Initiative at SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), noted that LGBTQ older adults are especially at-risk when it comes to housing insecurity and poverty. Exacerbating this issue, many LGBTQ people feel discriminated against in senior housing. "We see the long-term impact of discrimination on someone's ability to successfully age," Kopp-Richardson said. Many older LGBTQ people don't have children or have been rejected by their original nuclear family. "It's a lot harder to get to a point of economic security and mobility if you don't have a support network," said Kopp-Richardson. Recent studies show that one-third of LGBTQ people 50 and older live below the federal poverty threshold. Considering the proven adverse health effects of social isolation and discrimination, many LGBTQ older adults recognize the need to age in communities that accept and celebrate their identity. A Welcoming Home Nancy Kelly, a resident at Village Hearth, is familiar with the feeling of social rejection. Through the years, neighbors have pelted her home with eggs, teachers have targeted her daughter and a clergyman publicly denied her communion at her family church due to her sexual orientation. As Kelly grew older, she witnessed an aging friend feeling petrified to come out as gay in her nursing home due to the opinions of the other residents. Said Kelly: "You can do all the work you want with staff, so that they don't discriminate. But when you have fifty other elders who bring their own values with them to a congregate living facility, you can't tell them what to think or how to act." That' s why she was so relieved to hear about Village Hearth. Said Kelly: "[My wife Kate DeHaven ] and I held hands walking to the common house the other day. We feel very safe. We feel very comfortable. It just makes all the difference in the world that you're not a minority anymore to be living in co-housing that has an intentionality about being LGBT. You can be who you are." Village Hearth bungalows cost between roughly $300,000 and $400,000 with shared monthly fees of about $300 to $400. McAulay lamented not being able to make the units even more economical. "We tried to keep it affordable," she said. "But in these times, it's just impossible on a one-off project without any federal funding." There are at least 1,100 affordable units of housing in the U.S. for older LGBTQ people, according to SAGE. Crowdsourcing an LGBTQ Apartment Complex Also opening: new places like the G.L.I.T.S. House, a Queens, N.Y. community designed to house predominantly trans women of color, people who have been sex workers and ones who have been housing insecure. (G.L.I.T.S. stands for Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society.) G.L.I.T.S. House, which has 12 apartments, was built with the support of crowdsourcing and community-based fundraising. Said Kopp-Richardson: "People are finding creative ways, which we always have done in LGBTQ communities, to take care of one another when government and systems fail." When it comes to LGBTQ senior housing, said McGowan, "People just want safety. They want peace. They want to live out the rest of their life feeling safe." If you're looking for LGBTQ-friendly retirement housing, SAGE has a useful directory. And the National Fair Housing alliance site has valuable resources on housing discrimination and legal help. | Bonnie McGowan purchased 157 acres in New Mexico with plans to build an LGBTQ-friendly retirement village. The case was ultimately thrown out by the New Mexico state supreme court. Since McGowan's experience, LGBTQ-friendly senior housing has come a long way. Hundreds of LGBTQ-friendly Senior Housing Communities have opened around the country. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/05/14/whats-ahead-for-lgbtq-senior-housing/ | 0.100349 |
Why have the Cleveland Indians been unable to take advantage of MLBs no-hit trend? | CLEVELAND, Ohio Tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of Len Barkers perfect game at Municipal Stadium. Its the last time a Cleveland Indians pitcher tossed a perfecto or a no-hitter in any form, a stretch spanning 14,610 days and 6,259 games. But even with a preponderance of no-nos going up on scoreboards around Major League Baseball, the Indians seem unable to join in on the fun. Despite having a stable stocked with elite starting pitchers over the last decade-plus, nobody has been able to crack the code. Zach Plesacs run at a no-hitter Thursday ended in the eighth inning with a leadoff single by Seattles J.P. Crawford. Before that fateful 1-2 pitch, Plesac looked like he had everything going his way. I felt the energy of it happening, you know what I mean? Plesac said. You could feel it in the air. But Crawfords liner went over the glove of a leaping Amed Rosario at shortstop and into center field to extend the Indians no-hit agony. Plesac afterward seemed resigned to the inevitable. I wish I could give him just one inch of my height for that, he said. No, I mean shoot, he made it a close play. He was playing in the right spot, the dude just made a good swing, J.P. did, and executed with what he was supposed to do with two strikes. Clevelands no-hitter futility since Barkers gem is already the longest stretch without a no-hitter in American League history. In 2019 the Indians passed the mark set by the Tigers with 6,108 games from 1912 through 1952. The longest streak in MLB history is 8,944 games by the Phillies from 1906 to 1964. There have been 101 no-hitters tossed in MLB since Barkers perfect game. The most recent being Cincinnatis Wade Miley against Cleveland on May 7. A pitching-rich franchise with a history that includes 14 no-nos from the likes of Hall of Famers Bob Feller (3) and Addie Joss (2), the Indians have been unable to accomplish the feat for four decades. Even with five American League Cy Young Award winners in the last 14 seasons, none of Clevelands outstanding arms have written their names in the history books. Indians manager Terry Francona sees several factors in the rise of no-hitters this season. He said offense, in general is down throughout the league, and hes right. The leaguewide batting average is at its lowest point in modern history (around .234). And for the fourth consecutive year, strikeouts are outpacing hits. The leaguewide strikeout rate is 16%, and the league average on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) is down to .702, a 38-points from last year. That leaguewide OPS is 56 points lower than 2019, representing its lowest point since 2014. The approach to hitting has changed so much that you dont see guys shortening up with two strikes, maybe hitting the ball the other way, so theres more strikeouts, Francona said. Theres shifting and guys arent taking advantage of it, so youre gonna see less offense. All of that would lend itself to the argument that the Indians should be joining in on the no-hit parade, not just suffering underfoot. So many chances Carlos Carrasco was the Indians pitcher who most recently came within one out of a no-no when he pitched 8 2/3 innings of hitless ball against Tampa Bay on July 1, 2015. Joey Butler broke up Carrascos bid in the bottom of the ninth at Tropicana Field. Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber recorded two career Maddux outings in his years with the Indians. A Maddux is a complete game shutout on fewer than 100 pitches, named after the Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer. Besides Carrasco, the next closest Indians pitcher to a recent no-hitter might have been Trevor Bauer when he tossed seven hitless innings at Toronto on April 4, 2019. Bauer, though, walked six in that start and was at 117 pitches after the seventh when Francona decided to pull him. It was a decision Francona said wasnt hard to make, despite knowing what was on the line. I told Trevor I hated doing it, Francona said. It wasnt tough to do. It would have been really negligent on my part to send him back out... I would have loved to watch him throw a no-hitter. Later that season, Shane Bieber tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout at Toronto, facing just two batters over the minimum and striking out 10. He missed a Maddux by just three pitches. That night, Bieber had an unhittable changeup and a fastball that had effective late movement to befuddle Blue Jays hitters. Eric Sogards leadoff ground rule double in the seventh broke up the no-hit bid. Bieber joined Carlos Carrasco (2015) and Josh Tomlin (2014) as the only Tribe pitchers since 2009 to throw one-hit shutouts. He debuted with Cleveland in May 2018 a few weeks after throwing a seven-inning rain-shortened no-hitter for Columbus against Gwinett. Biebers then-teammate, Adam Plutko, nearly threw a perfect game for the Triple-A Clippers at Indianapolis. It looked like surely one of the young phenoms had a big league no-no in his immediate future. But Biebers current teammates believe hes still their best chance. Cleveland shortstop Andres Gimenez, who was more than 17 years away from being born when Barkers perfecto took place, said Bieber is his pick for the teammate who will break the near 40-year-old hex. Franmil Reyes, when asked which Indians starter will finally break through, said it could be anybody in the rotation. Theyre doing a tremendous job, Reyes said. Im really, really thankful that Im not hitting against these guys, honestly. Missed opportunities Bieber represents the clubs next best hope only because they probably missed their shot several times when Corey Kluber was on the staff for nine seasons. No-hitters require a combination of luck, skill and endurance most closely mirrored in a complete-game shutout in order to come true, and Kluber was a complete-game machine. He logged 17 complete games for Cleveland from 2014-17, tossing an 85-pitch Maddux July 30, 2014 against Seattle at Progressive Field. Kluber is one of just seven Indians pitchers to record a Maddux (he had two) since 1988 when MLB started tracking pitch counts. Kluber joined Cliff Lee (2009), Greg Swindell (1988), Charlie Nagy (1992), Bartolo Colon (1998 and 2002) and Paul Byrd (2007) in accomplishing the feat. Besides Kluber and Carrasco, other Indians pitchers to have flirted with no-hitters since Barker include John Farrell and Tom Candiotti: Carrasco took a no-hitter against Tampa Bay to the 9th with two out and an 0-2 count on Joey Butler before Butler lined a single over Jason Kipnis on July 1, 2015. He finished with 13 strikeouts in an 8-1 Tribe win. He had a one-hit shutout against KC on Sept. 25, 2011. striking out 15. Billy Traber pitched a one-hit shutout against the Yankees on July 8, 2003. Colon fired a one-hitter at the Yankees and Roger Clemens on Sept. 18, 200 in the Bronx. Candioti tossed a one-hitter against the Yankees on Aug. 3, 1987. Farrell on May 4, 1988 had his no-hit bid broken up by Kevin Seitzer. Kluber threw a one-hitter against Minnesota Aug. 15, 2015. That one hit left the yard, though, on a Joe Mauer home run. - New Indians face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity. Podcast Indians still working through details of increased attendance Why its a big deal that Indians witness debut of two Seattle prospects Rosario getting comfortable in center, heating up at plate | The Cleveland Indians have been without a no-hitter for four decades. There have been 101 no-hitters in MLB since Len Barker's perfect game in 1978. The Indians have had five Cy Young Award winners in the last 14 seasons, but none have been perfect. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/05/why-have-the-cleveland-indians-been-unable-to-take-advantage-of-mlbs-no-hit-trend.html | 0.215098 |
Could a Raiders rookie push for time at slot cornerback? | Raiders fifth-round draft pick Nate Hobbs plays with a physicality and chip on his shoulder that make him an intriguing possibility at slot cornerback. In this Oct.19, 2019, file photo, Illinois defender Nate Hobbs (8) takes down Wisconsin's Quintez Cephus (87) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File) Given everything Nate Hobbs has dealt with over the last decade, he considers himself fortunate to have simply made it to Las Vegas as a rookie cornerback for the Raiders. But every one of the hurdles hes had to clear, from the loss of multiple loved ones to the angst he felt watching his mom raise Hobbs and his three siblings on a $25,000-a-year income to the unrelenting doubt hes faced, has hardened and strengthened him. So while Hobbs gave himself a minute or two to celebrate getting drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round, he was soon engulfed by a sense of duty to do good by the organization that showed faith in him and to eventually prove everyone who passed on him that they made a mistake. I wont forget the guys who were taken before me, the guys who I feel like didnt do as much as me but were still picked up, Hobbs said. Im just so thankful for the Raiders for taking a chance, they wont regret it. Theyre getting the best underdog theyve ever drafted. The chance to prove himself could come sooner rather than later. The Raiders have a job opening at the slot cornerback position vacated by Lamarcus Joyner. While veteran Casey Hayward or second-year corner Damon Arnette are candidates to slide inside depending on who wins the outside cornerback job, the Raiders like the traits that Hobbs brings to the competition. Hes a 6-foot corner thats played outside, that ran 4.45 and was probably the most physical corner in the draft, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said. We believe we can move him inside and he can compete inside. At the least, the Raiders now have options to fill a position that has been a weak link the last two years. In addition to Arnette and Hayward, second-year prospect Amik Robertson should be further along in his transition from an outside corner in college to a slot corner in the NFL. And Hobbs brings the necessary mindset and resume from Illinois, where he was developed by long-time defensive mastermind Lovie Smith. I feel like I can match up with a smaller, faster guy in the slot or if they move a guy, the outside receiver in the slot, I can match up with him also, Hobbs said. I think Im pretty versatile. The chip on Hobbs shoulder has helped get him through some incredibly rough times. He was only 12 years old when his father died, and over the last two years he lost both his grandmother and an influential uncle who helped steer him to adulthood by stepping up after his fathers death. Those personal losses, combined with the constant frustration of being an overlooked football prospect at nearly every turn in his career, was the fuel he used to become a four-year starter at Illinois and pound-for-pound one of the toughest players in this draft class. I went through a lot of adversity in my life, and I think that shows the way I play, Hobbs said. I play with passion, I play with want-to. When Im on the field, Im going to enforce my will. All of which leaped off the screen when Mayock began evaluating Hobbs. Ironically, the deep dive Mayock did came at the behest of a Raiders scout who felt people were sleeping on Hobbs. The scout, intrigued by Hobbs length and physicality, convinced Mayock to give Hobbs a more intense look. So I put Nate Hobbs on and I was like, Hmm, does this guy play hard. Mayock said. Does this guy compete. The chance to show that begins now. A Hobbs takes it all in, he remembers the loved ones hes lost along the way. I know theyre proud of me right now, Hobbs said. I know theyre in heaven, looking down on me. I know their hands are on me. Theyre guiding me really. Im just so happy I could make this happen. Its like fate. Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore onTwitter. | Raiders fifth-round draft pick Nate Hobbs plays with a physicality and chip on his shoulder that make him an intriguing possibility at slot cornerback. | bart | 0 | https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders/could-a-raiders-rookie-push-for-time-at-slot-cornerback-2354413/ | 0.295582 |
Could a Raiders rookie push for time at slot cornerback? | Raiders fifth-round draft pick Nate Hobbs plays with a physicality and chip on his shoulder that make him an intriguing possibility at slot cornerback. In this Oct.19, 2019, file photo, Illinois defender Nate Hobbs (8) takes down Wisconsin's Quintez Cephus (87) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File) Given everything Nate Hobbs has dealt with over the last decade, he considers himself fortunate to have simply made it to Las Vegas as a rookie cornerback for the Raiders. But every one of the hurdles hes had to clear, from the loss of multiple loved ones to the angst he felt watching his mom raise Hobbs and his three siblings on a $25,000-a-year income to the unrelenting doubt hes faced, has hardened and strengthened him. So while Hobbs gave himself a minute or two to celebrate getting drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round, he was soon engulfed by a sense of duty to do good by the organization that showed faith in him and to eventually prove everyone who passed on him that they made a mistake. I wont forget the guys who were taken before me, the guys who I feel like didnt do as much as me but were still picked up, Hobbs said. Im just so thankful for the Raiders for taking a chance, they wont regret it. Theyre getting the best underdog theyve ever drafted. The chance to prove himself could come sooner rather than later. The Raiders have a job opening at the slot cornerback position vacated by Lamarcus Joyner. While veteran Casey Hayward or second-year corner Damon Arnette are candidates to slide inside depending on who wins the outside cornerback job, the Raiders like the traits that Hobbs brings to the competition. Hes a 6-foot corner thats played outside, that ran 4.45 and was probably the most physical corner in the draft, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said. We believe we can move him inside and he can compete inside. At the least, the Raiders now have options to fill a position that has been a weak link the last two years. In addition to Arnette and Hayward, second-year prospect Amik Robertson should be further along in his transition from an outside corner in college to a slot corner in the NFL. And Hobbs brings the necessary mindset and resume from Illinois, where he was developed by long-time defensive mastermind Lovie Smith. I feel like I can match up with a smaller, faster guy in the slot or if they move a guy, the outside receiver in the slot, I can match up with him also, Hobbs said. I think Im pretty versatile. The chip on Hobbs shoulder has helped get him through some incredibly rough times. He was only 12 years old when his father died, and over the last two years he lost both his grandmother and an influential uncle who helped steer him to adulthood by stepping up after his fathers death. Those personal losses, combined with the constant frustration of being an overlooked football prospect at nearly every turn in his career, was the fuel he used to become a four-year starter at Illinois and pound-for-pound one of the toughest players in this draft class. I went through a lot of adversity in my life, and I think that shows the way I play, Hobbs said. I play with passion, I play with want-to. When Im on the field, Im going to enforce my will. All of which leaped off the screen when Mayock began evaluating Hobbs. Ironically, the deep dive Mayock did came at the behest of a Raiders scout who felt people were sleeping on Hobbs. The scout, intrigued by Hobbs length and physicality, convinced Mayock to give Hobbs a more intense look. So I put Nate Hobbs on and I was like, Hmm, does this guy play hard. Mayock said. Does this guy compete. The chance to show that begins now. A Hobbs takes it all in, he remembers the loved ones hes lost along the way. I know theyre proud of me right now, Hobbs said. I know theyre in heaven, looking down on me. I know their hands are on me. Theyre guiding me really. Im just so happy I could make this happen. Its like fate. Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore onTwitter. | Nate Hobbs was selected by the Raiders in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Hobbs is expected to compete for a starting spot at slot cornerback. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders/could-a-raiders-rookie-push-for-time-at-slot-cornerback-2354413/ | 0.391486 |
Could a Raiders rookie push for time at slot cornerback? | Raiders fifth-round draft pick Nate Hobbs plays with a physicality and chip on his shoulder that make him an intriguing possibility at slot cornerback. In this Oct.19, 2019, file photo, Illinois defender Nate Hobbs (8) takes down Wisconsin's Quintez Cephus (87) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File) Given everything Nate Hobbs has dealt with over the last decade, he considers himself fortunate to have simply made it to Las Vegas as a rookie cornerback for the Raiders. But every one of the hurdles hes had to clear, from the loss of multiple loved ones to the angst he felt watching his mom raise Hobbs and his three siblings on a $25,000-a-year income to the unrelenting doubt hes faced, has hardened and strengthened him. So while Hobbs gave himself a minute or two to celebrate getting drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round, he was soon engulfed by a sense of duty to do good by the organization that showed faith in him and to eventually prove everyone who passed on him that they made a mistake. I wont forget the guys who were taken before me, the guys who I feel like didnt do as much as me but were still picked up, Hobbs said. Im just so thankful for the Raiders for taking a chance, they wont regret it. Theyre getting the best underdog theyve ever drafted. The chance to prove himself could come sooner rather than later. The Raiders have a job opening at the slot cornerback position vacated by Lamarcus Joyner. While veteran Casey Hayward or second-year corner Damon Arnette are candidates to slide inside depending on who wins the outside cornerback job, the Raiders like the traits that Hobbs brings to the competition. Hes a 6-foot corner thats played outside, that ran 4.45 and was probably the most physical corner in the draft, Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said. We believe we can move him inside and he can compete inside. At the least, the Raiders now have options to fill a position that has been a weak link the last two years. In addition to Arnette and Hayward, second-year prospect Amik Robertson should be further along in his transition from an outside corner in college to a slot corner in the NFL. And Hobbs brings the necessary mindset and resume from Illinois, where he was developed by long-time defensive mastermind Lovie Smith. I feel like I can match up with a smaller, faster guy in the slot or if they move a guy, the outside receiver in the slot, I can match up with him also, Hobbs said. I think Im pretty versatile. The chip on Hobbs shoulder has helped get him through some incredibly rough times. He was only 12 years old when his father died, and over the last two years he lost both his grandmother and an influential uncle who helped steer him to adulthood by stepping up after his fathers death. Those personal losses, combined with the constant frustration of being an overlooked football prospect at nearly every turn in his career, was the fuel he used to become a four-year starter at Illinois and pound-for-pound one of the toughest players in this draft class. I went through a lot of adversity in my life, and I think that shows the way I play, Hobbs said. I play with passion, I play with want-to. When Im on the field, Im going to enforce my will. All of which leaped off the screen when Mayock began evaluating Hobbs. Ironically, the deep dive Mayock did came at the behest of a Raiders scout who felt people were sleeping on Hobbs. The scout, intrigued by Hobbs length and physicality, convinced Mayock to give Hobbs a more intense look. So I put Nate Hobbs on and I was like, Hmm, does this guy play hard. Mayock said. Does this guy compete. The chance to show that begins now. A Hobbs takes it all in, he remembers the loved ones hes lost along the way. I know theyre proud of me right now, Hobbs said. I know theyre in heaven, looking down on me. I know their hands are on me. Theyre guiding me really. Im just so happy I could make this happen. Its like fate. Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore onTwitter. | Nate Hobbs was selected by the Raiders in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Hobbs is expected to compete for a starting spot at slot cornerback. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound Hobbs plays with a physicality and chip on his shoulder. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders/could-a-raiders-rookie-push-for-time-at-slot-cornerback-2354413/ | 0.40808 |
How can Justin and Nicole map out their financial future and set aside enough savings to serve as a pension plan? | Open this photo in gallery Justin and Nicole. Tijana Martin/The Globe and Mail At age 33, with their $1.6-million Toronto-area house purchase closing soon, Justin and Nicole are mapping out their future mortgage payments, children in a couple of years and even their eventual retirement from the work force. Nicole is a commissioned sales person earning $100,000 a year after expenses. Justin is a sales manager earning $85,000 a year. When their house closes, they hope to rent out the basement apartment for $1,700 a month. Neither of us has a pension plan, Nicole writes in an e-mail. We want to save for retirement so it feels like we do have a pension, she adds. Their goals are to have an effective and tax-efficient savings plan and to use Nicoles corporation, set up last fall, as an income source during her future maternity leave, to help her parents financially if need be, and to save for retirement. Story continues below advertisement We asked Andrea Thompson, a financial planner at Raymond James in Toronto, to look at Nicole and Justins situation. What the expert says With a $1.25-million mortgage, Justin and Nicole will be taking on a significant payment each month, Ms. Thompson says. They have both already used the federal Home Buyers Plan, so this option is not available. Justin is making monthly RRSP contributions through his group plan at work of $168. His employer makes matching contributions of three times what Justin contributes, in this case $504 a month. It is advisable for Justin to keep maximizing these contributions to get his employer match, Ms. Thompson says. Justin has been topping up his RRSP with an additional $200 a month, plus he contributes $400 a month to his TFSA. Because Justin is at the 30 per cent marginal tax bracket, he should redirect the $200 a month that he has been making to his RRSP to his TFSA instead, the planner says. The couple will need financial flexibility over the coming years, requiring potential withdrawals from their accounts during maternity leaves, to handle unexpected expenses that often come with purchasing a new home, and to support their parents financially if and when required, Ms. Thompson says. Any withdrawals made from TFSAs are tax-free, and Justin can contribute the amount withdrawn in any subsequent tax year when cash flow allows, she adds. Justin is paying an average management expense ratio (MER) of 2.32 per cent in his RRSP and 2.25 per cent in his TFSA. His investment adviser has invested his accounts in mainly low-load mutual funds that carry penalties to redeem within the first three years. Justin would greatly benefit from a lower-cost portfolio, Ms. Thompson says. Simply reducing his average MER by one percentage point could result in an increase of $209,000 in his portfolio by age 65, assuming a 5 per cent rate of return, she says. He could consider working with an adviser who charges a lower management fee and uses more cost-effective products or investment options. Or he could take advantage of a robo-adviser service that would use passive exchange-traded funds to drive a lower cost. Nicole uses a robo-adviser and is happy with the service, the planner notes. Because her income is variable, Nicole has been contributing ad hoc to her TFSA and RRSP. She has been earning $100,000 a year net of expenses on average. She has been drawing a salary of $4,500 a month for lifestyle expenses, leaving the surplus earnings ($3,835 a month) inside the corporation, the planner says. Using her corporation for investment savings in lieu of drawing extra money out to make personal TFSA and RRSP contributions will accomplish the following, the planner says. First, the comparatively low 12.5 per cent combined Ontario/federal corporate tax rate would apply on any earnings that arent paid out as salary. On Nicoles surplus earnings of $3,835 a month, she would be paying $480 a month in corporate tax, leaving $3,355 for investment. This would have been the main purpose of incorporation for Nicole. Second, assuming Nicole is able to retain $3,355 a month inside the corporation, she will have built up a nice nest egg so she can continue withdrawing $4,500 a month during her maternity leave(s), the planner says. Using a 5 per cent average rate of return, Nicoles total corporate assets would accrue to $2.6-million by the time she plans to retire at the age of 60. Including her personal investments, she would have about $2.97-million. If Nicole wasnt incorporated or was drawing all of the income of $100,000 a year from the corporation, she would be able to make annual RRSP contributions of $18,000 a year. She would pay personal taxes of about $17,500, leaving her with net income of $64,500, Ms. Thompson says. Assuming she would require $45,000 for lifestyle purposes, this would leave her with $19,500 to save between her TFSA account (she has unused contribution room) and her non-registered account. At retirement, her total investment assets would have accrued to about $2.63-million, assuming a 5-per-cent rate of return and that no withdrawals have been made. Comparing the two scenarios, this represents an enhancement of almost $340,000 in savings using her corporation, Ms. Thompson says. Story continues below advertisement Given that Nicoles income could well be higher in future, the benefits of saving inside her corporation would be enhanced as her income potential grows, the planner notes. She would be able to enjoy the low 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate on earnings up to $500,000. At the age of 65 Justin and Nicole could be entitled to maximum Canada Pension Plan benefits of $1,204 a month each in 2021 dollars, or a total of $2,408 a month, the planner says. Old Age Security benefits will provide another $615 a month each, although some of their OAS may be clawed back depending on their income level. Because retirement is a long way off for this couple, these estimates are by way of illustration only, she adds. Justin and Nicole could consider purchasing a life annuity at retirement (or later) with a portion of their investments to create their own pension-like income stream, the planner says. The people: Justin and Nicole, both 33 The problem: How to map out their financial future to cover current and future costs, and set aside enough savings in Nicoles corporation to serve as a pension plan. Story continues below advertisement The plan: Begin a regular savings plan for Nicole using her corporation. Justin should continue to take advantage of his employers RRSP contributions, contribute to his TFSA and take steps to reduce his investment fees. The payoff: A flexible game plan focusing on properly prioritizing their goals. Monthly net income: $9,165 plus future rental income. Assets: House $1.6-million; her RRSP $60,090; his RRSP $135,390; her TFSA $20,535; his TFSA $81,930; corporate account $70,000; corporate reserve for taxes $40,000; her stocks $22,890; his stocks $13,700; her cash $35,000; his cash $16,000. Total: $2.1-million Monthly expenses: Mortgage $4,430; property tax $630; home insurance $75; utilities $140; maintenance $400; auto lease $350; other transportation $630; groceries $600; phone, internet, cable $190; vacations $800; entertainment, dining out, drinks $800; sports, hobbies $350; subscriptions $25; doctors, dentists $230; RRSP contributions $500; TFSAs $400. E-mail finfacelift@gmail.com. Some details may be changed to protect the privacy of the persons profiled. Be smart with your money. Get the latest investing insights delivered right to your inbox three times a week, with the Globe Investor newsletter. Sign up today. | Justin and Nicole are mapping out their future with a $1.6-million Toronto-area house purchase. | bart | 0 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/retirement/article-how-can-justin-and-nicole-map-out-their-financial-future-and-set-aside/ | 0.22987 |
How can Justin and Nicole map out their financial future and set aside enough savings to serve as a pension plan? | Open this photo in gallery Justin and Nicole. Tijana Martin/The Globe and Mail At age 33, with their $1.6-million Toronto-area house purchase closing soon, Justin and Nicole are mapping out their future mortgage payments, children in a couple of years and even their eventual retirement from the work force. Nicole is a commissioned sales person earning $100,000 a year after expenses. Justin is a sales manager earning $85,000 a year. When their house closes, they hope to rent out the basement apartment for $1,700 a month. Neither of us has a pension plan, Nicole writes in an e-mail. We want to save for retirement so it feels like we do have a pension, she adds. Their goals are to have an effective and tax-efficient savings plan and to use Nicoles corporation, set up last fall, as an income source during her future maternity leave, to help her parents financially if need be, and to save for retirement. Story continues below advertisement We asked Andrea Thompson, a financial planner at Raymond James in Toronto, to look at Nicole and Justins situation. What the expert says With a $1.25-million mortgage, Justin and Nicole will be taking on a significant payment each month, Ms. Thompson says. They have both already used the federal Home Buyers Plan, so this option is not available. Justin is making monthly RRSP contributions through his group plan at work of $168. His employer makes matching contributions of three times what Justin contributes, in this case $504 a month. It is advisable for Justin to keep maximizing these contributions to get his employer match, Ms. Thompson says. Justin has been topping up his RRSP with an additional $200 a month, plus he contributes $400 a month to his TFSA. Because Justin is at the 30 per cent marginal tax bracket, he should redirect the $200 a month that he has been making to his RRSP to his TFSA instead, the planner says. The couple will need financial flexibility over the coming years, requiring potential withdrawals from their accounts during maternity leaves, to handle unexpected expenses that often come with purchasing a new home, and to support their parents financially if and when required, Ms. Thompson says. Any withdrawals made from TFSAs are tax-free, and Justin can contribute the amount withdrawn in any subsequent tax year when cash flow allows, she adds. Justin is paying an average management expense ratio (MER) of 2.32 per cent in his RRSP and 2.25 per cent in his TFSA. His investment adviser has invested his accounts in mainly low-load mutual funds that carry penalties to redeem within the first three years. Justin would greatly benefit from a lower-cost portfolio, Ms. Thompson says. Simply reducing his average MER by one percentage point could result in an increase of $209,000 in his portfolio by age 65, assuming a 5 per cent rate of return, she says. He could consider working with an adviser who charges a lower management fee and uses more cost-effective products or investment options. Or he could take advantage of a robo-adviser service that would use passive exchange-traded funds to drive a lower cost. Nicole uses a robo-adviser and is happy with the service, the planner notes. Because her income is variable, Nicole has been contributing ad hoc to her TFSA and RRSP. She has been earning $100,000 a year net of expenses on average. She has been drawing a salary of $4,500 a month for lifestyle expenses, leaving the surplus earnings ($3,835 a month) inside the corporation, the planner says. Using her corporation for investment savings in lieu of drawing extra money out to make personal TFSA and RRSP contributions will accomplish the following, the planner says. First, the comparatively low 12.5 per cent combined Ontario/federal corporate tax rate would apply on any earnings that arent paid out as salary. On Nicoles surplus earnings of $3,835 a month, she would be paying $480 a month in corporate tax, leaving $3,355 for investment. This would have been the main purpose of incorporation for Nicole. Second, assuming Nicole is able to retain $3,355 a month inside the corporation, she will have built up a nice nest egg so she can continue withdrawing $4,500 a month during her maternity leave(s), the planner says. Using a 5 per cent average rate of return, Nicoles total corporate assets would accrue to $2.6-million by the time she plans to retire at the age of 60. Including her personal investments, she would have about $2.97-million. If Nicole wasnt incorporated or was drawing all of the income of $100,000 a year from the corporation, she would be able to make annual RRSP contributions of $18,000 a year. She would pay personal taxes of about $17,500, leaving her with net income of $64,500, Ms. Thompson says. Assuming she would require $45,000 for lifestyle purposes, this would leave her with $19,500 to save between her TFSA account (she has unused contribution room) and her non-registered account. At retirement, her total investment assets would have accrued to about $2.63-million, assuming a 5-per-cent rate of return and that no withdrawals have been made. Comparing the two scenarios, this represents an enhancement of almost $340,000 in savings using her corporation, Ms. Thompson says. Story continues below advertisement Given that Nicoles income could well be higher in future, the benefits of saving inside her corporation would be enhanced as her income potential grows, the planner notes. She would be able to enjoy the low 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate on earnings up to $500,000. At the age of 65 Justin and Nicole could be entitled to maximum Canada Pension Plan benefits of $1,204 a month each in 2021 dollars, or a total of $2,408 a month, the planner says. Old Age Security benefits will provide another $615 a month each, although some of their OAS may be clawed back depending on their income level. Because retirement is a long way off for this couple, these estimates are by way of illustration only, she adds. Justin and Nicole could consider purchasing a life annuity at retirement (or later) with a portion of their investments to create their own pension-like income stream, the planner says. The people: Justin and Nicole, both 33 The problem: How to map out their financial future to cover current and future costs, and set aside enough savings in Nicoles corporation to serve as a pension plan. Story continues below advertisement The plan: Begin a regular savings plan for Nicole using her corporation. Justin should continue to take advantage of his employers RRSP contributions, contribute to his TFSA and take steps to reduce his investment fees. The payoff: A flexible game plan focusing on properly prioritizing their goals. Monthly net income: $9,165 plus future rental income. Assets: House $1.6-million; her RRSP $60,090; his RRSP $135,390; her TFSA $20,535; his TFSA $81,930; corporate account $70,000; corporate reserve for taxes $40,000; her stocks $22,890; his stocks $13,700; her cash $35,000; his cash $16,000. Total: $2.1-million Monthly expenses: Mortgage $4,430; property tax $630; home insurance $75; utilities $140; maintenance $400; auto lease $350; other transportation $630; groceries $600; phone, internet, cable $190; vacations $800; entertainment, dining out, drinks $800; sports, hobbies $350; subscriptions $25; doctors, dentists $230; RRSP contributions $500; TFSAs $400. E-mail finfacelift@gmail.com. Some details may be changed to protect the privacy of the persons profiled. Be smart with your money. Get the latest investing insights delivered right to your inbox three times a week, with the Globe Investor newsletter. Sign up today. | Justin and Nicole are mapping out their future mortgage payments, children in a couple of years and even their eventual retirement from the work force. When their house closes, they hope to rent out the basement apartment for $1,700 a month. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/retirement/article-how-can-justin-and-nicole-map-out-their-financial-future-and-set-aside/ | 0.38398 |
How can Justin and Nicole map out their financial future and set aside enough savings to serve as a pension plan? | Open this photo in gallery Justin and Nicole. Tijana Martin/The Globe and Mail At age 33, with their $1.6-million Toronto-area house purchase closing soon, Justin and Nicole are mapping out their future mortgage payments, children in a couple of years and even their eventual retirement from the work force. Nicole is a commissioned sales person earning $100,000 a year after expenses. Justin is a sales manager earning $85,000 a year. When their house closes, they hope to rent out the basement apartment for $1,700 a month. Neither of us has a pension plan, Nicole writes in an e-mail. We want to save for retirement so it feels like we do have a pension, she adds. Their goals are to have an effective and tax-efficient savings plan and to use Nicoles corporation, set up last fall, as an income source during her future maternity leave, to help her parents financially if need be, and to save for retirement. Story continues below advertisement We asked Andrea Thompson, a financial planner at Raymond James in Toronto, to look at Nicole and Justins situation. What the expert says With a $1.25-million mortgage, Justin and Nicole will be taking on a significant payment each month, Ms. Thompson says. They have both already used the federal Home Buyers Plan, so this option is not available. Justin is making monthly RRSP contributions through his group plan at work of $168. His employer makes matching contributions of three times what Justin contributes, in this case $504 a month. It is advisable for Justin to keep maximizing these contributions to get his employer match, Ms. Thompson says. Justin has been topping up his RRSP with an additional $200 a month, plus he contributes $400 a month to his TFSA. Because Justin is at the 30 per cent marginal tax bracket, he should redirect the $200 a month that he has been making to his RRSP to his TFSA instead, the planner says. The couple will need financial flexibility over the coming years, requiring potential withdrawals from their accounts during maternity leaves, to handle unexpected expenses that often come with purchasing a new home, and to support their parents financially if and when required, Ms. Thompson says. Any withdrawals made from TFSAs are tax-free, and Justin can contribute the amount withdrawn in any subsequent tax year when cash flow allows, she adds. Justin is paying an average management expense ratio (MER) of 2.32 per cent in his RRSP and 2.25 per cent in his TFSA. His investment adviser has invested his accounts in mainly low-load mutual funds that carry penalties to redeem within the first three years. Justin would greatly benefit from a lower-cost portfolio, Ms. Thompson says. Simply reducing his average MER by one percentage point could result in an increase of $209,000 in his portfolio by age 65, assuming a 5 per cent rate of return, she says. He could consider working with an adviser who charges a lower management fee and uses more cost-effective products or investment options. Or he could take advantage of a robo-adviser service that would use passive exchange-traded funds to drive a lower cost. Nicole uses a robo-adviser and is happy with the service, the planner notes. Because her income is variable, Nicole has been contributing ad hoc to her TFSA and RRSP. She has been earning $100,000 a year net of expenses on average. She has been drawing a salary of $4,500 a month for lifestyle expenses, leaving the surplus earnings ($3,835 a month) inside the corporation, the planner says. Using her corporation for investment savings in lieu of drawing extra money out to make personal TFSA and RRSP contributions will accomplish the following, the planner says. First, the comparatively low 12.5 per cent combined Ontario/federal corporate tax rate would apply on any earnings that arent paid out as salary. On Nicoles surplus earnings of $3,835 a month, she would be paying $480 a month in corporate tax, leaving $3,355 for investment. This would have been the main purpose of incorporation for Nicole. Second, assuming Nicole is able to retain $3,355 a month inside the corporation, she will have built up a nice nest egg so she can continue withdrawing $4,500 a month during her maternity leave(s), the planner says. Using a 5 per cent average rate of return, Nicoles total corporate assets would accrue to $2.6-million by the time she plans to retire at the age of 60. Including her personal investments, she would have about $2.97-million. If Nicole wasnt incorporated or was drawing all of the income of $100,000 a year from the corporation, she would be able to make annual RRSP contributions of $18,000 a year. She would pay personal taxes of about $17,500, leaving her with net income of $64,500, Ms. Thompson says. Assuming she would require $45,000 for lifestyle purposes, this would leave her with $19,500 to save between her TFSA account (she has unused contribution room) and her non-registered account. At retirement, her total investment assets would have accrued to about $2.63-million, assuming a 5-per-cent rate of return and that no withdrawals have been made. Comparing the two scenarios, this represents an enhancement of almost $340,000 in savings using her corporation, Ms. Thompson says. Story continues below advertisement Given that Nicoles income could well be higher in future, the benefits of saving inside her corporation would be enhanced as her income potential grows, the planner notes. She would be able to enjoy the low 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate on earnings up to $500,000. At the age of 65 Justin and Nicole could be entitled to maximum Canada Pension Plan benefits of $1,204 a month each in 2021 dollars, or a total of $2,408 a month, the planner says. Old Age Security benefits will provide another $615 a month each, although some of their OAS may be clawed back depending on their income level. Because retirement is a long way off for this couple, these estimates are by way of illustration only, she adds. Justin and Nicole could consider purchasing a life annuity at retirement (or later) with a portion of their investments to create their own pension-like income stream, the planner says. The people: Justin and Nicole, both 33 The problem: How to map out their financial future to cover current and future costs, and set aside enough savings in Nicoles corporation to serve as a pension plan. Story continues below advertisement The plan: Begin a regular savings plan for Nicole using her corporation. Justin should continue to take advantage of his employers RRSP contributions, contribute to his TFSA and take steps to reduce his investment fees. The payoff: A flexible game plan focusing on properly prioritizing their goals. Monthly net income: $9,165 plus future rental income. Assets: House $1.6-million; her RRSP $60,090; his RRSP $135,390; her TFSA $20,535; his TFSA $81,930; corporate account $70,000; corporate reserve for taxes $40,000; her stocks $22,890; his stocks $13,700; her cash $35,000; his cash $16,000. Total: $2.1-million Monthly expenses: Mortgage $4,430; property tax $630; home insurance $75; utilities $140; maintenance $400; auto lease $350; other transportation $630; groceries $600; phone, internet, cable $190; vacations $800; entertainment, dining out, drinks $800; sports, hobbies $350; subscriptions $25; doctors, dentists $230; RRSP contributions $500; TFSAs $400. E-mail finfacelift@gmail.com. Some details may be changed to protect the privacy of the persons profiled. Be smart with your money. Get the latest investing insights delivered right to your inbox three times a week, with the Globe Investor newsletter. Sign up today. | Justin and Nicole are mapping out their future mortgage payments, children in a couple of years and even their eventual retirement from the work force. When their house closes, they hope to rent out the basement apartment for $1,700 a month. Their goals are to save for retirement so it feels like we do have a pension. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/retirement/article-how-can-justin-and-nicole-map-out-their-financial-future-and-set-aside/ | 0.574077 |
Will Kris Hutson push for bigger role as Oregon Ducks Y receiver? | With spring practice over, The Oregonian/OregonLive is reviewing Oregons depth chart position by position. We continue the 25-part series by looking at the Y receivers. The receiver spot with arguably the most flexibility on Oregons depth chart is in the slot. With Jaylon Redd out for most of the spring with a left foot injury, Mycah Pittman worked back inside, Kris Hutson got extensive work and Josh Delgado saw time at Y as well. Redd will return to the Y position and when he does it could allow Pittman to move back outside more often, but there will still be ample depth. In base 11 personnel, Oregons slot receivers are all of similar stature: Under 6-foot and 200 or less pounds. Theyre agile, shifty and elusive. Post-spring depth chart Jaylon Redd: 5-foot-9, 187 pounds, senior OR Mycah Pittman: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, sophomore Kris Hutson: 5-foot-11, 171 pounds, freshman Josh Delgado: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, sophomore Oregon wide receiver Jaylon Redd is tackled by Iowa State defensive back Isheem Young, left, during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) APAP Co-starter Though he missed most all of spring, Redd is clearly going to be a regular contributor. He led the Ducks with 25 catches last season for 281 yards and a touchdown and also had three carries with a score. Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead likes to get Redd the ball in space and allow his speed to do the rest. In the right matchups he presents real problems for a defense. Oregon's Mycah Pittman, right, looks for extra yards against Arizona's Christian Roland-Wallace, left, after a pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)AP Co-starter Were listing Pittman as a co-starter at both Z and Y coming out of spring due to the injury to Redd and because of Pittmans versatility. Hes played both roles and can continue to do so. Yes. One area where Pittman does need to improve is his run blocking and in bunch and tight sets when hes closer to the tackles hes matched up with bigger defenders and has had a tougher time. Oregon receiver Kris Hutson makes a catch during practice. Next wave Hutson had four catches for 37 yards as a true freshman last season. He had three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown during the spring game. Hes clearly behind more experienced players but also appears to be the future of the position for the Ducks in at least 2022. With a full offseason, Hutson should see the field more and should have a spot on the two-deep in the fall. Josh Delgado had three catches for 36 yards last season. Hes also capable of playing inside or outside, but is behind multiple players at either Y or Z with talented freshmen coming in as well. Summer arrivals Isaiah Brevard is likely going to begin in the slot at the Y position. At 6-foot-4 he doesnt fit the mold of Oregons other slot receivers but having a bigger slot receiver besides split out tight ends will be useful as well. Quotable Obviously theyre good players. Theyve made a bunch of plays, theyve played a bunch of ball. But the approach that they bring every single day in our room really, really helps. - receivers coach Bryan McClendon on Jaylon Redd and Johnny Johnson III | Jaylon Redd missed most of the spring with a left foot injury. Mycah Pittman worked back inside, Kris Hutson got extensive work at Y. Hutson should have a spot on the two-deep in the fall. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2021/05/will-kris-hutson-push-for-bigger-role-as-oregon-ducks-y-receiver.html | 0.12058 |
Is a small B.C. citys renoviction bylaw coming to Toronto? | Toronto-area politicians say they intend to push to implement laws similar to those adopted by a B.C. city to combat so-called renovictions in Ontario. New Westminster recently won a court challenge to a bylaw it adopted in 2019, which has been credited with eliminating renovictions that is, landlords evicting people under the guise of making renovations only to rent their units out for far more money. Weve just been waiting for somebody to find out what the key is to unlock this problem with renovictions, particularly in this really difficult time around housing, and it looks like they may have, Paula Fletcher, councillor for Toronto-Danforth, said on Friday afternoon. New Westminsters bylaw holds landlords of purpose-built rentals responsible for the alternate accommodation of their tenants if they need to leave a unit so it can be renovated and requires them to send the tenant a written offer to move back into their unit or another one at the same rate. The bylaw is backed up by fines and the prospect of not having business licenses renewed if owners dont comply. Landlords can also appeal to city council if they feel they have a legitimate reason for not accommodating a tenant. Late last month, a challenge to the bylaw from a property owner was dismissed by the B.C. Court of Appeal on the grounds the provinces Community Charter gives the city the right to implement and enforce the bylaw. In the three years prior to the bylaw, the city, a Vancouver suburb of more than 70,000, had 333 known renovictions and the number has had none since 2019. Jessica Bell, housing critic for Ontarios opposition NDP, said renovictions have been a huge problem through Toronto, where she represents the downtown riding of University-Rosedale. Between 2015 and 2018, data from Ontarios Landlord and Tenant Board shows a 149-per-cent increase in applications to remove tenants during renovations. From April 2019 to the end of March 2020, the LTB received 582 applications to evict tenants for demolitions, conversions, repairs or renovations. And Bell worries that rising market-rent costs will only provide an incentive for further renovictions. We expect, with the continuing boom in housing prices, for more renters to be screwed, she said. So she supports assessing whether the New Westminster approach could legally work somewhere like Toronto. John Mascarin, partner at Toronto law firm Aird Berlis, says the two provinces arent too different in terrain. He noted that Ontarios Municipal Act and the City of Toronto Act are very similar in structure to British Columbias Community Charter. Mascarin said theres actually many parts of Canada with laws similar to those of B.C. I can certainly see why theres interest in this case across the country, Mascarin said. Most of the jurisdictions across Canada are probably quite similar to the B.C. community charter, so you could probably see these renoviction bylaws popping up throughout the country. One question, he said, was whether there was anything laid out in the provinces relationship with municipalities, or residential tenancy laws, that could bar such a bylaw. But landlords say the measures arent needed. President and CEO of the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario, Tony Irwin, said regulations meant to protect tenants and landlords are adequate. The Ontario government did make changes, they did strengthen tenant protections through Bill 184 and we think those protections are very strong, Irwin said. The bill, passed last year, increased fines on landlords who conduct illegal evictions. Renters charge the fines dont deter landlords, but Irwin said the fines are significant and can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a corporation. Three Toronto city councillors, on Friday afternoon, said theyd support exploring whether the measure could be adopted in the city. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Fletcher pledged to raise the matter of New Westminsters approach at a city housing committee next week. I will be bringing a letter to Planning and Housing next week, asking staff to report very quickly on if any of these options could work in Toronto, and then we can start moving in that direction. A Toronto version may have to look slightly different, Fletcher cautioned, owing to different rules about residential rentals and the requirements on landlords. In Toronto, apartment owners with three-plus stories or 10-plus units currently have to register via the RentSafeTO program. But if there was a way to use city powers to crack down on renovictions, its worth exploring it as quickly as possible, she said. The tenants really feel very, very vulnerable (during) renovictions, she said. I think were ready to really look at some concrete actions here. Coun. Mike Layton, who represents the same ward as Bell, supports the approach. Layton said sometimes, it takes one brave municipality going out on a limb with an innovative policy for others to follow suit. Whatever opportunities or avenues that exist for us to have more accountability is worth the undertaking, he said. Coun. Ana Bailao, mayor John Torys advocate for affordable housing, agrees. But she also believes staff have already been eyeing the rule changes in New Westminster, noting that the executive director of Torontos housing secretariat is a recent transplant from B.C., herself. Bailo said the issue was bigger than just introducing new rules; the task was also to ensure rules on the books are enforced, and that tenants know what rights they already have. Dania Majid, a lawyer with the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, believes the responsibility falls on the province. Landlords looking to make cash off renovictions will just move to the next municipality if they cannot do it in Toronto, she said. It could have broader impact, but, ideally, we would not want to see a patchwork approach in Ontario, she said. We really need the province to take control of this issue. with a file from Emily Mathieu | Toronto-area politicians say they intend to push to implement laws similar to those adopted by a B.C. city. New Westminster recently won a court challenge to a bylaw it adopted in 2019, which has been credited with eliminating renovictions. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/14/is-a-small-bc-citys-renoviction-bylaw-coming-to-toronto.html | 0.281167 |
Is a small B.C. citys renoviction bylaw coming to Toronto? | Toronto-area politicians say they intend to push to implement laws similar to those adopted by a B.C. city to combat so-called renovictions in Ontario. New Westminster recently won a court challenge to a bylaw it adopted in 2019, which has been credited with eliminating renovictions that is, landlords evicting people under the guise of making renovations only to rent their units out for far more money. Weve just been waiting for somebody to find out what the key is to unlock this problem with renovictions, particularly in this really difficult time around housing, and it looks like they may have, Paula Fletcher, councillor for Toronto-Danforth, said on Friday afternoon. New Westminsters bylaw holds landlords of purpose-built rentals responsible for the alternate accommodation of their tenants if they need to leave a unit so it can be renovated and requires them to send the tenant a written offer to move back into their unit or another one at the same rate. The bylaw is backed up by fines and the prospect of not having business licenses renewed if owners dont comply. Landlords can also appeal to city council if they feel they have a legitimate reason for not accommodating a tenant. Late last month, a challenge to the bylaw from a property owner was dismissed by the B.C. Court of Appeal on the grounds the provinces Community Charter gives the city the right to implement and enforce the bylaw. In the three years prior to the bylaw, the city, a Vancouver suburb of more than 70,000, had 333 known renovictions and the number has had none since 2019. Jessica Bell, housing critic for Ontarios opposition NDP, said renovictions have been a huge problem through Toronto, where she represents the downtown riding of University-Rosedale. Between 2015 and 2018, data from Ontarios Landlord and Tenant Board shows a 149-per-cent increase in applications to remove tenants during renovations. From April 2019 to the end of March 2020, the LTB received 582 applications to evict tenants for demolitions, conversions, repairs or renovations. And Bell worries that rising market-rent costs will only provide an incentive for further renovictions. We expect, with the continuing boom in housing prices, for more renters to be screwed, she said. So she supports assessing whether the New Westminster approach could legally work somewhere like Toronto. John Mascarin, partner at Toronto law firm Aird Berlis, says the two provinces arent too different in terrain. He noted that Ontarios Municipal Act and the City of Toronto Act are very similar in structure to British Columbias Community Charter. Mascarin said theres actually many parts of Canada with laws similar to those of B.C. I can certainly see why theres interest in this case across the country, Mascarin said. Most of the jurisdictions across Canada are probably quite similar to the B.C. community charter, so you could probably see these renoviction bylaws popping up throughout the country. One question, he said, was whether there was anything laid out in the provinces relationship with municipalities, or residential tenancy laws, that could bar such a bylaw. But landlords say the measures arent needed. President and CEO of the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario, Tony Irwin, said regulations meant to protect tenants and landlords are adequate. The Ontario government did make changes, they did strengthen tenant protections through Bill 184 and we think those protections are very strong, Irwin said. The bill, passed last year, increased fines on landlords who conduct illegal evictions. Renters charge the fines dont deter landlords, but Irwin said the fines are significant and can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a corporation. Three Toronto city councillors, on Friday afternoon, said theyd support exploring whether the measure could be adopted in the city. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Fletcher pledged to raise the matter of New Westminsters approach at a city housing committee next week. I will be bringing a letter to Planning and Housing next week, asking staff to report very quickly on if any of these options could work in Toronto, and then we can start moving in that direction. A Toronto version may have to look slightly different, Fletcher cautioned, owing to different rules about residential rentals and the requirements on landlords. In Toronto, apartment owners with three-plus stories or 10-plus units currently have to register via the RentSafeTO program. But if there was a way to use city powers to crack down on renovictions, its worth exploring it as quickly as possible, she said. The tenants really feel very, very vulnerable (during) renovictions, she said. I think were ready to really look at some concrete actions here. Coun. Mike Layton, who represents the same ward as Bell, supports the approach. Layton said sometimes, it takes one brave municipality going out on a limb with an innovative policy for others to follow suit. Whatever opportunities or avenues that exist for us to have more accountability is worth the undertaking, he said. Coun. Ana Bailao, mayor John Torys advocate for affordable housing, agrees. But she also believes staff have already been eyeing the rule changes in New Westminster, noting that the executive director of Torontos housing secretariat is a recent transplant from B.C., herself. Bailo said the issue was bigger than just introducing new rules; the task was also to ensure rules on the books are enforced, and that tenants know what rights they already have. Dania Majid, a lawyer with the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, believes the responsibility falls on the province. Landlords looking to make cash off renovictions will just move to the next municipality if they cannot do it in Toronto, she said. It could have broader impact, but, ideally, we would not want to see a patchwork approach in Ontario, she said. We really need the province to take control of this issue. with a file from Emily Mathieu | New Westminster, B.C., recently won a court challenge to a bylaw it adopted in 2019. Toronto-area politicians say they intend to push to implement laws similar to those adopted by a B.B. city to combat so-called renovictions in Ontario. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/14/is-a-small-bc-citys-renoviction-bylaw-coming-to-toronto.html | 0.289223 |
Why is violence flaring up in Israel and Gaza? | At least 126 Palestinians and seven Israelis have so far been killed in the most severe violence to occur in the region in years. Here's a look at why it's happening. There were two main triggers that ignited the current crisis. Protests erupted after attempts were made to evict a number of Palestinians from their homes in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Those specific evictions have been paused by Israel's Supreme Court, but they're part of a long-term campaign supported by the Israeli government to move Jewish settlers into Palestinian neighborhoods in the disputed area of east Jerusalem, which was occupied after the 1967 war and later annexed by Israel in a move that has not been recognized by the international community. There were also restrictions imposed on Palestinians during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which ended on Wednesday. For years, Israeli-Arabs and Palestinians have gathered at the Damascus Gate entrance to Jerusalem's Old City to celebrate during Ramadan. This year, Israeli police erected barricades in the area and restricted the number of people permitted to enter. After a series of protests the barricades were removed, but then Israeli police stormed the area around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, also known as the Temple Mount, one of the holiest sites in Islam and Judaism, currently managed by an Islamic endowment called the Waqf. Muslims are allowed to pray there, but Jews and Christians are not. The Israeli police said they were responding to Israeli Arabs having gathered stones to use in a later riot. Palestinian witnesses said fighting began after police entered the compound and fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. Hundreds of Palestinians were injured in the raid. The Israeli police said at least 21 officers were also hurt. One of the two main Palestinian territories, the Gaza Strip, is run by the Hamas group. Considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel, Hamas issued an ultimatum to Israel to remove its forces from Sheikh Jarrah and Al-Aqsa. It then started firing rockets into Israel, prompting the Israeli military to launch airstrikes. Tanks have also since been used by Israel to target tunnels that run between Gaza and Israel, according to the Israeli Defense Force. At least 126 Palestinians in Gaza and seven Israelis have so far been killed. Hundreds of Palestinians have demonstrated in the West Bank, and at least 11 have been shot and killed by Israeli police during clashes there, according to The Associated Press. There has not been such a severe escalation of violence in the region since the Israel-Gaza war in 2014, where 2,251 people were killed in Gaza, 1,462 of them civilians, according to the United Nations. 67 Israeli soldiers were also killed in the fighting, along with six civilians, the U.N. said. While the last week has seen the most significant rocket fire since then, there's a key distinction between that conflict and the violence playing out now. Fighting has broken out in mixed Jewish and Israeli Arab communities around the country, with reports of neighbors attacking one another and mob violence. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin likened the situation to a "civil war." "I can't remember, at least in my lifetime, ever seeing that sort of consequence within Israel's internationally recognized borders, prior to the occupation that began in '67," Dr. H.A. Hellyer, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington D.C., told CBS News. "This is between citizens of the same country," said Dr. Yossi Mekelberg, an associate fellow at the Chatham House think-tank in London. Mekelberg said he hoped the unrest wouldn't be used as evidence that Jews and Palestinians simply can't live together. "They are destined to live in the same place," he told CBS News. "The question is how. It's how to really reconcile and talk to each other about it in a very honest and open way." "Issues that go back decades" "The confrontation over the past week isn't about the past week. It's not even about the last few weeks or the last few months," Hellyer said. "There are many underlying issues that go back decades, and the key issue in that regard is the ongoing military occupation of the Palestinian territories, including east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and the dispossession and disempowerment of the Palestinians that goes along with it." Palestinians who are born in east Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza are not given Israeli citizenship, though those born in east Jerusalem are given a form of Israeli permanent residency that means they can later apply for citizenship. Many of their day-to-day movements are restricted by Israeli checkpoints. Mekelberg said these among other inequalities have left an "unresolved, ethno-religious conflict between two communities, which should have been resolved [with] a two-state solution in which there is recognition of the right of self-determination of both. But there is only one country that enjoys self-determination, or group of people, and the other does not." He said that underlying inequality leaves tensions always simmering just below the surface, and "when something triggers all of these underlying issues, at one point or another, it explodes." | At least 126 Palestinians and seven Israelis have so far been killed in the most severe violence to occur in the region in years. There were two main triggers that ignited the current crisis: attempts to evict a number of Palestinians from their homes and restrictions on Palestinians during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-gaza-why-is-violence-flaring-up-now/ | 0.184868 |
What are the playoff scenarios in play for the Milwaukee Bucks in the last two games? | Milwaukee's win Thursday kept the Bucks in the conversation for the No. 2 seed (and maybe even the No. ), but Thursday's slew of outcomes didn't offer any additional clarity as to which team might garner the No. 6 seed and open the playoffs against No. 3 a slot that currently belongs to Milwaukee. The Miami Heat and New York Knicks the two likeliest teams for that assignment both won their contests. Milwaukee can still climb from its No. 3 spot The Bucks (45-25), one game back of the Brooklyn Nets after Thursday, face the Heat (39-31) on Saturday, then finish at the Chicago Bulls (30-40) on Sunday. If Milwaukee wins both games and Brooklyn (46-24) loses one of its last two, Milwaukee will leapfrog the Nets on tiebreaker and take command of the No. 2 seed. The downside: Brooklyn has two home games remaining against lesser opponents, the Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers (22-48). There's also a scenario where the Philadelphia 76ers (47-23) lose their final two games, and Milwaukee leapfrogs the 76ers for the No. 2 or even the No. 1 seed (if the Nets also lose). But both of Philly's final two games are against lowly Orlando Magic (21-49), making such a scenario highly unlikely. If the Bucks do match or bypass the Nets, they'd get the winner of the No. 7 or No. 8 seed game in the play-in tournament (Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers or Washington Wizards). If the Bucks stay where they are in the No. 3 spot, they'll be pitted against the No. 6 seed, almost certainly facing off against either Miami or New York. Who's the likely foe at No. After a win over Orlando on Thursday, Atlanta (40-31) can fully lock up the No. 4 seed with a win over the last-place Houston Rockets (16-54) on Sunday, which naturally seems likely. But, technically, the Hawks aren't out of the equation for the No. 6 just yet. If Miami goes 2-0, New York goes 1-1 or better and Atlanta loses that last game, the Hawks get the No. 6. Miami (39-31) owns the head-to-head tiebreaker against New York, so if Atlanta wins as expected and both Miami and New York (39-31) have the same record over their last two games, the Knicks will have the No. 6 spot. If the three teams all end up tied, the order will be: Atlanta (No. 4), Miami (No. 5) and New York (No. 6). Miami closes with the Bucks and Detroit Pistons (20-50), so it's reasonable to assume the Heat will at least get one win. New York finishes with Charlotte (33-37) and Boston (35-35), both teams with playoff aspirations but both games at Madison Square Garden. Bucks fans understandably wary of Miami after last year's playoff debacle might be asking themselves, 'Would the Bucks be better off if they just let Miami win Saturday?' thereby making it increasingly likely that Miami doesn't face the Bucks in the first round. With the No. 2 seed still in reach a prize that would guarantee no clash with the Heat in the first round among other benefits it seems imprudent to pull for a Bucks setback. Since the Heat finish with a lesser foe in Detroit, and it stands to reason Miami will win that game, the Bucks could win and Miami could still lock up a spot in the 4-5 matchup with a Knicks loss in either of their last two games. But if Bucks fans surrendered their hope for the No. 2 seed, it's true that if the Heat beat the Bucks, Miami would only need a win over the Pistons (or one Knicks loss) to assuredly miss Milwaukee in the opening round. The Bucks are 1-2 against the Knicks, but one of those losses came with a lineup that featured just one regular starter (Brook Lopez). The Bucks split two games on back-to-back nights with Miami, but that was back in late December. The Bucks are 2-1 against Atlanta this year. Final games are set The NBA finalized the start times for the Bucks final two games of the season. The team will conclude their home schedule Saturday night at Fiserv Forum against the Miami Heat at 7 p.m. Central. They will then end the regular season in Chicago on Sunday night at 8 p.m. Elijah Bryant officially signed Thursday afternoon the Bucks formally signed guard Elijah Bryant, who recently played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Bryant played for the 2019 Bucks summer league team, which was coached by current assistant Darvin Ham. He definitely made a very good impression on all of us, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said. Theres nothing like being the coach of the team and having a good feel, in this case Darvin, for what Elijah did. I think hes continued to grow and develop ad a player just an opportunity. I think we talk about (general manager) Jon Horst and the front office, theyre always looking for opportunities to make us better. "We just feel like this is another one of em. Keep trying to find good players to add to the roster, add to our core, and Elijahs done a lot of things well with us and since that summer league. Hes knocking on the door. In order to make room for the 26-year-old, the Bucks waived Rodions Kurucs on Wednesday. NBA names social justice award for Abdul-Jabbar The league announced the creation of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award on Thursday, which will be presented annually to a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the leagues decades-long values of equality, respect and inclusion. More:50 years ago, the Milwaukee Bucks were NBA champions: An oral history of the 1970-71 season Each team will nominate one player for the award, and the finalists and winner will be chosen by a committee of former NBA players, league executives and social justice leaders. The player who wins the award will choose an organization to receive a $100,000 donation on his behalf while four other finalists can choose an organization to receive $25,000. | Milwaukee can still climb from its No. 3 spot and open the playoffs against the Miami Heat. If the Bucks win both games and Brooklyn loses one of its last two, Milwaukee will leapfrog the Nets on tiebreaker. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/05/14/two-games-play-what-playoff-scenarios-bucks/5088759001/ | 0.321155 |
What are the playoff scenarios in play for the Milwaukee Bucks in the last two games? | Milwaukee's win Thursday kept the Bucks in the conversation for the No. 2 seed (and maybe even the No. ), but Thursday's slew of outcomes didn't offer any additional clarity as to which team might garner the No. 6 seed and open the playoffs against No. 3 a slot that currently belongs to Milwaukee. The Miami Heat and New York Knicks the two likeliest teams for that assignment both won their contests. Milwaukee can still climb from its No. 3 spot The Bucks (45-25), one game back of the Brooklyn Nets after Thursday, face the Heat (39-31) on Saturday, then finish at the Chicago Bulls (30-40) on Sunday. If Milwaukee wins both games and Brooklyn (46-24) loses one of its last two, Milwaukee will leapfrog the Nets on tiebreaker and take command of the No. 2 seed. The downside: Brooklyn has two home games remaining against lesser opponents, the Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers (22-48). There's also a scenario where the Philadelphia 76ers (47-23) lose their final two games, and Milwaukee leapfrogs the 76ers for the No. 2 or even the No. 1 seed (if the Nets also lose). But both of Philly's final two games are against lowly Orlando Magic (21-49), making such a scenario highly unlikely. If the Bucks do match or bypass the Nets, they'd get the winner of the No. 7 or No. 8 seed game in the play-in tournament (Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers or Washington Wizards). If the Bucks stay where they are in the No. 3 spot, they'll be pitted against the No. 6 seed, almost certainly facing off against either Miami or New York. Who's the likely foe at No. After a win over Orlando on Thursday, Atlanta (40-31) can fully lock up the No. 4 seed with a win over the last-place Houston Rockets (16-54) on Sunday, which naturally seems likely. But, technically, the Hawks aren't out of the equation for the No. 6 just yet. If Miami goes 2-0, New York goes 1-1 or better and Atlanta loses that last game, the Hawks get the No. 6. Miami (39-31) owns the head-to-head tiebreaker against New York, so if Atlanta wins as expected and both Miami and New York (39-31) have the same record over their last two games, the Knicks will have the No. 6 spot. If the three teams all end up tied, the order will be: Atlanta (No. 4), Miami (No. 5) and New York (No. 6). Miami closes with the Bucks and Detroit Pistons (20-50), so it's reasonable to assume the Heat will at least get one win. New York finishes with Charlotte (33-37) and Boston (35-35), both teams with playoff aspirations but both games at Madison Square Garden. Bucks fans understandably wary of Miami after last year's playoff debacle might be asking themselves, 'Would the Bucks be better off if they just let Miami win Saturday?' thereby making it increasingly likely that Miami doesn't face the Bucks in the first round. With the No. 2 seed still in reach a prize that would guarantee no clash with the Heat in the first round among other benefits it seems imprudent to pull for a Bucks setback. Since the Heat finish with a lesser foe in Detroit, and it stands to reason Miami will win that game, the Bucks could win and Miami could still lock up a spot in the 4-5 matchup with a Knicks loss in either of their last two games. But if Bucks fans surrendered their hope for the No. 2 seed, it's true that if the Heat beat the Bucks, Miami would only need a win over the Pistons (or one Knicks loss) to assuredly miss Milwaukee in the opening round. The Bucks are 1-2 against the Knicks, but one of those losses came with a lineup that featured just one regular starter (Brook Lopez). The Bucks split two games on back-to-back nights with Miami, but that was back in late December. The Bucks are 2-1 against Atlanta this year. Final games are set The NBA finalized the start times for the Bucks final two games of the season. The team will conclude their home schedule Saturday night at Fiserv Forum against the Miami Heat at 7 p.m. Central. They will then end the regular season in Chicago on Sunday night at 8 p.m. Elijah Bryant officially signed Thursday afternoon the Bucks formally signed guard Elijah Bryant, who recently played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Bryant played for the 2019 Bucks summer league team, which was coached by current assistant Darvin Ham. He definitely made a very good impression on all of us, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said. Theres nothing like being the coach of the team and having a good feel, in this case Darvin, for what Elijah did. I think hes continued to grow and develop ad a player just an opportunity. I think we talk about (general manager) Jon Horst and the front office, theyre always looking for opportunities to make us better. "We just feel like this is another one of em. Keep trying to find good players to add to the roster, add to our core, and Elijahs done a lot of things well with us and since that summer league. Hes knocking on the door. In order to make room for the 26-year-old, the Bucks waived Rodions Kurucs on Wednesday. NBA names social justice award for Abdul-Jabbar The league announced the creation of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion award on Thursday, which will be presented annually to a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and upholding the leagues decades-long values of equality, respect and inclusion. More:50 years ago, the Milwaukee Bucks were NBA champions: An oral history of the 1970-71 season Each team will nominate one player for the award, and the finalists and winner will be chosen by a committee of former NBA players, league executives and social justice leaders. The player who wins the award will choose an organization to receive a $100,000 donation on his behalf while four other finalists can choose an organization to receive $25,000. | Milwaukee can still climb from its No. 3 spot and open the playoffs against the Miami Heat. If the Bucks win both games and Brooklyn loses one of its last two, Milwaukee will leapfrog the Nets on tiebreaker and take command of the No. 2 seed. The Bucks are one game back of the Brooklyn Nets after Thursday. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/05/14/two-games-play-what-playoff-scenarios-bucks/5088759001/ | 0.478172 |
Does Student Loan Cancellation Stimulate The Economy? | Heres what you need to know. Student loan cancellation stimulates the economy Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a leading advocate for student loan cancellation, says that student loan forgiveness will stimulate the economy. If her legislative plan passes in Congress, 36 million student loan borrowers would get their federal student loans cancelled completely. Democrats in Congress have also proposed to forgive student loans with 4 changes. Supporters, like Warren, say that student loan cancellation will lead to new business formation, increase consumer spending, increase geographic mobility, increase the marriage rate, help people buy more homes, and save for retirement, among other benefits. In this regard, proponents who support one-time student loan forgiveness say your economic life, whether or not you have student loans, will get better. Student loans: a massive wealth transfer However, student loan cancellation means different things to different people. A recent Wall Street Journal op-ed called student loan cancellation a massive wealth transfer that charged taxpayers for the debt of student loan borrowers. The U.S. Department of Education noted that student loan borrowers collectively have saved $5 billion a month since student loan payments have been paused through temporary student loan forbearance. Paused student loan payments will continue through September 30, 2021, which could cost taxpayers another $25 billion. As of September 30, 2021, student loan borrowers will get approximately $90 billion of student loan cancellation since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. While student loan borrowers welcome those monthly savings, federal taxpayers may be less celebratory. Federal taxpayers like you are covering the cost of that $5 billion every month, and you could pay for student loan cancellation too. This would be true regardless of which of the two main paths to student loan cancellation occur. For example, $10,000 of student loan cancellation could cost taxpayers approximately $400 billion. If there is $50,000 of student loan cancellation, the amount could be as high as $1 trillion. Ultimately, federal taxpayers would pay for student loan cancellation. Economists can debate the impact of student loan cancellation on the economy. Warren and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) say student loan cancellation will provide a major boost to the economy. Importantly, however, $50,000 of student loan cancellation does not provide $50,000 of potential incremental consumer spending. Student loan forgiveness helps a borrower save a principal and interest payment each month, not the entire outstanding student loan balance. So, a borrower could have $50,000 of student loans, but only would save a $300 monthly payment from student loan cancellation, for example. Then, theres no guarantee how much, if any, would be spent in the economy. For example, a borrower may use the funds to save for retirement or pay other debt. While this certainly can help borrowers financially, theres not a guaranteed link to economic stimulus. Student loan cancellation could mean this Moodys found that the economic impact of student loan cancellation would be relatively minimal and would be similar to the stimulus effect of a tax cut. That said, Moodys believes that wide-scale student loan cancellation would increase household formation, small business formation, home ownership (long-term). Moodys also found there would be a modest increase in household consumptions and investment. However, Moodys also found that higher income earners could benefit from student loan cancellation, even if they could afford to make student loan payments. For example, current legislation in Congress would provide student loan forgiveness to borrowers who earn up to $125,000 in income. This is $50,000 higher than the income cutoff for the stimulus check, which had a $75,000 income cap. Finally, Moodys found that student loan cancellation could lead to moral hazard. Schumer has said that Congress could cancel student loans more than once. If this happens, future student borrowers could have an incentive to borrow more student loan debt if they think their student loan debt will be forgiven. If you follow the latest updates on student loan cancellation, then you would know that Biden or Congress didnt include student loan cancellation in the latest stimulus package. One can speculate on why it was excluded, but its possible the reason is related to whether wide-scale student loan cancellation has any material impact on the economy. There are already 5 signs that Biden wont enact student loan cancellation. The president and members of Congress will weigh several legal, policy and political benefits and risks in determining their support or opposition to student loan cancellation. Central to that determination is an overall assessment of student loan cancellation and its impact on the economy and cost to taxpayers. There are certainly other considerations, but as America continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic impact will be top of mind. If you have student loans, make sure you understand your options for student loan repayment and how to get out of debt. Here are some potential options to consider, all of which have no fees: Student Loans: Related Reading | Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) says that student loan forgiveness will stimulate the economy. | bart | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2021/05/14/does-student-loan-cancellation-stimulate-the-economy/ | 0.226331 |
Does Student Loan Cancellation Stimulate The Economy? | Heres what you need to know. Student loan cancellation stimulates the economy Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a leading advocate for student loan cancellation, says that student loan forgiveness will stimulate the economy. If her legislative plan passes in Congress, 36 million student loan borrowers would get their federal student loans cancelled completely. Democrats in Congress have also proposed to forgive student loans with 4 changes. Supporters, like Warren, say that student loan cancellation will lead to new business formation, increase consumer spending, increase geographic mobility, increase the marriage rate, help people buy more homes, and save for retirement, among other benefits. In this regard, proponents who support one-time student loan forgiveness say your economic life, whether or not you have student loans, will get better. Student loans: a massive wealth transfer However, student loan cancellation means different things to different people. A recent Wall Street Journal op-ed called student loan cancellation a massive wealth transfer that charged taxpayers for the debt of student loan borrowers. The U.S. Department of Education noted that student loan borrowers collectively have saved $5 billion a month since student loan payments have been paused through temporary student loan forbearance. Paused student loan payments will continue through September 30, 2021, which could cost taxpayers another $25 billion. As of September 30, 2021, student loan borrowers will get approximately $90 billion of student loan cancellation since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. While student loan borrowers welcome those monthly savings, federal taxpayers may be less celebratory. Federal taxpayers like you are covering the cost of that $5 billion every month, and you could pay for student loan cancellation too. This would be true regardless of which of the two main paths to student loan cancellation occur. For example, $10,000 of student loan cancellation could cost taxpayers approximately $400 billion. If there is $50,000 of student loan cancellation, the amount could be as high as $1 trillion. Ultimately, federal taxpayers would pay for student loan cancellation. Economists can debate the impact of student loan cancellation on the economy. Warren and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) say student loan cancellation will provide a major boost to the economy. Importantly, however, $50,000 of student loan cancellation does not provide $50,000 of potential incremental consumer spending. Student loan forgiveness helps a borrower save a principal and interest payment each month, not the entire outstanding student loan balance. So, a borrower could have $50,000 of student loans, but only would save a $300 monthly payment from student loan cancellation, for example. Then, theres no guarantee how much, if any, would be spent in the economy. For example, a borrower may use the funds to save for retirement or pay other debt. While this certainly can help borrowers financially, theres not a guaranteed link to economic stimulus. Student loan cancellation could mean this Moodys found that the economic impact of student loan cancellation would be relatively minimal and would be similar to the stimulus effect of a tax cut. That said, Moodys believes that wide-scale student loan cancellation would increase household formation, small business formation, home ownership (long-term). Moodys also found there would be a modest increase in household consumptions and investment. However, Moodys also found that higher income earners could benefit from student loan cancellation, even if they could afford to make student loan payments. For example, current legislation in Congress would provide student loan forgiveness to borrowers who earn up to $125,000 in income. This is $50,000 higher than the income cutoff for the stimulus check, which had a $75,000 income cap. Finally, Moodys found that student loan cancellation could lead to moral hazard. Schumer has said that Congress could cancel student loans more than once. If this happens, future student borrowers could have an incentive to borrow more student loan debt if they think their student loan debt will be forgiven. If you follow the latest updates on student loan cancellation, then you would know that Biden or Congress didnt include student loan cancellation in the latest stimulus package. One can speculate on why it was excluded, but its possible the reason is related to whether wide-scale student loan cancellation has any material impact on the economy. There are already 5 signs that Biden wont enact student loan cancellation. The president and members of Congress will weigh several legal, policy and political benefits and risks in determining their support or opposition to student loan cancellation. Central to that determination is an overall assessment of student loan cancellation and its impact on the economy and cost to taxpayers. There are certainly other considerations, but as America continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic impact will be top of mind. If you have student loans, make sure you understand your options for student loan repayment and how to get out of debt. Here are some potential options to consider, all of which have no fees: Student Loans: Related Reading | Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) says student loan cancellation will stimulate the economy. A recent Wall Street Journal op-ed called student loan cancellation a massive wealth transfer that charged taxpayers for the debt of student loan borrowers. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2021/05/14/does-student-loan-cancellation-stimulate-the-economy/ | 0.478944 |
Does Student Loan Cancellation Stimulate The Economy? | Heres what you need to know. Student loan cancellation stimulates the economy Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a leading advocate for student loan cancellation, says that student loan forgiveness will stimulate the economy. If her legislative plan passes in Congress, 36 million student loan borrowers would get their federal student loans cancelled completely. Democrats in Congress have also proposed to forgive student loans with 4 changes. Supporters, like Warren, say that student loan cancellation will lead to new business formation, increase consumer spending, increase geographic mobility, increase the marriage rate, help people buy more homes, and save for retirement, among other benefits. In this regard, proponents who support one-time student loan forgiveness say your economic life, whether or not you have student loans, will get better. Student loans: a massive wealth transfer However, student loan cancellation means different things to different people. A recent Wall Street Journal op-ed called student loan cancellation a massive wealth transfer that charged taxpayers for the debt of student loan borrowers. The U.S. Department of Education noted that student loan borrowers collectively have saved $5 billion a month since student loan payments have been paused through temporary student loan forbearance. Paused student loan payments will continue through September 30, 2021, which could cost taxpayers another $25 billion. As of September 30, 2021, student loan borrowers will get approximately $90 billion of student loan cancellation since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. While student loan borrowers welcome those monthly savings, federal taxpayers may be less celebratory. Federal taxpayers like you are covering the cost of that $5 billion every month, and you could pay for student loan cancellation too. This would be true regardless of which of the two main paths to student loan cancellation occur. For example, $10,000 of student loan cancellation could cost taxpayers approximately $400 billion. If there is $50,000 of student loan cancellation, the amount could be as high as $1 trillion. Ultimately, federal taxpayers would pay for student loan cancellation. Economists can debate the impact of student loan cancellation on the economy. Warren and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) say student loan cancellation will provide a major boost to the economy. Importantly, however, $50,000 of student loan cancellation does not provide $50,000 of potential incremental consumer spending. Student loan forgiveness helps a borrower save a principal and interest payment each month, not the entire outstanding student loan balance. So, a borrower could have $50,000 of student loans, but only would save a $300 monthly payment from student loan cancellation, for example. Then, theres no guarantee how much, if any, would be spent in the economy. For example, a borrower may use the funds to save for retirement or pay other debt. While this certainly can help borrowers financially, theres not a guaranteed link to economic stimulus. Student loan cancellation could mean this Moodys found that the economic impact of student loan cancellation would be relatively minimal and would be similar to the stimulus effect of a tax cut. That said, Moodys believes that wide-scale student loan cancellation would increase household formation, small business formation, home ownership (long-term). Moodys also found there would be a modest increase in household consumptions and investment. However, Moodys also found that higher income earners could benefit from student loan cancellation, even if they could afford to make student loan payments. For example, current legislation in Congress would provide student loan forgiveness to borrowers who earn up to $125,000 in income. This is $50,000 higher than the income cutoff for the stimulus check, which had a $75,000 income cap. Finally, Moodys found that student loan cancellation could lead to moral hazard. Schumer has said that Congress could cancel student loans more than once. If this happens, future student borrowers could have an incentive to borrow more student loan debt if they think their student loan debt will be forgiven. If you follow the latest updates on student loan cancellation, then you would know that Biden or Congress didnt include student loan cancellation in the latest stimulus package. One can speculate on why it was excluded, but its possible the reason is related to whether wide-scale student loan cancellation has any material impact on the economy. There are already 5 signs that Biden wont enact student loan cancellation. The president and members of Congress will weigh several legal, policy and political benefits and risks in determining their support or opposition to student loan cancellation. Central to that determination is an overall assessment of student loan cancellation and its impact on the economy and cost to taxpayers. There are certainly other considerations, but as America continues to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic impact will be top of mind. If you have student loans, make sure you understand your options for student loan repayment and how to get out of debt. Here are some potential options to consider, all of which have no fees: Student Loans: Related Reading | Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) says that student loan forgiveness will stimulate the economy. If her legislative plan passes in Congress, 36 million student loan borrowers would get their federal student loans cancelled completely. A recent Wall Street Journal op-ed called student loan cancellation a massive wealth transfer. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2021/05/14/does-student-loan-cancellation-stimulate-the-economy/ | 0.458057 |
Can Sony reclaim its former glory? | Ever since the iPod debuted on October 23, 2001, Sony has been in trouble. Apple's music player instantly made Sony's MiniDisc and Memory Stick WalkMan devices seem antiquated. The iPod could hold up to 1,000 songs on its (at the time) roomy 5GB hard drive. Sony, meanwhile, also released a WalkMan that same month with a 128MB Memory Stick, the largest size available at the time. The iPod became a cultural phenomenon, cementing Apple as a consumer electronics innovator beyond the world of computers. It took Sony until 2004 to produce its own music player with a hard drive, effectively killing any relevance it had in the world of mobile music. Whoops. That was just the beginning of a downward spiral for Sony. The company also famously missed out on e-readers (despite hitting that market before Amazon's Kindle) and smartphones (even though Sony Ericsson feature phones were fairly popular). It's had such a rocky time over the last few decades that Engadget's Mat Smith dubbed Sony the catch-up king in 2014, after abandoning its VAIO PC business. That was a notable defeat for Sony; VAIOs were practically the only stylish PCs throughout the '90s and early 2000s. Even Steve Jobs was known to admire Sony's PC designs, so much so that he tried to get the company to produce VAIO machines that ran Mac OS X in 2001. Obviously, those discussions never went anywhere. Sony PlayStation 5 Even now, as Sony is riding high on the PlayStation 5 and focusing on being an entertainment giant, the company's influence is far from its heyday. Sony used to dominate the TV world with its Trinitron CRTs, an innovation so far beyond early color TVs that it won an Emmy in 1973 a first for any consumer electronics product. The Walkman practically took over the world, popularizing the idea that you could listen to your favorite tunes anywhere. Outside of the PlayStation (which now makes up the bulk of its business), Sony has a reputation for following. It has a strong lineup of mirrorless cameras, but so does Nikon, Fujifilm and Canon. It leads the image sensor market, but that has mainly translated to better cameras on the iPhone, rather than making people want to buy Sony phones. (Admittedly, the Xperia 11 was very nice, but that came after years of forgettable hardware.) Story continues Sony Xperia 11 To be fair, Sony has done a solid job of turning its business around from its miserable 2000's. Howard Stringer, the company's first English-speaking CEO, tried to bring some Western-style management into the very traditional Japanese company. But that wasn't enough to help Sony successfully weather the 2008 economic crisis, or deal with the rise of consumer electronics newcomers like Samsung and other low-cost competitors. Kazuo Hirai, the former PlayStation lead who took over the CEO mantle in 2012, turned to layoffs and cost-cutting measures (like the aforementioned PC abandonment) to stabilize the company. He completed his goal in 2018, when Sony was finally able to report a strong profit, and promptly announced his retirement. Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony's former chief financial officer and current CEO, was also instrumental in helping the company recover. But for Sony to recover its former glory, it needs to do more than survive: It needs to figure out a way to thrive again. Sony could try to mimic a more dominant competitor like Samsung, but that'll be difficult, according to Ross Rubin, principal analyst at Reticle Research. "It's very tough to compete with Samsung because of their tremendous marketing budget, their broad portfolio, their carrier relationships, and their consumer ecosystem that is (a distant) second to Apple's," he said. A better option may be to follow in Microsoft's move towards the cloud, which was more about serving professional users and vertical markets (i.e., delivering something that multiple companies can use). That's basically what Sony is already doing with its camera sensor business, but according to Rubin the company could potentially build on that: "The future of imaging sensors is bright as we'll see these go into all kinds of new devices. I could also see them being active in a broader VR/AR headset market beyond PSVR." While the VR market has been slow to truly take off, devices like the Oculus Quest 2 prove that it's possible to make them cheaper and easier to use. And all eyes are on Apple as it pursues its augmented reality strategy. AR glasses have the potential to impact the world as much as the iPhone did. After all, smartphones put connected supercomputers in our pockets; AR specs would just move much of our mobile experience right into our field of view. (You can practically just hear marketers salivating at the thought.) According to a Technavio report, the augmented reality market could grow by $77 billion come 2024. But of course, thats a best-case outcome that assumes well actually see successful AR products. Given the huge potential for augmented reality, it'd be smart for Sony to make sure it can power that category for others. But given just how well the PSVR turned out (and how promising its sequel looks), it's not hard to imagine that Sony also has a shot at building AR glasses of its own. To truly compete in that arena, and to avoid the mistakes of its past, Sony will need to match Apple's software and usability prowess. That's a tough thing for an aging company to learn overnight. I also can't think of many companies Sony could partner with (Google has its own usability issues when it comes to consumer devices). The only real solution is for Sony to hunker down, hire fresh new designers and confront its weaknesses head-on. It's not as if Sony is afraid to dive into bold new technology. It just can't make a dent in a world dominated by Apple, Samsung and Google. The real key to innovating is figuring out which new ideas can actually reshape the way we live as much as the Walkman did. Sony is at least well aware of its current creative quagmire. The company launched a New Business Creation department in 2014, with the goal of speeding up innovative new product development. But that mostly led to niche products that never really took off, like the Wena smartwatch and Aerosense drone. Again, they're both examples of jumping into existing markets without really adding much. In 2019, Sony booted up an internal startup accelerator that accepts ideas from anyone in the company, but that hasn't amounted to much at this point. Pragmatically, Sony's best choice may be to focus on professionals, like Rubin suggests. That just makes the most sense when you look at the company's existing portfolio. But I also hope that Sony can take a page from Microsoft and leverage that potential success with industry-shaping consumer products, like the Surface PCs. Those devices werent always perfect, but they pushed the PC world to consider bold new designs, like detachable tablets and rotating screens. Its perhaps impossible for Sony to relive its Walkman-era of innovation, but it still has a shot at reminding the tech world why it matters beyond video games and Spider-Man movies. | Sony has been in trouble since the iPod debuted in 2001. The company has struggled to compete with Apple and Samsung. Sony's PlayStation 5 is its latest product to make a splash, but it needs to do more to regain its former glory. It needs to figure out a way to thrive again. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/can-sony-reclaim-its-former-glory-120028019.html | 0.272383 |
How do I properly install a rear-facing car seat? | When it comes to making sure a childs car seat is properly installed, it is important to do your research, said Sgt. Jason Kraft, of the Toronto Police Services traffic services unit. The Toronto Police Service notes on its website that approximately 80 per cent of child car seats are being used incorrectly. This may be because of how it is being installed, how a baby is being secured in the seat or that a car seat is being used where its condition and age are unknown. A rear-facing child seat should be used for children who are less than 20 lbs., but it is recommended you keep your child in one for as long as possible. Most collisions result in a frontal impact where, with all the momentum, the inertia and the energy, it is better for the child to be rear facing to protect them from that energy, Kraft said. Car seats should be installed in the back seat or the second or third row of larger vehicles and away from the airbags. They should also be installed only in spots where the seatbelt has a shoulder and lap strap. Rear-facing seats come with a level indicator sticker or information in the manual about the correct angle it should be installed at. Once you have it positioned correctly, you route the vehicles seat belt or Universal Anchorage System strap through the seats proper attachment points and use your body weight to fasten it into place. The seat should not be able to move more than 2.5 cm in any direction. When you place your child in the seat, the harness straps should pass through the correct slot, so they are at or below their shoulders and the clip on the harness lies flat against their chest at armpit level. If you pinch the straps at the collarbone, there should be no slack. | A rear-facing child seat should be used for children who are less than 20 lbs. It is recommended you keep your child in one for as long as possible. Car seats should be installed in the back seat or the second or third row of larger vehicles. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.thestar.com/autos/advice/2021/05/15/how-do-i-properly-install-a-rear-facing-car-seat.html | 0.112054 |
Is it OK if I never update Windows 10? | Q: I have a 2015 Dell laptop with a 32-gigabyte solid-state drive running the original 2015 Win 10 Home version. Ive never been able to update Windows 10 due to insufficient disk space. I only have 5 gigabytes of free disk space no matter what I do. Ive tried disk cleanup and deleted unused programs but still only see a marginal improvement in disk space. When the unit was still under warranty I spoke with Dell support about this issue. They said essentially just live with it, that it wasnt a big deal. The laptop works reasonably well and I dont want to create a problem and wind up with a nonfunctioning computer. J. Needham A: Im afraid it IS a big deal. If you cant update Windows youre not getting security patches, leaving your computer vulnerable. So Id invest in a fast external solid-state drive (SSD) and move as much of your data over to that drive as is needed to free up the 20 gigabytes needed to install the 64-bit version of Windows 10. (Youll only need to free up 16 gigabytes if youre installing the 32-bit version.) Related Tech Q&As Read more from Patrick Marshall here >> Q: I have an HP desktop computer with Windows 10 operating system. I am mostly using the Microsoft Edge browser. Starting about a month ago when I put the computer in the sleep mode it will go to sleep but will wake up after a few minutes. I have a friend that has the same problem with his laptop. This may have started after one of Microsofts Windows updates. James Lowndes, Renton A: There are a lot of potential causes for your computer coming out of sleep mode. Advertising The first thing to do is to check on what Windows itself reports woke it up. At the Start menu scroll down to the Windows System folder. In that folder right-click on the Command Prompt then select More/Run as Administrator. Finally, in the command prompt that pops up, type: powercfg -lastwake. Of course, what you do after that depends on what Windows reports. It could be a misbehaving device, a network adapter or even malware. Q: Wow. Last night I watched the Netflix production Our Social Dilemma. It was chilling. I hope all users of social media watch this program, especially parents who allow their children to use social media. I immediately deleted my Facebook account, but I want to continue to access the internet. Ive been a solid Chrome user for years, but no more. Lisa, Bow A: In large part for its privacy features, the browser I most often use is Mozilla Firefox. But its not just the browser youll want to consider. If youre using Firefox but using Google as your search engine youre still exposing a lot of personal data. Thats why I use DuckDuckGo as my primary search engine. Their promise: Our privacy policy is simple: we dont collect or share any of your personal information. | Q: I have a 2015 Dell laptop with a 32-gigabyte solid-state drive running the original 2015 Win 10 Home version. Ive never been able to update Windows 10 due to insufficient disk space. | bart | 1 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/is-it-ok-if-i-never-update-windows-10-because-of-insufficient-disk-space/ | 0.104338 |
Is it OK if I never update Windows 10? | Q: I have a 2015 Dell laptop with a 32-gigabyte solid-state drive running the original 2015 Win 10 Home version. Ive never been able to update Windows 10 due to insufficient disk space. I only have 5 gigabytes of free disk space no matter what I do. Ive tried disk cleanup and deleted unused programs but still only see a marginal improvement in disk space. When the unit was still under warranty I spoke with Dell support about this issue. They said essentially just live with it, that it wasnt a big deal. The laptop works reasonably well and I dont want to create a problem and wind up with a nonfunctioning computer. J. Needham A: Im afraid it IS a big deal. If you cant update Windows youre not getting security patches, leaving your computer vulnerable. So Id invest in a fast external solid-state drive (SSD) and move as much of your data over to that drive as is needed to free up the 20 gigabytes needed to install the 64-bit version of Windows 10. (Youll only need to free up 16 gigabytes if youre installing the 32-bit version.) Related Tech Q&As Read more from Patrick Marshall here >> Q: I have an HP desktop computer with Windows 10 operating system. I am mostly using the Microsoft Edge browser. Starting about a month ago when I put the computer in the sleep mode it will go to sleep but will wake up after a few minutes. I have a friend that has the same problem with his laptop. This may have started after one of Microsofts Windows updates. James Lowndes, Renton A: There are a lot of potential causes for your computer coming out of sleep mode. Advertising The first thing to do is to check on what Windows itself reports woke it up. At the Start menu scroll down to the Windows System folder. In that folder right-click on the Command Prompt then select More/Run as Administrator. Finally, in the command prompt that pops up, type: powercfg -lastwake. Of course, what you do after that depends on what Windows reports. It could be a misbehaving device, a network adapter or even malware. Q: Wow. Last night I watched the Netflix production Our Social Dilemma. It was chilling. I hope all users of social media watch this program, especially parents who allow their children to use social media. I immediately deleted my Facebook account, but I want to continue to access the internet. Ive been a solid Chrome user for years, but no more. Lisa, Bow A: In large part for its privacy features, the browser I most often use is Mozilla Firefox. But its not just the browser youll want to consider. If youre using Firefox but using Google as your search engine youre still exposing a lot of personal data. Thats why I use DuckDuckGo as my primary search engine. Their promise: Our privacy policy is simple: we dont collect or share any of your personal information. | Q: I have a 2015 Dell laptop with a 32-gigabyte solid-state drive. Ive never been able to update Windows 10 due to insufficient disk space. A: If you cant update Windows youre not getting security patches, leaving your computer vulnerable. | bart | 2 | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/is-it-ok-if-i-never-update-windows-10-because-of-insufficient-disk-space/ | 0.157853 |
Was the Failed Union Drive in Bessemer a Net Positive for the Labor Movement? | Yes A consistent theme of the postmortems on the failed union drive at Amazons warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., is that the organizers just werent ready to take on the tech behemoth. If the labor movement is going to beat a corporate giant, the argument goes, it needs to be smarter and more strategic. It must provide organizers with new and better skills and more carefully pick and choose the sites of its campaigns. To win a single-site union vote or even a broader one against a regional employer, this may be true. But organizing Amazon is taking aim at the core of the global economy. Its the kind of campaign in which victory could spark a labor surge that brings millions of people into unions and shifts the balance of workplace power for generations. And these sorts of fights rarely happen at the time and place of our choosing.1 In Bessemer, disgruntled employees reached out to a local union that had recently notched some big wins; it was what we in the labor movement call a hot shop. And the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union did what it could to control the terrain and timing of the campaign, but existing labor law makes that nearly impossible. Still, organizers should take on these potentially paradigm-shifting struggles wherever they emergeeven if they lose more often than they win.2 Successful movements grow out of these sorts of failures. We celebrate, for example, the civil rights victories of the Birmingham campaign in 1963 but rarely discuss how the seeds of this success were planted in a failed desegregation campaign two years earlier in Albany, Ga.3 As the National Labor Relations Board adjudicates the RWDSUs accusations that Amazon illegally interfered with the vote, we can draw inspiration from the workers in Bessemer and turn their very public loss to labors advantage.4 From The New York Times live vote ticker to the edge-of-your-seat coverage in the business press and mainstream media, I have never seen a union drive receive so much attention. The whole country saw how the vote pitted a mostly Black, low-wage workforce against one of the wealthiest corporations in the world. People saw how the government agencies charged with protecting workers right to organize were unable to prevent an all-out assault on a free and fair election. People saw Amazon draw from the standard anti-union playbook (captive-audience meetings, expensive union-busting consultants, coercion) while adding some of its own innovations: installing a mailbox on company property, surveilling workers on a second-to-second basis, and even changing the traffic light pattern outside the warehouse to make it harder to canvass workers. Oliver Morton and Amy Westervelt While employers with the wealth and power of Amazon will always try to prevent their workers from organizing, the PRO Act would ban some of the tactics used in Bessemer. Employers, for instance, would no longer be able to change the size of the bargaining unit (the group of workers who qualify to be in the union) in the lead-up to an election. In Bessemer, Amazon insisted on a size almost four times as large as the one the workers claimed. The union had to try to organize thousands of new workers just as the anti-union campaign was heating up.6 While this campaign generated opinions from all corners, it has had another significant effect: raising the profile of other organizing efforts at Amazon. Weve seen Teamsters leaders from California to Iowa debating recognition strikes, job actions from Amazonians United in Chicago, and a renewed interest in the organizing efforts at the Twin Cities Awood Center, whose largely East African workers have led multiple strikes at Amazon warehouses and won significant concessions from management in recent years.7 Current Issue View our current issue None of these efforts will succeed on their own, but in the wake of the Bessemer campaign, we can begin to see the contours of what worker power at Amazon might look like. We wont get there through a perfectly staffed and centrally coordinated strategy. Multiple lines will need to converge at key moments. To confront corporate domination, we will need international solidarity as well as support from local communities. We need those fighting for Black lives and environmental justice to make worker rights central to their battles. We will need public officials willing to stand on the side of human rights, and we will need workers in facilities around the country to act together. There is no single tactic that will make this movement succeed, but the courageous workers in Bessemer have surely opened the door to many future efforts.8 Bessemer was just one fight, and there will be many more ahead. One thing is clear: Only a fighting labor movement can grow, and so its up to us to build on what happened and create opportunities for even bolder activity, not to shrink from the challenge and wait for the ideal circumstances that may never come.9 Alex Han10 No Working people are stuck, and the failed campaign to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., is illustrative of the problem. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union came in to help the workers who wanted a union. The RWDSUs organizers were the experts; they were to guide the workers toward victory. They moved forward with many a traditional unions boilerplate plan: Get 30 percent of the workers to sign union authorization cards, petition the National Labor Relations Board for a vote, and then push to win by a narrow margin. The election became a media spectacle centered on this bureaucratic maneuvering. Given the RWDSUs tactics, it should have been no surprise when Amazon routed the union, with 1,798 workers voting against unionizing and only 738 in favor.12 In organizer trainings, you often encounter the acronym AEIOU, for agitate, educate, inoculate, organize, unionize. Its the Industrial Workers of the World strategy. But RWDSU skipped over the first four vowels and went straight to unionize. With this approach, as our friends at the worker organization Amazonians United said in the lead-up to the vote, the campaign in Bessemer was bound to fail. The union seemed to want quick returns on its investment. The campaign was shortjust several monthsand was based around an election. My organization, Target Workers Unite, uses an entirely different model that requires being rooted in workplaces for years. We think organizers should be workers, not the paid staffers of big unions. That takes time, but its the best way to build the power necessary to confront giant corporations like Target or Amazon.13 Ive read a few stories about how the RWDSU is a scrappy union with limited resources, but compared with us, it has a massive war chest at its disposal. It just doesnt seem to use it for deep organizing. Its superficial campaigns only give credence to the notion that traditional unions are third parties that come in, take your money, and add bureaucracy while supplying few benefits for workers in return.14 In my community in Christiansburg, Va., the United Food and Commercial Workers, the parent union of the RWDSU, represents Kroger grocery workers. But Kroger pays many of its workers here less than $10 an hour, while Target starts us at $15. What evidence would you have in your life that unions work?15 The RWDSU launched a union vote campaign last year at a Target warehouse in Perth Amboy, N.J., but dropped it with no follow-up. It used the same practices for that flash-in-the-pan campaign as it did for the Amazon campaign. It carted in politicians for publicity but didnt make the effort to turn employees into worker-organizers.16 These labor campaigns will appear to confirm the worst clichs about unions. Whats worse, sometimes the stereotype that big unions are outsiders disconnected from the workers is accurate, and that makes it harder for others to organize.17 During the last wave of wildcat strikes in the 1970s, workers learned the importance of rank-and-file independence. They revolted not just against capitalists but also against the unions that they saw as having sold them out. Too much of the left uncritically thinks unions = good, but we should remember the lessons of the past: Actual worker organizing is good, but sometimes unions abandon that activity and take the struggle off the shop floor. Nelson Lichtenstein In many places and sectors, its normal for unions to focus on votes, contracts, and lobbying and not on actual worker power. This affects our efforts as a truly worker-centered labor organization. At Target Workers Unite, when we approach our coworkers, they project these experiences of unions on us without knowing the difference between us and a traditional union that may not bother to learn about our jobs, our working conditions, or even our communities. We believe that you cant parachute in and expect to win workers trust in a matter of months. It takes years of persistent effort to win over coworkers and shift the culture in a community. The type of organizing we saw in Bessemer will push people away in the long term and rarely build enough power to scare the bosses. The other type of organizing will build solidarity within our workplaces and communities to help fight not just declining living standards but deaths of despair and other symptoms of alienation. Labor organizing needs to be about more than just winning a vote or securing a contract. It should be about transforming communities and setting the foundation for a new, egalitarian society.19 Adam Ryan20 | Oliver Morton: Failed union drive in Bessemer a net positive for the Labor Movement. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.thenation.com/article/society/bessemer-amazon-organizing-labor/ | 0.396595 |
Was the Failed Union Drive in Bessemer a Net Positive for the Labor Movement? | Yes A consistent theme of the postmortems on the failed union drive at Amazons warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., is that the organizers just werent ready to take on the tech behemoth. If the labor movement is going to beat a corporate giant, the argument goes, it needs to be smarter and more strategic. It must provide organizers with new and better skills and more carefully pick and choose the sites of its campaigns. To win a single-site union vote or even a broader one against a regional employer, this may be true. But organizing Amazon is taking aim at the core of the global economy. Its the kind of campaign in which victory could spark a labor surge that brings millions of people into unions and shifts the balance of workplace power for generations. And these sorts of fights rarely happen at the time and place of our choosing.1 In Bessemer, disgruntled employees reached out to a local union that had recently notched some big wins; it was what we in the labor movement call a hot shop. And the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union did what it could to control the terrain and timing of the campaign, but existing labor law makes that nearly impossible. Still, organizers should take on these potentially paradigm-shifting struggles wherever they emergeeven if they lose more often than they win.2 Successful movements grow out of these sorts of failures. We celebrate, for example, the civil rights victories of the Birmingham campaign in 1963 but rarely discuss how the seeds of this success were planted in a failed desegregation campaign two years earlier in Albany, Ga.3 As the National Labor Relations Board adjudicates the RWDSUs accusations that Amazon illegally interfered with the vote, we can draw inspiration from the workers in Bessemer and turn their very public loss to labors advantage.4 From The New York Times live vote ticker to the edge-of-your-seat coverage in the business press and mainstream media, I have never seen a union drive receive so much attention. The whole country saw how the vote pitted a mostly Black, low-wage workforce against one of the wealthiest corporations in the world. People saw how the government agencies charged with protecting workers right to organize were unable to prevent an all-out assault on a free and fair election. People saw Amazon draw from the standard anti-union playbook (captive-audience meetings, expensive union-busting consultants, coercion) while adding some of its own innovations: installing a mailbox on company property, surveilling workers on a second-to-second basis, and even changing the traffic light pattern outside the warehouse to make it harder to canvass workers. Oliver Morton and Amy Westervelt While employers with the wealth and power of Amazon will always try to prevent their workers from organizing, the PRO Act would ban some of the tactics used in Bessemer. Employers, for instance, would no longer be able to change the size of the bargaining unit (the group of workers who qualify to be in the union) in the lead-up to an election. In Bessemer, Amazon insisted on a size almost four times as large as the one the workers claimed. The union had to try to organize thousands of new workers just as the anti-union campaign was heating up.6 While this campaign generated opinions from all corners, it has had another significant effect: raising the profile of other organizing efforts at Amazon. Weve seen Teamsters leaders from California to Iowa debating recognition strikes, job actions from Amazonians United in Chicago, and a renewed interest in the organizing efforts at the Twin Cities Awood Center, whose largely East African workers have led multiple strikes at Amazon warehouses and won significant concessions from management in recent years.7 Current Issue View our current issue None of these efforts will succeed on their own, but in the wake of the Bessemer campaign, we can begin to see the contours of what worker power at Amazon might look like. We wont get there through a perfectly staffed and centrally coordinated strategy. Multiple lines will need to converge at key moments. To confront corporate domination, we will need international solidarity as well as support from local communities. We need those fighting for Black lives and environmental justice to make worker rights central to their battles. We will need public officials willing to stand on the side of human rights, and we will need workers in facilities around the country to act together. There is no single tactic that will make this movement succeed, but the courageous workers in Bessemer have surely opened the door to many future efforts.8 Bessemer was just one fight, and there will be many more ahead. One thing is clear: Only a fighting labor movement can grow, and so its up to us to build on what happened and create opportunities for even bolder activity, not to shrink from the challenge and wait for the ideal circumstances that may never come.9 Alex Han10 No Working people are stuck, and the failed campaign to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., is illustrative of the problem. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union came in to help the workers who wanted a union. The RWDSUs organizers were the experts; they were to guide the workers toward victory. They moved forward with many a traditional unions boilerplate plan: Get 30 percent of the workers to sign union authorization cards, petition the National Labor Relations Board for a vote, and then push to win by a narrow margin. The election became a media spectacle centered on this bureaucratic maneuvering. Given the RWDSUs tactics, it should have been no surprise when Amazon routed the union, with 1,798 workers voting against unionizing and only 738 in favor.12 In organizer trainings, you often encounter the acronym AEIOU, for agitate, educate, inoculate, organize, unionize. Its the Industrial Workers of the World strategy. But RWDSU skipped over the first four vowels and went straight to unionize. With this approach, as our friends at the worker organization Amazonians United said in the lead-up to the vote, the campaign in Bessemer was bound to fail. The union seemed to want quick returns on its investment. The campaign was shortjust several monthsand was based around an election. My organization, Target Workers Unite, uses an entirely different model that requires being rooted in workplaces for years. We think organizers should be workers, not the paid staffers of big unions. That takes time, but its the best way to build the power necessary to confront giant corporations like Target or Amazon.13 Ive read a few stories about how the RWDSU is a scrappy union with limited resources, but compared with us, it has a massive war chest at its disposal. It just doesnt seem to use it for deep organizing. Its superficial campaigns only give credence to the notion that traditional unions are third parties that come in, take your money, and add bureaucracy while supplying few benefits for workers in return.14 In my community in Christiansburg, Va., the United Food and Commercial Workers, the parent union of the RWDSU, represents Kroger grocery workers. But Kroger pays many of its workers here less than $10 an hour, while Target starts us at $15. What evidence would you have in your life that unions work?15 The RWDSU launched a union vote campaign last year at a Target warehouse in Perth Amboy, N.J., but dropped it with no follow-up. It used the same practices for that flash-in-the-pan campaign as it did for the Amazon campaign. It carted in politicians for publicity but didnt make the effort to turn employees into worker-organizers.16 These labor campaigns will appear to confirm the worst clichs about unions. Whats worse, sometimes the stereotype that big unions are outsiders disconnected from the workers is accurate, and that makes it harder for others to organize.17 During the last wave of wildcat strikes in the 1970s, workers learned the importance of rank-and-file independence. They revolted not just against capitalists but also against the unions that they saw as having sold them out. Too much of the left uncritically thinks unions = good, but we should remember the lessons of the past: Actual worker organizing is good, but sometimes unions abandon that activity and take the struggle off the shop floor. Nelson Lichtenstein In many places and sectors, its normal for unions to focus on votes, contracts, and lobbying and not on actual worker power. This affects our efforts as a truly worker-centered labor organization. At Target Workers Unite, when we approach our coworkers, they project these experiences of unions on us without knowing the difference between us and a traditional union that may not bother to learn about our jobs, our working conditions, or even our communities. We believe that you cant parachute in and expect to win workers trust in a matter of months. It takes years of persistent effort to win over coworkers and shift the culture in a community. The type of organizing we saw in Bessemer will push people away in the long term and rarely build enough power to scare the bosses. The other type of organizing will build solidarity within our workplaces and communities to help fight not just declining living standards but deaths of despair and other symptoms of alienation. Labor organizing needs to be about more than just winning a vote or securing a contract. It should be about transforming communities and setting the foundation for a new, egalitarian society.19 Adam Ryan20 | Oliver Morton and Amy Westervelt: Failed union drive in Bessemer was a net positive for the labor movement. They say it raised the profile of other organizing efforts at Amazon. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.thenation.com/article/society/bessemer-amazon-organizing-labor/ | 0.615058 |
Was the Failed Union Drive in Bessemer a Net Positive for the Labor Movement? | Yes A consistent theme of the postmortems on the failed union drive at Amazons warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., is that the organizers just werent ready to take on the tech behemoth. If the labor movement is going to beat a corporate giant, the argument goes, it needs to be smarter and more strategic. It must provide organizers with new and better skills and more carefully pick and choose the sites of its campaigns. To win a single-site union vote or even a broader one against a regional employer, this may be true. But organizing Amazon is taking aim at the core of the global economy. Its the kind of campaign in which victory could spark a labor surge that brings millions of people into unions and shifts the balance of workplace power for generations. And these sorts of fights rarely happen at the time and place of our choosing.1 In Bessemer, disgruntled employees reached out to a local union that had recently notched some big wins; it was what we in the labor movement call a hot shop. And the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union did what it could to control the terrain and timing of the campaign, but existing labor law makes that nearly impossible. Still, organizers should take on these potentially paradigm-shifting struggles wherever they emergeeven if they lose more often than they win.2 Successful movements grow out of these sorts of failures. We celebrate, for example, the civil rights victories of the Birmingham campaign in 1963 but rarely discuss how the seeds of this success were planted in a failed desegregation campaign two years earlier in Albany, Ga.3 As the National Labor Relations Board adjudicates the RWDSUs accusations that Amazon illegally interfered with the vote, we can draw inspiration from the workers in Bessemer and turn their very public loss to labors advantage.4 From The New York Times live vote ticker to the edge-of-your-seat coverage in the business press and mainstream media, I have never seen a union drive receive so much attention. The whole country saw how the vote pitted a mostly Black, low-wage workforce against one of the wealthiest corporations in the world. People saw how the government agencies charged with protecting workers right to organize were unable to prevent an all-out assault on a free and fair election. People saw Amazon draw from the standard anti-union playbook (captive-audience meetings, expensive union-busting consultants, coercion) while adding some of its own innovations: installing a mailbox on company property, surveilling workers on a second-to-second basis, and even changing the traffic light pattern outside the warehouse to make it harder to canvass workers. Oliver Morton and Amy Westervelt While employers with the wealth and power of Amazon will always try to prevent their workers from organizing, the PRO Act would ban some of the tactics used in Bessemer. Employers, for instance, would no longer be able to change the size of the bargaining unit (the group of workers who qualify to be in the union) in the lead-up to an election. In Bessemer, Amazon insisted on a size almost four times as large as the one the workers claimed. The union had to try to organize thousands of new workers just as the anti-union campaign was heating up.6 While this campaign generated opinions from all corners, it has had another significant effect: raising the profile of other organizing efforts at Amazon. Weve seen Teamsters leaders from California to Iowa debating recognition strikes, job actions from Amazonians United in Chicago, and a renewed interest in the organizing efforts at the Twin Cities Awood Center, whose largely East African workers have led multiple strikes at Amazon warehouses and won significant concessions from management in recent years.7 Current Issue View our current issue None of these efforts will succeed on their own, but in the wake of the Bessemer campaign, we can begin to see the contours of what worker power at Amazon might look like. We wont get there through a perfectly staffed and centrally coordinated strategy. Multiple lines will need to converge at key moments. To confront corporate domination, we will need international solidarity as well as support from local communities. We need those fighting for Black lives and environmental justice to make worker rights central to their battles. We will need public officials willing to stand on the side of human rights, and we will need workers in facilities around the country to act together. There is no single tactic that will make this movement succeed, but the courageous workers in Bessemer have surely opened the door to many future efforts.8 Bessemer was just one fight, and there will be many more ahead. One thing is clear: Only a fighting labor movement can grow, and so its up to us to build on what happened and create opportunities for even bolder activity, not to shrink from the challenge and wait for the ideal circumstances that may never come.9 Alex Han10 No Working people are stuck, and the failed campaign to unionize an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., is illustrative of the problem. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union came in to help the workers who wanted a union. The RWDSUs organizers were the experts; they were to guide the workers toward victory. They moved forward with many a traditional unions boilerplate plan: Get 30 percent of the workers to sign union authorization cards, petition the National Labor Relations Board for a vote, and then push to win by a narrow margin. The election became a media spectacle centered on this bureaucratic maneuvering. Given the RWDSUs tactics, it should have been no surprise when Amazon routed the union, with 1,798 workers voting against unionizing and only 738 in favor.12 In organizer trainings, you often encounter the acronym AEIOU, for agitate, educate, inoculate, organize, unionize. Its the Industrial Workers of the World strategy. But RWDSU skipped over the first four vowels and went straight to unionize. With this approach, as our friends at the worker organization Amazonians United said in the lead-up to the vote, the campaign in Bessemer was bound to fail. The union seemed to want quick returns on its investment. The campaign was shortjust several monthsand was based around an election. My organization, Target Workers Unite, uses an entirely different model that requires being rooted in workplaces for years. We think organizers should be workers, not the paid staffers of big unions. That takes time, but its the best way to build the power necessary to confront giant corporations like Target or Amazon.13 Ive read a few stories about how the RWDSU is a scrappy union with limited resources, but compared with us, it has a massive war chest at its disposal. It just doesnt seem to use it for deep organizing. Its superficial campaigns only give credence to the notion that traditional unions are third parties that come in, take your money, and add bureaucracy while supplying few benefits for workers in return.14 In my community in Christiansburg, Va., the United Food and Commercial Workers, the parent union of the RWDSU, represents Kroger grocery workers. But Kroger pays many of its workers here less than $10 an hour, while Target starts us at $15. What evidence would you have in your life that unions work?15 The RWDSU launched a union vote campaign last year at a Target warehouse in Perth Amboy, N.J., but dropped it with no follow-up. It used the same practices for that flash-in-the-pan campaign as it did for the Amazon campaign. It carted in politicians for publicity but didnt make the effort to turn employees into worker-organizers.16 These labor campaigns will appear to confirm the worst clichs about unions. Whats worse, sometimes the stereotype that big unions are outsiders disconnected from the workers is accurate, and that makes it harder for others to organize.17 During the last wave of wildcat strikes in the 1970s, workers learned the importance of rank-and-file independence. They revolted not just against capitalists but also against the unions that they saw as having sold them out. Too much of the left uncritically thinks unions = good, but we should remember the lessons of the past: Actual worker organizing is good, but sometimes unions abandon that activity and take the struggle off the shop floor. Nelson Lichtenstein In many places and sectors, its normal for unions to focus on votes, contracts, and lobbying and not on actual worker power. This affects our efforts as a truly worker-centered labor organization. At Target Workers Unite, when we approach our coworkers, they project these experiences of unions on us without knowing the difference between us and a traditional union that may not bother to learn about our jobs, our working conditions, or even our communities. We believe that you cant parachute in and expect to win workers trust in a matter of months. It takes years of persistent effort to win over coworkers and shift the culture in a community. The type of organizing we saw in Bessemer will push people away in the long term and rarely build enough power to scare the bosses. The other type of organizing will build solidarity within our workplaces and communities to help fight not just declining living standards but deaths of despair and other symptoms of alienation. Labor organizing needs to be about more than just winning a vote or securing a contract. It should be about transforming communities and setting the foundation for a new, egalitarian society.19 Adam Ryan20 | Oliver Morton and Amy Westervelt: Failed union drive in Bessemer was a net positive for the labor movement. They say it raised the profile of other organizing efforts at Amazon, which could spark a labor surge. Morton and Westervelt say unions should take on struggles wherever they emerge, even if they lose. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.thenation.com/article/society/bessemer-amazon-organizing-labor/ | 0.736704 |
Will Nick Siriannis offense fit Eagles QB Jalen Hurts? | Despite several attempts to obtain clarity on Jalen Hurts, Nick Sirianni remained resolute about the second-year quarterbacks status: He will compete for the Eagles starting job. Hes done well in learning the new offense despite limited opportunities. And any discussion about his long-term future is premature. Im not even to that point right now of what 2022s going to look like, to be honest with you, Sirianni said Friday during a video news conference. Its such a long process. Indeed. Sirianni has yet to even see Hurts on the practice field, even if the start of rookie camp Friday offered a soft opening for the new Eagles coach. But he and his coaches have finished constructing their playbooks -- or at least the bulk of -- and what is in or not in the offense could go a long way in dictating Hurts success in 2021. Despite a narrative from some corners that the Eagles havent shown enough of a commitment to the former second-round draft pick, the teams offseason moves at quarterback -- or lack thereof -- said plenty. Hurts will be the No. 1, free-agent veteran Joe Flacco will be the No. 2, and beyond this season is yet to be determined. The Eagles are clearly prepared, with possibly three first-round picks, to acquire a replacement high in the draft or via trade next offseason. But its not as if general manager Howie Roseman and Sirianni sent discouraging messages to Hurts with their actions the last several months. They hired Brian Johnson, who has known the Texas native since he was 4, as quarterbacks coach. They expended their first round selection on receiver DeVonta Smith. And, most important, they didnt acquire a quarterback who would supplant him, although Flacco will provide the nominal competition. He showed enough promise in four starts last season to succeed the traded Carson Wentz. But Sirianni has a vote, as well, and will likely need to see Hurts in his offense for an extended period before reaching any conclusions. Jalens done a heck of a job learning the offense, Ill say that, Sirianni said. Hes impressive in there. Hes really got a good control of it. When were in these virtual meetings doing virtual walk-throughs Jalens just done a good job of taking the plays that have been taught to him. He can rattle off exactly what hes supposed to do on every single play. But knowing and doing are two separate things. The Colts offense that Sirianni is expected to incorporate was vast enough to accommodate three disparate quarterbacks in Indianapolis -- Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, and Philip Rivers -- in three seasons. I dont believe thats good coaching, when you just say, Heres our offense and lets go. You learn it, Sirianni said. Thats just not good offensive football. Of course, Jalen has strong qualities of being able to extend plays and move around. So were definitely looking at those things and doing those things. Siriannis offense, like most in the current NFL, wont be based on a traditional system like the West Coast or Air Coryell. Frank Reichs scheme with the Colts could accurately be described as multiple, with the former Eagles offensive coordinator piecing together an offense that he took from his stops as player and coach. He also took from his assistants, like Sirianni, and from Rivers, who preferred some of the deep passing concepts he learned under Norv Turner. But the deep over plays -- dovers as Sirianni called them during a film review he did with the Eagles website last month -- were always a part of the Colts base offense. It didnt matter if it was Jacoby, if it was Andrew, or if it was Philip, Sirianni said, we were running these plays in Indianapolis. But they ran them much more with the latter two than with Brissett, who struggled to throw downfield. Hurts lack of accuracy downfield -- at least based upon a small NFL sample -- would suggest that deep crossing routes wont be his forte. His tendency to scramble if his first few reads arent open wont help either. READ MORE: 2021 Eagles schedule: Our beat writers analyze the season game-by-game and predict some surprises When Sirianni first started installing the offense with his coaches, there wasnt much in terms of the quarterback read run game or run-pass option plays, two team sources said. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland brought some of that package into the fold, but it remains to be seen whether Sirianni scripts game plans for Hurts that favor those plays. All great players in their own right, all like to do things differently, though, right? Sirianni said during the film breakdown. And our job as coaches is to adapt to the players we have, and run the plays they like, but we also have a system. Sirianni stressed the importance of creating explosive plays. But there are other ways to generate chunk yards than just airing the ball out. The Colts offense was also designed to get it out quick and create yards after the catch. Those plays have a shelf life over the course of a game, but if you have the weapons -- and the Eagles have a few established ones (Miles Sanders, Dallas Goedert) and a few potential ones (Jalen Reagor and Smith) -- the short passing game could benefit Hurts. Brissett has mobility, but quarterback reads and RPOs were just one facet of the system Reich and Sirianni included for him. The reasons for his struggles in 2019 were manifold, but his limitations as a thrower were the most prominent. Hurts completed just 52% of his passes in his rookie season. He will need to improve his repetitive accuracy -- perhaps the most important trait for an NFL quarterback. No matter how much Sirianni caters his scheme to Hurts, there are certain downfield throws he will need to make if he is to thrive. But it would be foolish to try to jam an athletic quarterback into a traditional offense. While there is still a question as to whether mobile quarterbacks give teams a better chance at winning Super Bowls than pocket passers, Russel Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray have challenged that notion. And even if the bones of Siriannis offense are conventional, the best schemes are living, breathing, and evolving creations. The future hasnt been written and certainly not in regard to Hurts. READ MORE: 2021 Eagles schedule: New coach Nick Sirianni, QB Jalen Hurts face a tough first six weeks | Nick Sirianni says Jalen Hurts will compete for the Eagles' starting job. The new Eagles coach says Hurts has done well in learning the new offense. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/nick-sirianni-jalen-hurts-eagles-offense-colts-20210515.html | 0.174051 |
Will Nick Siriannis offense fit Eagles QB Jalen Hurts? | Despite several attempts to obtain clarity on Jalen Hurts, Nick Sirianni remained resolute about the second-year quarterbacks status: He will compete for the Eagles starting job. Hes done well in learning the new offense despite limited opportunities. And any discussion about his long-term future is premature. Im not even to that point right now of what 2022s going to look like, to be honest with you, Sirianni said Friday during a video news conference. Its such a long process. Indeed. Sirianni has yet to even see Hurts on the practice field, even if the start of rookie camp Friday offered a soft opening for the new Eagles coach. But he and his coaches have finished constructing their playbooks -- or at least the bulk of -- and what is in or not in the offense could go a long way in dictating Hurts success in 2021. Despite a narrative from some corners that the Eagles havent shown enough of a commitment to the former second-round draft pick, the teams offseason moves at quarterback -- or lack thereof -- said plenty. Hurts will be the No. 1, free-agent veteran Joe Flacco will be the No. 2, and beyond this season is yet to be determined. The Eagles are clearly prepared, with possibly three first-round picks, to acquire a replacement high in the draft or via trade next offseason. But its not as if general manager Howie Roseman and Sirianni sent discouraging messages to Hurts with their actions the last several months. They hired Brian Johnson, who has known the Texas native since he was 4, as quarterbacks coach. They expended their first round selection on receiver DeVonta Smith. And, most important, they didnt acquire a quarterback who would supplant him, although Flacco will provide the nominal competition. He showed enough promise in four starts last season to succeed the traded Carson Wentz. But Sirianni has a vote, as well, and will likely need to see Hurts in his offense for an extended period before reaching any conclusions. Jalens done a heck of a job learning the offense, Ill say that, Sirianni said. Hes impressive in there. Hes really got a good control of it. When were in these virtual meetings doing virtual walk-throughs Jalens just done a good job of taking the plays that have been taught to him. He can rattle off exactly what hes supposed to do on every single play. But knowing and doing are two separate things. The Colts offense that Sirianni is expected to incorporate was vast enough to accommodate three disparate quarterbacks in Indianapolis -- Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, and Philip Rivers -- in three seasons. I dont believe thats good coaching, when you just say, Heres our offense and lets go. You learn it, Sirianni said. Thats just not good offensive football. Of course, Jalen has strong qualities of being able to extend plays and move around. So were definitely looking at those things and doing those things. Siriannis offense, like most in the current NFL, wont be based on a traditional system like the West Coast or Air Coryell. Frank Reichs scheme with the Colts could accurately be described as multiple, with the former Eagles offensive coordinator piecing together an offense that he took from his stops as player and coach. He also took from his assistants, like Sirianni, and from Rivers, who preferred some of the deep passing concepts he learned under Norv Turner. But the deep over plays -- dovers as Sirianni called them during a film review he did with the Eagles website last month -- were always a part of the Colts base offense. It didnt matter if it was Jacoby, if it was Andrew, or if it was Philip, Sirianni said, we were running these plays in Indianapolis. But they ran them much more with the latter two than with Brissett, who struggled to throw downfield. Hurts lack of accuracy downfield -- at least based upon a small NFL sample -- would suggest that deep crossing routes wont be his forte. His tendency to scramble if his first few reads arent open wont help either. READ MORE: 2021 Eagles schedule: Our beat writers analyze the season game-by-game and predict some surprises When Sirianni first started installing the offense with his coaches, there wasnt much in terms of the quarterback read run game or run-pass option plays, two team sources said. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland brought some of that package into the fold, but it remains to be seen whether Sirianni scripts game plans for Hurts that favor those plays. All great players in their own right, all like to do things differently, though, right? Sirianni said during the film breakdown. And our job as coaches is to adapt to the players we have, and run the plays they like, but we also have a system. Sirianni stressed the importance of creating explosive plays. But there are other ways to generate chunk yards than just airing the ball out. The Colts offense was also designed to get it out quick and create yards after the catch. Those plays have a shelf life over the course of a game, but if you have the weapons -- and the Eagles have a few established ones (Miles Sanders, Dallas Goedert) and a few potential ones (Jalen Reagor and Smith) -- the short passing game could benefit Hurts. Brissett has mobility, but quarterback reads and RPOs were just one facet of the system Reich and Sirianni included for him. The reasons for his struggles in 2019 were manifold, but his limitations as a thrower were the most prominent. Hurts completed just 52% of his passes in his rookie season. He will need to improve his repetitive accuracy -- perhaps the most important trait for an NFL quarterback. No matter how much Sirianni caters his scheme to Hurts, there are certain downfield throws he will need to make if he is to thrive. But it would be foolish to try to jam an athletic quarterback into a traditional offense. While there is still a question as to whether mobile quarterbacks give teams a better chance at winning Super Bowls than pocket passers, Russel Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray have challenged that notion. And even if the bones of Siriannis offense are conventional, the best schemes are living, breathing, and evolving creations. The future hasnt been written and certainly not in regard to Hurts. READ MORE: 2021 Eagles schedule: New coach Nick Sirianni, QB Jalen Hurts face a tough first six weeks | Nick Sirianni says Jalen Hurts will compete for the Eagles' starting job. The new Eagles coach says Hurts has done a good job of learning the new offense. But he says it's premature to talk about Hurts' long-term future with the team. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/nick-sirianni-jalen-hurts-eagles-offense-colts-20210515.html | 0.212283 |
How did Bill Gates end up owning $13 billion worth of Canadas biggest railway? | The second-biggest divorce announcement ever made on Twitter was perfectly choreographed, with two matching tweets each posted at exactly 4:30 p.m. EDT on Monday May 3. Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates said in identical statements they planned to end their 27-year marriage, a bombshell breakup that came two years after Jeff Bezos, the worlds richest person, announced his own split on the website. Speculation from the Wall Street Journal to gossip site TMZ is now swirling about the cause of the relationship breakdown between the Microsoft co-founder, 65, and French Gates, 56, who together are worth more than $127 billion (U.S.) according to Forbes. Their three children are grown their youngest daughter is expected to finish high school this year but many are still wondering who will get the house, a sprawling estate dubbed Xanadu 2.0, after the mansion in Citizen Kane. Reports say the house alone is valued at around $130 million (U.S.) small change compared to the rest of their fortune. Yet, behind the scenes on that Monday, there were already signs the pair planned for an orderly financial uncoupling. Along with the perfectly timed tweets and a divorce filing in a Seattle court, a series of stock transfers was underway. Cascade Investment LLC, the holding company that controls the majority of Bill Gatess wealth, transferred more than 14 million shares of Canadian National Railway Co. to his soon-to-be-ex. The CN stock was worth almost $1.9 billion (Canadian) and represented about two per cent of total shares in the company, Canadas biggest railroad. Even after that transfer, Gates remains CNs largest shareholder: Cascade alone owns 87 million shares and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust owns almost 14 million shares. Combined, Gates has direct or indirect control over 14.2 per cent of the stock, worth $13.6 billion as of the date of the divorce announcement. That one investment would make him the second- or third-richest person in Canada. Gates has also amassed power in the CN boardroom. Cascade senior investment manager Justin Howell took a seat on the companys board last month. The day after Howells appointment, Cascade reiterated its public support for the railroads efforts to outbid Canadian Pacific and acquire Kansas City Southern. Asked about the rationale for Cascades CN investment, a spokesperson for the firm declined to comment for this story. CN chief executive officer JJ Ruest said in a statement that Cascade has been a valued investor in the company for more than 20 years. We are honoured that Melinda French Gates is now also a shareholder and that CN will benefit from her support, in addition to Cascades support and long-term perspective on corporate strategy and financial performance, Ruest said. The back story includes Gatess decades-long relationship with his ultrasecretive money manager, one of the most famous railroaders in the business, dozens of meetings with Canadian officials and the influence of one of Gatess best friends, Warren Buffett. Its not just the story of CN, but one about how Gates invests his money and what will be left to fulfil his and French Gatess philanthropic visions. Two decades ago, when Cascade owned about five per cent of CNs stock, Paul Tellier, a former high-ranking civil servant who was then CEO of the railway, spent some time getting to know the investors. After one meeting between CN and Cascade, Tellier told Hunter Harrison, CNs chief operating officer at the time, he was surprised that the conversation had also touched on golf. Harrison, who died in 2017, summed up his recollection of what happened in this anecdote to Howard Green, author of Railroader: The Unfiltered Genius and Controversy of Four-time CEO Hunter Harrison. Harrison said he told Tellier that was a good sign. S--t Paul, if they want to talk about golf, let them talk about golf. It means were good! Gates hired Michael Larson, now the business manager of Cascade, in 1994, after a story in the Wall Street Journal revealed Gatess previous money manager had been convicted on charges related to bank fraud years earlier. A recruiter found Larson, who was 33 and had a squeaky clean past, according to a 1999 profile in Fortune Magazine. He had earned an MBA from the University of Chicago at 21 and had spent time doing mergers and acquisitions work, then managing bond funds for Putnam Investments in Boston. He was looking to start something of his own when the Gates opportunity came up and after an in-depth screening process he moved to the shores of Lake Washington. Larson works in an unmarked office out of a lowrise shopping centre near the harbourfront of Kirkland, a pleasant Seattle suburb. When the investment firm was set up in 1995, he picked the name Cascade because, Its real generic-sounding in the Pacific Northwest, Larson told Fortune. Callers to this day are greeted with a discreet, Good afternoon, Investment. It would have been hard to predict, but the job has lasted close to 30 years and seen Larson preside over Cascades vast holdings as well as the foundations endowment. With only one client to keep happy, Larson has been free to focus almost exclusively on investing strategy, a money managers dream. Michael has a very low profile, but he has tremendous respect on Wall Street, says Andy Serwer, the editor-in-chief of Yahoo! Finance and author of the 1999 Fortune article, one of the only times Larson ever granted an interview. Its such a unique job. Its a ton of money (to manage) but hes stayed there and obviously Bill loves the results. Initially, Serwer says, Larson needed non-tech investments to balance out Gatess Microsoft shares, which were worth about $76 billion (U.S.) at the time of the Fortune article. That means he was naturally steered toward the industrial side of the economy. Enter CN. The company listed on the public markets in 1995 and managers worked quickly to rein in inefficiency at the railroad. But there was further to go. CN bought Illinois Central in 1999 in a $2.4-billion deal that saw it pick up a north/south U.S. route just a few years after the North American Free Trade Agreement was signed. It also came with a key player: Harrison, the Memphis, Tenn. native who worked his way up from the rail yard to CEO of Illinois Central. It took some coaxing his family would stay in Chicago and he got access to a corporate plane but Harrison agreed to join Montreal-based CN. He slashed costs and brought his precision scheduled railroading approach to CN, pledging to start quoting arrival times to clients in hours rather than days, and was named railroader of the year by an industry magazine in 2002. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... In October 2000, when Cascade first disclosed it held more than five per cent of CNs stock, it was valued at $30 per share. By 2003, when Harrison took over as CEO of CN, the share price was close to $43 and by the end of that year, it surged past $63. Cascades stake, valued at about $300 million in 2000, was worth more than $960 million by the end of 2004. Harrison liked making money for shareholders, Green writes in Railroader. In a scrapbook of correspondence, he saved a note Gates once scribbled to him that read: I do hope you stay even longer as CEO! You have done an amazing job. Still, when Harrison did leave CN in 2009, Cascade stuck with the bet. In 2011, CN disclosed that Cascade and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust together owned more than 10 per cent of the companys stock. By the end of 2015, Gates controlled 14.9 per cent of CN. But now there was a problem. According to legislation from the time of CNs privatization, no shareholder could own more than 15 per cent. CN occasionally repurchased some of its shares for cancellation, which reduces the overall number of shares, and in 2017 the company said that pushed the Gates holdings to more than 15 per cent. Cascade began a mini-campaign to change the rule. Federal lobbying records show that representatives from the firm as well as an outside consultant met with or spoke with dozens of government officials over a period of about two years. The government eventually introduced a sweeping new transport law, which received royal assent in 2018 and changed the rules on foreign investment in airlines. It also contained a small provision increasing the maximum percentage of CN shares one shareholder can control to 25 per cent. By the end of 2019, Cascade and the foundation owned 16.6 per cent. Problem solved. Gates stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2000 but has remained in the public eye. The hard-nosed executive who faced allegations of anti-competitive practices in the 1990s has remade himself into a statesmanlike philanthropist preoccupied with climate change and global health. He has a blog about books (he added Railroader to a 2019 list), published his own this year, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, and occasionally delivers commencement addresses. He gave a TED talk in 2010 on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and another in 2015, issuing a prescient warning on the risk of the next pandemic. While Elon Musk tweets about dogecoin and races against Bezos for space domination, Gates takes a measured approach, focused on investments that will make a lasting impact on Earth, since he and French Gates have pledged to give most of their money away. He rarely talks about his own investments, but in a 2016 TV appearance, Gates referenced the influence of one of his best friends. The philosophy that Warren Buffett has put forward, that if you can find great companies and invest in them, then the macroeconomics can go up and down and the basic value of what youre holding on to there will be maintained through that, he said. Gates could have held on to his shares in Microsoft and done just fine, but hes been steadily selling off his stake for years. Serwer says its worth remembering Microsoft stock was in the wilderness from 2000 until around 2014, when Satya Nadella became CEO, adding, I think Bill probably always had philanthropy in mind, so he was looking to have a more balanced portfolio. Larson has managed the holdings of both Cascade and the foundation and the publicly known investments are conservative and long-term oriented. They include a major stake in Berkshire Hathaway, Buffetts diversified holding company, plus other large positions in Waste Management Inc., Caterpillar Inc., and Walmart Inc. Like CN, these are safe bets, most of which pay regular dividends, and offer competitive advantages. Gates makes his own biotech investments and has backed at least two Canadian startups working on technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. His interest in innovation-based solutions has attracted criticism from some, such as Montreal-based writer and activist Dru Oja Jay, who argues that this leads to a last-resort approach where technology is deployed to fix the mess capitalism continues to make. Jay is also critical of Gatess investment in CN, noting the railroad ships crude oil from Alberta to market. Maybe not so much. CN maintains it is among the cleanest railroads operating, stating it uses less fuel than the industry average, and argues shipping by rail results in lower emissions than transport trucks. Cascade has made a few other forays into Canada over the years. For a while in the 2000s, the firm owned a significant stake in Vancouver-based Pan American Silver Corp. Larson was even on the board but eventually sold off its shares. And in 2007, the investment firm bought a 47.5-per-cent stake in Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels Ltd. Still, most of the firm and the foundations investments are focused on the U.S. The couples split has become tabloid fodder, with TMZ running a stream of stories on everything from the share transfers to Tinder taking steps to ensure would-be daters on the app arent duped into believing theyve matched with the real Bill Gates. But according to the Wall Street Journal, the couples lawyers have been negotiating for more than a year and have already reached a separation agreement. While they each have their own side ventures, the pair say they plan to remain co-chairs of their foundation, to which they have donated more than $36 billion. Thanks to Larson and Gatess Buffett-like approach to investing, the financial future of one of the worlds wealthiest philanthropy projects seems secure. Read more about: | How did Bill Gates end up owning $13 billion worth of Canada's biggest railway? The back story includes Gatess decades-long relationship with his ultrasecretive money manager, dozens of meetings with Canadian officials. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/05/15/how-did-bill-gates-end-up-owning-13-billion-worth-of-canadas-biggest-railway.html | 0.235 |
How did Bill Gates end up owning $13 billion worth of Canadas biggest railway? | The second-biggest divorce announcement ever made on Twitter was perfectly choreographed, with two matching tweets each posted at exactly 4:30 p.m. EDT on Monday May 3. Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates said in identical statements they planned to end their 27-year marriage, a bombshell breakup that came two years after Jeff Bezos, the worlds richest person, announced his own split on the website. Speculation from the Wall Street Journal to gossip site TMZ is now swirling about the cause of the relationship breakdown between the Microsoft co-founder, 65, and French Gates, 56, who together are worth more than $127 billion (U.S.) according to Forbes. Their three children are grown their youngest daughter is expected to finish high school this year but many are still wondering who will get the house, a sprawling estate dubbed Xanadu 2.0, after the mansion in Citizen Kane. Reports say the house alone is valued at around $130 million (U.S.) small change compared to the rest of their fortune. Yet, behind the scenes on that Monday, there were already signs the pair planned for an orderly financial uncoupling. Along with the perfectly timed tweets and a divorce filing in a Seattle court, a series of stock transfers was underway. Cascade Investment LLC, the holding company that controls the majority of Bill Gatess wealth, transferred more than 14 million shares of Canadian National Railway Co. to his soon-to-be-ex. The CN stock was worth almost $1.9 billion (Canadian) and represented about two per cent of total shares in the company, Canadas biggest railroad. Even after that transfer, Gates remains CNs largest shareholder: Cascade alone owns 87 million shares and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust owns almost 14 million shares. Combined, Gates has direct or indirect control over 14.2 per cent of the stock, worth $13.6 billion as of the date of the divorce announcement. That one investment would make him the second- or third-richest person in Canada. Gates has also amassed power in the CN boardroom. Cascade senior investment manager Justin Howell took a seat on the companys board last month. The day after Howells appointment, Cascade reiterated its public support for the railroads efforts to outbid Canadian Pacific and acquire Kansas City Southern. Asked about the rationale for Cascades CN investment, a spokesperson for the firm declined to comment for this story. CN chief executive officer JJ Ruest said in a statement that Cascade has been a valued investor in the company for more than 20 years. We are honoured that Melinda French Gates is now also a shareholder and that CN will benefit from her support, in addition to Cascades support and long-term perspective on corporate strategy and financial performance, Ruest said. The back story includes Gatess decades-long relationship with his ultrasecretive money manager, one of the most famous railroaders in the business, dozens of meetings with Canadian officials and the influence of one of Gatess best friends, Warren Buffett. Its not just the story of CN, but one about how Gates invests his money and what will be left to fulfil his and French Gatess philanthropic visions. Two decades ago, when Cascade owned about five per cent of CNs stock, Paul Tellier, a former high-ranking civil servant who was then CEO of the railway, spent some time getting to know the investors. After one meeting between CN and Cascade, Tellier told Hunter Harrison, CNs chief operating officer at the time, he was surprised that the conversation had also touched on golf. Harrison, who died in 2017, summed up his recollection of what happened in this anecdote to Howard Green, author of Railroader: The Unfiltered Genius and Controversy of Four-time CEO Hunter Harrison. Harrison said he told Tellier that was a good sign. S--t Paul, if they want to talk about golf, let them talk about golf. It means were good! Gates hired Michael Larson, now the business manager of Cascade, in 1994, after a story in the Wall Street Journal revealed Gatess previous money manager had been convicted on charges related to bank fraud years earlier. A recruiter found Larson, who was 33 and had a squeaky clean past, according to a 1999 profile in Fortune Magazine. He had earned an MBA from the University of Chicago at 21 and had spent time doing mergers and acquisitions work, then managing bond funds for Putnam Investments in Boston. He was looking to start something of his own when the Gates opportunity came up and after an in-depth screening process he moved to the shores of Lake Washington. Larson works in an unmarked office out of a lowrise shopping centre near the harbourfront of Kirkland, a pleasant Seattle suburb. When the investment firm was set up in 1995, he picked the name Cascade because, Its real generic-sounding in the Pacific Northwest, Larson told Fortune. Callers to this day are greeted with a discreet, Good afternoon, Investment. It would have been hard to predict, but the job has lasted close to 30 years and seen Larson preside over Cascades vast holdings as well as the foundations endowment. With only one client to keep happy, Larson has been free to focus almost exclusively on investing strategy, a money managers dream. Michael has a very low profile, but he has tremendous respect on Wall Street, says Andy Serwer, the editor-in-chief of Yahoo! Finance and author of the 1999 Fortune article, one of the only times Larson ever granted an interview. Its such a unique job. Its a ton of money (to manage) but hes stayed there and obviously Bill loves the results. Initially, Serwer says, Larson needed non-tech investments to balance out Gatess Microsoft shares, which were worth about $76 billion (U.S.) at the time of the Fortune article. That means he was naturally steered toward the industrial side of the economy. Enter CN. The company listed on the public markets in 1995 and managers worked quickly to rein in inefficiency at the railroad. But there was further to go. CN bought Illinois Central in 1999 in a $2.4-billion deal that saw it pick up a north/south U.S. route just a few years after the North American Free Trade Agreement was signed. It also came with a key player: Harrison, the Memphis, Tenn. native who worked his way up from the rail yard to CEO of Illinois Central. It took some coaxing his family would stay in Chicago and he got access to a corporate plane but Harrison agreed to join Montreal-based CN. He slashed costs and brought his precision scheduled railroading approach to CN, pledging to start quoting arrival times to clients in hours rather than days, and was named railroader of the year by an industry magazine in 2002. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... In October 2000, when Cascade first disclosed it held more than five per cent of CNs stock, it was valued at $30 per share. By 2003, when Harrison took over as CEO of CN, the share price was close to $43 and by the end of that year, it surged past $63. Cascades stake, valued at about $300 million in 2000, was worth more than $960 million by the end of 2004. Harrison liked making money for shareholders, Green writes in Railroader. In a scrapbook of correspondence, he saved a note Gates once scribbled to him that read: I do hope you stay even longer as CEO! You have done an amazing job. Still, when Harrison did leave CN in 2009, Cascade stuck with the bet. In 2011, CN disclosed that Cascade and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust together owned more than 10 per cent of the companys stock. By the end of 2015, Gates controlled 14.9 per cent of CN. But now there was a problem. According to legislation from the time of CNs privatization, no shareholder could own more than 15 per cent. CN occasionally repurchased some of its shares for cancellation, which reduces the overall number of shares, and in 2017 the company said that pushed the Gates holdings to more than 15 per cent. Cascade began a mini-campaign to change the rule. Federal lobbying records show that representatives from the firm as well as an outside consultant met with or spoke with dozens of government officials over a period of about two years. The government eventually introduced a sweeping new transport law, which received royal assent in 2018 and changed the rules on foreign investment in airlines. It also contained a small provision increasing the maximum percentage of CN shares one shareholder can control to 25 per cent. By the end of 2019, Cascade and the foundation owned 16.6 per cent. Problem solved. Gates stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2000 but has remained in the public eye. The hard-nosed executive who faced allegations of anti-competitive practices in the 1990s has remade himself into a statesmanlike philanthropist preoccupied with climate change and global health. He has a blog about books (he added Railroader to a 2019 list), published his own this year, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, and occasionally delivers commencement addresses. He gave a TED talk in 2010 on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and another in 2015, issuing a prescient warning on the risk of the next pandemic. While Elon Musk tweets about dogecoin and races against Bezos for space domination, Gates takes a measured approach, focused on investments that will make a lasting impact on Earth, since he and French Gates have pledged to give most of their money away. He rarely talks about his own investments, but in a 2016 TV appearance, Gates referenced the influence of one of his best friends. The philosophy that Warren Buffett has put forward, that if you can find great companies and invest in them, then the macroeconomics can go up and down and the basic value of what youre holding on to there will be maintained through that, he said. Gates could have held on to his shares in Microsoft and done just fine, but hes been steadily selling off his stake for years. Serwer says its worth remembering Microsoft stock was in the wilderness from 2000 until around 2014, when Satya Nadella became CEO, adding, I think Bill probably always had philanthropy in mind, so he was looking to have a more balanced portfolio. Larson has managed the holdings of both Cascade and the foundation and the publicly known investments are conservative and long-term oriented. They include a major stake in Berkshire Hathaway, Buffetts diversified holding company, plus other large positions in Waste Management Inc., Caterpillar Inc., and Walmart Inc. Like CN, these are safe bets, most of which pay regular dividends, and offer competitive advantages. Gates makes his own biotech investments and has backed at least two Canadian startups working on technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. His interest in innovation-based solutions has attracted criticism from some, such as Montreal-based writer and activist Dru Oja Jay, who argues that this leads to a last-resort approach where technology is deployed to fix the mess capitalism continues to make. Jay is also critical of Gatess investment in CN, noting the railroad ships crude oil from Alberta to market. Maybe not so much. CN maintains it is among the cleanest railroads operating, stating it uses less fuel than the industry average, and argues shipping by rail results in lower emissions than transport trucks. Cascade has made a few other forays into Canada over the years. For a while in the 2000s, the firm owned a significant stake in Vancouver-based Pan American Silver Corp. Larson was even on the board but eventually sold off its shares. And in 2007, the investment firm bought a 47.5-per-cent stake in Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels Ltd. Still, most of the firm and the foundations investments are focused on the U.S. The couples split has become tabloid fodder, with TMZ running a stream of stories on everything from the share transfers to Tinder taking steps to ensure would-be daters on the app arent duped into believing theyve matched with the real Bill Gates. But according to the Wall Street Journal, the couples lawyers have been negotiating for more than a year and have already reached a separation agreement. While they each have their own side ventures, the pair say they plan to remain co-chairs of their foundation, to which they have donated more than $36 billion. Thanks to Larson and Gatess Buffett-like approach to investing, the financial future of one of the worlds wealthiest philanthropy projects seems secure. Read more about: | How did Bill Gates end up owning $13 billion worth of Canada's biggest railway? The back story includes Gatess decades-long relationship with his ultrasecretive money manager, dozens of meetings with Canadian officials and the influence of one of Gates's best friends, Warren Buffett. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/05/15/how-did-bill-gates-end-up-owning-13-billion-worth-of-canadas-biggest-railway.html | 0.43807 |
Has The Pandemic Actually Helped Women Find That Elusive Work-Life Balance? | Women! The job description comes from Greg Hanover, CEO of customer service platform LiveOps. The company, and others like it, are helping put a significant number of women, sidelined by the pandemic, back to work - from home. And in jobs that give them flexibility, with good financial incentives. LiveOps gave me the ability to go to nursing school while making a steady income because I could pick my own hours, said Shanti Harris, a customer service agent supporting one of LiveOps luxury retail clients. Finding That Perfect Work-Life Balance Working from home balancing life getty While weve learned a lot over the past 15 months, one of the most important things is just how productive women can be from home. In a recent PWC survey, 83% of employers said the shift to remote work has been successful for their company. Of course, juggling work, childcare and household responsibilities from our home offices can prove challenging. But stripping away commutes, eliminating the need for childcare, reducing gas and dry cleaning expenses and gaining convenience and flexibility is enabling us to work better and smarter and may just help us find the holy grail of working women - that elusive work-life balance. Its clear that more and more women are seeking work-from-home opportunities. 58% of employees working remotely over the past year said theyd look for a new job if they werent allowed to continue working from home post-pandemic, according to a survey by FlexJobs. But Women Are Still Absent From The Workforce While companies are catching on to the benefits of working from home, actually getting women back to work at pre-pandemic levels is proving difficult. This months bleak jobs report shed light on the continued plight of American workers, particularly women. In April, 5.6% of women reported being unemployed (compared to only 3.1% right before the pandemic) and in March, a staggering 1.5 million fewer mothers of school-age children were working than in February of 2020. And women face additional hurdles to entering the workforce like gender pay disparities, at-home learning and expensive or difficult-to-find childcare. This makes the case for work from home even stronger. Fortunately, The Pandemic Has Created New Work From Home Opportunities For Women Its tough to put a positive spin on Covid-19, but the pandemic has in fact resulted in increased demand in certain sectors that favor women and lend themselves to at-home work. Virtual call centers like LiveOps, for example, seek empathetic, competent people for online customer support. And women are filling those roles in record numbers. LiveOps saw a 12% jump in the number of women in their workforce in 2020 and almost three quarters of their agents now are women. I was relieved to find a job and be able to work from home during Covid, said Susan Clatterbaugh, who learned about LiveOps from a friend. Clatterbaugh, who has only filled her gas tank twice since starting work, is not technically an employee of LiveOps, but rather an independent agent who provides customer support from the ease and comfort of her own home. Clatterbaugh selects shifts in 30-minute increments and controls when and for how long she works. My friend told me about LiveOps. I love the convenience of working from home, the flexibility to choose my own schedule and the privilege of being my own boss, says Harris. Working from home makes juggling other responsibilities, and in Harriss case other jobs, manageable. Im also a nurse, added Harris. I love that I can use the empathy and communications skills I learned in school to help customers for the luxury brand I serve through Live Ops as well as the patients I treat as a nurse. Returnships Getting Women Back In The Game Clatterbaugh and Harris were lucky to have their jobs during the pandemic. However, millions of women, victims of pandemic-related layoffs and furloughs, were not. Returnships, offered by some of the largest and most well-known companies like Amazon, Goldman Sachs and Merck, offer women who have been out of the workforce for some time virtual, paid internships. These programs allow women to refresh their skills and often lead to full-time work. Sites like irelaunch.com and pathforward.org are useful tools as they offer up-to-date returnship opportunities for women. Women like Harris find juggling family, home and work difficult. If I had to go into an office 9 to 5, I wouldnt be able to do it all, she explained. If there is one positive that emerged from Covid-19, its this. The pandemic has forced companies of all shapes and sizes to think outside the box, break free from traditional norms and find creative ways to attract and retain female talent. | The pandemic has created new work from home opportunities for women. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/janehanson/2021/05/15/has-the-pandemic-actually-helped-women-find-that-elusive-work-life-balance/ | 0.420766 |
Has The Pandemic Actually Helped Women Find That Elusive Work-Life Balance? | Women! The job description comes from Greg Hanover, CEO of customer service platform LiveOps. The company, and others like it, are helping put a significant number of women, sidelined by the pandemic, back to work - from home. And in jobs that give them flexibility, with good financial incentives. LiveOps gave me the ability to go to nursing school while making a steady income because I could pick my own hours, said Shanti Harris, a customer service agent supporting one of LiveOps luxury retail clients. Finding That Perfect Work-Life Balance Working from home balancing life getty While weve learned a lot over the past 15 months, one of the most important things is just how productive women can be from home. In a recent PWC survey, 83% of employers said the shift to remote work has been successful for their company. Of course, juggling work, childcare and household responsibilities from our home offices can prove challenging. But stripping away commutes, eliminating the need for childcare, reducing gas and dry cleaning expenses and gaining convenience and flexibility is enabling us to work better and smarter and may just help us find the holy grail of working women - that elusive work-life balance. Its clear that more and more women are seeking work-from-home opportunities. 58% of employees working remotely over the past year said theyd look for a new job if they werent allowed to continue working from home post-pandemic, according to a survey by FlexJobs. But Women Are Still Absent From The Workforce While companies are catching on to the benefits of working from home, actually getting women back to work at pre-pandemic levels is proving difficult. This months bleak jobs report shed light on the continued plight of American workers, particularly women. In April, 5.6% of women reported being unemployed (compared to only 3.1% right before the pandemic) and in March, a staggering 1.5 million fewer mothers of school-age children were working than in February of 2020. And women face additional hurdles to entering the workforce like gender pay disparities, at-home learning and expensive or difficult-to-find childcare. This makes the case for work from home even stronger. Fortunately, The Pandemic Has Created New Work From Home Opportunities For Women Its tough to put a positive spin on Covid-19, but the pandemic has in fact resulted in increased demand in certain sectors that favor women and lend themselves to at-home work. Virtual call centers like LiveOps, for example, seek empathetic, competent people for online customer support. And women are filling those roles in record numbers. LiveOps saw a 12% jump in the number of women in their workforce in 2020 and almost three quarters of their agents now are women. I was relieved to find a job and be able to work from home during Covid, said Susan Clatterbaugh, who learned about LiveOps from a friend. Clatterbaugh, who has only filled her gas tank twice since starting work, is not technically an employee of LiveOps, but rather an independent agent who provides customer support from the ease and comfort of her own home. Clatterbaugh selects shifts in 30-minute increments and controls when and for how long she works. My friend told me about LiveOps. I love the convenience of working from home, the flexibility to choose my own schedule and the privilege of being my own boss, says Harris. Working from home makes juggling other responsibilities, and in Harriss case other jobs, manageable. Im also a nurse, added Harris. I love that I can use the empathy and communications skills I learned in school to help customers for the luxury brand I serve through Live Ops as well as the patients I treat as a nurse. Returnships Getting Women Back In The Game Clatterbaugh and Harris were lucky to have their jobs during the pandemic. However, millions of women, victims of pandemic-related layoffs and furloughs, were not. Returnships, offered by some of the largest and most well-known companies like Amazon, Goldman Sachs and Merck, offer women who have been out of the workforce for some time virtual, paid internships. These programs allow women to refresh their skills and often lead to full-time work. Sites like irelaunch.com and pathforward.org are useful tools as they offer up-to-date returnship opportunities for women. Women like Harris find juggling family, home and work difficult. If I had to go into an office 9 to 5, I wouldnt be able to do it all, she explained. If there is one positive that emerged from Covid-19, its this. The pandemic has forced companies of all shapes and sizes to think outside the box, break free from traditional norms and find creative ways to attract and retain female talent. | The pandemic has created new work from home opportunities for women. But getting women back to work at pre-pandemic levels is proving difficult. Working from home makes juggling work, childcare and household responsibilities easier. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/janehanson/2021/05/15/has-the-pandemic-actually-helped-women-find-that-elusive-work-life-balance/ | 0.452973 |
Has The Pandemic Actually Helped Women Find That Elusive Work-Life Balance? | Women! The job description comes from Greg Hanover, CEO of customer service platform LiveOps. The company, and others like it, are helping put a significant number of women, sidelined by the pandemic, back to work - from home. And in jobs that give them flexibility, with good financial incentives. LiveOps gave me the ability to go to nursing school while making a steady income because I could pick my own hours, said Shanti Harris, a customer service agent supporting one of LiveOps luxury retail clients. Finding That Perfect Work-Life Balance Working from home balancing life getty While weve learned a lot over the past 15 months, one of the most important things is just how productive women can be from home. In a recent PWC survey, 83% of employers said the shift to remote work has been successful for their company. Of course, juggling work, childcare and household responsibilities from our home offices can prove challenging. But stripping away commutes, eliminating the need for childcare, reducing gas and dry cleaning expenses and gaining convenience and flexibility is enabling us to work better and smarter and may just help us find the holy grail of working women - that elusive work-life balance. Its clear that more and more women are seeking work-from-home opportunities. 58% of employees working remotely over the past year said theyd look for a new job if they werent allowed to continue working from home post-pandemic, according to a survey by FlexJobs. But Women Are Still Absent From The Workforce While companies are catching on to the benefits of working from home, actually getting women back to work at pre-pandemic levels is proving difficult. This months bleak jobs report shed light on the continued plight of American workers, particularly women. In April, 5.6% of women reported being unemployed (compared to only 3.1% right before the pandemic) and in March, a staggering 1.5 million fewer mothers of school-age children were working than in February of 2020. And women face additional hurdles to entering the workforce like gender pay disparities, at-home learning and expensive or difficult-to-find childcare. This makes the case for work from home even stronger. Fortunately, The Pandemic Has Created New Work From Home Opportunities For Women Its tough to put a positive spin on Covid-19, but the pandemic has in fact resulted in increased demand in certain sectors that favor women and lend themselves to at-home work. Virtual call centers like LiveOps, for example, seek empathetic, competent people for online customer support. And women are filling those roles in record numbers. LiveOps saw a 12% jump in the number of women in their workforce in 2020 and almost three quarters of their agents now are women. I was relieved to find a job and be able to work from home during Covid, said Susan Clatterbaugh, who learned about LiveOps from a friend. Clatterbaugh, who has only filled her gas tank twice since starting work, is not technically an employee of LiveOps, but rather an independent agent who provides customer support from the ease and comfort of her own home. Clatterbaugh selects shifts in 30-minute increments and controls when and for how long she works. My friend told me about LiveOps. I love the convenience of working from home, the flexibility to choose my own schedule and the privilege of being my own boss, says Harris. Working from home makes juggling other responsibilities, and in Harriss case other jobs, manageable. Im also a nurse, added Harris. I love that I can use the empathy and communications skills I learned in school to help customers for the luxury brand I serve through Live Ops as well as the patients I treat as a nurse. Returnships Getting Women Back In The Game Clatterbaugh and Harris were lucky to have their jobs during the pandemic. However, millions of women, victims of pandemic-related layoffs and furloughs, were not. Returnships, offered by some of the largest and most well-known companies like Amazon, Goldman Sachs and Merck, offer women who have been out of the workforce for some time virtual, paid internships. These programs allow women to refresh their skills and often lead to full-time work. Sites like irelaunch.com and pathforward.org are useful tools as they offer up-to-date returnship opportunities for women. Women like Harris find juggling family, home and work difficult. If I had to go into an office 9 to 5, I wouldnt be able to do it all, she explained. If there is one positive that emerged from Covid-19, its this. The pandemic has forced companies of all shapes and sizes to think outside the box, break free from traditional norms and find creative ways to attract and retain female talent. | The pandemic has created new work from home opportunities for women. But getting women back to work at pre-pandemic levels is proving difficult. Working from home is enabling us to work better and smarter and may just help us find that elusive work-life balance. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/janehanson/2021/05/15/has-the-pandemic-actually-helped-women-find-that-elusive-work-life-balance/ | 0.603481 |
What time does the Preakness Stakes start? What TV channel is it on? | The second leg of horse racings Triple Crown doesnt have quite the fanfare as the Kentucky Derby. In fact, raise your hand if youre going to a Preakness party. Thought so. But this year, there is so much off-the-track drama that it just might generate more interest than normal. Well start in Los Angeles, where it is in its usual mid-afternoon position of 3:47 p.m. Moving east, it means 4:47 p.m. if you are in the Mountain time zone, 5:47 p.m. in Chicago and 6:47 p.m. if you are munching on crab cakes in Baltimore. And you can find coverage of the race on your local NBC station starting at 2 p.m. in Los Angeles. (You can make the time adjustments for where you live. ) If you are into some of the lead-up races, which are pretty good, you can find coverage on NBCSN starting at 11 a.m. Pacific time. Its probably the last Preakness Day coverage for NBCSN, as the station is being discontinued soon. Advertisement There are some traditions that mirror the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Instead of My Old Kentucky Home, there is the singing of Maryland, My Maryland. The Derby has the blanket of roses, while the Preakness has a blanket of Black-eyed Susans, which happens to be the state flower of Maryland. The race is actually shorter than the Kentucky Derby by 1/16th of a mile or, in horse racing parlance, half a furlong. That makes the race 1 3/16 miles. The drama this year is centered on Derby winner Medina Spirit, who tested positive for betamethasone, which is a legal medication except on race day. Its not considered a performance enhancer but nonetheless is prohibited on the day a horse runs. If Medina Spirit wins the Preakness, with a possible disqualification in the Kentucky Derby months or years away, it sure will make things interesting when the final stop on the Triple Crown road takes everyone to New York for the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. | The Preakness Stakes starts at 3:47 p.m. in Los Angeles. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-05-15/what-time-preakness-stakes-2021-start | 0.297422 |
What time does the Preakness Stakes start? What TV channel is it on? | The second leg of horse racings Triple Crown doesnt have quite the fanfare as the Kentucky Derby. In fact, raise your hand if youre going to a Preakness party. Thought so. But this year, there is so much off-the-track drama that it just might generate more interest than normal. Well start in Los Angeles, where it is in its usual mid-afternoon position of 3:47 p.m. Moving east, it means 4:47 p.m. if you are in the Mountain time zone, 5:47 p.m. in Chicago and 6:47 p.m. if you are munching on crab cakes in Baltimore. And you can find coverage of the race on your local NBC station starting at 2 p.m. in Los Angeles. (You can make the time adjustments for where you live. ) If you are into some of the lead-up races, which are pretty good, you can find coverage on NBCSN starting at 11 a.m. Pacific time. Its probably the last Preakness Day coverage for NBCSN, as the station is being discontinued soon. Advertisement There are some traditions that mirror the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Instead of My Old Kentucky Home, there is the singing of Maryland, My Maryland. The Derby has the blanket of roses, while the Preakness has a blanket of Black-eyed Susans, which happens to be the state flower of Maryland. The race is actually shorter than the Kentucky Derby by 1/16th of a mile or, in horse racing parlance, half a furlong. That makes the race 1 3/16 miles. The drama this year is centered on Derby winner Medina Spirit, who tested positive for betamethasone, which is a legal medication except on race day. Its not considered a performance enhancer but nonetheless is prohibited on the day a horse runs. If Medina Spirit wins the Preakness, with a possible disqualification in the Kentucky Derby months or years away, it sure will make things interesting when the final stop on the Triple Crown road takes everyone to New York for the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. | The Preakness Stakes starts at 3:47 p.m. Pacific time. The race is shorter than the Kentucky Derby by 1/16th of a mile or, in horse racing parlance, half a furlong. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-05-15/what-time-preakness-stakes-2021-start | 0.328133 |
What time does the Preakness Stakes start? What TV channel is it on? | The second leg of horse racings Triple Crown doesnt have quite the fanfare as the Kentucky Derby. In fact, raise your hand if youre going to a Preakness party. Thought so. But this year, there is so much off-the-track drama that it just might generate more interest than normal. Well start in Los Angeles, where it is in its usual mid-afternoon position of 3:47 p.m. Moving east, it means 4:47 p.m. if you are in the Mountain time zone, 5:47 p.m. in Chicago and 6:47 p.m. if you are munching on crab cakes in Baltimore. And you can find coverage of the race on your local NBC station starting at 2 p.m. in Los Angeles. (You can make the time adjustments for where you live. ) If you are into some of the lead-up races, which are pretty good, you can find coverage on NBCSN starting at 11 a.m. Pacific time. Its probably the last Preakness Day coverage for NBCSN, as the station is being discontinued soon. Advertisement There are some traditions that mirror the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Instead of My Old Kentucky Home, there is the singing of Maryland, My Maryland. The Derby has the blanket of roses, while the Preakness has a blanket of Black-eyed Susans, which happens to be the state flower of Maryland. The race is actually shorter than the Kentucky Derby by 1/16th of a mile or, in horse racing parlance, half a furlong. That makes the race 1 3/16 miles. The drama this year is centered on Derby winner Medina Spirit, who tested positive for betamethasone, which is a legal medication except on race day. Its not considered a performance enhancer but nonetheless is prohibited on the day a horse runs. If Medina Spirit wins the Preakness, with a possible disqualification in the Kentucky Derby months or years away, it sure will make things interesting when the final stop on the Triple Crown road takes everyone to New York for the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. | The Preakness Stakes starts at 3:47 p.m. in Los Angeles. The race is shorter than the Kentucky Derby by 1/16th of a mile or, in horse racing parlance, half a furlong. The drama this year is centered on Derby winner Medina Spirit, who tested positive for betamethasone. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-05-15/what-time-preakness-stakes-2021-start | 0.347536 |
Is Inflation A Long-Term Threat, Or Just A Temporary Pop? | Inflation is up, up, up. To judge by the stock market on Wednesday, with the release of the latest Consumer Price Index data, that would be the stock market. The S&P 500 slid 2.1% on the news that day. But Mr. Market, as the great Benjamin Graham dubbed the world of equities trading, is always changing his mind. He tends to calm down from a panicked spell once he has rationally assessed the situation. In this case, after the shock of the CPI news wore off, a sense of proportion returned. Come Thursday, things were looking a whole lot better, with a 1.2% index bounce back. And with Fridays 1.5% advance, the market had recovered its inflation freak-out losses. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says that inflation may blip up a bit, due to the economys reopening, then settle down. As Fed Governor Lael Brainard remarked right after the new inflation report appeared: A limited period of pandemic-related price increases is unlikely to durably change inflation dynamics. Odds are, these two central bankers are right. Sure, sure, economics can make fools of smug forecasters. Remember what the conventional wisdom was in 2007 about the beginning of the sub-prime mortgage bust: Its manageable. This time, however, the experts may end up vindicated. One thing was that ever-volatile food and energy were big drivers of the surge: The overall CPI rose 4.2% in April, but strip out food and energy, and it was 3%. OK, either one of those numbers is larger than the mild inflation weve gotten used to for many years, with CPI growth well below the Feds 2% target. But the year-over-year measurement is suspect because April 2020 was a large down month as the economy closed up shop and people walled themselves off at home, while the epidemic tightened its grip on daily life. Bank of America BAC calculates that 0.7 point of the increase is related to goods shortages and re-opening costs. Prime example: used cars. These vehicles, which obviously sell at a discount to new models, saw their prices soar 10% in April. Now, the previously owned (as the euphemism goes) autos have long been a factor in restraining the overall car-buying financial burden on U.S. consumers as a group. Not anymore. With the drastic 2020 shrinkage in travel, auto rental outfits reduced their fleets. And the rental companies have historically been a major contributor to the used-car sales inventoryafter a certain amount of mileage, Hertz and the like sold their cars to dealerships to unload. This time, a lot fewer such cars were on hand to ship to the dealers. Result: a much smaller supply of cheap conveyances, as demand ramped up again Low supply equals higher prices. As new-car production is restored when the chips shortage is solved (another result of the shutdown economy) and a normal used-car market returns, the imbalance will correct itself. More broadly, the macro inflation-containing dynamics that Brainard mentioned are unlikely to disappear. So watch for these forces to re-assert themselves as people re-emerge into the sunlight and the economy begins to hum anew. One of these is the diminished power of organized labor. The share of American employees who are union members was cut in half from 1983 through last year, to just over 10%. Back in the hyperinflation 1970s, unions pushed for ever-higher incomes to keep pace with rising prices, thus fueling the fire more. That phenomenon now is a relic. Another potent inflation-inhibiting, headcount-shrinking dynamic is the rise of automation and digitalization. Robots now are common on the factory floor and other, less physical tasks performed by humans have been rendered less necessary or superfluous. Think bank tellers or data entry workers. Thats not going to change. A lot of truck drivers will be out of work. All that has a downward effect on wages, and on inflation in general. And then theres globalization. The pandemic, not to mention fears over a rising China, has pushed the narrative that the U.S. will try to make more goods at home. And indeed, the virus put a brake on sending jobs abroad last year. That was then, though. Assembly of TV sets still is more cost-effective in Asia. For these reasons, dont expect any long-lasting hike in inflation. True, all the money Washington has pumped into the economy will have an effect and help elevate CPI a bit. Yet that wont last forever. | Frida Ghitis: Inflation is up, but it's not a long-term threat. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/lawrencelight/2021/05/15/is-inflation-a-long-term-threat-or-just-a-temporary-pop/ | 0.292772 |
Is Inflation A Long-Term Threat, Or Just A Temporary Pop? | Inflation is up, up, up. To judge by the stock market on Wednesday, with the release of the latest Consumer Price Index data, that would be the stock market. The S&P 500 slid 2.1% on the news that day. But Mr. Market, as the great Benjamin Graham dubbed the world of equities trading, is always changing his mind. He tends to calm down from a panicked spell once he has rationally assessed the situation. In this case, after the shock of the CPI news wore off, a sense of proportion returned. Come Thursday, things were looking a whole lot better, with a 1.2% index bounce back. And with Fridays 1.5% advance, the market had recovered its inflation freak-out losses. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says that inflation may blip up a bit, due to the economys reopening, then settle down. As Fed Governor Lael Brainard remarked right after the new inflation report appeared: A limited period of pandemic-related price increases is unlikely to durably change inflation dynamics. Odds are, these two central bankers are right. Sure, sure, economics can make fools of smug forecasters. Remember what the conventional wisdom was in 2007 about the beginning of the sub-prime mortgage bust: Its manageable. This time, however, the experts may end up vindicated. One thing was that ever-volatile food and energy were big drivers of the surge: The overall CPI rose 4.2% in April, but strip out food and energy, and it was 3%. OK, either one of those numbers is larger than the mild inflation weve gotten used to for many years, with CPI growth well below the Feds 2% target. But the year-over-year measurement is suspect because April 2020 was a large down month as the economy closed up shop and people walled themselves off at home, while the epidemic tightened its grip on daily life. Bank of America BAC calculates that 0.7 point of the increase is related to goods shortages and re-opening costs. Prime example: used cars. These vehicles, which obviously sell at a discount to new models, saw their prices soar 10% in April. Now, the previously owned (as the euphemism goes) autos have long been a factor in restraining the overall car-buying financial burden on U.S. consumers as a group. Not anymore. With the drastic 2020 shrinkage in travel, auto rental outfits reduced their fleets. And the rental companies have historically been a major contributor to the used-car sales inventoryafter a certain amount of mileage, Hertz and the like sold their cars to dealerships to unload. This time, a lot fewer such cars were on hand to ship to the dealers. Result: a much smaller supply of cheap conveyances, as demand ramped up again Low supply equals higher prices. As new-car production is restored when the chips shortage is solved (another result of the shutdown economy) and a normal used-car market returns, the imbalance will correct itself. More broadly, the macro inflation-containing dynamics that Brainard mentioned are unlikely to disappear. So watch for these forces to re-assert themselves as people re-emerge into the sunlight and the economy begins to hum anew. One of these is the diminished power of organized labor. The share of American employees who are union members was cut in half from 1983 through last year, to just over 10%. Back in the hyperinflation 1970s, unions pushed for ever-higher incomes to keep pace with rising prices, thus fueling the fire more. That phenomenon now is a relic. Another potent inflation-inhibiting, headcount-shrinking dynamic is the rise of automation and digitalization. Robots now are common on the factory floor and other, less physical tasks performed by humans have been rendered less necessary or superfluous. Think bank tellers or data entry workers. Thats not going to change. A lot of truck drivers will be out of work. All that has a downward effect on wages, and on inflation in general. And then theres globalization. The pandemic, not to mention fears over a rising China, has pushed the narrative that the U.S. will try to make more goods at home. And indeed, the virus put a brake on sending jobs abroad last year. That was then, though. Assembly of TV sets still is more cost-effective in Asia. For these reasons, dont expect any long-lasting hike in inflation. True, all the money Washington has pumped into the economy will have an effect and help elevate CPI a bit. Yet that wont last forever. | Frida Ghitis: Inflation is up, but it's not a long-term threat. She says it's more of a temporary blip, due to the economy's reopening. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/lawrencelight/2021/05/15/is-inflation-a-long-term-threat-or-just-a-temporary-pop/ | 0.431201 |
Is Inflation A Long-Term Threat, Or Just A Temporary Pop? | Inflation is up, up, up. To judge by the stock market on Wednesday, with the release of the latest Consumer Price Index data, that would be the stock market. The S&P 500 slid 2.1% on the news that day. But Mr. Market, as the great Benjamin Graham dubbed the world of equities trading, is always changing his mind. He tends to calm down from a panicked spell once he has rationally assessed the situation. In this case, after the shock of the CPI news wore off, a sense of proportion returned. Come Thursday, things were looking a whole lot better, with a 1.2% index bounce back. And with Fridays 1.5% advance, the market had recovered its inflation freak-out losses. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says that inflation may blip up a bit, due to the economys reopening, then settle down. As Fed Governor Lael Brainard remarked right after the new inflation report appeared: A limited period of pandemic-related price increases is unlikely to durably change inflation dynamics. Odds are, these two central bankers are right. Sure, sure, economics can make fools of smug forecasters. Remember what the conventional wisdom was in 2007 about the beginning of the sub-prime mortgage bust: Its manageable. This time, however, the experts may end up vindicated. One thing was that ever-volatile food and energy were big drivers of the surge: The overall CPI rose 4.2% in April, but strip out food and energy, and it was 3%. OK, either one of those numbers is larger than the mild inflation weve gotten used to for many years, with CPI growth well below the Feds 2% target. But the year-over-year measurement is suspect because April 2020 was a large down month as the economy closed up shop and people walled themselves off at home, while the epidemic tightened its grip on daily life. Bank of America BAC calculates that 0.7 point of the increase is related to goods shortages and re-opening costs. Prime example: used cars. These vehicles, which obviously sell at a discount to new models, saw their prices soar 10% in April. Now, the previously owned (as the euphemism goes) autos have long been a factor in restraining the overall car-buying financial burden on U.S. consumers as a group. Not anymore. With the drastic 2020 shrinkage in travel, auto rental outfits reduced their fleets. And the rental companies have historically been a major contributor to the used-car sales inventoryafter a certain amount of mileage, Hertz and the like sold their cars to dealerships to unload. This time, a lot fewer such cars were on hand to ship to the dealers. Result: a much smaller supply of cheap conveyances, as demand ramped up again Low supply equals higher prices. As new-car production is restored when the chips shortage is solved (another result of the shutdown economy) and a normal used-car market returns, the imbalance will correct itself. More broadly, the macro inflation-containing dynamics that Brainard mentioned are unlikely to disappear. So watch for these forces to re-assert themselves as people re-emerge into the sunlight and the economy begins to hum anew. One of these is the diminished power of organized labor. The share of American employees who are union members was cut in half from 1983 through last year, to just over 10%. Back in the hyperinflation 1970s, unions pushed for ever-higher incomes to keep pace with rising prices, thus fueling the fire more. That phenomenon now is a relic. Another potent inflation-inhibiting, headcount-shrinking dynamic is the rise of automation and digitalization. Robots now are common on the factory floor and other, less physical tasks performed by humans have been rendered less necessary or superfluous. Think bank tellers or data entry workers. Thats not going to change. A lot of truck drivers will be out of work. All that has a downward effect on wages, and on inflation in general. And then theres globalization. The pandemic, not to mention fears over a rising China, has pushed the narrative that the U.S. will try to make more goods at home. And indeed, the virus put a brake on sending jobs abroad last year. That was then, though. Assembly of TV sets still is more cost-effective in Asia. For these reasons, dont expect any long-lasting hike in inflation. True, all the money Washington has pumped into the economy will have an effect and help elevate CPI a bit. Yet that wont last forever. | Frida Ghitis: Inflation is up, but it's not a long-term threat. She says it's more of a temporary blip, due to the economy's reopening, then settle down. Ghitis says there's more to inflation than food and energy prices. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/lawrencelight/2021/05/15/is-inflation-a-long-term-threat-or-just-a-temporary-pop/ | 0.523404 |
Could Houston Texans Rookie QB Davis Mills Start Post-Bye Week? | While Tyrod Taylor os presumed by most to be the Houston Texans' number one quarterback at this time, one Houston reporter has predicted that they may be looking to start rookie quarterback Davis Mills after the Week 10 bye. Not 'if.' Big Houston Texans Odds - And Payout On Friday, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain gave his opinion on when he expects to see the highly anticipated Stanford product. "We will see him after the bye week for the last eight games because they (Houston) have to see him for a good part of the season so they'll know what they have," said McClain on SportsRadio610 with Clint Stoerner and The Show. "Because if by some miracle he could be 'the guy,' that he can show them that, it would change next year's draft considerably. And if he's not then of course they're going to have to get a quarterback in next year's draft." Many believe Mills has the talent to be a first-round pick, but his lack of college starts (11 overall) led to his falling to Houston in the third round. Something that McClain believes will prevent him from seeing the field early on in the season. "The tough part for Davis Mills, he'll have the mental part down, it's when he has to get on the field and start doing things, that would've helped him to spend another year in school and on the football field would've made that transition much easier," suggested McClain. With the future of Deshaun Watson in question, and if nothing else his career in Houston presumed by most to be over, the Texans are clearly looking forward given that they signed not only Mills but veterans Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Finley. READ MORE: 'I Went Crazy': Texans DT Blacklock On Houston Drafting TCU Teammate Wallow At the moment, ask almost anyone and they'll say that Taylor is the presumptive starter. A former Pro Bowler, he's an experienced dual-threat QB with experience with head coach David Culley, QB coach Pep Hamilton, and offensive line coach James Campen. However, while he will likely start Week 1, his history of injuries when being used as a stop-gap starter is troubling. "Last year when Pep Hamilton was his coach with the (LA) Chargers he got hurt with that freak injury, had his lung punctured on a pain-killing shot, and (rookie) Justin Herbert had to start before the Chargers wanted him to," said McClain, and it wasn't just in LA where he's had this happen. "2018, [the] third game he got hurt and they (Cleveland Browns) had to start (rookie) Baker Mayfield before they wanted to." McClain later suggested that he believes they will start Mills when he's ready out of necessity as they prepare for next year's draft. However, if lightning strikes a third time and Finley struggles as his replacement, then Mills may well see action sooner than would be ideal. But McClain also made the salient point that the key is to not throw him to the dogs when he's not ready. Former Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts followed this up by pointing out that this is exactly what happened with both Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortles while he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, both of whom are now perennial backups who never quite hit the heights expected of them. Ultimately, if McClain is right and the Texans wait until the final eight games to see what Mills can do, that would mean his debut would come in Week 11 at the Tennessee Titans, with his first home game being the following week against the New York Jets. | Rookie QB Davis Mills could start for the Houston Texans Post-Bye Week. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/could-houston-texans-rookie-qb-davis-mills-start-post-week-10-bye | 0.323655 |
Could Houston Texans Rookie QB Davis Mills Start Post-Bye Week? | While Tyrod Taylor os presumed by most to be the Houston Texans' number one quarterback at this time, one Houston reporter has predicted that they may be looking to start rookie quarterback Davis Mills after the Week 10 bye. Not 'if.' Big Houston Texans Odds - And Payout On Friday, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain gave his opinion on when he expects to see the highly anticipated Stanford product. "We will see him after the bye week for the last eight games because they (Houston) have to see him for a good part of the season so they'll know what they have," said McClain on SportsRadio610 with Clint Stoerner and The Show. "Because if by some miracle he could be 'the guy,' that he can show them that, it would change next year's draft considerably. And if he's not then of course they're going to have to get a quarterback in next year's draft." Many believe Mills has the talent to be a first-round pick, but his lack of college starts (11 overall) led to his falling to Houston in the third round. Something that McClain believes will prevent him from seeing the field early on in the season. "The tough part for Davis Mills, he'll have the mental part down, it's when he has to get on the field and start doing things, that would've helped him to spend another year in school and on the football field would've made that transition much easier," suggested McClain. With the future of Deshaun Watson in question, and if nothing else his career in Houston presumed by most to be over, the Texans are clearly looking forward given that they signed not only Mills but veterans Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Finley. READ MORE: 'I Went Crazy': Texans DT Blacklock On Houston Drafting TCU Teammate Wallow At the moment, ask almost anyone and they'll say that Taylor is the presumptive starter. A former Pro Bowler, he's an experienced dual-threat QB with experience with head coach David Culley, QB coach Pep Hamilton, and offensive line coach James Campen. However, while he will likely start Week 1, his history of injuries when being used as a stop-gap starter is troubling. "Last year when Pep Hamilton was his coach with the (LA) Chargers he got hurt with that freak injury, had his lung punctured on a pain-killing shot, and (rookie) Justin Herbert had to start before the Chargers wanted him to," said McClain, and it wasn't just in LA where he's had this happen. "2018, [the] third game he got hurt and they (Cleveland Browns) had to start (rookie) Baker Mayfield before they wanted to." McClain later suggested that he believes they will start Mills when he's ready out of necessity as they prepare for next year's draft. However, if lightning strikes a third time and Finley struggles as his replacement, then Mills may well see action sooner than would be ideal. But McClain also made the salient point that the key is to not throw him to the dogs when he's not ready. Former Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts followed this up by pointing out that this is exactly what happened with both Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortles while he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, both of whom are now perennial backups who never quite hit the heights expected of them. Ultimately, if McClain is right and the Texans wait until the final eight games to see what Mills can do, that would mean his debut would come in Week 11 at the Tennessee Titans, with his first home game being the following week against the New York Jets. | Rookie QB Davis Mills could start for the Houston Texans after the bye week. Houston Chronicle's John McClain believes they will start Mills after the Week 10 bye. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/could-houston-texans-rookie-qb-davis-mills-start-post-week-10-bye | 0.541657 |
Could Houston Texans Rookie QB Davis Mills Start Post-Bye Week? | While Tyrod Taylor os presumed by most to be the Houston Texans' number one quarterback at this time, one Houston reporter has predicted that they may be looking to start rookie quarterback Davis Mills after the Week 10 bye. Not 'if.' Big Houston Texans Odds - And Payout On Friday, the Houston Chronicle's John McClain gave his opinion on when he expects to see the highly anticipated Stanford product. "We will see him after the bye week for the last eight games because they (Houston) have to see him for a good part of the season so they'll know what they have," said McClain on SportsRadio610 with Clint Stoerner and The Show. "Because if by some miracle he could be 'the guy,' that he can show them that, it would change next year's draft considerably. And if he's not then of course they're going to have to get a quarterback in next year's draft." Many believe Mills has the talent to be a first-round pick, but his lack of college starts (11 overall) led to his falling to Houston in the third round. Something that McClain believes will prevent him from seeing the field early on in the season. "The tough part for Davis Mills, he'll have the mental part down, it's when he has to get on the field and start doing things, that would've helped him to spend another year in school and on the football field would've made that transition much easier," suggested McClain. With the future of Deshaun Watson in question, and if nothing else his career in Houston presumed by most to be over, the Texans are clearly looking forward given that they signed not only Mills but veterans Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Finley. READ MORE: 'I Went Crazy': Texans DT Blacklock On Houston Drafting TCU Teammate Wallow At the moment, ask almost anyone and they'll say that Taylor is the presumptive starter. A former Pro Bowler, he's an experienced dual-threat QB with experience with head coach David Culley, QB coach Pep Hamilton, and offensive line coach James Campen. However, while he will likely start Week 1, his history of injuries when being used as a stop-gap starter is troubling. "Last year when Pep Hamilton was his coach with the (LA) Chargers he got hurt with that freak injury, had his lung punctured on a pain-killing shot, and (rookie) Justin Herbert had to start before the Chargers wanted him to," said McClain, and it wasn't just in LA where he's had this happen. "2018, [the] third game he got hurt and they (Cleveland Browns) had to start (rookie) Baker Mayfield before they wanted to." McClain later suggested that he believes they will start Mills when he's ready out of necessity as they prepare for next year's draft. However, if lightning strikes a third time and Finley struggles as his replacement, then Mills may well see action sooner than would be ideal. But McClain also made the salient point that the key is to not throw him to the dogs when he's not ready. Former Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts followed this up by pointing out that this is exactly what happened with both Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortles while he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, both of whom are now perennial backups who never quite hit the heights expected of them. Ultimately, if McClain is right and the Texans wait until the final eight games to see what Mills can do, that would mean his debut would come in Week 11 at the Tennessee Titans, with his first home game being the following week against the New York Jets. | Houston Chronicle's John McClain gave his opinion on when he expects to see rookie quarterback Davis Mills. McClain suggested that the Texans may be looking to start Mills after the Week 10 bye. Many believe Mills has the talent to be a first-round pick, but his lack of college starts led to his falling to Houston in the third round. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/could-houston-texans-rookie-qb-davis-mills-start-post-week-10-bye | 0.465003 |
Could Covid-19 Worker Shortages Create A $15 Minimum WageEven Without A New Law? | Activists appeal for a $15 minimum wage near the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. ASSOCIATED PRESS Companies facing labor shortages are offering bonusesand even higher starting salariesto attract new employees. To the dismay of progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a $15 minimum wage stands no chance of passing the U.S. Senate. For now, the federal minimum wage remains stuck at $7.25 an hour, where its been since July of 2009, even though its been eclipsed by higher minimums in 29 states and the District of Columbia and lost a chunk of its buying power to inflation. Workers making just $7.25 an hour effectively earn 18% less than their counterparts did in 2009. At the same time, the combination of Covid-19 dislocations and (Republicans argue) too-rich benefits in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan President Biden signed in March a federal unemployment insurance supplement of $300 per week plus those $1,400 per person stimulus checkshave left some businesses reporting they face a labor shortage. We are having a bit of challenge staffing our hotels, Marriotts new CEO Tony Capuano told CNBC last week, pointing specifically to leisure markets like Arizona and Florida where demand is already roaring back. Marriott is not alone hererestaurants, other types of leisure businesses and even construction businesses say they are struggling to hire. That shortage has the potential to push up salaries at the bottom, effectively raising the minimum wage. (Capuano has indicated that Marriott is a supporter of hiking the federal minimum above $7.25 per hour, Newsday reported last week.) Let's be clear, Sanders tweeted Friday. The problem in America is not that unemployed workers are receiving an extra $300 a week in emergency benefits during a horrific pandemic. The problem is that too many employers in America are exploiting their workers by paying starvation wages with no benefits. After McDonalds announced last week that it would raise hourly wages by an average of 10% for more than 36,500 workers at its company-owned stores (pushing average hourly wages to $15 per hour by 2024), one political Facebook group broadcast the news to its 31,000 followers with the message, looks like we just found a way to raise wages. Consumer giants Amazon, Costco and Target have all voluntarily increased wages in recent months to meet or exceed the $15 threshold as they expand and need to staff up. For employers looking to staff up, offering a livable wage and benefits is the only way to stay competitive in the current market, Mathieu Stevenson, CEO of hourly work platform Snagajob, opined in a Friday statement. Perhaps. But William Rodgers, a professor of public policy and the chief economist at Rutgers Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and the former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, says that using a traditional model of economic analysis, if the U.S. is indeed facing a labor shortage, he would expect to see the market respond with wage growth in the sectors that have been hit hardest by the pandemic and are now attempting to staff back uplike retail, hospitality, and leisure. Rodgers, for one, isnt convinced that the $300 a week benefit is at the root of the labor shortageif one does exist. He notes that Aprils jobs number, while disappointing, was not enough to constitute a trend. Only 266,000 jobs were added over the course of the month, far fewer than what economists were expecting and far fewer than the 916,000 jobs that were added in March. A bigger factor than the $300 supplement, he says, are the childcare and caregiving challenges posed by the pandemic. I think there's a host of parentsparticularly momswho made a conscious decision at certain points within the pandemic that they are going to leave the labor force, he says. Millions of women dropped out of the workforce during the pandemic and the labor force participation rate for women in April was just 56.1%prior to the Covid-19 crisis, the last time the rate was that low was 1987. Similarly, the difficulty of working during the pandemic apparently hastened some Baby Boomers decision to retire. According to Pew Research Center, 3.2 million more Boomers reported their status as retired in the third quarter of 2020 than in the same quarter the year before. Thats more than twice the number who had moved into retirement the previous year. (Surprisingly, there are about five million minimum wage workers who are 55 or older.) Analysts from Goldman Sachs said in a note Thursday that the ratio of unemployed workers to job vacancies has now reached levels that are associated with much tighter labor marketssimilar to conditions just before the pandemic, when unemployment was at a historic loweven though record numbers of Americans are still officially considered unemployed. The analysts attribute the pattern to a quick reopening thats happening even as labor supply is still limited by both the $300 per week unemployment supplement and virus-related concerns about returning to work. The effect is more pronounced in low-paying, public-facing industries like leisure and hospitality and health and education, the analysts found. For whatever reasonsthe $300, the childcare challenge, the fear of Covid-19workers salary expectations are rising too, especially on the lower end of the pay spectrum. Goldmans analysts point out that the New York Feds measure of the average self-reported reservation wagethe lowest wage a worker says they will accept for a new jobhas grown 21% since the fall for workers making less than $60,000 annually. For workers earning more than $60,000, the salary expectation has remained in line with previous years. Goldman analysts say that discrepancy shows how lower-income workers are gaining bargaining power in the labor market thanks to that extra $300 per week in UI benefits. Of course, one could also reasonably argue that the need to pay for child care while children are home from school and the sense that taking a job involves a health risk are also factors that might raise the minimum pay a worker will accept. An Amazon associate places a label on a package at the Amazon Robotics fulfillment center during its first public tour on April 12, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. NurPhoto via Getty Images Whatever the cause, workers higher wage expectations seem to be producing results as companies ramp up hiring. Amazon said Thursday that it will offer $1,000 signing bonuses in some locations as part of a push to hire 75,000 workers at average salaries of $17 per hour$2 more than the consumer giants usual $15 starting wage. Thats on top of the companys announcement last month that it would raise wages by up to $3 per hour for more than half a million workers at a cost of more than $1 billion to the company. The Sheetz chain convenience stores announced last week that it will raise wages by $2 per hour for all of its 18,000 employees. It will also pay employees an additional $1 per hour through September as part of its Summer Stimulus Program. Sandwich chain Jimmy Johns will offer signing bonuses in some of its stores, the Wall Street Journal reported, as will the Wawa chain of convenience stores. Chipotle announced last week that its rolling out referral bonuses and hiking pay for workers. Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants said earlier this year that it would increase wages for about 20% of its hourly workers to at least $10 per hourincluding tips. The national minimum wage for tipped workers is just $2.13, but many states enforce higher minimums. Other employers are getting more creative: the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Delaware is offering a case of beer to new hires, according to the New York Times, and a McDonalds restaurant in Florida was paying $50 to candidates who show up for interviews as of last month, Insider reported. And in what seems to be recognition that labor reluctance is about more than just pay, Pharma giant AbbVie says it will help eligible employees with childcare and remote learning expenses. Taco Bell is boosting benefitsincluding 12 weeks of parental leave and four weeks of paid vacationfor general managers, according to Restaurant Business. Theres more than anecdotal data to suggest that in some ways, market forces are pushing wages up. Experts at Bank of America said Friday that while salaries overall are rising in the United States (the average annual salary on a job posting was $50,150 in April compared to a pandemic low of $47,400), the service industry has seen stronger wage growth recently as demand comes roaring back and restrictions on businesses are lifted. But market forces, while potentially powerful in the short-term, dont necessarily guarantee lasting change the way a statutory increase in the minimum wage would. Goldman Sachss analysts expect the mismatch between labor supply and demand to persist through the summerand grow wages by more than 3% in the near-termbut abate by mid-September in most of the United States. That slowdown in wage growth could come even sooner given the growing number of Republican-led states that are announcing the end of the $300 weekly supplement. I would rather err on the side of providing people unemployment insurance benefits, and then force employers to raise wages and compensation to attract and retain workers, Rodgers says. But even if that does drive wages up across the board, a rising tide doesnt always lift all boats. Rodgers adds that despite booming economic growth in the Trump era, prosperity wasnt shared across all groups. You have to have [government] institutions....to make sure that the economy's fair in the sense of non-discrimination, ending structural racism, addressing structural sexism. Further reading Amazon Hiring 75,000 Workers, Offering $1,000 Signing Bonus in Some Locations (Forbes) Sanders Urges Biden Administration To Block Red States From Cutting Some Federal Unemployment BenefitsEven If Governors Want To (Forbes) Cities Can Use Their Federal Stimulus To Cover Up To $25,000 In Hazard Pay For Grocery Store And Other Essential Workers (Forbes) | Companies facing labor shortages are offering bonusesand even higher starting salariesto attract new employees. A $15 minimum wage stands no chance of passing the U.S. Senate. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2021/05/15/could-covid-19-worker-shortages-create-a-15-minimum-wage-even-without-a-new-law/ | 0.117552 |
Could Covid-19 Worker Shortages Create A $15 Minimum WageEven Without A New Law? | Activists appeal for a $15 minimum wage near the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. ASSOCIATED PRESS Companies facing labor shortages are offering bonusesand even higher starting salariesto attract new employees. To the dismay of progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a $15 minimum wage stands no chance of passing the U.S. Senate. For now, the federal minimum wage remains stuck at $7.25 an hour, where its been since July of 2009, even though its been eclipsed by higher minimums in 29 states and the District of Columbia and lost a chunk of its buying power to inflation. Workers making just $7.25 an hour effectively earn 18% less than their counterparts did in 2009. At the same time, the combination of Covid-19 dislocations and (Republicans argue) too-rich benefits in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan President Biden signed in March a federal unemployment insurance supplement of $300 per week plus those $1,400 per person stimulus checkshave left some businesses reporting they face a labor shortage. We are having a bit of challenge staffing our hotels, Marriotts new CEO Tony Capuano told CNBC last week, pointing specifically to leisure markets like Arizona and Florida where demand is already roaring back. Marriott is not alone hererestaurants, other types of leisure businesses and even construction businesses say they are struggling to hire. That shortage has the potential to push up salaries at the bottom, effectively raising the minimum wage. (Capuano has indicated that Marriott is a supporter of hiking the federal minimum above $7.25 per hour, Newsday reported last week.) Let's be clear, Sanders tweeted Friday. The problem in America is not that unemployed workers are receiving an extra $300 a week in emergency benefits during a horrific pandemic. The problem is that too many employers in America are exploiting their workers by paying starvation wages with no benefits. After McDonalds announced last week that it would raise hourly wages by an average of 10% for more than 36,500 workers at its company-owned stores (pushing average hourly wages to $15 per hour by 2024), one political Facebook group broadcast the news to its 31,000 followers with the message, looks like we just found a way to raise wages. Consumer giants Amazon, Costco and Target have all voluntarily increased wages in recent months to meet or exceed the $15 threshold as they expand and need to staff up. For employers looking to staff up, offering a livable wage and benefits is the only way to stay competitive in the current market, Mathieu Stevenson, CEO of hourly work platform Snagajob, opined in a Friday statement. Perhaps. But William Rodgers, a professor of public policy and the chief economist at Rutgers Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and the former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, says that using a traditional model of economic analysis, if the U.S. is indeed facing a labor shortage, he would expect to see the market respond with wage growth in the sectors that have been hit hardest by the pandemic and are now attempting to staff back uplike retail, hospitality, and leisure. Rodgers, for one, isnt convinced that the $300 a week benefit is at the root of the labor shortageif one does exist. He notes that Aprils jobs number, while disappointing, was not enough to constitute a trend. Only 266,000 jobs were added over the course of the month, far fewer than what economists were expecting and far fewer than the 916,000 jobs that were added in March. A bigger factor than the $300 supplement, he says, are the childcare and caregiving challenges posed by the pandemic. I think there's a host of parentsparticularly momswho made a conscious decision at certain points within the pandemic that they are going to leave the labor force, he says. Millions of women dropped out of the workforce during the pandemic and the labor force participation rate for women in April was just 56.1%prior to the Covid-19 crisis, the last time the rate was that low was 1987. Similarly, the difficulty of working during the pandemic apparently hastened some Baby Boomers decision to retire. According to Pew Research Center, 3.2 million more Boomers reported their status as retired in the third quarter of 2020 than in the same quarter the year before. Thats more than twice the number who had moved into retirement the previous year. (Surprisingly, there are about five million minimum wage workers who are 55 or older.) Analysts from Goldman Sachs said in a note Thursday that the ratio of unemployed workers to job vacancies has now reached levels that are associated with much tighter labor marketssimilar to conditions just before the pandemic, when unemployment was at a historic loweven though record numbers of Americans are still officially considered unemployed. The analysts attribute the pattern to a quick reopening thats happening even as labor supply is still limited by both the $300 per week unemployment supplement and virus-related concerns about returning to work. The effect is more pronounced in low-paying, public-facing industries like leisure and hospitality and health and education, the analysts found. For whatever reasonsthe $300, the childcare challenge, the fear of Covid-19workers salary expectations are rising too, especially on the lower end of the pay spectrum. Goldmans analysts point out that the New York Feds measure of the average self-reported reservation wagethe lowest wage a worker says they will accept for a new jobhas grown 21% since the fall for workers making less than $60,000 annually. For workers earning more than $60,000, the salary expectation has remained in line with previous years. Goldman analysts say that discrepancy shows how lower-income workers are gaining bargaining power in the labor market thanks to that extra $300 per week in UI benefits. Of course, one could also reasonably argue that the need to pay for child care while children are home from school and the sense that taking a job involves a health risk are also factors that might raise the minimum pay a worker will accept. An Amazon associate places a label on a package at the Amazon Robotics fulfillment center during its first public tour on April 12, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. NurPhoto via Getty Images Whatever the cause, workers higher wage expectations seem to be producing results as companies ramp up hiring. Amazon said Thursday that it will offer $1,000 signing bonuses in some locations as part of a push to hire 75,000 workers at average salaries of $17 per hour$2 more than the consumer giants usual $15 starting wage. Thats on top of the companys announcement last month that it would raise wages by up to $3 per hour for more than half a million workers at a cost of more than $1 billion to the company. The Sheetz chain convenience stores announced last week that it will raise wages by $2 per hour for all of its 18,000 employees. It will also pay employees an additional $1 per hour through September as part of its Summer Stimulus Program. Sandwich chain Jimmy Johns will offer signing bonuses in some of its stores, the Wall Street Journal reported, as will the Wawa chain of convenience stores. Chipotle announced last week that its rolling out referral bonuses and hiking pay for workers. Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants said earlier this year that it would increase wages for about 20% of its hourly workers to at least $10 per hourincluding tips. The national minimum wage for tipped workers is just $2.13, but many states enforce higher minimums. Other employers are getting more creative: the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Delaware is offering a case of beer to new hires, according to the New York Times, and a McDonalds restaurant in Florida was paying $50 to candidates who show up for interviews as of last month, Insider reported. And in what seems to be recognition that labor reluctance is about more than just pay, Pharma giant AbbVie says it will help eligible employees with childcare and remote learning expenses. Taco Bell is boosting benefitsincluding 12 weeks of parental leave and four weeks of paid vacationfor general managers, according to Restaurant Business. Theres more than anecdotal data to suggest that in some ways, market forces are pushing wages up. Experts at Bank of America said Friday that while salaries overall are rising in the United States (the average annual salary on a job posting was $50,150 in April compared to a pandemic low of $47,400), the service industry has seen stronger wage growth recently as demand comes roaring back and restrictions on businesses are lifted. But market forces, while potentially powerful in the short-term, dont necessarily guarantee lasting change the way a statutory increase in the minimum wage would. Goldman Sachss analysts expect the mismatch between labor supply and demand to persist through the summerand grow wages by more than 3% in the near-termbut abate by mid-September in most of the United States. That slowdown in wage growth could come even sooner given the growing number of Republican-led states that are announcing the end of the $300 weekly supplement. I would rather err on the side of providing people unemployment insurance benefits, and then force employers to raise wages and compensation to attract and retain workers, Rodgers says. But even if that does drive wages up across the board, a rising tide doesnt always lift all boats. Rodgers adds that despite booming economic growth in the Trump era, prosperity wasnt shared across all groups. You have to have [government] institutions....to make sure that the economy's fair in the sense of non-discrimination, ending structural racism, addressing structural sexism. Further reading Amazon Hiring 75,000 Workers, Offering $1,000 Signing Bonus in Some Locations (Forbes) Sanders Urges Biden Administration To Block Red States From Cutting Some Federal Unemployment BenefitsEven If Governors Want To (Forbes) Cities Can Use Their Federal Stimulus To Cover Up To $25,000 In Hazard Pay For Grocery Store And Other Essential Workers (Forbes) | Companies facing labor shortages are offering bonusesand even higher starting salariesto attract new employees. A $15 minimum wage stands no chance of passing the U.S. Senate. A shortage has the potential to push up salaries at the bottom, effectively raising the minimum wage. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2021/05/15/could-covid-19-worker-shortages-create-a-15-minimum-wage-even-without-a-new-law/ | 0.145373 |
How Could Travel Impact the Jaguars' 2021 Schedule? | ESPN's Brian Burke presents data to give us an idea. The NFLand subsequently Jacksonville Jaguarshave been pushing the upcoming 2021 schedule as the biggest season ever. A 17th game has been added for everyone, stretching the season to 18 weeks, the International Series in London has been reestablished after a year off from COVID and its presumed fans will be allowed back in the stands. For the Jaguars in particular, trips to the West Coast, up the Eastern Seaboard and across the pond make for a 2021 season that already seemswelltiring. This will be the case for many teams, however. The key will be managing it all, of course, but a favorable draw relative to opponents can also help. Brian Burke of ESPN has put together a scatter graph highlighting the differentials in net travel and net rest difference. The Jaguars are the closest to dead center of all 32 teams. Of course that means nothing without first understanding what each axis represents. Lets start with net travel. This is essentially the differential in what one team is traveling relative to their visiting opponents. For example, the Jags' net travel in this situation is measured by calculating the entire travel Jacksonville must do for the season, minus what their opponents must travel to play them (in Jacksonville and one game in London). The Jaguars will travel 13,284 miles during the 2021 regular season, including eight away games and one home game at Londons Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The teams trip to London is the longest of the season (4,250 miles), followed by Seattle (2,443) and Los Angeles (2,153). On Burkes chart, the Jaguars are on the line for net travel miles. Because despite the sheer number of miles the club will travel, they welcome teams after long trips as well. For example, the London trip features two Florida teams (the Jaguars face the Miami Dolphins) so the net travel balances out. And despite the Jags traveling to Los Angeles and Seattle, they will also welcome the San Francisco 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos. The 49ers, who travel to Jacksonville in November, have the largest net travel differential of any team. In total (not net), San Francisco will travel over 28,000 miles round trip. The Las Vegas Raiders have the most beneficial net travel total. The perpendicular axis is net rest difference which Burke explains as the sum of the difference in days between games. So if a team came off Monday Night Football to play a team that played last Thursday, that would be a -4 for that team that week. The Jaguars continue their 13 year streak of no Sunday Night Football games and 10 year streak of no Monday Night Football games into this year. The silver lining being though that there will be few short turnarounds for the team with a Thursday night game and a bye week following the London trip. Related: 6 Observations on the Jaguars Schedule: Coaching Matchups, Disrespect and a Tough Stretch The Carolina Panthers are in the most beneficial spot in terms of net rest difference, while the New England Patriots are at the bottom. The Pats will face three teams coming off of their bye week. The Jaguars wont be one of them though, as Jacksonville will head to Boston on January 2 after a December 26 meeting with the New York Jets. The Pats will spend the 26th playing the Buffalo Bills in Boston. The Jaguars dont play the Chicago Bears this season but the Bears are seemingly in the worst position overall; while not in the worst spot for net travel miles or net rest difference, the Bears are in the lowest spot for the average between the two. Its a tie between two clubs. The Philadelphia Eagles (who the Jaguars dont face in 2021) and the Cincinnati Bengals. As of now, the Bengals are the only primetime game on the schedule for the Jaguars, as the two will face each other on Thursday Night Football in Week 4 (September 30). The Jaguars have one of the more favorable schedules through the first four weeks, before diving into a wood chipper beginning Week 9. In a way, the season balances itself out in that way. The same could be said for the net travel miles and rest difference data that puts the Jaguars firmly in the middle of the pack. In the end though, the only thing that will truly matter is how the Jacksonville Jaguars handle it all on the field. | The Jacksonville Jaguars will travel 13,284 miles during the 2021 regular season. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.si.com/nfl/jaguars/news/how-could-travel-impact-the-jaguars-2021-schedule | 0.208754 |
How Could Travel Impact the Jaguars' 2021 Schedule? | ESPN's Brian Burke presents data to give us an idea. The NFLand subsequently Jacksonville Jaguarshave been pushing the upcoming 2021 schedule as the biggest season ever. A 17th game has been added for everyone, stretching the season to 18 weeks, the International Series in London has been reestablished after a year off from COVID and its presumed fans will be allowed back in the stands. For the Jaguars in particular, trips to the West Coast, up the Eastern Seaboard and across the pond make for a 2021 season that already seemswelltiring. This will be the case for many teams, however. The key will be managing it all, of course, but a favorable draw relative to opponents can also help. Brian Burke of ESPN has put together a scatter graph highlighting the differentials in net travel and net rest difference. The Jaguars are the closest to dead center of all 32 teams. Of course that means nothing without first understanding what each axis represents. Lets start with net travel. This is essentially the differential in what one team is traveling relative to their visiting opponents. For example, the Jags' net travel in this situation is measured by calculating the entire travel Jacksonville must do for the season, minus what their opponents must travel to play them (in Jacksonville and one game in London). The Jaguars will travel 13,284 miles during the 2021 regular season, including eight away games and one home game at Londons Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The teams trip to London is the longest of the season (4,250 miles), followed by Seattle (2,443) and Los Angeles (2,153). On Burkes chart, the Jaguars are on the line for net travel miles. Because despite the sheer number of miles the club will travel, they welcome teams after long trips as well. For example, the London trip features two Florida teams (the Jaguars face the Miami Dolphins) so the net travel balances out. And despite the Jags traveling to Los Angeles and Seattle, they will also welcome the San Francisco 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos. The 49ers, who travel to Jacksonville in November, have the largest net travel differential of any team. In total (not net), San Francisco will travel over 28,000 miles round trip. The Las Vegas Raiders have the most beneficial net travel total. The perpendicular axis is net rest difference which Burke explains as the sum of the difference in days between games. So if a team came off Monday Night Football to play a team that played last Thursday, that would be a -4 for that team that week. The Jaguars continue their 13 year streak of no Sunday Night Football games and 10 year streak of no Monday Night Football games into this year. The silver lining being though that there will be few short turnarounds for the team with a Thursday night game and a bye week following the London trip. Related: 6 Observations on the Jaguars Schedule: Coaching Matchups, Disrespect and a Tough Stretch The Carolina Panthers are in the most beneficial spot in terms of net rest difference, while the New England Patriots are at the bottom. The Pats will face three teams coming off of their bye week. The Jaguars wont be one of them though, as Jacksonville will head to Boston on January 2 after a December 26 meeting with the New York Jets. The Pats will spend the 26th playing the Buffalo Bills in Boston. The Jaguars dont play the Chicago Bears this season but the Bears are seemingly in the worst position overall; while not in the worst spot for net travel miles or net rest difference, the Bears are in the lowest spot for the average between the two. Its a tie between two clubs. The Philadelphia Eagles (who the Jaguars dont face in 2021) and the Cincinnati Bengals. As of now, the Bengals are the only primetime game on the schedule for the Jaguars, as the two will face each other on Thursday Night Football in Week 4 (September 30). The Jaguars have one of the more favorable schedules through the first four weeks, before diving into a wood chipper beginning Week 9. In a way, the season balances itself out in that way. The same could be said for the net travel miles and rest difference data that puts the Jaguars firmly in the middle of the pack. In the end though, the only thing that will truly matter is how the Jacksonville Jaguars handle it all on the field. | The Jacksonville Jaguars will travel 13,284 miles during the 2021 regular season, including eight away games and one home game at Londons Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. | bart | 1 | https://www.si.com/nfl/jaguars/news/how-could-travel-impact-the-jaguars-2021-schedule | 0.385391 |
How Could Travel Impact the Jaguars' 2021 Schedule? | ESPN's Brian Burke presents data to give us an idea. The NFLand subsequently Jacksonville Jaguarshave been pushing the upcoming 2021 schedule as the biggest season ever. A 17th game has been added for everyone, stretching the season to 18 weeks, the International Series in London has been reestablished after a year off from COVID and its presumed fans will be allowed back in the stands. For the Jaguars in particular, trips to the West Coast, up the Eastern Seaboard and across the pond make for a 2021 season that already seemswelltiring. This will be the case for many teams, however. The key will be managing it all, of course, but a favorable draw relative to opponents can also help. Brian Burke of ESPN has put together a scatter graph highlighting the differentials in net travel and net rest difference. The Jaguars are the closest to dead center of all 32 teams. Of course that means nothing without first understanding what each axis represents. Lets start with net travel. This is essentially the differential in what one team is traveling relative to their visiting opponents. For example, the Jags' net travel in this situation is measured by calculating the entire travel Jacksonville must do for the season, minus what their opponents must travel to play them (in Jacksonville and one game in London). The Jaguars will travel 13,284 miles during the 2021 regular season, including eight away games and one home game at Londons Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The teams trip to London is the longest of the season (4,250 miles), followed by Seattle (2,443) and Los Angeles (2,153). On Burkes chart, the Jaguars are on the line for net travel miles. Because despite the sheer number of miles the club will travel, they welcome teams after long trips as well. For example, the London trip features two Florida teams (the Jaguars face the Miami Dolphins) so the net travel balances out. And despite the Jags traveling to Los Angeles and Seattle, they will also welcome the San Francisco 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos. The 49ers, who travel to Jacksonville in November, have the largest net travel differential of any team. In total (not net), San Francisco will travel over 28,000 miles round trip. The Las Vegas Raiders have the most beneficial net travel total. The perpendicular axis is net rest difference which Burke explains as the sum of the difference in days between games. So if a team came off Monday Night Football to play a team that played last Thursday, that would be a -4 for that team that week. The Jaguars continue their 13 year streak of no Sunday Night Football games and 10 year streak of no Monday Night Football games into this year. The silver lining being though that there will be few short turnarounds for the team with a Thursday night game and a bye week following the London trip. Related: 6 Observations on the Jaguars Schedule: Coaching Matchups, Disrespect and a Tough Stretch The Carolina Panthers are in the most beneficial spot in terms of net rest difference, while the New England Patriots are at the bottom. The Pats will face three teams coming off of their bye week. The Jaguars wont be one of them though, as Jacksonville will head to Boston on January 2 after a December 26 meeting with the New York Jets. The Pats will spend the 26th playing the Buffalo Bills in Boston. The Jaguars dont play the Chicago Bears this season but the Bears are seemingly in the worst position overall; while not in the worst spot for net travel miles or net rest difference, the Bears are in the lowest spot for the average between the two. Its a tie between two clubs. The Philadelphia Eagles (who the Jaguars dont face in 2021) and the Cincinnati Bengals. As of now, the Bengals are the only primetime game on the schedule for the Jaguars, as the two will face each other on Thursday Night Football in Week 4 (September 30). The Jaguars have one of the more favorable schedules through the first four weeks, before diving into a wood chipper beginning Week 9. In a way, the season balances itself out in that way. The same could be said for the net travel miles and rest difference data that puts the Jaguars firmly in the middle of the pack. In the end though, the only thing that will truly matter is how the Jacksonville Jaguars handle it all on the field. | The Jacksonville Jaguars will travel 13,284 miles during the 2021 regular season, including eight away games and one home game at Londons Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Brian Burke of ESPN has put together a scatter graph highlighting the differentials in net travel and net rest difference. The Jaguars are the closest to dead center of all 32 teams. | bart | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/jaguars/news/how-could-travel-impact-the-jaguars-2021-schedule | 0.508111 |
How is Iran influencing the conflict between Israel and Hamas? | Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated to levels not seen since the 2014 Gaza War, and national security analyst Rebecca Grant joined Fox News Saturday to discuss Irans intentions and influence in the region. Since early last week, Hamas and Israel have exchanged rocket-fire, and air strikes, reigniting unrest in the Middle East. With sirens echoing across southern Israel and civilians finding safety in bomb shelters, many have questioned Irans influence in the growing conflict. PRO-IRAN TWITTER ACCOUNTS GOT ANTI-SEMITIC HATE TRENDING AS HAMAS ROCKETS SPED TOWARD ISRAEL "Iran is a huge factor," Grant said. "I see Iran all over this from the call from the commander of their Quds Force, talking to Hamas. Of course, its Iran who has supplied a lot of the missiles and the missile technology for these ongoing strikes that were seeing." President Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas Saturday, and during the phone call with Netanyahu, Biden echoed his support for Israels right to self-defense and committed to a negotiated two-state solution. Netanyahu spoke to the Israeli people following his call with the U.S. President saying, "Our aim is to send Hamas a message that its not worth sending rockets next time they want." President Biden has come under fire for his stance on Israel as several prominent Democrats within his own party showed disapproval. LIVE UPDATES: BIDEN SPEAKS WITH ABBAS, NETANYAHU AS ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT ESCALATES "This is really turning into a deepening crisis for Biden. He also has splits within the Democratic Party of those who are more assertive about Palestinian rights and those who are defenders of Israel" Grant said. Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib criticized the President on the House floor Friday, claiming he did not recognize the "Palestinian humanity." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Commander In Chief has also faced heavy criticism after announcing the administration is opened to easing U.S. sanctions on Iran. U.S. and Iranian diplomats have traded talks to negotiate a reconstructed deal following former President Trumps abandonment of the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. The Biden administration also announced this week that the U.S. will be releasing aid to the Palestinians. Rebecca Grant raised concerns over President Bidens diplomatic responses to Iran saying, "Id like to see the Biden team step back from talking about reentering that nuclear deal with Iran. Its too bad Biden already released money to Gaza, the Palestinians through the U.N. It would have been great to have that hold over their heads. We need to see really a much stronger response and a demand for a cease-fire." | National security analyst Rebecca Grant says Iran is a "huge factor" in the growing conflict between Israel and Hamas. President Biden has come under fire for his stance on Israel as several prominent Democrats within his own party showed disapproval. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.foxnews.com/world/how-is-iran-influencing-the-conflict-between-israel-and-hamas | 0.124826 |
How is Iran influencing the conflict between Israel and Hamas? | Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated to levels not seen since the 2014 Gaza War, and national security analyst Rebecca Grant joined Fox News Saturday to discuss Irans intentions and influence in the region. Since early last week, Hamas and Israel have exchanged rocket-fire, and air strikes, reigniting unrest in the Middle East. With sirens echoing across southern Israel and civilians finding safety in bomb shelters, many have questioned Irans influence in the growing conflict. PRO-IRAN TWITTER ACCOUNTS GOT ANTI-SEMITIC HATE TRENDING AS HAMAS ROCKETS SPED TOWARD ISRAEL "Iran is a huge factor," Grant said. "I see Iran all over this from the call from the commander of their Quds Force, talking to Hamas. Of course, its Iran who has supplied a lot of the missiles and the missile technology for these ongoing strikes that were seeing." President Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas Saturday, and during the phone call with Netanyahu, Biden echoed his support for Israels right to self-defense and committed to a negotiated two-state solution. Netanyahu spoke to the Israeli people following his call with the U.S. President saying, "Our aim is to send Hamas a message that its not worth sending rockets next time they want." President Biden has come under fire for his stance on Israel as several prominent Democrats within his own party showed disapproval. LIVE UPDATES: BIDEN SPEAKS WITH ABBAS, NETANYAHU AS ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT ESCALATES "This is really turning into a deepening crisis for Biden. He also has splits within the Democratic Party of those who are more assertive about Palestinian rights and those who are defenders of Israel" Grant said. Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib criticized the President on the House floor Friday, claiming he did not recognize the "Palestinian humanity." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Commander In Chief has also faced heavy criticism after announcing the administration is opened to easing U.S. sanctions on Iran. U.S. and Iranian diplomats have traded talks to negotiate a reconstructed deal following former President Trumps abandonment of the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. The Biden administration also announced this week that the U.S. will be releasing aid to the Palestinians. Rebecca Grant raised concerns over President Bidens diplomatic responses to Iran saying, "Id like to see the Biden team step back from talking about reentering that nuclear deal with Iran. Its too bad Biden already released money to Gaza, the Palestinians through the U.N. It would have been great to have that hold over their heads. We need to see really a much stronger response and a demand for a cease-fire." | National security analyst Rebecca Grant says Iran is a "huge factor" in the growing conflict between Israel and Hamas. President Biden has come under fire for his stance on Israel as several prominent Democrats within his own party showed disapproval of the President's stance on the issue. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.foxnews.com/world/how-is-iran-influencing-the-conflict-between-israel-and-hamas | 0.125032 |
Will the Government take the poverty crisis seriously? | Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talk before Ardern delivers a speech to business leaders at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell This week's Budget is a chance for the Labour Government to take the crisis of poverty and inequality seriously. They can do this by delivering something serious or even transformational for those suffering at the bottom of the heap in New Zealand. In particular, a big increase in core benefit rates would be the most effective way they could tackle the worsening problem. Of course, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has already faced campaigns to increase benefits, and firmly said "no" to these as recently as December you can see my roundup of this issue then: The Left's challenge to Labour's inaction on poverty and inequality. However, pressure to deliver to those most in need is now just too great for the Government to ignore, and rumours are building that a benefit increase will be announced. Last week, Finance Minister Grant Robertson even signalled the Budget will include measures to deal with inequality and poverty, and Ardern came up with the term "The Compassionate Budget" for what is coming. Business journalist Liam Dann forecast in the Herald yesterday some big spending to put more money in the pockets of the poorest: "There will undoubtedly be some big, new spending packages in this Budget. They will likely target child poverty and those suffering most from inequity" see: Budget 2021: Why Grant Robertson won't match big spending Aussies (paywalled). And Dann outlines how pumping money to the poor will tick both moral and economic boxes. Arguments for a big 'benefit boost' If the Government ever needed permission to boost benefits, it received this in a landmark survey released in February showing overwhelming public support for increased income support for the poor see Harry Lock's Survey finds 69% want income support for those in need increased. The question was asked whether "the Government should increase the amount of income support paid to those on low incomes and not in paid work". Across all demographics, incomes, and voting alignments, the result was clearly in favour of government action. Even Act Party supporters tended towards an increase in income support. Responding to the poll, the ActionStation advocacy group said this about benefit increases: "The time for excuses is up. This poll shows the government has a clear social licence and mandate, on top of its moral obligation, to lift inadequate welfare payments to 'liveable' levels, and it needs to be done now, in this Budget round." Plenty of high-profile voices have also been urging Labour to do the right thing. For example, recently political journalist Andrea Vance highlighted that while Ardern had come to office on a promise to reduce inequality, she hasn't done so yet see: The social welfare net is threadbare can Grant Robertson mend it?. In this, Vance suggests giving beneficiaries a proper payment increase as well as modernising the whole welfare system. Similarly, writing in February, Branko Marcetic argued that lifting benefits is the "bare minimum" that the Government should be doing to work on fulfilling its promises. But he admits a benefit rise would have a downside for the Government: "Doing this will certainly mean Robertson may have, at first, less impressive debt numbers to show off to business leaders at lunches and breakfasts held in luxury hotels" see: NZ's economic "bounce-back" is a myth but lifting benefits would bring it closer to reality. Humpage also points out that the Government's own Welfare Expert Advisory Group made a number of recommendations for reform, which the Government is largely ignoring: "It made 42 key recommendations but only a handful have been addressed. Almost two years on, we are still waiting for real action." Latest "grim" poverty statistics out More evidence of the "grim" situation came out on Thursday, with the release of the Government's first Annual Report for the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and another report on Child Poverty Indicators. The most significant finding from these reports was that 20 per cent of children live in households where food runs out either sometimes or often. For details, see Rebecca Moore's Advocacy groups slam 'racist', ''discriminatory' system after Government releases child poverty report. The article reports the response of Child Poverty Action Group's Janet McAllister, who says "We should be angry about this" and she admonishes the Labour Government for only taking "small steps to address these big issues", saying although there are indications of slight improvements in poverty levels, "It's not okay to be a little bit better than four years ago." She concludes that "The Government has power to change this terrible situation we've been in for far too long." Guardian journalist Tess McClure labelled the stats as representing "slow or non-existent progress" on dealing with child poverty see: Ardern faces calls to boost child poverty spending in budget amid glacial progress. She reports Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft's statement in response, that there was "an inarguable need to increase benefits", calling "for more spending for children in the upcoming budget". Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivering a speech to business leaders at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell The Prime Minister is also quoted defending her record, saying "Many of the issues facing children, young people and their families are complex, stubborn and intergenerational, so we know change will take time, and will require sustained action across Government and across our communities". Similarly, researcher Max Rashbrooke's message is to have more patience, because "Child poverty is like a huge oil tanker it takes a long time to turn around", "It takes time to convert income into greater wellbeing", and "Some of the problems are so ingrained, that you spend a lot of money erasing the problems of the past". But he lamented that the Government is "not willing to commit to the massive increases in benefits that would really see us slashing the rates of child poverty". Rashbrooke has also written recently about his attempt to track down planning for how the Government is going to deal with the poverty crisis, coming up empty-handed see: Plan and budget both Awol in child-poverty fight. He says: "we need Ardern to tell us exactly how she will meet her long-term targets, how much it will cost, and where those funds will be found. The issue also cuts to the heart of her Government's credibility." This article follows on from an earlier one by Rashbrooke in which he argues that the Government's lack of a plan on poverty is troubling, and that making inroads will require much more boldness than is currently on offer see: Economist Brian Easton also responded critically yesterday to the latest poverty stats, suggesting that any purported improvements are just "statistical noise", but that this shouldn't be surprising "because the policy changes have been small, if trumpeted loudly. Therein lies the challenge. The assumption seems to have been that small incremental policy measures can eliminate child poverty. I am sceptical unless the increments are larger and more focused than what has occurred so far. The statute says where we are to end up, but it does not provide a path to get there. So we are gingerly navigating our way; there is no map." The lack of a plan for dealing with poverty was also criticised earlier in the year by a Stuff editorial that said "we're on a track that remains only half-built and the path ahead is anything but clear and, even now, we don't really know where we stand" see: The newspaper cites the arguments to increase benefits by between 12 and 47 per cent as the official advice dictates, and adds that the Government has a mandate to be much more radical: "the result of the previous election was nothing if not a mandate for boldness on fronts such as this." Also writing about this time, leftwing columnist Gordon Campbell said: "Voters gave Labour a sweeping mandate to pursue transformational solutions for this country's most serious problems", but that they're taking "tiny, barely discernible steps to reduce poverty" see: On Labour's fudging on child poverty. Hardly." If a benefit boost does eventuate in Grant Robertson's Budget on Thursday, the crucial issue will be how much they rise by. There seems to be a near-consensus amongst progressives and welfare advocates that such an increase would need to be in the range recommended by the Government's Welfare Expert Advisory Group of 12-47 per cent. Anything less than a $100/week increase for single jobseekers, as recommended, will leave many on the left disappointed. Some would even like to see benefit rates doubled. Writing in the Herald last week, the Auckland City Missioner, Helen Robinson, looked at this issue of how much benefits needed to rise by, and suggested: "The $490 weekly Covid Income Relief Payment for full-time workers who lost their job during the pandemic is a good starting point. That level of investment, compared to the little over $250 a week received by a single person over the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support, is a more realistic weekly income. Economically this is possible" see: Impossible choices deprive our people of hope (paywalled). Robinson commented further on this yesterday, saying to break the poverty cycle "the benefit needs to increase by around $200 each week" see RNZ's Major rise in benefits needed to get children out of poverty Auckland City Missioner. The City Missioner also points out that official statistics released last week on child poverty are out of date, and that things have got much worse due to the impact of Covid. As an example, she says "the mission before Covid was doing about 25,000 food parcels a year and this year we'll get to somewhere between 45 to 50,000 food parcels so the need has significantly increased." According to the Child Poverty Action Group, they could start indexing Working for Families payments in line with the wage index, as is done for Superannuation and benefits see Melanie Carroll's Working for Families falls behind wage rises: Child Poverty Action Group. According to this article, the "Government had not increased payment rates for Working for Families since 2018", and research shows that the lack of indexation has left "some families up to $1900 worse off over two years". Additionally, Working for Families could be reformed, to provide the "In-Work Tax Credit" to the families of beneficiaries, as recommended by the Child Poverty Action Group see Janet McAllister's What the annual child poverty stats tell us. In this piece McAllister also complains about the low rates of benefits, suggesting that Labour's approach is still too rightwing: "Ruth Richardson's Mother of All Budgets still has more influence on the miserly social welfare system than Jacinda Ardern does. In fact, net benefits and child assistance (Working for Families) combined are still lower now that they were immediately after Richardson's social welfare cuts, as a percentage of net average wages." The free school lunch programme could be extended, as it is currently only funded for about a quarter of students. This is a call backed by the Children's Commissioner, who says "free lunches for schoolchildren should be 'a birthright'" see Lana Andelane's . However, the Prime Minister has responded negatively to this, saying that such a universal approach would cost too much. Finally, for a clever and satirical communication of "how New Zealand's post-Covid economy has benefited some while hurting others", see cartoonist Toby Morris' | This week's Budget is a chance for the Labour Government to take the crisis of poverty and inequality seriously. | bart | 0 | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bryce-edwards-political-roundup-will-the-government-take-the-poverty-crisis-seriously/73SL2UUPYBQLGBBKKXMVDVN3MU/ | 0.317266 |
Will the Government take the poverty crisis seriously? | Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talk before Ardern delivers a speech to business leaders at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell This week's Budget is a chance for the Labour Government to take the crisis of poverty and inequality seriously. They can do this by delivering something serious or even transformational for those suffering at the bottom of the heap in New Zealand. In particular, a big increase in core benefit rates would be the most effective way they could tackle the worsening problem. Of course, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has already faced campaigns to increase benefits, and firmly said "no" to these as recently as December you can see my roundup of this issue then: The Left's challenge to Labour's inaction on poverty and inequality. However, pressure to deliver to those most in need is now just too great for the Government to ignore, and rumours are building that a benefit increase will be announced. Last week, Finance Minister Grant Robertson even signalled the Budget will include measures to deal with inequality and poverty, and Ardern came up with the term "The Compassionate Budget" for what is coming. Business journalist Liam Dann forecast in the Herald yesterday some big spending to put more money in the pockets of the poorest: "There will undoubtedly be some big, new spending packages in this Budget. They will likely target child poverty and those suffering most from inequity" see: Budget 2021: Why Grant Robertson won't match big spending Aussies (paywalled). And Dann outlines how pumping money to the poor will tick both moral and economic boxes. Arguments for a big 'benefit boost' If the Government ever needed permission to boost benefits, it received this in a landmark survey released in February showing overwhelming public support for increased income support for the poor see Harry Lock's Survey finds 69% want income support for those in need increased. The question was asked whether "the Government should increase the amount of income support paid to those on low incomes and not in paid work". Across all demographics, incomes, and voting alignments, the result was clearly in favour of government action. Even Act Party supporters tended towards an increase in income support. Responding to the poll, the ActionStation advocacy group said this about benefit increases: "The time for excuses is up. This poll shows the government has a clear social licence and mandate, on top of its moral obligation, to lift inadequate welfare payments to 'liveable' levels, and it needs to be done now, in this Budget round." Plenty of high-profile voices have also been urging Labour to do the right thing. For example, recently political journalist Andrea Vance highlighted that while Ardern had come to office on a promise to reduce inequality, she hasn't done so yet see: The social welfare net is threadbare can Grant Robertson mend it?. In this, Vance suggests giving beneficiaries a proper payment increase as well as modernising the whole welfare system. Similarly, writing in February, Branko Marcetic argued that lifting benefits is the "bare minimum" that the Government should be doing to work on fulfilling its promises. But he admits a benefit rise would have a downside for the Government: "Doing this will certainly mean Robertson may have, at first, less impressive debt numbers to show off to business leaders at lunches and breakfasts held in luxury hotels" see: NZ's economic "bounce-back" is a myth but lifting benefits would bring it closer to reality. Humpage also points out that the Government's own Welfare Expert Advisory Group made a number of recommendations for reform, which the Government is largely ignoring: "It made 42 key recommendations but only a handful have been addressed. Almost two years on, we are still waiting for real action." Latest "grim" poverty statistics out More evidence of the "grim" situation came out on Thursday, with the release of the Government's first Annual Report for the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and another report on Child Poverty Indicators. The most significant finding from these reports was that 20 per cent of children live in households where food runs out either sometimes or often. For details, see Rebecca Moore's Advocacy groups slam 'racist', ''discriminatory' system after Government releases child poverty report. The article reports the response of Child Poverty Action Group's Janet McAllister, who says "We should be angry about this" and she admonishes the Labour Government for only taking "small steps to address these big issues", saying although there are indications of slight improvements in poverty levels, "It's not okay to be a little bit better than four years ago." She concludes that "The Government has power to change this terrible situation we've been in for far too long." Guardian journalist Tess McClure labelled the stats as representing "slow or non-existent progress" on dealing with child poverty see: Ardern faces calls to boost child poverty spending in budget amid glacial progress. She reports Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft's statement in response, that there was "an inarguable need to increase benefits", calling "for more spending for children in the upcoming budget". Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivering a speech to business leaders at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell The Prime Minister is also quoted defending her record, saying "Many of the issues facing children, young people and their families are complex, stubborn and intergenerational, so we know change will take time, and will require sustained action across Government and across our communities". Similarly, researcher Max Rashbrooke's message is to have more patience, because "Child poverty is like a huge oil tanker it takes a long time to turn around", "It takes time to convert income into greater wellbeing", and "Some of the problems are so ingrained, that you spend a lot of money erasing the problems of the past". But he lamented that the Government is "not willing to commit to the massive increases in benefits that would really see us slashing the rates of child poverty". Rashbrooke has also written recently about his attempt to track down planning for how the Government is going to deal with the poverty crisis, coming up empty-handed see: Plan and budget both Awol in child-poverty fight. He says: "we need Ardern to tell us exactly how she will meet her long-term targets, how much it will cost, and where those funds will be found. The issue also cuts to the heart of her Government's credibility." This article follows on from an earlier one by Rashbrooke in which he argues that the Government's lack of a plan on poverty is troubling, and that making inroads will require much more boldness than is currently on offer see: Economist Brian Easton also responded critically yesterday to the latest poverty stats, suggesting that any purported improvements are just "statistical noise", but that this shouldn't be surprising "because the policy changes have been small, if trumpeted loudly. Therein lies the challenge. The assumption seems to have been that small incremental policy measures can eliminate child poverty. I am sceptical unless the increments are larger and more focused than what has occurred so far. The statute says where we are to end up, but it does not provide a path to get there. So we are gingerly navigating our way; there is no map." The lack of a plan for dealing with poverty was also criticised earlier in the year by a Stuff editorial that said "we're on a track that remains only half-built and the path ahead is anything but clear and, even now, we don't really know where we stand" see: The newspaper cites the arguments to increase benefits by between 12 and 47 per cent as the official advice dictates, and adds that the Government has a mandate to be much more radical: "the result of the previous election was nothing if not a mandate for boldness on fronts such as this." Also writing about this time, leftwing columnist Gordon Campbell said: "Voters gave Labour a sweeping mandate to pursue transformational solutions for this country's most serious problems", but that they're taking "tiny, barely discernible steps to reduce poverty" see: On Labour's fudging on child poverty. Hardly." If a benefit boost does eventuate in Grant Robertson's Budget on Thursday, the crucial issue will be how much they rise by. There seems to be a near-consensus amongst progressives and welfare advocates that such an increase would need to be in the range recommended by the Government's Welfare Expert Advisory Group of 12-47 per cent. Anything less than a $100/week increase for single jobseekers, as recommended, will leave many on the left disappointed. Some would even like to see benefit rates doubled. Writing in the Herald last week, the Auckland City Missioner, Helen Robinson, looked at this issue of how much benefits needed to rise by, and suggested: "The $490 weekly Covid Income Relief Payment for full-time workers who lost their job during the pandemic is a good starting point. That level of investment, compared to the little over $250 a week received by a single person over the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support, is a more realistic weekly income. Economically this is possible" see: Impossible choices deprive our people of hope (paywalled). Robinson commented further on this yesterday, saying to break the poverty cycle "the benefit needs to increase by around $200 each week" see RNZ's Major rise in benefits needed to get children out of poverty Auckland City Missioner. The City Missioner also points out that official statistics released last week on child poverty are out of date, and that things have got much worse due to the impact of Covid. As an example, she says "the mission before Covid was doing about 25,000 food parcels a year and this year we'll get to somewhere between 45 to 50,000 food parcels so the need has significantly increased." According to the Child Poverty Action Group, they could start indexing Working for Families payments in line with the wage index, as is done for Superannuation and benefits see Melanie Carroll's Working for Families falls behind wage rises: Child Poverty Action Group. According to this article, the "Government had not increased payment rates for Working for Families since 2018", and research shows that the lack of indexation has left "some families up to $1900 worse off over two years". Additionally, Working for Families could be reformed, to provide the "In-Work Tax Credit" to the families of beneficiaries, as recommended by the Child Poverty Action Group see Janet McAllister's What the annual child poverty stats tell us. In this piece McAllister also complains about the low rates of benefits, suggesting that Labour's approach is still too rightwing: "Ruth Richardson's Mother of All Budgets still has more influence on the miserly social welfare system than Jacinda Ardern does. In fact, net benefits and child assistance (Working for Families) combined are still lower now that they were immediately after Richardson's social welfare cuts, as a percentage of net average wages." The free school lunch programme could be extended, as it is currently only funded for about a quarter of students. This is a call backed by the Children's Commissioner, who says "free lunches for schoolchildren should be 'a birthright'" see Lana Andelane's . However, the Prime Minister has responded negatively to this, saying that such a universal approach would cost too much. Finally, for a clever and satirical communication of "how New Zealand's post-Covid economy has benefited some while hurting others", see cartoonist Toby Morris' | This week's Budget is a chance for the Labour Government to take the crisis of poverty and inequality seriously. A big increase in core benefit rates would be the most effective way they could tackle the worsening problem. | bart | 1 | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bryce-edwards-political-roundup-will-the-government-take-the-poverty-crisis-seriously/73SL2UUPYBQLGBBKKXMVDVN3MU/ | 0.378656 |
Will the Government take the poverty crisis seriously? | Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talk before Ardern delivers a speech to business leaders at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell This week's Budget is a chance for the Labour Government to take the crisis of poverty and inequality seriously. They can do this by delivering something serious or even transformational for those suffering at the bottom of the heap in New Zealand. In particular, a big increase in core benefit rates would be the most effective way they could tackle the worsening problem. Of course, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has already faced campaigns to increase benefits, and firmly said "no" to these as recently as December you can see my roundup of this issue then: The Left's challenge to Labour's inaction on poverty and inequality. However, pressure to deliver to those most in need is now just too great for the Government to ignore, and rumours are building that a benefit increase will be announced. Last week, Finance Minister Grant Robertson even signalled the Budget will include measures to deal with inequality and poverty, and Ardern came up with the term "The Compassionate Budget" for what is coming. Business journalist Liam Dann forecast in the Herald yesterday some big spending to put more money in the pockets of the poorest: "There will undoubtedly be some big, new spending packages in this Budget. They will likely target child poverty and those suffering most from inequity" see: Budget 2021: Why Grant Robertson won't match big spending Aussies (paywalled). And Dann outlines how pumping money to the poor will tick both moral and economic boxes. Arguments for a big 'benefit boost' If the Government ever needed permission to boost benefits, it received this in a landmark survey released in February showing overwhelming public support for increased income support for the poor see Harry Lock's Survey finds 69% want income support for those in need increased. The question was asked whether "the Government should increase the amount of income support paid to those on low incomes and not in paid work". Across all demographics, incomes, and voting alignments, the result was clearly in favour of government action. Even Act Party supporters tended towards an increase in income support. Responding to the poll, the ActionStation advocacy group said this about benefit increases: "The time for excuses is up. This poll shows the government has a clear social licence and mandate, on top of its moral obligation, to lift inadequate welfare payments to 'liveable' levels, and it needs to be done now, in this Budget round." Plenty of high-profile voices have also been urging Labour to do the right thing. For example, recently political journalist Andrea Vance highlighted that while Ardern had come to office on a promise to reduce inequality, she hasn't done so yet see: The social welfare net is threadbare can Grant Robertson mend it?. In this, Vance suggests giving beneficiaries a proper payment increase as well as modernising the whole welfare system. Similarly, writing in February, Branko Marcetic argued that lifting benefits is the "bare minimum" that the Government should be doing to work on fulfilling its promises. But he admits a benefit rise would have a downside for the Government: "Doing this will certainly mean Robertson may have, at first, less impressive debt numbers to show off to business leaders at lunches and breakfasts held in luxury hotels" see: NZ's economic "bounce-back" is a myth but lifting benefits would bring it closer to reality. Humpage also points out that the Government's own Welfare Expert Advisory Group made a number of recommendations for reform, which the Government is largely ignoring: "It made 42 key recommendations but only a handful have been addressed. Almost two years on, we are still waiting for real action." Latest "grim" poverty statistics out More evidence of the "grim" situation came out on Thursday, with the release of the Government's first Annual Report for the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and another report on Child Poverty Indicators. The most significant finding from these reports was that 20 per cent of children live in households where food runs out either sometimes or often. For details, see Rebecca Moore's Advocacy groups slam 'racist', ''discriminatory' system after Government releases child poverty report. The article reports the response of Child Poverty Action Group's Janet McAllister, who says "We should be angry about this" and she admonishes the Labour Government for only taking "small steps to address these big issues", saying although there are indications of slight improvements in poverty levels, "It's not okay to be a little bit better than four years ago." She concludes that "The Government has power to change this terrible situation we've been in for far too long." Guardian journalist Tess McClure labelled the stats as representing "slow or non-existent progress" on dealing with child poverty see: Ardern faces calls to boost child poverty spending in budget amid glacial progress. She reports Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft's statement in response, that there was "an inarguable need to increase benefits", calling "for more spending for children in the upcoming budget". Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivering a speech to business leaders at Eden Park. Photo / Dean Purcell The Prime Minister is also quoted defending her record, saying "Many of the issues facing children, young people and their families are complex, stubborn and intergenerational, so we know change will take time, and will require sustained action across Government and across our communities". Similarly, researcher Max Rashbrooke's message is to have more patience, because "Child poverty is like a huge oil tanker it takes a long time to turn around", "It takes time to convert income into greater wellbeing", and "Some of the problems are so ingrained, that you spend a lot of money erasing the problems of the past". But he lamented that the Government is "not willing to commit to the massive increases in benefits that would really see us slashing the rates of child poverty". Rashbrooke has also written recently about his attempt to track down planning for how the Government is going to deal with the poverty crisis, coming up empty-handed see: Plan and budget both Awol in child-poverty fight. He says: "we need Ardern to tell us exactly how she will meet her long-term targets, how much it will cost, and where those funds will be found. The issue also cuts to the heart of her Government's credibility." This article follows on from an earlier one by Rashbrooke in which he argues that the Government's lack of a plan on poverty is troubling, and that making inroads will require much more boldness than is currently on offer see: Economist Brian Easton also responded critically yesterday to the latest poverty stats, suggesting that any purported improvements are just "statistical noise", but that this shouldn't be surprising "because the policy changes have been small, if trumpeted loudly. Therein lies the challenge. The assumption seems to have been that small incremental policy measures can eliminate child poverty. I am sceptical unless the increments are larger and more focused than what has occurred so far. The statute says where we are to end up, but it does not provide a path to get there. So we are gingerly navigating our way; there is no map." The lack of a plan for dealing with poverty was also criticised earlier in the year by a Stuff editorial that said "we're on a track that remains only half-built and the path ahead is anything but clear and, even now, we don't really know where we stand" see: The newspaper cites the arguments to increase benefits by between 12 and 47 per cent as the official advice dictates, and adds that the Government has a mandate to be much more radical: "the result of the previous election was nothing if not a mandate for boldness on fronts such as this." Also writing about this time, leftwing columnist Gordon Campbell said: "Voters gave Labour a sweeping mandate to pursue transformational solutions for this country's most serious problems", but that they're taking "tiny, barely discernible steps to reduce poverty" see: On Labour's fudging on child poverty. Hardly." If a benefit boost does eventuate in Grant Robertson's Budget on Thursday, the crucial issue will be how much they rise by. There seems to be a near-consensus amongst progressives and welfare advocates that such an increase would need to be in the range recommended by the Government's Welfare Expert Advisory Group of 12-47 per cent. Anything less than a $100/week increase for single jobseekers, as recommended, will leave many on the left disappointed. Some would even like to see benefit rates doubled. Writing in the Herald last week, the Auckland City Missioner, Helen Robinson, looked at this issue of how much benefits needed to rise by, and suggested: "The $490 weekly Covid Income Relief Payment for full-time workers who lost their job during the pandemic is a good starting point. That level of investment, compared to the little over $250 a week received by a single person over the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support, is a more realistic weekly income. Economically this is possible" see: Impossible choices deprive our people of hope (paywalled). Robinson commented further on this yesterday, saying to break the poverty cycle "the benefit needs to increase by around $200 each week" see RNZ's Major rise in benefits needed to get children out of poverty Auckland City Missioner. The City Missioner also points out that official statistics released last week on child poverty are out of date, and that things have got much worse due to the impact of Covid. As an example, she says "the mission before Covid was doing about 25,000 food parcels a year and this year we'll get to somewhere between 45 to 50,000 food parcels so the need has significantly increased." According to the Child Poverty Action Group, they could start indexing Working for Families payments in line with the wage index, as is done for Superannuation and benefits see Melanie Carroll's Working for Families falls behind wage rises: Child Poverty Action Group. According to this article, the "Government had not increased payment rates for Working for Families since 2018", and research shows that the lack of indexation has left "some families up to $1900 worse off over two years". Additionally, Working for Families could be reformed, to provide the "In-Work Tax Credit" to the families of beneficiaries, as recommended by the Child Poverty Action Group see Janet McAllister's What the annual child poverty stats tell us. In this piece McAllister also complains about the low rates of benefits, suggesting that Labour's approach is still too rightwing: "Ruth Richardson's Mother of All Budgets still has more influence on the miserly social welfare system than Jacinda Ardern does. In fact, net benefits and child assistance (Working for Families) combined are still lower now that they were immediately after Richardson's social welfare cuts, as a percentage of net average wages." The free school lunch programme could be extended, as it is currently only funded for about a quarter of students. This is a call backed by the Children's Commissioner, who says "free lunches for schoolchildren should be 'a birthright'" see Lana Andelane's . However, the Prime Minister has responded negatively to this, saying that such a universal approach would cost too much. Finally, for a clever and satirical communication of "how New Zealand's post-Covid economy has benefited some while hurting others", see cartoonist Toby Morris' | This week's Budget is a chance for the Labour Government to take the crisis of poverty and inequality seriously. A big increase in core benefit rates would be the most effective way they could tackle the worsening problem. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has already faced campaigns to increase benefits, and firmly said "no" to these as recently as December. | bart | 2 | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bryce-edwards-political-roundup-will-the-government-take-the-poverty-crisis-seriously/73SL2UUPYBQLGBBKKXMVDVN3MU/ | 0.452361 |
Will Republicans back a commission to investigate the Capitol breach? | House Democrats are poised to adopt legislation to create a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Capitol attack, in a move that will force Republicans to either embrace an inquiry that could embarrass Donald Trump or turn a blind eye to a deadly insurrection. The proposal, endorsed by the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, would establish a 10-member commission evenly split between Democrats and Republicans and allow the top ranking members from each party to jointly authorize subpoenas, in addition to doing so by majority vote. Crucially, it would focus narrowly on facts and causes relating to the attack on the Capitol on 6 January by a pro-Trump mob and the interference with the peaceful transition of power. Five people died amid scenes of chaos and violence that shocked the US and the world. Whether Democrats can seize the moment and push the legislation through Congress remains unclear. The Democratic-led House is likely to swiftly adopt the bill, but it could falter in the 50-50 Senate should Republicans insist on a commission with a mandate to investigate their own political priorities. The push from Pelosi and senior House Democrats underscores their resolve to investigate Trump and hold him accountable for what they consider to be his role in inciting a deadly insurrection that shook the core of American democracy. Complicating matters is the fact that the current Congress is far more polarised than it was after the September 11 attacks, with the parties sceptical of each others motives. Democrats see some Republicans as complicit in fuelling the 6 January attack by perpetuating lies about a stolen election. While some Republicans, including Liz Cheney, have backed the idea of a commission, most of the partys lawmakers say they wont accept a proposal that could give Democrats the upper hand in determining the course and conclusions of the commissions work. The proposal for the commission is modelled closely on the commission Congress established in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, where recommendations led to reshaping of congressional oversight authority and intelligence gathering. Negotiations over creating a commission had been stalled for months over disagreements about the panels structure and scope, until the top Democrat on the House homeland security committee, Bennie Thompson, and the top Republican, John Katko, announced a bipartisan agreement on Friday. Pelosi deputised Thompson to lead talks as she felt the homeland security committee was an appropriate venue, and as Katko was one of only three House Republicans to accept Bidens election win, impeach Trump and punish extremist congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for endorsing executions of Democrats, according to sources familiar with discussions. The current draft of the commission proposes an equal split on membership and subpoena power, after Republicans denounced Pelosis initial plan that envisioned a committee with seven members appointed by Democrats and four by Republicans. Liz Cheney, who was removed this week from the House leadership, has backed the idea of a commission. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters But the scope of the commission is still tightly focused on 6 January, with Pelosi unwilling to entertain Republicans who want its mandate expanded to cover violence during last summers Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality and racism. The announcement of the compromise gives House and Senate Republicans a bruising conundrum: embrace the commission, sure to embarrass Trump and spark a backlash that could jeopardise support from his voters ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, or effectively turn a blind eye to the insurrection. Democratic aides involved in the negotiations were unsure whether Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, would extend his support, the sources said, in part because members of the House GOP conference increasingly seek to downplay or even outright deny the violence that took place on 6 January. Democrats also note that McCarthy has since hired the former White House political director Brian Jack, who was involved in planning the Stop the Steal rally that immediately preceded the attack raising the spectre that either McCarthy or one of his own aides could come under investigation. Liz Cheney, who was ousted from House Republican leadership this week over her repeated repudiation of Trump, told ABC McCarthy, who spoke to Trump during the attack, should absolutely testify before the commission, either voluntarily or via a subpoena. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, remained mum on Friday as to whether he would endorse the commission. However, he has taken issue with its mandate, saying appointees, not House Democrats, should dictate investigation parameters. Pelosi has suggested to her leadership team in recent weeks that she would be receptive to forming a select committee to investigate the Capitol attack as a fallback, should the bill not receive sufficient support in the Senate, the sources said. But the speakers preference would be to create a commission, they said. Introduced two days after Trump was acquitted by Senate Republicans in his second impeachment trial, the proposal to create a commission signaled Pelosis intent to pursue the former president. She ran into Republican resistance, with McConnell slamming the idea as partisan by design and McCarthy condemning Democrats for trying to move ahead unilaterally. Even if Congress fails to create a commission, it is still likely to get some answers. Seven House committees including judiciary, intelligence and oversight are conducting investigations into the intelligence and security breakdowns that allowed the mob to breach the Capitol. In near-identical letters sent in March to 16 agencies across the executive branch and Congress, the committees demanded all documents and communications relevant to the certification of Bidens election win. The investigations are similar to House Democrats efforts to investigate Trump during his first impeachment inquiry, when Pelosi huddled regularly with six committee chairs before the House impeached the president over the Ukraine scandal. House and Senate committees have held hearings to investigate the Capitol attack and heard from witnesses including the current and former chiefs of Capitol police and defense and national security officials. Pelosi has said all information gathered during committee hearings will serve as a key resource for either a commission or a select committee. | House Democrats are poised to adopt legislation to create a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Capitol attack, in a move that will force Republicans to either embrace an inquiry or turn a blind eye to a deadly insurrection. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/16/us-capitol-breach-commission-republicans-democrats | 0.189526 |
Will Republicans back a commission to investigate the Capitol breach? | House Democrats are poised to adopt legislation to create a 9/11-style commission to investigate the Capitol attack, in a move that will force Republicans to either embrace an inquiry that could embarrass Donald Trump or turn a blind eye to a deadly insurrection. The proposal, endorsed by the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, would establish a 10-member commission evenly split between Democrats and Republicans and allow the top ranking members from each party to jointly authorize subpoenas, in addition to doing so by majority vote. Crucially, it would focus narrowly on facts and causes relating to the attack on the Capitol on 6 January by a pro-Trump mob and the interference with the peaceful transition of power. Five people died amid scenes of chaos and violence that shocked the US and the world. Whether Democrats can seize the moment and push the legislation through Congress remains unclear. The Democratic-led House is likely to swiftly adopt the bill, but it could falter in the 50-50 Senate should Republicans insist on a commission with a mandate to investigate their own political priorities. The push from Pelosi and senior House Democrats underscores their resolve to investigate Trump and hold him accountable for what they consider to be his role in inciting a deadly insurrection that shook the core of American democracy. Complicating matters is the fact that the current Congress is far more polarised than it was after the September 11 attacks, with the parties sceptical of each others motives. Democrats see some Republicans as complicit in fuelling the 6 January attack by perpetuating lies about a stolen election. While some Republicans, including Liz Cheney, have backed the idea of a commission, most of the partys lawmakers say they wont accept a proposal that could give Democrats the upper hand in determining the course and conclusions of the commissions work. The proposal for the commission is modelled closely on the commission Congress established in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, where recommendations led to reshaping of congressional oversight authority and intelligence gathering. Negotiations over creating a commission had been stalled for months over disagreements about the panels structure and scope, until the top Democrat on the House homeland security committee, Bennie Thompson, and the top Republican, John Katko, announced a bipartisan agreement on Friday. Pelosi deputised Thompson to lead talks as she felt the homeland security committee was an appropriate venue, and as Katko was one of only three House Republicans to accept Bidens election win, impeach Trump and punish extremist congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for endorsing executions of Democrats, according to sources familiar with discussions. The current draft of the commission proposes an equal split on membership and subpoena power, after Republicans denounced Pelosis initial plan that envisioned a committee with seven members appointed by Democrats and four by Republicans. Liz Cheney, who was removed this week from the House leadership, has backed the idea of a commission. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters But the scope of the commission is still tightly focused on 6 January, with Pelosi unwilling to entertain Republicans who want its mandate expanded to cover violence during last summers Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality and racism. The announcement of the compromise gives House and Senate Republicans a bruising conundrum: embrace the commission, sure to embarrass Trump and spark a backlash that could jeopardise support from his voters ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, or effectively turn a blind eye to the insurrection. Democratic aides involved in the negotiations were unsure whether Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, would extend his support, the sources said, in part because members of the House GOP conference increasingly seek to downplay or even outright deny the violence that took place on 6 January. Democrats also note that McCarthy has since hired the former White House political director Brian Jack, who was involved in planning the Stop the Steal rally that immediately preceded the attack raising the spectre that either McCarthy or one of his own aides could come under investigation. Liz Cheney, who was ousted from House Republican leadership this week over her repeated repudiation of Trump, told ABC McCarthy, who spoke to Trump during the attack, should absolutely testify before the commission, either voluntarily or via a subpoena. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, remained mum on Friday as to whether he would endorse the commission. However, he has taken issue with its mandate, saying appointees, not House Democrats, should dictate investigation parameters. Pelosi has suggested to her leadership team in recent weeks that she would be receptive to forming a select committee to investigate the Capitol attack as a fallback, should the bill not receive sufficient support in the Senate, the sources said. But the speakers preference would be to create a commission, they said. Introduced two days after Trump was acquitted by Senate Republicans in his second impeachment trial, the proposal to create a commission signaled Pelosis intent to pursue the former president. She ran into Republican resistance, with McConnell slamming the idea as partisan by design and McCarthy condemning Democrats for trying to move ahead unilaterally. Even if Congress fails to create a commission, it is still likely to get some answers. Seven House committees including judiciary, intelligence and oversight are conducting investigations into the intelligence and security breakdowns that allowed the mob to breach the Capitol. In near-identical letters sent in March to 16 agencies across the executive branch and Congress, the committees demanded all documents and communications relevant to the certification of Bidens election win. The investigations are similar to House Democrats efforts to investigate Trump during his first impeachment inquiry, when Pelosi huddled regularly with six committee chairs before the House impeached the president over the Ukraine scandal. House and Senate committees have held hearings to investigate the Capitol attack and heard from witnesses including the current and former chiefs of Capitol police and defense and national security officials. Pelosi has said all information gathered during committee hearings will serve as a key resource for either a commission or a select committee. | Proposal would establish a 10-member commission evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. It would focus narrowly on facts and causes relating to the attack on the Capitol on 6 January by a pro-Trump mob. Democrats see some Republicans as complicit in fuelling the attack by perpetuating lies about a stolen election. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/16/us-capitol-breach-commission-republicans-democrats | 0.219791 |
What will China's rover be researching on Mars? | Perseverance and Curiosity have company. The China National Space Administration successfully landed its Zhurong rover on Mars on Saturday, state media reports, making China the third country after the United States and Soviet Union to touch down on the Red Planet (the 1971 Soviet mission failed shortly after landing). It's considered a major achievement for Beijing's space program, which is growing more and more ambitious. Zhurong will soon be deployed from the lander for a three-month mission, joining the aforementioned operational NASA rovers. CNN and The Associated Press report that it will be searching for signs of ancient life, but the mission appears to be a little more specific than that. The Scientific American reports that Zhurong's landing site, Utopia Planitia, is "a rather bland expanse of rock-strewn sand," a good spot for a touchdown, but "decidedly sub-par for addressing cutting-edge research questions, such as whether Mars harbors past or present life." That said, the mission should come in handy, Agnes Cousin, a planetary scientist at the Institute for Research and in Astrophysics and Planetology in France, told The Scientific American. "For the overall geological implications for Mars, its very nice to have a new location to compare," she said. Among other things, Zhurong is equipped with the first magnetometer sent to Mars, which reportedly could possibly reveal details of how Mars lost its magnetic field and, subsequently, its atmosphere and water billions of years ago. Read more at The Scientific American and The South China Morning Post. More stories from theweek.com 7 scathingly funny cartoons about Liz Cheney's ouster There's growing speculation that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will name their daughter 'Philippa' The Wuhan lab-leak hypothesis deserves relentless investigating | The China National Space Administration successfully landed its Zhurong rover on Mars on Saturday. The rover will be deployed from the lander for a three-month mission, joining the aforementioned NASA rovers. It will be searching for signs of ancient life, but the mission appears to be a little more specific than that. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://news.yahoo.com/chinas-rover-researching-mars-153600922.html | 0.203992 |
How worried should we be about the Indian variant of Covid-19? | The rapid spread of the Covid virus now known as the Indian variant may force the government to postpone the lifting of final lockdown next month. Professor Adam Finn of Bristol University talks about the risks that Britain faces. At present we do not know just how infectious it is and that is a cause for anxiety. The vaccines ability to curtail transmission is OK but not fantastic which means that a much more infectious organism could spread rapidly despite the high levels of immunisation we have achieved. So it is a potential worry. On the other hand, it could fizzle out. More than half the UK population has received at least one vaccine dose. There are still a fair number of people in families and communities that are not very well immunised. In addition, many people have had only one dose and, of course, the vaccines are not perfect. You can still get sick and die even if youre immunised. When you add up those factors, you could end up with a wave of a lot of hospitalisations though I certainly hope it will not be as bad as it was in January. On the other hand, thousands of new cases is still something you do not wish to see. That is a good question. We dont know yet but that is something that we are working on in Bristol. We just dont know yet just how much of a danger this is going to be, though it is clearly going to be something of a problem. It remains to be seen whether it is going to be bad enough to derail the easing of lockdown in a month or turn into a bump that we can get over. However, I dont think we will have to wait for long. It will become quite clear in a few weeks. | The Indian variant of Covid-19 could force the government to postpone the lifting of final lockdown next month. Professor Adam Finn of Bristol University talks about the risks that Britain faces. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/16/how-worried-should-we-be-about-the-indian-variant-of-covid-19 | 0.306618 |
How worried should we be about the Indian variant of Covid-19? | The rapid spread of the Covid virus now known as the Indian variant may force the government to postpone the lifting of final lockdown next month. Professor Adam Finn of Bristol University talks about the risks that Britain faces. At present we do not know just how infectious it is and that is a cause for anxiety. The vaccines ability to curtail transmission is OK but not fantastic which means that a much more infectious organism could spread rapidly despite the high levels of immunisation we have achieved. So it is a potential worry. On the other hand, it could fizzle out. More than half the UK population has received at least one vaccine dose. There are still a fair number of people in families and communities that are not very well immunised. In addition, many people have had only one dose and, of course, the vaccines are not perfect. You can still get sick and die even if youre immunised. When you add up those factors, you could end up with a wave of a lot of hospitalisations though I certainly hope it will not be as bad as it was in January. On the other hand, thousands of new cases is still something you do not wish to see. That is a good question. We dont know yet but that is something that we are working on in Bristol. We just dont know yet just how much of a danger this is going to be, though it is clearly going to be something of a problem. It remains to be seen whether it is going to be bad enough to derail the easing of lockdown in a month or turn into a bump that we can get over. However, I dont think we will have to wait for long. It will become quite clear in a few weeks. | The Indian variant of Covid-19 could force the government to postpone the lifting of final lockdown next month. Professor Adam Finn of Bristol University talks about the risks that Britain faces from the new strain of the Covid virus. He says it is not known just how infectious it is and that is a cause for anxiety. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/16/how-worried-should-we-be-about-the-indian-variant-of-covid-19 | 0.315501 |
Is going 20 or 30 km/h above the speed limit a big deal? | I dont know anyone who thinks its okay to drive while texting or while drunk. But I know a lot of people, including my adult children, who think nothing of going 20 or 30 km/h above the speed limit. They say everybody speeds because speed limits arent realistic, I say speed limits are there for a reason. Joyce, Edmonton When it comes to speeding, everybodys doing it doesnt mean its safe. Theres this presumption that speeding doesnt kill, but about 400 people are killed a year by speeding in Canada, said Robyn Robertson, president and CEO of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF). A large proportion of drivers admit to doing it, but theres an exponential increase in crash risk. Story continues below advertisement Going just 10 km/h over the speed limit doubles your chances of getting in a crash, Robertson said. If youre going 20 km/h over the speed limit, youre six times more likely to get in a crash than if youre going the limit. I think speeding is one of the most dangerous things you can do on the road, especially when youre talking speeds over 20 km/h above the posted limit, said Shabnem Afzal, vice president of the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP). Driving at 10 km/h over the speed limit has the same risk of collision as driving while impaired [with a blood-alcohol level] over .08. In Canada, speed plays a role in about one in four fatal crashes. Research has shown that a one km/h increase in vehicle speed results in a three per cent increase in the risk of a crash that could cause an injury, Robertson said. If youre driving super fast, you dont have time to respond to the light changing or pedestrians crossing, Afzal said. Your vehicle isnt able to respond either. The faster youre going, the longer it takes to stop. If youre driving at 90 km/h, it will take you 83 metres to stop thats your reaction time plus your braking distance, Robertson said. But at 130 km/h, you need 150 metres. Thats longer than a football field. Story continues below advertisement Plus, the faster you go, the worse the crash and the worse your injuries. Its basic physics the crash energy increases exponentially with the speed of the impact, said Joe Young, spokesman for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Driving just a little bit faster makes a crash more likely and makes that crash more severe. In crashes between cars and a pedestrian or cyclist, thats true even at lower speeds. If a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a car by a car going 30 km/h, they have a 90 per cent chance of surviving. If the car is going 50 km/h, they have a less than 20 per cent chance of surviving, Robertson said. About 20 per cent of drivers say they speed excessively, Robertson said. Thats because they tend not to appreciate the risk, Robertson said. There are a lot of myths associated with speeding that drivers tell themselves to rationalize their behaviour. Story continues below advertisement For example, theres the idea that its safer to drive the same speed as the traffic around you, even if everyone else speeding. So, the thinking goes, if youre driving 110 km/h and the cars around you are going 130 km/h, its safer for everyone if you speed up. But thats not true even if everyone else is speeding, its still safer to go the speed limit because you have more time to react to other drivers and stop, Robertson said. Everyone thinks Im a good driver, it would never happen to me, " said Robert Martin, chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police traffic safety committee. People think speed limits are arbitrarily set, but theyre set for a reason by the people who designed the roads. Martin said hes heard people say that roads are designed for 140 km/h or higher, but its not true. When British Columbia hiked speed limits to 120 km/h on some highways in 2014, the number of fatal crashes doubled. Theres so much research to show that raising speed limits is a good way to get people killed, CARSPs Afzal said. The easiest is for people to speak up and talk about the risks, Robertson said. But there are also tech solutions, Robertson said. Several provinces, including Ontario, are allowing insurance companies to use telematics devices that track risky driver behaviour. For example, you may get a discount if you dont speed. If you do speed, you could, potentially, see a rate hike. Or, your car could stop speeding for you the European Union is requiring all new cars to have electronic speed limiters by 2022. Drivers can choose to override the systems. Also, photo radar has been proven to slow down drivers without requiring police to make potentially risky traffic stops, Robertson said. Photo radar has been a very controversial issue in Canada, Robertson said. Send it to globedrive@globeandmail.com and put Driving Concerns in your subject line. Emails without the correct subject line may not be answered. Canadas a big place, so let us know where you are so we can find the answer for your city and province. | A lot of people think nothing of going 20 or 30 km/h above the speed limit. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/culture/article-is-going-20-or-30-kmh-above-the-speed-limit-a-big-deal/ | 0.272351 |
Is going 20 or 30 km/h above the speed limit a big deal? | I dont know anyone who thinks its okay to drive while texting or while drunk. But I know a lot of people, including my adult children, who think nothing of going 20 or 30 km/h above the speed limit. They say everybody speeds because speed limits arent realistic, I say speed limits are there for a reason. Joyce, Edmonton When it comes to speeding, everybodys doing it doesnt mean its safe. Theres this presumption that speeding doesnt kill, but about 400 people are killed a year by speeding in Canada, said Robyn Robertson, president and CEO of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF). A large proportion of drivers admit to doing it, but theres an exponential increase in crash risk. Story continues below advertisement Going just 10 km/h over the speed limit doubles your chances of getting in a crash, Robertson said. If youre going 20 km/h over the speed limit, youre six times more likely to get in a crash than if youre going the limit. I think speeding is one of the most dangerous things you can do on the road, especially when youre talking speeds over 20 km/h above the posted limit, said Shabnem Afzal, vice president of the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP). Driving at 10 km/h over the speed limit has the same risk of collision as driving while impaired [with a blood-alcohol level] over .08. In Canada, speed plays a role in about one in four fatal crashes. Research has shown that a one km/h increase in vehicle speed results in a three per cent increase in the risk of a crash that could cause an injury, Robertson said. If youre driving super fast, you dont have time to respond to the light changing or pedestrians crossing, Afzal said. Your vehicle isnt able to respond either. The faster youre going, the longer it takes to stop. If youre driving at 90 km/h, it will take you 83 metres to stop thats your reaction time plus your braking distance, Robertson said. But at 130 km/h, you need 150 metres. Thats longer than a football field. Story continues below advertisement Plus, the faster you go, the worse the crash and the worse your injuries. Its basic physics the crash energy increases exponentially with the speed of the impact, said Joe Young, spokesman for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Driving just a little bit faster makes a crash more likely and makes that crash more severe. In crashes between cars and a pedestrian or cyclist, thats true even at lower speeds. If a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a car by a car going 30 km/h, they have a 90 per cent chance of surviving. If the car is going 50 km/h, they have a less than 20 per cent chance of surviving, Robertson said. About 20 per cent of drivers say they speed excessively, Robertson said. Thats because they tend not to appreciate the risk, Robertson said. There are a lot of myths associated with speeding that drivers tell themselves to rationalize their behaviour. Story continues below advertisement For example, theres the idea that its safer to drive the same speed as the traffic around you, even if everyone else speeding. So, the thinking goes, if youre driving 110 km/h and the cars around you are going 130 km/h, its safer for everyone if you speed up. But thats not true even if everyone else is speeding, its still safer to go the speed limit because you have more time to react to other drivers and stop, Robertson said. Everyone thinks Im a good driver, it would never happen to me, " said Robert Martin, chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police traffic safety committee. People think speed limits are arbitrarily set, but theyre set for a reason by the people who designed the roads. Martin said hes heard people say that roads are designed for 140 km/h or higher, but its not true. When British Columbia hiked speed limits to 120 km/h on some highways in 2014, the number of fatal crashes doubled. Theres so much research to show that raising speed limits is a good way to get people killed, CARSPs Afzal said. The easiest is for people to speak up and talk about the risks, Robertson said. But there are also tech solutions, Robertson said. Several provinces, including Ontario, are allowing insurance companies to use telematics devices that track risky driver behaviour. For example, you may get a discount if you dont speed. If you do speed, you could, potentially, see a rate hike. Or, your car could stop speeding for you the European Union is requiring all new cars to have electronic speed limiters by 2022. Drivers can choose to override the systems. Also, photo radar has been proven to slow down drivers without requiring police to make potentially risky traffic stops, Robertson said. Photo radar has been a very controversial issue in Canada, Robertson said. Send it to globedrive@globeandmail.com and put Driving Concerns in your subject line. Emails without the correct subject line may not be answered. Canadas a big place, so let us know where you are so we can find the answer for your city and province. | Yes, it is, especially when youre talking speeds over 20 km/H above the posted limit. About 400 people are killed a year by speeding in Canada. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/culture/article-is-going-20-or-30-kmh-above-the-speed-limit-a-big-deal/ | 0.328657 |
What happens when parental pressure boomerangs? | If you really want to get something done, youve got three options: Do it yourself, pay top dollar or forbid your teenager to do it. You probably recognize the truth of that adage from your own teenage years. Imposing authority can be counterproductive because teenagers tend to resist such attempts at control. Nothing illustrates the boomerang quality of parental pressure on adolescent behavior quite as clearly as a phenomenon known as the Romeo and Juliet effect. The term refers to Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, the ill-fated teen characters who defied, with tragic consequences, all parental attempts to keep them apart. In research done with 140 Colorado teenage couples, parental interference made the pairs feel greater love and desire for marriage. As the interference intensified, so did the love experience. When the interference weakened, romantic feelings cooled. The Romeo and Juliet effect should not be interpreted as a recommendation to always accept teenagers romantic choices. New players at this delicate game often benefit from the direction of an adult with greater perspective and experience. In providing guidance, parents should recognize that teenagers, who see themselves as young adults, will not respond well to being treated like children. Dont rule your family with an iron fist. Prohibition and punishment are the least artful means of influence. Do ask teens what they think is the right thing to do. Listen intently. Then ask: What would you advise a friend to do in the same situation? or What are the pros and cons of each option? When you show respect and curiosity about their perspective, they will be more likely to do the same when you offer yours. Robert Cialdini is a persuasion scientist and author of the newly expanded Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, out this month. This piece was adapted in part from Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Harper Business, 2021). Cialdini guest-wrote this weeks UpBringing column for Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. You can sign up to receive her Tip of the Week actionable advice about the science of character at characterlab.org. | Robert Cialdini: Imposing authority can be counterproductive because teenagers tend to resist it. He says the "Romeo and Juliet effect" shows what happens when parental pressure boomerangs. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.inquirer.com/life/upbringing-character-lab-romeo-juliet-effect-20210516.html | 0.116389 |
What happens when parental pressure boomerangs? | If you really want to get something done, youve got three options: Do it yourself, pay top dollar or forbid your teenager to do it. You probably recognize the truth of that adage from your own teenage years. Imposing authority can be counterproductive because teenagers tend to resist such attempts at control. Nothing illustrates the boomerang quality of parental pressure on adolescent behavior quite as clearly as a phenomenon known as the Romeo and Juliet effect. The term refers to Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, the ill-fated teen characters who defied, with tragic consequences, all parental attempts to keep them apart. In research done with 140 Colorado teenage couples, parental interference made the pairs feel greater love and desire for marriage. As the interference intensified, so did the love experience. When the interference weakened, romantic feelings cooled. The Romeo and Juliet effect should not be interpreted as a recommendation to always accept teenagers romantic choices. New players at this delicate game often benefit from the direction of an adult with greater perspective and experience. In providing guidance, parents should recognize that teenagers, who see themselves as young adults, will not respond well to being treated like children. Dont rule your family with an iron fist. Prohibition and punishment are the least artful means of influence. Do ask teens what they think is the right thing to do. Listen intently. Then ask: What would you advise a friend to do in the same situation? or What are the pros and cons of each option? When you show respect and curiosity about their perspective, they will be more likely to do the same when you offer yours. Robert Cialdini is a persuasion scientist and author of the newly expanded Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, out this month. This piece was adapted in part from Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Harper Business, 2021). Cialdini guest-wrote this weeks UpBringing column for Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. You can sign up to receive her Tip of the Week actionable advice about the science of character at characterlab.org. | Robert Cialdini: Imposing authority can be counterproductive because teenagers tend to resist it. He says the "Romeo and Juliet effect" shows what happens when parental pressure boomerangs. He suggests asking teens what they think is the right thing to do. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.inquirer.com/life/upbringing-character-lab-romeo-juliet-effect-20210516.html | 0.188335 |
Could another rookie goalie help the Canes win a title, 15 years after 2006 Stanley Cup? | The first Stanley Cup finals Alex Nedeljkovic remembers watching, he was 10 years old and he had $1 bet on Game 7. He collected when the Carolina Hurricanes won, thanks in part to a rookie goalie who didnt even expect to play in the playoffs, but found himself being handed the Conn Smythe Trophy at center ice by Gary Bettman when they were over. What happened to Cam Ward 15 years ago remains a fairy tale for goalies, the kind of bedtime story goalie parents tell their kids, especially the ones who arent playing that much. Stay ready! You never know what could happen! You could end up playing and winning the Stanley Cup! As Nedeljkovic put it this week: Just to have a rookie goalie come in, play well, stand on his head, go down and win the Conn Smythe. So here we are again with the Hurricanes heading into the playoffs with another rookie goalie ready to step in, and in Nedeljkovics case, perhaps even start Game 1. Thats the biggest difference between the two, among others Nedeljkovic is not only an older rookie but carried the Hurricanes through the dog days of the season, while Ward was used sparingly until the playoffs but theres still a sense of the familiar to the scenario. Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic makes a pad save on a shot from Tampa Bay Lightnings Ryan McDonagh as Steven Lorentz (78) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson) Nedeljkovic is a 25-year-old rookie, with a slightly longer and more winding path to the NHL than Ward. He was a first-round pick who was fast-tracked to the league and was only 22 with one full AHL season under his belt when he made his playoff debut. But Nedeljkovic has also had some measure of career success of his own by now, winning the AHL Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers in 2019, then making the most of the opportunity created by Petr Mrazeks injury this season to jump into the mix, stabilize the Hurricanes net and insert his name into the Calder Trophy conversation as the NHLs rookie of the year all after being put on waivers and going unclaimed in January. Once I kind of figured it out and got to the right mental space, I was telling myself its just another game, youve been doing this your whole life, Nedeljkovic said. Theres nothing new, really. Just playing against better players. Youve got to believe in yourself, that youre good enough to be here. Good enough to make the saves. Story continues He also became the first rookie to be awarded the Josef Vasicek Award by the Carolina chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, recognizing cooperation with the media. (Ward won it as well, in 2008.) Looking up to Cam Ward It has been a long time coming for Nedeljkovic, who first came to training camp with the Hurricanes for the first time in 2014 after they drafted him in the second round. He had some of Wards hockey cards and a puck and a plaque of Ward holding the Conn Smythe growing up. That fall, his biggest challenge before being sent back to juniors was how to get Ward to sign one of his hockey cards without it being, you know, super awkward. I remember telling him one time that I was just holding the fort until he was ready, Ward said. It appears he has taken that next step and hes ready to take on a more important role. Theres no better time to do that than in the Stanley Cup playoffs, if he gets that opportunity. Its kind of crazy watching him this season, how things evolved. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, presents Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward with the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2006. Things evolved quickly for Ward in 2006 when the Hurricanes first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens started to go south. The Hurricanes went north down 2-0 after losing the first two games at home, and goalie Martin Gerbers subpar performance was a big part of it. Gerber had been an absolute rock for the Hurricanes all season -- it was hard, at times, to even find spots for Ward to play but he wasnt quite right to start that series. After Ward came out of the bullpen and played well in an overtime loss in Game 2, coach Peter Laviolette pulled him aside at the team hotel in Montreal to tell him he would start Game 3 -- thrown to the wolves in a frenzied Bell Centre where Habs fans sensed not only victory but revenge for their elimination at the hands of the Hurricanes four years earlier. The Hurricanes won Game 3 in overtime and never really looked back. Wards lesson for Nedeljkovic, if he gets his chance: Have fun, a phrase Ward used to write on the heel of his stick. I remember in the warmups for Game 3 taking a moment and just looking around and soaking it all in, Ward said. I remember telling myself, no matter what happens tonight, I was going to enjoy this moment. I think when you do that you play loose, you play with feeling. Fortunately, things all went great for myself in that first year. With saying that, I soon realized how difficult it was to get back in a situation like that. You never know how many opportunities youre going to get. Rod BrindAmours decision at goal is uncertain Ward and BrindAmour combined for only one more playoff appearance as players, in 2009, but BrindAmour has led the Hurricanes to three straight postseasons as a head coach doing things very much his own way. That includes being on the record saying that the paranoid NHL practice of obfuscating whos starting in goal is pointless, but as BrindAmour tries to decide who gets the start in Game 1, hes holding his cards uncharacteristically close. The argument for Mrazek is that if the Hurricanes are going to win the Stanley Cup, Mrazek being at the absolute top of his game gives them their best shot, and denting his confidence before the playoffs even start is not going to get him there. The argument for Nedeljkovic is that hes played the best of the three down the stretch, and if he falters, theres still always the option to go back to Mrazek at any point. Theres even an argument for James Reimer, whos third on the list statistically but has had the most success of any of the trio against the Predators this season. This much is certain: Just as it has been in the last two playoff campaigns, BrindAmours decision-making is informed by his experience as a player. In 2002, the Hurricanes had to go from Arturs Irbe to Kevin Weekes and back to Irbe to make the Stanley Cup final, and Irbe even gave them a chance to pull a momentous upset there. In 2006, Laviolette consulted BrindAmour, his captain, on the switch from Gerber to Ward. The Hurricanes would end up needing both, with Gerber returning to win a critical start in the conference finals against the Buffalo Sabres when Ward lost his edge, temporarily. Alex Nedeljkovics moment has arrived As a coach, BrindAmour has never been a one-goalie guy. And whether through necessity, as when Mrazek got hurt in 2019 and Curtis McElhinney completed a second-round sweep, or entirely by choice when he gave Reimer the start in the third and final game of the Hurricanes preliminary-round sweep of the New York Rangers last August, hes never been shy to switch. You guys ask so many questions about goalies, and I spend so little time thinking about that, BrindAmour said. I guess when you have two, or three now in our case, that you feel pretty good about, Ive got a lot of other fish to worry about. So whether Nedeljkovic watches Game 1 or starts it, hes unlikely to remain in either position for too long. Ward, in 2006, didnt know his moment had arrived until it did. Nedeljkovic knows his has, whether thats now or later. Wards past laid the ground for Nedeljkovics present. Weirdly enough, Wardo (was) in this kind of similar situation that Ive been in right now, Nedeljkovic said. Well see going forward what plays out. Predators at Hurricanes Stanley Cup Playoffs, Round One When: 8 p.m., Monday Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh Watch: CNBC, BSSO | Alex Nedeljkovic is a 25-year-old rookie goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is the same age as Cam Ward, who won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/could-another-rookie-goalie-help-104500304.html?src=rss | 0.356712 |
Could another rookie goalie help the Canes win a title, 15 years after 2006 Stanley Cup? | The first Stanley Cup finals Alex Nedeljkovic remembers watching, he was 10 years old and he had $1 bet on Game 7. He collected when the Carolina Hurricanes won, thanks in part to a rookie goalie who didnt even expect to play in the playoffs, but found himself being handed the Conn Smythe Trophy at center ice by Gary Bettman when they were over. What happened to Cam Ward 15 years ago remains a fairy tale for goalies, the kind of bedtime story goalie parents tell their kids, especially the ones who arent playing that much. Stay ready! You never know what could happen! You could end up playing and winning the Stanley Cup! As Nedeljkovic put it this week: Just to have a rookie goalie come in, play well, stand on his head, go down and win the Conn Smythe. So here we are again with the Hurricanes heading into the playoffs with another rookie goalie ready to step in, and in Nedeljkovics case, perhaps even start Game 1. Thats the biggest difference between the two, among others Nedeljkovic is not only an older rookie but carried the Hurricanes through the dog days of the season, while Ward was used sparingly until the playoffs but theres still a sense of the familiar to the scenario. Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic makes a pad save on a shot from Tampa Bay Lightnings Ryan McDonagh as Steven Lorentz (78) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson) Nedeljkovic is a 25-year-old rookie, with a slightly longer and more winding path to the NHL than Ward. He was a first-round pick who was fast-tracked to the league and was only 22 with one full AHL season under his belt when he made his playoff debut. But Nedeljkovic has also had some measure of career success of his own by now, winning the AHL Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers in 2019, then making the most of the opportunity created by Petr Mrazeks injury this season to jump into the mix, stabilize the Hurricanes net and insert his name into the Calder Trophy conversation as the NHLs rookie of the year all after being put on waivers and going unclaimed in January. Once I kind of figured it out and got to the right mental space, I was telling myself its just another game, youve been doing this your whole life, Nedeljkovic said. Theres nothing new, really. Just playing against better players. Youve got to believe in yourself, that youre good enough to be here. Good enough to make the saves. Story continues He also became the first rookie to be awarded the Josef Vasicek Award by the Carolina chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, recognizing cooperation with the media. (Ward won it as well, in 2008.) Looking up to Cam Ward It has been a long time coming for Nedeljkovic, who first came to training camp with the Hurricanes for the first time in 2014 after they drafted him in the second round. He had some of Wards hockey cards and a puck and a plaque of Ward holding the Conn Smythe growing up. That fall, his biggest challenge before being sent back to juniors was how to get Ward to sign one of his hockey cards without it being, you know, super awkward. I remember telling him one time that I was just holding the fort until he was ready, Ward said. It appears he has taken that next step and hes ready to take on a more important role. Theres no better time to do that than in the Stanley Cup playoffs, if he gets that opportunity. Its kind of crazy watching him this season, how things evolved. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, presents Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward with the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2006. Things evolved quickly for Ward in 2006 when the Hurricanes first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens started to go south. The Hurricanes went north down 2-0 after losing the first two games at home, and goalie Martin Gerbers subpar performance was a big part of it. Gerber had been an absolute rock for the Hurricanes all season -- it was hard, at times, to even find spots for Ward to play but he wasnt quite right to start that series. After Ward came out of the bullpen and played well in an overtime loss in Game 2, coach Peter Laviolette pulled him aside at the team hotel in Montreal to tell him he would start Game 3 -- thrown to the wolves in a frenzied Bell Centre where Habs fans sensed not only victory but revenge for their elimination at the hands of the Hurricanes four years earlier. The Hurricanes won Game 3 in overtime and never really looked back. Wards lesson for Nedeljkovic, if he gets his chance: Have fun, a phrase Ward used to write on the heel of his stick. I remember in the warmups for Game 3 taking a moment and just looking around and soaking it all in, Ward said. I remember telling myself, no matter what happens tonight, I was going to enjoy this moment. I think when you do that you play loose, you play with feeling. Fortunately, things all went great for myself in that first year. With saying that, I soon realized how difficult it was to get back in a situation like that. You never know how many opportunities youre going to get. Rod BrindAmours decision at goal is uncertain Ward and BrindAmour combined for only one more playoff appearance as players, in 2009, but BrindAmour has led the Hurricanes to three straight postseasons as a head coach doing things very much his own way. That includes being on the record saying that the paranoid NHL practice of obfuscating whos starting in goal is pointless, but as BrindAmour tries to decide who gets the start in Game 1, hes holding his cards uncharacteristically close. The argument for Mrazek is that if the Hurricanes are going to win the Stanley Cup, Mrazek being at the absolute top of his game gives them their best shot, and denting his confidence before the playoffs even start is not going to get him there. The argument for Nedeljkovic is that hes played the best of the three down the stretch, and if he falters, theres still always the option to go back to Mrazek at any point. Theres even an argument for James Reimer, whos third on the list statistically but has had the most success of any of the trio against the Predators this season. This much is certain: Just as it has been in the last two playoff campaigns, BrindAmours decision-making is informed by his experience as a player. In 2002, the Hurricanes had to go from Arturs Irbe to Kevin Weekes and back to Irbe to make the Stanley Cup final, and Irbe even gave them a chance to pull a momentous upset there. In 2006, Laviolette consulted BrindAmour, his captain, on the switch from Gerber to Ward. The Hurricanes would end up needing both, with Gerber returning to win a critical start in the conference finals against the Buffalo Sabres when Ward lost his edge, temporarily. Alex Nedeljkovics moment has arrived As a coach, BrindAmour has never been a one-goalie guy. And whether through necessity, as when Mrazek got hurt in 2019 and Curtis McElhinney completed a second-round sweep, or entirely by choice when he gave Reimer the start in the third and final game of the Hurricanes preliminary-round sweep of the New York Rangers last August, hes never been shy to switch. You guys ask so many questions about goalies, and I spend so little time thinking about that, BrindAmour said. I guess when you have two, or three now in our case, that you feel pretty good about, Ive got a lot of other fish to worry about. So whether Nedeljkovic watches Game 1 or starts it, hes unlikely to remain in either position for too long. Ward, in 2006, didnt know his moment had arrived until it did. Nedeljkovic knows his has, whether thats now or later. Wards past laid the ground for Nedeljkovics present. Weirdly enough, Wardo (was) in this kind of similar situation that Ive been in right now, Nedeljkovic said. Well see going forward what plays out. Predators at Hurricanes Stanley Cup Playoffs, Round One When: 8 p.m., Monday Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh Watch: CNBC, BSSO | Alex Nedeljkovic is a 25-year-old rookie goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is the same age as Cam Ward, who won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006. Ward was a first-round pick who was only 22 when he made his playoff debut. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/could-another-rookie-goalie-help-104500304.html?src=rss | 0.392228 |
Could Craig Anderson change goalie dynamic in Bruins-Capitals series? | originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston One of the advantages the Boston Bruins had over the Washington Capitals entering their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series was goaltending. Capitals goalies Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov came into the 2021 campaign with zero playoff experience, and both struggled against the B's during the regular season. On the other side of the ice, Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask has more than 94 games of postseason experience and the fourth-best playoff save percentage among all active netminders with 25-plus appearances. Vanecek started Game 1 and couldn't make it through the first period. He suffered an apparent injury on Jake DeBrusk's goal at 13:10 of the opening frame and was forced to leave the game. And just like that, Craig Anderson was thrust into the spotlight for his first playoff appearance since Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final when he played for the Ottawa Senators. The 39-year-old veteran appeared in just four games for the Capitals during the regular season. Despite the limited action, Anderson stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced as the Capitals earned a 3-2 overtime victory in Saturday night's series opener at Capital One Arena. The Bruins made Anderson's life easy by failing to hit the net on more than half of their shot attempts, but you have to respect his gutsy effort in relief. "When opportunity knocks, you make the most of your opportunity," Anderson said after the game. "I've been here before, so I can share my experiences with Vitek and (Samsonov). To now get the opportunity to live what I've been telling them, it's a great feeling to be involved and be a part of it." We don't know the severity of Vanecek's injury. Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette didn't provide any concrete details in his postgame press conference. Story continues Game 2 is Monday night. If Vanecek isn't able to play and Samsonov isn't ready after exiting the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Saturday, Anderson would be the only good option left for Washington. And he's certainly not a bad one, either. Consider this: Anderson's .929 career save percentage in the playoffs is the second-highest in league history among goaltenders with at least 40 games played. He plays the game with great poise. You're not going to rattle him easily. In his 2017 playoff run with the Senators, he played four overtime games against the Bruins in the first round and won three of them. He's now 5-2 versus the Bruins in his postseason career. Anderson also is one of the most experienced goalies in the 2021 playoffs. He's in his 18th year with 652 regular season appearances and 47 postseason matchups under his belt. Of course, it's possible Vanecek's injury is minor and he'll be good to go for Game 2. Samsonov might even be able to start Monday night. Game 1 could be Anderson's only action of this series. But if Anderson does continue to start, Washington's disadvantage in net won't be as glaring as it was before the series. That's not an insignificant development for a Capitals team with the offensive firepower and championship experience to give the Bruins a hard time in this first-round matchup. | Washington Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek left Game 1 against Boston Bruins with an apparent injury. Craig Anderson started in Vanecek's place and stopped 21 of 22 shots. | pegasus | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/could-craig-anderson-change-goalie-042841793.html?src=rss | 0.142791 |
Could Craig Anderson change goalie dynamic in Bruins-Capitals series? | originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston One of the advantages the Boston Bruins had over the Washington Capitals entering their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series was goaltending. Capitals goalies Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov came into the 2021 campaign with zero playoff experience, and both struggled against the B's during the regular season. On the other side of the ice, Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask has more than 94 games of postseason experience and the fourth-best playoff save percentage among all active netminders with 25-plus appearances. Vanecek started Game 1 and couldn't make it through the first period. He suffered an apparent injury on Jake DeBrusk's goal at 13:10 of the opening frame and was forced to leave the game. And just like that, Craig Anderson was thrust into the spotlight for his first playoff appearance since Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final when he played for the Ottawa Senators. The 39-year-old veteran appeared in just four games for the Capitals during the regular season. Despite the limited action, Anderson stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced as the Capitals earned a 3-2 overtime victory in Saturday night's series opener at Capital One Arena. The Bruins made Anderson's life easy by failing to hit the net on more than half of their shot attempts, but you have to respect his gutsy effort in relief. "When opportunity knocks, you make the most of your opportunity," Anderson said after the game. "I've been here before, so I can share my experiences with Vitek and (Samsonov). To now get the opportunity to live what I've been telling them, it's a great feeling to be involved and be a part of it." We don't know the severity of Vanecek's injury. Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette didn't provide any concrete details in his postgame press conference. Story continues Game 2 is Monday night. If Vanecek isn't able to play and Samsonov isn't ready after exiting the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Saturday, Anderson would be the only good option left for Washington. And he's certainly not a bad one, either. Consider this: Anderson's .929 career save percentage in the playoffs is the second-highest in league history among goaltenders with at least 40 games played. He plays the game with great poise. You're not going to rattle him easily. In his 2017 playoff run with the Senators, he played four overtime games against the Bruins in the first round and won three of them. He's now 5-2 versus the Bruins in his postseason career. Anderson also is one of the most experienced goalies in the 2021 playoffs. He's in his 18th year with 652 regular season appearances and 47 postseason matchups under his belt. Of course, it's possible Vanecek's injury is minor and he'll be good to go for Game 2. Samsonov might even be able to start Monday night. Game 1 could be Anderson's only action of this series. But if Anderson does continue to start, Washington's disadvantage in net won't be as glaring as it was before the series. That's not an insignificant development for a Capitals team with the offensive firepower and championship experience to give the Bruins a hard time in this first-round matchup. | Craig Anderson is one of the most experienced goalies in the 2021 playoffs. The Washington Capitals are without injured goalie Vitek Vanecek for Game 1 of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins. Anderson could be the Capitals' best option in goal if Vaneckek can't play. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/could-craig-anderson-change-goalie-042841793.html?src=rss | 0.294561 |
Do old vines really make the best wines? | Old vines have a strange effect on winemakers. They exert an emotional pull close to enchantment a kind of sylvan magic that becomes more powerfully bewitching the older the vine is. You notice it most keenly when youre with a winegrower in their vineyard. You see the affection as they pat the trunks of the oldest plants, the wistful misting over of the eyes as they proudly reel off the vines age. The relationship may be emotional, but its not irrational, even if the science on the subject is somewhat sketchy and undeveloped. Vine age is not a guarantee of quality in wine: many very bad wines are made from very old vines, and many good ones are made from relatively youthful plants. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of winemakers agree: an unusually high proportion of the worlds most beautiful wines are the product of vines between 50 and 100 plus years old. Indeed, the hunt for a neglected plot of old vines the more remote, the better has become a rite of passage for ambitious winemakers. Their discoveries, from Spains Sierra de Gredos mountains to South Africas Swartland and Californias Santa Cruz mountains, have transformed the received wisdom about where its possible to produce great wine. Of course, for an old vineyard to be rediscovered it first has to be neglected. These are some of the questions that a new initiative, The Old Vine Conference, grappled with in its inaugural event, which earlier this year brought together an international cast of the wine trades most committed old vine enthusiasts via Zoom. The answers can be boiled down to competing ideas of how to make a living from wine and how best to balance quality and quantity. Old vines are all about the former: the grapes they produce provide natural balance and depth. Compared to young vines, theyre expensive to work since you cant mechanise an old vineyard, meaning everything must be done by hand. And theyre nothing like as productive: a 70-year-old vineyard might yield 4,000kg of grapes per hectare; a 10-year-old would be more in the 50,000kg per hectare range. The purpose of the conference is to find ways to protect and raise awareness of the value of old vines. In part that value is environmental: old vines tend to require far fewer treatments and thrive without irrigation. Its also about conservation: the age of the vines make them an important part of the wine worlds heritage, worth preserving for that reason alone. Most valuable of all, however, are the spellbinding wines that they make. Six of the best old vines wines Arnaud Aucoeur Vieilles Vignes Blanc Beaujolais-Villages 2018 (12.75, yapp.co.uk) Its rare to find a white beaujolais, but, thanks to the quality of both winemaker and vines, this is a lovely alternative to pricier burgundy, all bright and focused in chablis-esque fashion, with a pristine Coxs apple crispness. Kloof St Old Vine Chenin Blanc Swartland, South Africa 2020 (from 13.95, vinvm.co.uk; etonvintners.com; honestgrapes.co.uk) South Africas plentiful stocks of old vine chenin blanc have led to the creation of a genuine modern classic wine style, characterised, as here, with verve, real depth of apple and peachy fruit and a pithy, lip smacking quality. Gini La Frosc Soave Classico Italy 2016 (18.88, justerinis.com) If you thought soave was all about refreshing-bordering-on-neutral dry whites, then heres a wine that shows the regions true potential and the value of 90-year-old vines. There are hints of blossom and thyme, and a wonderful rounded, resonant palate. Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz Barossa, Australia 2015 (from 20, winedirect.co.uk; noblegrape.co.uk) South Australias Barossa Valley has led the way in cataloguing and protecting its fabulous old-vine heritage, responsible for characteristically deep but balanced and nuanced rich reds such as this nourishing shiraz. Its from a vineyard planted in the 1920s. Bodegas y Viedos Alnardo PSI Ribera del Duero, Spain 2018 (27.95, corneyandbarrow.com) Peter Sisseck is the star winemaker behind this typically stylish, polished but gloriously deep and resonant, mulberry-scented red. He calls the PSI label his save the whale project, set up to use and protect the old-vine heritage of Ribera del Duero. Birichino Besson Vineyard Grenache Santa Cruz, California, USA 2018 (28.99, or 21.99 as part of a mixed six, majestic.co.uk) Californian wine might be thought of as a modern phenomenon but heres a taste of its deeper history. Made from a plot of 100-year-old grenache, this shows the varietys evocatively herb-flecked, red-fruited, aromatic and slinky side to gorgeous effect. | An unusually high proportion of the worlds most beautiful wines are the product of vines between 50 and 100 years old. | pegasus | 0 | https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/may/16/do-old-vines-really-make-the-best-wines | 0.273207 |
Do old vines really make the best wines? | Old vines have a strange effect on winemakers. They exert an emotional pull close to enchantment a kind of sylvan magic that becomes more powerfully bewitching the older the vine is. You notice it most keenly when youre with a winegrower in their vineyard. You see the affection as they pat the trunks of the oldest plants, the wistful misting over of the eyes as they proudly reel off the vines age. The relationship may be emotional, but its not irrational, even if the science on the subject is somewhat sketchy and undeveloped. Vine age is not a guarantee of quality in wine: many very bad wines are made from very old vines, and many good ones are made from relatively youthful plants. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of winemakers agree: an unusually high proportion of the worlds most beautiful wines are the product of vines between 50 and 100 plus years old. Indeed, the hunt for a neglected plot of old vines the more remote, the better has become a rite of passage for ambitious winemakers. Their discoveries, from Spains Sierra de Gredos mountains to South Africas Swartland and Californias Santa Cruz mountains, have transformed the received wisdom about where its possible to produce great wine. Of course, for an old vineyard to be rediscovered it first has to be neglected. These are some of the questions that a new initiative, The Old Vine Conference, grappled with in its inaugural event, which earlier this year brought together an international cast of the wine trades most committed old vine enthusiasts via Zoom. The answers can be boiled down to competing ideas of how to make a living from wine and how best to balance quality and quantity. Old vines are all about the former: the grapes they produce provide natural balance and depth. Compared to young vines, theyre expensive to work since you cant mechanise an old vineyard, meaning everything must be done by hand. And theyre nothing like as productive: a 70-year-old vineyard might yield 4,000kg of grapes per hectare; a 10-year-old would be more in the 50,000kg per hectare range. The purpose of the conference is to find ways to protect and raise awareness of the value of old vines. In part that value is environmental: old vines tend to require far fewer treatments and thrive without irrigation. Its also about conservation: the age of the vines make them an important part of the wine worlds heritage, worth preserving for that reason alone. Most valuable of all, however, are the spellbinding wines that they make. Six of the best old vines wines Arnaud Aucoeur Vieilles Vignes Blanc Beaujolais-Villages 2018 (12.75, yapp.co.uk) Its rare to find a white beaujolais, but, thanks to the quality of both winemaker and vines, this is a lovely alternative to pricier burgundy, all bright and focused in chablis-esque fashion, with a pristine Coxs apple crispness. Kloof St Old Vine Chenin Blanc Swartland, South Africa 2020 (from 13.95, vinvm.co.uk; etonvintners.com; honestgrapes.co.uk) South Africas plentiful stocks of old vine chenin blanc have led to the creation of a genuine modern classic wine style, characterised, as here, with verve, real depth of apple and peachy fruit and a pithy, lip smacking quality. Gini La Frosc Soave Classico Italy 2016 (18.88, justerinis.com) If you thought soave was all about refreshing-bordering-on-neutral dry whites, then heres a wine that shows the regions true potential and the value of 90-year-old vines. There are hints of blossom and thyme, and a wonderful rounded, resonant palate. Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz Barossa, Australia 2015 (from 20, winedirect.co.uk; noblegrape.co.uk) South Australias Barossa Valley has led the way in cataloguing and protecting its fabulous old-vine heritage, responsible for characteristically deep but balanced and nuanced rich reds such as this nourishing shiraz. Its from a vineyard planted in the 1920s. Bodegas y Viedos Alnardo PSI Ribera del Duero, Spain 2018 (27.95, corneyandbarrow.com) Peter Sisseck is the star winemaker behind this typically stylish, polished but gloriously deep and resonant, mulberry-scented red. He calls the PSI label his save the whale project, set up to use and protect the old-vine heritage of Ribera del Duero. Birichino Besson Vineyard Grenache Santa Cruz, California, USA 2018 (28.99, or 21.99 as part of a mixed six, majestic.co.uk) Californian wine might be thought of as a modern phenomenon but heres a taste of its deeper history. Made from a plot of 100-year-old grenache, this shows the varietys evocatively herb-flecked, red-fruited, aromatic and slinky side to gorgeous effect. | An unusually high proportion of the worlds most beautiful wines are the product of vines between 50 and 100 plus years old. The hunt for a neglected plot of old vines has become a rite of passage for ambitious winemakers. | bart | 1 | https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/may/16/do-old-vines-really-make-the-best-wines | 0.308333 |
Do old vines really make the best wines? | Old vines have a strange effect on winemakers. They exert an emotional pull close to enchantment a kind of sylvan magic that becomes more powerfully bewitching the older the vine is. You notice it most keenly when youre with a winegrower in their vineyard. You see the affection as they pat the trunks of the oldest plants, the wistful misting over of the eyes as they proudly reel off the vines age. The relationship may be emotional, but its not irrational, even if the science on the subject is somewhat sketchy and undeveloped. Vine age is not a guarantee of quality in wine: many very bad wines are made from very old vines, and many good ones are made from relatively youthful plants. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of winemakers agree: an unusually high proportion of the worlds most beautiful wines are the product of vines between 50 and 100 plus years old. Indeed, the hunt for a neglected plot of old vines the more remote, the better has become a rite of passage for ambitious winemakers. Their discoveries, from Spains Sierra de Gredos mountains to South Africas Swartland and Californias Santa Cruz mountains, have transformed the received wisdom about where its possible to produce great wine. Of course, for an old vineyard to be rediscovered it first has to be neglected. These are some of the questions that a new initiative, The Old Vine Conference, grappled with in its inaugural event, which earlier this year brought together an international cast of the wine trades most committed old vine enthusiasts via Zoom. The answers can be boiled down to competing ideas of how to make a living from wine and how best to balance quality and quantity. Old vines are all about the former: the grapes they produce provide natural balance and depth. Compared to young vines, theyre expensive to work since you cant mechanise an old vineyard, meaning everything must be done by hand. And theyre nothing like as productive: a 70-year-old vineyard might yield 4,000kg of grapes per hectare; a 10-year-old would be more in the 50,000kg per hectare range. The purpose of the conference is to find ways to protect and raise awareness of the value of old vines. In part that value is environmental: old vines tend to require far fewer treatments and thrive without irrigation. Its also about conservation: the age of the vines make them an important part of the wine worlds heritage, worth preserving for that reason alone. Most valuable of all, however, are the spellbinding wines that they make. Six of the best old vines wines Arnaud Aucoeur Vieilles Vignes Blanc Beaujolais-Villages 2018 (12.75, yapp.co.uk) Its rare to find a white beaujolais, but, thanks to the quality of both winemaker and vines, this is a lovely alternative to pricier burgundy, all bright and focused in chablis-esque fashion, with a pristine Coxs apple crispness. Kloof St Old Vine Chenin Blanc Swartland, South Africa 2020 (from 13.95, vinvm.co.uk; etonvintners.com; honestgrapes.co.uk) South Africas plentiful stocks of old vine chenin blanc have led to the creation of a genuine modern classic wine style, characterised, as here, with verve, real depth of apple and peachy fruit and a pithy, lip smacking quality. Gini La Frosc Soave Classico Italy 2016 (18.88, justerinis.com) If you thought soave was all about refreshing-bordering-on-neutral dry whites, then heres a wine that shows the regions true potential and the value of 90-year-old vines. There are hints of blossom and thyme, and a wonderful rounded, resonant palate. Grant Burge Filsell Old Vine Shiraz Barossa, Australia 2015 (from 20, winedirect.co.uk; noblegrape.co.uk) South Australias Barossa Valley has led the way in cataloguing and protecting its fabulous old-vine heritage, responsible for characteristically deep but balanced and nuanced rich reds such as this nourishing shiraz. Its from a vineyard planted in the 1920s. Bodegas y Viedos Alnardo PSI Ribera del Duero, Spain 2018 (27.95, corneyandbarrow.com) Peter Sisseck is the star winemaker behind this typically stylish, polished but gloriously deep and resonant, mulberry-scented red. He calls the PSI label his save the whale project, set up to use and protect the old-vine heritage of Ribera del Duero. Birichino Besson Vineyard Grenache Santa Cruz, California, USA 2018 (28.99, or 21.99 as part of a mixed six, majestic.co.uk) Californian wine might be thought of as a modern phenomenon but heres a taste of its deeper history. Made from a plot of 100-year-old grenache, this shows the varietys evocatively herb-flecked, red-fruited, aromatic and slinky side to gorgeous effect. | An unusually high proportion of the worlds most beautiful wines are the product of vines between 50 and 100 years old. For an old vineyard to be rediscovered it first has to be neglected. A 70-year-old vineyard might yield 4,000kg of grapes per hectare. | pegasus | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/may/16/do-old-vines-really-make-the-best-wines | 0.327552 |
Which rookie could be a surprise gem for the Colts? | The Indianapolis Colts dont have a massive rookie class in 2021 as they typically do, but there is still a chance general manager Chris Ballard found a gem or two throughout the process. Given their draft capital, no one would be truly surprised if pass rushers Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo turned into cornerstones of the defense. In fact, the Colts are banking on that becoming a fact when the latter returns from his Achilles rehab. But some of the Day 3 picks could wind up turning into gems for the Colts, and the player with the highest potential to do so may just be the fourth-round tight end in Kylen Granson out of SMU. It seems Granson has already gotten the ball rolling in his favor after showing out at rookie minicamp following the draft. Hes already impressed the Colts during that big weekend, and he has a clear path to production as a rookieeven if he is TE3 behind Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox. The Colts love using tight ends on out breaking routes against linebackers (which is smart if you have the athletes to do it). Trey Burton is an excellent route runner who uses a stair-step technique to separate. Kylen Granson uses the same technique in a similar route pic.twitter.com/q01s6EiDJN Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) May 15, 2021 The explosiveness is evident on tape, and that could play well in the Colts offense. Though he may be a bit undersized for a tight end, his versatility as an H-back could help him carve out a role quickly in Frank Reichs offense. The Colts can line him up in the backfield, inline or detached in the slot to use as a weapon in the passing game. The Colts needed to surround new quarterback Carson Wentz with talent this offseason. Granson can provide that given his explosiveness and speed in the open field. Its easy to see why Reich was pining for Granson on Day 3 of the draft and if the rookie continues to show out at OTAs and in training camp, he could be wind up being another gem for the Colts. Related | The Indianapolis Colts don't have a massive rookie class in 2021. Kylen Granson out of SMU has the highest potential to do so. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://sports.yahoo.com/rookie-could-surprise-gem-colts-110758896.html?src=rss | 0.149377 |
Which rookie could be a surprise gem for the Colts? | The Indianapolis Colts dont have a massive rookie class in 2021 as they typically do, but there is still a chance general manager Chris Ballard found a gem or two throughout the process. Given their draft capital, no one would be truly surprised if pass rushers Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo turned into cornerstones of the defense. In fact, the Colts are banking on that becoming a fact when the latter returns from his Achilles rehab. But some of the Day 3 picks could wind up turning into gems for the Colts, and the player with the highest potential to do so may just be the fourth-round tight end in Kylen Granson out of SMU. It seems Granson has already gotten the ball rolling in his favor after showing out at rookie minicamp following the draft. Hes already impressed the Colts during that big weekend, and he has a clear path to production as a rookieeven if he is TE3 behind Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox. The Colts love using tight ends on out breaking routes against linebackers (which is smart if you have the athletes to do it). Trey Burton is an excellent route runner who uses a stair-step technique to separate. Kylen Granson uses the same technique in a similar route pic.twitter.com/q01s6EiDJN Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) May 15, 2021 The explosiveness is evident on tape, and that could play well in the Colts offense. Though he may be a bit undersized for a tight end, his versatility as an H-back could help him carve out a role quickly in Frank Reichs offense. The Colts can line him up in the backfield, inline or detached in the slot to use as a weapon in the passing game. The Colts needed to surround new quarterback Carson Wentz with talent this offseason. Granson can provide that given his explosiveness and speed in the open field. Its easy to see why Reich was pining for Granson on Day 3 of the draft and if the rookie continues to show out at OTAs and in training camp, he could be wind up being another gem for the Colts. Related | The Indianapolis Colts don't have a massive rookie class in 2021. Kylen Granson out of SMU has the highest potential to turn into a gem for the Colts. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/rookie-could-surprise-gem-colts-110758896.html?src=rss | 0.464985 |
Which rookie could be a surprise gem for the Colts? | The Indianapolis Colts dont have a massive rookie class in 2021 as they typically do, but there is still a chance general manager Chris Ballard found a gem or two throughout the process. Given their draft capital, no one would be truly surprised if pass rushers Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo turned into cornerstones of the defense. In fact, the Colts are banking on that becoming a fact when the latter returns from his Achilles rehab. But some of the Day 3 picks could wind up turning into gems for the Colts, and the player with the highest potential to do so may just be the fourth-round tight end in Kylen Granson out of SMU. It seems Granson has already gotten the ball rolling in his favor after showing out at rookie minicamp following the draft. Hes already impressed the Colts during that big weekend, and he has a clear path to production as a rookieeven if he is TE3 behind Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox. The Colts love using tight ends on out breaking routes against linebackers (which is smart if you have the athletes to do it). Trey Burton is an excellent route runner who uses a stair-step technique to separate. Kylen Granson uses the same technique in a similar route pic.twitter.com/q01s6EiDJN Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) May 15, 2021 The explosiveness is evident on tape, and that could play well in the Colts offense. Though he may be a bit undersized for a tight end, his versatility as an H-back could help him carve out a role quickly in Frank Reichs offense. The Colts can line him up in the backfield, inline or detached in the slot to use as a weapon in the passing game. The Colts needed to surround new quarterback Carson Wentz with talent this offseason. Granson can provide that given his explosiveness and speed in the open field. Its easy to see why Reich was pining for Granson on Day 3 of the draft and if the rookie continues to show out at OTAs and in training camp, he could be wind up being another gem for the Colts. Related | The Indianapolis Colts don't have a massive rookie class in 2021. Kylen Granson out of SMU has the highest potential to turn into a gem for the Colts. The tight end has already impressed at rookie minicamp and could be a gem in training camp. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://sports.yahoo.com/rookie-could-surprise-gem-colts-110758896.html?src=rss | 0.523589 |
Which Florida Gators Have the Best Chance of Being Drafted in 2022? | The Florida Gators will be undergoing a transformation during the 2021 season, but there's still plenty of players to watch as it pertains to the 2022 NFL Draft. The 2021 NFL Draft has come and gone. Rookies are back out on the practice field with their newfound teams, and college programs have kickstarted their offseason programs to train the next slew of athletes to take their game to the next level. This year, the Florida Gators sent 11 players to the NFL; eight via the NFL Draft and three via undrafted free agency. While Florida has sent plenty of talent to their next occupation, there's plenty of reason to anticipate more movement as the year moves forward. This can be said for at least several Florida athletes who look to test their fate in the 2022 NFL Draft. Emory Jones Jones is a pure projection. Slated to become the Gators' full-time starting quarterback for the first time in his collegiate career this season, he's already receiving a lot of national buzz. With a blend of size, athleticism, and a powerful arm, Jones has the makings of a quick-riser in terms of the NFL Draft and the scouts will certainly keep a watchful eye on him as the season moves forward. Over the past three seasons with Florida, Jones has played in a total of 24 games, completing 55 out of 86 (64%) of his passes for 613 yards and seven touchdowns. He has also thrown one interception. But, what has stood out over the years has been his ability to make plays with his legs. Jones has attempted a total of 92 rushes for 514 yards and six touchdowns. His dynamic play-making ability will vault him up the rankings, granted he has a successful season this fall. Kaiir Elam Elam will likely be the highest-selected Gators player in 2022, depending on how Jones does this season. He has the makings of a true shut-down cornerback in the NFL if he should play to his potential. While Elam did not necessarily shoot up the charts in 2020 due in large part because of the play around him, he still has shown plenty of ability in the past to make up for it. The expectations surrounding Elam are at an all-time high. He will be expected to shut down any top-dog receiver that ventures to his side of the gridiron, and for good reason. Over the past two seasons, Elam has played in a total of 20 games, making four interceptions, 49 tackles, 15 pass breakups and one forced fumble. Last season was his first year as a full-time starter. At 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, Elam has plenty of size and length to match up against any receiver that lines up across from him. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed 33 catches from 77 targets for 434 yards over his career. He's exactly the prototype to play in the NFL and should become a hot name in a short time. Jacob Copeland The Gators have a knack for sending receivers to the NFL. Over the past two seasons, Florida has sent six receivers to the NFL via the NFL Draft or undrafted free agency. They've also had a receiver selected in either the first or second round over the past two seasons. Copeland could be the next to see his work pay off, even if he hasn't been the most productive player in college football over the course of his career. Now in his fourth season with the Gators, Copeland finally has an opportunity to showcase his talents as the team's unquestioned starter at receiver, and should see plenty of targets from Jones as a result. At 6-foot, 203 pounds, Copeland possess the size and speed necessary to make an impact at the next level. Over the course of his career, Copeland has tallied 45 receptions for 724 yards and five touchdowns. Zachary Carter Carter ought to be the next big-man defender to come out of the University of Florida and into the NFL. After opting to return to the program for his final season in pursuit of his degree, he's slated to make a major and immediate impact on the Florida defensive line as its unquestioned leader upfront. After playing multiple positions throughout his first three years at the university (Carter redshirted his first year at Florida in 2017), the defensive lineman is ready to settle into his natural position as a strongside defensive end, proficient against the run and pass. At 6-foot-4, 277 pounds, Carter offers plenty of upside for any versatile front in the NFL. Last season was his most productive year, playing the majority of it on the outside while spending time inside during the earlier portion of the year. He would account for 35 tackles (14 solos), nine tackles for loss and five sacks on the year. He has a total of 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in three years combined. Don't be surprised to see Carter as one of the first names to come off the board for the Gators in 2022. Daquan Newkirk A transfer from Auburn, Newkirk has a real shot of being selected following a successful season at Florida in 2021. He offers plenty of upside athletically and has a knack for penetrating an offensive line. While he has played in just 19 games over the past three seasons, he has plenty of experience with not only the Tigers but in junior college too. Over the past three seasons, he's accounted for 40 tackles (12 solo), five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has a long way to go, but his athletic profile matches nicely with what the NFL looks for, and as a starter on the Florida defensive line this season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him selected. Brenton Cox A former five-star pass rusher, Cox transferred to the University of Florida just two seasons ago. After spending a year with the practice team due to transfer rules, Cox would finally make his way to the gridiron at Florida as the team's starting BUCK, replacing Jonathan Greenard (Houston Texans) from just a season ago. Cox possesses everything you would want in an NFL pass rusher from the physical standpoint. He's listed at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds and carries his weight incredibly well. Talented with the speed and power to rush off the edge, Cox is in store for a real breakout season at Florida this year. Donning the No. 1 jersey with the Gators, his talent level speaks for itself. While he managed just 3.5 sacks last season, that stat didn't truly showcase his abilities, as he led the team in QB hurries with 18. Look for Cox to be a big name to watch as the 2022 NFL Draft inches closer over the next year. Dameon Pierce While he may not be the most explosive running back, the NFL is always looking for talent at the position, especially from a respected program such as Florida. Over the past three seasons, Pierce has rushed for a respectable 1,232 yards on 229 carries (5.4 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. He has played primarily as a rotational piece for the Gators, though he received more of a workload last season as one of the lead tailbacks. While his receiving ability leaves much to be desired, he fits well in a scheme that utilizes heavy power-run principles that allow him to showcase his strength. At 5-foot-10, 215 pounds, Pierce's role in the NFL would likely be as a goalline, short-yardage back, but it would largely depend on his athletic testing during his pro day or the NFL combine. Regardless, don't be surprised to see Pierce in the NFL in a short time. Stewart Reese Reese, returning as a sixth-year student, transferred to UF last summer and quickly transitioned into a member of the starting lineup after spending four seasons with Mississippi State. A Dan Mullen disciple, Reese fit exactly what the team was looking for and played well overall during his first season with the team. This year, Reese will likely transition to left guard, making way for Joshua Braun at the right guard position, but his versatility allows him to play multiple positions inside, including center. Regardless, Reese at 6-foot-6, 350 pounds, should make for an intriguing player at the next level. His ability to be drafted will depend on not only his play this season, but also his athletic testing. Ventrell Miller Miller was an unquestioned leader for the Florida defense last season and will look to continue that this year as he uses his last year of eligibility. His return should bring a presence to the middle of the Florida defense. He presents an intriguing player entering his potential final season with the team. Over the course of three seasons, he's accounted for 87 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. His speed inside is unquestioned, but his sideline-to-sideline ability could use some work. Miller's ceiling as an NFL player has yet to be known, but an impressive season this year coupled with a standout performance in athletic testing should do him well moving forward. | The Florida Gators have sent 11 players to the NFL this year. There are still plenty of players to watch as it pertains to the 2022 NFL Draft. Emory Jones, Kaiir Elam and Jacob Copeland are among those to watch. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-2022-nfl-draft-chances-emory-jones-projection | 0.351246 |
Which Florida Gators Have the Best Chance of Being Drafted in 2022? | The Florida Gators will be undergoing a transformation during the 2021 season, but there's still plenty of players to watch as it pertains to the 2022 NFL Draft. The 2021 NFL Draft has come and gone. Rookies are back out on the practice field with their newfound teams, and college programs have kickstarted their offseason programs to train the next slew of athletes to take their game to the next level. This year, the Florida Gators sent 11 players to the NFL; eight via the NFL Draft and three via undrafted free agency. While Florida has sent plenty of talent to their next occupation, there's plenty of reason to anticipate more movement as the year moves forward. This can be said for at least several Florida athletes who look to test their fate in the 2022 NFL Draft. Emory Jones Jones is a pure projection. Slated to become the Gators' full-time starting quarterback for the first time in his collegiate career this season, he's already receiving a lot of national buzz. With a blend of size, athleticism, and a powerful arm, Jones has the makings of a quick-riser in terms of the NFL Draft and the scouts will certainly keep a watchful eye on him as the season moves forward. Over the past three seasons with Florida, Jones has played in a total of 24 games, completing 55 out of 86 (64%) of his passes for 613 yards and seven touchdowns. He has also thrown one interception. But, what has stood out over the years has been his ability to make plays with his legs. Jones has attempted a total of 92 rushes for 514 yards and six touchdowns. His dynamic play-making ability will vault him up the rankings, granted he has a successful season this fall. Kaiir Elam Elam will likely be the highest-selected Gators player in 2022, depending on how Jones does this season. He has the makings of a true shut-down cornerback in the NFL if he should play to his potential. While Elam did not necessarily shoot up the charts in 2020 due in large part because of the play around him, he still has shown plenty of ability in the past to make up for it. The expectations surrounding Elam are at an all-time high. He will be expected to shut down any top-dog receiver that ventures to his side of the gridiron, and for good reason. Over the past two seasons, Elam has played in a total of 20 games, making four interceptions, 49 tackles, 15 pass breakups and one forced fumble. Last season was his first year as a full-time starter. At 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, Elam has plenty of size and length to match up against any receiver that lines up across from him. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed 33 catches from 77 targets for 434 yards over his career. He's exactly the prototype to play in the NFL and should become a hot name in a short time. Jacob Copeland The Gators have a knack for sending receivers to the NFL. Over the past two seasons, Florida has sent six receivers to the NFL via the NFL Draft or undrafted free agency. They've also had a receiver selected in either the first or second round over the past two seasons. Copeland could be the next to see his work pay off, even if he hasn't been the most productive player in college football over the course of his career. Now in his fourth season with the Gators, Copeland finally has an opportunity to showcase his talents as the team's unquestioned starter at receiver, and should see plenty of targets from Jones as a result. At 6-foot, 203 pounds, Copeland possess the size and speed necessary to make an impact at the next level. Over the course of his career, Copeland has tallied 45 receptions for 724 yards and five touchdowns. Zachary Carter Carter ought to be the next big-man defender to come out of the University of Florida and into the NFL. After opting to return to the program for his final season in pursuit of his degree, he's slated to make a major and immediate impact on the Florida defensive line as its unquestioned leader upfront. After playing multiple positions throughout his first three years at the university (Carter redshirted his first year at Florida in 2017), the defensive lineman is ready to settle into his natural position as a strongside defensive end, proficient against the run and pass. At 6-foot-4, 277 pounds, Carter offers plenty of upside for any versatile front in the NFL. Last season was his most productive year, playing the majority of it on the outside while spending time inside during the earlier portion of the year. He would account for 35 tackles (14 solos), nine tackles for loss and five sacks on the year. He has a total of 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in three years combined. Don't be surprised to see Carter as one of the first names to come off the board for the Gators in 2022. Daquan Newkirk A transfer from Auburn, Newkirk has a real shot of being selected following a successful season at Florida in 2021. He offers plenty of upside athletically and has a knack for penetrating an offensive line. While he has played in just 19 games over the past three seasons, he has plenty of experience with not only the Tigers but in junior college too. Over the past three seasons, he's accounted for 40 tackles (12 solo), five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has a long way to go, but his athletic profile matches nicely with what the NFL looks for, and as a starter on the Florida defensive line this season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him selected. Brenton Cox A former five-star pass rusher, Cox transferred to the University of Florida just two seasons ago. After spending a year with the practice team due to transfer rules, Cox would finally make his way to the gridiron at Florida as the team's starting BUCK, replacing Jonathan Greenard (Houston Texans) from just a season ago. Cox possesses everything you would want in an NFL pass rusher from the physical standpoint. He's listed at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds and carries his weight incredibly well. Talented with the speed and power to rush off the edge, Cox is in store for a real breakout season at Florida this year. Donning the No. 1 jersey with the Gators, his talent level speaks for itself. While he managed just 3.5 sacks last season, that stat didn't truly showcase his abilities, as he led the team in QB hurries with 18. Look for Cox to be a big name to watch as the 2022 NFL Draft inches closer over the next year. Dameon Pierce While he may not be the most explosive running back, the NFL is always looking for talent at the position, especially from a respected program such as Florida. Over the past three seasons, Pierce has rushed for a respectable 1,232 yards on 229 carries (5.4 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. He has played primarily as a rotational piece for the Gators, though he received more of a workload last season as one of the lead tailbacks. While his receiving ability leaves much to be desired, he fits well in a scheme that utilizes heavy power-run principles that allow him to showcase his strength. At 5-foot-10, 215 pounds, Pierce's role in the NFL would likely be as a goalline, short-yardage back, but it would largely depend on his athletic testing during his pro day or the NFL combine. Regardless, don't be surprised to see Pierce in the NFL in a short time. Stewart Reese Reese, returning as a sixth-year student, transferred to UF last summer and quickly transitioned into a member of the starting lineup after spending four seasons with Mississippi State. A Dan Mullen disciple, Reese fit exactly what the team was looking for and played well overall during his first season with the team. This year, Reese will likely transition to left guard, making way for Joshua Braun at the right guard position, but his versatility allows him to play multiple positions inside, including center. Regardless, Reese at 6-foot-6, 350 pounds, should make for an intriguing player at the next level. His ability to be drafted will depend on not only his play this season, but also his athletic testing. Ventrell Miller Miller was an unquestioned leader for the Florida defense last season and will look to continue that this year as he uses his last year of eligibility. His return should bring a presence to the middle of the Florida defense. He presents an intriguing player entering his potential final season with the team. Over the course of three seasons, he's accounted for 87 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. His speed inside is unquestioned, but his sideline-to-sideline ability could use some work. Miller's ceiling as an NFL player has yet to be known, but an impressive season this year coupled with a standout performance in athletic testing should do him well moving forward. | The Florida Gators have sent 11 players to the NFL this year. There are still plenty of players to watch as it pertains to the 2022 NFL Draft. Emory Jones, Kaiir Elam and Jacob Copeland are among the players to be watched in the 2022 Draft. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-2022-nfl-draft-chances-emory-jones-projection | 0.491346 |
How Can I Get My First Programming Job? | Young man at a job interview talking with two developers. They are running startup developer company ... [+] from their home. Selective focus to young candidate over their shoulders. originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by Chuck Severance, University of Michigan School of Information and Coursera Instructor, on Quora: Lets assume that you are learning to program outside the traditional college or university. You dont have access to career services and are figuring it out on your own. First never stop learning. Just because you can write one kind of Python program after you took Python for Everybody - that might not be the skill your first job opportunity will need. Keep going. You dont need to rush but move along at a pace where you are enjoying learning - perhaps learn about how we write Python based web applications in Django for Everybody. You will learn about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - that is a lot more than just Python. Perhaps you take PostgreSQL for Everybody and get some solid database skills. The more topics you learn the more confident you will become with the topics you already know. A very common way to get a programming job is to evolve your current job so that you are doing some programming. Lets say you work in sales and each month there is a spreadsheet of results for each sales person for the month. Perhaps you can write a simple Python program to produce a clever report that would be hard to make by hand. Show the report to your boss and ask if there are other reports that might be useful. The next thing you know you are spending a few hours per week doing data analysis. Turn the report into a graph. Then there is the web site redesign committee You see the pattern - if you have skills, tasks will find their way to you. What is cool about this is that you can choose your next learning topic based on what you see your company needing next. If you are unemployed or not working at a job where you can slide into a more technical role slowly it is more difficult. First lets talk about why it is so difficult to get an entry level job from outside an organization. I have a small company with two full-time employees and five part-time employees. We could use some help. It would be great if I could find an entry-level programmer who could be productive on simple tasks right away, and was fun to be around, and wanted to learn more and grow into new roles with increasing responsibility. I would get 100s if not 1000s of resumes and inquiries. I own the company - but it is part time on nights and weekend for me. I dont have time to read all 500 resumes and pick the right ten people to interview and then do the interviews and get down to one person. Then I have to hire and train the person. Yes - I can decide to let them go and hire someone else and start it all over again. I just dont have time to evaluate, hire, train, manage, let go and re-hire enough people so I get that right employee. Here is a mostly real example. One of my current employees mentions a friend they know during one of our touch base phone calls: I know this young person. They have a job that under-uses their skills - but they are very good at it. They know a bit of coding - not an expert. But they are a hard worker, have a great personality, ready to learn, and willing to work on some of our less exciting tasks to get started. We could start them a few hours per week and see how it goes. They can keep their other job during the startup period and we can re-evaluate things after a few months. If it does not work out - there will be no hard feelings. This solves all of my problems and all I had to do is listen to a person I know and trust on a phone call. I can hire this person - they already have a built in mentor and I might get an awesome employee and it will be fun to watch them develop and grow. But expectations are low and I wont feel bad if it does not work out. Larger companies have internship programs and other soft ways for a company and potential employee to get to know one another. But internship programs take staff time and need to be organized and managed - but they do allow a relationship to build in a low-expectations way. Keep learning (I am sure I already mentioned that). If you have a current job, keep at it and do it well. The same habits that make you a good employee in a non-technical job help you in a technical job. For entry level jobs - people connections are more useful that giant sites with thousands of resumes. During the pandemic making new friends is much more difficult. But get social one way or another - find your local Python User Group or Django Girls or perhaps your town has a group for IT employees that meet from time to time. Figure out if they have monthly Zoom meetings - go hang out in the back and listen and learn. Figure out the kinds of jobs in the community - figure something out about the skills needed for those jobs and who works for what organization - you might be surprised that there are small local businesses that do technical work. I often tell students that if they are in the right place their career will walk right up to them and find them. Volunteer - there are often small non-profit organizations that need some technical help on their web site or to handle some data that they need to process. This is where a breadth of skills comes in very handy - these organizations use crufty technology solutions - not like the perfect self-contained little programming assignments we give you in a programming class. The real world is messy. You get paid when you can handle uncertainty and messy complex stuff. If you look at the work they need done and think I will just wait until a perfect little job comes along that only needs the one skill I already have - you will likely wait a long time. Also, look for a job at a company that you like and get a non-technical job. Perhaps there is a small technical company and they need someone in shipping or in their call center. Take that job - and do it well - at that job you will meet people and learn how the company works and what the company needs. Perhaps even take another class if the company uses some weird technology that you never were trained to use. If you are in the door, you are half-way to a technical job. Summary Keep learning, make friends, volunteer, find social events with technology folks. In my 40-year career - I have *never* been in a job interview with a complete stranger. My first technical job came through a fellow student in a Calculus course who said, I work as a student consultant for people trying to use computers -we need a few more people - are you interested?. It was part time and $4 per hour. But for me it was where it all started was an offhand comment from Kirk M. in a Calculus class. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. | Never stop learning. A very common way to get a programming job is to evolve your current job so that you are doing some programming. The more topics you learn the more confident you will become with the topics you already know. If you have skills, tasks will find their way to you. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2021/05/16/how-can-i-get-my-first-programming-job/ | 0.309601 |
How Did Detroit Lions Conduct Rookie Minicamp Without a Quarterback? | Dan Campbell explains why the decision was made not to have a traditional quarterback at rookie minicamp for the Detroit Lions. When the official roster of the participants at this weekend's rookie minicamp was released by the Detroit Lions, one position that was absent became quite noticeable. Lions head coach Dan Campbell, addressing the media ahead of Sunday's final minicamp session, explained the reasoning and how drills were conducted, with coaches stepping up when called upon. "We like the three quarterbacks we have on our roster right now," Campbell said. "We feel like we're in a good spot there. We would have had to sign a tryout player at quarterback. There's nothing wrong with that to get through a practice." We would rather use one of those spots and let's bring in a tight end, let's bring in a defensive back. Let's get eyes on somebody we think can make this roster. And so, we've got some coaches on this staff that actually can throw a little bit. So, we've used their arms somewhat. I would say this -- there's been a lot of ice, a lot of icing after practice, been a lot of heat pre- practice. We're getting it done, and they look pretty good." Mark Brunell is the quarterbacks coach, but assistant coach Tanner Engstrand has been "steering the ship," according to Campbell. "Tanner (Engstrand), one of our assistant coaches, has actually been really the one kind of steering the ship a little bit. He's done a good job calling plays in the huddle with them and then throwing routes on air. So, it's been really good." Pros and Cons of Trading OL Tyrell Crosby 5 Keys to Success for Jared Goff in 2021 Lions' Biggest 'Roster Hole' Left to Fill List of Lions' Rookie Minicamp Participants Released | The Detroit Lions did not have a traditional quarterback at their rookie minicamp. Head coach Dan Campbell said the team would rather use a tight end or a defensive back. | pegasus | 1 | https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/who-was-the-quarterback-at-detroit-lions-minicamp | 0.21176 |
How Did Detroit Lions Conduct Rookie Minicamp Without a Quarterback? | Dan Campbell explains why the decision was made not to have a traditional quarterback at rookie minicamp for the Detroit Lions. When the official roster of the participants at this weekend's rookie minicamp was released by the Detroit Lions, one position that was absent became quite noticeable. Lions head coach Dan Campbell, addressing the media ahead of Sunday's final minicamp session, explained the reasoning and how drills were conducted, with coaches stepping up when called upon. "We like the three quarterbacks we have on our roster right now," Campbell said. "We feel like we're in a good spot there. We would have had to sign a tryout player at quarterback. There's nothing wrong with that to get through a practice." We would rather use one of those spots and let's bring in a tight end, let's bring in a defensive back. Let's get eyes on somebody we think can make this roster. And so, we've got some coaches on this staff that actually can throw a little bit. So, we've used their arms somewhat. I would say this -- there's been a lot of ice, a lot of icing after practice, been a lot of heat pre- practice. We're getting it done, and they look pretty good." Mark Brunell is the quarterbacks coach, but assistant coach Tanner Engstrand has been "steering the ship," according to Campbell. "Tanner (Engstrand), one of our assistant coaches, has actually been really the one kind of steering the ship a little bit. He's done a good job calling plays in the huddle with them and then throwing routes on air. So, it's been really good." Pros and Cons of Trading OL Tyrell Crosby 5 Keys to Success for Jared Goff in 2021 Lions' Biggest 'Roster Hole' Left to Fill List of Lions' Rookie Minicamp Participants Released | The Detroit Lions did not have a traditional quarterback at rookie minicamp. Head coach Dan Campbell says the team would have had to sign a tryout player. Assistant coach Tanner Engstrand has been "steering the ship," according to Campbell. "We've used their arms somewhat," Campbell says of the quarterbacks. | bart | 2 | https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/who-was-the-quarterback-at-detroit-lions-minicamp | 0.498999 |
Is an AT&T-Discovery media marriage in the works? | Dallas-based AT&T Inc. is in talks to combine its media business with Discovery Inc. in a deal that would create a new entertainment giant, according to people with knowledge of the matter, a surprising move for a company that spent $85 billion to acquire Time Warners assets less than three years ago. A deal could be announced as soon as this week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The idea is to combine Discoverys reality-TV empire with AT&Ts vast media holdings, building a business that would be a formidable competitor to Netflix Inc. and Walt Disney Co. Any deal would mark a major shift in AT&Ts strategy after years of work to assemble telecommunications and media assets under one roof. AT&T gained some of the biggest brands in entertainment through its acquisition of Time Warner Inc., which was completed in 2018. Through its WarnerMedia unit, AT&T owns CNN, HBO, Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT and the Warner Bros. studio. Discovery, backed by cable mogul John Malone, controls networks including HGTV, Food Network, TLC and Animal Planet. It also is involved in a joint venture with Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, whove formed the Magnolia Network. Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav has helped Discovery bulk up through acquisitions, including a purchase of HGTV owner Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. that closed in 2018. Discoverys class A shares have risen more than 18% this year, valuing the company at almost $24 billion. AT&T has gained 12%, giving it a market capitalization of $230 billion in New York. The companies are still negotiating the structure of a transaction, and details could change, the people said. Representatives for AT&T and Discovery declined to comment. Selling Assets AT&T CEO John Stankey has been cleaning house at the sprawling telecom titan, cutting staff and selling underperforming assets. The company has been funneling money into rolling out its 5G wireless network, which requires billions of dollars of investment, as well as expanding its fiber-optic footprint. The company has been boosting movie and television production to attract subscribers to its HBO Max streaming service. It also needs cash to pay down debt. Any move involving AT&Ts content assets would come just months after it reached a deal to spin off its DirecTV operations in a pact with buyout firm TPG. AT&T agreed in December to sell its anime video unit Crunchyroll to a unit of Sony Corp. for $1.2 billion. The company has also parted with its Puerto Rico phone operations, a stake in Hulu, a central European media group and almost all its offices at New Yorks Hudson Yards. Ed Hammond, Bloomberg | AT&T in talks to combine its media business with Discovery Inc. Deal could be announced as soon as this week, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Discovery controls networks including HGTV, Food Network, TLC and Animal Planet. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2021/05/16/is-an-att-discovery-media-marriage-in-the-works/ | 0.197857 |
Is an AT&T-Discovery media marriage in the works? | Dallas-based AT&T Inc. is in talks to combine its media business with Discovery Inc. in a deal that would create a new entertainment giant, according to people with knowledge of the matter, a surprising move for a company that spent $85 billion to acquire Time Warners assets less than three years ago. A deal could be announced as soon as this week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The idea is to combine Discoverys reality-TV empire with AT&Ts vast media holdings, building a business that would be a formidable competitor to Netflix Inc. and Walt Disney Co. Any deal would mark a major shift in AT&Ts strategy after years of work to assemble telecommunications and media assets under one roof. AT&T gained some of the biggest brands in entertainment through its acquisition of Time Warner Inc., which was completed in 2018. Through its WarnerMedia unit, AT&T owns CNN, HBO, Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT and the Warner Bros. studio. Discovery, backed by cable mogul John Malone, controls networks including HGTV, Food Network, TLC and Animal Planet. It also is involved in a joint venture with Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, whove formed the Magnolia Network. Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav has helped Discovery bulk up through acquisitions, including a purchase of HGTV owner Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. that closed in 2018. Discoverys class A shares have risen more than 18% this year, valuing the company at almost $24 billion. AT&T has gained 12%, giving it a market capitalization of $230 billion in New York. The companies are still negotiating the structure of a transaction, and details could change, the people said. Representatives for AT&T and Discovery declined to comment. Selling Assets AT&T CEO John Stankey has been cleaning house at the sprawling telecom titan, cutting staff and selling underperforming assets. The company has been funneling money into rolling out its 5G wireless network, which requires billions of dollars of investment, as well as expanding its fiber-optic footprint. The company has been boosting movie and television production to attract subscribers to its HBO Max streaming service. It also needs cash to pay down debt. Any move involving AT&Ts content assets would come just months after it reached a deal to spin off its DirecTV operations in a pact with buyout firm TPG. AT&T agreed in December to sell its anime video unit Crunchyroll to a unit of Sony Corp. for $1.2 billion. The company has also parted with its Puerto Rico phone operations, a stake in Hulu, a central European media group and almost all its offices at New Yorks Hudson Yards. Ed Hammond, Bloomberg | AT&T in talks to combine its media business with Discovery Inc. Deal could be announced as soon as this week, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Discovery controls networks such as HGTV, Food Network, TLC and Animal Planet, and Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2021/05/16/is-an-att-discovery-media-marriage-in-the-works/ | 0.211622 |
How Does Evan Mobley's Strengths and Weakness's Compare To Other NBA Prospects? | With the NBA draft still months away, offseason draft analysis and projections are in full-swing. CBS Sports college basketball reporter Kyle Boone recently dropped a report, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the top 14 NBA draft prospects. Here is his analysis of USC's Evan Mobley, a uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan Strengths Uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan Fluid athlete who can drop his hips and defend multiple positions from post to perimeter Elite defensive weapon who can block shots and anchor a defense Talented scorer who can score in variety of ways Weaknesses Developing shooter: made 30% of 3-pointers at USC and was 69.4% free-throw shooter Skinny, high center of gravity and still needs to add muscle to huge frame Pro Comparison Chris Bosh Boone is spot on when evaluating Mobleys strengths. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to be a mobile, rangy defender that can cover a lot of ground. But one strength Boone forgot to mention is Mobleys natural passing ability, and potential to be an initiator at the next level. The idea of Mobley turning into a Nikola Jokic level passer is highly unlikely, but that doesnt mean he cant be a Marc Gasol distributor. Gasol is one of the best at setting his teammates up for easy buckets from the high-post or the perimeter, and Mobley could do the same. When looking at his weaknesses, his developing shooter label can actually be considered a strength. It's not easy to to find seven-footers that are knockdown shooters from deep and not liabilities from free throw line. Mobley showed more than enough flashes of his shooting ability to give any team confidence, and it will continue to improve. Plus, his perceived poor free throw percentage is a little overblown because he made the second most free throws among all Pac-12 players. Not many bigs that can say that. His pro comparison of Chris Bosh is definitely warranted when comparing the skillset of the two players. If you told a team before they draft Mobley that he will be the next Chris Bosh, they will sign up for that scenario every time. Bosh was the third best player on a team that won two titles. Pair Mobley up with the next Lebron James, and he will certainly bring rings to the city that drafted him. ---- [Mock Draft Shows NBA Team Adding Evan Mobley To Young Core] [Evan Mobley Wins Best Defensive Player Award, USC Announces] ---- Be sure to stay locked into AllTrojans all the time! Follow AllTrojans on Twitter: @SI_AllTrojans Follow Millard Thomas on Twitter: @creatorthomas24 Like and follow AllTrojans on Facebook For more USC news visit www.alltrojans.com | Evan Mobley is a uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan. | bart | 0 | https://www.si.com/college/usc/basketball/how-does-evan-mobleys-strengths-and-weaknesss-compare-to-other-prospects | 0.106044 |
How Does Evan Mobley's Strengths and Weakness's Compare To Other NBA Prospects? | With the NBA draft still months away, offseason draft analysis and projections are in full-swing. CBS Sports college basketball reporter Kyle Boone recently dropped a report, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the top 14 NBA draft prospects. Here is his analysis of USC's Evan Mobley, a uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan Strengths Uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan Fluid athlete who can drop his hips and defend multiple positions from post to perimeter Elite defensive weapon who can block shots and anchor a defense Talented scorer who can score in variety of ways Weaknesses Developing shooter: made 30% of 3-pointers at USC and was 69.4% free-throw shooter Skinny, high center of gravity and still needs to add muscle to huge frame Pro Comparison Chris Bosh Boone is spot on when evaluating Mobleys strengths. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to be a mobile, rangy defender that can cover a lot of ground. But one strength Boone forgot to mention is Mobleys natural passing ability, and potential to be an initiator at the next level. The idea of Mobley turning into a Nikola Jokic level passer is highly unlikely, but that doesnt mean he cant be a Marc Gasol distributor. Gasol is one of the best at setting his teammates up for easy buckets from the high-post or the perimeter, and Mobley could do the same. When looking at his weaknesses, his developing shooter label can actually be considered a strength. It's not easy to to find seven-footers that are knockdown shooters from deep and not liabilities from free throw line. Mobley showed more than enough flashes of his shooting ability to give any team confidence, and it will continue to improve. Plus, his perceived poor free throw percentage is a little overblown because he made the second most free throws among all Pac-12 players. Not many bigs that can say that. His pro comparison of Chris Bosh is definitely warranted when comparing the skillset of the two players. If you told a team before they draft Mobley that he will be the next Chris Bosh, they will sign up for that scenario every time. Bosh was the third best player on a team that won two titles. Pair Mobley up with the next Lebron James, and he will certainly bring rings to the city that drafted him. ---- [Mock Draft Shows NBA Team Adding Evan Mobley To Young Core] [Evan Mobley Wins Best Defensive Player Award, USC Announces] ---- Be sure to stay locked into AllTrojans all the time! Follow AllTrojans on Twitter: @SI_AllTrojans Follow Millard Thomas on Twitter: @creatorthomas24 Like and follow AllTrojans on Facebook For more USC news visit www.alltrojans.com | Evan Mobley is a uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to be a mobile, rangy defender that can cover a lot of ground. | bart | 1 | https://www.si.com/college/usc/basketball/how-does-evan-mobleys-strengths-and-weaknesss-compare-to-other-prospects | 0.302414 |
How Does Evan Mobley's Strengths and Weakness's Compare To Other NBA Prospects? | With the NBA draft still months away, offseason draft analysis and projections are in full-swing. CBS Sports college basketball reporter Kyle Boone recently dropped a report, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the top 14 NBA draft prospects. Here is his analysis of USC's Evan Mobley, a uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan Strengths Uniquely talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan Fluid athlete who can drop his hips and defend multiple positions from post to perimeter Elite defensive weapon who can block shots and anchor a defense Talented scorer who can score in variety of ways Weaknesses Developing shooter: made 30% of 3-pointers at USC and was 69.4% free-throw shooter Skinny, high center of gravity and still needs to add muscle to huge frame Pro Comparison Chris Bosh Boone is spot on when evaluating Mobleys strengths. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to be a mobile, rangy defender that can cover a lot of ground. But one strength Boone forgot to mention is Mobleys natural passing ability, and potential to be an initiator at the next level. The idea of Mobley turning into a Nikola Jokic level passer is highly unlikely, but that doesnt mean he cant be a Marc Gasol distributor. Gasol is one of the best at setting his teammates up for easy buckets from the high-post or the perimeter, and Mobley could do the same. When looking at his weaknesses, his developing shooter label can actually be considered a strength. It's not easy to to find seven-footers that are knockdown shooters from deep and not liabilities from free throw line. Mobley showed more than enough flashes of his shooting ability to give any team confidence, and it will continue to improve. Plus, his perceived poor free throw percentage is a little overblown because he made the second most free throws among all Pac-12 players. Not many bigs that can say that. His pro comparison of Chris Bosh is definitely warranted when comparing the skillset of the two players. If you told a team before they draft Mobley that he will be the next Chris Bosh, they will sign up for that scenario every time. Bosh was the third best player on a team that won two titles. Pair Mobley up with the next Lebron James, and he will certainly bring rings to the city that drafted him. ---- [Mock Draft Shows NBA Team Adding Evan Mobley To Young Core] [Evan Mobley Wins Best Defensive Player Award, USC Announces] ---- Be sure to stay locked into AllTrojans all the time! Follow AllTrojans on Twitter: @SI_AllTrojans Follow Millard Thomas on Twitter: @creatorthomas24 Like and follow AllTrojans on Facebook For more USC news visit www.alltrojans.com | Evan Mobley is a talented big man with 7-foot frame and 7-4 wingspan. Mobley has the potential to be a Marc Gasol-type distributor at the next level. He is a good shooter, but needs to add muscle to his frame. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.si.com/college/usc/basketball/how-does-evan-mobleys-strengths-and-weaknesss-compare-to-other-prospects | 0.453795 |
Is Alastair Clarkson still the right fit for Hawthorn? | Every coach in the land knows professional football is a results business, but nobody knows it better than Alastair Clarkson. The Hawthorn mentor was the mastermind behind one of the greatest teams in living memory, dragging the Hawks from the doldrums of mediocrity and transforming them into winners. Those times have past. Clarkson might be the finest, most erudite coach in the game, but whether he is still the right man for Hawthorn is another thing. Clarkson assumed the reins in 2005, improving the Hawks from 14th position to premiers inside four seasons. It set both club and coach on their way and moulded a devotion to triumph that exists to this very day. When I first arrived at Hawthorn, I thought that for teams to rebuild its going to take seven or eight years and that was the forecast I gave to the players in the club and everyone, and we were all invested in that, Clarkson told Fox Footy last month. But we turned it around in four years, wed won silverware within four years. Thats the theatre of the game. Those Hawks would go on to win three more flags, claiming three on the spin from 2013 to 2015 in a golden era of near invincibility. Like the last reveller at the party Hawthorn have tried to keep the good times going; they have gone about their work in the ensuing years with the hope, expectation even, that another premiership is just around the corner. It is not. The music has stopped and the silence is deafening for a club that has refused to rebuild but now has no option. On Saturday, the Hawks plumbed new depths when they coughed up a 32-point lead against North Melbourne to go down by seven points. It was the Kangaroos first win of the season and their first since they beat Adelaide in round nine last year. Hawthorn are now 2-7, their worst start to a season under Clarkson, and will finish nearer last than first. The spiral downwards is unmistakable: after finishing fourth in 2018, placings of 9th and 15th will likely be joined by a resting place even lower in 2021. The Hawks are now reaping what they have sown The time has come, however, for Hawthorn to no longer judge themselves on their win-loss ratio, but on how they are positioned for the future. Right now, the Hawks look further away from a premiership than any club in the AFL. Clarkson, though, is still plotting a course for that next victory. Theres only one way, and thats to go back, work hard on the training track and try to do it for a little bit longer next week against Carlton, he said after the loss to North Melbourne. Hopefully its a lot longer and we can secure ourselves a win. Hawthorn players leave the ground after their shock defeat to North Melbourne. Photograph: Steve Bell/Getty Images The Hawks are now reaping what they have sown. To keep the party going, Hawthorns modus operandi has been to trade away draft strength in exchange for experienced bodies from rival clubs. In recent years the likes of Brian Lake, James Frawley, Josh Gibson, Jaeger OMeara, Tom Mitchell and Chad Wingard all top-end talent have walked through the doors but at the cost of youthful players required to take the club to the next phase. Were trying to defy what the competition is, Clarkson has said of Hawthorns equalisation-opposing stratagem. Though injuries are playing their part including to Will Day and Denver Grainger-Barras, Hawthorns only high draftees of recent times the mix is not working. There was nothing pedestrian about their midfield in Launceston, on paper at least, but not for the first time this year they went missing as the opposition strung together unanswered goal after unanswered goal. It is time for Hawthorn to look hard into the mirror and commit themselves to a full-blown rebuild. His current deal is up at the end of next season. Last year, club president Jeff Kennett raised many an eyebrow when saying, We wont be sacking Clarko, Clarko wont be sacking us, when the time comes we will come to an agreed position and I suspect it will be at the end of this contract. They were words that put the rest of the AFL on notice and Clarkson would be coveted by any club keeping a cursory eye on the market. Collingwood would be obvious contenders for Clarksons signature; even Greater Western Sydney would be in the picture despite Leon Cameron last year extending his current deal to the end of 2023. A fresh challenge would be of obvious appeal but for his part, Clarkson is all-in at Hawthorn. Im excited for it and Ill do it for as long as the club and I see fit that were making progress, he said. Clarkson, however, is a man wired for success. The Hawks have a way to go backwards before they will again go forward, with or without him. | Alastair Clarkson was the mastermind behind one of the greatest teams in living memory. Hawthorn are now 2-7, their worst start to a season under Clarkson. The Hawks are now reaping what they have sown, but Clarkson is still plotting a course for that next victory. | ctrlsum | 2 | https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/17/is-alastair-clarkson-still-the-right-fit-for-hawthorn-afl-north-melbourne-hawks | 0.135667 |
What Christos Stylianides Should Know As He Takes The Post Of The Special Envoy On Religion Or Belief Outside European Union? | On May 5, 2021, the European Commission appointed Christos Stylianides as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside European Union (EU Special Envoy on FoRB). Christos Stylianides has significant crisis management background, having served as the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management between 2014 and 2019 and as the European Unions Ebola Coordinator. As we have seen over the years, in many cases, dealing with violations on grounds of religion or belief outside European Union will mean dealing with crisis scenarios. European flags wave in front of the Berlaymont building - European Commission (EC) headquarter - in ... [+] Brussels, Belgium, on January 14, 2019. (Photo credit: Michele Spatari/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images According to the online announcement, [EU Special Envoy on FoRB] The Special Envoy will establish a dialogue with national authorities and other stakeholders in countries suffering from discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. He will support for intercultural and interreligious dialogue processes, including encouraging dialogue between representatives of different faiths and the setting up of joint initiatives. He will put in place measures to target de-radicalisation and prevention of extremism on grounds of religion or belief in third countries. In cooperation with authorities from third countries, he will promote religious diversity and tolerance within educational programs and curricula. The mandate of the EU Special Envoy on FoRB is relatively new. It was established in a February 2016 resolution on Daesh atrocities with the first appointment made in May 2016. At that stage the mandate was for a year, with the possibility that it would be renewed. This was the first mandate of its kind. However, in recent years, it has become very clear that the mandate needs to be strengthened to maximize the impact of the office. Among others, the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance, in its 2017 report, called for refining the mandate. The report identified that, as it stood, the formal position of the Special Envoy is weak. It is not a full-time activity and with limited resources. Similar recommendations on strengthening the mandate were subsequently made by Mr Andrzej Grzyb, the Rapporteur for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who in his report on the EU Guidelines and the mandate of the EU Special Envoy on the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU recommended for the mandate to be extended to periods of a few years rather than for one year and renewed on a yearly basis. These recommendations have not been adopted yet. The post of the EU Special Envoy on FoRB has remained empty for almost two years. The appointment of Christos Stylianides is a welcome sign that the European Commission continues to recognize the importance of engaging on the topic of freedom of religion or belief internationally. Not boredom, thats for sure. A brief glance at the most egregious atrocities, many of which meet the legal definitions of genocide or crimes against humanity, confirms that there are several situations requiring urgent attention. While we may not hear much about Daesh at the moment, there are still over 10,000 active members in Syria and Iraq. Daesh fighters have been using the pandemic to consolidate and so pose a renewed threat to religious communities, such as Yazidis and Christians. Furthermore, the communities once targeted for annihilation by Daesh continue to be in urgent need of assistance, let alone of psychological support. Those communities remain without justice. In Myanmar, while international focus is on the coup, Rohingya Muslims, once targeted by the Burmese military, face renewed threat - their perpetrator now rules the country. Despite consideration by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, the atrocities against the Rohingyas are far from resolved. Similarly, other religious minorities in Myanmar face dire situations that continue to be overshadowed by the bigger picture. In China, Uyghurs are subject to atrocities which legal experts determine meet the legal definition of genocide. Thousands of Uyghurs are detained, forcibly indoctrinated and subjected to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, rape and sexual violence, forced abortions, forced sterilizations, removal of children to another group, and much more. Beijing denies the atrocities. In Nigeria, Boko Haram and Fulani militia tore the country apart killing anyone who opposes their destructive ideology, both Christians and moderate Muslims. In North Korea, being a Christian is the equivalent of a death sentence. In Ethiopia, Orthodox Christians have been targeted with deadly attacks. Churches have been the scenes of massacres with hundreds of killed and mass-graves filled with bodies. This is without even mentioning violations of the right to freedom of religion of belief other than international crimes discussed above, whether acts of violence based on religion or belief, acts of harassment, marginalization or discrimination. While the EU Special Envoy on FoRB, Christos Stylianides, will have plenty to engage with, having Christos Stylianides with his significant experience of working on crisis management, will be an important skill that can make a difference. | The European Commission appointed Christos Stylianides as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside European Union. | bart | 0 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2021/05/16/what-christos-stylianides-should-know-as-he-takes-the-special-envoy-post-on-religion-or-belief-outside-european-union/ | 0.100815 |
What Christos Stylianides Should Know As He Takes The Post Of The Special Envoy On Religion Or Belief Outside European Union? | On May 5, 2021, the European Commission appointed Christos Stylianides as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside European Union (EU Special Envoy on FoRB). Christos Stylianides has significant crisis management background, having served as the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management between 2014 and 2019 and as the European Unions Ebola Coordinator. As we have seen over the years, in many cases, dealing with violations on grounds of religion or belief outside European Union will mean dealing with crisis scenarios. European flags wave in front of the Berlaymont building - European Commission (EC) headquarter - in ... [+] Brussels, Belgium, on January 14, 2019. (Photo credit: Michele Spatari/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images According to the online announcement, [EU Special Envoy on FoRB] The Special Envoy will establish a dialogue with national authorities and other stakeholders in countries suffering from discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. He will support for intercultural and interreligious dialogue processes, including encouraging dialogue between representatives of different faiths and the setting up of joint initiatives. He will put in place measures to target de-radicalisation and prevention of extremism on grounds of religion or belief in third countries. In cooperation with authorities from third countries, he will promote religious diversity and tolerance within educational programs and curricula. The mandate of the EU Special Envoy on FoRB is relatively new. It was established in a February 2016 resolution on Daesh atrocities with the first appointment made in May 2016. At that stage the mandate was for a year, with the possibility that it would be renewed. This was the first mandate of its kind. However, in recent years, it has become very clear that the mandate needs to be strengthened to maximize the impact of the office. Among others, the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance, in its 2017 report, called for refining the mandate. The report identified that, as it stood, the formal position of the Special Envoy is weak. It is not a full-time activity and with limited resources. Similar recommendations on strengthening the mandate were subsequently made by Mr Andrzej Grzyb, the Rapporteur for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who in his report on the EU Guidelines and the mandate of the EU Special Envoy on the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU recommended for the mandate to be extended to periods of a few years rather than for one year and renewed on a yearly basis. These recommendations have not been adopted yet. The post of the EU Special Envoy on FoRB has remained empty for almost two years. The appointment of Christos Stylianides is a welcome sign that the European Commission continues to recognize the importance of engaging on the topic of freedom of religion or belief internationally. Not boredom, thats for sure. A brief glance at the most egregious atrocities, many of which meet the legal definitions of genocide or crimes against humanity, confirms that there are several situations requiring urgent attention. While we may not hear much about Daesh at the moment, there are still over 10,000 active members in Syria and Iraq. Daesh fighters have been using the pandemic to consolidate and so pose a renewed threat to religious communities, such as Yazidis and Christians. Furthermore, the communities once targeted for annihilation by Daesh continue to be in urgent need of assistance, let alone of psychological support. Those communities remain without justice. In Myanmar, while international focus is on the coup, Rohingya Muslims, once targeted by the Burmese military, face renewed threat - their perpetrator now rules the country. Despite consideration by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, the atrocities against the Rohingyas are far from resolved. Similarly, other religious minorities in Myanmar face dire situations that continue to be overshadowed by the bigger picture. In China, Uyghurs are subject to atrocities which legal experts determine meet the legal definition of genocide. Thousands of Uyghurs are detained, forcibly indoctrinated and subjected to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, rape and sexual violence, forced abortions, forced sterilizations, removal of children to another group, and much more. Beijing denies the atrocities. In Nigeria, Boko Haram and Fulani militia tore the country apart killing anyone who opposes their destructive ideology, both Christians and moderate Muslims. In North Korea, being a Christian is the equivalent of a death sentence. In Ethiopia, Orthodox Christians have been targeted with deadly attacks. Churches have been the scenes of massacres with hundreds of killed and mass-graves filled with bodies. This is without even mentioning violations of the right to freedom of religion of belief other than international crimes discussed above, whether acts of violence based on religion or belief, acts of harassment, marginalization or discrimination. While the EU Special Envoy on FoRB, Christos Stylianides, will have plenty to engage with, having Christos Stylianides with his significant experience of working on crisis management, will be an important skill that can make a difference. | Christos Stylianides will take up the post of EU Special Envoy on Religion Or Belief Outside European Union on May 5, 2021. He is the former European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2021/05/16/what-christos-stylianides-should-know-as-he-takes-the-special-envoy-post-on-religion-or-belief-outside-european-union/ | 0.166089 |
What Christos Stylianides Should Know As He Takes The Post Of The Special Envoy On Religion Or Belief Outside European Union? | On May 5, 2021, the European Commission appointed Christos Stylianides as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside European Union (EU Special Envoy on FoRB). Christos Stylianides has significant crisis management background, having served as the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management between 2014 and 2019 and as the European Unions Ebola Coordinator. As we have seen over the years, in many cases, dealing with violations on grounds of religion or belief outside European Union will mean dealing with crisis scenarios. European flags wave in front of the Berlaymont building - European Commission (EC) headquarter - in ... [+] Brussels, Belgium, on January 14, 2019. (Photo credit: Michele Spatari/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images According to the online announcement, [EU Special Envoy on FoRB] The Special Envoy will establish a dialogue with national authorities and other stakeholders in countries suffering from discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. He will support for intercultural and interreligious dialogue processes, including encouraging dialogue between representatives of different faiths and the setting up of joint initiatives. He will put in place measures to target de-radicalisation and prevention of extremism on grounds of religion or belief in third countries. In cooperation with authorities from third countries, he will promote religious diversity and tolerance within educational programs and curricula. The mandate of the EU Special Envoy on FoRB is relatively new. It was established in a February 2016 resolution on Daesh atrocities with the first appointment made in May 2016. At that stage the mandate was for a year, with the possibility that it would be renewed. This was the first mandate of its kind. However, in recent years, it has become very clear that the mandate needs to be strengthened to maximize the impact of the office. Among others, the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance, in its 2017 report, called for refining the mandate. The report identified that, as it stood, the formal position of the Special Envoy is weak. It is not a full-time activity and with limited resources. Similar recommendations on strengthening the mandate were subsequently made by Mr Andrzej Grzyb, the Rapporteur for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who in his report on the EU Guidelines and the mandate of the EU Special Envoy on the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU recommended for the mandate to be extended to periods of a few years rather than for one year and renewed on a yearly basis. These recommendations have not been adopted yet. The post of the EU Special Envoy on FoRB has remained empty for almost two years. The appointment of Christos Stylianides is a welcome sign that the European Commission continues to recognize the importance of engaging on the topic of freedom of religion or belief internationally. Not boredom, thats for sure. A brief glance at the most egregious atrocities, many of which meet the legal definitions of genocide or crimes against humanity, confirms that there are several situations requiring urgent attention. While we may not hear much about Daesh at the moment, there are still over 10,000 active members in Syria and Iraq. Daesh fighters have been using the pandemic to consolidate and so pose a renewed threat to religious communities, such as Yazidis and Christians. Furthermore, the communities once targeted for annihilation by Daesh continue to be in urgent need of assistance, let alone of psychological support. Those communities remain without justice. In Myanmar, while international focus is on the coup, Rohingya Muslims, once targeted by the Burmese military, face renewed threat - their perpetrator now rules the country. Despite consideration by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, the atrocities against the Rohingyas are far from resolved. Similarly, other religious minorities in Myanmar face dire situations that continue to be overshadowed by the bigger picture. In China, Uyghurs are subject to atrocities which legal experts determine meet the legal definition of genocide. Thousands of Uyghurs are detained, forcibly indoctrinated and subjected to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, rape and sexual violence, forced abortions, forced sterilizations, removal of children to another group, and much more. Beijing denies the atrocities. In Nigeria, Boko Haram and Fulani militia tore the country apart killing anyone who opposes their destructive ideology, both Christians and moderate Muslims. In North Korea, being a Christian is the equivalent of a death sentence. In Ethiopia, Orthodox Christians have been targeted with deadly attacks. Churches have been the scenes of massacres with hundreds of killed and mass-graves filled with bodies. This is without even mentioning violations of the right to freedom of religion of belief other than international crimes discussed above, whether acts of violence based on religion or belief, acts of harassment, marginalization or discrimination. While the EU Special Envoy on FoRB, Christos Stylianides, will have plenty to engage with, having Christos Stylianides with his significant experience of working on crisis management, will be an important skill that can make a difference. | The European Commission appointed Christos Stylianides as Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside European Union. Christos has significant crisis management background, having served as the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management between 2014 and 2019. The mandate was established in a resolution on Daesh atrocities with the first appointment made in May 2016. | bart | 2 | https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2021/05/16/what-christos-stylianides-should-know-as-he-takes-the-special-envoy-post-on-religion-or-belief-outside-european-union/ | 0.526513 |
Did offseason changes make Raiders offense more explosive? | The Raiders made some surprising changes to the offense during the offseason. While it creates the potential for improvement, it might take time to come together. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, in Denver, CO. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto The Raiders made some surprising changes and additions to the offense during the offseason, and while it creates the potential for a more explosive and efficient unit, it might take awhile for it to come together. The luxury of time, though, is not exactly available to the Raiders. So expediting the process comes down to players making adjustments and Raiders coaches making the best of their time to work with players. Here is a position-by-position look at where the Raiders stand on offense: Quarterback Starter: Derek Carr Reserves: Marcus Mariota, Nathan Peterman Overview: Going into his fourth season under Jon Gruden, Carr last year oversaw the 10th-highest scoring offense in the NFL and threw for more than 4,000 yards for a team-record third straight season. But that doesnt mean there arent areas he needs to improve. If he again has to compensate for a porous defense, his ability to address his weaknesses could be the difference between the Raiders making the playoffs or going home early again. Specifically, a problem has been his play in the red zone, where he was 18th among his peers while completing only 53.8 percent of his passes. Carrs drop-off in the red zone reflected a team-wide problem and contributed to the 54.4 touchdown percentage in that area of the field, which ranked 23rd in the NFL. Clearly, the Raiders need to convert more red-zone visits into touchdowns, and Carr plays a big role in that. Mariota is among the best backups in the league, but Peterman has yet to distinguish himself as a viable backup. His time might be running out. Bottom line: If the Green Bay Packers make Aaron Rodgers available, it behooves the Raiders to get involved. Short of that, though, they have a quarterback who can get them into the playoffs. Mariota provides a solid security blanket. Running back Starter: Josh Jacobs Reserves: Kenyan Drake, Alec Ingold (FB) Jalen Richard, Theo Riddick, Garrett Groshek, Trey Ragas Overview: Jacobs became the first Raiders running back since Marcus Allen to rush for more than 1,000 yards in successive seasons last year. However, partially the result of flux along the offensive line and another late-season bout with injuries, his per-yard average plunged from 4.8 yards in 2019 to 3.9 in 2020 and his per-game rush total was down from 88.5 yards to 71. Getting that squared away was a huge point of emphasis for the Raiders, and it included getting younger and more physical on the offensive line and investing in a quality backup running back. While the investment in Drake raised eyebrows, it not only made perfect sense but also was a shrewd move on multiple levels. Drake will be RB 1B to Jacobs RB 1A, playing in conjunction with him at times and in lieu of him at others. The objective is to get both players to the end of games and the final stretch of the season healthy. Drake also will come in handy in the red zone, where his ability to line up at wide receiver will add a new flavor to Grudens playbook. Bottom line: Between the potential of the Jacobs-Drake tandem and a return to health of valuable fullback Alec Ingold, dont be surprised by a big surge from this group. Wide receivers Starters: Henry Ruggs, John Brown, Hunter Renfrow Reserves: Bryan Edwards, Willie Snead, Zay Jones, Marcell Ateman, Trey Quinn, Keelan Doss, Dillon Stoner, Caleb Scott, D.J. Turner Overview: The next step in the process for Ruggs is becoming more of a weapon with the ball in his hands rather than just as a decoy. For that to happen, he needs to improve physically and as it relates to the finer points of playing wide receiver. But Gruden also has to figure out more ways to get him the ball. Edwards has a chance to develop into the big, dependable wide receiver the Raiders have been lacking, but he needs to stay healthy. Renfrow continues to be a trusted ally of Carr. In Brown and Snead, the Raiders added veterans who bring starting quality resumes and can provide much-needed depth and versatility. Bottom line: Renfrows 56 catches were the most among Raiders wide receivers last season. Nelson Agholor was second with 48. But those numbers ranked 57th and 82nd in the NFL. Its an absolute must the Raiders get more production from their wide receivers to help offset the dominance of tight end Darren Waller. Ruggs and Edwards have the potential to be those players, but it has to happen soon. Tight ends Starter: Darren Waller Reserves: Derek Carrier, Foster Moreau , Matt Bushman, Nick Bowers, Carson Williams Overview: Waller is among the best at his position in the NFL. Moreau is healthy after suffering a devastating late-season knee injury in 2019. His ability to find the goal line could change some of the red zone dynamics. Carrier is a valuable blocker and special teams player, but Bushman, an undrafted free agent from Brigham Young, has long-range potential and could win a roster spot. Bottom line: The Raiders have a nice blend at tight end, especially if Moreau can re-emerge. Offensive line Starters: LT Kolton Miller, LG Richie Incognito, C Andre James, RG Denzelle Good, RT Alex Leatherwood Reserves: T Brandon Parker, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, T Devery Hamilton, T Kamaal Seymour, T Marquel Harrell, G John Simpson, G Lester Cotton, C Nick Martin, C Erik Magnuson, C Jimmy Morrissey Overview: The Raiders took a calculated risk by making major moves along the offensive line. In their quest to get younger, more physical and less expensive, they traded veterans Trent Brown, Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson. Brown was mostly AWOL since the final month of the 2019 season, so his loss isnt significant. Jackson and Hudson, though, leave big shoes to fill. The Raiders are putting a lot of faith in offensive line coach Tom Cable to make it work, beginning with his faith in James, who is on target to replace Hudson, and extending to the support he showed during the draft for Leatherwood, who is expected to be the starter at right tackle. That leaves the two guard positions to be settled, with Incognito and Good the odds-on favorites to claim them. But Simpson isnt about to concede anything, and Martin might be too good not to get in the lineup even if he gets beat out by James. Miller has developed into one of the NFLs better pass-blocking left tackles. Bottom line: The Raiders are hoping they can get a full season from their projected starting offensive line after last years group gave them just five snaps together. They also hope to create depth with Simpson and Martin and by bringing along two of the young tackles. Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore onTwitter. | The Raiders made some surprising changes to the offense during the offseason. While it creates the potential for improvement, it might take time to come together. If the Green Bay Packers make Aaron Rodgers available, it behooves the Raiders to get involved. Short of that, though, they have a quarterback who can get them into the playoffs. | bart | 2 | https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders/did-offseason-changes-make-raiders-offense-more-explosive-2355578/ | 0.122354 |
Where does average age of Bengals roster rank in NFL? | The Cincinnati Bengals no longer have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. As the team heads into year three of the Zac Taylor era, the roster reset has continually added more and more veterans, bumping the average age. According to post-draft metrics from Andrew Walker of the Colts official website, the Bengals rank 12th in terms of average age at 25.04 years of age. Thats still not terribly far off the No. 1 spot (Rams, 24.62), but its a pretty good sign the Bengals are exiting the rebuild phase and the excuses that come along with doing things such as struggling in one-score games or on prime time. Heres a look at the full list of roster ages in the NFL currently: According to rosters on all 32 team websites, the #Colts currently are tied for the eighth-youngest roster in the NFL, with an average age of 24.98. Here's the rest of the list, @JimIrsay. pic.twitter.com/5lN1Ga4qkS Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) May 15, 2021 List | The Cincinnati Bengals have the 12th-youngest roster in the NFL. | ctrlsum | 0 | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-does-average-age-bengals-205049590.html?src=rss | 0.331101 |
Where does average age of Bengals roster rank in NFL? | The Cincinnati Bengals no longer have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. As the team heads into year three of the Zac Taylor era, the roster reset has continually added more and more veterans, bumping the average age. According to post-draft metrics from Andrew Walker of the Colts official website, the Bengals rank 12th in terms of average age at 25.04 years of age. Thats still not terribly far off the No. 1 spot (Rams, 24.62), but its a pretty good sign the Bengals are exiting the rebuild phase and the excuses that come along with doing things such as struggling in one-score games or on prime time. Heres a look at the full list of roster ages in the NFL currently: According to rosters on all 32 team websites, the #Colts currently are tied for the eighth-youngest roster in the NFL, with an average age of 24.98. Here's the rest of the list, @JimIrsay. pic.twitter.com/5lN1Ga4qkS Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) May 15, 2021 List | The Cincinnati Bengals have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. The Bengals rank 12th in terms of average age at 25.04 years of age, according to post-draft metrics from Andrew Walker of the Colts official website. | ctrlsum | 1 | https://sports.yahoo.com/where-does-average-age-bengals-205049590.html?src=rss | 0.695033 |
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