Could This Be The ESA's Missing Comet Lander?
After months of searching, the European Space Agency says it may have finally caught a glimpse of the missing Philae Lander on the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
During its historic descent back in November 2014, the lander’s harpoons failed to properly deploy and its ice screws were not enough to secure it at its intended landing site, an area known as Agilkia. After a tremendous bounce that resulted in an additional two-hour flight, the lander finally came to rest in an area called Abydos. The probe managed to snap its now iconic final image, but soon expired due to its inability to draw any energy from the sun.
In the weeks and months following, the ESA’s OSIRIS team been tirelessly searching for the lander by analyzing images and performing simulations to determine where it might be. After ruling out four out of five possible landing sites, the ESA now says it may have finally located the missing lander, though it cannot be confirmed.
A key component to the possible discovery was in narrowing down the lander’s final location. The ESA scientists did this as part of the CONSERT experiment soon after touchdown. By analyzing radio signals sent between the lander and Rosetta (its mother spacecraft) they were able to establish the landing site to within an ellipse roughly 52 x 525 feet (16 x 160 meters) in size, just outside the rim of the Hatmehit depression.
“We have identified several possible lander candidates in OSIRIS images, both inside the CONSERT region of interest and nearby,” noted Holger Sierks, OSIRIS principal investigator at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany, in a statement.
Four of the five spots are well away from the ellipse, but two images in particular grabbed the attention of the OSIRIS team. Photos captured on December 12 and 13 from a distance of 12.4 miles (20 km) appears to show something just a few meters outside the CONSERT ellipse.
Importantly, the objects were not seen in images taken two months prior. The ESA says that most of the spots are likely surface features of the comet, but one of them could very well be the lander.
On one hand, analyses carried out at the Philae Science Operations and Navigation Center (SONC) at CNES suggest that this candidate satisfies a number of constraints regarding, for example, illumination and radio visibility in this region.
On the other, the candidate is located just outside the ellipse currently identified by CONSERT, although as mentioned earlier, improved shape models and continued CONSERT data analysis may alter its position.
Also, given the relatively long seven week interval between the ‘before’ and ‘after’ images, it is possible that this object is due to a physical change at that location on the nucleus, perhaps as fresher material was newly exposed. The relative lack of significant illumination in this region at the time argues that such changes are unlikely, but they cannot be completely ruled out.
The ESA adds that the chances of finding the lander could be heightened if Philae collects enough solar energy to wake up and transmit a signal.
Image credits: ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/SSO/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA.


One of the staples of science fiction is the computer that stops serving humans and takes over, becoming more intelligent than us.
A new development in robotics could be a step in the direction of that scenario one day becoming fact.
A team of programmers at Hertfordshire University have created Nao, a robot that detects and expresses emotions and is capable of forming bonds with people.
Dr Michio Kaku is a leading physicist and futurologist.


(KPLR) – “I’m feeling really uncomfortable right now,” Eminem admitted during his half-time interview at the Michigan and Notre Dame football game.
Eminem joined ESPN’s Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit to promote his new album, “MMLP” out November 5. The interview was nothing short of interesting.
What could have been the cause for his awkwardness? Was he unprepared? Did he know what to say about football? Watch the video above to be the judge.


For more than 70 years, celebrities, world figures, residents and visitors have made it a tradition to come to The Marine Room to enjoy its spectacular seaside panorama and inspired cuisine: from fresh seafood to unique and inventive seasonal dishes. The combination has made it one of San Diego’s best restaurants and one of the region’s most iconic dining destinations.
Since its opening in 1941, The Marine Room has become famous for the pounding surf that creates dramatic displays outside the restaurant windows. And today, award-winning Executive Chef Bernard Guillas and his team of tastemakers have introduced a culinary renaissance in La Jolla, with inspired dishes like Skuna Bay Salmon, Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Angus Beef Filet Mignon and Cervena Elk Loin. The imaginative cuisine is more than matched by the up-close view of the surf. All tables, both window-side and elevated booths, offer reach-out-and-almost-touch views of the incoming water. And patrons seated window-side during an unusually high tide can savor the food as plumes of surf cascade off windows only a few inches away.
Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


A nationally-recognized arts recovery program that’s been in operation for 21 years is the latest casualty in the Vancouver Coast Health Authority’s deep cuts to mental health programs.
Among the funding cuts are treatments for mood disorders, schizophrenia, and the complete closure of the Arts Studio recovery program in 60 days. Critics are saying the cuts hurt even more due to the announcement coming days after Victoria raised salaries for senior government staff.
There are more than 600 members from teenagers to seniors that use the Arts Studio recovery program to deal with their mental health diagnoses. The program has been in operation for 21 years and has been funded by VCH for the past decade. The cost of the program, which has five full-time staff, is $357,000 a year – and after a review, the health authority says it’s too expensive to run.
It won’t be a savings if people end up in the hospital or the loss of lives, says Jessica, an Arts Studio member.
“This is the only place other than my four walls at home,” says another devastated member Lisa Chan.
The innovative rehabilitation program has produced a lot of talent with art shows and sales being well-attended by the public – and there is a long waiting list for the East Vancouver studio.
VCH insists all the members will be given help to transition into other programs but people at the meeting today say they were only given pamphlets with phone numbers for crisis lines and counselling services. They were also given a list of other art programs; which didn’t offer anything close to what they have at the Art Studio.
“It’s my life, like for someone to get up and go to work and it’s my reason for getting out of the house,” says Art Studio member Adriane.


It has been speculated for the last few years, that Tony Gonzalez, tight-end of the Kansas City Chief's, might leave the squad. Here's the latest news on his status.
Tony Gonzalez has played football with the Kansas City Chief's since 1997. He is now 36 years old, and might be leaving the Chief's. He has not been happy with their stagnation during the 2006-2008 years. He has spoke of looking elsewhere.
The chairmen, Clark Hunt (Lamar Hunt's son), hopes Gonzalez stays in the squad, and finish his career. Hunt is not interested in trading Gonzalez, yet Gonzalez has been wanting to play in a Super Bowl and the Kansas City Chief's have not made it to that point since 1967. Hunt says he has no interest in trading the pro-bowl player. An unidentified source says Gonzalez is interested, but not demanding a trade.
"If the right deal can be made, Tony very much wants the Chiefs to trade him," the person said. "Tony is not demanding a trade. Tony cherishes the time he's spent with the Chiefs and he loves the way he's always been treated by the fans there. But he knows of some other teams that would be interested in him and if the right deal can be made, he wants it to be made."
Gonzalez NFL record is one of very good stats. Several NFL records are included: ten Pro-Bowl selection;102 single season receptions;76 career touchdowns by a tight end; 916 career receptions and 10,940 reception yards by a tight end. In 1997, he was considered one of the top 15 draft picks. In 1997, the Chiefs had the 18th draft pick, and wanted Gonzalez, but were certain they'd not be able to pick him for their squad. The Chiefs traded up with the Houston Oilers to get the number 13 selection and draft Gonzalez.
Gonzalez helped the Chiefs get the best record in the AFC in 1997. In 1998 and 1999, Gonzalez continued to improve. He earned his first Pro bowl selection in 1999. His greatest season was in 2004, when he reached an NFL record (for a tight end) 102 passes for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns.
In late 2006, Gonzalez began to be close to record breaking stats. He broke wide receiver Otis Taylor's Chiefs team receiving yards and touchdowns mark, and also passed running back Priest Holmes for the team yards from scrimmage record. On October 24, 2007, Gonzalez broke Shannon Sharpe's career touchdown reception record by a tight end.
He has been credited to saving a fellow football player's life. While dining at Capone's restaurant on July 3, 2008, he noticed Ken Hunter to be choking on a piece of meat. He administered the Heimlich Maneuver, and saved Hunter's life. Also, in 2008, he campaigned with Barack Obama.
"This is the first time in my life that I've ever been political about anything," admitted Kansas City Chief tight end Tony Gonzalez, who had campaigned for Obama. "It's the first time that I said I have a voice and that I should go out and stand up for what I believe in. Seeing someone like Barack and meeting him and reading his book, I thought he was the best person to lead our country."
Gonzalez has had a very full career with Kansas City, except for one aspect. The fact that he has not been able to play in a Super Bowl. With the Chief's new coaching staff, maybe Gonzalez will decide to stay with squad. But until we see progress or change with the Chiefs, we won't be able to assess the possibility of a Super Bowl year.


Eric Garner, grand jury: How would we cover the decision not to indict a police officer if it happened in another country?
Protesters take to the streets.
The latest installment in a continuing series in which American events are described using the tropes and tone normally employed by the American media to describe events in other countries.
NEW YORK CITY, United States—The heavily armed security forces in this large and highly militarized country have long walked the streets with impunity, rarely if ever held accountable for violence committed against civilians. In recent weeks, however, several such incidents have ignited public anger and threatened to open new fault lines in a nation with a long and tragic history of sectarian violence.
In America’s largest city, the judicial branch declined to pursue charges against a security officer who was videotaped in broad daylight choking a man to death. This came less than two weeks after courts in the nation’s often overlooked central region reached a similar decision in the shooting of an unarmed teenager. Both victims were members of the country’s largest minority group, and the killings have set off nationwide protests that have often escalated into clashes between dissidents and the security forces.
While lower than that of other countries in the Western Hemisphere, America’s violent crime rate is high by the standards of developed nations, a situation experts blame on a variety of factors, including skyrocketing income inequality and easy access to firearms. In response, the country’s recent ruling regimes have broadly expanded the policing and surveillance powers of the domestic security forces and instituted draconian sentences for even minor criminal offenses. As a result of this campaign, the world’s second-largest democracy has the highest percentage of its population behind bars—a virtual prison state of 2.3 million people housed in an archipelago of often poorly maintained facilities throughout the nation.
Information provided by human rights groups shows that the state’s crackdown has disproportionately targeted members of the country’s ethnic minority groups, who have been historically marginalized and subject to severe discrimination. The election of the country’s first minority president, it was once hoped, would help bring these disparities to an end, but experts say they have persisted and in some cases even worsened.
Domestic critics also say the state has grown increasingly intolerant of dissent. Security forces have been outfitted with the latest in military hardware, often battle-tested on the fields of the country’s multiple foreign wars. The use of tear gas and rubber bullets against domestic protesters is reminiscent of the state’s tactics during protests against the system of legally enforced apartheid, which was in place in the country’s southern region until the middle of the last century.
With calls for sweeping democratic reforms mounting, the state has been slow to respond. Thus far, the ruling party has announced only limited measures, including new training programs and cameras to be worn by members of the security forces—an odd choice given that one of the killings in question was already videotaped.
The United Nations Committee Against Torture and global NGOs including Amnesty International have condemned the U.S. in recent days, though as yet there’s been little discussion of sanctions. With many of the country’s political leaders and media outlets casting aspersions on both the victims of violence and the protesters, it’s unclear if the events of the past few weeks will mark a turning point, or if this is just another periodic eruption of the country’s long-simmering internal tensions.


JAMIE CARRAGHER claims that Jose Mourinho's Manchester United move is off.
Express Sport understands Mourinho is confident he will take over from Louis van Gaal this summer after a tempestuous season.
The Dutchman had looked as though he would follow a humiliating European exit with a failure to qualify for the Champions League next season.
And United were expected to sack the 64-year-old if he missed out on a top-four Premier League finish.
However, with an FA Cup final against Crystal Palace looming and the chance to reach next year's Champions League not yet gone, Van Gaal looks as though he will still be in charge next season.
And Carragher has added his voice to those pouring cold water on Mourinho's move to United.
@ChrisMUFC08 @AndyMitten @MENnewsdesk @MENSports Thanks Chris! Change your profile picture it's not happening!!
"It's not happening!!" Carragher tweeted.
United are understood to have offered to have offered Mourinho a contract starting in 2017, when Van Gaal's deal expires, but he rejected the deal.
The Portuguese has reportedly turned down a number of jobs since he was sacked by Chelsea in December in order to wait for the United post to become available.
However, he is not willing to wait another year and is said to be keen to return to management.


I can’t believe that I’m writing these words, at last: today is the publication day for my book . As of today, it’s out in the world, available for sale at bookstores near you. It seems like so long ago that I sat on that crowded bus, on a rainy afternoon, and wondered, “What do I really want from life? Well, I want to be happy .” Then I admonished myself, “In that case, I really should start a happiness project.” And I did.
In his book Happier , Tal Ben-Shahar describes the arrival fallacy , the belief that when you arrive at a certain destination, you’ll be happy. (Other fallacies include the floating world fallacy , the belief that immediate pleasure, cut off from future purpose, can bring happiness, and the nihilism fallacy , the belief that it’s not possible to become happier.) The arrival fallacy is a fallacy because, though you may anticipate great happiness in arrival, arriving rarely makes you as happy as you anticipate.
First of all, by the time you’ve arrived at your destination, you’re expecting to reach it, so it has already been incorporated into your happiness. Also, arrival often brings more work and responsibility. Having a baby. Getting a promotion. Buying a house. You look forward to reaching these destinations, but having reached them, they bring emotions other than sheer happiness, as well. And of course, arriving at one goal usually reveals another, yet more challenging goal.
The challenge, therefore, is to take pleasure in the atmosphere of growth , in the gradual progress made toward a goal, in the present. The unpoetic name for this very powerful source of happiness is “pre-goal attainment positive affect.” One thing about working on my happiness project: it has given me a huge amount of pre-goal attainment positive affect.
Whatever happens with this book, for good or for ill, I had a vision for what I wanted to do, and I did it . I’ve loved every minute of thinking and writing about happiness, and indeed, the subject feels inexhaustible, and I’ll keep writing about happiness for the foreseeable future. I feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to spend the time the way I did, and to write the book that I got to write, and now it’s done.
And that makes me very happy.
Amazon Top 100—I hit no. 80!
* Through the wonders of the internet, I got to know Alexandra Levit, and our books are being published on the very same day!—which gives you a fellow-feeling akin to being from the same hometown. Her book, New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career , is a great resource for anyone who is thinking about making a career change—switching careers is a major undertaking in any happiness project, but an extremely important one, if needed.
* Interested in starting your own happiness project? If you’d like to take a look at my personal Resolutions Chart, for inspiration, just email me at grubin, then the “at” sign, then gretchenrubin dot com . (Sorry about writing it in that roundabout way; I’m trying to thwart spammers.) Just write “Resolutions Chart” in the subject line.


BRUCE RATNER Long Island calling.
Bruce Ratner — months after luring the New York Islanders to the Barclays Center — is set to bid on renovating and operating the team’s soon-to-be former home, the Nassau Coliseum, The Post has learned.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, in his state of the county address today, may announce a request for proposals to renovate and run the 41-year-old building, a source said.
Nassau in recent months hired Ratner to determine if the Coliseum could be profitable after the Islanders leave.
“Based on our review of the arena and the marketplace, we believe that the [Coliseum] can be a viable entertainment venue,” Ratner, chairman and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies, the majority owner of Barclays Center, told The Post.
He declined to comment on whether he’d make a bid.
As a result, the developer can eliminate some parking and carve out some 20 acres of the 63-acre plot to develop, a source said. Ratner will likely have competition.
Live Nation, AEG and others are also expected to make proposals, a source close to the situation said.
Nassau County did not return calls for comment.


WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill co-written by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer to protect religious community centers against hate crimes has been sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
The House of Representatives passed the final version of the Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act on Friday.
Kilmer, a Democrat from Gig Harbor, co-wrote the bill after a string of bomb threats was made nationwide against religious institutions, including one at the Stroum Jewish Community Center in Mercer Island last year. He co-introduced the bill with Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn.
Kilmer authored the bill with input from community members who observed that while committing an act of violence against a religious community center was classified as a hate crime, the act of calling in a threat against them was not.
“Today [Friday] Congress affirmed the right of every American to practice their faith and gather as a community without the fear of being targeted because of their beliefs,” Kilmer said in a news release Friday.
“Once the bill is signed, making threats against religious community centers will become a hate crime.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced the bill in the Senate, where it passed last week.
The Senate added language to the bill to guide prosecutors and the legal system on how to enforce it, requiring a second vote in the House.
The bill amends the Church Arson Prevention Act to ensure that anyone who threatens violence against a religious community center because of the center’s religious affiliation can be prosecuted for committing a hate crime.
It also creates a criminal penalty of a fine or a prison term of up to 5 years, or both for people found guilty of such threats.


PCMag Staff Unboxing the HTC One S for T-Mobile The HTC One S for T-Mobile is here. We unbox it.
Behold, the HTC One S for T-Mobile is in the PCMag Labs.
The first thing you see when you open the box is the phone. What you can't see is just how thin and light it is.
The phone out of the box.
Almost completely unboxed. The suspense is terrible. I hope it lasts.
There isn't much included in the One S box—just the phone, instruction manual, and charger.
Even when it isn't turned on, the HTC One S looks pretty darn sleek.
The HTC One S is powered by a 1.5-GHz, dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260A processor.
At 0.3 inches thick, the HTC One S is T-Mobile's thinnest HSPA+ smartphone.
This photo doesn't quite do it justice, but the HTC One S is super thin and lightweight.
An overlay with startup instructions appears the first time you turn on the phone.
The phone's 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display looks bright and vibrant.
The app menu looks much the same as it does on other HTC phones.
The One S is T-Mobile's first device to ship with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
The One S has an ultra-fast, 8-megapixel camera.
The One S features Beats Audio enhancements, though you don't get a pair of earbuds with the phone.
The phone's camera is framed by a sleek blue ring.
The One S turned on, back in the box. It looks just like the phone on the cover, doesn't it?


What's happening on tonight's season finale of ABC-TV's 'The Bachelor', Colton's future with Cassie, and Alabama's Hannah Brown is named next season's Bachelorette.
Thanks for tuning in tonight, everyone. What an exciting night for Cassie and Colton – and Hannah B, too! Remember, the Bachelorette premieres May 13th, mark your calendars!
Alright guys, I am out of this. I have an early-morning wake up call! Thanks for humoring me!
If they don't bring in Tua to serenade a one-on-one date slow dance, what's the point?
May 13 premiere, which is earlier than the season normally starts!
The too-early meeting the new contestants always gives me hives.


Logan surprised us earlier this year by being an uber-violent but measured character drama, a notable departure from most modern-day superhero flicks. The film paints a vivid picture of a somewhat post-apocalyptic United States where the majority of the country’s mutants have been wiped out. Helping bring this vision to life is production designer François Audouy. After a production designers’ autograph session at this year’s Comic-Con, we sat down with Audouy to see how he approached creating the world we see in Logan.


NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trustpilot, the leading global customer review platform free and open to everyone, today announced the release of its new Transparent Flagging feature. Bringing further transparency to the reviews industry, the feature provides consumers with a window into how often companies flag reviews and what happens to them once they’ve been investigated. The new feature is the first of its kind and is part of Trustpilot’s larger initiative to bring more openness and transparency to its platform and the review industry as a whole.
“We believe being open and transparent is the only way to do business. I’m thrilled to see our new feature pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to transparency in the reviews space. Opening up the flagging process adds more credibility to all Trustpilot reviews and is yet another step towards our mission to create ever-improving experiences for everyone,” said Peter Mühlmann, founder and CEO at Trustpilot.
Trustpilot’s commitment to openness also means a commitment to leading the fight against fake reviews and any attempts to misrepresent one's online reputation. While companies flag less than one percent of all reviews written on Trustpilot, the feature is also a real opportunity for businesses to show their customers they have nothing to hide.
“Providing this level of transparency helps businesses grow brand trust and where needed, incentivises good behaviour. We continue our commitment to combat any attempts to game the system and our fight for a reviews industry where businesses should not be allowed to censor what people can see and share,” said Stine Mangor Tornmark, Senior Vice President Legal & Compliance at Trustpilot.
Anyone with a buying or service experience can post a review on Trustpilot and companies cannot pre-screen or moderate what consumers actually read. Both companies and consumers can also flag a review if they think it breaches Trustpilot’s guidelines and it will then be investigated. When doing so, the company has to explain why the reported review doesn’t belong on the platform and their flagging reason will be displayed publicly on their company profile page.
and whether the flagged reviews were in breach of Trustpilot’s guidelines or not.
Consumers will also be able to see how a business is flagging reviews distributed against their star rating.
The new feature comes off the back of Trustpilot introducing public flagging reasons, enabling all users to see the reason for a review being flagged by a company, as well as the implementation of a three-tier warning system that aims to stop companies trying to misuse the flagging function.


A witness discovered the injured dog swimming across the canal after hearing gunfire, and said the shooter “was standing on the other side of the canal and indicated that he shot the dog because it allegedly bit his son,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement last month.
Soon the shooter walked off and left the scene, deputies said.
Meanwhile, the dog swam until it reached the edge of the canal, got out and limped into a forested area, deputies said.
By the time deputies arrived in Lehigh Acres on reports of gunfire, the injured dog was still hiding in the woods, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies soothed the scared dog and encouraged it to come out into the open.
Eventually they succeeded: The pit bull limped into an open area, where deputies could pick up the injured dog with a towel and carry it to a Lee County Domestic Animal Services vehicle.
Neighbors brought out the towel and a muzzle to help care for the wounded animal, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies saidthe 3-year-old female dog was shot twice and is recovering at Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue.
The dog’s name is Seven, according to rescuers.
A Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue Facebook post from earlier this month said the dog is suffering from “severe” heartworm.


Radio talk-show host and political commentator Armstrong Williams says George Zimmerman was "cowardly" in shooting Trayvon Martin and instead should have "fought him like a man."
"When I was growing up … we did not fight with guns, we used our bare fists and we fought," Williams told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV.
"Sometimes we were bloodied, but we settled our issues with fists not with guns . . . I would have fought him like a man. I wouldn't resort to a gun . . . It is cowardly to use a gun."
Zimmerman, a neighborhood-watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida, was acquitted last week of second-degree murder and manslaughter during an altercation with Martin, a 17-year-old black youth.
The defense claimed that Zimmerman was attacked by Martin and then used his gun in self-defense.
“[Zimmerman is] no different than any of these inner city black kids that use these guns . . . when someone's getting the best of them," said Williams, who hosts a daily, nationally-syndicated radio show.
He added that he owns licensed firearms himself "but if I'm in a fight I'm not going to take my gun out and take somebody's life. I'm going to stand and fight.
"If I’m going to shoot somebody, it’s going to be a flesh wound. I’m not going to shoot him where I’m going to try to kill him."
Despite what he believes was a fatal misstep by Zimmerman, still, Williams says the jury was justified in its not-guilty verdict.
"You have to prove that someone is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Because the prosecution did such an incompetent job presenting their case, George Zimmerman was able to be set free and acquitted on all charges," he said.
"Had any of us been on that jury who believed in fairness and who are not biased in our perspective of weighing the evidence, I can't see how any other verdict could have been reached."
Williams is the author of the book, "Letters to a Young Victim: Hope and Healing in America's Inner Cities."
Radio talk-show host and political commentator Armstrong Williams says George Zimmerman was cowardly in shooting Trayvon Martin and instead should have fought him like a man.


And that’s a series wrap!
Early Saturday morning, production on Scandal‘s last episode ever (airing Thursday, April 19 at 10/9c on ABC) concluded, with creator Shonda Rhimes, star Kerry Washington et al documenting the lead-up to the final scene.
The show wraps tonight, but #Scandal won’t really be over until April 19th, when the finale airs, and for one last time the cast live-tweets with our Gladiators.
And that’s a wrap on #scandal. A lot of tears. A lot of love. Forever grateful for every second.
This was the most unforgettable FRATURDAY ever!!!!!!!! #Scandal I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.
To my #Scandal cast and crew, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Scandal resumes its final season on Thursday, March 29. In the meantime, hit the comments with your reactions to the cast and crew’s final day on set.


A pint sized schoolgirl is preparing to take on the challenge to conguer Everest..at the age of 11!
Lydia Wrathall has always been fascinated by the world’s highest mountain and when she announced she would love to climb it her mum, Louise, knew she was serious.
Lydia (left) with her mum Louise and little sister Emily.
Louise said: “Lydia loves walking and at the age of three she completed the Scarlett’s Stride walk which is 12 miles long no problem at all.
“That was when her love of walking and climbing started and also her fascination with Everest.
"She knows all the facts about it and when she realised that ordinary people could climb it and not just people like Bear Grylls and Ant Middleton she wanted to do it."
Lydia and her mum can be seen on regular walks in the scenic countryside around their home in Cliviger and Lydia thinks nothing of clocking up 10 miles one go.
And the duo have started a fund raising campaign to help two charities close to their hearts and also raise awareness of their trip.
Louise is raising money for BK's Heroes and Lydia chose the charity Young Minds which her class at St John’s Primary School in Cliviger is supporting.
The charity campaigns to provide mental health services for children and young people and Lydia’s first act of generosity was to have her waist length hair cut into a bob to raise cash.
Her fantastic efforts raised £366 and she has donated her hair to the charity Wigs for Kids that provides hair replacement for children who have lost their own through chemotherapy treatment or medical conditions.
Among the other fund raising events the mum and daughter have staged are a cake sale and on Friday, April 26th they are holding a charity family quiz night at Lowerhouse Cricket Club in Burnley.
Supporting from the sidelines are Louise’s husband Chris, a chef at the Sparrow Hawk pub in Fence and their younger daughter Emily who is eight.
Louise (34) who runs her own Burnley based joinery business, is now looking into the practicalities of scaling Everest.
For anyone who would like to find out more information the mum and daughter have their own facebook page called Lou and Lydia's Journey to Everest base camp.


San Diego County citizens disgusted with massive potholes, deficient sewer and water systems, library closings, ad nauseam should scoff at politicians’ promises that things will get better. They won’t. Already-ruinous pension payments will eat up much more of future budgets — and actually, if the books were honest, those annual pension contributions would be larger still. That’s because both the County (San Diego County Employees Retirement Association) and the City (San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System) grossly overestimate their expected annual pension portfolio returns, thereby lowering governments’ annual contributions and passing the bill to future generations.
Since June 30, the County’s pension fund portfolio has plunged from $8.4 billion to below $6 billion. On February 11, San Diego County Board of Supervisors chairwoman Dianne Jacob declared in a speech that “even if the [stock] market bounces back, the required contribution by the County is expected to triple over the next five years.” And if the market doesn’t bounce back? She didn’t go into that.
During the last week of February, the city council was meeting on the topic of pension-payment obligations. Councilmember Carl DeMaio asked the City’s actuary how many bucks the City would be plunking in the pot “if the market does not suddenly recover.” Answer: the City would set its future annual payment at $100 million more than it is currently plunking in. What does $100 million mean? It’s equivalent to “shutting down every library in the city and closing 37 percent of the park and recreation programs,” says DeMaio.
The County estimates that it will make 8.25 percent per year on its pension portfolio. The City looks for 7.75 percent. Domestic and foreign stocks have been roughly cut in half since peaking in 2007. Common stocks (domestic and foreign) make up more than half of the portfolios of both the County and City. Stocks would have to go up about 20 percent a year for five years just to get back to normal rates of return, says Joe Esuchanko, consulting actuary for the City.
The County, in particular, has been gambling with employees’ retirements. Often-volatile commodities make up 4 percent of its target asset allocation. Alternative equity investments — which could include speculative things like venture capital, buyout funds, and green investments — make up 5 percent. There is actually a slightly higher weighting of international stocks (24 percent) than domestic stocks (23 percent). For a long time, the County had 20 percent of its portfolio in hedge funds but got slaughtered in two of them, and that weighting is now down to 14 percent. Early this month, the County’s chief investment officer, who had championed aggressive investments, abruptly resigned, “but I don’t think the board is looking for radical changes to the portfolio,” says chief executive Brian White. The hedge funds may stay.
The City claims it doesn’t have hedge funds in its portfolio, but it has so-called market-neutral money managers that bet that some stocks will go up and some go down, similar to the hedge-fund strategy. The market-neutral portfolios did poorly in the most recent quarter.
As of September 30, the County’s one-year record was a negative 13.8 percent. For the past three years, it has been up only 4 percent a year — a long way from the 8.25 percent bogey. The City’s pension fund has nothing to brag about: as of September 30, it was down 15.62 percent over the past year and up only 2.47 percent annually over the past three years, both a long way from the 7.75 percent annual target. Those County and City numbers would be down considerably now.
In November, actuarial consultant Esuchanko told the council that as of October 31, the City’s unfunded liability had grown to $2.8 billion and that the pension fund was only 58 percent funded. The council, with the exception of Donna Frye, paid no attention. But early this year, Mayor Jerry Sanders’s bean counters announced that the unfunded liability was $2 billion and the funded ratio 66.3 percent. The difference between 58 percent and 66.3 percent is explained by the “smoothing” process; the City evens out results by factoring in several years of market gains and losses. Today’s funded ratio might well be below Esuchanko’s 58 percent without the smoothing techniques, which, incidentally, are another manipulation by which pension funds paper over big losses. The County uses smoothing too.
William Sheffler, a boardmember of the City fund, thinks the 7.75 percent target is acceptable because about half of it represents inflationary expectations. The County’s White says the board talked about the 8.25 percent expectation in January and will revisit the topic in June.
Market pros overwhelmingly think both the City and County are overestimating future returns. “It’s painfully obvious that public and private pensions are not going to make their long-term goals,” says E. James Welsh of Carlsbad’s Welsh Money Management. “I would say 5 to 6 percent is more realistic,” but political pressure pushes the bogey higher.
Councilmember Donna Frye has a very practical reason why she believes target rates should be reduced: “If they had more reasonable expectations for returns, they would want to invest in something more stable and consistent,” she says of City fund managers.
Amen to that. Stocks have rallied recently, but few think another bull market is at hand. There is a 20 percent chance of depression and continued deflation and a strong possibility that it will be many years before stocks get back to their 2007 levels. It’s no time to roll the dice.
March 18, 2009 @ 5:55 p.m.
The County estimates that it will make 8.25 percent per year on its pension portfolio.
This^^^^ is why gov is in the mess it is in, and why citizens don't believe a word out of a politician or public union members mouth.
The fact is we will be LUCKY to get a return as high as the rate increase of GDP.
March 18, 2009 @ 8:34 p.m.
March 19, 2009 @ 1:42 a.m.
March 19, 2009 @ 10:39 a.m.
March 19, 2009 @ 11:44 a.m.
Right now, GDP is contracting at a 5 percent rate. Should be able to do better than that.
The DJIA lost over 50% of it's value in the last 18 months-I would take a negative 5% over that anyday of the week!
Do you think anyone is returning 5% currently? ( We know Brandes isn't).
March 19, 2009 @ 2:39 p.m.
March 20, 2009 @ 10:25 a.m.
Bean counters and "fiscal conservatives" have turned us into balance sheet fanatics. Tax collections are down. California is struggling. Yet many want us to shore up the balance sheet of the government pension plans. You've cited our local, San Diego Systems. They should only be helped if they have a liquidity crisis and cannot pay their current obligations. I believe we're a long ways from that situation. However, if our government employee systems continue their fast and loose investment strategies with their investments, then funding formulas need to be changed. They'll needs to be something based on long-term return on investments, not the feast and famine formulas now used.
Some believe the accounting industry in the private sector worships the earnings statement, turning the balance sheet into a useless "plug." In government, the accounting industry has become balance sheet zealots. Governments do not even need balance sheets, BUT should CERTAINLY take into account the "people's" ability to fund services they want at a reasonable cost and NOT pass those costs on to future generations!
Balance sheets are relevant if there is a chance the entity will be liquidated. Balance sheets make sense, for the non-government part of our economy, but they've been decimated by deference to the earnings statement. Most business balance sheets do not come close to presenting economic reality.
Governments, on the other hand are perpetual entities, and as we experienced with Orange County, they exist after bankruptcy too. Are balance sheets worthless?
Two things matter in government finance - liquidity (cash flow) and stewardship, the spending of tax dollars properly. It is the latter that has been the overarching problem in our culture.
In my opinion, if we manage to get our voracious spending habits under control the rest will fix itself.
March 20, 2009 @ 10:37 a.m.
March 23, 2009 @ 1 a.m.
Yes, I fear we will be faced with even less city infrastructure repairs ... It was already underfunded, the mounting number of needs will sit while $$ goes to this underfunded pension. Overstating the anticipated revenue seems to be a popular practice, just look at the state level, 6 weeks after they sign the budget they find they are another $8Billion in the hole.... they were only off by 20% !!!!
March 23, 2009 @ 2:09 a.m.
Not to spread panic, but has anyone considered the worst case scenarios?
What if stocks don't recover for more than a decade?
What if China pulls the plug on our Treasury?
What if another major war, famine, or infectious disease breaks out?
All the projections seem to be based on the last 30 years of unprecedented peace and stability...ignoring the rest of human history.
Consider what happened to the Dutch empire after the tulip craze...did they EVER recover?
If the assumptions of our leaders are examined, I think we'll find that we've been kidding ourselves, and that the promises made to pensioners will turn out to be no more real than fairy-dust.
March 23, 2009 @ 6:56 a.m.
March 23, 2009 @ 7:02 a.m.
March 23, 2009 @ 11:30 a.m.
Pension trustees and insurance company portfolio managers look away now. Your increased commitment to government bond holdings in recent times is about to blow up spectacularly.
At least, that is the view of Ron Paul, the US congressman who ran against John McCain in last year’s Republican Party presidential nomination.
But the credibility of both western governments and their currencies is waning, and has been ever since the gold standard was abandoned in 1971, says Mr Paul. And that means even “safe” investments are far from safe, he claims.
“People will start to abandon the dollar as current and past economic policies create a steep rise in interest rates,” Mr Paul says.
Unfortunately, cashing out will not protect the value of investments, he insists, because “fiat” currencies will all decline over the coming years as measures to try to haul the world economy out of recession fail. “The current stimulus measures are making things a lot worse,” says Mr Paul.
At some stage – Mr Paul estimates it will be between one and four years – the dollar will implode. “The dollar as a reserve standard is done,” he says. He sees little hope for other currencies where central banks have also created too much liquidity dating right back to the early 1970s.
March 23, 2009 @ 12:17 p.m.
March 23, 2009 @ 1:39 p.m.
I do not think the DJIA will close at or over 9,000 this year.
In fact I am hoping that todays rally holds tommorrow, and we start digging out of this hole...... bit by bit.
I am getting more and more upset with these huge bailout numbers being gifted out to the Fortune 100.
I think now, after very carefully thinking this out-that we should have let all the banks/AIG go BK, because what is going on right now is all the wealthy hedge funds, banks, private equity groups-they are taking ALL the profits and the taxpayers (and their children and grandchildren) are getting stuck with ALL the losses (bailout costs) that the banks themselves created.
It is really a perverse form of socialism.
It is getting me more and more bent out of shape with every new "bailout" (read welfare for the ultra rich).
Middle class America are losing jobs, homes, healthcare, you name it, but we are subsidizing the wealthy with these welfare "Bailouts".
I know the masses, like me, have had just about enough.
March 23, 2009 @ 6:36 p.m.
March 25, 2009 @ 2:55 a.m.
So, Don, are you predicting a "dead cat bounce" later this year?
I'm afraid, however, that the recent news from China regarding their doubts over our economy spell the end for the USD as the world's reserve currency.
I'm skeptical of any real recovery this year. So the market moves you're predicting seem to be based on outguessing investor psychology.
You may be right that they'll be bright and optimistic later this year, but if so I predict they'll quickly recover their senses and realize that without fundamental changes to the way in which the whole world does business there is no sustainable future.
I'm thinking now that we should have let the titans of wall street fail, instead of bailing them out. Seems we're throwing good money after bad, and in the end there will be nothing left.
Worst of all, as you noted, the billionaires are the ones getting the help while simultaneously the little guys are getting stomped.
Historically, that can only go on so long before there's a revolution.
March 25, 2009 @ 6:46 a.m.


SALT LAKE CITY — Utah may soon impose tougher restrictions on tattoos and piercings for minors.
On Tuesday, the House passed HB117, which requires that minors provide written and signed permission from a parent or legal guardian to get a tattoo or piercing, in addition to having a parent or guardian present for the procedure.
Rep. Jon Stanard, R-St. George, sponsored the bill after a minor in his district came home with a tattoo without parental permission. When the minor told the tattoo artist he could not provide identification proving he was 18, Stanard said the tattoo artist gave him the tattoo anyway, saying he would claim he saw the minor’s ID.
The bill also provides that tattoo or piercing artists cannot be found guilty of illegally tattooing or piercing a minor if they can produce a photocopy of the minor’s government issued ID that shows the minor was purportedly 18 or older at the time it was performed.
If a youth comes in with a fake ID, it is not the business' fault, Stanard said.
Stanard said he sponsored the bill to close this loophole and to protect businesses as much as to protect minors.
Rep. Derek Brown, R-Cottonwood Heights, said those legitimately involved in the industry already follow this practice, according to a family member who is tattoo artist.
The bill passed 68-1 and now goes to the Senate.


Violence over this weekend by left-wing "antifa" activists in Berkeley has opened another chapter in the debate at the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement over UC Berkeley's plan to host several conservative firebrands next month.
University officials have vowed to allow speakers, including conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, to come even under the threat of violence, which has occurred at Berkeley and other universities earlier this year.
Some city leaders are becoming increasingly wary, fearing a repeat of Sunday's clashes in which the protesters, wearing black with their faces covered, attacked a small showing of supporters of President Trump and others they accused, sometimes inaccurately, of being white supremacists or Nazis.
"We don't want the moral, psychological and fiscal expense of having these agents of hate coming to our town," said Berkeley City Councilman Ben Bartlett. "We know the contest of ideas is at the very heart of freedom, but at the same time when the ideas are certain to cause bloodshed I'm inclined to err on the side of protecting the population, and I say that with a heavy heart."
Councilwoman Cheryl Davila also opposed the appearance by the conservative speakers, adding: "I don't appreciate that there are racists coming to UC Berkeley to spew hate."
I don’t appreciate that there are racists coming to UC Berkeley to spew hate.
The standoff comes as UC Berkeley has been grappling for the last year on how to handle controversial conservative speakers who draw fierce protests in the liberal enclave. In February, Yiannopoulos' campus speaking engagement was canceled when violent protests broke out on campus and in the city, resulting in extensive property damage.
A planned event with conservative author Ann Coulter was canceled after specific threats of violence were reported to the university. The organization that invited her later sued the school, accusing it of trying to "restrict conservative speech." The school offered other dates for her to speak but the student groups eventually backed off sponsoring her visit.
Berkeley's new chancellor, Carol Christ, has been outspoken about what she sees as the university's need to give a forum to controversial voices.
On Tuesday, UC spokesman Dan Mogulof said the school expects to get a list of confirmed speakers this week and move forward.
The university doesn't "have the right and ability to interfere with their invitations based on the attitudes of speakers," Mogulof said.
"We're doing what we can to support an academic mission to provide a wide view of opinions and perspectives," he said. "For those who choose the path of violence and confrontation, we will meet them head on."
Yiannopoulos confirmed in a text message to The Times that he would participate in a "Free Speech Week" gathering from Sept. 24 through 27 at UC Berkeley's Sproul Plaza, adding in an interview with TMZ that other speakers will be confirmed on "our own timeline."
"I want everybody to protest on both sides but you have to do it peacefully," he said. "You have to do it with speech, not violence. As you soon as you lay a hand on someone else or start destroying someone else's property you become a problem."
Former Trump advisor and Breitbart Chairman Stephen K. Bannon and Coulter have reportedly been invited to attend.
A spokesman for the Berkeley Patriot — the registered student organization hosting the event — declined to "confirm the specific speakers who have been invited or confirmed for Free Speech Week."
"We are reaching out to relative political figures from both sides of the aisle to ensure all voices are heard," said Berkeley Patriot spokesman Bryce Kasamoto. "The university is having the Berkeley Patriot cover basic security costs directly related to the events as per their interim event policy."
Also, former Breitbart writer and editor of the Daily Wire website Ben Shapiro confirmed on Twitter on Tuesday that he will be speaking at a Sept. 14 event sponsored by the Berkeley College Republicans, which will be footing the $15,000 security bill.
Berkeley police estimated that more than 4,000 people attended what were mostly peaceful displays of opposition to Trump's agenda on Sunday. Still by day's end, 13 people had been arrested, one on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and three on battery charges.
Some Berkeley officials said they were conflicted over two dueling realities: Berkeley proudly being a haven where free speech can prosper and the sapping of city resources when these paroxysms of violence break out.
Councilwoman Susan Wengraf said Yiannopoulos was nothing more than "a vacuous provocateur," but she was torn about his coming because debate is essential on a college campus. She wanted to hear from UC Berkeley officials about their plans for the speakers, because when these events devolve into violence in the streets, the city is left cleaning up the mess.
"I wish they would voluntarily decide not to come, because we have a lot of serious problems like a housing shortage and a homeless crisis," she said. "All of this distraction is really preventing us from doing the work we need to do."
Lynne Hollander Savio, the widow of activist Mario Savio, said she is exploring legal options to stop Yiannopoulos from co-opting her husband's name for an award she suspects he intends to deliver to Coulter. In the spring, the former Breitbart editor announced in a Facebook post that he'd be returning to the campus and giving out an award in Savio's name.
Mario Savio was one of the student activists who led the Berkeley Free Speech Movement in the 1960s. He famously stood atop a police car after an officer arrested a campus organizer, passionately protesting the ban California administrators had placed on political speech on campus. A 32-hour sit-in joined by thousands of students ensued. Three months later, he delivered a speech before some 4,000 students, an act of disobedience that landed him a four-month jail sentence.
Lynne Savio also called Yiannopoulos "a provocateur" and "self-promoting" without a clear ideology. She accused his announcement to bestow an award in Savio's name as "stealing."
Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this story.


Love 'em or hate 'em, Bono and U2 are one of the biggest forces in music today. Tune in to hear Jim and Greg trace their path from Dublin kids to stadium giants. Later they review the new album from heavy metal band Anvil.


The American Film Institute has selected Julia Roberts to present the AFI Life Achievement Award to her longtime friend and colleague George Clooney.
The presentation will take place at the 46th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute on June 7 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif.
TNT will premiere the hour-and-a-half special on June 21. Sister network Turner Classic Movies will also air the special in September during a night of programming dedicated to Clooney’s work.
Roberts has frequently collaborated with Clooney, starring with him in 2001’s “Ocean’s Eleven,” 2004’s “Ocean’s Twelve,” and 2016’s “Money Monster.” She also starred in his directorial debut, 2002’s “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” and in 2013’s “August: Osage County,” which Clooney produced.
Clooney’s next project is a Hulu miniseries adaptation of “Catch-22,” which he will direct, produce, and star in opposite Hugh Laurie and Kyle Chandler.


The details on the Astros' rings are incredible.
After unveiling their World Series banner, the Houston Astros revealed a close look and lots of details behind their beautiful championship rings.
The team is handing out 1,332 of these rings made by Jostens to players, coaches, clubhouse and training staff, baseball and business front office members, medical staff, seasonal associates, Hall of Famers, Owners and broadcasters, per the news release.
56 years in the making.
You can get a better look at No. 10 and see even more details over at MLB.com.


The Nasdaq tumbles and the S&P 500 slides. The Dow rises slightly.
An Ohio company offers California wine in 12-ounce cans, a Vermont concern sells variations on maple syrup and the Philippines is introducing a citrus juice made from the fruit calamansi.
Shares of Dr Pepper Snapple were falling over 2% when the firm announced that the CEO of its subsidiary Bai Brands is leaving the company.
Wednesday's downgrades of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are in focus.
The most recent short interest data has been released for the 05/15/2017 settlement date, which shows a 624,381 share increase in total short interest for Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc , to 6,487,611, an increase of 10.65% since 04/28/2017. Total short interest is just one way to look at short data; another metric that we here at Dividend Channel find particularly useful is the "days to cover" metric because it considers both the total shares short and the average daily volume of shares traded.
The firm raised its price target on the stock to $104 from $103.
Here are Tuesday's top research calls, including an upgrade of AIG, downgrade of Valero and new coverage for Kroger, Whole Foods Markets and Sysco.
Financials have moved to the bearish side, this week.
Carbonated beverage sales rose 1%.
It is the day when the White House launches the start of President Trump's tax reform.
When a stock goes up by 40% in a month, it's time to sit up and take note.
Sonic's same-store sales decline is yet another signal that quick-service restaurants are not so tasty.
The packaged food giant secures an investment in a plant-based protein bar maker.
The once-beleaguered company is continuing its amazing comeback in a quarter of tripled profits. Here's why investor need to get "busy with the fizzy" now.
Fourth-quarter results are in, proving yet again why PepsiCo beats the fizz out of Coca-Cola.
Shares of Dr Pepper Snapple were lower during the trading session on Tuesday after the company reported an earnings miss for the fiscal fourth quarter and issued downbeat full-year guidance.
The beverage company sees full-year earnings below analysts' estimates.
She should shift focus away from interest rates to the Fed's huge balance sheet.
U.S. stock futures are declining Tuesday while European and Asian shares trade mixed ahead of congressional testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.
Fed Chair Janet Yellen will give her two-day semiannual monetary policy testimony, while major economic data will drive markets.
Avon, Revlon, Iconix and Coca-Cola European Partners were the top players in January.
A selloff in crude oil proves another roadblock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average's pursuit of 20,000.
Stocks trade mostly lower Monday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average taking a pause in its race toward 20,000.


In the last two years, Mexico has become one of the major battlegrounds of the 21st century global food wars. On one side of the battle line is Demanda Colectiva AC, a collective of 53 scientists and 22 civil rights organizations and NGOs fighting to protect Mexico's extraordinary wealth of food crop biodiversity; on the other is a coalition of the world's GMO goliaths led by US agribusiness giant Monsanto.
Their ultimate goal is simple: complete control over the Mexican food chain. And in their bid to achieve it, they can count on the unwavering support of Mexico's Ministries of Agriculture and the Environment.
On Tuesday they won a vital, albeit not yet decisive, victory when Mexico's XII District Court overturned Judge Marroquín Zaleta's 2013 ruling to suspend the granting of licenses for GMO field trials.
In his original ruling, Zaleta cited the potential risks to the environment posed by GMO corn. If the biotech industry got its way, he argued, more than 7000 years of indigenous maize cultivation in Mexico would be endangered, with the country's 60 varieties of corn directly threatened by cross-pollination from transgenic strands.
The response of the world's agribusiness conglomerates was swift: within months they - and their ever-loyal lackeys in the Mexican government - had appealed Zaleta's ruling on 93 separate counts. By March, the legal collective had won 85 legal battles against the transnational seed corporations and many of the appeals, and challenges launched by Monsanto & Friends had been unanimously rejected by the courts [read: I n Global Food War, Monsanto Trips Over Mexican Judge].
However, it was only a matter of time before the behemoths of global agribusiness found a judge with a sympathetic ear, especially given the pressure being exerted behind the scenes by ranks of GMO lobbyists and Environment and Agriculture Ministry officials.
Now that Zelata's original suspension has been overturned, the race is on to get GMO seeds planted in Mexican soil. AgroBIO, a lobbying association representing businesses and sectors interested in developing transgenic crops in Mexico, has stated that the government has effectively been given a green light to begin issuing licenses for GMO cultivation in Mexico.
An activist dressed as an ear of corn and protesting against the U.S. agriculture company Monsanto attends a rally following a protest march attended by approximately 30,000 people against the upcoming G7 summit on June 4, 2015 in Munich, Germany.
But Mexico's popular resistance is unlikely to yield quite so easily. Indeed, signs are that the fight could well go mainstream. Demanda Colectiva AC has just launched a public appeal for members of scientific, academic, artistic and civil society organizations to lend their support in its battle to safeguard Mexico's crop biodiversity. The collective is expecting a particularly strong response in the days leading up to National Corn Day, on September 29.
And 78 high-profile gourmet chefs have already joined the struggle, El País reports. They include Enrique Olvera, the head chef of Pujol, a Mexico City-based eatery that is in sixteenth place on Restaurant magazine's ranking of the world's best restaurants; Mikel Alonso (Biko); Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores (Quintonil); Alex Ruiz (Casa Oaxaca); Elena Reygadas (Rosetta); Jair Téllez (Merotoro) and Mónica Patiño (Delirio).
In an open letter to the government, the chefs sharpen their knives against the court's recent decision to overturn the moratorium. The cultivation of GMOs could pose an "existential threat to the diversity of Mexico's native species of corn," they argue.
They also caution that it is still unclear just how harmful trangenics can be to human health. For example, the World Health Organization's cancer arm, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), recently reclassified glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's biggest selling herbicide Roundup, as "probably carcinogenic to humans."
Given that corn accounts for a staggering 53% of the average calorie intake and 39% of protein consumption in Mexico, even the slightest possibility that GMO varieties of corn could be damaging to human health should be reason enough, at least in a sane world, for any government to suspend its use until the nature and severity of the threat can be ascertained.
Once transnational corporations dominate the seed market of a particular crop (as has happened with Soy and is fast happening with Corn), they will continue introducing GM seeds for other crops and increasing their power over Mexico's agricultural sector.
The gourmet cooks point out that an increasing number of countries, including Europe's two biggest economies, Germany and France, have banned the cultivation of GMOs, with no tangible side effects. "What's stopping Mexico from doing the same?", they ask.
The chefs also defend the ancient right of smallholders and farmers to keep the seeds from their own harvest and exchange them among themselves, rather than have to buy new batches each year from copyright-protected mega-corporations like Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta, Bayer, Dow, and BASF.
Although these six companies own roughly three-quarters of the world's commercial seeds, whether genetically modified or not, they prefer to sell GMOs, for two reasons: first, they use a lot more agrichemicals, an industry in which the same companies have a controlling stake; and second, by patenting GMO seeds and getting governments to ban uncertified seeds, the companies can guarantee that farmers will have to come back for more, year after year, decade after decade.
And this act of locking customers that used to grow their own seeds into buying patented seeds forever, this act of controlling the global food supply via these patented seeds, aided and abetted by governments, just happens to be best, most lucrative deal out there for Monsanto & Friends, and it doesn't matter what the consequences down the road may be.


Tributes have been paid to an experienced fisherman who died after he was injured by equipment on his boat.
Gareth Jones, 36, of Morfa Nefyn was working alone on his 36-foot fishing vessel Ronan Orla off the Llyn Peninsula on Sunday afternoon.
Friends said Mr Jones, known as Pod, was injured by equipment on the boat which had winching gear.
It remains unclear how the accident had happened while Mr Jones was fishing for scallops.
Nearby vessels went to his aid and the Porthdinllaen lifeboat and an RAF Valley helicopter were alerted.
A Porthdinllaen RNLI spokesman said: “Volunteers received a request by Holyhead Coastguard to launch at 3.15pm yesterday to an injured fisherman on the Llyn Peninsula coast.
“The crew quickly made their way two miles west off Nant Gwytheyrn where the fishing boat was located and were joined shortly afterwards by Rescue 122 helicopter.
Tributes were paid to Mr Jones by Porthdinllaen RNLI spokesman Dylan Thomas who described him as “quiet but workmanlike”.
Mr Jones was a previous member of the RNLI crew.
The tragic incident was reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch who have launched an investigation.
A North Wales Police spokeswoman said Mr Jones’ family have been informed and officers are working with the MAIB to establish the circumstances, which are not believed to be suspicious.
North Wales senior coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said the death of Mr Jones had been reported to his office.
He added a post mortem is due to be carried out on Tuesday and an inquest held in due course.


An attempt by the investment fund Alliance Trust to put an end to years of turbulence will face protests from shareholders this week over alleged favouritism and conflicts of interest.
The Dundee-based company has asked investors to approve a £620m buyback deal with the aggressive US activist investor Elliott Management, which holds nearly a fifth of its shares. Alliance aims to buy back the shares in five tranches, allowing Elliott to cash in its stake more easily and ending its running battles with the board.


On Monday, AMD launched the six-core AMD Opteron HE and SE, providing additional energy efficiency for the Opteron server processor family.
The new HE chips deliver 18 percent better performance per watt than the standard-wattage version of Istanbul, the underlying processor architecture that forms the foundation for both of the new families of chips.
AMD said that the new 55-watt Opteron HE processors are currently shipping for two-way, four-way, and eight-way systems from HP's Proliant family, with additional systems from other OEMs slated for the third quarter of 2009. AMD did not disclose the clock speed of the chips, but said that the new six-core Opteron SE will run at 2.4-GHz for two-, four-, and eight-way systems.
The price of the two-way AMD Opteron 2423 HE will be $455, while the eight-way Opteron 8425 HE will be $1,514. The two-way, six-core AMD Opteron 2439 SE will be $1,019, while the eight-way, Opteron 8439 SE is priced at $2,649.
AMD has made it a point to meet or exceed its roadmap timetable with its most recent products; the launch of the new HE and SE chips comes just two weeks into the third quarter.
AMD said in June that it would launch the HE, SE, and EE versions during the third quarter, following the unveiling of the Istanbul architecture, the foundation for both chips, on June 1.
"Since our initial introduction of multi-core processors for the server market, it's been the AMD mission to help IT managers reduce datacenter energy costs without compromising performance," said Patrick Patla, vice president and general manager, Server Business, AMD, in a statement.
"These new lower power six-core AMD Opteron processors feature the highest performance-per-watt that we have brought to market, and help drive down power consumption while addressing the shifting cloud and Web landscape of today's datacenter," Patla added. "And with six cores of compute power and Direct Connect Architecture, these processors deliver no-compromise performance."


WASHINGTON — A U.S. trade official said Tuesday that Russia had not banned imports of U.S. chicken, as it had done with beef, pork and turkey because of concerns over the feed additive ractopamine.
Andrea Mead, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's Office, was responding to a media report that Russia's food inspection agency was investigating imports of U.S. chicken to see whether they contain residue of the growth stimulant, which is used to make meat leaner.
It would be a surprise if ractopamine were found in U.S. chicken shipments to Russia.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved it for use in beef, pork and turkey production but not in chicken production, Mead said.
Russia announced plans to ban imports of U.S. turkey, beef and pork effective Feb. 11 over the use of the additive.
"[The trade office] is working actively with USDA on this issue," Mead said.
Chicken has not been mentioned in any of the communications from Russia, she added.
Some countries ban the additive because of concerns that trace elements could remain in the meat and cause health problems.
The United Nations' food safety body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, in July found that the additive has no impact on human health if residue remains within recommended levels.


The campaign trail has started.
The deadline for anyone wanting to put themselves forward for next month's Colchester Council elections passed at noon today.
Three high-profile Liberal Democrats - former council leader Steve Cawley (Shrub End), and husband and wife team Jenny Stevens (New Town) and John Stevens (Berechurch) - were not on the list.
And 73-year-old Edna Fowler, Lib Dem councillor for Harbour ward since 1987, has also decided to stand down.
Well-known Labour councillor and former mayor Mary Frank, who represents St Anne's, has also decided not to go for re-election.
The Conservatives have fielded a range of new candidates and old hands in a bid to gain seats.
One third of the 60 borough councillor seats are up for grabs at the May 4 polls.
While the Lib Dems have the most seats - 25 out of 60 - there is no overall political control. Labour has 15 seats, Conservatives 18, Tiptree Residents' Association one and Indepedent one.
Current mayor Martin Hunt, a Liberal Democrat, is up for re-election to Prettygate ward and council leader Colin Sykes will be hoping to retain Stanway.
Tory Ian McCord has decided to stand against Mr Hunt, instead of for Stanway, where he is parish councillor and has stood before for a borough seat.
Greenstead St Andrew's councillor Bob Newman (Labour) has decided to seek election for Wivenhoe, after Tom Prosser stood down.
Just four names came from groups outside the big three parties.
Former mayor Tony Webb is up for re-election in Tiptree for Tiptree Residents' Association, newcomer Peter Farley hopes to take Harbour for Old Heath Residents' Association, Loretta Basker is standing for the Natural Law Party in Castle, and Helen Joyce Bunney was a last-minute entry as a Tiptree independent resident.
Liberal Democrat Craig Sutton enters the fray for the first time, proving politics runs in the family - his father councillor Terry Sutton is Colchester Council's transport and environment chief.
No sitting councillor as Labour's Mary Frank has stood down.


MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A tense encounter with Wolfchase Galleria security last month spawned accusations of discrimination and a protest inside the mall. Weeks later, a spokesperson clarified the mall’s rules.
Wolfchase Galleria spokeswoman Jenny Harris told WREG there’s nothing in the rules to stop you from wearing hoodies, just not with the hood up.
She also said customers are also allowed to film in the mall.
Speaking of safety, the Christmas shopping season is underway and last week WREG told you how police logged at least 90 car-breaks in the Cordova and East Memphis areas since November 1.
Harris wouldn’t get into specifics, but says security at the mall is always evolving.


Mike Low isn’t in the mood to settle. His daughter, a Boston flight attendant, died in the flames of 9/11 and he’s demanding his day in court.
“I want depositions. I want testimony. I want accountability,” Low said yesterday following the news of 14 families settling out of court in lawsuits linked to the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Out of nearly 3,000 people killed on 9/11, only 21 families now remain to go to trial or settle out of court with the government fund set up for victims or with airlines and airports.
Mike Low wants a court date.
“This is not an indication the end is in sight,” Low said yesterday of this week’s payouts.
It’s his duty to his daughter, he tells the Herald, to take her case to court.
“I still want to know why Mohamed Atta and Abdulaziz al-Omari got on a plane in Portland with box-cutters and pepper spray,” he said.
Those terrorists, to be joined by three others, slammed American Airlines Flight 11 into the World Trade Center’s north tower with Low’s 28-year-old daughter, Sara Elizabeth Low, on board.
Low said he’s not changing his approach to this case because others have now settled just weeks away from the first 9/11 trial set to begin in federal court in New York City.
“We are not losing a single step in moving ahead for those who want to have their day in court,” said Don Migliori, a Rhode Island attorney in the firm Motley Rice.
Low, owner of a mining company in Arkansas, said his daughter moved to Beacon Hill just weeks before being murdered on Flight 11. He said she had a date that day in Los Angeles with one of the many men who wanted to marry her.


January 11, 2013, 2:23 p.m.
My favorite type of recipe is one that I can keep transforming over and over again. My Caramelized Butternut Squash is one of those recipes. Not only is it a tasty side, but I have managed to sneak it into a few desserts too.
First I made an amazing Butternut Squash Swirl Ice Cream with it. If you like dessert but aren't a fan of super sweet things, try it. You will LOVE it. Well, since I had all that ice cream ... I figured why not an ice cream float? Oh, and why not add some bourbon while I'm at it?
First thing you need to do is make the Caramelized Butternut Squash if you haven't already. It is very simple. Just look at it!
Then we need to make that ice cream. Also super simple. And super tasty!
Now you are set to go! Add a few scoops of ice cream to a chilled glass along with a shot of bourbon and some cream soda.
Slightly sweet and rich with vanilla, bourbon and caramel, this ice cream float is the perfect winter dessert.


A new initiative around the planned Guggenheim museum in Helsinki aims at identifying alternative uses for Helsinki's South Harbour, proposed site of the arts centre. Behind the latest twist in Finland’s bid to host one of the iconic museums are a Helsinki art organisation and anti-Guggenheim groups in the United States.
Checkpoint Helsinki has been one of the most vocal critics of the proposal to locate an iconic Guggenheim museum in the Finnish capital – in fact the group owes its existence to opposition to the project.
Checkpoint has now joined forces with two US groups in an attempt to steal the thunder of the Guggenheim architectural competition currently underway. One of the US players is the architectural and sustainable development NGO Terreform, the other is Gulf Ultra Luxury Faction, GULF. The latter has devoted much of its energies to exposing injustices in the construction of the Abu Dhabi Guggenheim museum.
Known as The Next Helsinki, the counter-competition invites participants to submit suggestions for alternative uses for the South harbour plot reserved for the proposed Guggenheim museum. Participants may also include architectural drawings as well as sketches or essays on the subject of city planning.
Ideas for the alternative competition should be submitted by March 2 next year.
The group has launched its counter-competition on the eve of the deadline for submissions for an architectural contest to find a designer for the authentic Guggenheim. The Guggenheim Foundation said Tuesday that it will announce the number of entries next Wednesday, September 17, while an online gallery showcasing the submissions will be available in late October.
Entries that make it to stage two of the competition will be announced on December 2 in Helsinki, and a final winner will be named in June 2015. The winner gets to take home 100,000 euros; five runners-up will each receive 55,000 euros.
The alternative competition doesn't offer any big prizes, but rather a chance to stimulate discussion about art and its role in city life and urban planning.
City researcher and architect Kaarin Taipale is part of the movement to find alternatives for the South Harbour location. She said that the idea for the alternative competition came from New York.
”Friends, acquaintances and colleagues were in touch. Then Checkpoint Helsinki found a cooperation partner,” she said.
”We are inviting sociologists, environmentalists, architects, landscape designers and artists to consider the role of art in the city and city spaces. And what kind of city space could be pleasant and useful for everyone,” Taipale added.
A member of the SDP council group and Helsinki city council, Taipale said that she got involved as national activist not a politician. She will be secretary of the judges’ panel.
Judges for the competition include the owner of Gallerie Anhava Ilona Anhava, architect Juhani Pallasmaa and Terreform founder and architect Michael Sorkin.
Edit: This article was updated to remove a reference to Checkpoint Helsinki as an anti-Guggenheim group. The alternative architectural competition was also re-cast as a contest to find other uses for the South Harbour area, rather than specifically for the proposed site of the Helsinki Guggenheim museum.


Is Lions Gate Entertainment Corp's Dividend Safe?
Lions Gate’s dividend yield has spiked to a historically high level -- but is it sustainable?
Shares of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE:LGF-A) plummeted over 30% on Feb. 5 in response to its weak third quarter earnings report. The studio's revenue fell 10.8% annually to $670.5 million during the quarter, missing estimates by $96.5 million.
Much of that miss was attributed to the softer-than-expected performance of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2. Motion picture revenue fell 14.3% to $505.8 million, international motion picture revenue dipped 1.4% to $140.1 million, and TV production revenue grew just 2.1% to $164.7 million. On the bottom line, adjusted net income plunged 39.3% to $66.8 million, or $0.45 per share, missing expectations by two cents.
Mockingjay Part 2. Source: Lions Gate.
However, the stock's precipitous plunge also bumped its forward dividend yield to 1.9% -- the highest level since it started paying a dividend in 2013. Should investors consider this yield a reason to hold the stock, or is it in danger of being reduced to previous levels?
To understand how sustainable a company's dividend is, we should check its payout ratios. On an EPS basis, Lions Gate paid out 84% of its earnings over the past year as dividends. By comparison, its larger peers Time Warner (NYSE:TWX.DL) and Fox (NASDAQ:FOX) only paid out 31% and 25% of their earnings respectively. Lions Gate's higher payout ratio might make it look more "generous" than Time Warner or Fox, but it also means that it has less room to raise its dividend. Lions Gate has raised its dividend twice in the past.
But on a free cash flow basis, Lions Gate's dividend looks more sustainable. Over the past 12 months, Lions Gate paid out just 34% of its FCF as dividends. Time Warner paid out 34% during the same period, while Fox paid out 31%. Lions Gate's FCF also improved last quarter, rising from negative $4.6 million in the prior year quarter to $73.9 million. A portion of that boost was attributed to favorable tax rates and the studio's strategic investment in Pilgrim Studios last November.
Lions Gate management didn't discuss the dividend at all during the conference call. Instead, it discussed the possibility of increasing its buyback authorization to as much as $250 million. Over the past 12 months, Lions Gate only spent $15 million, or 12% of its FCF, on buybacks -- which turned out to be a bad move based on the stock's 42% decline over the past 12 months.
Lions Gate's management noted that they couldn't buy back any stock as long as the company was in merger talks with Starz (NASDAQ:STRZA) or other potential suitors. But with interest rates still low, and its stock trading at just 12 times forward earnings, it might be prudent to buy back stock if a deal doesn't pan out. Either way, Lions Gate still has enough free cash flow growth to fund both dividends and buybacks.
But what about bottom line growth?
However, Lions Gate's dividend and buybacks won't mean much if the studio can't launch new blockbuster film franchises and increase the weight of its more stable TV production division, which produces series like Orange is the New Black and Nashville.
Lions Gate is much smaller than major film studios like Fox and Time Warner, so it sells the international distribution rights to its films in advance. For example, it covered most of Divergent's production costs by selling the international rights for $70 million. While this allows Lions Gate to spend very little cash to make a movie, it also puts a cap on its overseas revenue. Moreover, the strategy also only works when the film has a guaranteed audience -- that's why the studio keeps adapting young adult (YA) books like Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Divergent into movies. Lions Gate's non-YA films, like The Last Witch Hunter and American Ultra, generally haven't fared as well.
The next Divergent film, Allegiant, will be the company's main tentpole film for the current quarter. But based on the 14% decline in domestic box office sales between Divergent and Insurgent, Allegiant's ticket sales might disappoint analysts.
Looking further ahead, Lions Gate hopes that its adaptation of Chaos Walking, another YA dystopian series, will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent. Its upcoming Power Rangers reboot could also evolve into a new multi-year franchise. Lastly, the studio is also mulling the development of a prequel series for The Hunger Games.
The dividend is safe, but does it matter?
For now, Lions Gate's dividend remains safe, since its free cash flow remains robust. The studio might even raise its dividend later this year. But in my opinion, other media companies (like Time Warner) pay higher dividends than Lions Gate, so its yield isn't really a compelling reason to own the stock. Instead, investors should focus on its merger talks with Starz, and whether or not other suitors will make a bid for Lions Gate's top-heavy business.


MANILA, Philippines – Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies is an entertaining and engrossing historical drama, that with the luxury of Father Time and hindsight, brings us back to the Cold War era; and looks for the warm, fuzzy and human within the strident, paranoid brinksmanship and struggle for information and intelligence that characterized that juncture in history. With insurance lawyer Jim Donovan (Tom Hanks) as our guide and moral compass, there is much to learn and appreciate about human values and ideals when set against nationalistic polemic and viewing life purely in blacks and whites.
The film basically revolves around two narratives that are presented in linear fashion -— a tribute to old-style cinematic storytelling. The first narrative involves accused Rudolf Abel (the brilliant Mark Rylance), who is tried for espionage as a Russian spy and branded a traitor. When Donovan surprisingly takes on the case as Abel’s defense attorney, we are thrust into the world of courtrooms and small minds ready to trample on Abel’s basic rights to a fair trial and his presumption of innocence. When Gary Powers, a USAF pilot in a spy reconnaissance plane is shot down over USSR territory and sentenced to prison, the second narrative of a high-stakes game of spy exchange that happens in Berlin, as the infamous Wall is being constructed, takes place. Without being officially sanctioned by the US government, it is Donovan who takes on the role of negotiator for the Powers/Abel swap — complicated by Donovan also trying to extricate a young American student from East Berlin.
In a role that half-a-century ago would have been given to Jimmy Stewart, Hanks plays Donovan with gruff charm and shafts of humor. Rylance, on the other hand, is one of the most gifted actors of his generation. The Englishman held the post of artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for a decade. His portrayal of Abel is a surprisingly sympathetic one, such that we quietly root for him, even above Powers. Working from an original script by Matt Charman, but revisited by Joel and Ethan Coen, the revisit pays huge dividends as so often, we feel the Coen “magic” and are potently reminded of the very human amidst all this politicking and dissembling. I loved the little touches like how in the midst of a serious negotiation between Donovan and the East German attorney general, the East German official is seen picking up the wrong phone. Or how Rylance repeats a line at different points in the film and defuses the scene wonderfully! I wouldn’t be surprised if Rylance gets a Best Supporting Actor nomination come Oscars time.
The cinematography is also top-rate, especially the rain drenched Brooklyn scenes and those of East Berlin, where the color is practically washed out, and we’re left with somber hues of blues. What I did observe is how Spielberg takes an almost subversive stance with the film by making both Donovan and Abel the “little heroes” of the film — glossing over Abel’s guilt. Some 40 years ago, this stance would have made Spielberg’s interpretation practically un-American. Fortunately for us, times have changed, attitudes have evolved — and this film is a reminder of what lies underneath and makes all of us fundamentally alike.


Too little, too late for banks?
European leaders are talking about strengthening the continent's banks so they can absorb losses on loans to eurozone nations with excessive debts. But Daniel Garrahan reports markets are far from convinced that when an agreement is finally reached it won't be a case of too little, too late.


The chief weakness of his effort, he said, was that "we weren't effective in taking our message to minorities, to Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans. We did well among the majority population. But that was our failing."
Right, Willard. If you'd only tried harder you might have gotten your share of the black vote up from six percent to seven percent. That would have been 150,000 votes right there! Average three thousand votes per state!


Renteria’s candidacy could well make California’s 21st Congressional District race one of the nation’s most closely watched, and the target of considerable outside spending. In addition to her high-flying resume, Renteria is running in a district where 73 percent of the 712,866 residents are counted as Hispanic or Latino, according to Census Bureau records.
“A district like mine is always going to be competitive,” Valadao acknowledged.
But Valadao, the 36-year-old son of Portuguese immigrants, enjoys advantages of his own. He’s a native of the district and has held state or federal elected office in the southern San Joaquin Valley since 2011, boosting his name recognition. As an incumbent, and member of the House Appropriations Committee, he enjoys other built-in advantages that include, notably, the power to raise a great deal of money.
“Every challenger underestimates the power of incumbency and overestimates their power to get rid of the incumbent,” said David Schecter, a Fresno State University political science professor.
Last year, Valadao steamrolled a Democratic candidate, John Hernandez. Democrats point out that Hernandez was chronically underfunded and was almost totally off the radar screen of influential local party officials and the national party as a whole.
Valadao currently has $448,814 in his campaign treasury, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filing. He spent more than $1.1 million to win election in 2012, and Renteria said she expects the 2014 campaign spending to reach similar levels from both sides.
Beyond fundraising, Schecter said an incumbent who is in a challenging region like Valadao will often get leeway from House leadership to cast votes against the party line on legislation that may be unpopular in the Democratic-majority district. Most recently, Valadao was one of only 15 House Republicans to vote against a GOP bill that makes deep cuts in food stamp spending.
Renteria, declaring that “things are tough out here,” nonetheless dismissed Valadao as not having done anything to help the district where poverty is widespread. Twenty-eight percent of the district’s families report incomes below the poverty line, according to census data.
“I don’t think he’s been very effective at all,” Renteria said.
The middle of three sisters, Renteria graduated from Woodlake High School as the valedictorian before entering Stanford. She played basketball as a walk-on, and played third base on the women’s softball team, where she described herself as a slap hitter.
After a stint at Goldman Sachs and business school, as well as a year teaching high school at her alma mater, Renteria joined the staff of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. In 2006, she began working for Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, eventually rising to serve as chief of staff while Stabenow chaired the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.
“My job was to put the agriculture committee together and pass a farm bill,” Renteria said.
Renteria, who is planning to formally announce her candidacy on Sunday at Sanger Park, said she is prepared to “talk about my Washington experience” as a way to show how she can help district residents.
Republicans show every sign of taking her candidacy seriously.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has already established an anti-Renteria website, misleadingly called amandarenteriaforcongress.com. It identifies Renteria as a “Washington insider” and blasts her work for Feinstein, whom the website identifies as a “longtime advocate of high-speed rail.” Valadao, a staunch opponent of California’s high-speed rail plan, likewise casts Renteria as a newcomer to the district.
Woodlake is about 50 miles from Sanger.
Renteria countered that she is going to be “talking to everybody, as many folks as we can, on the ground…in the little towns” as her campaign gets underway.


Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), is seeking a 10-year tax holiday for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
The Lagos State Coordinator of the agency, Yinka Fisher, said SMEs remained the agents of transformation in any developing economy, adding that offering them 10-year holiday would help their businesses grow.
Speaking on the sideline of this year’s Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) SME group annual seminar, Fisher said with about 37 million enterprises of which 68,168 are SMEs, government should initiate more entrepreneurship initiatives to keep them alive and grow.
Chairman, LCCI’s SME group, Abiodun Oladipo, said the seminar would help members and the business community to become aware of the opportunities available.
Head, SMEs, Sterling Bank, Mrs. Ezinne Nwaokafor, said the bank is helping businesses to grow by strengthening the expansion of its retail/SME and ‘non-interest-bearing’ lines and business reorganisation. She said the bank now gives collateral free loan to SMEs to key areas, such as those desirous of purchasing equipment to the tune of N25million and N2million for raw materials.
She said SMEs are hampered by the unstructured nature of business where a single person is both the CEO and the front desk officer, stating that it’s almost impossible for banks to give loan to such a business because of the safety of their fund.
Mrs. Nwaokafor said limited documentation, inadequate knowledge of banks requirement in collateral and security, access to market and being technologically up to date with the products they manufacture and how to market them, are some of the challenges besetting SMEs.
Promoter, SME Think Thank and author of a book, ‘How to grow your SME business’, Sola Dawodu advised SMEs to change with change, saying they will be addressed the way they present their products and businesses. He urged them to invest in innovation and competitiveness.


Work under way for the project.
The Government of Dubai's Department of Finance (DoF) has announced the successful completion of a 17-year financing of Dh9 billion ($2.45 billion), to complete the construction of Dubai Metro's Route 2020 extension project.
The project will cost Dh10.6 billion and envisages the construction of about 15 km extension of the Dubai Metro's Red Line from Nakheel Harbour and Tower station up to the site of the Expo, with seven stations as well as an upgrade to the existing metro network, a Wam news agency report said.
Expected to generate significant social and economic benefits, the project will facilitate the passenger traffic, including the Expo visitors in the areas served.
The transaction consists of a 17-year, Dh5.2 billion loan supported by comprehensive guarantees from the French export credit agency, Bpifrance Assurance Export (BPIAE) and the Spanish export credit agency (CESCE), amortising over 14 years commencing in 2020 and a 10-year conventional facility of Dh4 billion, amortising over six years commencing in 2022.
Commenting on the transaction, Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, DoF director general, said: "The encouraging response received for this financing, illustrates the strong confidence of international banks in Dubai’s economy and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The Government of Dubai continues to examine ways to optimise its funding strategy; Expert Credit Agency (ECA) financing has been a good example of this strategy and we have been able to achieve long-term financing at competitive rates while at the same time allowing us to manage our budget proactively and in a fiscally responsible manner."
Banco Santander, First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC Middle East, Intesa Sanpaolo and Standard Chartered Bank acted as mandated lead arrangers and the facility providers for the financing.
The contract for the design and build for the project was awarded by Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to a consortium of Alstom Transport, Acciona Infraestructuras and Gulermak.