The Most Popular Phone in the World
Filed to: NokiaFiled to: Nokia
Dumbphones
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Nokia has problems. Smartphone problems. Software problems. American problems. But to fully understand what's wrong, we've got to understand what's been right, or to put in another way, what's distracted Nokia. Meet the most popular phone in the world.
Why We're Not Reviewing the Nokia N8
As much as we'd love to see a great new phone from Nokia, we're not reviewing the N8. The …
It has been said that more of the world's population has access to a cellphone than to a sanitary toilet. But of the planet's estimated 5 billion cellphone users, a privileged minority have smartphones; a paltry few, iPhones.
If you spend hours thumbing through pages of apps, scoffing at less-than-perfect software upgrades and grousing about screen resolution and pixel density, it's easy to forget that the very concept of a mobile phone is a miracle. It's a device that shrinks your day to day world into a single point, making you simultaneously accessible to and able to access nearly everyone you know, instantly and everywhere.
One summer in 2005, a man in Nigeria wanted in. He found a shop, put his money down on the counter, and left with a cellphone: a Nokia 1100, nearly identical to the model discontinued by AT&T that same year. Statistically, this was likely his first handset. He'd probably used a similar one through family or friends. Personal milestone or not, the tiny Clarkian miracle of that day represented a cold milestone for Nokia. It was their billionth phone sold.
In buying that phone, this man was joining a slightly smaller club. He became a Nokia 1100 user. Along with a staggering 250,000,000 others, he had traded up in the communications world, from little or no phone access at all to this little brick of a phone.
The 1100 is not pleasant to use. The keypad is too narrow for two-thumbed texting; it's thin enough that curling a thumb for one-handed use is strenuous. Tiny pedestal buttons are concealed behind a squishy rubber shield, and configured in such a way that learning how to use the phone is a process of rote memorization and habit-building rather than intuition.
The phone wasn't exactly a technological marvel, even by the standards of the time. (For perspective, in 2003 Gizmodo was writing breathlessly about the promise of the Palm Treo 600—a real smartphone.) The screen is small and the pixels large and monochrome. The ringer is both tinny and piercing. The whole assemblage feels suspiciously light.
I say this all as someone coddled by smartphones, touchscreens, and the results of years upon years of careful and expensive interface research, but also as someone who has used a hell of a lot of phones. For a few years years I carried a Nokia 3595—a not-so-distant relative of the 1100—so the 1100 doesn't feel exotic to me, nor should it to most anyone.
But I was never really meant to buy a Nokia 1100, and its designers never meant to impress me. The phone's small size makes its extremely portable, and easy to carry or stow. That narrow, squishy keypad is dustproof and water resistant, so a splash of rain or a drop in the sand won't ruin it. The phone's plasticky shell and light weight make perfect sense the first time you see it bounce off your tile floor, skittering to a stop unscathed. The menu system and button configuration might clash with my design sensibilities, but I was raised on PCs and Nintendo. I have expectations of polish, and can mistake brutal simplicity for lack of design.
This phone was meant to survive and to do; its only jobs are to call and to text and to create convenience for as long as possible, as cheaply as possible. "The way we get to those features is by spending a lot of time with consumers, with teams in their homes, interviewing them, seeing how they live," says Alex Lambeek, who, prior to becoming Nokia's VP of Phone Marketing, worked extensively with hardware design for the developing world. "Take for example a feature like a torch (flashlight), and you might think: Who cares about a torch? Well, for a consumer who lives in an area, let's say, of India or Indonesia or Africa, where there is either no power supply or power is intermittent, having a torch is pretty important."
Likewise, accessories and services aren't cast-offs from the Western world, but specifically adapted for their environments. Alongside new cellphones you'll see chargers that draw power from bikes, and by sending an SMS to a specific, Nokia-operated number, you can get a listing of local crop prices, or a weather forecast.
A phone sold in an outdoor market can't exactly be brought back for a warranty claim. Software updates are mostly out of the question, so the phone you buy is the phone you'll be stuck with. Customer service is complicated by language differences, literacy issues and simple lack of awareness, so a short sort of troubleshooting guide has to be included in the phone's software.
The lesson, basically, is that a company won't do well in the developing world simply by hawking cheap, out-of-date hardware after it's become obsolete in places like America. Companies like Nokia, LG and Samsung spend a lot of time and money developing new phones that you and I might consider old-fashioned or odd, and with good reason: Emerging markets are huge. The 8th, 9th and 10th largest phone seller in the world, by volume, are companies you've never heard of—ZTE, G-Five and Huawei—which have made heaps of money selling millions of customers their first phones. Nokia is actually losing share in India, largely due to a burgeoning domestic phone industry, led by companies whose spectacular sales volumes belie their newness. They'd be stupid to try to sell their cast-off dregs to hyper-competitive exploding markets like this.
The hardware demands of the developing world are different. That much is obvious. Making things even more difficult is the way people sell phones outside of the US and Europe. Surprise! It's also different. "In North America and many parts of Europe, operators typically subsidize handsets," says Lambeek. It's a familiar, unwieldy system of blood contracts and extravagant hardware. It's why we tend to loathe our carriers, and also why you can get a Droid for $150. But it's by no means universal. "That is quite rare in places like Africa, for the simple reason that the economics of subsidizing don't make sense. Either the money doesn't come, or it takes far too long." This means that the price of the phone isn't distorted by subsidies, and that the operators are barely involved in phone distribution at all.
This makes things less complicated in a lot of ways, and more complicated in others. Phones have to be cheap enough that people can buy them outright, which basically renders all high-end smartphones like BlackBerrys or iPhones, which can cost well over $500 unsubsidized, almost comically inaccessible. It also means that phones need to be standardized and network-neutral, or unlocked, and that they have to work with whatever services are popular or available, be they voice or text or internet.
The developing world has no interest in the iPhone. It's impractically delicate and expensive, and its battery lasts a day, if you're lucky. But the concept of a smartphone is in some ways as attractive in rural Nigeria as it is anywhere else.
Companies like Huwei are already refiguring the Android phone equation to suit second-time phone buyers, and bringing prices for unsubsidized touchscreen smartphones well under $200, edging ever closer to $100. Nokia's C3 series has Wi-Fi, a 2.0MP camera, a full, metal-keyed QWERTY keyboard, microSD storage and an App Store. It comes with Facebook and Twitter access out of the box. Depending on tariffs, it sells for around $100 worldwide. It's coming to America, soon making an appearance on Wal-Mart's shelves. The price? $80. It's the anti-N8: Fairly simple, very cheap, and so far, wildly popular.
iPhone Queues? Get a Load of This Nokia C3 Queue
Spotted in Indonesia: at least 63 people queuing for Nokia's QWERTY-equipped C3 phone. Anyone…
This is what the next generation of the mega-selling phone will look like. They'll be rough facsimiles of the high-end smartphones forged for well-heeled buyers, stripped of fat and excess—an embodiment of compromise. They'll be 90% of the phone for 20% of the price, with FM radios instead of digital music stores, and flashlights instead of LED flashes. This is how the other half will smartphone, if you want to be so generous as to call the developing world's users a half. We're not even close.
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Posts for: February, 2016
Tags: celebrity smiles chipped teeth
A recent episode of “America’s Got Talent” featured an engaging 93-year-old strongman called The Mighty Atom Jr. The mature muscleman’s stunt: moving a full-sized car (laden with his octogenarian “kid brother,” his brother’s wife, plus Atom’s “lady friend”) using just his teeth. Grinning for host Howie Mandel, Atom proudly told the TV audience that his teeth were all his own; then he grasped a leather strap in his mouth, and successfully pulled the car from a standstill.
We’re pleased to see that the Atom has kept his natural teeth in good shape: He must have found time for brushing and flossing in between stunts. Needless to say, his “talent” isn’t one we’d recommend trying at home. But aside from pulling vehicles, teeth can also be chipped or fractured by more mundane (yet still risky) activities — playing sports, nibbling on pencils, or biting too hard on ice. What can you do if that happens to your teeth?
Fortunately, we have a number of ways to repair cracked or chipped teeth. One of the easiest and fastest is cosmetic bonding with tooth-colored resins. Bonding can be used to fill in small chips, cracks and discolorations in the teeth. The bonding material is a high-tech mixture of plastic and glass components that’s extremely lifelike, and can last for several years. Plus, it’s a procedure that can be done right in the office, with minimal preparation or discomfort. However, it may not be suitable for larger chips, and it isn’t the longest-lasting type of restoration.
When more of the tooth structure is missing, a crown (or cap) might be needed to restore the tooth’s appearance and function. This involves creating a replacement for the entire visible part of the tooth in a dental lab — or in some cases, right in the office. It typically involves making a model of the damaged tooth and its neighbors, then fabricating a replica, which will fit perfectly into the bite. Finally, the replacement crown is permanently cemented to the damaged tooth. A crown replacement can last for many years if the tooth’s roots are in good shape. But what if the roots have been dislodged?
In some cases it’s possible to re-implant a tooth that has been knocked out — especially if it has been carefully preserved, and receives immediate professional attention. But if a tooth can’t be saved (due to a deeply fractured root, for example) a dental implant offers today’s best option for tooth replacement. This procedure has a success rate of over 95 percent, and gives you a natural looking replacement tooth that can last for the rest of your life.
So what have we learned? If you take care of your teeth, like strongman Atom, they can last a long time — but if you need to move your car, go get the keys.
If you would like more information about tooth restoration, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Crowns & Bridgework.”
Tags: oral health pediatric dentistry
What do young saber tooth tigers, which have been extinct about 10,000 years, have in common with human kids today? At first glance, not a lot. Smilodon fatalis, the big cat of North America, reached adulthood at around age three and weighed up to 600 pounds. But these ice-age mammals are probably best known for their dagger-like canine teeth, which (as shown by many well-preserved skeletons) grew up to 7 inches long. And that’s where the comparison between kids and kitties gets interesting.
The toothy felines had primary (baby) teeth and adult teeth, which developed in a similar way to human dentition. The primary teeth came in first, persisted during the young cat’s development, and shared space in the mouth as the adult teeth were erupting (growing in) — with one big difference. According to a recent study reported in the academic journal PLOS ONE, those colossal canines grew at an astonishing rate: up to 6 millimeters per month! By comparison, human primary teeth emerge from the gums at around 0.7mm per month, while permanent teeth may grow up to 2mm per month.
It’s understandable why those tiger teeth developed so rapidly: Life in the Ice Age was hard, and predators needed every advantage just to stay alive. But while human baby teeth take longer to develop (and to go away), they, too, are vitally important.Â For one thing, the primary teeth let kids bite, chew, speak (and smile) properly, until they are replaced by adult teeth — a process that isn’t usually finished until a child reaches the age of 12-13. So those “baby” teeth allow kids to have good nutrition — and positive social interactions — for a significant part of childhood!
There’s another important thing primary teeth do before they’re gone: They help ensure that the succeeding teeth come in properly, by holding a space in the jaw that will later be filled by a permanent tooth. If baby teeth are lost prematurely, those spaces can close up, resulting in permanent teeth that emerge too close together, or in the wrong places. This condition, called malocclusion (bad bite), can usually be corrected by orthodontics. But it’s better to avoid the inconvenience (and cost) of braces, if possible.
That’s why it’s so important to take care of your child’s baby teeth. Even though they won’t be around forever, they have a vital role to play right now. So be sure proper attention is paid to your child’s oral hygiene: That means avoiding sugar, and remembering to brush and floss every day. And be sure to come in regularly for routine exams, cleanings, and needed care. It’s the best way to keep those little teeth from “going extinct” too soon!
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s baby teeth, please call our office to schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Importance of Baby Teeth” and “Early Loss of Baby Teeth.”
March (2) January (2)


Patriotic family honors downed Naval aviator lost at sea in 1943
Duke Williams
in Headlines
Thursday, November 10. 2016
Editor’s note: Four or five days a week, I walk in Greenwood Cemetery. As a result, I am very familiar with the place. I notice new graves and headstones. I was puzzled when I found new markers in the newest section of the cemetery for a Navy pilot killed in action in 1943.
I reached out to local historian Tim Turner who was equally puzzled by the grave of Earnest Duke Williams. I wanted to learn his story.
It is one of sacrifice and patriotism that is timely as we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day Friday.
By Walter Geiger
Suzanne Forster has a vivid memory of a visit to Arlington National Cemetery with her grandmother, Pauline Witherspoon Williams. Pauline gazed out at row upon row of white tombstones and said, “I will never see my son’s gravestone.”
Her son was Earnest Duke Williams.
This was a family of patriots. Pauline’s husband, Earnest Wright Williams, served in World War I.
Suzanne’s parents, Bill and Gaie Pittman, are buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Bill was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army and served in China in the Pacific Theatre in World War II.
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Warner Offers DRM-Free Music on Amazon
Warner Music Group, a major holdout on selling music online without copy protection, caved in to the growing trend Thursday and agreed to sell its tunes on Amazon.com Inc.’s digital music store.
Until now, Warner Music had resisted offering songs by its artists in the MP3 format, which can be copied to multiple computers and burned onto CDs without restriction and played on most PCs and digital media players, including Apple Inc.’s iPod and Microsoft Corp.’s Zune.
The deal raises the total number of MP3s for sale through Amazon’s music download store to more than 2.9 million. Warner Music’s entire catalog, including work by artists Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin and Sean Paul, will be added to the site throughout the week. The Amazon store launched with nearly 2.3 million songs in September.


Threats from ISIS at Philips Arena Taken Seriously
(FOX 5 ATLANTA) -- According to an article in the International Business Times:
"Anonymous, the loose collective of online activists, also said the Islamic State group is planning an assault at the WWE Survivor Series event scheduled to take place in the Philips Arena in Atlanta Sunday at 7.30 p.m. EST, as well as attacks at multiple events in Paris."
FOX 5 spoke with Jim Butterworth, Director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency who said there is no credible threat directed at the WWE event. According to Butterworth, the ISIS group has made a list of possible targets and doesn't think that this is an identifiable threat, which means WWE event wasn't specifically listed. "In light of the world we live in, we take the suggested possibility of attacks seriously," said Butterworth.
"The FBI is aware of reports of an alleged threat that includes an Atlanta, Georgia venue and event. While we take all threats seriously, we do not have specific or credible information of an attack at this time. We have, however, made the proper notifications as we continue to work closely with our law enforcement and private sector partners to keep our community safe," said J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office.
Philips Arena and WWE released a statement Saturday night :
"Federal, state and local law enforcement authorities have confirmed there is no specific or credible information involving a threat against tomorrow's WWE Survivor Series at Philips Arena. However, WWE and Philips Arena have coordinated with the appropriate agencies and law enforcement, and significantly increased security measures to ensure the safety of all those in attendance, which is our highest priority.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. to help fans avoid any delays in entering the arena due to the additional precautionary security procedures put in place. Fans are encouraged to take public transportation (MARTA) to the event and are advised that bags will not be permitted in the arena."
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TRVL Neighborhoods
A day in... the Upper East Side, New York
Photo by Alex Maisuradze / Creative Commons
TRVL Neighborhoods A day in... the Upper East Side, New York
Upper East Side might not be the most budget-friendly of neighborhoods, but if you want to go all out and treat someone (and yourself) to something really special in New York City, then a stay in Upper East Side might be right up your street – or is that Fifth Avenue?
James Hiam Editor
During the Gilded Age in the United States, the Carnegies, Rockefellers, Roosevelts and other members of the country's rich, famous, and influential elite lived along Fifth Avenue in grand, palatial residences. Their presence earned the street the nickname of 'Millionaire's Row,' and, while many of these old mansions have since been torn down and replaced with luxury apartment blocks, Fifth Avenue remains exclusive to this day.
Before you hit up Fifth Avenue, however, and only after you've had breakfast and a read of the day's paper at your hotel, first explore some of Upper East Side's less obviously glamorous but no less affluent side streets. There a few better neighborhoods in New York for brownstone buildings and leafy, tree-lined streets; enjoy a relaxed, aimless wander for an hour or so – stopping somewhere for coffee along the way – for the most pleasant of starts to your day.
You might not be able to resist the lure of Fifth Avenue for too long, however. As famous today for its luxury boutique shopping as it was in the late 19th-century for its Gilded Age mansions, Fifth Avenue is where you take your shiny new credit card or go for a spot of upscale window shopping. Alternatively, or after a spot of lunch in one of the neighborhood's hip cafes and posh restaurants, do some more aimless wandering, this time around Central Park. This most famous of green spaces runs along the western boundary of Upper East Side and is the perfect environment for people-watching and stretching your legs.
Following lunch, it's time to head back to Fifth Avenue but this time to the area between 82nd and 105th streets, otherwise known as 'Museum Mile.' The Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka the Met), The Museum for African Art, El Museo del Barrio, the Guggenheim, The Jewish Museum, the Neue Galerie New York or one of the area's other renowned cultural institutions. Spend your afternoon in one of these or even try and see a couple, although you can always come back the next day, of course.
The Met also stays open late on Friday and Saturday evenings, which is perfect for if you want to dodge the worst of the crowds during the day. There's also an impressive rooftop bar, so you can have a drink here before heading out to a restaurant or another bar for more drinks. You'll find a high concentration of both around the East 82nd Street and 2nd Avenue intersection, or jump on the subway and head down to other neighborhoods for a more raucous night out – the Meatpacking District or East Village are always pretty good bets and are popular with the locals.
Comparing NYC neighborhoods? Read our New York city and neighborhood guide.
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Home World UK Down’s syndrome: Advice scrapped after criticism
Down’s syndrome: Advice scrapped after criticism
Media captionMidwife told me “Down’s test is for abortions”
A leaflet for pregnant women who opt for Down’s syndrome screening has been scrapped after it was criticised for overly focusing on medical problems their baby could face.
The information was produced to accompany a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) for chromosomal conditions which was rolled out by NHS Wales in April.
Campaigners said pregnant women were being “pushed towards terminations”.
The Welsh Government said parents were given information to make choices.
NIPT can safely screen for genetic conditions such as Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome with more than 98% accuracy in the first three months of pregnancy.
But only an invasive amniocenteses test, which carries up to a 2% risk of miscarriage, can confirm a diagnosis.
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A world without Down’s syndrome?
If women are found to have a high chance of having a baby with one of the conditions, they are offered a NIPT and given a booklet which explains the condition.
However, in a letter to a campaigner Health Secretary Vaughan Gething admitted the initial booklets given to mothers having the test had to be replaced after the Nuffield Council on Bioethics said the information was “overly focused on the medical problems associated with the screened-for conditions”, “lacking in important information about NIPT” and “difficult to navigate”.
Public Health Wales NHS Trust
The replacement leaflet added more information about the social aspect of the condition after the first was criticised
The new leaflet has altered some information about medical problems such as heart conditions and cataracts.
It also states children with Down’s syndrome “lead healthy and fulfilled lives” and added that many go on to work and live in their own accommodation.
Before its introduction, campaigners had argued tests would lead to more terminations, with evidence suggesting 90% of women terminate with a positive diagnosis of the condition.
Media captionHealth Secretary Vaughan Gething says the test is safer for mothers and babies
‘Punched in the guts’
Mother-of-two Leah has a sister with Down’s syndrome.
Leah, who does not want to reveal her full name or where she lives, recently went for a dating scan and asked for the screening so she could be prepared if her baby had the condition, which it did not.
She claimed when she told the midwife she would not terminate the pregnancy if she was given a positive result the midwife told her “the purpose of the test is for terminations” and she should not be having the scan if she was not going to end her pregnancy in the event of a diagnosis.
“We came out of the consultation, my husband and I, literally as if we’d been punched in the guts. We were sat there with tears in our eyes looking at each other and we couldn’t believe what we’d just heard,” she said.
“It was just horrible. Really horrible.”
NIPT is more than 98% accurate, but an invasive test is still needed to confirm a Down’s Syndrome diagnosis
A spokeswoman for the Welsh health board in question said it was “grateful that this issue has been brought to our attention” and it would work to “make sure all information offered to women is in keeping with standards, promotes choice and an unbiased approach”.
It added midwives offer information on screening in line with the standards and policies set out by Antenatal Screening Wales.
Frances Jenkins, whose 10-year-old daughter Darcie has Down’s syndrome, set up a support group for families in south Wales called T:21 Dragons shortly after she was born.
She said: “The support is not fair, it’s totally biased towards termination.
“No parent to my knowledge has been offered to meet families that have successfully and happily brought a child with Down’s syndrome into the world, they were only directed towards families that had already terminated.
“It has to be fair, unbiased information. I’m not saying termination isn’t the answer for some of these families, but it has to be done fairly.”
She added there was no counselling offered to women who wish to continue their pregnancy after a positive diagnosis and it is only available to women who choose to have a termination.
Media captionHeidi Crowter wants to break people’s misconceptions about Down’s syndrome.
Lynn Murray, who runs the Don’t Screen Us Out campaign, said the ethical issues which are leading to terminations have not been resolved.
She said: “Had due diligence been carried out in Wales, before NIPT was prematurely rolled out, then such action could have been avoided. The harms caused by antenatal screening must be negated. We continue to lobby in that regard.”
The Down’s Syndrome Association said accurate and up-to-date information about Down’s syndrome was “imperative” for couples to make informed decisions.
It also called for regular health professional training.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Having any screening test is a matter of personal choice. In Wales at present around 60% of women choose to have the Down’s syndrome screening offered.
“Parents are provided with information to enable a personal informed choice about the screening tests offered and need to be supported throughout their care, independent of the decisions made.”
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Extinction Rebellion: Who are they and what are their aims? 2019-07-16
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New Women New Yorkers
This Saturday, February 17th from 1pm-4pm, New Women New Yorkers will be hosting the opening of their exhibit at the Queens Museum.
by Alexandra Feldhausen
Believe in the myth of America’s melting pot or not, New York is undeniably an international city, but that does not always mean it is the most welcoming place. This is especially true for young women immigrants who encounter challenges finding a job alongside the added difficulties of discrimination, sexism, and juggling a family and career.
For the past two years, I have volunteered with New Women New Yorkers (NWNY), a non-profit which seeks to address many of the challenges young women moving to New York City encounter. I spoke with Arielle Kandel, the director of NWNY, in order to understand how she is trying to change the professional landscape for women, mothers, and immigrants to New York City.
What made you decide to start NWNY?
It was not something that was really planned. It sort of just happened. I am originally from France which does not really have an entrepreneurial culture.
The idea of this organization really began six or seven years ago when I was working in Israel, where I started my professional career. I worked in a number of policy planning and research think tanks there, and afterwards, I spent time in South Asia and India volunteering with nonprofits that provided resettlement training to Tibetan refugees.
Even with all this experience, when I first moved to New York five years ago, it was very difficult to find a job. It was clear I wanted to work with immigrants and refugees. NWNY began from these discussions when I started seeing other women with lots of similar challenges. There was no space in New York to start to talk about and solve these problems faced by immigrants to the city, so I decided to create one.
Initially, NWNY was just a project. Soon though, I started getting volunteers on board, and from the start, the organization’s work was really driven by people who donated their time to make things happen. Once other organizations became interested in our work, I started realizing that this could really be important.
I remember growing up with the stories from my Eastern European Jewish grandparents, who took refuge in the United States just before World War II, and then, ironically, about my father who was an American immigrant to France where my parents met and married. Between being an immigrant myself and coming from a family of immigrants it felt like the creation of NWNY really brought me full circle.
You said that one of your motivations was trying to find a job in New York and your desire to work with migrating populations. What were some of the other unique challenges women immigrants experience when coming to New York?
First and foremost finding a job is really difficult. People will always find work that pays the bills, but it is very difficult to find a position that aligns with your interests. It’s really hard and for women especially.
First, there are not many resources to support women who want to start a family. Not only that, women coming to this city don’t have a network or connections. They do not know how to access crucial information like how to look for a job, what resources are available, job interview skills (which are very different from country to country), and resume writing experience.
A lot of women don’t feel they have many places to express themselves and practice their English without judgment. Many women come from countries where their voices are not particularly valued, so it’s important for them to practice in a safe space.
NWNY's provides workshops as a means for overcoming some challenges. What are some of the other ways NWNY helps support women coming to New York?
Starting with workshops, we help young women learn about the job search process and culture. We work with them to create their professional action plans.
Over the past year, we have also been creating more spaces to connect with professionals from different industries and provide opportunities to see actual workplaces including field visits to Google, Linkedin, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). We also do mock interviews and career counseling sessions where we work with professionals from many different organizations like the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Rockefeller Foundation.
At this point, we are really try to go beyond just networks, and we hope to create meaningful spaces and partnerships with companies and organizations in order to offer job opportunities.
Between the Travel Ban and DACA, this is not the most welcoming climate for immigrants in the United States. Has this changed the kind of work you do or how you understand that work?
It has changed a lot, but also confirmed the importance of what we do. The first time I voted in the United States was in this past US election. I went with my daughter and explained everything. I was very excited, and I had a lot of hopes. She is going to be a woman, and she was born here. Her father is Israeli, and I am French-American. Growing up in America, she will have her own unique identity, and I am not sure what. I want to see her grow up in a place where women are valued and her different immigrant identities are appreciated.
For NWNY, the day after the election, I went to facilitate a workshop for a group of women in the Chinatown Library. Everyone was worried. Since then, this worry is something that has been omnipresent. There is always this fear behind the idea of starting in this country and what that means.
To create a space to talk about this, NWNY has really started to provide more spaces for story-telling. This past year was the first time we worked with the Moth, a storytelling non-profit. We want to be creating a space for women to talk about who they are, why they came here, and how they see what’s happening. For many women who grew up in another country, they came to the US precisely because it was seen as a space that was more welcoming of their differences.
Your daughter sounds like one of the inspirations for your work. How has it been juggling childcare with starting and growing NWNY? How has that influenced the way you think about your programs?
Our new professional development training LEAD for New Moms really grew out of my experience of being a mom. This is a six-week long workshop that teach women professional development skills as well as provide free childcare, so they don’t have to worry about their children while they are in workshops.
We just started this program last December and January in Staten Island. I had just had my daughter the July before, so it was a time where the personal and professional really coincided. Childcare is very expensive, and as an immigrant to this city I don’t have family here to help. It’s very isolating in New York in general, but as a mother, it is especially so. Plus, your hours are very different as a mom since evenings are when you can typically network, but they are also the main time you spend with your kid.
One of the things, I really want to do with NWNY is create more spaces where women can bring their children since there are really not enough them. I understand what that’s like since I also really value the time I spend with my daughter.
At the same time, NWNY is really my first baby, and I love what I do. It’s also very important to keep space for yourself while also developing new areas where we can include our children.
You have done so much in such a short amount of time. Do you have any advice for SIPA students as they embark on their careers?
I would suggest, as I am sure you have heard before, to network, but in a meaningful way: Build genuine relationships with people in your field of interest.
Keep your mind open: You learn from every experience, and sometimes an opportunity that doesn’t seem that attractive initially can actually become an important step or milestone in your professional path.
Ask yourself the why question continuously: Why are you interested in this field? Why is this your dream job?
Any last things?
Come to our exhibit. It will be open from February 17th until March 18th in the Queens Museum. We also will be hosting pop ups for Women’s History Month, and please, men should also come! I know it’s far from where you are at SIPA but very worth it.
Alexandra Feldhausen February 14, 2018 Comment
Monologues on Anxiety and Depression
SIPA: Stories, SIPA: ReflectionsSarah Hong February 16, 2018 mental health, SIPA, academics, graduate school2 Comments
To Go To Macau
SIPA: ReflectionsJasper Lo February 9, 2018 Macau, Poetry, Cookbook, Chinese-American, Veteran, Masculinity, Diaspora, Race, Migration


About Hoover ›
Director of the Hoover Institution comments on McFaul’s new appointment
White House/Pete Souza
On May 29, 2011, Michael McFaul, the Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and a professor of political science at Stanford University, was announced as the next United States ambassador to Russia (subject to Senate approval). McFaul is currently on leave from his position at Hoover to serve as special assistant to President Obama for national security affairs and senior director for Russian and Eurasian affairs at the National Security Council. McFaul has become known in Washington as a passionate defender of Mr. Obama’s policy, arguing that the United States can speak out on democracy and Georgia while still seeking cooperation with Moscow in other areas.
“The president has chosen one of the leading policy experts and intellectual lights on Russia with this appointment. Mike brings years of expertise, a wealth of knowledge, and an innate sense of diplomacy to this post—I can think of no one more deserving of this position. We are pleased for Mike, and we feel his tenure as ambassador will be wonderful for the American and for the Russian people,” states John Raisian, director of the Hoover Institution.
Before joining Hoover in 1995, McFaul worked for two years as a senior associate for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace at the Moscow Carnegie Center. McFaul is also a research associate at the Center for International Security and Arms Control and a senior adviser to the National Democratic Institute. McFaul's current research interests include democratization in the postcommunist world and Iran, US-Russian relations, and American efforts to promote democracy abroad.
McFaul has written a multitude of books including Advancing Democracy Abroad: Why We Should and How We Can (Hoover Institution Press, 2010); Russia's 1996 Presidential Election: The End of Bipolar Politics (Hoover Institution Press, 1997); with Sergei Markov, The Troubled Birth of Russian Democracy: Political Parties, Programs and Profiles (Hoover Institution Press, 1993); and Understanding Russia's 1993 Parliamentary Elections: Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy (Hoover Institution Press, 1994).
McFaul is the author of numerous academic articles and opinion pieces and has served as an expert commentator on national television and radio. He also appeared frequently on Uncommon Knowledge, addressing a variety of Russian and Soviet topics.
Read more about McFaul’s appointment in the Stanford Report and the Washington Post. Click here to read McFaul’s Hoover Digest article titled America’s Democratic Credentials.


Jang Hyuk In Talks To Join Yang Se Jong And Woo Do Hwan In Historical Drama
by C. Hong
Jang Hyuk is in talks for a new historical drama!
Recently media outlets reported that the actor had confirmed his casting in the JTBC historical action drama, “My Country” (working title).
On January 16, his agency, SidusHQ, stated, “Jang Hyuk has received a casting offer from JTBC’s new historical drama and he is positively reviewing it.”
If he accepts the offer, he will be playing the role of Lee Bang Won, the prince who helped his father overthrow the Goryeo dynasty and begin the Joseon dynasty. He would later become known as King Taejong, the father of King Sejong the Great.
Both Yang Se Jong and Woo Do Hwan have confirmed their roles in the drama, which takes place between the end of the Goryeo dynasty and the beginning of the Joseon dynasty. Yang Se Jong plays the son of a general and Woo Do Hwan plays an aspiring military officer who is hampered by his background as an illegitimate son.
AOA’s Seolhyun is also in talks for the role of the female lead.
Source (1) (2)
Top Photo Credit: Xportsnews
Jang Hyuk
Yang Se Jong
Woo Do Hwan


About Nature Study
History of Women in the Sciences
The Establishment of Science in America
Women, Gender, and Science
Gender and Scientific Authority
Origins of Natural Science in America
History of Women in the Sciences: Readings from Isis (University of Chicago Press, 1999)
The Establishment of Science in America: 150 Years of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Rutgers University Press, 1999)
Women, Gender, and Science: New Directions, Osiris Volume 12 (University of Chicago Press, 1997).
Gender and Scientific Authority (University of Chicago Press, 1996).
Origins of Natural Science in America: The Essays of George Brown Goode (Smithsonian Institution Press, DATE).
Teaching Children Science: Hands-On Nature Study in North America is now available from the University of Chicago Press!
Sally Gregory Kohlstedt is a professor in the Program in History of Science and Technology at the University of Minnesota. Her research interests focus on the interface of science with American culture. She has also published widely on gender and science. You can find out more information about her courses and professional service at her university Web site. When not writing or teaching, Sally loves to canoe in the Boundary Waters Area in Northern Minnesota. Contact her at sgk AT umn DOT edu.
History of Women in the Sciences: Readings from Isis features some of the most influential and pioneering studies of women in the sciences. Spanning the 17th to the 20th centuries, this edited volume demonstrates the meaning and power of gender as experienced by women in the sciences.
The Establishment of Science in America provides a comprehensive history of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the largest and most significant general organization of scientists in America. The book provides a unique window on the development of science in the United States during the past 150 years.
Women, Gender, and Science: New Directions brings together prominent historians and philosophers of science to examine women's participation in science, gender and science, and the potential for interaction between these two pieces of a larger puzzle.
Gender and Scientific Authority collects influential articles from Signs on the contributions of feminist historical research to debates on history and theory.
The Origins of Natural Science in America is a collection of essays by G. Brown Goode, an ichthyologist and Smithsonian museum administrator who pioneered the history of American science.
Copyright © 2019 Sally Gregory Kohlstedt - All Rights Reserved - Maintained by The Outside Reader


Motley Fool Australia » Investing » Soul Pattinson: Australia’s Berkshire Hathaway?
Soul Pattinson: Australia’s Berkshire Hathaway?
Mike King | June 7, 2012
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL) is a diversified investment company, similar to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B) with investments in whole companies as well as interests in several companies as you can see from the table below. Like Berkshire, the company also has its own share portfolio, with a market value of $425m as at the end of January 2012.
One of the major differences for investors is that Soul Pattinson pays dividends, whereas Berkshire does not.
Despite its $3.14bn market cap, Soul Pattinson is not in the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) (Index: ^AXKO) which would put it in the top 50 listed stocks by market capital. It’s even bigger than Qantas Limited (ASX: QAN) – though that’s easier than it used to be!
Soul Pattinson is Australia’s second oldest listed company. Beginning as a chemist shop in Pitt Street, Sydney in 1872, the company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1902. Soul Patts, as it’s colloquially known, has paid a dividend every year since then, including throughout the depression of the 1930s. Today the company is a diversified investor in basic industries such as building products, property and coal, as well as equities, telecommunications, rural services, financial services and pharmaceuticals.
Soul Pattinson’s wholly owned companies include Pitt Capital Partners Limited, a corporate advisory firm, Souls Private Equity as well as stakes in non-listed companies including CopperChem Limited (in which Soul Patts holds 93.4% of the shares), which produces copper sulphate and copper concentrate. The company’s holdings in listed investments include the following:
Company % owned by Soul Patts Share price Market value of Soul’s share Industry
New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) 59.7% $4.06 $2,008m Coal miner
Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) 44.5% $10.40 $682m* Building products and property
BKI Investment Co Ltd (ASX: BKI) 13.6% $1.15 $67m Investment company
TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) 26.9% $1.76 $369m Telecommunications
Ruralco Holdings Limited (ASX: RHL) 23.5% $3.02 $39m Rural products such as grain, water, fertilizer and stockfeed
Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (ASX: API) 24.6% $0.36 $43m Pharmacies and Priceline
Apex Healthcare Berhad (Malaysia) (7090.KL) 30.3% $0.89** $25m Pharmaceutical and healthcare products
Clover Corporation Limited (ASX: CLV) 28.6% $0.37 $17m Food and nutritional products
Total $3,250m
Source: Annual reports, Google Finance, Yahoo Finance
* Excludes 42% shareholding in Soul Pattinson
** Converted from Malaysian Ringgit to Australian dollars at an exchange rate of 3.1492
The company’s share portfolio includes investments in Milton Corporation Limited (ASX: MLT), BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Telstra Limited (ASX: TLS), Campbell Brothers Limited (ASX: CPB) and Perpetual Limited (ASX: PPT).
Market agitation to separate Brickworks from Soul
Fund manager Perpetual and some other institutional investors have been agitating to break the crossholding between Soul Pattinson and Brickworks. Brickworks owns 42% of Soul Pattinson, while Soul Pattinson holds 44.5% of Brickworks. Perpetual has argued that unwinding the arrangement could realise up to $1.5bn in underlying value in both stocks. Robert Millner, chair of Brickworks has defended the 40-year-old strategic alliance, saying that the current arrangement helps Brickworks to offset the cyclical earnings from its building products and property businesses.
The proposal to unwind the crossholding was recently rejected by an independent review panel. Unwinding the arrangement would see Brickworks having to pay substantial capital gains tax, as well as shareholders potentially facing additional tax.so it’s likely that the crossholding won’t be removed any time soon.
There’s a lot to like about an investment in Soul Pattinson. A shareholding offers instant diversity into many industries.
The company is shareholder friendly; over the past 15 years, Soul Pattinson has returned an average 11.5% per annum to its shareholders, including dividends and capital gains. The company has also paid special dividends in eight of the last 10 years, and unlike many other companies, hasn’t asked its shareholders to contribute more capital for at least the last 13 years.
Soul Pattinson has no debt, and cash reserves of $229m — not including $1.4bn of term deposits sitting on New Hope’s balance sheet.
Management have shareholdings not just in the company, but in the associated companies as well, so shareholders should feel comfortable that directors will act in their best interests. The Millner family hold about 8% of the equity in both Soul Pattinson and Brickworks.
The Foolish bottom line
Trading at a discount to both its book value ($15.72) and the current market value of its listed investments ($13.61), and with a long and profitable history, Soul Pattinson is one for the watchlist.If you’re in the market for some less risky, high yielding ASX shares, look no further than Secure Your Future with 3 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks. In this free report, we’ve put together our best ideas for investors who are looking for solid companies with high dividends and good growth potential. Click here now to find out the names of our three favourite income ideas. But hurry – the report is free for only a limited time.
Maybe I’m the idiot
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Apple give Google the boot, faces off with Facebook
Motley Fool contributor Mike King owns shares in BHP. The Motley Fool‘s purpose is to help the world invest, better. Take Stock is The Motley Fool’s free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Click here now to request your free subscription, whilst it’s still available. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.
Editor’s note: The table in the article originally listed Clover’s full market value, rather than Soul Pattinson’s share. Thank you to Mark, our Foolish reader who picked up the error. It has been corrected.


Home Articles Cheap mortgages for everyone! Greens’ call for ‘People’s Bank’ unpicked
Cheap mortgages for everyone! Greens’ call for ‘People’s Bank’ unpicked
James Fernyhough| The New Daily| 4 April 2018
https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/property/2018/04/04/greens-peoples-bank-unpicked/
The Greens have unveiled a radical plan to give Australians access to much cheaper home loans than are currently on offer, in an unabashed attack on the big four banks’ stranglehold on the mortgage market.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Greens leader Richard Di Natale called for a government-owned ‘People’s Bank’ to be set up to compete with the commercial banks by providing mortgages with interest rates as low as 3.5 per cent.
The lender would be the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the loans would be delivered through Australia Post shops. The mortgages themselves would be “no-frills mortgage trackers”, meaning they would be formally linked to the cash rate.
Crucially, borrowers would only be able to borrow up to 60 per cent of the value of their home – much less than the standard 80 per cent offered by commercial banks.
Here are some of the policy’s key details, in Mr Di Natale’s words:
“The minimum interest rate would be set at 3 per cent plus approximately 0.5 per cent for the administration costs of contracted service provides.
“The interest rate would go up with the cash rate if it rises above 3 per cent, but it will always deliver loans that householders can pay off faster and with significant savings on interest compared to the current offerings of the big banks.”
So, is it a good idea? The New Daily spoke to two prominent economists: The Australia Institute’s Richard Denniss, and independent economist Saul Eslake, to get their take. They provided two radically different assessments of the policy.
In favour: Richard Denniss
Dr Denniss supported the policy for one main reason: lack of competition is allowing the big banks to make huge profits off the interest rates they charge ordinary Australian home owners.
“The big four have around 90 per cent of the home loan market, and they’re among the most profitable banks in the world. They’re increasing the cost of mortgages to enrich their shareholders,” he said.
TAI’s Richard Denniss supports the Greens’ proposal.
“So why wouldn’t we consider a national bank offering a competitive alternative?”
Dr Denniss claimed smaller banks and building societies often offered better rates than the big banks, but borrowers were still flocking to the big banks because they were “nervous” about switching to lesser-known banks.
Allowing the RBA to offer competitive home loans would solve that problem.
“It’s hard to have doubt about the RBA when the RBA stands behind the big four banks,” he said.
He dismissed concerns that access to cheaper home loans would add heat to the housing market.
“The idea that high interest rates are good for the Australian economy is a very strange one.”
He argued scrapping negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions was a fairer, surer way to take heat out of the housing market.
Against: Saul Eslake
Saul Eslake told The New Daily that while it was logistically feasible for the RBA to offer home loans, it was not a good idea for three reasons.
First, it would create a conflict of interest. He pointed to the once government-owned Commonwealth Bank, which until 1959 was both a mortgage lender and central bank.
Saul Eslake said the policy is the wrong answer to a legitimate concern.
That meant it was both regulator and participant in the market it was regulating.
“In 1959 the Menzies government decided it was an unacceptable conflict of interest for Commonwealth Bank also to be the central bank,” Mr Eslake told The New Daily, adding the same principle applied today.
The second reason he opposed the People’s Bank was that the Australian economy does not need more cheap money.
“It’s not as if there’s any shortage of housing finance in Australia. In fact we’ve got too much,” he said.
His third reason for opposing the policy was that, because the RBA would only cover 60 per cent of the house price, it would only really benefit those who could save up the remaining 40 per cent.
The rest, he said, would have to borrow the remaining 20 per cent from commercial lenders at much higher rates of interest.
Previous articleHouse prices are falling and wages may soon be rising: RBA
Next articleANZ says Australia’s housing slowdown is almost over with prices set to rise again


Click to copyhttps://apnews.com/0c6d91f7637b4bfe884b65ab6e6f58cb
Terrance Mitchell
Browns sign cornerback E.J. Gaines, played for Bills in ’17
By TOM WITHERSMarch 23, 2018
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns signed free agent cornerback E.J. Gaines, the latest addition to a revamped secondary.
Gaines played last season for the Buffalo Bills. The 26-year-old will be reunited in Cleveland with Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as the two previously worked together with the Los Angeles Rams.
The 26-year-old Gaines, who also met with the New York Jets, will bring speed and depth to the Browns.
New general manager John Dorsey has been busy overhauling Cleveland’s defensive backfield. He also traded for cornerback Damarious Randall, signed free agents T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell and dealt cornerback Jason McCourty to New England.
Gaines has started 26 of 37 regular-season games in the NFL, recording 185 tackles and three interceptions. Last year, the Rams traded him and a second-round draft pick to Buffalo for wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
Gaines started 11 regular-season games last season, but missed five with knee and shoulder injuries. He sat out the 2015 season with a foot injury.
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL


Joshua Jackson shares his biggest dating obstacle since splitting from Diane Kruger
A lot has changed in the past decade, and newly single Joshua Jackson is finding the dating pool to be unchartered waters in the digital age. The Dawson's Creek star discussed his experiences since splitting Diane Kruger while on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on Tuesday (Dec. 13).
"Things have changed a little bit since last time I was single," the 38-year-old told host Ellen DeGeneres. "Maybe it was there, but I don't remember it. I mean, everything's on your phone now, right?"
He continued, “There's no more talking to people anymore. You talk to somebody and they're like, 'Ugh! No, no, no, no, no! We don't do that anymore.' So, yeah, it's been quite a big change."
While Joshua didn’t see opposed to joining a dating app or site, he did have one question: "What would my Match.com profile be?" Thankfully Ellen had plenty of vintage photos for the TV star to choose from for his possible profile.
"Look at you. You're adorable all the time," the host told her guest. He laughed, "You see adorable. I see embarrassing. It’s funny how just a little shift in perspective.” Ellen jokingly replied, “You can tell that's a different time. That's probably two or three years ago."
Joshua and Diane called time on their relationship earlier this year
Joshua and Diane ended their decade-long romance back in July. In 2014, the actor opened up about why he and the actress had chosen not to tie the knot, telling Glamour magazine, "I can tell you why we're not married: We're not religious."
The Dawson's Creek alum added, "I don’t feel any more or less committed to Diane for not having stood in front of a priest and had a giant party. We are both children of divorce, so it's hard for me to take marriage at face value as the thing that shows you've grown up and are committed to another person. But it may change at some point. We may get married."
WATCH JOSHUA'S INTERVIEW BELOW
Diane Kruger reveals the reason she doesn't have a stylist
Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson split after 10 years of dating
Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson move in together after 10 years


Home > LAW > Law Review > Vol. 88 > Iss. 6 (2011)
The Role of Precedent at Japan's Supreme Court
Hiroshi Itoh, State University of New York, Plattsburgh
The Article examines the use of precedents in the judicial decision making of the Japanese Supreme Court. It outlines the paradigms of the behavioral approach of judicial decision-making analysis which include the attribute, strategic and role paradigm. It is inferred that the use of judicial precedents act as a means of justifying and rationalizing the court ruling.
Hiroshi Itoh, The Role of Precedent at Japan's Supreme Court, 88 Wash. U. L. Rev. 1631 (2011).
Available at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_lawreview/vol88/iss6/11
Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, Courts Commons


Jail for drink-driver who blamed dead friend for fatal horror crash
He has been jailed for more than six years after finally admitting death by dangerous driving
Helen KreftSenior reporter
A lorry driver who crashed his car after a night of drinking in the pub tried to blame the accident on his friend who died in the smash, a court has heard.
Alex Smith was heard to say at the scene: “That’s my job gone then,” while his friend Samuel Mcneil, who was known as Razor, lay dying as residents rushed to the scene to help.
Smith, of Ferry Street, Stapenhill, tried to blame 21-year-old Mr Mcneil, from Branston, claiming that he was driving his Vauxhall Corsa when it clipped a kerb and rolled several times into a garden, off Burton Road, Overseal.
Mr Mcneil had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death led to an outpouring of grief from family and friends with dozens of floral tributes laid at the scene in the weeks following the incident, and his funeral was paid for from funds raised by wellwishers.
Alex Smith, pictured, was the driver of the car which killed his friend
The tragedy happened just before 11.15pm on December 16, 2016, but for 15 months Smith, now 22, maintained that Mr Mcneil, a structural engineer, was the driver of the car.
He only admitted a charge of death by dangerous driving following a hearing earlier this week, as his case was about to be prepared for trial.
He appeared at Derby Crown Court, on Thursday, March 15, for sentencing where Judge Robert Egbuna jailed him for six years and nine months, after hearing heart-breaking impact statements from Mr Mcneil's parents.
Reading his statement out in court, through tears, his father David Mcneil said: “Samuel told me about his plans, how things were going to be when he had children and what life would be like for him as a dad.
Speed sign concern following latest horrific crash in Overseal
“I feel my heart has been ripped out and running with only half the beats it should. I have to talk myself into continuing with my day. I spend most of my day in a blur. I am left feeling empty and very angry. I am supposed to remain productive when all I feel is negative and destructive. I have not slept the whole night since this happened.
“I have taken some comfort from Sam’s friends who have helped each other through since Sam’s passing and keep his memory alive.
“Sam was loved by all who knew him. I will never get over the loss of my son. I know the pain will lessen but the loss will always be felt.”
James Macdonald, prosecuting, told the court: “Alex Smith was the owner and driver of a white Vauxhall Corsa. Alex drove both him and Samuel to the pub, the Cricketts Inn, in Acresford, not far from Overseal. Their arrival was captured on CCTV at 7.43pm that evening.
“The video evidence also shows Alex get out of the driver’s seat and both going into the pub.”
Sam Mcneil died in a car crash after drinking with his friend in a pub
One staff member at the pub later told police both men had been in the pub for several hours and had a significant amount of alcohol. It was estimated they had between six and 10 pints of lager each and five glasses of Jägermeister and Redbull [known as a Jagerbomb] each.
Mr Macdonald continued: “The CCTV shows them leaving at 11.07pm and getting into the same car with Alex getting in the driver’s seat and they drove out of view.
“It was dark and it was foggy, which would require some extra care on the road.
Ayeeshia-Jayne murder has changed the way serious cases are reviewed
“The vehicle is next seen on CCTV in Burton Road, Overseal, about two miles from the pub. Evidence would suggest the car was travelling at about 65mph.
“The vehicle clipped the kerb and started to roll into a front garden. The force of this crash and the roll threw Samuel from the passenger seat.”
Several residents heard the crash and rushed to the scene. And, crucially, one resident said she saw someone climbing out of the car from the driver’s side.
Tributes were left at the side of the road following Samuel Mcneil's death
The prosecutor said: “It was only about five seconds from the time she heard the noise to looking out of the window and what she saw was a figure climbing out of the driver’s side which was Alex Smith.”
The court heard another man at the scene said he tried to calm the defendant down. He said Smith was ‘agitated’ and told him: “That is my job gone”.
It was then that Smith started his lies, and he told the man: “Help him [Samuel], I should have never let him drive.”, said Mr Macdonald.
Cannabis farmer jailed for three years after fleeing to Europe
Smith was also heard speaking to family on the phone saying: “Sam has gone and smashed the car up and he’s in a bad way.”
One resident noticed the engine was still running.
When police arrived on the scene Smith lied again claiming that the pair decided to swap seats during the two-mile journey, with Samuel getting into the driver’s seat.
He said: “I wanted to drive but Sam said he was ok to drive and I foolishly agreed to this.”
Following the accident, Smith claimed he had climbed from the passenger side to the driver’s side to get out of the vehicle.
Dozens of floral tributes were left for Sam Mcneil
Mr Macdonald told the court: “Alex then said he would take the blame but continued to say Samuel was driving.”
Smith was also breathalysed about an hour after the accident showing 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Following his arrest, he refused to answer any questions during his interview the following day and, again, in May 2017, the court was told.
In October 2017, a reconstruction of the crash was carried out taking into account the conditions at night time, while it was slightly foggy and lit by street lights. The court heard with these conditions, the vehicle would have been travelling in excess of 65mph when the driver lost control. The road is a 40mph stretch.
To disprove Smith’s lies, investigations by officers revealed that branch and foliage was found on the passenger side; there had been no attempt made to open the passenger door; and the engine was running.
Despite Smith’s lies claiming the pair had swapped seats halfway through their journey, Mr Macdonald said: “The distance was only about two miles and took two-and-a-half minutes to get there so if they had swapped halfway through they would have had to be driving at 99mph to reach the location.”
Andrew Vout, for Smith, said his client will have to live with what he had done for the rest of his life.
He said: “He is 22 with no previous convictions and with a clean driving licence prior to this incident. Through the actions of Alex Smith, Sam has lost his life, his parents have lost their son, friends have lost their friend.
"Alex is one of those friends. He is deeply sorry. He thinks about Sam every minute of every day. Not only is it the loss of a friend but he must bear the colossal responsibility for that and that will stay with him for the rest of his life.
“On that day they were close friends spending the day together. Sam spent the day with Alex in his lorry and went for a drink after work. It was meant to be one drink but they carried on because they were having a nice time.
“They left the pub and there was a debate over who should drive.
Uttoxeter man to appear in court again on weapon charge
“His breath was 52 microgrammes. He was over the limit but people drive with much greater readings than that but it is still inexcusable.”
The court also heard Smith had previously lost his father in a road accident.
In summing up, Judge Robert Egbuna said Smith knew they were drinking and he was also aware Mr Mcneil wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
He added: “The aggravating features of this are the speed, the drinking and you passing the blame. You persisted or made no attempt to dismiss until you pleaded guilty.”
However, the judge said he had taken into account that Smith has never been in trouble before, that he eventually pleaded guilty and that he was Samuel’s friend.
Smith will also be the subject of a seven-year driving ban, which will begin following his release from prison. The incident will then remain on his record for another 10 years.
Stapenhill


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Official Equipment Supplier
Green Hill Sports is an internationally renowned Sporting Goods company that specializes in sports equipment for Combative Sports including but not limited to Boxing, Kick-Boxing, MMA, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, BJJ and Combat Sambo. Sports Gear Canada Inc. is its Canadian satellite office and showroom. Green Hill is based on values of sportsmanship, athlete’s safety and providing the highest quality of sports products internationally!
Be Your Best Self!
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Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Boxing Ontario gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Health Promotion. Through its support of the sport and recreation sectors at the provincial and local level, the ministry contributes to a strong provincial sport system and the development of athletic achievement in Ontario. It fosters the involvement of children and youth in sport and recreation, recognizing their contribution to healthy child development and positive youth development.
Click here to learn more about the Ministry of Health Promotion.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation
Boxing Ontario gratefully acknowledges the support of the Trillium Foundation. With $100 million in annual funding from the province’s charitable gaming initiative, the Foundation provides grants to eligible charitable and not-for-profit organizations in the arts, culture, sports, recreation, environment and social service sectors.
Click here to learn more about the Trillium Foundation.
In 2001, Canada’s Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers responsible for sport came together to bring ethics and respectful conduct back into the way Canadians play and compete. They believed that damaging practices—cheating, bullying, violence, aggressive parental behavior, and even doping—were beginning to undermine the positive impact of community sport in Canada. The first step they took in turning back this negative tide was the signing of what is now known as the London Declaration, an unprecedented affirmation of positive sporting values and principles.
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport conducted a nationwide survey in 2002, which made clear the important role that sport plays in the lives of Canadians, as well as Canadians’ strong desire to uphold a model of sport that reflects and teaches positive values like fairness, excellence, inclusion, and fun.
Today, the True Sport Movement has thousands of members. A growing number of schools, clubs, leagues, teams, and communities across Canada are declaring that “True Sport Lives Here”. True Sport is supported by the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers responsible for sport, recreation and fitness through the Canadian Strategy for Ethical Conduct in Sport — A True Sport Contribution, as well as a national charitable organization called the True Sport Foundation.
Boxing Ontario is pleased to be a True Sport Member.
Click here to learn more about True Sport.
Beanfield Metroconncect
Beanfield fibre gets down to business
If you think beanfield Metroconnect is like other telecommunications companies, think again. With a 100% fibre-optic network – that we own, build and operate – we’re solely in control of our network. That allows us to set our sights high. And give your business more power. Since 1988, beanfield fibre has been transforming the way business communicates with Internet, phone, private line and colocation services. Our On-Net buildings are located across Toronto, in places you work, connecting you to a world of business.


#BOXOFFICE: “SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME” ON-TOP A SECOND WEEK
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME takes the top of the Box Office a second straight week with $44.5 million from 4,634 theatres across North America. This takes its tally to $273.7 million for Sony Pictures.
TOY STORY 4 takes the second spot with $20.6 million in its third week out for Disney. Over four weeks it has grossed $346.3 million domestically.
CRAWL is in third with $10.6 million for Paramount Pictures in its debut at 3,170 theatres. It gets 88% on the Tomatometer despite not being previewed for Canadian media and Audiences gave it a B CinemaScore.
STUBER opens in fourth with $8 million from 3,050 theatres for 20th Century Fox. The Comedy starring David Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani, gets 47% on the Tomatometer and a B CinemaScore.
MIDSOMMAR lands in eighth spot with $3.5 million for A24/Elevation Pictures, a two week total of $18.4 million.
MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL rounds-out the Top Ten with $2 million for Sony Pictures, a five-week total of $76.3 million.
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#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “STUBER”
20th Century Fox Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of STUBER. The Screening takes place in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa July 3, 2019 at 7:00PM.
When a mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) picks up a passenger (Dave Bautista) who turns out to be a cop hot on the trail of a brutal killer, he’s thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he desperately tries to hold onto his wits, his life and his five-star rating. Directed by Michael Dowse, this action-comedy from 20th Century Fox also stars Iko Uwais, Natalie Morales, Betty Gilpin, Jimmy Tatro, Mira Sorvino and Karen Gillan.
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox Canada)
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#SXSW: 2019 SXSW FESTIVAL PREVIEW
By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
SXSW 2019 is beginning tomorrow in Austin, Texas and will run until March 17. It’s once again celebrating all things Film, Music and Comedy. The Festival runs from March 8-17.
SXSW is known to showcase some marquee titles that star heavyweight talent. It appears that this year SXSW will be putting its entire support behind the Horror film genre because both the Opening and Closing Film are sure to scare audiences. One of the highest profile Films this year is the Opening Night Film, US. This is the second Feature Film for Writer-Director Jordan Peele and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. We have word that all those we have named will be on hand for the World Premiere tomorrow at the Paramount Theatre. Pet Sematary has been chosen as the Closing Night Film and stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow and more.
Other Must-Sees which are having their World Premieres at SXSW are Long Shot starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, Good Boys starring Canadian Jacob Tremblay, The Beach Bum starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher and Zac Efron, The Highwaymen starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner, Booksmart which is the directorial debut of Actress Olivia Wilde, and Stuber starring Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani. All those Films are apart of the Headliners section of the Film Festival and are expecting big Red Carpet arrivals. One close-to-home Film we should have our eyes on is Run This Town, which is the Toronto-filmed movie about the late Mayor Rob Ford. It stars Ben Platt, Nina Dobrev, Scott Speedman and Damien Lewis as Rob Ford.
Something that sets the SXSW‘s Film Festival apart from others is its Keynote Speakers and Featured Sessions. These panels and talks provide insight into many different industries and social issues. This year some noteworthy mentions are Jason Blum, Ethan Hawke, Jodie Foster, Amber Heard, Busy Phillips, Elizabeth Banks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Henry Winkler, Kathy Griffin, Trevor Noah and more. There are also some political officials set to speak at sessions during the Festival such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Elizabeth Warren, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and more.
Tomorrow is when things will be kicking into full swing, check back here for all the latest from SXSW.
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HOSA-Future Health Professionals
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HOSA Headquarters Staff
Jim Koeninger, Ph.D.
Jim has 54 years of experience in public education, higher education, corporate training and development, association management and strategic partnerships between government (federal, state and local) and corporations (for profit and non-profit). Following completion of a Ph.D. program at The Ohio State University, Jim held business and education faculty positions in six universities in Colorado, Texas and his home state of Oklahoma.
Jim and his wife, Karen, were the co-founders of Corporate Education Resources, Inc. (CERI), a management consulting group that has provided management services to HOSA-Future Health Professionals since 1984. CERI (formerly known as Leadership Development Institute) was founded in 1976 and conducted scores of summer camps, weekend retreats, workshops and regional conferences for high school and college students to develop their personal, leadership and teaming skills.
Jim and Karen have narrowed their activities to delivering management services to two non-profit organizations—HOSA-Future Health Professionals (serving 245,000 members) and JAG-Jobs for America's Graduates (serving 70,000 students). Since 1984, Jim has served as Executive Director of HOSA-Future Health Professionals.
Jim served as the lead designer and facilitator of the Walton Institute and the Advanced Leadership Development Program, funded by Sam and Helen Walton over an 18-year period for Walmart Stores, Inc. In addition, Jim was the designer of the Arkansas Leadership Academy for superintendents and principals through the University of Arkansas.
Jim authored numerous articles, monographs, training programs, videos, media productions and training manuals. With the McGraw-Hill Book Company, he was the lead co-author of a unique classroom simulation package called Jeffrey’s Retail Simulation.
He enjoys traveling, photography, playing golf and table tennis, and spending time with their four grandchildren--Quentin, Jake, Violet, and Cole.
Karen Koeninger
Karen is the co-founder of Corporate Education Resources, Inc. (CERI), a management consulting group that has provided management services to HOSA-Future Health Professionals since 1984. CERI (formerly known as Leadership Development Institute) was founded in 1976 and conducted scores of summer camps, weekend retreats, workshops and conferences for high school and college students to develop their personal, leadership and teaming skills.
Karen taught at the secondary level, served as an Assistant State Supervisor at the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technical Education, and has extensive experience with student organizations and conducting programs for teachers and students alike at state, regional and national levels. She has had lead responsibility for conferences with as many as 9,000 delegates, the oversight of HOSA’s annual Plan of Work and the day-to-day operations of the national headquarters as Deputy Executive Director. She received a Master of Science from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Oklahoma.
She enjoys working and traveling with her husband, Jim, and planning fun activities for their four wonderful grandchildren – Quentin, Jake, Violet and Cole.
Kimberly Spivey
Senior Director of Advancement
Kimberly K. Spivey is the Senior Director of Advancement of HOSA-Future Health Professionals. She is in charge of increasing and diversifying HOSA's funding sources by developing a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects. Kimberly is also responsible for providing leadership and oversight of an advancement program encompassing resource development and alumni relations for HOSA.
Previously, as a workforce development consultant, Kimberly worked with clients on building public-private partnerships, strategizing funding solutions, and writing grants and proposals. In recent years, she focused heavily on the healthcare industry including consulting with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and Tenet Healthcare (Tenet), among others. Kimberly successfully presented her clients’ interests and secured incentives in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
Kimberly is a graduate of the University of Texas (Hook ‘em Horns!) and makes her home in Dallas with her husband and two spirited children. When she’s not working or chauffeuring her children, you’ll find her enjoying live music or cheering on the Mavericks and Stars.
Laura Sheppard
Laura joined the National HOSA team in 2016 as the Chief of Staff where her focus was program management and strategic initiatives. Laura "grew up" with HOSA as a staff member at HOSA’s National Leadership Conference for the past 17 years. Most recently, she has served as the conference staff director, communications director and VIP specialist. For eight years, Laura worked in alumni relations providing a strong background in nonprofit management and event marketing.
She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Management and Society, and earned her Master’s Degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University in 2018.
She enjoys traveling far and wide and reading the next bestseller (preferably on a sandy beach) and spoiling her three nieces, Eliza, Madelyn and Chloe.
Nancy Allen
Nancy’s first exposure to HOSA happened during an interview with a career center director. The director’s comment, “By virtue of becoming the health science teacher on our campus, you also 'get to be' the HOSA local chapter advisor!” And so it was on in South Carolina—13 years as a chapter advisor and 12 years as the SC HOSA State Advisor. In 2012, upon retirement (at a young age) from the SC Department of Education as the health science state leader, Nancy became a member of the National HOSA staff working to expand partnerships and support state associations. She graduated from Clemson University (BSN) and keeps her nursing skills updated through volunteering at a free medical clinic.
Nancy enjoys traveling, HGTV and all sports—especially the Clemson Tigers. Nancy’s husband Mike joins her among the most loyal and obsessive Clemson fans in the nation!
Jeff Koeninger
As Director of Membership, Jeff works with the programming team to provide HOSA with an efficient online membership affiliation system capable of collecting state and national affiliation dues. The system provides a reporting system so that chapters, chartered associations and HOSA-Future Health Professionals are able to have up-to-date and accurate membership and affiliation dues reports. In addition, demographic reports can also be produced by the membership affiliation system.
As Director of ILC Site Selection, Jeff works with global account and property managers to recommend contracts to HOSA leadership that are extended ten years in the future. Having attended 34 consecutive HOSA International (National) Leadership Conferences, he has extensive experience in site selection, conference management, vendor selection and management and logistics. The same skills are applied to the annual Washington Leadership Academy (WLA) and the State Advisors Management (SAM) Conference as well as HOSA Ideas Meetings and HOSA-100 Advisory Council Meetings.
Jeff completed a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Technology--Training and Development from the University of North Texas. He is also one of the experienced staff members available to answer questions of callers.
Bobby Crandall
During his 16 year tenure with HOSA-Future Health Professionals, Bobby began as a co-op student at a high school across the street from the HOSA Headquarters and demonstrated his worth by taking on a variety of assignments and leadership roles. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television and Film from the University of North Texas in 2009 and completed a MBA at Western Governors University in 2016.
Bobby works with the programming team in launching and training users to take full advantage of the multiple online customized systems developed to enhance the productivity, efficiency, accuracy and reporting capabilities of all users. He also develops online surveys and other digital tools to harness the power of technology. Bobby is one of the experienced staff members available to respond to callers questions.
Tanya Loftis
Tanya Loftis joined National HOSA in November 2018 as Director of Finance. Tanya has over 15 years of experience in finance and accounting, and more than 20 years in database management for multiple nationwide companies. She also has experience in directing and supervising business operations.
Tanya enjoys camping & ATV riding with her family. She spends most of her free time just being mom of her two children. She also takes great pride in being a wife of a Law Enforcement Officer.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela
Jason Koeninger
Jason has provided software development and system administration services to National HOSA for over 25 years. His current software development responsibilities include the Membership System, Conference Management System, Activity Tracking System, and Online Testing System. Jason also provides system administration services for all HOSA software and websites.
Jason received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Oklahoma State University in 1995. He currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife Shannon and two children, Quentin and Violet.
Amy Gallimore
Director of Publications
Before joining the National HOSA team, Amy has been a part of creating and facilitating the HOSA Leadership Academies for over a decade. She has worked with numerous HOSA organizations on the national, state, regional, and local level. In addition, Amy has over 20 years of experience collaborating with corporations, professional organizations, faith-based institutions, middle and high school associations, camping programs, and college campuses. Her goal is to deliver the best possible experiential leadership opportunities that are engaging, impactful, and applicable.
Amy is a graduate of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she received a Bachelor or Arts in Speech Communication. She received her Master’s Degree from the University Of Georgia (UGA) in Higher Education. She worked in the area of collegiate Student Life at UGA and Kennesaw State University before transitioning to lead Tennessee 4-H’s initiatives on Citizenship and Leadership.
Amy is a proud Army Wife who resides in Richmond, VA with her husband, Colonel Jay S. Gilhooly. She wears sunscreen, loves to kayak, believes kindness is reciprocated, and is in a life-long pursuit of trying to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
Bergen Morehouse
Director of Competitive Events
Bergen joined the National HOSA team in August 2013 and currently serves as the Director of Competitive Events. Her responsibilities include overseeing the direction and implementation of HOSA’s Competitive Event Program. Prior to this, Bergen served as the Montana State HOSA Advisor for four years and Assistant Director of the South Central Montana AHEC (Area Health Education Center) for five years. Her background is in rural healthcare workforce strategies including a focus on pipeline activities which connect K-12th grade students with healthcare industry resources and post-secondary education options. She also has experience in physician and allied health recruitment to rural and frontier areas.
She graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in Organizational Communication Studies and Minor in English Literature. Bergen loves camping, hiking, and boating on Flathead Lake; spending time with her spirited son, Liam; and traveling to games across the mid-west with her basketball-coach husband, Brett.
Jan Mould
Assistant Director of Competitive Events
Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness and Health Sciences
Jan joined the National HOSA staff in 2015 as Assistant Director of Competitive Events for Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness and Health Science. She had been a member of the Competitive Events Committee since 2004 serving in numerous roles. Jan graduated from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Nursing. She also completed a MEd from ETSU. Entering the classroom in 1996, Jan continues to teach students interested in pursuing a career in health care.
Jan and her husband Mike, spend their free time enjoying four of the largest blessings in life – their grandchildren. Jan also enjoys a good book!
Carie Staub
Teamwork and Leadership
Carie joined the National HOSA staff in 2015 after serving as a Lieutenant and Event Manager for seven years. She is currently a co-advisor to a local HOSA chapter averaging 150 members annually. Carie is a licensed athletic trainer and certified high school classroom teacher, as well as adjunct faculty for both Boise State University and Idaho State University.
Carie earned her Master of Health Science degree from Boise State University, with an emphasis in Health Promotion, and enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys Crossfit, Brene Brown, and teaching for her church, in her spare time.
George Sifakis
Director, HOSA Washington, DC Office
Mr. George Sifakis is the President, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Axela Government Relations LLC. He served as served the first Director of the Office of Public Liaison for the Trump adimistration. He has also served as Director of Economic Development Initiatives in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, where he was responsible for management and oversight of over $3 billion and worked closely and in a bi-partisan manner with members of the House and Senate as well as committees in both chambers. Prior to that he served at the United States Senate on the Small Business Committee, the US Attorney's Office and clerked for the US District Court in Rhode Island (Paralegal - published opinion on major telecom case) confirming his extensive knowledge of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the United States Government. Mr. Sifakis has also served as a lead Advance Representative for the First Lady on official travel throughout the United States. Mr. Sifakis has coordinated legislative initiatives for clients on capitol hill, implemented coalitions and coordinated advocacy campaigns and legislative briefings within the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. He is a frequent speaker on Congressional and Executive Branch. Mr. Sifakis is also the founder of The Bishop's Wish Charitable Foundation, GreekPAC and President of St. George Monastery. He has also been inducted as a life member of the Pi Sigma Delta Political Science Honor Society for high honors in study of political science. George is a member of the American League of Lobbyists and serves on the board of the Pancretan Association of America. Mr. Sifakis is an alumni of Suffolk University Graduate School of Government (Master of Science in Political Science), Rhode Island College, Northeastern University (Paralegal) and attended Southern New England School of Law.
Christian Angelson
Washington Office Associate
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