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What is a 3-year college degree program and how much does it cost?

Heads up, college students current and future. If you're interested in graduating ahead of schedule, you might consider a three-year college program. By shortening your collegiate cycle by one year, youll not only graduate sooner but youll also get into the workforce faster and start earning money. However, youll have to accelerate your study habits. "Three-year college programs, also known as accelerated degree programs, are not for everybody, as they are more intense," said Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of the website, Private Student Loans Guru. "Instead of requiring four years, they require just three years, but may also require taking classes during the summer months." Here's what you need to know about 3-year college programs: How to graduate in 3 years For college students who want to move forward with three-year programs, know that you have options. "Even if a college does not have a formal three-year degree program, students can get a head start by earning college credits in high school. This can include taking Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests, as well as dual enrollment programs," Kantrowitz said. "These college credits, however, may count only to general requirements and not satisfy any prerequisites." College students can also complete a three-year graduation program by leveraging the academic calendar. "Less often, a degree can be earned in three years if the student is attending an institution that offers a full schedule year-round (three semesters per year)," said Valerie Cimarossa, vice president of marketing and technology at University of Advancing Technology, in Tempe, Az. (the university offers a three-semester option to its students). "This does not require the students to take an increased number of credits per semester, they simply attend one additional semester per year. This is a rare offering, though, most often found at career-focused schools." There are 32 schools providing a pathway for undergraduates to finish in three years across the U.S., according to the Progressive Policy Institute. "That figure is similar to what we see across higher education institutions in Europe," said LaNysha Adams, an education consultant at Edlinguist Solutions LLC in Washington, D.C. If you're in search of funding for college, you can head to Credible to shop around for private student loans once you've established your budget and determined the loan amount you'll need. You can compare student loan rates and lenders within minutes using Credible's free tools. By and large, one might calculate the full cost of a three-year college program by slicing 25% off of a four-year college degree. But its not really that simple. "The amount you can 'save' depends on many factors," said Racquel Bernard, a former assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth and currently master admissions counselor at H&C Education Consulting, a college admission consulting firm. "Often, the cost difference does not exist. Students often pay the same amount just within a more condensed period of time. They may 'save' by skipping the fourth year, and therefore, missing the fourth year of increased tuition costs (given the overall upward trend in tuition costs for U.S. colleges)." Costs and savings also vary from school to school. "Taking a closer look at St. John's University, Grymes Hill Campus in New York, students can save $29,000 in the 3-year program," Adams noted. "UNC in Greensboro can save $9,000. Chatham University offers a BA in Interior Design in three years and students can save a full year of tuition. In looking at the overall costs of each of these institutions, factoring in the costs of living of each locale, then the money saved is significant." Consider visiting Credible to learn more about private student loans and compare rates. Its always a good idea to use an online student loan calculator to determine three-year college costs. 4 WAYS TO PAY FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL How to pay for a 3-year college degree program Some of the savviest ways to pay for a three-year college program should look familiar to college students. "The best ways to pay include scholarships and grants, which families may receive more of, if they push for financial aid appeals," Adams said. "Because FAFSA uses a family's financial need based on prior-year tax info, families can request what is often called a financial aid appeal, to have more of their recent financial situation considered." If youve hit your federal student loan limit, visit Credible to review private student loan options. If a student wants to save money via three-year college programs, they should consider starting with a community college. "Once they celebrate the resources of their local college, they can determine how many more years they want to spend in school and how much they are willing to spend on their program," Bernard said. Email The Credible Money Expert at moneyexpert@credible.com and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/3-year-college-degree-program-what-is-cost

Can we have law without order?

Im not thinking about mobs disrupting peaceful protests or reckless speeders weaving through traffic. Those problems will always benefit from a badge and a siren. No, Im thinking about much more common everyday disruptions. Neighbors having loud parties late into the evening, contractors not showing up on time for appointments, not knowing your pets limits in public spaces, abusing the item limit in the grocery express lane. Simple things that keep society flowing smoothly. Police officers increasingly blame their abusive behavior on being distracted by a gathering crowd. They cannot watch all around them and focus on their immediate task both. Law without order is the recipe for a totalitarian state. If those with power cannot rely on an orderly society, then every action must be controlled by that power. It must exert total control over others or risk losing all control to chaos. A friend has a close relative with an alcohol problem. The entire family is concerned. They feel powerless to confront the family abuse, much less stop it. Substance abuse is worrying but helplessness makes it worse. Nobody wants anyone to feel uncomfortable, making them unwitting allies to the inebriant. Everybody wants to be the good cop, leaving nobody to be the bad cop. Things too often worsen from there, until violence or abuse requires the presence of an actual cop to play the bad cop. Heres where it will get uncomfortable for my liberal friends. It begins with an admission that the other side might be right. Conservatives have long warned us that society cannot function as well if basic family units are allowed to deteriorate. (Yes, I know the policies they promote dont always help families. Dont be distracted by the hobgoblin of absolute consistency.) Families used to be built around a specific division of labor. Just wait until your father gets home, was a vivid reminder. A bad cop was nearby. Single parents have fewer options. That internalized voice prompting us to return our grocery cart to its proper place has a tinge of fear. I ask these questions now because our lives are about to get much more complicated, and very quickly. For the past year, life has been scheduled and controlled like never before. Our options during the pandemic have been severely limited. Meetings and calls have been scripted for efficiency. We effectively eliminated happenstance. Were about to find out! When we bump into somebody on the sidewalk (Remember how that used to happen?) It was easier when a keyboard and a pad of sticky notes were within reach. Everyday order matters. If we slowly learn not to trust one another, external controls will take over. That trend is not easily reversed. Don Kahle (fridays@dksez.com) writes a column each Friday for The Register-Guard and archives past columns at www.dksez.com. On Sunday, read Kahle's digital exclusive "Is Biden taking too many weekends off?" at registerguard.com/opinion.

https://www.registerguard.com/story/opinion/columns/2021/06/04/don-kahle-can-we-have-law-without-order/7453085002/

Which countries have been added to the red list?

Costa Rica will be added to the red list next Tuesday (stock image). Picture: Getty By Polly Foreman Find out the full list of countries that will be added to the red list next week. The first review into the UK's traffic light lists for foreign travel took place on Thursday June 3, and seven countries will be added to the red list next Tuesday. The red list covers countries that we are not allowed to visit (except in extreme circumstances), and anyone arriving to the UK from these places will be refused entry, unless they are a British or Irish citizen. Anyone who does return from a red list country will need to pay 1750 to quarantine for 10 days at a government-approved hotel. Egypt will move to the red list on Tuesday (stock image). The following places will be added to the red list at 4am on Tuesday June 8: Costa Rica Egypt Afghanistan Bahrain Sri Lanka Sudan Trinidad & Tobago Full list of countries on the red list From Tuesday June 8, the following countries will be on the red list Afghanistan Angola Argentina Bahrain Bangladesh Bolivia Botswana Brazil Burundi Cape Verde Chile Colombia Costa Rica Democratic Republic of Congo Ecuador Egypt Eswatini Ethiopia French Guiana Guyana India Kenya Lesotho Malawi Maldives Mozambique Namibia Nepal Oman Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Qatar Rwanda Seychelles Somalia South Africa Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Tanzania Trinidad & Tobago Turkey Uruguay United Arab Emirates Venezuela Zambia Zimbabwe The traffic light lists are reviewed every three weeks. According to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, red list countries are "those which should not be visited except in the most extreme of circumstances". Anyone returning from red list countries will need to pay 1750 to quarantine in a government-approved hotel. During their stay, they will need to take Covid tests on days two and eight. If they test positive, they will need to quarantine for a further 10 days. Speaking previously about the rules, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: I make no apologies for the strength of these measures, because were dealing with one of the strongest threats to our public health that weve faced as a nation.

https://www.heart.co.uk/news/which-countries-added-red-list/

How old is Lorraine's daughter Rosie and what does she do?

Rosie Kelly Smith is Lorraine's only daughter. Everything you need to know about the Celebrity Gogglebox star... TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has been on our screens for more than 30 years. And now shes back on the brand new series of Gogglebox, this time joined by her daughter Rosie. Rosie is 26-years-old and is the daughter of Lorraine and her husband, cameraman Steve Smith. Lorraine Kelly and her daughter Rosie work together. Rosie recently started a new podcast with her mum called What if?, where the mum and daughter duo interview the likes of Tim Peake, Cat Deeley and Craig David. Previously, Rosie moved to Singapore when she was 22-years-old and while it started out as a six-month trip, she ended up staying for three and a half years. When she returned home last April, she was forced to quarantine for two weeks before being reunited with her mum. Lorraine has previously opened up about being separated from her daughter for so long. She told MailOnline: "Theres nothing like being able to give your child a cuddle. "Every mother will know what Im saying theres just nothing like the smell of your childs hair. Rosie always smells so good. "Im trying not to be too teary, because I dont want to embarrass her, but being able to hold her after all that time was just fantastic." Lorraine has also previously opened up about her bond with her daughter, telling Weekend Magazine: "We talk about everything under the sun. I'm her mum, though, I'd never say I was her best friend because she's got her friends already. "I'd love to think she tells me everything but she doesn't." Nowadays, Rosie also writes for Hello Magazine and spends a lot of time hanging out with her boyfriend James and their adorable dachshund dog Ruby.

https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/how-old-lorraine-daughter-rosie-job/

When did Laura Whitmore give birth and what is her baby's name?

Laura Whitmore gave birth to her first baby earlier this year. Here's what we know about the Celebrity Gogglebox star... Laura Whitmore is back on our screens for a brand new series of Gogglebox. Alongside her husband Iain Stirling, the Love Island host is back for her second season on the Channel 4 reality show. But things are different this time around, as she has now become a mum for the first time after giving birth earlier this year. So, heres everything you need to know about Laura Whitmores little family... The exact date Laura Whitmore gave birth is not known, however she and Iain, 33, were first spotted with their little one on 31 March. The 36-year-old was absent from a presenting job on 28 March, with Stacey Dooley having to step in last minute. This comes after Laura and Iain revealed that they were expecting their first child together back in 2020 by posting a picture of a Guns N Roses babygro on Instagram. Laura wrote at the time: "I want to now share good news as its our news to share - and Im gonna be honest its starting to look like my lock down beer belly is out of control. Laura and Iain became parents in March 2021. Picture: Instagram "Iain and I are expecting a baby early 2021. Its been hard to keep such happy news quiet. "Especially the times when Ive had to run out of live radio to get sick in a bin or my penchant for a bowl of mashed potato in the morning." Laura seemed to confirm the name of her baby girl is Stevie R. The Celebrity Juice star took to Instagram to share some of her favourite Glastonbury memories. The photo features a tiny denim jacket with the name Stevie R in letters on the back, with a nod to Lauras Irish roots. Laura Whitmore announced her pregnancy in December 2020. Picture: Instagram R is an Irish word meaning moon. Meanwhile, Laure previously wrote about her baby girl in the final chapter of her recently released book. Towards the end, she wrote: "As I finish this book, it doesn't end at chapter nine, there's a new chapter coming into my life - in the form of a baby girl currently growing inside me and that scares the s**t out of me. "I once swallowed a bug and freaked out there was a live bug inside me. A live human is a whole new level of freaking out but I am excited because there's a lot of good in the world, there's a lot of potential. "I want to bring up my child knowing that she has her own story to write." She added: "She will be supported and loved. But she is the heroine of her own life, no-one else."

https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/when-laura-whitmore-give-birth-baby-name/

Who is Mel C's brother Paul O'Neill and what does he do for a living?

Paul O'Neill is Melanie C's half brother. Heres what we know about the Celebrity Gogglebox star Melanie C has joined the Celebrity Gogglebox line up along with her brother Paul. The Spice Girls star wrote on Twitter: #CelebrityGogglebox @C4Gogglebox is back with its upcoming third series. And I cant wait to be on the show next week for the first time alongside my little brother @PaulONeill29. Dont miss it! Join me and my brother @PaulONeill29 on our first ever appearance on #CelebrityGogglebox! Paul was born on 31 December 1979, making him 41-years-old. Mel Cs mum Joan O'Neill separated from the popstars dad Alan Chisholm in 1978. After remarrying, Joan gave birth to Paul O'Neill, making him the half brother of Melanie. Paul O'Neill is a race car driver. Paul went to Jim Russell racing school and he began racing in the MGF cup in 1999 and 2000. He then entered the production class of the British Touring Car Championship in 2001 before going on to have a 15-year career spanning the MGF Cup, BTCC and British GTs. He famously won the BTCC at his home circuit of Oulton Park, in 2002. After being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, Paul was forced to rebuild his career, before turning his hand to commentating instead. The racing star also works alongside Steve Rider and Tim Harvey on ITV and has appeared on Top Gear, ITVs GT Academy and Channel 5s Classic Car Rescue. Opening up about how he got into racing, Paul previously admitted he once stole Mels car. "I was 17-years-old, working in a factory in Warrington and I borrowed my sister's car," he said. "I'd only been driving a few weeks and I had a monumental accident, coming off a wet roundabout in a Mercedes SLK, and I took a lamp-post down. "It made the front page of the tabloids. I was inexperienced - I didn't know anything about driving." It is unknown whether Paul is married or single as he likes to keep his private life out of the spotlight.

https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/who-mel-brother-paul-oneill/

How old is Gyles Brandreth and is he married?

Gyles Brandreth is appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox. Here's what we know about the Celebrity Gogglebox star... Gyles Brandreth is back on our screens for the new series of Celebrity Gogglebox, alongside his pal Maureen Lipman. TV fans will also recognise the former MP for appearing on shows such as This Morning and The One Show. Heres what we know Gyles Brandreth appears on This Morning. Gyles Brandreth was born on March 8 1948 in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This means he is 73-years-old. The TV star moved to London with his parents at the age of three and he went too the Lyce Franais Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington. He then went on to study Modern History and Modern Languages Gyles at Oxford University. Gyles started his career in politics as a Tory MP, but now he works as a writer, broadcaster and actor. In his early days, he presented shows such as ITV childrens show Puzzle Party and TV-ams Good Morning Britain. In 1992, Gyles was elected as the Conservative MP for the City of Chester constituency and served until he was defeated in 1997. He has since appeared on shows such as Countdown, QI, Have I Got News for You and is also a regular guest on This Morning. Since the 1970s, Gyles has also written various books about Scrabble, words, puzzles and jokes, for adults and children. As a royal expert, he also wrote a book on the marriage of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage was published. In 2005, he published a second book on the Royal Family, called Charles and Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair Gyles Brandreth and his wife Michle Brown. Gyles wife is Michle Brown and the couple have been married for nearly 50 years after tying the knot in 1973. Michle is a writer and publisher and the pair live in Barnes, southwest London together. They also have three grown-up children - Benet, Saethryd and Aphra. Benet is a barrister, while Saethryd is a journalist and Aphra is a former government economist. Aphra also has a daughter of her own called Kiyo.

https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-old-gyles-brandreth-married/

How old is Lorraine Kelly and what is her net worth?

Lorraine Kelly has been on our screens for 35 years. Here's what we know about the Celebrity Gogglebox star's family... Lorraine Kelly has been on our screens for 35 years, starting out as a journalist and now hosting her own morning telly show. And Lorraine is back on our screens every Friday evening as shes signed up for Celebrity Gogglebox with her daughter Rosie. Lorrain Kelly married her husband in 1994. Lorraine was born in Glasgow on November 30, 1959, making her 61-years-old. The TV star kicked off her career when she was in her early 20s and got a job as an anchor for Scottish news. She has since gone on to front her own TV show chat-show, as well as hosting Good Morning Britain and This Morning. Lorraine was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012 for services to charity, before being promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2020 for services broadcasting, journalism and charity. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lorraine Kelly is worth 4.6 million. She hit the headlines in 2019 when she won a 1.2 million tax case against HMRC. The star moved to Buckinghamshire from Dundee with her husband in 2018, spent two years transforming the stunning property. She also has a stylish flat in London, where she stays while working at ITV in the week. Lorraine is married to Steve Smith who is a TV cameraman. The pair married in 1992 and have one daughter, Rosie, who was born in 1994. Last year, Lorraine shared a rare glimpse of Steve as they celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. Sharing an adorable throwback snap of their wedding day, she said: So this happened 28 years ago! Happy anniversary to my husband Steve who makes me laugh and is always in my corner. #anniversary #love #happy.

https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-old-lorraine-kelly-net-worth-husband/

Is de toekomst aan de coperatieve elektrische deelauto?

Lees direct verder en steun onafhankelijke onderzoeksjournalistiek. Nu al vanaf 6,25 euro per maand. Verschillende burgercoperaties voor energie en mobiliteit bundelen de krachten in een Coperatief Elektrisch DeelAuto Netwerk (CEDAN). Daarmee willen ze elektrische deelautos toegankelijk maken voor zoveel mogelijk mensen, want privwagens staan nog steeds het grootste deel van de tijd stil. In het kort In het kort Verschillende burgercoperaties voor energie en mobiliteit bundelen de krachten in een Coperatief Elektrisch DeelAuto Netwerk (CEDAN). Daarmee willen ze elektrische deelautos toegankelijk maken voor zoveel mogelijk mensen, want privwagens staan nog steeds het grootste deel van ... Schrijf je nu in voor onze nieuwsbrief en ontvang wekelijks een gratis artikel in je mailbox. Schrijf je in voor de nieuwsbrief Je kan ook een lidmaatschap cadeau geven of ambassadeur worden van Apache.

https://www.apache.be/2021/06/04/is-de-toekomst-aan-de-elektrische-deelauto/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+apache%2Ffeed+%28Apache%29

Who is Brianna Keilars husband Fernando Lujan?

BRIANNA Keilar is making headlines because of her hard-hitting journalism on CNN. That's led people to ask about her pesonal life. Keilar married Fernando Lujan on December 30, 2016. She made the announcement of their marriage on CNN's New Year's Eve Live. Her marriage to Lujan is her second marriage. In 2009, Keilar married David French. 4 Happy family Credit: Instagram It's unclear when they divorced, but what is known is that they were married for at least a year. When Keilar met Lujan, he was an active-duty Green Beret who also was the director of the National Security Council at the White House. On June 8, 2018, Keilar gave birth to the couple's first son. Born in Australia, Brianna Keilar moved to Orange County, CA in 1982. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2001, where she double majored in mass communications and psychology. 4 Active duty Green Beret Credit: Instagram She got her start in journalism at the Yakima, Washington CBS affiliate KIMA. After that, she moved to a national job at CBS News, before joining CNN. Her "big break" at CNN came when she covered the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, where she was the first CNN correspondent on the scene. Lately, Keilar has been making headlines for her callouts of misinformation. 4 Unafraid to call out misinformation Credit: Instagram She recently shut down an interview with Texas senator Bryan Hughes for his false claims of massive voter fraud in the state. Most read in News SEA MONSTER Huge crocodile spotted prowling in SEA just metres from beach with families Exclusive CHILLING DETAILS Boy's stepmom 'was moving his body to another state when busted' COUGH UP Donald Trump orders China to pay 'ten trillion dollars to US' over Covid crisis 'TOO RISKY' 'Batwoman' expert warned against virus test after creating mutant lab disease Exclusive DISTURBING Pentagon UFO report 'can't rule out' aliens or secret Russian tech, says expert BACK FROM THE DEAD Woman who died of Covid stuns family when she returns after cremation "You only have 43 pending voter fraud charges in Texas," she said. "Only one is from 2020. Youve previously misquoted that as, I think, about 400. Its really 43." "Only one is from 2020 and there were 16 minor prosecutions for 2020. It was just people putting down addresses that werent theirs, she said.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/3017357/brianna-keilar-husband-fernando-lujan/

What will on-premise dining look like this summer?

A survey by CGA Strategy suggests demand is growing, but restaurants and bars with outdoor options are more likely to benefit. While vaccination efforts are continuing in Canada and providing a light at the end of the tunnel, it may not be until after the summer that they are able to visit restaurants and bars the same way they did prior to the pandemic. And until that day comes, Canadians may be more likely to satisfy their growing demand for on-premise dining at places that have ample outdoor seating. Thats based on a survey by CGA Strategy, a research and measurement consultancy focused on the food and beverage space. The firm polled over 5,000 Canadians for the report. According to CGAs report, 29% of consumers are planning to visit restaurants in person weekly once restrictions are lifted. The number is significantly higher for those between 18 and 34, 41% of whom are planning weekly restaurant visits. When it comes to bars, 20% of weekly drinkers plan to visit the channel more than they did pre-pandemic. However, despite vaccination efforts continuing along and making indoor dining a safer option in the near future, outdoor space remains important to consumers throughout the summer. When asked to rank its importance on a scale of one to 10, respondents offered an average score of 7.9. And that importance is consistent regardless of how safe the diner has been keeping over the last year: 34% of consumers who describe themselves as more cautious would visit outlets with outdoor patios weekly, compared to 38% of consumers with no concerns at all. The research does also show that 72% of consumers would still visit a bar or restaurant if it did not have an outdoor patio, but may do so less frequently. Demand is also different depending on the type of establishment, as well as age group. While 63% of respondents say they would feel comfortable visiting a casual dining chain upon reopening, 48% of 18- to 34-year-olds plan to visit the channel less frequently than older age groups. Consumers also feel less comfortable with the prospect of visiting a pub or sports bar this summer, but slightly more comfortable visiting a fine dining restaurant or their local neighbourhood bar. CGAs research from the U.S. has shown as restrictions ease and capacity occupancy grows, the shift to drink-led channels such as Neighborhood Bars and Pubs will be plentiful. 30% of consumers state they will feel comfortable visiting Neighborhood Bars upon their return, and the support local behaviours that has been expressed among consumers will likely drive this.

https://strategyonline.ca/2021/06/04/what-will-on-premise-dining-look-like-this-summer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-will-on-premise-dining-look-like-this-summer

How can I watch the UEFA European Championship in the US?

AFTER being halted in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UEFA European Football Championship tournament will return in June. The 24 who are set to compete in this year's Euro 2020 tournament have been announced and set in groups. The Euro's tournament is set to kick off on Friday, June 11, at 3pm eastern time. Turkey and Italy will commence the tournament, as the two teams will square off on June 11 at 3pm. 11 countries will host the Euro's, they are England, Scotland, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Hungary, Romania, Azerbaijan. Denmark, Germany and Spain. The final will take place a month later, at 8pm on Sunday, July 11 at Wembley stadium in London. 4 The UEFA European championship was halted in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic Credit: Getty Fans will be allowed at each game, with each country hosting the games setting their own capacity rules. In the United States, the bulk of the games will be on ESPN, with a few on ABC. When two games are played simultaneously, one will run on ESPN2 instead. For Spanish language coverage, many games will be on Univision. UEFA Euro 2020 Schedule Friday June 11 - Turkey vs Italy 3pm EST (ESPN) Saturday June 12 - Wales vs Switzerland 9am EST (ESPN) Denmark vs Finland 12pm EST (ESPN) Belgium vs Russia 3pm EST (ABC) Sunday June - England vs Croatia 9am EST (ESPN2) Austria vs North Macedonia 12pm EST (ESPN) Netherlands vs Ukraine 3pm EST (ESPN) 4 Fans will be allowed at each Euro game Credit: Getty Most read in Sport Live Blog IBERIAN DERBY Spain vs Portugal: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time OPEN & SHUT Yana Sizikova arrested and room searched at French Open over match-fix claims PEARL SLAM Gonzalez latest MMA star to join BKFC after Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich Pictured MON OF A KIND Mayweather's stripper fiancee Anna Monroe puts on busty display in lingerie Exclusive PAUL IN Logan Paul looks 'like a gladiator' and 'nothing like YouTuber who fought KSI' DISGUSTING & DIRTY Everything to know about NHL player Jake Evans' injury Games also will be streamed on ESPN+. Coverage for Croatia vs England will start at 2:30pm eastern time, on ESPN. Wales vs Switzerland will play Saturday, June 12, at 9am eastern time, and will also air on ESPN.

https://www.the-sun.com/sport/3017244/how-to-watch-uefa-european-championship-in-us/

Are we ready for the tourism rebound?

Reading Time: 3 minutes Canadians are ready for the borders to reopen and will flock to sun destinations next winter like never before. The number of people who have said that theyre ready to get out of Dodge and fly the coop is an indication that theres a pent-up demand for travel and excursions that has been bolstered by a two-year sabbatical from any semblance of vacations. While Canadians are going to head south, we can expect some of our citizens and those from other nations to be looking to Canada for their adventure holidays. When the requirements for the two-week quarantines are lifted, we will see a quick rebound in tourism, as other countries that have lifted their restrictions have seen. In 2019, tourism contributed $105 billion to the Canadian economy. Tourists from outside Canada spent over $16 billion. Those numbers were down considerably in 2020 and its only natural that many people in the industry suffered from the effects of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions. While some folks, fearful of the spread of variants, believe the borders should never be reopened, the reality is that to save our tourism industry and the economy we need tourist traffic from outside of Canada, as well as interprovincial travel. As Canadian and foreign tourists start their migration toward our tourist and nature attractions, theres some hesitancy about the readiness of the industry to manage the coming tsunami of people. Hit harder than many sectors, the tourism industry has been affected by the pandemic in ways other industries havent. The closure of attractions, fairs, tour bus companies, sporting events, concerts and community events with any semblance of a large group forced workers in this industry to look for jobs elsewhere to survive. As a result of this migration of talent, many tourism-related businesses will have difficulty scaling up to meet demand. According to Statistics Canada, 32 per cent of accommodation and food service companies expect that attracting workers will be an obstacle for them this year. Even if you have some warm bodies to fill your positions, having well-trained staff will remain a problem for many tourism and food service companies. Most business leaders in the industry understand the impact of having improperly trained staff working in positions serving the public. The consequences of poor customer service can be long-lasting and devastating. Unfortunately, as a result of the constant opening up and shutting down scenarios weve seen in the economy over the past 18 months, most operators have been reluctant to increase the staffing levels that will be necessary to meet demand. So there will be no other option but to have staff who arent fully trained or optimally equipped to take care of the flood of vacationers. In order to adjust to the coming demand, tourism-related businesses will need to be prepared to hire and train new employees to promote and deliver their services. This should include systematization of training, hiring and onboarding processes to enable companies to quickly get up to speed when the demand starts. Tourism operators deserve to have their days in the sun and profit from increased business. And Canadians need to understand that it takes a country to host visitors, and we need to encourage and support the people in this industry that has been hit so hard. Dave Fuller, MBA, is an award-winning business coach and a partner in Pivotleader Inc. Let your emails fly to Dave@pivotleader.com. For interview requests, click here. The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the authors alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication. Troy Media Troy Media is an editorial content provider to media outlets and its own hosted community news outlets across Canada.

https://troymedia.com/business/is-the-tourism-industry-ready-for-the-post-covid-rebound/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-the-tourism-industry-ready-for-the-post-covid-rebound

Will Googles Hybrid Approach Work?

Barely a week goes by without a major employer announcing their plans to institute a combination of office and homework or a new survey laying out how workers want to have the best of both worlds. Despite all the noise, the majority of people do not have the option of working offsite. In fact, the UK's Office of National Statistics found that while people working from home had doubled in 2020, the total number of homeworkers was still only a quarter of the entire working population. This data also highlighted an economic discrepancy, with those in affluent areas more likely to have worked from home.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264572232629/will-google-s-hybrid-approach-work

What is the Oklahoma Sooners most dangerous game in 2021?

Football in every sense is unpredictable. Anything can happen on Saturdays: survival, fall, victory and defeat. In the Big 12, teams have developed bitter rivalries and familiarity over the years with the round-robin format. With the 2021 season approaching, it is no surprise to see Oklahoma as the frontrunner. The Sooners are the six-time defending champions of the Big 12 title and consistently sit atop the hierarchy. They will be the team to beat come fall. Excitement surrounds several other teams in the conference in a rebuilding phase and as every year evidences, any team can be upset by an underdog. As the offseason continues, 247 Sports decided to compile a list of trap games for every Big 12 football team in 2021. You know, the dangerous games that result in an unexpected outcome and bitter loss. For Oklahoma, the opponent to keep a close eye on is Kansas State. Circle Oct. 2 on the calendar. Nobody saw Oklahomas stunning 48-41 loss at Kansas State coming in 2019, and it certainly didnt seem like the Sooners would be dropping a second straight meeting to the Wildcats last September when OU led by double-digits on home turf entering the fourth quarter. Alas, the Sooners sit 0-2 against K-State since Chris Klieman took over from Bill Snyder in the Little Apple, so its fair to say that Lincoln Rileys group will need to keep its head on a swivel and not look past the Cats when it heads to Manhattan just one week ahead of the Red River Rivalry game. K-State returns quarterback Skylar Thompson for yet another year after Thompson rushed for multiple touchdowns in each of the past two meetings, and Deuce Vaughn projected to be one of the nations most dynamic running backs in 2021 is set to be a test even for a much improved Sooners defense after he accounted for more than 1,000 all-purpose yards a year ago. Chris Klieman is the first coach to beat Oklahoma in consecutive years since Art Briles (Baylor) in 2013 and 2014. This matchup has drawn publicity given the past two outcomes. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, Spencer Rattler struggled early on in the season, one of the games being against Kansas State, where he threw three interceptions. He gained confidence as the season wore on and took the college football world by storm down the stretch. He will be a different quarterback entering his sophomore year under Lincoln Rileys leadership and a full offseason program after last years virtual sessions due to the global pandemic. The Sooners will be out for revenge in 2021. The biggest threat facing Alex Grinchs defense is Deuce Vaughn. The shifty runner is elusive with smooth cuts and explosion that carve up defenses. Vaughn will be Oklahomas top priority. Not only is he the center of the Wildcats ground game but he is a dynamic pass catcher as well. In 2020 against the Sooners, Vaughn totaled 129 receiving yards on four receptions. OUs defense gave up huge plays that that moved K-State down the field. Keeping him contained this upcoming season will be critical. This game will be one to not overlook.

https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/04/oklahoma-sooners-2021-college-football-season-dangerous-game-big-12/

Does Corey die in Coronation Street or does he get caught?

(Picture: ITV) Coronation Streets Corey Brents (Maximus Evans) life is on the line tonight (June 4). The sinister young man, who viewers know is responsible for the death of Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) feigned emotion at the deceaseds funeral earlier this week in an effort to avert suspicion. Abi Franklin (Sally Carman) was seething over Coreys presence, and attempted to seek murderous revenge but Asha Alahan (Tanisha Gorey) successfully talked her out of such a thing. With Abis help, Asha devised a plan that would see her drug Corey, in the hopes that it would allow her enough time to snoop through his phone in an effort to find some evidence tying him to Sebs murder. Corey, however, woke from his slumber and caught her red-handed. Abi and Nina Lucas (Mollie Gallagher) arrive at the flat in tonights edition of the ITV soap, and Coreys life is ultimately left hanging in the balance due to the events which ensue. It is currently unknown as to whether or not Corey will die in Coronation Street. Asha, having convinced Corey that she believes him about his whereabouts on the night of Sebs death, instructed him to take her home to their flat. Coreys life hangs in the balance following shocking scenes tonight (Picture: ITV) She distracted him with the promise of a night of passion, but while he wasnt looking, she slipped drugs into his drink. When he was spark out on the sofa, she used his phone to search for evidence. Corey ultimately woke up, and having set his sights on her he asked Asha what she was doing with his phone. Tonights episode sees Abi and Nina arrive at the flat in an effort to ensure Ashas safety, but Corey desperate to get out of there attempts to push past them. Horrific scenes ensue, as he loses his balance and falls down the stairs! Abi, Nina and Asha, meanwhile, stare at Coreys lifeless body. They ponder if they should call an ambulance, or leave him to die. Its currently unknown as to whether or not Corey gets caught for Sebs murder. Youll just have to tune in and find out! Coronation Street continues Friday June 4 at 9pm on ITV. If youve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk wed love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

https://metro.co.uk/2021/06/04/does-corey-die-in-coronation-street-or-does-he-get-caught-14713155/

Which Real Housewife Has the Best Gay Best Friend?

How dreadful! Since the dawn of Housewives, there have been gays paraded around like a Birkin on a rich womans wrist. While so many gay friends have sashayed through the franchises, here are our picks for the ones that made the biggest impactfrom party planners to event planners, hairdressers to hairstyliststhey represent a diverse swath of what it means to be a gay best friend of a Real Housewife. Dwight started quite a bit of drama on Atlanta, Brooks had a feud with an alleged fraudster on Salt Lake City, and Matt confused everyone with his decades-long friendship with Karen Huger. To find out our pick for the best Housewife Homo, check out the video above.

https://jezebel.com/which-real-housewife-has-the-best-gay-best-friend-1847024450

What can we offer to the world?

Today, the cultural division between the Catholic Church and Western societyespecially on moral issuesis as wide as it has been since the rise of Christendom. The dictatorship of relativism that Pope Benedict XVI decried in 2005, which does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of ones own ego and desires, has fallen and been replaced by a new societal orthodoxy holding new doctrines that are often incompatible with long-established teachings and traditions of Christianity. Todays progressives arent relativists because they subscribe to moral dogmas just as strongly as Catholics do, and some of these beliefs are very much at odds with traditional Catholic ideas, especially regarding womens and LGBT rights. In his 1975 encyclical, Evangelii Nuntiandi, Saint Paul VI reminded us that the Church exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace (14). Later in the encyclical, he explained the importance of changing our approach to evangelization when situations require it. He wrote, This question of how to evangelize is permanently relevant, because the methods of evangelizing vary according to the different circumstances of time, place and culture (40). Successful evangelization today must respond creatively to unprecedented changes in the world, and should be mindful of the unique obstacles in each society. In the West, the evangelization challenge for the Church is to show that Catholicism is not an obsolete religion filled with superstitious bigots and conspiracy theorists. If we are unsuccessful, sharing the Gospel will be impossible. In the developing world, the evangelization challenges are to inculturate the faith and to liberate the oppressed. Failure to do this will lead the people to seek God elsewhere. Where the Church is tiny and persecuted, including China and parts of the Muslim world, the challenge is to show these societies that Catholics can live in fraternity as neighbors despite differences in belief, and can help work toward the common good of all. Failure to rise to this challenge means they will be crushed. The declining Church in the West has suffered serious blows to its moral credibility in recent decades. This has resulted in declines in its ability to witness in the public square, its influence in halls of power, and its capacity to evangelize the culture. Historians and sociologists will research, write, and debate what caused the fall of Christendom for ages to come, but we Christians today dont have the luxury of centuries to take stock of what went wrong if we want to survive this crisis. More importantly, if we fail to recognize how the Church is perceived by the wider society, our beloved faith will be reduced to little more than an afterthought by the prevailing culture in a generation or two. This is the key challenge facing Church leaders today, and it is something that Pope Francis has consistently tried to address. He has faced strong resistance in these efforts, mostly from within the Church. Many times during his eight-year pontificate, Franciss progress has been hindered. His initiatives have been blocked repeatedly by other Catholic leaders who promote more reactionary, ideological approaches to the faith. And this has cost valuable time. Unless our Church leaders can quickly learn how to be serious voices of social and moral truth on the world stage, Catholicism will soon drift into an age of cultural irrelevance. Back in April, I explained why dissent on the Catholic right[1] presents a unique danger to the Church. Unlike dissenters on the Catholic left, who usually express their disagreements with Church teaching openly, dissent on the right presents itself as doctrinal orthodoxy. Dissent on the left often leads Catholics to defect from the Church, whereas those on the right typically dont plan to go anywhere. Since 2013, particularly in North America, reactionary dissent from the right has almost always involved strong anti-papal sentiment (including accusations that even Pope Francis himself is a heretic). More recently, it has led well-meaning Catholics into doctrinal error and the embrace of dangerous ideologies, including forms of nationalism, populism, and integralism that are incompatible with the Catholic faith. Catholics in this group are prone to accepting conspiracy theories like QAnon, Covid-19 denial, and anti-vaccine propaganda. Many have even started accepting white nationalism, dubious end-times prophecies, unapproved apparitions, and SSPX talking points. This chaos all seems to stem from a rejection of the Living Magisterium. After unmooring themselves from the teaching authority and coherence that comes from unity with the pope and the bishops in communion with him, these Catholics have sought out alternative religious leaders. Such figures are easy to find because they typically have a strong presence on the internet and social media. Others, like Fr. James Altman, are not on social media but are promoted widely online by their enthusiastic supporters. Additionally, some of the most reactionary members of the clergydeacons, priests, bishops, archbishops, and cardinalsare given international platforms through friendly outlets. By exploiting the modern means of mass communication, these mini-popes have demolished the voice of the average bishopwho still seems to lean heavily on his weekly column in the diocesan newspaper and an occasional press release as the primary ways to instruct his flock. I doubt a large percentage of the US bishops have themselves been drawn into extremist and conspiracist ideologies. In fact, as far as I can tell, their awareness of these problems in the Churchand often their understanding of the culture at largeis as out-of-touch as their communication strategies. Certainly, they should know better. Pope Francis has been warning them about this and calling upon them to address this crisis since his election. Yet for whatever reason, many of the US bishops havent gotten the hint. Our culture is evolving rapidly. New heresies and errors have emerged in our ever-changing Church, yet the bishops seem to think fighting the same culture wars in the same way theyve fought them since the 1990s and early 2000s is right where the US Church needs to be. There are many reasons why this is problematic, but ultimately this is a crisis of credibility. The sex abuse crisis, especially in 2002 and 2018, severely damaged the US Churchs reputation. It didnt only damage trust. Yes, clerical sexual abuse and its cover-up absolutely made Church leaders look like massive hypocrites who didnt practice what they preached. But perhaps the more lasting damage was the way it led many Catholics (and even non-Catholics) to reconsider the validity of the Churchs claims on moral authority. This should have become evident to the US Catholic bishops long ago. Polls continue to show that the number of Catholics who practice the faith and agree with the Church on social and moral issues is in steady decline. Unless the Church validates the things they already believe, most Catholics in the West dont care what it has to say about abortion, divorce and remarriage, sexual morality, bioethics, contraception, and gay marriage. Additionallyin the US, anywaymany conservative Catholics disregard the bishops views on immigration, the death penalty, climate change, poverty, racism, healthcare, refugees, education, and most other teachings seen as liberal in the contemporary American political ecosystem. Perhaps the faithfuls increasing disregard of episcopal authority, obligatory rules, and doctrinal teaching is the inevitable result of the sexual revolution of the 1960s. The Church in other Western countries has declined even without major sexual abuse scandals. But the Church in the United States has historically been something of an outlier, with higher levels of religious practice and Mass attendance than many other nations. This remains the case, because we do still have a sizeable conservative religious minority thats not going away soon. Unfortunately, many of the Catholics in that minority have succumbed instead to the dangerous, post-reality mindset typically associated with Protestant fundamentalism. They also seem to have greater allegiance to capitalism and political leaders than to Catholic social teaching and magisterial authority. In other words, theyve also drifted away from the Church, just in a different way. Massimo Borghesi recently described the cultural pseudo-Catholicism of this branch of the Church as Conformism and Manicheism, calling them the two pillars of todays Catholicism. He goes on to observe, Confronted with this perspective, the continued emptying of churches and the distance between young people and the faith are not surprising. Not only is this driving people to walk away from the Church, but the ideas and rhetoric of culture warriors have led many lapsed Catholics to conclude that the Church is an evil institution that promotes immorality and bigotry. In recent decades, the moral assumptions in Western culture have undergone a concrete shift. Much of the conservative Catholic world seems to believe confrontation, condemnation, and entrenchment are appropriate ways to respond. In the first decades of the sexual revolution, it was easy to portray the loosening of sexual and religious mores as hedonistic, exploitative, selfish, and possessive. And in many ways this was the truth. Those times were characterized by the Summer of Love, free love, rebellion against cultural norms, finding your own truth, drugs, and other kinds of social experimentation that were often as arbitrary and risky as they were shocking to the older generation. During this era, Christians were often stereotyped as uptight, dogmatic, and old-fashioned. Meanwhile, the silent majority of cultural conservatives with strong ties to traditional Christian morality and American patriotism could be counted on to stem the tide and blunt the influence of the more vocal and visible progressive minority. This is no longer the case. In recent years, Western progressives have moved away from a relativistic outlook and have succeeded in establishing a new set of moral doctrines in mainstream society. Many of these doctrines are adapted from Christian principles (such as respect for human rights and dignity, welcoming migrants and refugees, care for the environment, and the importance of science and education), but others diverge in crucial areas (such as human sexuality and questions about the beginning and end of life). Reactionary and traditionalist Catholics certainly know theyve been demonized, but they apparently havent figured out (or dont care) that their militant and belligerent style of attack against people and ideas has only fueled the fires of division. Not only do they focus their attention on areas of disagreement, but they often reject the Churchs teachings in areas of agreement with the wider culture (such as care for the environment, support for immigrants, rejection of the death penalty, and the preferential option for the poor). Meanwhile, theyll attack any Christian who pursues open dialogue about contested issues with members of the wider society or who seeks to work together with them on areas of common ground. In fact, they often champion their divisiveness because for them that just means standing up for the truth. They will quote Jesus saying, I have not come to bring peace, but a sword (Mt 10:34). But they arent Jesus and no such model of evangelization can be found in the Bible. Communities in North America have become more insulated, polarized, and divided. Weve self-selected our own closed communities of like-minded people. We dont understand those who think differently than we do, nor can we empathize with them. That this is also happening in the Catholic Church is a travesty. This is certainly not the approach favored by Pope Francis. As he wrote in Fratelli Tutti, At a time when various forms of fundamentalist intolerance are damaging relationships between individuals, groups and peoples, let us be committed to living and teaching the value of respect for others, a love capable of welcoming differences, and the priority of the dignity of every human being over his or her ideas, opinions, practices and even sins (191). As an episcopal conference, you are acutely aware of the challenges and have addressed them, including migration, racism, abortion. What the Holy Father suggests is moving from seeing someone as a neighbor to viewing them as a brother or sister. The bishops of this country apparently fail to realize that they no longer have the standing in society to be taken seriously on ideas, morals, or cultural values. Some of this was beyond their control, but in other ways they bear great responsibility for their own irrelevance. And the longer they assume a posture of confrontation against the prevailing culture, the more quickly the US Church will collapse. In the past, perhaps the Church could still credibly claim the moral high ground against an increasingly hedonistic society. Today, that type of appeal rings hollow. The culture doesnt see the Catholic positions (particularly on sexuality and women) as uptight or strict; they are viewed as immoral and oppressive. In light of the abuse crisis and the endless revelations of sexual abuse of both children and adults, the Church is also seen as hypocritical. Despite this, much of the Catholic right and many of the US bishops are still naively operating under the notion that appealing to a culturally obsolete moral code is a constructive way to advocate for Catholic teaching in the public square. Many also dont seem to realize or care that being harsh, condemnatory, and dismissive contributes to the image of the Church as morally reprehensible, turning off potential convertsthose who might be interested in exploring the Catholic faith. In these sectors of the Church, many seem to think listening is capitulation and empathy is weakness. This perspective seems to motivate much of the reactionary opposition to Pope Francis, who constantly exhorts Catholics to engage in listening, dialogue, empathy and openness. In recent months, many have commented on the tension within the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) over their approach towards President Joseph Biden. Back in January, several of the bishops clashed over USCCB president Archbishop Jose Gomezs Inauguration Day letter to the president. More recently, there has been discussion about the USCCBs plan to draft a statement on Eucharistic Coherence, which prompted a cautionary response from the Vatican. Quite a few bishops have weighed in publicly on the question, and the conference looks determined to move forward on the statement despite the intervention of Cardinal Luis Ladaria, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. While I very much oppose President Bidens position on abortion and honestly cant comprehend how he tries to reconcile it with his Catholic faith, the bishops approach to his presidency suggests that they somehow missed the last 20 years and everything thats happened in the Church and society since. Not only that, but many of them are outspoken on a national level about culture war issues while doing very little or nothing about reactionary extremist clergy in their own dioceses. Perhaps the most conspicuous current example of a bishop who seems less interested in tending his own flock than in publicly opining on national and global affairs is Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila. First, in April, he penned an opinion piece in America in favor of denying communion to politicians who advocate policies that contradict Catholic teaching on abortion and euthanasia. He followed this with an article on April 18 in Catholic World Report that critiqued a private letter he received from a brother bishop who disagreed with him on the issue. Four days later, on April 22, the Colorado-based Pillar website extended the controversy by revealing the private letter was written by Chicagos Cardinal Blase Cupich, and speculated that America had leaked Aquilas letter to Cupich in advance. And just yesterday morning, Archbishop Aquila appeared on EWTN radio to discuss the issue once again. Archbishop Aquila certainly has the right to speak freely on issues of importance to the Church. Yet his priorities dont appear to align with his primary responsibilities. Aquila has shown persistence in repeating his position on the issue of denying Communion to pro-choice politicians from his Denver perch. After all, the clear target of this push, President Biden, spends most of his time in Washington, DC, and Delaware, not Colorado. Meanwhile, the Denver archdiocese is home to at least three of the most controversial dissenting priests on the Catholic right: diocesan hermit Fr. Dave Nix, Fr. Chad Ripperger, and FSSP priest Fr. Daniel Nolan. All three priests have been outspoken against Covid-19 public health measures. Additionally, Fr. Nix (who recently dined with sedevacantist actor Mel Gibson and Fr. James Altman) has suggested multiple times that Franciss election to the papacy is invalid. For example, in 2019, he wrote that Rene Gracida, the bishop emeritus of Corpus Christi, Texas, is a great hero of mine for publicly questioning the valid resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Fr. Ripperger has spread pseudoscientific claims about Covid and has openly defied the CDF on the moral liceity of the Covid vaccine. Fr. Nolan received attention last year for telling parishioners in a video uploaded to YouTube not to wear masks and describing Covid as a scamdemic. He said, I encourage everybody not to wear a mask. And I am telling you: disobey your bishop, disobey your governor. Catholic News Agency reported that the archdiocese would do a review of the situation, but it does not appear that any significant disciplinary action was taken. All three priests, based on their listing in the online archdiocesan directory, appear to be in good standing with Archbishop Aquila. More recently, Archbishop Aquila took to the global stage, publishing An Open Letter to the Catholic Bishops of the World, commenting on his concerns about the Forum 1 document produced by the German Churchs Synodal Path. The German synodal process has been the target of much criticism from the right in the US Church. Aquilas letter is the most recent of many critiques of the German Church by prominent American Catholics following Pope Franciss answer to a reporters question in an in-flight press conference. The reporter asked him if he feared a schism in the US Church based upon the relentless criticism from the Catholic right. In his response, the pope publicly acknowledged the danger of schism posed by reactionary and radical traditionalist US Catholics. Immediately thereafter, his critics have responded with a barrage of articles insisting that the real threat of schism is coming from Germany. In his open letter, Aquila writes, An attentive reading of the Fundamental Text in its entirety makes it difficult to avoid the conclusion that the Synodal Assembly hopes to bring about a Church that, far from being prepared to suffer the worlds contempt for her fidelity to Christ, will be preeminently conditioned by the world and comfortably accepted by it as one respectable institution among others. Personally, Ive read about 30 pages of the 50-page Forum 1 document. Certainly, much of it came across as too deferential (and even wishy-washy) for my American sensibilities. It certainly lacked the degree of doctrinal assertiveness to which I am accustomed. But from what I have read so far, I dont see a Church that is looking to capitulate to the world as much as I see a Church that is searching for something to say to a world that has given up on listening. Its as if the German bishops are trying to walk the line while looking for openings that will help make Catholicism more palatable to their culture. In other words, whatever the shortcomings of the document, theyre clearly seeking opportunities to evangelize that will be more effective in their cultural context. Much of Archbishop Aquilas letter contains eternal truths and makes many salient, sound points. That he frames it as a critique (or even an accusation) of the German bishops, however, exemplifies the disconnect between the US episcopate and the vision of Pope Francis. This letter seems to suggest that Aquila thinks allowing people to raise concerns, listening to people talk about the issues they care about, and engaging in dialogue about them are equivalent to abandoning the true faith and capitulating to the world. Perhaps this is another example of a US bishop who suffers from an inability to read the room, or maybe he simply isnt picking up on the nuance in the German document. The German bishops lay the problem out clearly in their document: In many places, the surrounding society can no longer understand and comprehend the Churchs order of power. Yes: The Church is publicly suspected of using its own legal order to discriminate against certain segments of the population, to undermine democratic standards of process, and to immunize herself against critical inquiries about her teachings and organizational structures. The Synodal Path relies on theologically grounded reforms and concretely modeled changes to address legitimate accusations, rebuild trust in the Church, and make room for belief in the God of life (p. 4, emphasis mine). To put it bluntly, many in Western society have come to see the Catholic Church as a hate group. Many Catholics are well-aware of the theological arguments on both issues but find them inadequate and unconvincing. Some Catholics (including myself) assent to the Churchs teachings on these matters but can easily understand why many think the Churchs official justifications are lacking. In response to the prevailing view on womens ordination, the German document proposes re-opening the dialogue in the Church: Pope John Paul II, in his Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, stated that the Church has no right to ordain women to the priesthood. However, due to new insights into the witness of the Bible, into the developments of Tradition, and into the anthropology of gender, the coherence of his argumentation and the validity of his statement are often questioned. It is necessary to reconnect again the witness of Scripture and Tradition with the signs of the times and the sense of faith of the people of God. Forum 1 proposes that the church in Germany, during the Synodal Path, should also give a reasoned vote on the question of the admission of women to ordination, which includes an invitation to the universal Church and the Apostolic See to study anew the questions raised, and to find solutions (emphasis mine). While an underlying desire for the ordination of women seems evident in this passage, the paragraph amounts to a formal request for the Church to study the issue. Archbishop Aquila is having none of it: The approach adopted here seems calculated to undermine the definitive and permanent character of the Sacrament of Holy Orders (p. 5). He says that the Synodal Path, in its desire to democratize the Churchs governance and entertain the possibility of admitting women to the priesthood, the essential distinction between the priesthood of the baptized and the ministerial priesthoodclearly affirmed at Lumen gentium 10is implicitly called into question (p. 3). He insisted in a recent interview, It is absolutely clear that there are matters that we can only discuss at the level of the Universal Church. We will contribute from Germany with our reflections. Here he is indicating the German bishops intention to remain obedient to the Church, even if they dont receive their desired outcome. Its no secret that many Catholics would like to see women in ordained ministry in the Church. They dont believe this because they want to make God angry or destroy the Church. For such Catholics, it is a matter of justice and upholding the equal dignity of women. These are two values that the Catholic Church upholds. Yet in light of those principles, many find the Churchs answers on the question inadequate. Yet many Catholics on the right appear deeply offended by those in the Church who want to discuss the issue again in a formal setting. If we believe that the Church is truly guided by the Holy Spirit and protected from doctrinal error, then it will never teach contrary to the truth. We can all certainly agree that historically the Church often came up short in its approach to and treatment of women. Pope Francis has started this by opening the door to official roles for women in Church ministry and governance. Yet whenever Pope Francis or a bishop publicly advocates for dialogue and openness with those who dissent from or challenge the status quo in the Church, the Catholic right responds with anger and condemnation. They seem to think they have power over the situation. They dont. In Ecclesiam Suam, St. Paul VI wrote, A vivid and lively self-awareness on the part of the Church inevitably leads to a comparison between the ideal image of the Church as Christ envisaged it, His holy and spotless bride, and the actual image which the Church presents to the world today (10). Christ tells us in Johns Gospel, This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (Jn 13:35). Pope Francis has a plan. The US bishops are either oblivious to his message or have consciously rejected it. They want to keep defending the fortress, but the walls are coming down. Pope Francis is begging them, get in the boat and come with me. My colleague Rachel Dobbs described our situation well. Or is she sailing the ocean, in calm seas and hurricane-force winds, tossed about as rogue waves threaten to capsize her as she casts her nets far and wide, searching for fish? We have two choices: we can retreat further into our collapsing fortresses (with groups like the Veritatis Splendor community or other traditionalist enclaves) and cling to a self-referential concept of the Church, or we can get in the boat with Peter, Pope Francis, and venture out into the wider world, riding on the choppy waves, seeking out a new future for the Church. Note: [1] I am aware of the arguments against using the terms left and right to describe Catholics. I opted to use these terms because (a) I am describing forms of dissent from Catholicism, not the true Catholic faith, and (b) despite the criticism of using these terms, most readers have a sense of what they mean in this context. Image: Adobe Stock

https://wherepeteris.com/what-can-we-offer-to-the-world/

When does Love Island start 2021? Who are the contestants? Where are winners Paige Turley and Finn Tapp now?

We are edging ever-closer to the day Iain Stirling will utter those immortal words: toniiiiiiight on Love Island... Love Island 2021 is almost upon us after being away from our screens for far too long. Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The last series of the hugely popular ITV2 show was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so lets see if we can jog your memory of what to expect this summer. The fire pit. Recoupling. Drama. The villa. The Hideaway. Childish. Casa Amor! Factor 50. Well, Love Island recently released a teaser on its social media channels starring host Laura Whitmore with the tagline: This is not a drill! Get ready to crack on. Its not long to wait. The new summer series will be gracing our living rooms on Monday, June 28. In a year when travelling overseas has been very uncertain, its left some wondering whether the show would do an Im A Celeb and film in a Welsh Castle. Love Island UK has traditionally taken place in the Spanish island of Mallorca, at the luxurious villa Sant Lloren des Cardassar. It has only strayed once for the winter series in January 2020, which was filmed in South Africa instead. But this summer, it looks like the islanders will be packing their suitcases to Spain once more. Speaking to Radio Times, ITV Commissioner Amanda Stavri said it will definitely be the Love Island viewers know and love. Unfortunately, it looks like the application process is now closed. Which can only mean this years bunch of singletons have now been chosen. The line-up hasnt been officially announced by ITV yet, but rumours are flying around as to who will be stepping into the villa. Based on previous seasons, we can hazard a guess that they will all be incredibly attractive with enormous Instagram followings, and one or two will be related to a D-List celeb. Or, at the very least, have dated a previous islander. Were just hoping there will be plenty of Scots thrown in to spice things up. Speaking of Scots, in the last series of Love Island Paige Turley rode into the sunset with her partner Finn Tapp. Well, youll be happy to know they are still very much loved up and have moved in together, having celebrated their one year anniversary back in Feb. Paige, from West Lothian, is the ex girlfriend of singer Lewis Capaldi, youll remember. The 23-year-old has launched her own singing career since leaving the villa, while Finn (a former semi-professional footballer) has his own YouTube channel. ITV bosses have said there were logistical difficulties over including LGBT contestants in this years Love Island. It comes after rumours this series could have bisexual islanders entering the villa. ITV boss Amanda Stavri said to Radio Times: In terms of gay Islanders, I think the main challenge is regarding the format of Love Island. Theres a sort of logistical difficulty, because although Islanders dont have to be 100% straight, the format must sort of give [them] an equal choice when coupling up. Reacting to these comments, TV critic Scott Bryan wrote: "Im sorry, we cant reflect your sexuality on screen because of logistics hope you understand. "Part of me understands, I know the format. But part of me gets so irritated by this too. On principle, nowhere should be blocked off on TV because your sexuality. Its 2021. If its causing a problem, change the show to make it work babes. While others have poked fun at the choice of language. One Twitter user said: Mum, dad, i've got something to tell you. i'm....a logistical difficulty. Love Island 2021 airs on ITV2 on June 28. A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/when-does-love-island-start-2021-who-are-the-contestants-where-are-winners-paige-turley-and-finn-tapp-now-3262169

Is the concept of wealth management just for the rich?

By Robyn Edwards Proper wealth management is the key to creating generational wealth and securing a legacy for your family. Simply put, generational wealth is an asset passed down from one generation to the next. An asset not intended to be spent during retirement and is meant to be the steppingstone to security for the generations after you thus creating a financial legacy. Whilst so many FSPs are trying to make this idea more accessible these days, the commonly accepted association when the man on the street thinks about generational wealth and wealth management is that these are notions for the Ruperts or the Motsepes and not necessarily for him as he gets by month to month. Make wealth management relevant More so now than ever whilst consumer pockets are under pressure, it is important to provide awareness, education & tools about how to start or how to maintain this security for your loved ones. Stats SAs latest reporting has noted South Africas unemployment rate at 32.5% by the end of the last quarter of 2020, a jump from 30% which is an alarmingly high number that impacts many South Africans. Breaching this immediate need requires relevance. Financial advice as a concept needs to bring this issue of generational wealth closer to home. The advice needs to reflect on real scenarios in our communities that have enabled the first generations that we know to build the blocks of a financially secure life for the generations that come after them. Financial advice needs to extend beyond the needs analysis and to the translation of this concept via the popular family in the township who started their butchery with 5 cows and now have 6 branches across the city each managed by a son in that family. Financial advice needs to extend beyond the 1 funeral plan sales process to the growth earned from an investment plan that will allow you to purchase the rental property that you can leave behind for your son. Be financially literate Financial literacy levels in South Africa need to improve. We need to start talking more to our children about saving, investing & wealth management in order to pass on more than just grief and sadness when we pass away. Financial literacy is however not limited to a Motsepe or a Rupert, the small steps we take from the R150 per month on a tax free savings plan to the R5000 lump sum you saved over 2 years put into a unit trust can make the difference in what you leave behind. In South Africa, we need to break the frequent sad cycle of leaving behind nothing but debt. Robyn Edwards is a marketing manager at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings. PERSONAL FINANCE

https://www.iol.co.za/personal-finance/financial-planning/is-the-concept-of-wealth-management-just-for-the-rich-b22042eb-1015-4060-a23e-c3e2aded8e3c

Could USFL reboot bring pro football back to Legion Field?

The Birmingham Stallions played all three seasons of the USFL, a spring football league that challenged the NFLs monopoly on professional football from 1983-85. The Stallions had an actual stallion named Blond Wonder as mascot, cheerleaders called the Fillies and a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback named Cliff Stoudt who used to back up Terry Bradshaw. The Stallions played their home games at Legion Field in Birmingham. This week, it was announced by Fox Sports that there will be an attempt to bring back the USFL with eight teams. Fox would be an equity partner and broadcast the games. Old team names like the New Jersey Generals the team Donald Trump owned and that Herschel Walker played for would be resurrected, if thats even legal. Steve Ehrhart, former USFL executive director, says its not. Im extremely passionate about football and the opportunity to work with FOX Sports and to bring back the USFL in 2022 was an endeavor worth pursuing, USFL co-founder and current The Spring League CEO Brian Woods said in a statement. We look forward to providing players a new opportunity to compete in a professional football league and giving fans everywhere the best football viewing product possible during what is typically a period devoid of professional football. Birmingham City Council President William Parker sees the new USFL scenario as an opportunity to get pro football back at Legion Field. Parker said this week he plans to meet with league officials as the USFL looks to begin with a season in the spring of 2022. Legion Field, which opened in 1927 and currently seats 70,000, has plenty of parking on 100 acres of city-owned property, and football-crazy Birmingham would be the perfect venue for a return of the USFL, Parker said. Im excited about what this opportunity could mean for this city and all the people who love football here, Parker said. Parker has been looking for events to keep the aging Legion Field viable. Protective Stadium, a new $174 million, 45,000-seat stadium in downtown Birmingham, is set to open this fall and be the home field for UAB football, which formerly used Legion Field. Parker did not address the possibility of using the new stadium to host USFL games. The USFL, founded in 1982, shut down in 1986 after planning an attempt to move to the fall and compete directly with the NFL. The USFL alleged the NFL was in violation of anti-monopoly laws and won an anti-trust lawsuit against the NFL, but was awarded damages of only $1. Many of the Stallions and other USFL players, some of whom had played in the NFL previously and jumped to the USFL, went on to play in the NFL. Former USFL players include Jim Kelly and Steve Young. Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Cliff Stoudt, who was a long-time back up to Terry Bradshaw, was the starting quarterback for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in the 1984 and 1985 seasons. (File/The Birmingham News) Birmingham Stallions Head Coach Rollie Dotsch, left, talks to Quarterback Cliff Stoudt. (File/The Birmingham News)

https://www.al.com/sports/2021/06/could-usfl-re-boot-bring-pro-football-back-to-legion-field.html

Which are the best family cars for 2021?

Youre in luck. On Tuesday, the Good Housekeeping Institute, in partnership with Car and Driver, released its annual list of the best new car options for families. The list consists of 18 vehicles ranging from sedans to pick-up trucks, SUVs, minivans and more, ensuring that families of all sizes are covered. Over the past year, the team at Good Housekeeping evaluated hundreds of new vehicles, test-driving the top contenders on well over 5,000 miles of sprawling highways, windy town streets and busy city blocks. More than 100 car seats were installed, seemingly countless infotainment systems were assessed and phones were paired each time someone got behind the wheel, said Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeepings chief technologist and head engineer. The list comes at a time where used car prices are skyrocketing across the country, resulting in many consumers opting to spend a bit more to buy new vehicles. First, researchers evaluated the performance and safety of each vehicle to ensure a safe, smooth ride for all occupants. Next, the comfort and convenience offered by each vehicle was evaluated, with researchers emphasizing seat cushions, storage space, the ease with which car seats can be installed and more. Finally, amenities like high-grade infotainment systems, USB charging ports, climate control options and voice recognition systems were assessed. Heres a look at the best new family cars for 2021. Best Subcompact Sedan Hyundai Accent - $15,395 (base price) Best Luxury Subcompact Sedan Mercedes-Benz CLA Class - $37,850 (base price) Best Compact Sedan Mazda 3 - $20,650 (base price) Best Luxury Compact Sedan Mercedes-Benz A Class - $35,650 (base price) Best Hatchback VW Golf GTI - $28,695 (base price) Best Midsize Sedan (Tie) Honda Accord - $24,970 (base price) Hyundai Sonata - $23,950 (base price) Best Luxury Midsize Sedan BMW 3-Series - $41,250 (base price) Best Full-Size Sedan Toyota Avalon - $36,125 (base price) Best Luxury Full-Size Sedan Genesis G90 - $72,950 (base price) Best Station Wagon Subaru Outback - $26,795 (base price) Best Luxury Station Wagon Audi A6 All-road - $65,900 (base price) Best Subcompact SUV Hyundai Kona - $20,500 (base price) Best Luxury Subcompact SUV Volvo XC40 - $33,700 (base price) Best Compact SUV Honda CR-V - $25,350 (base price) Best Luxury Compact SUV Porsche Macan - $52,100 (base price) Best Midsize SUV Honda Passport - $32,790 (base price) Best Luxury Midsize SUV Genesis GV80 - $55,150 (base price) Best Full-Size SUV Kia Telluride - $32,190 (base price) Best Luxury Full-Size SUV BMW X7 - $75,895 (base price) Best Large SUV Chevrolet Suburban - $51,700 (base price) Best Luxury Large SUV Cadillac Escalade - $76,195 (base price) Best Minivan Chrysler Pacifica - $35,495 (base price) Best Pickup Truck Ford F-150 - $28,940 (base price)

https://www.silive.com/news/2021/06/which-are-the-best-family-cars-for-2021.html

Should Convicted Felons Serve on Juries?

On June 2, Premal Dharia, inaugural director of Harvard Law Schools Institute to End Mass Incarceration, moderated a discussion of this question, at an event co-sponsored by the Radcliffe Institute between two invited speakers: Brendon D. Woods, the chief public defender in Californias Alameda County, and James M. Binnall, an associate professor of law, criminology, and criminal justice at California State University, Long Beach. Binnall is the author of Twenty Million Angry Men: The Case for Including Convicted Felons in Our Jury System (2021). Binnall began his remarks by sharing that he is among the approximately twenty million angry men excluded from the countrys jury system. In 1999, I caused the DUI wreck that claimed the life of my passenger, who was a college wrestling teammate of mine and my best friend, he said. I spent four years, one month, and six days in two maximum security prisons in southern Pennsylvania. Just six months after his release, Binnall began his first year of law school. In 2008, he was admitted to the State Bar of California. A year into a fledgling career of criminal-defense work, Binnall received a summons for jury duty and felt a very strange sense of pride and privilege stepping through the attorneys only entrance at the courthouse. That feeling quickly faded in embarrassment, however, when he was informed that his prior felony conviction rendered him permanently ineligible for jury service under the then-existing California state law. Binnall soon learned he was far from alone. Individuals with a felony conviction face restrictions on jury service in every state except Maine, and they are permanently excluded from participation in more than half the states in the nation. California has since changed its law. Courts and lawmakers allege that those with a felony conviction would jeopardize the jury process because they purportedly lack the requisite character to serve, and/or harbor an inherent bias, making each adversarial to the state, Binnall explained. But in researching his recent book, he found that these justifications are empirically unsound. Binnall said the most damning evidence against exclusion comes from his mock-jury experiment, in which he studied how those with felony convictions approached simulated service. This cohort of convicted felons was thoughtful and considerate in its participation, recalling more case facts and speaking at greater length during deliberations than the non-felon control group. Furthermore, the former felons demonstrated a normal distribution of pretrial biases. Asked by Dharia to elaborate on this normal distribution, Binnall explained that there was no statistically significant difference in bias between law students and individuals with past felonies. Should we exclude all law students from jury duty as well? he asked rhetorically. He went on to note that the pro-defense bias shared by law students and formerly incarcerated people was inversely matched by an equally strong pro-prosecution bias in law enforcement personnel. While Binnall focused on why the justifications for jury exclusion are fallacious, Woods turned the audiences attention to how these justifications are propped up by racism and white supremacy. People of color make up about 30 percent of the U.S. population, and they account for 60 percent of those that are in prison. One out of five black men are in custody right now, as opposed to one out of every 106 white men, Woods said. With that incarceration of predominantly black and brown people comes the inevitable stripping of certain rights that a normal citizen would have. Until a 2019 bill reduced jury restrictions on felons in California, Woods said more than 30 percent of black men in his home state were barred from jury duty for life. The upshot of statistics like these is that many black people are denied a second rightthe right to be judged by a jury of their peers. When I was a sophomore in college, my uncle got sentenced to 27 years in prison. And there wasnt a single black person on the jury, Woods recalled. I do believe there is a reason and purpose that explain why these exclusions exist. And it goes back to history, it goes back to slavery, it goes back to when juries were comprised of all white men in order to convict black men. Looking forward, Dharia asked the speakers what the country can learn from Maine, which does allow former felons to serve on juries without restrictions. But Woods cautioned against affording the state trailblazer status. Maine, I think, is, like, 1.2 percent black, he said, suggesting that the state simply didnt have the motive to impose these restrictions, given such a small black population. In closing the discussion, Dharia asked Woods if he had any parting words of wisdom for aspiring activists. Dont try to get out of jury service. Come, show up, do your part, he answered. If you care about ending mass incarceration, show up for jury service. If you care about some sort of racial justice or racial equity in the courts, show up for jury service.

https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2021/06/felons-and-juries

Did each of these 20 players ever score a goal whilst on loan at Birmingham City?

Birmingham City will be looking forward to the transfer market this summer as Lee Bowyer looks to really make his mark on the squad. The former player has done a terrific job since he succeeded Aitor Karanka, with the side responding immediately to his methods as they secured survival. Now, the challenge will be to improve the squad, but the financial situation at St. Andrews means Bowyer may have to utilise the loan market. Check out our quiz and state whether each individual ever scored a goal for the club whilst on loan! Good luck. 1 of 20 Yan Valery Yes No

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/did-each-of-these-20-players-ever-score-a-goal-whilst-on-loan-at-birmingham-city/

How can Tunisia and Europe solve the migrant influx?

The Tunisian Coast has seen a peak in migrant departures to Europe in recent months. But a solution to the crisis cannot just come from Europe, Tunisian President Kais Saied said in Brussels when he met with the presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council, Charles Michel. In an interview with Euronews, he said that migrants who arrive illegally in Europe from Tunisia or North Africa are encouraged by networks in Europe, which exploit them and violate their fundamental rights. Here also, it is necessary to fight the networks that traffic in human beings within Europe. We must give man his right everywhere," Saied said. For the Tunisian president, it is necessary to look for the reasons that push young people to migrate, such as the lack of job opportunities. But he asks to take also into consideration the positive side of skilled migrants, as Europe profits from it. "We must also talk about the regular migration of a number of scholars. In the past year, nearly five hundred doctors went to Europe," he said. "They are absolutely invaluable human resources. We must address the issue from all angles, not one. One is limited to the presence of a number of miserable poor migrants who have no hope in life... The issue cannot be addressed unilaterally, nor can it be with a pure security approach." The U.N. refugee agency says most new arrivals land in Italy and Spain from Tunisia and Algeria. The EU is working on a deal with Tunisia to offer economic help to reduce migrant sea crossings.

https://www.africanews.com/2021/06/04/how-can-tunisia-and-europe-solve-the-migrant-influx/

Is there a place for a US Military Base in Central Asia?

Temur Umarov It was not so long ago that the United States had military bases in the region. But now much depends on whether the advantages would outweigh the inevitable losses that Central Asian countries would sustain as a result of Moscow and Beijings displeasure. US President Joe Biden has promised there will be no US troops left in Afghanistan by the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks this year. But Washington is determined to keep supporting the Afghan government in its fight against the Taliban, and this is unlikely to be achievable without the establishment of US military bases in Afghanistans neighboring countries. The US military commands preferred option reportedly would be Central Asia. This is certainly the most obvious option: US troops were, after all, based in the region from 2001 to 2014. Since then, however, much has changed. Most importantly, the US relationships with Central Asias two main external partnersRussia and Chinahave sharply deteriorated, and they will clearly not welcome a US return to the region. Washington, therefore, will have to prove to the Central Asian states that the financial and political benefits of cooperating with it would outweigh the inevitable losses that the host countries would sustain as a result of Moscow and Beijings displeasure. That wont be easy, because during the last decade, people in Central Asia have conclusively stopped believing that the United States is prepared to act as a counterbalance to Russia and China in the region. In Search of Allies There was a time when the young, newly independent countries of Central Asia put a high value on any US attention, and when the United States was actively promoting the principles of democracy and a market economy in the region. Now Afghanistan is one of the few issues upon which Washington still cooperates with the Central Asian nations. Afghanistan borders six other nations, none of wh-ich currently house any U-.S. bases or can be desc-ribed as close US allies: Iran, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Iran and China can be ruled out straight away, and Pakistan is too dependent on China now to embark on such a step. Its unlikely that Turkmenistan has any intention of departing from its isolationist course, and nor does Kazakhstan fit the bill, not just because of its distance from Afghanistan, but also because of its close ties to Russia. That only leaves two options: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Leaks in US media suggest that the Pentagon is indeed eyeing those two countries as potential candidates for new bases. Although it has not been mentioned in US publications, another potential candidate is Kyrgyzstan, given its proximity to Afghanistan. Tajikistan At first glance, its hard to imagine US troops in Tajikistan: a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that already hosts a Russian military base on its territory. Yet this hasnt stopped President Emomali Rahmon from allowing China to build a border post on the border with Afghanistan, andaccording to rumorsletting India take over the Farkhor air base. The Tajik economy, however, depends heavily on remittances from Tajik nationals working in Russia (22 percent of GDP in 2020, and usually over 30 percent before the pandemic), and Chinese loans (52 percent of all external borrowing and more than 20 percent of GDP). In addition, of all the countries in Central Asia, Tajikistan has the frostiest relations with the United States: Rahmon is the only regional leader who has never made an official visit to the United States. Tajikistan does, however, have some experience of military cooperation with the Americans. After 9/11, US air force planes were given permission to refuel at the Ayni air base near the capital Dushanbe. Today, Tajik special forces undergo training in the United States, and border guards study at centers built using US funding. In spring 2021, Washington embarked on a path of rapprochement with Dushanbe on Afghanistan. In March, online trilateral talks were held among Taj-ikistan, Afghanistan, and the United States. Then, Se-cretary of State Antony Bl-inken held an online meeting with his Central Asian counterparts in the C5+1 format, focusing on Afgh-anistan. And at the start of May, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconcil-iation, visited Tajikistan. The US interest in Tajikistan has not gone unnoticed in Moscow. At the end of April, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone to Rahmon, and discussed strengthening bilateral relations. This was followed by three CSTO events in Dushanbe, which led to agreements on creating a unified regional air defense system for the two countries and strengthening parts of the Tajik-Afghan border, and a promise to restart regular flights between Moscow and Dushanbe. In addition, Rahmon was the only foreign leader invited to the Victory Day parade on May 9 in Moscow. Right nowwith Rahmon preparing to hand over power to his son, the economy in crisis following the pandemic, and concerns over Afghanistans future after the US withdrawalthe Tajik regime is in desperate need of Russian support. Kyrgyzstan Like Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan is heavily dependent on China and Russia. Remittances from migrant workers in Russia make up about a third of GDP, and Kyrgyzstans debt to China is bigger than a quarter of GDP. Kyrgyzstan is also part of the CSTOand a member of the Eurasian Economic Unionand is home to a Russian military base. For a long time, Kyrgyzstan was considered the main US ally in the region, and an oasis of democracy in Central Asia. The US base there lasted longer than all the others in the region: from 2001 to 2014, despite two revolutions and repeated attempts by Moscow to get it closed. It was only in 2013 that President Almazbek Atambayev revoked the agreement with Washington on the leasing of the transit center at Manas airport. Since then, relations between Kyrgyzstan and the United States have not improved. In 2015, Atambayev ended a cooperation agreement with the United States after Washington conferred its Human Rights Defender Award on the Kyrgyz activist Azimjon Askarov (he died last year in a Kyrgyz jail). Its difficult for the United States to build a long-term relationship with Kyrgyzstan, since the constant warring of the countrys political elites leads to unpredictable consequen-ces and even coups dtat. This instability would also make it hard for Washin-gton to guarantee the security of its troops if it were able to open a base there. Uzbekistan Uzbekistan is far less dependent on Russia and China than its neighbors, is not currently part of the CSTO, and does not have any foreign military bases on its territory. Since Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016, relations with Russia have become noticeably warmer, albeit as part of a broader trend of improving external ties. Back in 2001, then president Islam Karimov leased the Karshi-Khanabad air base to the Americans. But in May 2005, after Washington strongly condemned the brutal suppression of protests in Andijan in which hundreds of Uzbeks were killed, the Uzbek government demanded the withdrawal of US troops. From 2013 to 2016, Tashkent was home to the office of the NATO Liaison Officer in Central Asia. Since Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016, military ties between Uzbekistan and the United States have been rekindled. In 2018, the Uzbek leader visited Washington, where he signed the first ever military cooperation plan with the United States. Since then, the number of joint military exercises has increased, and Uzbek officers now have the chance to train in the United States and NATO countries. In 2018, Uzbekistan initiated a new format for ending the conflict in Afgha-nistan: a conference in Tashkent of over twenty countries and organizations. Uzbekistan is preparing to host a similar event this year. Washington enco-urages Uzbekistans active position on Afghanistan, and in May 2020, Washington, Tashkent, and Kabul held their first trilateral dialogue. But the issue of hosting US troops in Uzbekistan will inevitably be met with resistance from Moscow and Beijing, and its doubtful that Tashkent is prepared to pay that price. Moscow is already vocal in its criticism of many of Tashkents initiatives, believing that Washington is behind them and that their ultimate aim is to weaken Central Asias links with Russia. There is also likely to be major resistance from Uzbek society, given the outrage elicited by recent rumors of a Russian military base opening in the country: a US base would be even less popular. Prospects Even if a US military base does eventually open in Central Asia, it wont change the balance of power on the ground. There are no interests that require Washington to have a long-term policy on the region. Moscow and Beijing, on the other hand, have no choice but to closely follow regional developments, since their own security depends on them. Furthermore, China is not just an important economic partner now, but is actively moving to institutionalize its relations with the Central Asian states. May 11 saw the second C+C5 meeting among the foreign ministers of China plus the Central Asian nations take place in Xian. The Chinese foreign minister, speaking on behalf of all of the countries, warned Washington of the need for the responsible and orderly withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. Chinese criticism of the United States for interfering in other countries internal affairs is likely to become routine now, as it already is from Russia. At the end of April, for example, Beijing accused Washington of interfering in Kyrgyzstans domestic affairs by financing local NGOs and media. China and Russia are also apprehensive of increased US activity in the region because they are convinced that a US base there would be used against them. Beijing believes that Washington plans to destabilize the situation in Xinjiang, while Moscow suspects that the United States will keep sowing chaos around Russias borders. Russia and China will continue to fight against the US presenceand will do so together and more actively than before. In none of the three countries in Central Asia where the United States could in theory open a military base do the potential advantages for the host country outweigh the risks. In all likelihood, none of them will agree to house a base. This reflects both the United States declining role in the region, and the intensifying rivalry between the global powers. It appears that Washington will have to look for other solutions, such as moving some of its troops to the Middle East and using an aircraft carrier for patrols.

https://thefrontierpost.com/is-there-a-place-for-a-us-military-base-in-central-asia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-there-a-place-for-a-us-military-base-in-central-asia

Is freedom of the press at threat in Slovenia?

Every Friday in Ljubjana, the capital of Slovenia, hundreds of demonstrators, many on bicycles, gather in front of the parliament to express their anger towards the government of Prime Minister Janez Jansa. On the day that we film there, the protest is in solidarity with Palestinians and against the government's support for Israel in the latest conflict. However, like every week for the past year, freedom of the press is high on the protests agenda. Sarah tiglic is one of the protesters and also a journalism student. She tells us that she feels like the government in Slovenia is doing nothing good for them. "They are trying to destroy everything. They are trying to destroy our media", she explains. It's something that makes her feel both angry and sad. Death threats Blaz Zgaga is a famous investigative journalist in Slovenia. After questioning the legitimacy and management of the COVID-19 crisis unit set up by the government at the start of the pandemic, he was the subject of a violent smear campaign on social media. This occurred after the government's crisis unit republished an anonymous tweet insulting the journalist. Blaz Zgaga, an investigative journalist, Slovenia euronews He says that after the tweet was posted on the government's COVID-19's crisis unit account, "propaganda trumpets started writing about me, saying that I was a deep state journalist, that I was a liar". It was then that he started to receive death threats, by the dozens. After an appeal from several international press freedom organisations, the European Commission asked the Slovenian government to ensure the journalist's safety. Almost all of the threats immediately stopped. "It's like someone pressed the off button which is a clear indication that someone pressed the on button the first time", Blaz adds. A fan of social media This claim that the threats are clearly organised is directed at the ultra-conservative Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa himself. Since coming to power a year ago, he has relentlessly lashed out at the media. He accuses it, on the government website, of holding a monopoly of lies. The Prime Minister has even earned an unfavourable nickname: Marshal Twitto, as critics say he never misses an opportunity to single out journalists he disapproves of on social media. Suspension of state funds One of the latest controversies surrounding the media in Slovenia is the suspension of state funds to the national press agency, the STA. It's a move that has even turned heads at the European Commission. The government says it has blocked the funds because it has not received the necessary supporting documents from the agency. However, STA management claims this is a lie. Without these funds, which represent 50% of the agency's budget, Barbara trukelj, the editor-in-chief, says its future is in jeopardy, along with the coverage of major events: "This year is the year Slovenia's Presidency of the European Council, and also marks the 30th anniversary of the country's independence. Financial instability is threatening the implementation of some editorial projects and investment in the development of the agency itself". Several media, including some of the most vocal against the government, also lost state funding this year. They say it's an attempt to silence voices that dont conform to the government line. Mitja Irsic, a public relations officer at the Ministry of Culture, Slovenia euronews The Ministry of Culture, in charge of the media, rejects this. The representatives that we spoke to say the allocation of funds are linked to a media tender, and is based on the quality of the projects submitted. They insist no political strings are attached, and that the media which did not get selected are from all political sides, and can appeal the decision. According to Mitja Irsic, a public relations officer at the Ministry of Culture, "media outlets have to compete to get funds from this tender. But during the previous governments, all of the media got something. An expert commission at the Ministry decided that they want to do this in a more meritocratic way". The General Director at the Directorate of media at the Ministry of Culture, Ursula Menih Dokl, adds to this argument by telling us that they are aiming to "facilitate the creation of content in order to assure plurality and different views on different topics". However, this aim to many Slovenian journalists we spoke to stems from a will to control the media. This is a widespread belief at RTV Slovenia, the national television station, which the prime minister constantly accuses of spreading fake news and trying to destabilise the government. Female journalists have been prime targets of Janez Jansa's wrath online. One of RTV Slovenia's star presenters, Jelena Ascic, was among those faced with violent attacks on social networks and media affiliated to Janez Jansas SDS party. To her, "this pressure is very dangerous because now when you think about some topics that you want in your show, then you think about consequences, about attacks because of that topic and you go to more safe topics because of this. So these attacks are also leading to self-censorship, which is already a big problem in Slovenia." Jelena Ascic, TV presenter, RTV Slovenia euronews One of her colleagues, the host of the channels parliamentary programme, doesn't agree. Attacks on social media are part of the job, he says. He denies any pressure from the ruling power. He tells us that in his opinion, "journalists can be critical and they are critical of current authorities. There are no obstacles to that, nor are there any consequences". To him, the real pressure on journalists came from the previous government and comes from media owners. New networks created by ruling party allies To counteract the mainstream media in Slovenia, which Janez Jansa has labelled as leftist and anti-government, his SDS allies have created their own networks, sometimes supported by Hungarian investors allegedly close to Victor Orban. Nova24 TV is one of them. Critics say it flirts with far-right ideology. Boris Tomasic, its editor-in-chief describes the channel as "conservative". He hosts a program called 'Who is lying to you?'. It was launched at the start of the pandemic. "It was unreal how much fake news there was, and still is, in our mainstream media", he says. "What I do is show the manipulations and lies, to point out "the other side, the truth". One man who recently featured on his show is Primoz Cirman. He is a journalist known for a major investigation into a funding scandal within Janez Jansa's party, a scandal that allegedly involves one of the Prime Minister's advisors. Primoz Cirman and his two colleagues at his media outlet called "Uncensored" have been hit by 39 defamation lawsuits from the suspect. Cirman has been very vocal about how he feels about this situation. He tells us that "their aim is clear! They want to destroy us professionally and individually. They basically want us to shut down our office and stop working". But Cirman is not afraid. He says he and his colleague will not be deterred. "We just want to do our job freely because we live in a free democratic country". A democratic country that the friday protesters say is at threat, promising to continue taking to the streets of Ljubljana, and calling for Janez Jansa to step down and for early elections to take place.

https://www.euronews.com/2021/06/04/is-freedom-of-the-press-at-threat-in-slovenia

Who is Kardashian-Jenner friend Harry Hudson?

If flicking through Kardashian-Jenner Instagram stories is the best part of your morning routine, the name Harry Hudson will definitely be familiar to you. Especially given he just celebrated his birthday, and the Kardashian gang have been leading the way with cute birthday messages across their socials. Here's everything we know about the Kardashian-Jenners' BFF. Harry Hudson is a 28-year-old American singer-songwriter. Harry first garnered media attention as the star of Kylie Jenner's Snapchat, often spotted in the passenger seat or starring in Kylie's infamous 'Snapchat Movie.' According to Vice, he met Kylie after occasionally bumping into her and sister Kendall at parties in Calabasas: "Sometimes, Kylie would speak to him. They slowly became casual friends." This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. In 2014, Harry was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, undergoing a series of treatments. Kylie and Kendall began to visit him while he was in hospital, which greatly strengthened their friendship. In 2017, Harry and Kylie joined Teen Cancer America to raise awareness and funds for teens and young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Harry told Vice: "[Kylie and Kendall] are a blessing. They are like my sisters. They dropped so many things just to be there and be a positive thing in my life." He's also praised Kylie for being very down-to-earth, saying, "I consider [her] real. Being real will attract real around you. Everyone is fake till you keep it real. Making it onto any Kar-Jenner social is a pretty big deal, so you know Harry is a big part of the family friendship group given how much they all posted about him on his 28th birthday. Khlo Kardashian took to Instagram to share a clip of the new KUWTK season, featuring Harry and Kylie. She captioned the post, "Happy birthday @harryhudson !!! I'm sorry got [sic] always humiliating you. You're stuck with us kiddo." @khloekardashian Instagram Khlo also shared a cute group shot of her with Harry, Kendall, Kourtney and Fai Khadra. Subscribe here to have Cosmopolitan delivered to your door. Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a36628520/who-is-kardashian-jenner-friend-harry-hudson/

What will Prince Charles choose for his title when he is King?

Prince Charles has been heir apparent to the throne since he was three years old. Now, at the age of 72, his mother Queen Elizabeth remains healthy and able to carry out her duties as monarch, so Charles' position hasn't changed. But at some stage it will be time for the Prince of Wales to take the crown - and when that happens he can expect some major changes. There will be the obvious things, like moving from his home in Clarence House to Buckingham Palace, and then of course there will be a change in title. Prince Charles is currently the Prince of Wales, but when he eventually becomes king that title will pass down to his son, Prince William. You might assume it'll be as simple as 'King Charles,' but there's actually no guarantee of that at all. In fact, it's very common for members of the royal family to change their name when they become monarch. Queen Elizabeth's father was christened Albert Frederick Arthur George, but when he took to the throne in 1936, he opted to go by the name King George VI, honouring his father, King George V. Samir Hussein Getty Images Similarly, the Queen's great-grandfather was known officially as King Edward VII, but his real name was Albert Edward. The Queen's great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, also chose a different name for her reign, having been christened Alexandrina Victoria at birth. The Queen herself broke with this tradition, however, opting to use her own name. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor in April 1926, it's reported that the monarch bluntly replied, "My own of course!" when asked what she wanted to go by as Queen, ahead of her coronation in 1952. Keystone Getty Images All this means Prince Charles has a number of options available to him. He could, of course, go for the obvious when he becomes king and be known as King Charles III (because there have been two King Charles' in British royal history already). However, both of these former Kings had some controversy attached to them, with one having been executed for treason and the other having ruled during the dark times of the plague and the Great Fire of London. Alternatively, he might just not really fancy the name 'King Charles' because it gives off too many spaniel vibes . In that instance, there are a few other options. In typical royal fashion, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip gave their firstborn son Charles several names. The heir-to-the-throne's full name is Charles Philip Arthur George, so he's got three other decent names to choose from there. WPA Pool Getty Images There doesn't appear to have been a King Philip previously in British royal history, so this may serve as a way for Charles to carve an individual name for himself, while also paying tribute to his late father. On the flip side, he may feel uncomfortable assuming his dad's name for his regal duties. King Arthur may sound familiar, but there's ongoing debate around whether the character and his round table ever actually existed in real life history. So if Prince Charles wanted to pinch one of his middle names for his regnal name, this could also be a good shout. The other option is to go for King George VII, but because his eldest grandson is a future King George, he might not want to take that away from him. Charles could, of course, go for something totally unrelated to his birth names that has been historically popular for royal kings of the past, such as Henry, James or Edward, but that's probably unlikely seeing as he's got a whole host of options ready and waiting to be chosen from already. Whatever he goes for, I'm sure he'll look great in a crown. The latest issue of Cosmopolitan UK is out now and you can SUBSCRIBE HERE. Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Catriona Harvey-Jenner Digital Features Editor Cat is Cosmopolitan UK's features editor covering women's issues, health and current affairs. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a36627489/prince-charles-title-king/

Can AI unlock the secrets of animal communication?

The Regent Honeyeaters of Australasia are forgetting how to talk. The songbirds habitat has been so severely devastated that its numbers are dwindling. Worse, the ones that remain are so scattered that the adult males are too far apart to teach the young how to sing for a mate how to speak their own language. The gradual loss of the Honeyeaters song, their primary tool for wooing a partner, creates a vicious circle of spiraling decline. Humans, on the other hand, cannot shut up. Estimates peg the total number of languages in use today to be around 7,000. In the US, roughly 25 percent of people claim they can converse in a second language. In Europe this number floats around 60 percent. In Asia or Africa, bilingualism is even more common as local tongues and regional dialects live alongside (often multiple) official languages. But not one person on this planet can speak Cat or Dog much less Regent Honeyeater. Henry Cook via Getty Images Understanding animals is a tough nut to crack. Probably not for most species, but as years of TV shows like Sabrina and films like Free Willy and basically anything Disney will attest, we really do wish we could natter with nature. The good news is that AI might grant us the ability to reliably translate animals in the next decade or so. The less good news is that it wont be the Babelfish device you might be expecting. If you had to pick one component of humans ... that no other animal comes anywhere near being able to do anywhere near as well: Communication is the thing. James Savage, a behavioral ecologist at both the University of Chester and Anglia Ruskin University told Engadget. In short, talking is what separates humans from the beast, so expecting animals to hold a conversation is somewhat oxymoronic. If youre now wondering about all those documentaries you saw with a dolphin talking to its keeper or a chimpanzee doing sign language, then you arent disproving this theory, youve merely identified the complexity of the question. Animals understanding our language appears to be obtainable to the degree of their cognitive ability. Going the other way, speaking Dolphin or Chimpanzee is a different kettle of (non-talking) fish. The first problem is deciding what an animal language might look like. One of the defining characteristics of human communication is that it's sequential. We have word tokens, words as it were. And they always occur in a certain sequence. Jussi Karlgren, a computational linguist, told Engadget. Much as we might hope, theres little reason to suggest a pod of porpoises communicates in the same way we do. Not least because of the different vocal machinery, but also their environment, collective needs and, you know, the whole lack of being a human thing. ac productions via Getty Images You cant blame us for thinking that way though. A long study into the calls of prairie dogs suggests that they can demonstrate something that resembles vocabulary. In one experiment, scientists approached the rodents at different times wearing different colored shirts and were able to determine discrete alarm calls for each one. The prairie dogs were basically saying The woman in the blue shirt is back or this time its the yellow-shirted person. Con Slobodchikoff, the lead researcher in this experiment and many more on prairie dogs, told The Atlantic as far back as 2013 that, in his opinion, his subjects had "the most sophisticated animal language that has been decoded." While this seemingly opens up the tantalizing possibility of vocabulary in animal language, theres also likely an evolutionary limit. An animal might be able to indicate something with a sound or word but only if it has a need to do so. Prairie dogs likely dont bother to express things like how they feel or what their goals are in life. The reason, as an animal, you communicate information to another animal, is if there's some benefit to you doing so. Said Savage. But what if there was an animal with few natural predators and high cognitive abilities. According to Savage, there are hints they might have something more to talk about I don't think it's too anthropomorphic to say that in the dolphin case, they have a particular little thing they do, which is their name, because they use it and other dolphins use it to refer to them. Dolphins, it appears, give themselves names and respond to its use by others. This phenomenon is something that piqued Karlgrens imagination too. To the extent that he planned a detailed experiment that would feed dolphin calls into an artificial intelligence in the hope of deciphering them. Thomas Barwick via Getty Images The premise of using artificial intelligence feels like it should make sense. After all, AI has been shown to be quite effective at deciphering ancient human languages. The answer comes back to the human tendency to think that the human way is the only way. Communication is more than just words; it can be tone, timing, context, facial expressions and more. Now transpose that to the dolphin world and you can see why things get very complicated very fast. (What does dolphin sarcasm sound like?) But Karlgren remains optimistic. The hope is this: That if we collect a large corpus, a large collection of dolphin whistles and click trains, [we might be] able to segment them And for that amount of data to yield results, AI really is our only hope. Savage agrees. Humans are usually pretty good at picking up acoustic differences in animal calls that they are familiar with, he said, adding that as artificial intelligence-based algorithms for classifying signals become more advanced, they will very rapidly get to the point where they can do that better than humans can. And the early signs are promising. In 2017, scientists were able to identify a number of different Marmoset calls with about 90-percent accuracy. In the same year, another team was able to identify when a sheep is in distress based on feeding an AI images of their facial expressions alone. Combining these two ideas would provide a more holistic understanding of what animals might be trying to say. Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images Both Savage and Karlgren suggest that great steps can be made in the next ten years or so. Even if the result might not be the Google Translate for animals app we desire. Theres also the question of whether something like that is in anyones interest. I think it almost cheapens animals to have that approach to them, where they have to interact with each other and others in the same way that we want to interact with them. Savage said. AI might well become a valuable tool in animal husbandry, either at a research or industrial level, but there are still important things we can do right now with the tools we currently have. Savage gave the example of Kakapo, a large, flightless parrot found in New Zealand. When its time to mate, Kakapo males dig a small pit and make a booming noise, using the hollow they made to amplify it. Females will pick their mate by the quality of that boom. But when you have a small population, this poses an issue, where only few males are successful and the gene pool becomes limited. Savage explains how they were able to retire the best boomers and move them to another island where many juvenile males live. This allows the younger generation to learn from the successful males and become adept boomers themselves. As the young mature, they are then placed with the females and able to profit from their new found linguistic abilities. Slowly, the species can recover without risk of genetic limitations. Now if only we could tell the Regent Honeyeaters about this. If artificial intelligence eventually delivers on its promise, maybe one day we can.

https://www.engadget.com/can-ai-unlock-the-secrets-of-animal-communication-170040760.html?src=rss_b2c

Could a single dose of psilocybin put an end to migraines?

There is an enduring therapeutic effect in migraine headache after a single administration of psilocybin. Photo by Getty Images Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content In a placebo-controlled study, 10 migraine sufferers were given a moderate dose of psilocybin and, two weeks later, they were still feeling the benefits. The participants, seven women and three men, regularly experienced at least two migraines per week. Researchers administered an oral placebo in the first experimental session followed by an identical oral psilocybin capsule in the second session. No participants reported adverse effects from the psilocybin and most reported a significant decrease in migraines. Researchers found that the reduction in migraine was not correlated with how strongly the participants felt the effects of the psilocybin, suggesting that microdosing may provide significant benefits. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content While encouraged by the findings in this exploratory study, before this approach could be used clinically, it is imperative that additional controlled investigations be completed in order to understand psilocybins full capacity to suppress migraine, as well as its long-term safety and tolerability, researchers wrote, per Big Think. To verify the present findings, it will be necessary to replicate the results of this study in a larger sample under a fully randomized design. Studies with a dose range will inform on whether the effects of psilocybin in migraine are dose-dependent. The findings are in line with other studies that have demonstrated the significant and lasting effects from a single dose of psilocybin. A 2016 study with 29 patients suffering from depression and anxiety found that one dose of the drug significantly lessened their symptoms, even six months after consuming the dose. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Participants overwhelmingly (71 to 100 per cent) attributed positive life changes to the psilocybin-assisted therapy experience, and rated it among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives, the researchers wrote, after following up with the patients years later. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have also found that a single dose of psilocybin had remarkable success in treating tobacco addiction. A 2014 pilot study demonstrated that six months after one dose of psilocybin, 80 per cent of participants had quit smoking. When administered after careful preparation and in a therapeutic context, psilocybin can lead to deep reflection about ones life and spark motivation to change, said study author Matthew Johnson. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Subscribe to Weekend Dispensary, a new weekly newsletter from The GrowthOp. Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Weekend Dispensary Sign-up for Weekend Dispensary to get the latest cannabis news and exclusive articles delivered straight to your inbox. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Weekend Dispensary will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending

https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-news/psychedelics/could-a-single-dose-of-psilocybin-put-an-end-to-migraines

Is it walkies time?

Finlay just kept standing in front of me with this look on his face. I can read him like a book and this was a definitely "walkies time" look!! I was playing with my camera and changing lenses to check out settings etc. My friend Amanda has asked me to take photos after her daughter Jasmine gets married on Sunday. I am not going to the wedding and it will be casual shots taken in their garden - weather permitting. I keep saying I am not a wedding photographer and they seem pleased with that and say that they like the photos I take. Fingers crossed! !

https://365project.org/pamknowler/365-year-9/2021-06-04

Is Johnson Britains first Catholic PM?

When the Pope arrives for the UN climate summit in Glasgow in November, he will be greeted by a British Catholic prime minister and his Catholic wife. A generation ago that would have provoked an outcry. A century before that, riots. Anti-Catholicism has been deeply embedded in this country for more than 400 years but almost overnight it has evaporated from a cause to die for into a shrug, as exemplified by a prime minister who has now apparently decided to think of himself as a Catholic, but who technically may not be one, and who doesnt worry much either way. Sponsored Last weekend Boris Johnson married Carrie Symonds, amid great secrecy, in a Catholic ceremony at Westminster Cathedral, seat of the Roman Catholic Church in

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/is-johnson-britains-first-catholic-pm-dm8hq037f

Do vaccinated people need to get a COVID-19 test if they feel sick?

Imagine last night you developed a little runny nose and a sore throat. When you woke up this morning you started coughing and had a fever. In the past year, your mind would have immediately jumped to COVID-19. As an infectious disease physician, I am often asked this question. The answer is yes. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested for COVID-19 even if you are fully vaccinated. You won't be at high risk for hospitalization or severe disease, but if you are infected you may pass the virus to an unvaccinated person, who could then get very sick. Vaccines work but aren't 100% effective Researchers have developed some amazing COVID-19 vaccines over the past year. The high efficacy of these vaccines in the closely controlled environment of clinical trials matches their effectiveness in real life. The mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna remain over 90% effective in preventing hospitalization or death. That does not, however, mean that you have the same degree of protection from getting infected. The latest research estimates that the mRNA vaccines offer 70% to 85% protection from getting infected at all. It's impossible to know whether a person is fully protected or could still develop a mild case if exposed to the coronavirus. If you did happen to get infected, you could still spread the virus. And that's why testing is still important. When a person gets infected with the coronavirus after being fully vaccinated, this is called a breakthrough case. Breakthrough cases demonstrate a basic principle of infectious disease whether or not a person gets infected depends on the balance between two factors: intensity of exposure and immune competence. Intensity of exposure relates to how close an uninfected person is to a highly infectious individual spewing virus while talking and how long the two people are in contact. Immune competence relates to the body's inherent protection against COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals who've never been infected with the coronavirus have no protection this is a completely new virus after all while fully vaccinated people will be much more protected. According to the CDC, as of April 30, there had been a total of 10,262 known COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections in U.S. states and territories. These are usually asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic cases, and most don't result in hospitalization. Breakthrough cases will continue to occur, and though these people are less likely to spread the coronavirus to others than are unvaccinated individuals, they still probably can. Well, the world has been fortunate that the mRNA vaccines in particular afford significant protection against all major variants that have emerged so far. But it is entirely possible that at some point a coronavirus strain could mutate and partially or fully escape the protection from vaccines. This is yet another good reason to get tested if you are feeling sick. As vaccination rates rise and daily case counts fall in the U.S. and other countries, it is also important to keep a close eye on the coronavirus. COVID-19 testing allows officials to keep track of how much virus is in a community, and positive test results can help people quarantine before unknowingly spreading the virus to others. So, yes, please get tested if you have concerning symptoms, even if you are fully vaccinated. Arif R. Sarwari, Physician, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Chair of Department of Medicine, West Virginia University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/covid-19-tests-vaccinated-people-sick-symptoms/

Can vaccinated people still spread COVID-19?

When the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidelines about mask-wearing on May 13, plenty of Americans were left a little confused. Now anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Biden, said the new guideline is based on the evolution of the science and serves as an incentive for the almost two-thirds of Americans who are not yet fully vaccinated to go ahead and get the shot. But some people cannot be vaccinated because of underlying conditions. Others with weakened immune systems, from cancer or medical treatments, may not be fully protected by their vaccinations. Children aged 12 to 15 became eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine only on May 10. And no COVID-19 vaccines are yet authorized for the nearly 50 million children in the U.S. younger than 12. Vaccines dont always prevent infection Researchers had hoped to design safe COVID-19 vaccines that would prevent at least half of the people vaccinated from getting COVID-19 symptoms. Fortunately, the vaccines have vastly outperformed expectations. For example, in 6.5 million residents of Israel, aged 16 years and older, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 95.3% effective after both shots. Within two months, among the 4.7 million fully vaccinated, the detectable infections fell by 30-fold. Similarly in California and Texas, only 0.05% of fully vaccinated health care workers tested positive for COVID-19. Vaccine developers often hope that, in addition to preventing illness, their vaccines will achieve sterilizing immunity, where the vaccination blocks the germ from even being able to get into the body at all. This sterilizing immunity means someone whos vaccinated will neither catch the virus nor transmit it further. For a vaccine to be effective, though, it doesnt need to prevent the germ from infecting an immunized person. The Salk inactivated polio vaccine, for instance, does not completely stop polio virus from growing in the human gut. But it is extremely effective at preventing the crippling disease because it triggers antibodies that block the virus from infecting the brain and spinal cord. Good vaccines provide effective and durable training for the bodys immune system, so when it actually encounters the disease-causing pathogen, its ready to mount an optimum response. When it comes to COVID-19, immunologists are still figuring out what they call the correlates of protection, factors that predict just how protected someone is against the coronavirus. Researchers believe that an optimum amount of neutralizing antibodies, the type that not only bind the virus but also prevent it from infecting, are sufficient to fend off repeat infections. Scientists are also still assessing the durability of immunity that the COVID-19 vaccines are providing and where in the body its working. Immunologists expect vaccines that protect against viral illnesses to also reduce transmission of the virus after vaccination. But its actually tricky to figure out for sure if vaccinated people are not spreading the germ. COVID-19 poses a particular challenge because people with asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections can spread the disease and insufficient contact tracing and testing mean those without symptoms are rarely detected. Some scientists estimate that the number of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections in the overall population could be 3 to 20 times higher than the number of confirmed cases. Research suggests that undocumented cases of COVID-19 in people who either were asymptomatic or experienced very mild disease could be responsible for up to 86% of all infections, though other studies contradict the high estimates. In one study, the CDC tested volunteer health care personnel and other front-line workers at eight U.S. locations for coronavirus infections weekly for three months, regardless of symptoms or vaccination status. The researchers found that fully immunized participants were 25 times less likely to test positive for COVID-19 than were those who were unvaccinated. Findings like this imply that if vaccinated people are so well protected from getting infected at all, they are also unlikely to spread the virus. But without contact tracing to track transmission in a larger population, its impossible to know if the assumption is true. What we know for sure is that if someone does get sick with COVID-19 after vaccination, in what is called a breakthrough infection, symptoms will be milder. Studies have found that people who tested positive for COVID-19 after getting just their first vaccine dose had lower levels of virus in their bodies than unvaccinated people who tested positive. The researchers believe the decreased viral load hints that vaccinated people who do contract the virus will be less infectious because they will have much less virus that could be spread to others. A preprint study which has not yet been peer-reviewed suggests that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can produce coronavirus-fighting antibodies in the oral and nasal fluid. Since thats where the coronavirus makes its entry, antibodies in the mouth and nose should block the virus from getting into the body, effectively providing sterilizing immunity. This would also mean vaccinated people probably wouldnt spread the virus through respiratory droplets. These bits of evidence are promising. But without more studies, scientists cannot yet conclude that COVID-19 vaccines really do protect against all transmission. Studies attempting to directly answer this question through contact tracing are just beginning: Researchers will track COVID-19 infections among vaccinated and unvaccinated volunteers and their close contacts. Protection and prevention go hand in hand Vaccines help slow down the spread of an infectious disease by breaking the chain of infection. Those who are infected eventually have fewer and fewer unprotected people to pass the virus on to. This is how a vaccine increases herd immunity susceptible and not-yet-immunized people are surrounded by a herd of people who have become immune, thanks to vaccination or previous infection. But studies suggest that, for a combination of biological and social reasons, vaccination alone is unlikely to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 and fully contain the coronavirus. In fact, vaccination alone can take a long time to eradicate any disease. Even diseases that are nearly eliminated such as chickenpox, measles and pertussis can resurface with waning immunity and declining vaccine rates. The recent outbreak of infections among the vaccinated New York Yankees shows that vaccinated people not only can still get infected, they might also transmit the coronavirus to close contacts. Highly tested groups, such as professional sports teams, spotlight the fact that mild, asymptomatic infections among the vaccinated in the general population might actually be more frequent than reported. A similar outbreak in airport workers in Singapore shows that, even among the fully vaccinated, new and more infectious variants can spread fast. The CDCs relaxed guidelines on masking are meant to reassure vaccinated people that they are safe from serious illness. And they are. But the picture is less clear-cut for the unvaccinated who interact with them. Until near herd immunity against COVID-19 is achieved, and clear evidence accumulates that vaccinated people do not spread the virus, I and many epidemiologists believe it is better to avoid situations where there are chances to get infected. Vaccination coupled with continued masking and social distancing is still an effective way to stay safer. Sanjay Mishra, Project Coordinator & Staff Scientist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/vaccinated-spread-covid-19-coronavirus/

Will we get abroad this summer?

The government was expected to add to its green list of destinations deemed safe for people to visit without having to quarantine or self-isolate on return to the UK. However, amid concern about new variants and rising case numbers overseas, it did not add any territories to the list. The only mainstream holiday destination on the original green list was downgraded to amber, meaning that from 4am on Tuesday holidaymakers returning from the country to the UK must quarantine for ten days. They will also be required to take PCR tests at home on the second and eighth days after arrival. Those wishing to reduce their period of self-isolation can take an additional test on

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/will-we-get-abroad-this-summer-vwwwl68tx

What changed while I was ignoring travel?

(NerdWallet) - Listen, I dont blame you for ignoring travel industry news during the pandemic. If it wasnt my job, I wouldve tuned out that stuff, too. However, many under-the-radar changes did significantly alter the travel landscape in 2021. Beyond the obvious more cleaning, more masks other updates rippled throughout the industry, including smaller fees and new credit card perks. Anyway, its good to have you back. Heres what you missed. Main COVID-era travel industry changes Airline change fees (almost kinda sorta) disappeared If you didnt know about airline change and cancellation fees before the pandemic started, you likely got familiar with them at its inception. These fees were always a pesky nuisance, but when everyone in the world had to cancel their flights at once, they became intolerable. Believe it or not, airlines seem to have done us a solid on this front. Many not only waived change fees early last year, but also removed them from most fares indefinitely. What this means: On most U.S. airlines for domestic flights, you can now change or cancel non-basic-economy fares without an extra fee. You can book a flight, then rebook it if your plans change, without eating a bunch of fees. What this doesnt mean: You can change and cancel tickets willy-nilly. Youll have to pay the fare difference if you change your ticket to a more expensive one. And if you cancel it, youll get a voucher back as credit rather than cash. You shouldnt assume a ticket is changeable. Read the fine print before hitting book. Rental cars got bizarrely expensive This is a weird one, but it could have a major impact on your summer travel plans and expenses. A combination of supply issues and demand spikes have led to the so-called rental car apocalypse, driving costs through the (sun)roof in many popular destinations like Hawaii and Glacier National Park. Flip your summer trip planning on its head and investigate rental car costs first, then look at hotels and airfare. Otherwise, you could end up scoring a great deal on flights, only to pay many times as much for a rental car when you land. The ol invisible hand of the free market should address this problem eventually, but for now: Beware rental car sticker shock. Your travel credit card had a midlife crisis In the Before Times, travelers would shell out beefy annual fees on travel credit cards that offered perks like airport lounge access and free checked bags. But those perks were rendered moot last year, and these cards scrambled to offer new benefits and features that made some semblance of sense during a global pandemic. The fallout from this identity crisis is a bunch of travel credit cards that now offer perks wholly unrelated to travel. Some American Express credit cards offered perks for streaming services like Netflix, then a $30 PayPal credit every month. Other Chase bank credit cards offered bonuses on grocery spending instead of airfare and hotels. Basically, every premium travel credit card became a premium living-your-life credit card. Some of these changes are temporary. Others were temporary, but keep getting extended as travel plans get deferred. Dont be surprised to see some unusual and flexible benefits when researching traditional travel rewards cards. Other stuff that happened Alaska Airlines joined American Airlines in the Oneworld Alliance. Most travel companies got huge federal checks in order to stay afloat. The cost of flights dropped when nobody was paying attention. Now, theyre climbing back up. Some airlines handled the pandemic in a customer-friendly way (hat tip Delta), while others did not. Ditto hotels. To be honest, most airlines and hotels have coalesced their COVID-19 policies to the point where theyre basically indistinguishable from one another. Theres no use fretting over whether to stay at a Hilton or IHG for safety reasons theyre both gonna be soaked in disinfectant. The bottom line I get it. You werent traveling, so you stopped paying attention to all of the travel blogs and websites you used to frequent. Considering that the entire industry effectively hit pause for over 12 months during a time of unprecedented turmoil, you didnt miss anything earth-shattering. There were no blockbuster bankruptcies or mergers, and the value of reward points didnt change as much as you might have expected. Yet some of the changes, like the welcome exit of airline change fees, added up to a new travel reality thats worth checking in on before you plan your next vacation. More From NerdWallet Sam Kemmis writes for NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @samsambutdif. originally appeared on NerdWallet. Copyright 2021 NerdWallet via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

https://www.kltv.com/2021/06/04/what-changed-while-i-was-ignoring-travel/

Is Hendrick Motorsports' recent run overshadowing a flaw?

Hendrick Motorsports domination the past three weeks has been impressive, but it comes with an important caveat. All three wins were at tracks that are not in the playoffs. The recent run is reminiscent of the teams dominating days. Kyle Busch, who finished third in the Coca-Cola 600, said after that race: On a one to 10 (scale), if Larson was a 10 tonight, were about a seven, so weve got some work to do. Its a matter of how much they have to do. As close the cars are youve just got to be a little bit better and you look like a hero, Travis Geisler, competition director for Team Penske, told NBC Sports. Todd Berrier, technical director at Joe Gibbs Racing, told NBC Sports: Racing is a game of advantages, and we have to work a little bit more. But thats the thing. Geisler notes the results from the 600 cant be discounted even though the Charlotte oval wont host a playoff race. This kind of speed carries over to a lot of different tracks, he said. Only three of the 10 playoff tracks are 1.5-mile speedways: Las Vegas, Kansas and Texas. There are more tracks 1 mile or less in the playoffs: Martinsville, Richmond, Bristol and Phoenix, site of the championship race. James Small, crew chief for Martin Truex Jr., said that after Truex finished 10th in the season finale at Phoenix last year, he spent the offseason working on ways to be better there. The result was that Truex won at Phoenix this year. All three of his wins this season have come at tracks that will host playoff races Darlington (playoff opener), Martinsville (sets field for championship race) and Phoenix (title race). Hendrick Motorsports drivers, meanwhile, combined to lead less than 1% of the 1,105 laps run at Darlington, Martinsville and Phoenix this year. Larson finished second to Truex at Darlington and Elliott was second to Truex at Martinsville. Hendrick isnt too far behind, but it is evident the organization has work to do at those tracks, which feature the lower downforce package. Hendrick Motorsports did win earlier this year at Richmond. Alex Bowman led the final 10 laps to win. Joe Gibbs Racing drivers led 315 of the 400 laps in that race before finishing second, fourth, fifth and eighth. Hendrick had only one other driver finish in the top 10 in that race. William Byron was seventh. Penskes Geisler said that every team has to be careful about focusing too narrowly on playoff tracks because all races pay playoff points. Certainly stacking points right now matters, he said. So you dont want to just give that away. Larson has the most playoff points with 19. Truex has 18. For as good as Hendrick has been lately, its still three months until the playoffs begin. While there wont be practice at most events, theres still the chance for others to improve during the summer. Just like last season. Elliott won twice in the first 31 races a year ago and then won three of the last five races, including the finale in Phoenix, to claim his first title. Kevin Harvick, who won seven of the 26 races in the regular season and scored two more victories in the first round of the playoffs, failed to advance to the championship race. You see it a lot, the team thats the best throughout the regular season isnt the team that always is the best throughout the playoffs and wins the championship, Larson said. I think we all know that at Hendrick Motorsports, and I think thats why we continue to not settle with where were at. 2. Help for young athletes Three-time Cup champion Tony Stewart often said how there was no manual to prepare a young driver for what they would experience at the sports highest level, particularly dealing with media. Its something that some athletes would say about their sport. The issue became magnified this week when Naomi Osaka, the world No. 2 tennis player, withdrew from the French Open, citing mental health concerns. The 23-year-old, who is the reigning Australian Open and U.S. Open champion, stated before the French Open that she would not attend press conferences during the event. She sought to avoid what she viewed as a potentially unhealthy situation. Osaka was fined $15,000 because she skipped a media session after her first-round win at the French Open. She decided to withdraw from the tournament. In her explanation, Osaka noted that she had suffered long bouts of depression since her U.S. Open championship in 2018, and I have had a really hard time coping with that. Anyone that knows me knows Im introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that Im often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety. Bubba Wallace, who has talked openly about struggles with depression, said he understands Osakas feelings. Any profession you do, you grow up and practice how to play tennis, you grow up and practice how to race cars, Wallace told NBC Sports. Everything else falls into place, talking in front of media, talking in front of crowds, being a public speaker. None of that is practiced. I can totally relate to what shes saying. Its tough for anybody. It may come more natural for (some) people, but at the end of the day, its still tough. Its something that were not comfortable with just because we didnt practice or learn it growing up. It just happens, Oh by the way you need to talk to people after you make your qualifying run here. Uh, OK. I can see where the anxiety builds up. You say one wrong thing, people lash out at you. It definitely puts you in a bad mindset. Definitely can relate on all levels there. Introvert, extrovert. Its still a tough task to, I guess, be good at or just be comfortable with. In May 2019, Wallace gave an emotional interview where he said he was on the verge of breaking down. Wallace said then of his negative mindset: Ill be damned if it doesnt all go away when you get behind the wheel. I guess its just 16 years of driving helps. But its tough. You see what you get now, Im on the verge of breaking down. Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton said Thursday that there needs to be more support for young athletes in dealing with media duties. When I was young, I was thrown into the pit and I wasnt given any guidance or support, Hamilton said ahead of Sundays Azerbaijan Grand Prix. And what I do know is that, you know, when youngsters are coming in, theyre facing the same thing as I did. And I dont necessarily know if thats the best for them. I think we need to be supporting more, and I think it shouldnt be a case where youre pressured. For example, with Naomis scenario, she didnt feel comfortable for her own personal health not to do something. And the backlash is ridiculous. Wallace said that Osaka speaking up is powerful, just as it was for Wallace when hes talked about his struggles. Showing your signs of what youre going through is not a sign of weakness, Wallace told NBC Sports. Its actually very powerful and encouraging others to speak out and to be strong about what they feel. 3. Tough challenge Sundays race at Sonoma Raceway (4 p.m. ET on FS1) marks the first Cup race there since 2019. That year marked the return of teams running the Carousel. Teams had the high downforce package that season. Sundays race will feature the low downforce package. Also, theres no practice or qualifying this weekend. Not really a whole lot you can do, he said. I went and ran the Toyota simulator (Tuesday) for a bit just to kind of re-acclimate myself to the track. Hopefully that gave us a bit of an indication of what the low downforce will be like. Really, thats about all you can do. We were able to win there years ago and, obviously, its a little bit different now. The low downforce package we ran really well there in 17 and felt like we were in position to win the race and lost an engine. Weve got some good notes to go off and everything else. Well just have to see. The Carousel adds another challenge for drivers. The section of track goes down from Turn 4 through Turns 5 and 6 before leading into the courses longest straightaway and the Turn 7 hairpin. I think its just a really awkward corner, and it doesnt feel like a corner a race car should be going through, Cole Custer said. Its really tight, really downhill, off camber. Its just a really tough corner, and its something that you never go through there and feel like you did it right. It never feels natural, so its one of those things you just kind of have to hit your marks and make sure you dont overdo it through there. 4. Best road course racers Via Racing Insights, here is a look at the active drivers with the best average finish in road course races: 9.21 Chase Elliott 12.98 Kevin Harvick 13.54 Joey Logano 13.57 Ryan Blaney 14.15 Martin Truex Jr. 14.27 Brad Keselowski 14.41 Kurt Busch 14.42 Erik Jones 15.33 Kyle Busch 15.57 AJ Allmendinger 15.71 Alex Bowman 15.91 Denny Hamlin 16.06 Kyle Larson 16.60 Ryan Newman 17.10 William Byron 5. Taking the Lead Dave Alpern, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, can add author to his title. Taking the Lead: Winning Business Principles that Fuel Joe Gibbs Racing debuts June 8. The book is more than just about business principles, detailing how Alpern rose from intern to an executive at the company with good friend J.D. Gibbs, one of Joe Gibbs sons. Alpern also shares stories of J.D. Gibbs, Joe Gibbs and others. Alpern said he was motivated to write the book after his father died before finishing his own book. His father was in the CIA. He really kind of deprived our family of this amazing story we never got to hear, Alpern said. So 10 years ago, I told my wife, my story is not as interesting as my dads, but Im going to write a book because I want my boys and future generations to hear this story about Joe Gibbs Racing and how I started as an intern and all that stuff. Alpern is donating his proceeds to the J.D. Gibbs Legacy Fund. J.D. Gibbs died Jan. 11, 2019 from complications following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. He was 49.

https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2021/06/04/kyle-larson-chase-elliott-alex-bowman-william-byron-martin-truex-bubba-wallace-naomi-osaka-cole-custerfriday-5-is-hendrick-motorsports-recent-run-overshadowing-a-weakness/

When will we learn what former White House lawyer Don McGahn told House Democrats?

Former White House counsel Don McGahn has arrived at the Capitol to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, something Democrats have sought for over two years but we may not learn what he said for up to seven days. House Democrats subpoenaed Mr McGahn in 2019 over his role in the Russia investigation drama, but the White House refused to let him testify. Last month, Mr McGahns lawyers reached a deal with Democrats for him to finally speak but only under strictly controlled circumstances. Mr McGahns testimony will be behind closed doors, without any press in attendance, and a transcript of the interview will be released up to a week later only after Mr McGahn has reviewed and approved it. All those present are required to keep what was said secret until then. The parties will have a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed seven calendar days, to review the transcript for accuracy before it is released, the document outlining the deal says. The Committee Chair will ask all Members and Committee staff to maintain the confidentiality of the interview until the transcript is released publicly. Mr McGahn played a central role in the drama over special counsel Robert Mueller s investigation into whether Donald Trump improperly sought Russias help in the 2016 election. He reportedly refused Mr Trumps request that he fire Mr Mueller, and refused again when Mr Trump asked him to deny that he ever tried to fire him.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/don-mcgahn-house-democrats-trump-b1859925.html

How can we distinguish between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism?

Insight Many believe anti-Semitism is weaponised by Israel to silence its critics. But that shouldnt make the Palestinian solidarity movement blind to anti-Semitism when it rears its head, say progressive Jewish voices. In a CNN interview that went viral May 20 after attending a special UN General Assembly session on Palestine, Pakistans top diplomat Shah Mahmoud Qureshi found himself in a bind after comments he made about Israel were condemned as antisemitic. Controversy erupted after Qureshi told anchor Bianna Golodryga that Israel was losing the media war, despite their connections, to which Golodryga asked the Pakistani foreign minister what he meant by connections. Qureshi laughed, then said: Deep pockets. When pushed again, he said, Well they [Israel] are very influential people. I mean, they control media. Golodryga responded, saying I would call that an antisemitic remark. Critics took to social media to denounce Qureshis statements, while others defended him for highlighting Israels lobby and its influence on US foreign policy. But as Alexander Reid Ross points out, tropes around Jews controlling the media are part of a long standing antisemitic tradition that claims Jews are controlling the minds of gentiles [non-Jews]. Antisemitism is not just a simple case of prejudice against Jews. Its rooted in an entire worldview, said Ross, fellow at the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right and author of Against the Fascist Creep. The debate around anti-Semitism and how it relates to Israel is one that has been fraught ever since its inception in 1948. And in 2021, it remains contested between the pro-Israel side who charge their detractors as being overt or covert anti-Semites, and those supporting the Palestinian cause who often see it used as an opportunistic tactic to silence criticism. Weaponisation of anti-Semitism Indeed, there is ample evidence for how assertions of anti-Semitism are deployed to attack any form of solidarity and organising around Palestine. 31 US states have legislation in effect that are designed to curb the speech of Palestinian rights activists. The controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which conflates any criticism of Israel and anti-Zionism as de facto anti-Semitic, has been adopted by six governments and calls have been made for social media companies to adopt the definition as well. As leading figures of the Palestinian movement have pointed out, the conflation of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence the movement for Palestinian rights around the world. It is built on the false assumption that Zionism is synonymous with Judaism, and that Israels occupation of Palestine is a religious movement, as opposed to a settler-colonial project. With recent interventions like The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, scholars have worked to illuminate these distinctions between what language constitutes criticism of Israel and what ends up veering into anti-Semitism. To be anti-Zionist is not anti-Semitic, says Alon-Lee Green, who is the director of Standing Together, a grassroots movement in Israel that organises Jews and Arabs around campaigns of social justice and peace. It is perfectly legitimate to criticise the Israeli government and the actions of a political movement, he told TRT World. We were back in Sheikh Jarrah today Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis and well be back every week until we stop the displacement and dispossession of Palestinian families that settler organizations are trying to achieve.#SaveSheikhJarrah #SaveSilwan pic.twitter.com/meP1JMIq7d Standing Together (@omdimbeyachad) May 28, 2021 Green added it would be unwise to ignore the joint struggle of Jews and Palestinians in Israel to change their political reality, and blur the lines between the Israeli people and its government. We should not identify all Jews and Israelis with the occupation. Thats what the [Israeli] right-wing wants. Much like there has been a dissenting tradition within Judaism constituted by heretical thinkers like Baruch Spinoza, Karl Marx and Sigmond Freud who forwarded powerful critiques of society, there has been a robust Jewish tradition when it comes to criticism of Israel. Ideological opposition to Zionism as a movement emanated from four sources: Reform and Orthodox Jews on religious grounds; Jews who feared it would contradict their citizenship rights in existing homelands; liberal assimilated Jews who viewed it as separating them from non-Jews; and Jewish socialists who opposed it as a reactionary diversion from fighting anti-Semitism and defending the Jewish diaspora. In recent times, among the strongest critics have been left-wing Jews like Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein and Illan Pappe, who have regularly called out Israeli crimes against Palestinians by framing it as a political issue related to human rights, not religion. And in the face of a long running campaign to cast the struggle against Israeli apartheid as a threat to Jews worldwide, a growing number in the diaspora are refusing to accept Israeli oppression against Palestinians in their name. The Jewish community has an inherited trauma of persecution, and anti-Semitism is on the rise globally, and both of these truths are played on to construct a discourse that suggests one must choose either Palestinian or Jewish freedom, Em Hilton, a Jewish leftist activist, wrote last month. While Hilton says there will be some who weaponise the Palestinian solidarity movement for anti-Semitic means, we cannot let concern about hatred among a small minority overshadow this important opportunity for resistance and mobilization for Palestinian liberation. For Palestinians, Zionism is seen as an ongoing history of dispossession and cleansing from their land. Calling out Israels project of settler colonialism and apartheid, as described by international and Israeli human rights organisations alike, have given an even stronger legitimacy to the Palestinian movement. Activists supporting Palestine chants as they gather at the Washington Monument during a demonstration in Washington, Saturday, May 15. 2021. Human Rights Watch and Israeli organisation B'Tselem both came out with reports this year on how Israeli apartheid legally functions and systematically oppresses Palestinians. (Jose Luis Magana / AP) However, calls by some to label Israel a white supremacist settler-colonial state falls short of being analytically useful. While it is true that white racists have long made common cause with Zionism, particularly the Christian-Zionist bloc in the US, this does not mean that Israel is a white supremacist state. As Palestine Solidarity Campaign founding member Tony Greenstein countered, the major division within Israeli society is not between black and white, but between Jewish and non-Jewish. Seeing Israel as a white colony in the Middle East is equally a reductive view, according to Yair Wallach, Senior Lecturer in Israeli Studies at SOAS, University of London. Settler colonialism is important to the analysis, but it is not the same as Canada or New Zealand. Over half the Israeli population does not come from Europe. Green observes attempts to paint Israels existence as illegitimate and that its citizens should go back to Europe, as counterproductive in the fight for equality between Israelis and Palestinians. My family doesnt come from Poland or Ukraine, he says. I am not going anywhere, and neither are my friends and family. We were born in Israel; this is our only home. Palestinians are not going anywhere either. This is not to say there were no historical injustices that took place against Palestinians. But we are here now to correct them. Green supports boycotting products from the illegal settlements, which the right-wing Israeli government has branded anti-Semitic. He believes the correct approach is to separate the issue of settlements from being connected with the whole Israeli population which is what the ultranationalists want. Its not a Jewish interest to occupy Palestine. Not all Jews think the same. Speaking to TRT World, Wallach makes it clear that it's absolutely legitimate to be critical of Zionism as a historical and political movement in terms of its justification and how it unfolded, and stand against it on that basis. But he also questions whether applying that historic lens of anti-Zionism is useful moving forward. As the ideology underpinning the Israeli state, Zionism today can appear convoluted and lacking in specificity, Wallach notes. For example, right-wing orthodox Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank dont refer to themselves as Zionists, and Israels Nation State law which codifies Jewish supremacy doesnt mention Zionism either. Right vs Left anti-Semitism For many Jews who advocate for Palestinian rights, the question of anti-Semitism is historically and politically complex, and a failure to adequately grapple with that complexity can end up being detrimental to the Palestinian cause. It then becomes important to grasp the historic incarnations of anti-Semitism, what makes it different from other forms of racism, and how it continues to manifest in contemporary social and political life. While there is overlap with other forms of bigotry like anti-Blackness or Islamophobia, anti-Semitism possesses a distinctive historical expression and functions in fundamentally different ways. For centuries, (European) anti-Semitism has demonised the Jew as a conspiratorial and manipulative outsider, one primed with amorphous powers and posing a civilisational threat. Its a complex geopolitical assumption where the Jews have connived a leading role in the destruction of the world, Ross told TRT World. 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion', a fabricated text printed in Russia in the early 1900s that became a key part of Nazi propaganda, purports to document a meeting of Jewish leaders hatching plans for world domination through control over the media and subjugation of non-Jews. The title pages of 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion', a notoriously fabricated anti-Semitic text that was a key part of the Nazi propaganda programme. It was first published in Russia in 1903 and described a Jewish plot for global domination, and has been described as one of the most influential works of anti-semitism ever written. (Hulton Archive / Getty Images) It is how you get the trope of a single Jewish banking family, the Rothschilds, managing to exert power to control world events; one which finds new-age currency in the figure of billionaire Hungarian philanthropist George Soros, who is intertwined with racist discourses around refugees as the central figure orchestrating a great replacement of the white race. Right-wing expressions of anti-Semitism are the most recognisable strain in global consciousness. For the far-right, Jews function as a racial and religious outsider, a parasite leaching on the national body politic; in the case of the Nazis, a problem that necessitated a final solution leading to a project of industrial extermination. While the scapegoating of Jews to redirect popular anger by offering a simple explanation to a range of social or political phenomena is most organically rooted in far-right nationalism, parallel conspiratorial worldviews can appear across the political spectrum. On the left, anti-Semitism has historically taken two forms. The first is linked to early critiques of capitalism, where Jews were associated with finance. During the tectonic economic and social transformations brought about by industrialisation in 19th century Europe, the abstract yet disruptive forces of modern capitalist society became personified as the Jew, as argued by the Marxist theorist Moishe Postone. This sort of fetishisation generated what Postone referred to as a pseudo-emancipatory form of anti-capitalism, which blamed the problems of capitalism not on its structure but on a shadowy Jewish plot instead. A more contemporaneous strain of anti-Semitism on the left can also be expressed through a professed anti-Zionism. As writer and filmmaker Shane Burley argues in his essay Socialism of Fools, while anti-Zionism itself is not inherently anti-Semitic, the way in which anti-Zionism often plays out, the types of strategies it utilizes, the language it is comprised of, and the way it can place double standards on Jews, can certainly be. Its a history that goes back to the USSR after the creation of Israel, which the Soviets saw as an imperialist beachhead in the Levant. Absorbed under a Stalinist geopolitical framework, any form of opposition to Israel was then affirmed as progressive. Ross views it as a complicated matter, and one which can end up having questionable strategic outcomes like allying with regimes that peddle in Holocaust denial like Iran, or the Assad regime which pays lip service to the Palestinian cause while depopulating 160,000 Palestinians from its Yarmouk Camp in Damascus. You sometimes see anti-Semites will go a step further and claim that Israel is running an Anglo-imperialist alliance and is at the heart of a Jewish cabal bent on global domination, and we must be in solidarity with the so-called Axis of Resistance of Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, he says. It is this crude anti-imperialism that is a red flag for Ross and can compromise anti-Zionism by leaving it open to charges of anti-Semitism. If people are one-sided on an issue insofar as they decry human rights violations by Israel, but refuse to decry human rights violations in Iran or Syria, then there is something unique about that worldview which makes it damning. Fundamentally, Ross says, it comes down to a question of solidarity. Does solidarity with Palestinians mean solidarity with regimes that claim solidarity with Palestinians? Burley argues that anti-Semitism is often difficult to identify because it can get wrapped up with political narratives that are common within anti-Zionist discourse, where caricatures, assertions and conspiracy theories all compete for oxygen alongside legitimate criticism of the Israeli state. Wallach refers to it as a reservoir; an underlying cultural heritage of anti-Semitism is particularly written into European societies, and so hardly surprising when it resurfaces even in progressive and liberation movements. A mural by LA-based painter Mear One became a flash point for a long-simmering debate over left-wing anti-Semitism in the UK Labour Party after it was found that then-party leader Jeremy Corbyn had defended the blatantly anti-Semitic mural in a Facebook post in 2012. (Wiki commons) In Arab and Muslim countries, much of the motifs and language of anti-Semitism was imported from Europe during the late nineteenth century, says Wallach. While there were forms of anti-Jewish discrimination in Islamic history, its quite different from European anti-Semitism. It is superimposed with the legacy of colonialism, the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the exodus of Jewish communities from the Arab world. As a result, Jews are imaginary in the Arab world and not part of the lived experience for these societies anymore, apart from a residual nostalgia. Inoculating the Palestinian movement Distinguishing between real and disingenuous accusations of anti-Semitism can be confusing, especially when there is a cottage industry of right-wing Israeli nationalist outfits like the Zionist Organization of America that smear people as anti-Semites upon any criticism of Israeli policy. Furthermore, it can have the damaging effect of forcing pro-Palestinian organisations and activists to adopt a defensive culture and inadvertently provide cover for anti-Semitism under the cloak of cynicism, ultimately desensitising themselves to honest complaints says Burley. In many of our discussions about Israel, antisemitism is only examined as a diversionary claim in defense of Israeli atrocities, never as a sincere and accurate description, he writes. When discussing an oppressive nationalist regime like Israel there can still be antisemitism, just as when Islamophobia clearly plays into condemnations of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Wallach says the problem with anti-Semitic tropes like Zionists control the media is that it eschews real politics or historical analysis like settler colonialism or apartheid and instead views Israel through the lens of conspiracy. First, it misses the problem. Second, it's positioned in a context that contains risks to Jewish communities worldwide, rather than strictly on the Israeli state, he explains. As witnessed over the last month, large-scale protests in support of Palestine unfolded across the US and the world in response to Israels deadly aggression in Gaza, which left over 200 dead, including 61 children. This included Jewish groups like Naamod (British Jews Against Occupation) that have mobilised in solidarity with Palestinians across the diaspora and in Israel. Tonight hundreds of British Jews rallied across the country to demand Freedom from Occupation and Freedom from Violence for all in Israel-Palestine. This is unprecedented. Change is coming. #EndTheOccupation Check out our nationwide protests pic.twitter.com/uyDcZ7iGrc Na'amod: British Jews Against Occupation (@NaamodUK) May 19, 2021 It also coincided an uptick in anti-Semitic incidents, with threatening slurs yelled in a Jewish neighbourhood in London, Jewish patrons assaulted by demonstrators and synagogues vandalised in American cities. The majority of leaders and organisations involved in Palestine solidarity demonstrations issued stark condemnations, highlighting the distinction between the Israeli government and Zionism in contrast to Jews and Judaism. Certain anti-Semitic imagery and caricatures present at many protests were swiftly called out by pro-Palestinian Jewish activists too. Wallach mentioned that when anti-Semitism in the Palestine activism scene appears in the West, it almost never comes from Palestinians but from non-Palestinian activists. Among the common tropes that are found were classical Christian anti-Semitic imagery of Jews as Christ-killers and blood libel. Another provocative message often seen in the demonstrations, and popular on social media, revolved around the idea that Jews are doing to the Palestinians what the Nazis did to them. Example 3: Jews are doing to the Palestinians what the Nazis did to them. Theres a lot that can be said about this. Firstly, that there are no shortage of other historical analogies to draw from besides the one that saw the industrialised murder of 6 million Jews... pic.twitter.com/0oIAyF0UeO Ben Reiff (@bentreyf) May 23, 2021 Wallach deconstructs this historical analogy as an attempt to sell revisionist narratives on the Holocaust. If you flip the coin and say that the Jews are the Nazis, it takes the burden of guilt from Europe onto the Jew and relativises the Holocaust, he says. Its a suggestion that the Jews should have learned a lesson from the Holocaust, which doesnt make any sense. Being a victim of a genocide isnt an educational experience. Ultimately, the comparison with Nazism is a maneuver that is not really interested in Palestinians, but more so with Jews and how to compare them to absolute evil. Given the legacy of the Holocaust looms large in global Jewish consciousness, Wallach says its important to unpack how post-traumatic attitudes can guide Israeli nationalists to justify the state of Israel as a guarantee against annihilation, a sentiment captured in historian Isaac Deutschers metaphor of Israel being a lifeboat in the wake of the Holocaust. April Rosenblum believes it is incumbent upon anti-Zionists to productively engage with that legacy to prevent it from being hijacked by pro-Israel forces. Every time Jews experience danger in the world, it serves to justify Israel saying that all its actions are necessary to provide a safe place for the worlds Jews, says Rosenblum, an Ashkenazi Jewish leftist raised in the US and author of a pamphlet on resisting anti-Semitism in progressive movements. That makes it a truly radical action when activists demand that Jews be made welcome and safe in all countries and that Jewish safety be a public priority of all Left movements, she told TRT World. An anti-Zionism without anti-Semitism, she adds, requires pro-Palestinian solidarity movements to link what Palestinians are experiencing with other international struggles and call attention to imperialism and colonialism in every nation where it occurs. Jewish organiser Sophie Ellman-Golan said that Jewish safety & Palestinian freedom are not opposing causes, and that only the Right benefits from pitting the causes of Palestinian freedom and Jewish safety against each other. In a similar vein, Palestinian activist Yousef Munayyer wrote, what separates our struggle for freedom from Zionism is it is about securing our rights by not denying them to others. Anyone in solidarity with us must model that. Source: TRT World

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/how-can-we-distinguish-between-criticism-of-israel-and-anti-semitism-47261

Whats Going on With BlackBerrys Stock Price?

Once again this week, the so-called meme stocks that first became popular on the internet site Reddit are pumping again. Along with stocks like Gamestop and AMC Entertainment, one of the Canadian stocks that has seen its share price rally considerably is BlackBerry (TSX:BB)(NYSE:BB). When stocks rally rapidly as these have, it can be exciting and enticing for investors. However, if we learned anything from last time, while its not impossible to make money, its extremely difficult and purely speculation. There is no telling when these stocks will rally and, more importantly, no telling when they will sell off. Looking at the chart, you can see that BlackBerrys stock price sold off just as fast as it rallied last time. With some stocks, like AMC, you may not want to own the business at all because its struggling or extremely overvalued. Thats not the case with BlackBerry, though. BlackBerry is actually a decent company. However, its only worth an investment if you get it when the price is right. And so, after this rally, its definitely not worth an investment today. The company has struggled in recent years, but it has a tonne of potential with its impressive security technology. Investors have been bullish on BlackBerrys stock price for a while, as its expected to have crucial technology for self-driving cars. However, its still overpriced today by pretty much every metric. Analysts have an average target price of just below $11. So if you really like the company as a business, you can consider buying it around or below that price. Above that, though, youre purely speculating on the stock and taking a major risk in the process. There are no fundamental reasons BlackBerrys stock price should be trading at this valuation. So rather than speculate on BlackBerry today, here is a top Canadian tech stock to consider instead. 5 TSX Stocks Under $5 Click here to learn more! Forget speculating: Buy this stock instead Rather than speculating on whether BlackBerrys stock price can increase, a top Canadian tech stock to consider taking a long-term position in is Nextech AR Solutions (CSE:NTAR). Nextech is a micro-cap, $200 million tech stock with a lot of promise. Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that continues to be improved and has a tonne of potential uses in the future. Whether its advertisers using augmented reality to help sell a project to investors, consumers playing video games, or even firefighters rushing into a burning building, AR is one of the most promising future technologies. So the fact that Nextech is still only worth $200 million shows exactly the kind of potential the stock has over the next few years. The stock is still a high-risk, high-reward investment this early on, but its still nowhere near as speculative as betting on BlackBerrys stock price. In 2019 the AR market was estimated to be worth US$10 billion, and by 2024, thats already expected to grow to more than US$70 billion. And with Nextech, the companys vision is appealing. Its focusing on driving a market-wide adoption to help the sector grow even faster. So if youre looking for a top tech stock with major growth potential today, Nextech AR is one of the best to consider.

https://www.fool.ca/2021/06/04/whats-going-on-with-blackberrys-stock-price/

How Common are 90 Degree Days in St. Cloud?

ST. CLOUD --After an official high of 89 degrees Thursday in St. Cloud we are heading for a stretch of 90-degree days. How common is it for St. We average just over 11 days in the 90s each summer. Last year came close with 10 days in the 90s. The most we've had on record are 36 in 1936, 34 in 1900, 33 in 1988, and 31 in 1931. By the way, the record high for this date is 95 and we're expected to be around 96 today, so we could set a new record this afternoon. Get our free mobile app Hot conditions are expected as we head into the weekend, with temperatures in the 90s. Humidity will not be oppressive as dew points remain closer to what we typically see for this time of year. Elevated fire weather conditions are possible on Friday, with a fire weather watch for portions of western Minnesota and red flag conditions in northwestern Minnesota.

https://wjon.com/how-common-are-90-degree-days-in-st-cloud/

Can the Next Mayor Make New York Safe Again?

New York When Bill de Blasio captured City Hall in 2013, he rode to victory as a progressive attacking the policy of stop and frisk to search pedestrians for guns. Crime had fallen over 20 years under Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg, and many voters forgot about the citys bad old days. Not anymore. Violent crime is spiking again, and homelessness and public drug use are spreading where they had once receded. Washington Square Park, in the gentry liberal oasis of Greenwich Village, is often an open-air drug market. For three consecutive weeks since May 10, shootings and transit-crimes have risen while arrests have decreased. Michael LiPetri, the New York City Police Departments chief of crime-control strategies, has attributed the long-term decline in arrests to a deliberate drawdown of aggressive policing in 2010, while crime rates were low. City Hall has declined to change course in response to the current wave of violence. After a gunman wounded a little girl and two women in Times Square on May 8, Mr. de Blasio told reporters the city remains a very safe place. All of this has brought crime and public order to the center of the race to succeed the two-term mayor, even in the once safe progressive space of the Democratic primary. None of the candidates will remind voters of Mr. Giuliani, or of Mr. Bloombergs police commissioner, Ray Kelly, but crime and policing are a main dividing line in the race.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-the-next-mayor-make-new-york-safe-again-11622830145

How Is PM Abiys Audio File Doctored?

A doctored audio file wrongly considered as a top secret leaked from the Prosperity Partys executive committee meeting by the social media has been widely circulated. The Ethiopian News Agency explains. The statements attributed to the president of Prosperity Party were carefully assembled from different speeches at different occasions and out of context. The investigation conducted by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) revealed that the first part of the fabricated speech was taken from a speech made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the second regular session of the House of Peoples Representatives (HPR) in the sixth year of its term when he spoke in person about the defunct Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) deep reform and evaluation as well as the election of its chairman. During the occasion, Abiy said the TPLF junta stated that we have won the election and their supporters were dining and winning in the bars. As you have heard the election of the first EPRDF chairman was unprecedented in the entire history of the EPRDF in that there had been efforts to brain wash the participants for weeks. We began evaluation and then we adjourned. We repeated and repeated this process without reaching any conclusion. At last, we set the criteria for electing the chairman. By the middle of the night, no less fiercer war than the present one was waged by the junta group. At around 4:30 PM, the external wing of the junta declared themselves winners of the election and celebrated in the bars. Before that the junta group had been boasting that we will not allow persons we do not approve of. It will happen on our dead body. In the so called leaked audio file, words from the speech about winning election were selected, assembled, and doctored to be released in the following manner. There is no doubt and it is no secret that we have won the election. The other issue manipulated in this leaked audio was taken from the discussion the prime minister had with regional chief administrators on April 22, 2021. During the occasion, he noted that foreign powers that do not want change in Ethiopia will work to disrupt the election and establish a subservient government. Since about a year ago, forces that rival the big visions and the march of Prosperity Party have been striving hard to disrupt the election and create civil war to ultimately establish a transitional or negotiated association and a weak government like some neighboring countries, but also a subservient government. They have prepared a document and been working for long to realize this goal. In the leaked audio filethe above speech of the prime minister was tuned to sound as if the prime minister has set direction to the Prosperity Party to work toward disrupting the election so as to discourage competing political forces. We have big responsibility to disrupt the election and discourage competing forces, the doctored audio said. During the discussion with the regional chief administrators, the prime minister has said the government will work to address mistakes and create conducive electoral environment. We have to correct the slightest mistake and accusations by the competing political parties from time to time and also those raised by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia. We should not discourage competing parties and make the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia despair for lack of support by committing small mistakes. We must correct mistakes, he said. However, the manipulated audio suggested that Prosperity Party should correct mistakes in order to win the election by force. As you know, the so-called politicians, including activists, work to get power. So our cadres have to be very careful. We have to be able to evaluate small mistakes and correct them day by day, according to the doctored audio. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed the special discussion forum Addis Woge on opportunities and challenges of the election on March 30, 2021. The big problem now is, for example, there are people who say there is no need for election. If the government says that there is no need for an election fearing that it would not be elected to extend its power, a condition would be created whereby a transitional government continues to rule for long years. And as my sister pointed out earlier, Ethiopia has not reached the stage where it can vote on whether an election should be held or not due to unavailability of automotive system. Because of this we are in the middle of difficulties, and that is why we take the election as an option. The following was the attempt made to confuse the public by taking the audio from the above general explanation. We take the election as an option since not conducting the election at present would again create worse situation, it says. It was also discovered that some words about allowing all observers to observe the election process would not create threat were taken from the following statement of the PM. By the way, Im not worried about demonstrators throwing stones in cities. Im not worried about such acts during this election because all observers are allowed to take part in the process. Attempts will be made to ensure that the election is clean. What in fact worries me is damage that could be inflicted by agents that disguise themselves as voters and candidates. The following idea is reflected in the so-called leaked audio file. In this election, we will try to avoid damage to a certain extent. There are forces from near and afar who invest their time, money and resources to create chaos and disrupt the existence of Ethiopia and plunder its resources. The fake audio says: Beyond your imagination, there are politicians, political parties and the media from near and afar that vie for power in this election. In another briefing to the House of Peoples Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed explained what the law enforcement operation would have looked like had Ethiopia not reconciled with Eritrea. We thought that we could face challenges, unless we make peace with our neighbors. That has proved right. It is difficult to imagine what could have happened, had we not reconciled with Eritrea this year. The Eritrean people has shown us more than the Eritrean government that our reconciliation is not personal but people-to-people. The doctored audio file distorted the speech by making the prime minister say it is hard to imagine what would have happened had COVID-19 not occurred and the election postponed. The premier had similarly explained to the House of Peoples Representatives why weapons were deposited in Tigray. By the way, the reason why the food, weaponry, and the mechanized army were kept in Tigray is to make the capability of the country confined to that region. There is no doubt about this, its no secret. Taking words from this and merging them with ideas about election, the following statement was fabricated. I can tell you in all certainty that there is no doubt or secret about this. We have won the election. The other issue the PM raised during the meeting with the regional chief administrators with regard to the election was the fact that many borrow ideas from abroad cost Ethiopians many lives and resulted in bloodshed. Its imported thoughts about 50, 60 years ago that are affecting Ethiopia. These have created a great deal of mass extermination and bloodshed among our people as they have been designed and imported into the education system and various government institutions without really thinking about them. Taking this idea, the fake audio presented it in such a way as to make it assert that there would be bloodshed during the post-election election because of the measure the government will take. Many measures will be taken. A task force prepared for this. Therefore there will be bloodshed and mass extermination. At this same forum, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed instructed the chief administrators to work tirelessly by learning from past challenges to transform Ethiopia. There are many challenges to the left and right that we need to avoid. What we hear every day is bad news. Every day we hear about firefighting. What I can tell in certainty is the challenges we are facing now are miniscule when compared with the challenges we overcame. We have won in the past, and we will win now. We will bring peace; we will bring prosperity; Ethiopia will prevail. Those powers that do not want this to happen will be buried like their predecessors. The leaked audio represented the idea by making it appear that the premier advised the Prosperity Party leadership to work staunchly to discourage competing parties. We have a huge responsibility to make competing parties lose hope; it is not difficult to achieve this in light of the many challenges we had faced. Commenting on the fake audio, Bikila Hurissa, Prosperity Party Public and International Relations Head said the intent of those who disseminated this false information is to mislead the people, confuse them, and harm peoples coexistence, tolerance, and unity. He stressed that their objective is to erode public trust and undermine the good relations between the people and the government. In addition, the head underlined that there were no issues raised by the party executive committee regarding the information disseminated and that the information spread was baseless and false.

https://www.ena.et/en/?p=25020

Does The Federal Reserve Have Inflation Under Control?

Thats why the Fed has committed to an easy money policy: near-zero interest rates and monthly purchases of $120 billion worth of bonds. The central bank believes employers need cheap money to grow and hire more workers. Eventually, though, the Fed will have to tighten the spigot. Minutes from the latest Fed meeting revealed that some members of the Federal Open Markets Committee wanted to talk about talking about slowing the pace of bond purchases in the future. Which means the Fed is more interested, right now, in healing the labor market than getting out in front of inflation. What It Means For You Some consumers who put off big purchases during economic lockdowns may be surprised at just how much certain big items cost. Its fine to say something unpleasant will only be short lived, but those enduring the unpleasantness might not take your word for it in real time. Our best read is that a scarcity mindset and worries about inflation could rattle [consumer] confidence for a while, reads a note from Wells Fargo Securities economists.

https://lacrossetribune.com/business/investment/does-the-federal-reserve-have-inflation-under-control/article_7e289938-dc0f-541d-a96f-278242c3f200.html

What Is Earnings Season? Why Is It Important?

Because they are available for anyone to invest in, public companies are required to regularly keep investors (and the general public) informed about their financial health. This helps investors make informed decisions about whether they want to remain stockholdersor even potentially buy more shares of a company. Since companies normally disclose this data at around the same time as each other, each quarter of the year has its own so-called earnings season during which analysts and consumers pour over reams of financial data to try and determine how a company will perform going forward. Earnings season is the period when publicly traded companies release their most recent quarters financial information in a report called Form 10-Q. During this time, many companies also host conference calls to discuss the results and field questions from analysts on Wall Street. The information shared during earnings season can offer specific details about a company in addition to trends in various industries and the pace of economic growth more broadly. The data released is then compared with analyst estimates from before earnings season to determine how a company did versus how it was expected to do.

https://lacrossetribune.com/business/investment/what-is-earnings-season-why-is-it-important/article_2185f8d6-719a-57cb-aec5-1bf6ee4d272e.html

Did Elon Musk hint that Tesla has broken up with Bitcoin?

By Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted several memes yesterday that seemed to indicate that the electric car company may have ended its relationship with the controversial cryptocurrency Bitcoin. In December 2020, Tesla bought $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin, a Cryptocurrency that gained mainstream notoriety several years ago after an outlandish and meteoric rise to a massive valuation. But, instead of looking at it as a simple investment, Tesla did what Tesla does: made it a statement and refined several of its executives job titles: Musk became Teslas Technoking, and CFO Zachary Kirkhorn assumed the role of Master of Coin, two titles that were made official in a filing with the SEC. Tesla soon started accepting Bitcoin as a payment option for its cars and energy generation and storage products. It was a relatively bold move because while many large retailers and well-known companies accept Bitcoin as a payment option, being able to buy a vehicle with a direct payment to the manufacturer wasnt overwhelmingly popular, even in 2021. But soon after the Bitcoin barrage, Tesla backpedaled slightly. Just a few months after deciding to accept Bitcoin as payment, the company suspended this program, citing environmental concerns as the primary reasoning. We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel, Musk said in a statement on Twitter. Cryptocurrency is a good idea on many levels, and we believe it has a promising future, but this cannot come at great cost to the environment. It was estimated at one point that Tesla had nearly doubled its investment thanks to a surge in Bitcoins cost. Its $1.5 billion investment had swelled to be worth $2.8 billion, according to some reports. This solidified Teslas decision in Musks statement that the company would not be letting go of its Bitcoin, pledging to hold on and reintroduce the ability to purchase products as soon as mining transitions to more sustainable energy. In addition, musk reassured Twitter followers on May 19th that the company has Diamond Hands, a term utilized for someone or something that is prepared to hold a position despite long or short-term volatility. Someone with Diamond Hands is usually someone who, despite setbacks in a stock or cryptos price, plans to hold their position until an end goal is assumed. However, June 3rds Twitter fiasco from Musk hinted that the company might have gotten rid of its Bitcoin holdings. Musk is a man known for a comedic sense of humor, a cryptic style of Tweeting, and a sarcastic but fun attitude about his business. If Tesla did sell any of its Bitcoin, it would be a considerable blow to the Cryptos valuation, especially as this rumor has already circulated through the financial world. Bitcoin has dropped over 6% in the last 24 hours. Let us know in the comments below, or be sure to email me at [email protected] or on Twitter @KlenderJoey.

https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-tesla-bitcoin-breakup/

What's Up With Nio Stock Today?

Nio Inc ADR (NYSE:NIO) shares are trading higher by 3% at $42.13 Friday, potentially in sympathy with Tesla shares, and after the EV maker earlier this week provided a May 2021 delivery update. Citigroup upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy on Tuesday and raised its price target from $57.60 to $58.30. See Also: Nio Beings Prepping For Nio Day 2021 Nio operates in China's premium electric vehicle market. Nio designs and jointly manufactures, and sells smart and connected premium electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation technologies in connectivity, autonomous driving and artificial intelligence. Nio sells vehicles through its own sales network, including Nio Houses, Nio Spaces and their mobile application. The majority of the revenue is earned from selling vehicles.

https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/21/06/21434367/whats-up-with-nio-stock-today?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+benzinga+%28Benzinga+News+Feed%29

How long before AI can 'understand' animals?

The Regent Honeyeaters of Australasia are forgetting how to talk. The songbirds habitat has been so severely devastated that its numbers are dwindling. Worse, the ones that remain are so scattered that the adult males are too far apart to teach the young how to sing for a mate how to speak their own language. The gradual loss of the Honeyeaters song, their primary tool for wooing a partner, creates a vicious circle of spiraling decline. Humans, on the other hand, cannot shut up. Estimates peg the total number of languages in use today to be around 7,000. In the US, roughly 25 percent of people claim they can converse in a second language. In Europe this number floats around 60 percent. In Asia or Africa, bilingualism is even more common as local tongues and regional dialects live alongside (often multiple) official languages. But not one person on this planet can speak Cat or Dog much less Regent Honeyeater. The Regent Honeyeater is one of Australia's numerous critically endangered animals and our version of the Passenger Pigeon. They were once found in vast flocks but have dwindled to around 100 birds (or fewer). Understanding animals is a tough nut to crack. Probably not for most species, but as years of TV shows like Sabrina and films like Free Willy and basically anything Disney will attest, we really do wish we could natter with nature. The good news is that AI might grant us the ability to reliably translate animals in the next decade or so. The less good news is that it wont be the Babelfish device you might be expecting. If you had to pick one component of humans ... that no other animal comes anywhere near being able to do anywhere near as well: Communication is the thing. James Savage, a behavioral ecologist at both the University of Chester and Anglia Ruskin University told Engadget. In short, talking is what separates humans from the beast, so expecting animals to hold a conversation is somewhat oxymoronic. If youre now wondering about all those documentaries you saw with a dolphin talking to its keeper or a chimpanzee doing sign language, then you arent disproving this theory, youve merely identified the complexity of the question. Animals understanding our language appears to be obtainable to the degree of their cognitive ability. Going the other way, speaking Dolphin or Chimpanzee is a different kettle of (non-talking) fish. Story continues The first problem is deciding what an animal language might look like. One of the defining characteristics of human communication is that it's sequential. We have word tokens, words as it were. And they always occur in a certain sequence. Jussi Karlgren, a computational linguist, told Engadget. Much as we might hope, theres little reason to suggest a pod of porpoises communicates in the same way we do. Not least because of the different vocal machinery, but also their environment, collective needs and, you know, the whole lack of being a human thing. You cant blame us for thinking that way though. A long study into the calls of prairie dogs suggests that they can demonstrate something that resembles vocabulary. In one experiment, scientists approached the rodents at different times wearing different colored shirts and were able to determine discrete alarm calls for each one. The prairie dogs were basically saying The woman in the blue shirt is back or this time its the yellow-shirted person. Con Slobodchikoff, the lead researcher in this experiment and many more on prairie dogs, told The Atlantic as far back as 2013 that, in his opinion, his subjects had "the most sophisticated animal language that has been decoded." While this seemingly opens up the tantalizing possibility of vocabulary in animal language, theres also likely an evolutionary limit. An animal might be able to indicate something with a sound or word but only if it has a need to do so. Prairie dogs likely dont bother to express things like how they feel or what their goals are in life. The reason, as an animal, you communicate information to another animal, is if there's some benefit to you doing so. Said Savage. But what if there was an animal with few natural predators and high cognitive abilities. According to Savage, there are hints they might have something more to talk about I don't think it's too anthropomorphic to say that in the dolphin case, they have a particular little thing they do, which is their name, because they use it and other dolphins use it to refer to them. Dolphins, it appears, give themselves names and respond to its use by others. This phenomenon is something that piqued Karlgrens imagination too. To the extent that he planned a detailed experiment that would feed dolphin calls into an artificial intelligence in the hope of deciphering them. The premise of using artificial intelligence feels like it should make sense. After all, AI has been shown to be quite effective at deciphering ancient human languages. The answer comes back to the human tendency to think that the human way is the only way. Communication is more than just words; it can be tone, timing, context, facial expressions and more. Now transpose that to the dolphin world and you can see why things get very complicated very fast. (What does dolphin sarcasm sound like?) But Karlgren remains optimistic. The hope is this: That if we collect a large corpus, a large collection of dolphin whistles and click trains, [we might be] able to segment them And for that amount of data to yield results, AI really is our only hope. Savage agrees. Humans are usually pretty good at picking up acoustic differences in animal calls that they are familiar with, he said, adding that as artificial intelligence-based algorithms for classifying signals become more advanced, they will very rapidly get to the point where they can do that better than humans can. And the early signs are promising. In 2017, scientists were able to identify a number of different Marmoset calls with about 90-percent accuracy. In the same year, another team was able to identify when a sheep is in distress based on feeding an AI images of their facial expressions alone. Combining these two ideas would provide a more holistic understanding of what animals might be trying to say. Cute Syrian hamster passionately shouting into a microphone, whilst gripping mic stand. Conceptual with space for copy. Both Savage and Karlgren suggest that great steps can be made in the next ten years or so. Even if the result might not be the Google Translate for animals app we desire. Theres also the question of whether something like that is in anyones interest. I think it almost cheapens animals to have that approach to them, where they have to interact with each other and others in the same way that we want to interact with them. Savage said. AI might well become a valuable tool in animal husbandry, either at a research or industrial level, but there are still important things we can do right now with the tools we currently have. Savage gave the example of Kakapo, a large, flightless parrot found in New Zealand. When its time to mate, Kakapo males dig a small pit and make a booming noise, using the hollow they made to amplify it. Females will pick their mate by the quality of that boom. But when you have a small population, this poses an issue, where only few males are successful and the gene pool becomes limited. Savage explains how they were able to retire the best boomers and move them to another island where many juvenile males live. This allows the younger generation to learn from the successful males and become adept boomers themselves. As the young mature, they are then placed with the females and able to profit from their new found linguistic abilities. Slowly, the species can recover without risk of genetic limitations. Now if only we could tell the Regent Honeyeaters about this. If artificial intelligence eventually delivers on its promise, maybe one day we can.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/can-ai-unlock-the-secrets-of-animal-communication-170040760.html

Are the Cleveland Indians any closer to revealing their name change options?

Register for Indians Subtext to hear your Tribe questions answered exclusively on the show. Send a text to 216-208-4346 to subscribe for $3.99/mo. CLEVELAND, Ohio The Indians revealed Thursday that they considered nearly 1,200 options for a new team name during their ongoing search. But this weeks news did not come with a list of candidates, nor a timeline of when fans might know what the team will be called next season. Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at what could be next in the name change process. Click here. We have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe to it here. You can also subscribe on Google Play and listen on Spotify. Search Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast or download the audio here. - New Indians face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity. Wednesdays game postponed; split DH vs. White Sox set for Sept. 23 Hedges to Karinchak: Its not going to be easy Bieber Breakdown: Heres how ace dismantled the White Sox Quantrill, McKenzie give Indians something to ponder after Monday starts Indians earn Monday DH split with 3-1 victory over White Sox

https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/06/are-the-cleveland-indians-any-closer-to-revealing-their-name-change-options.html

Are companies that support Pride and other social causes wokewashing?

Consumers increasingly want companies to address societys big problems, such as climate change and crumbling infrastructure. And polls suggest more than half say they want to buy from brands that take stands on social issues. At the same time, consumers are increasingly skeptical about these partnerships such as corporate sponsorships of LGBTQ Pride Month and instead see them as marketing stunts rather than acts of genuine activism. This is called wokewashing. Im a professor of brand responsibility, and my forthcoming research investigates brands and their relationships with social issues, including the importance of both corporate allies and advocates. Allies or advocates In marketing terms, allies are members of a dominant social group that bring attention to important social issues. A company can serve as an ally when it works to increase awareness about issues affecting marginalized groups. Advocates take a more active role, working to change political, economic and social systems. Companies can be advocates when they create campaigns to promote institutional change and provide financial support for groups engaged in creating social change. Yoplaits campaign to address patronizing attitudes toward moms is an example of corporate advocacy. Another is Stella Artois partnership with Water.org to end the global water crisis, which has provided clean drinking water to over 2 million people so far. Pride Month However, corporate adventures into social issues arent always well-thought-out or -received. For example, consider corporate involvement in annual Pride Month celebrations. In 2019, the number of brands participating in Pride reached an all-time high. Brands including T-Mobile, Alaska Airlines and MasterCard featured supportive messages and announced donations to support the queer community. Some dont welcome large-brand sponsorships to Pride, arguing that sponsorships take the focus away from issues of LGBTQ marginalization. These brands are not seen as authentic advocates, as they were not contributing directly to LGBTQ causes but instead portrayed as paying for exposure. These critics argue that brands dont really care about the community, pointing to a lack of supportive messages throughout the rest of the year. There are also concerns from members of the community that brands support Pride while taking political stances that harm the LGBTQ community. For example, Equinox and SoulCycle, which have sponsored Pride, faced a consumer boycott in August 2019 after the chairman of their parent company said he was hosting a fundraiser for then-President Donald Trump, who advocates say is anti-LGBTQ. The importance of allies Some companies may use causes to pander to consumers and deserve to be called out, but my research shows that corporate allies and advocates can have an important role in society. Engagement through both allyship and advocacy continue to be important to keep issues in the spotlight to effect significant social change. Im finding in my research that brands connecting with social issues can be a win-win: Consumers become aware of important social issues that may lack media exposure, and brands connect with like-minded consumers in a more authentic way. This is an updated version of an article originally published on Aug. 19, 2019. [Over 106,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today.]

https://theconversation.com/are-companies-that-support-pride-and-other-social-causes-wokewashing-162150

Is Eskom lying about the load shedding stages?

Cold and dark is the forecast for winter and Eskoms rolling blackouts appear set to continue. But the power utility has denied claims that it has been lying about the current stage 2 load shedding. The claim, from energy expert Ted Blom, was based on multiple accounts from residents of Johannesburg and elsewhere that their power had gone off longer and more frequently than expected. Blom told Saturday Citizen he received about 50 replies from people from all over the country claiming they experienced four to six hours of load shedding a day despite the stage 2 alert. ALSO READ:... Cold and dark is the forecast for winter and Eskoms rolling blackouts appear set to continue. But the power utility has denied claims that it has been lying about the current stage 2 load shedding. The claim, from energy expert Ted Blom, was based on multiple accounts from residents of Johannesburg and elsewhere that their power had gone off longer and more frequently than expected. Blom told Saturday Citizen he received about 50 replies from people from all over the country claiming they experienced four to six hours of load shedding a day despite the stage 2 alert. ALSO READ: Stage 2 load shedding to resume until Sunday The complaints stretched from as far as Sandton to Delmas and the Eastern and Western Cape. Eskom was going to overhaul the 80 odd generator sets or boilers in 18 months, he explained. Blom said it was unrealistic from the start because such a project would take up to five years and R600 billion to complete. I have been told by contacts that there has been no overhaul as yet just spoeg en plak [spit and paste]. So they are just patching up, Blom said. Eskom spokesman Sikonathi Mantshantsha refuted Bloms allegations and said load shedding at stage 2 had been implemented all week. We are not at stage 4. We are implementing stage 2, he said. Mantshantsha said Blom was looking for attention. On Friday, the power utility announced it was suspending load shedding from noon until 5pm to allow parliament to pass a number of appropriation Bills as most MPs attend the National Assembly via online meeting facilities and were scattered all over the country, hence the national suspension of the blackouts. ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni load shedding: Find the updated schedules here Political analyst Ongama Mtimka said management at Eskom was failing to show positive momentum from whatever efforts they were making. What is concerning is the fact that we getting a sense that things are not improving, Mtimka said. He said this was going to seriously dampen the confidence in the South African economy, especially in terms of energy investments. It is one thing to have load shedding regularly but it is another to have a mood of despair in general, with no general sense that management has a plan, Mtimka said. Economist Mike Schussler said he thought the country was going to see a lot more load shedding in winter compared to the previous year. Schussler said although the economic growth in the first quarter of the year was positive and April was also a good month, growth would be smaller in the second quarter of the financial year due to load shedding. The problem is once load shedding gets going, it is going to affect the economy very negatively. Chances are, we might see another shrinkage in the economy in the third quarter of the year, he said. Schussler said for every kilowatt-hour lost to load shedding, the economy lost R17. The fact of the matter is if you have stage 2 load shedding, it means for every hour its R34 million that you lose, he said. Schussler said the economy could probably recover quickly the R34 million that was lost if load shedding was for a few hours. But if you have load shedding for a few weeks then you start feeling the pain. And I think thats where we are heading to now, Schussler said. marizkac@citizen.co.za

https://citizen.co.za/news/2514038/is-eskom-lying-about-the-load-shedding-stages/

How do ants breathe?

Open your mouth and throat, but hold your diaphragm and chest absolutely still. You arent quite holding your breath because some oxygen will still find its way into your lungs by the random diffusion of air molecules. However, it isnt nearly enough to keep up with the demands of your body. Advertisement To survive without a diaphragm actively pumping air in and out of your lungs, you would need a much smaller body, or more than one throat. Ants have both. Depending on the species, ants have nine or 10 pairs of openings, called spiracles, along the side of their body. Each spiracle is connected to an ever finer branching series of tubes called tracheae. This is similar to our lungs, except that insects dont use blood to carry oxygen from the tracheae to the rest of the body. Instead, the tracheae spread throughout the body and each branch ends in a cul-de-sac with a moist end-wall that touches directly against the membrane of a cell. This system only works in tiny animals. Once the body grows beyond a centimetre or two, the tracheae are simply too long for air to be able to diffuse along them fast enough. Larger and more active insects have to supplement the passive breathing system by flexing their abdomens to pump air along the tracheae. But ant-size insects can manage just fine without this. In fact, a 2005 study at Berlin University found that many insects this size actually have to close their spiracles periodically so that they dont get too much oxygen! Asked by: Yofan Tamayo, London Read more: Advertisement To submit your questions email us at questions@sciencefocus.com (dont forget to include your name and location)

https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/how-do-ants-breathe/

Can virtual reality help the emotional well-being of older people?

POMPANO BEACH: Terry Colli and three other residents of the John Knox Village senior community got a trip via computer to the International Space Station in the kickoff to a Stanford University study on whether virtual reality can improve the emotional well-being of older people.Donning 1-pound (470-gram) headsets with video and sound, the four could imagine floating weightless with astronauts and get a 360-degree tour of the station. In other programs, residents can take virtual visits to Paris, Venice, Egypt or elsewhere around the globe; attend a car rally, skydive or go on a hike. "I feel great. It is amazing. It is like you are really there," said Colli, 73, and a former spokesman for the Canadian embassy in Washington Stanford's Virtual Human Interaction Lab will be working with John Knox's 1,200 residents, who will have ready access to the equipment under the supervision of staff members. The goal is to see whether virtual reality can improve their mood, strengthen their relationships with staff and make them more receptive to technology. Other senior communities in the United States and elsewhere will soon be added by the California university.Virtual reality works by making what the person sees and hears track with what they are doing. In a VR trip to Paris, for example, a participant might turn to the left and see the Eiffel Tower with a musician playing in the foreground, and then turn right and find two people conversing. If the participant moves toward one, that sound increases while the other diminishes. "There is a fair amount of previously published research by academic labs around the world that shows VR, when administered properly, can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and reduce pain," said Jeremy Bailenson, the Stanford lab's founding director. "This particular study is focused on how using VR might reduce the residents' feelings of isolation from the outside world all the more important after the isolation we all faced during the pandemic. "During Tuesday's demonstration at the suburban Fort Lauderdale community, Colli, Anne Selby, 77; Mark Levey, 64; and Hugh Root, 92, moved their heads from left to right and up and down as they got individual tours of the space station. "It really felt like you were traveling and not alone either. In some of the video, there are people," said Levey, a former federal government worker.Selby, an artist, said that she felt a bit nauseated as she moved through the space station because it was so realistic, but that she was able to cope by taking deep breaths. "Regardless of my age, I was right in the middle of it," she said.Root, a retired insurance salesman, was blunt: "It blows my mind. "Chris Brickler, CEO of MyndVR, the Dallas company that provided the equipment, said volunteers will be screened to assure they are mentally suitable for using virtual reality and each attendant has an abort button if the person becomes overwhelmed by the experience. John Knox's residents include people and couples who live alone, in assisted living and with full-time nursing. "As we age, we feel there is a disconnect sometimes that can happen when there is a lack of mobility," Brickler said. "We can't travel as much as we want, we can't connect with nature as much as we want, can't have connections with animals. All sorts of connections get lost and our four walls start shrinking in. What we have tried to do is create a platform where we can bring the world back. "Monica McAfee, John Knox's chief marketing and innovation officer, said the community's administrators believe VR helps residents it's been used on a limited basis there for three years but Stanford's study "will provide the empirical data." For example, she said, they want to know if VR can help residents with dementia who suffer from "sundowning" severe mood downswings that begin at dusk. "Is this a way to redirect them to enjoy something?" she said.Northern Ohio University associate philosophy professor Erica Neely, who studies the ethics of technology, said it's important that Stanford is getting fully informed consent, screening participants and making sure they aren't using VR alone, especially at first. She is not involved in the study. "We definitely don't want anyone to get stuck in the experience if they become distressed and can't figure out how to turn it off," she said. "The fact that there is a companion/caretaker who can go with (the participant) is utter genius. ... The idea of 'Well, we don't necessarily have people with diminished capacities wandering around by themselves through physical space maybe we can do the same for virtual space' was a really good one."

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/can-virtual-reality-help-the-emotional-well-being-of-older-people/articleshow/83229039.cms

What Has Happened to Kamalei Correa?

Three NFL teams in less than a year have decided that they no longer want or need the linebacker who was a key part of the Titans' 2019 playoff run. One of the Tennessee Titans best players on defense during their run to the AFC Championship game in 2019 cant hold a job in the NFL these days. The Kansas City Chiefs released the 27-year-old outside linebacker Thursday, less than a month after they signed him. That means he is now on the hunt for his fourth team in a year or that he has run out of chances. Correas career looked to be on the upswing when he set career-highs with 37 tackles, five sacks, seven quarterback pressures and two passes defensed in 2019, his second season with Tennessee. A second-round pick by Baltimore in 2016, the Titans traded for him just before the start of the 2018 season. The bulk of that production (22 tackles, five sacks, four quarterback pressures, one pass defensed) came when he stared six of the final eight games. He added 16 tackles, two sacks and two quarterback pressures in three postseason contests. An unrestricted free agent last offseason, he re-signed with the Titans on a one-year deal and expected to pick up where he left off. Instead, he repeatedly has been sent packing, including once at his own request. A rundown of the transactions involving outside linebacker Kamalei Correa since the end of the 2019 season: April 9, 2020: Re-signed with the Tennessee Titans Oct. 14, 2020: Requested the Titans trade or release him Oct. 15, 2020: Traded along with a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft Dec. 17, 2020: Placed on Jacksonvilles Exempt-Left Team list Feb. 11, 2021: Cut by the Jaguars May 6, 2021: Signed with the Kansas City Chiefs June 4, 2020: Released by Kansas City His troubles started when the Titans signed free agent Jadeveon Clowney. That relegated Correa to a backup, and after having appeared in three of the first four games, he said he wanted out. Franchise officials accommodated his request and shipped him to Jacksonville a day later. Interestingly, a knee injury caused Clowney to miss the final seven games of the season. That would have given him the opportunity to repeat his second-half surge of the previous season. Instead, he played six games for the Jaguars (all starts) before he left that team for personal reasons with three weeks remaining. He was inactive for the two games prior to his departure. Jacksonville released him ahead of the regular season finale. Kansas City had seen Correa at his best. His 10 tackles in the 2019 AFC Championship (the Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24) are his NFL career high, regular season or postseason, and twice as many as he has had in any other contest. Yet, he was not a part for that team for long before franchise officials there decided they had seen enough.

https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/news/tennessee-titans-nfl-kamalei-correa-kansas-city-chiefs-release

What do Delhis death registration figures tell us about Covid-19 death toll?

He also said that the issuance of death certificates by civic bodies did not give a clear picture about number of deaths in any particular month. If someone applied for a death certificate in May and got the certificate in that month, then the death will be registered in May even if the person died in April, he said. Second wave of Covid is one of the main reasons behind the surge. In April and May 2020, the lockdown was very strict and no one could come for registrations of deaths of their kin. Other than this, due to restriction on traffic movement, fewer people died in that period due to which the number of death registrations in those months in 2020 is less, EDMC mayor Nirmal Jain said. When the second wave of Covid fourth for Delhi ravaged the city in April and May this year, the number of death registrations increased. In April, the three municipalities issued 9,109 death certificates while in May, 24,000 certificates were issued. In 2020, when coronavirus pandemic hit the city, death registrations across the three corporations dropped to 4,783 for April 2020 and 5,475 for May 2020. According to municipal data, 9,657 deaths were registered across the three civic bodies in April 2019 while the number was 9,390 in May 2019. A senior SDMC official said on the condition of anonymity that other than Covid-19, the surge was also because of backlog created by technical glitches. Earlier this year, registrations of death and birth certificates were made completely online but there were initial glitches due to which death certification process was affected. This also created a backlog but now everything is fine and that backlog is being cleared, the official said. Precise information about number of deaths due to Covid-19 can only be ascertained by conducting a door-to-door survey, he added. Jai Prakash, mayor of NDMC, said death certificate are issued after someones kin applies for it and crematoriums also separately issue a slip for funeral. The hike in death registrations in April and May this year is also because of second wave of Covid-19 where thousands of people died, which is also present in government records. The number of death registrations is just a suggestive data and based on it cannot precisely say that so many deaths occurred in a particular month, Prakash said. Civic authorities attributed the increase in death registrations to the second wave of Covid-19 and clearance of backlog due to technical problems. Municipal authorities clarified that death registrations did not necessarily reflect the total death count in a particular month because some people apply for certificates later. In April and May 2019, the three corporations gave out 19,047 death certificates. In April and May 2020, the three corporations issued 10,258 death certificates. The nationwide lockdown in place during these two months may have forced many people to apply for certificates later. During these two months in 2021, the official Covid death toll in Delhi was 13,210 5,120 in April and 8,090 in May. The data from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) which together have 95% of the Capitals population pointed towards excess or uncounted deaths, which experts say was responsible for an undercounting of Covid mortality during the second wave. Delhis three municipal corporations issued 33,109 death certificates in April and May this year at the peak of the Covid second wave, roughly three times the number registered in 2020 and 73.8% of the figure in 2019, records showed. Delhis three municipal corporations issued 33,109 death certificates in April and May this year at the peak of the Covid second wave, roughly three times the number registered in 2020 and 73.8% of the figure in 2019, records showed. During these two months in 2021, the official Covid death toll in Delhi was 13,210 5,120 in April and 8,090 in May. The data from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) which together have 95% of the Capitals population pointed towards excess or uncounted deaths, which experts say was responsible for an undercounting of Covid mortality during the second wave. In April and May 2020, the three corporations issued 10,258 death certificates. The nationwide lockdown in place during these two months may have forced many people to apply for certificates later. In April and May 2019, the three corporations gave out 19,047 death certificates. Also Read | Delhi University likely to provide fee waiver to students orphaned by Covid-19 Municipal authorities clarified that death registrations did not necessarily reflect the total death count in a particular month because some people apply for certificates later. Civic authorities attributed the increase in death registrations to the second wave of Covid-19 and clearance of backlog due to technical problems. Jai Prakash, mayor of NDMC, said death certificate are issued after someones kin applies for it and crematoriums also separately issue a slip for funeral. The hike in death registrations in April and May this year is also because of second wave of Covid-19 where thousands of people died, which is also present in government records. The number of death registrations is just a suggestive data and based on it cannot precisely say that so many deaths occurred in a particular month, Prakash said. Precise information about number of deaths due to Covid-19 can only be ascertained by conducting a door-to-door survey, he added. A senior SDMC official said on the condition of anonymity that other than Covid-19, the surge was also because of backlog created by technical glitches. Earlier this year, registrations of death and birth certificates were made completely online but there were initial glitches due to which death certification process was affected. This also created a backlog but now everything is fine and that backlog is being cleared, the official said. According to municipal data, 9,657 deaths were registered across the three civic bodies in April 2019 while the number was 9,390 in May 2019. In 2020, when coronavirus pandemic hit the city, death registrations across the three corporations dropped to 4,783 for April 2020 and 5,475 for May 2020. When the second wave of Covid fourth for Delhi ravaged the city in April and May this year, the number of death registrations increased. In April, the three municipalities issued 9,109 death certificates while in May, 24,000 certificates were issued. Second wave of Covid is one of the main reasons behind the surge. In April and May 2020, the lockdown was very strict and no one could come for registrations of deaths of their kin. Other than this, due to restriction on traffic movement, fewer people died in that period due to which the number of death registrations in those months in 2020 is less, EDMC mayor Nirmal Jain said. He also said that the issuance of death certificates by civic bodies did not give a clear picture about number of deaths in any particular month. If someone applied for a death certificate in May and got the certificate in that month, then the death will be registered in May even if the person died in April, he said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/what-do-delhi-s-death-registration-figures-tell-us-about-covid-19-death-toll-101622808617116-amp.html

Where does Netherite spawn in Minecraft?

In Minecraft, Netherite is the strongest material that players can use to create armor or weapons in the game. Netherite is the most sustainable and durable armor in the game, and this material is what all Minecraft players dream of. Netherite is not easy to find in Minecraft. This is the strongest material in the game, but it also is the rarest as well. Players will find only small amounts of Netherite in a vein, and sometimes it can take players hours to even find one piece. In order for players to get Netherite items, they will need to make sure that the equipment is diamond first. For example, only a diamond sword can be upgraded to Netherite, not iron or anything else. It will cost players one Netherite ingot to upgrade each piece of armor. This may seem like it is pretty easy to do because it is just one piece, but that is not the case. It is pretty challenging to even get one piece of Netherite. If players do not find Netherite ingots in treasure chests, there is an alternative to getting them. Players can find Netherite scraps to create Netherite ingots. The player will need four Netherite scraps in order to create one ingot. Players will also need four golden ingots to create a Netherite ingot. Netherite scraps can be found, or they can be obtained by smelting ancient debris. This is also rare to find, but not as rare as Netherite ingots or scraps. Players will need a smithing table to upgrade their diamond items to Netherite. Smithing tables are created using two iron ingots and four wooden planks. It can be challenging for players to find Netherite in Minecraft. In this article, players will learn where Netherite is located in Minecraft! Where is Netherite located in Minecraft The Nether (Image via Minecraft station) As can be inferred from the name, Netherite is located only in the Nether. Players will never find Netherite ingots spawning in the overworld. Players will need ancient debris in order to create Netherite ingots. Without ancient debris, players will not be able to create Netherite ingots. The ancient debris is the base of the Netherite. There is no Netherite block itself for the player to mine, this means players will have to find it by luck, or create it starting with ancient debris. Players can only find ancient debris on block levels of 8-22. There is no specific region where ancient debris can be located, so players will just have to mine around in the Nether in randomized locations. After finding the ancient debris, players will then have to smelt it inside a furnace, which will turn it into Nether scraps. One piece of ancient debris will make one Nether scrap, and four Nether scraps create one Netherite ingot. How to mine it (Image via Sportskeeda) Minecraft players will need a diamond pickaxe in order to mine ancient debris. If it is mined with anything other than a diamond pickaxe, it will just break and drop nothing. Players can create diamond pickaxes using a crafting table. Diamond pickaxes can be crafted using three diamonds and two sticks. Players can also apply the efficiency enchantment on the pickaxe to mine the ancient debris faster. Edited by Gautham Balaji

https://www.sportskeeda.com/minecraft/where-netherite-spawn-minecraft

Where to invest in the next sectoral churn?

Stock score of Larsen & Toubro Ltd moved up by 1 in a month. View Latest Stock Report Larsen & Toubro,and evenwhich have so badly underperformed in the last six to seven months possibly hold out promise in terms of the relative expensiveness of the stocks, says, Joint MD,One of the observations that I had was that the Nifty has given an almost 1,000 point run from the time there was the upsurge in the pandemic in all its intensity. Since then, the Nifty has risen almost 1,000 points. That brings us to the question of irrational exuberance. For quite some time now, the stock prices have been significantly ahead of the fundamentals. The second wave of the pandemic has diluted the optimism in terms of the GDP growth that we started off with sometime in January, February or on the eve of the Budget. We all thought that maybe this year we are going to see 10-11% growth, backed by a good big fiscal deficit, which gave the government the luxury to spend and stimulate the entire economy.As we stand today, some of those parameters have come under increasing scrutiny. But having said that, we all know that the kind of liquidity that is floating in the market could easily be one of the principle reasons why the stock prices are where they are and they continue to go northwards. We can see the inflation in the price of most of the asset classes. Apart from the precious metals, we have ferrous, non-ferrous metals, commodities, oil-- you name it and everything is almost on fire.The euphoric movement is there not only in equity, we can see it across several commodities and several asset classes too. That is something we should be pondering about. Going forward, most certainly the overall EPS numbers of Nifty will be revised downwards rather than what we started off with and that is also possibly getting factored into the market. But the intensity of the liquidity is something which is going to determine the continued momentum in the market.It is going to be a little more company specific. The optimism and the buoyancy that we have witnessed in the auto sector in January and February came off in April. In May and possibly even June, it can be very safely extrapolated that the first quarter will be nothing great. So the asking rate for the remaining nine months will go up tremendously for most of the automobile companies. People will play more for how the momentum is going to be in the second, third and the fourth quarters rather than trying to put the first quarter in perspective.Most certainly. That is one of the sectors which has held on very well and shown a phenomenal resilience and a tremendous capacity to bounce back as and when the recovery happens. That is not going to be something which will be different this year too and also in the coming years. In terms of volume, there is a fair amount of confidence that paint volumes will be good and consequently, we will see that reflected in the financial performance too. The frontline paint companies look pretty good and interesting. They can provide a resilience to your portfolio.Selective will be the right word because most of the pharma stocks have really performed exceedingly well. Among the stocks that really standout very well in the current context and looking at the future outlook, Sun Pharma looks pretty good and ready to rise. The performance has been consolidating and probably in the coming two years, we will see a lot of new developments making Sun Pharma to ascertain itself again for the number one position.Apart from that, I would still go for a Cadila which still looks very good and is still away from an all-time high. Similarly, Lupin is also away from its all-time high and I think both the stocks look pretty interesting from the medium to long-term perspective. Something like Cadila Pharma , after the rollout of the vaccines, can see the profits touching almost Rs 750-800 crore from vaccines alone. So both Cadila as well as Lupin look pretty interesting even from the current level despite the fact that they have already moved up quite a bit.What is happening in the market is that there is an unabated flow of money and it is chasing the stocks -- be it from retail, from HNIs or at times even the FIIs. The churn always happens on a relative basis. There is tremendous buying and fancy in some sectors which leads to it moving up and then you suddenly find that some of the sectors and some of the stocks are looking relatively very cheap.That is what is happening with ITC, that is what is happening even with Larsen & Toubro. Some of these names really stand out in the way the churn is happening and possibly that is the intricate or maybe the definite part of the nature of the market, given the fact that there is so much flow of money into the markets.Taking all this into account, some of the names like Larsen & Toubro, ITC and even Reliance which have so badly underperformed in the last six to seven months possibly hold out promise in terms of the relative expensiveness of the stocks. I track some of these names. Even the oil PSUs look pretty interesting from current levels -- be it IOC, HPCL or BPCL and some of these names will continue to attract turn by turn.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/expert-view/where-to-invest-in-anticipation-of-the-next-sectoral-churn/articleshow/83205404.cms

Did the Army hire an astrologer?

Praise Zoltar! It seems the Army is getting involved in the mystical arts, employing astrology in its latest recruiting effort. In an Instagram post shared Thursday, the nations oldest branch encourages youths interested in joining its illustrious ranks to align their career goals with their star signs. For example, if you are a Pisces (Feb. 19 to March 20), the Army believes you would make a great Judge Advocate Generals Corps Attorney, because a JAG Corps attorney (27A) will bring out the best in you, Pisces. Honest and a passion for helping people will prove powerful in court, the Instagram post reads. According to Astrology.com, The constellation known as Pisces has been associated with many divine figures in history, such as Poseidon/Neptune, Christ, Vishnu, and the Sumerian goddess Inanna. Jesus, thats quite a lot of pressure for a soldier. The Armys suggested career path for Capricorns (Dec. 22 to Jan. 20) is that of a Human Intelligence Collector (35M). Sign up for the Army Times Daily News Roundup to receive the top Army stories every afternoon. Thanks for signing up. By giving us your email, you are opting in to the Army Times Daily News Roundup. The Armys post, however, was fleeting, living on the services @GOARMY Instagram story for just 24 hours before disappearing. Those born under other stars will have to get in touch with the Armys astrologer to learn which MOS will best align with their celestial fates. Unfortunately, there is no indication that any such soothsayer exists on the Armys payroll. Army Times request for comment from U.S. Army Recruiting Command about its employment of fortune tellers has not yet been returned.

https://www.armytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/06/04/did-the-army-hire-an-astrologer/

Can I count bitcoin as an expense on my self assessment?

Bitcoin has been in the news a lot in recent months. From rocketing prices driven by high profile investors to sudden drops following discussions about closer regulatory oversight, Bitcoin has attracted a lot of attention in its relatively short life. You may have found your way to this blog as an investor in Bitcoin, as someone trying to find out if it counts as an expense, or simply wondering what all the fuss is about! If you are unfamiliar with the intricacies of cryptocurrency then it can seem a complicated subject, but we will do our best to cut through the jargon and take the stress out of accounting. In this article we will discuss what Bitcoin is, how HMRC treats Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and any tax you may have to pay on an investment. The simple answer to this question is no, Bitcoin does not count as an expense on your Self Assessment. There are lots of allowable expenses such as travel, staff or clothing costs, that you might be entitled to claim, but this is not how Bitcoin is treated. Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies, is treated in the same way as trading stocks and shares. There is no tax placed on purchasing or holding Bitcoin, but it is subject to Capital Gains Tax when you make a disposal (a sale, exchange or gift). If you are wondering how to work out if you owe tax, or what your responsibilities are for reporting it, then you are in the right place. We will cover how to calculate your gains, how to pay any tax owed, and how to minimise your potential tax bill. But first, lets focus on what Bitcoin actually is. Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency a digital or virtual currency that can be traded or stored electronically. There are thousands of cryptocurrencies in existence but Bitcoin is by far the most valuable and most popular. The total market capital of all cryptocurrency is over 1 trillion with Bitcoin making up over half of that figure. Cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value; instead the value is based on the supply and demand and scarcity of assets. In effect, the value is defined by what another person is prepared to pay for it. Bitcoin is a decentralised currency, which means it operates without oversight from central banks. Transactions are carried over a network, with records recorded in a digital ledger called a blockchain. This lack of need for a bank or third party to be able to transfer money is one of the advantages of owning Bitcoin. You can buy or sell tokens (cryptocurrency) via exchanges or peer-to-peer, with transfers incurring minimal fees. This process also makes it very secure, with tokens stored in electronic wallets to which the owner accesses via a private key known only to them. In the last few years especially, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been extremely attractive to individuals as a source of investment. Whilst their values have soared from a decade ago, prices can, and do, fluctuate wildly. HMRC does not place any tax on buying or holding cryptocurrency, but you may be liable to pay tax when you dispose of an asset. A disposal is defined as selling assets for money, exchanging one type of cryptocurrency for another, using cryptocurrency to pay for goods or services, or gifting it to another individual. HMRC treats gains on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the same way as gains on other investments, such as as trading stocks and shares, or buying and selling artwork. Profits are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), which you will need to pay if the gains exceed your CGT allowance. The CGT allowance for 2021/22 is 12,300 and you will only need to pay tax if you exceed this amount. For example if you purchase 3,000 worth of bitcoin and sell it for 9,000, your profit is 6,000, so you would not be liable to pay CGT. 12,300 (CGT allowance) 6,000 (value of gains from sale) = 6,300 left of your CGT allowance still to use. It is important to note that cryptocurrencies are just one transaction that could make up your Capital gains Tax for the year. If you buy and sell stocks and shares as well as Bitcoin or if you sell a property or other valuable possessions then you will need to calculate the gains to see if you are still within your allowance or if you need to pay tax. If you frequently trade in cryptocurrency then you may need to pay other tax, as well as CGT. To understand if this applies to you, HMRC defines this level of trading as: Only in exceptional circumstances would HMRC expect individuals to buy and sell crypto assets with such frequency, level of organisation and sophistication that the activity amounts to a financial trade in itself. Effectively, you would need to be trading at a financial level or carrying this out as a business for this to apply. If you think this does apply to you then you can refer to HMRCs Cryptoassets Manual and read the guidelines on Income Tax, Corporation Tax, Stamp Duty and VAT. Well be honest with you, working out the gains on cryptocurrency can be a complicated process. To check if you need to pay Capital Gains Tax, you need to calculate your gain on each transaction that you make. A capital gain is the difference between the value of the asset when it is disposed and the value of the disposed asset at the time it was acquired. Essentially, you need to calculate how much you made when you sold the asset minus how much you paid for it. The selling price is the easiest part to work out as the latest prices are ready available, but it can be difficult finding the purchase price of Bitcoin you have held for several years. Refer to the section on record keeping further down to see how maintaining a complete record of transactions can really help when it comes to working out your Capital Gains Tax. Its also not just as simple as grabbing your calculator and subtracting the purchase value from the sale value. HMRC uses share pool accounting when calculating coin disposition, so you need to ensure that the currency you are selling relates to the same currency you have recorded the purchase against. The following order applies when disposing of cryptocurrency: Same day Rule: assets acquired on the same day as the disposal are used first. Bed and Breakfasting Rule: assets acquired within 30 days following the disposal. Crypto-pool: All assets purchased prior to the above. The average price is used when calculating disposal. What this means is that if you have Bitcoins you are selling, and you purchased them over several months, you will need to calculate the values based on the above order. This is in order to prevent investors disposing of an asset for a low price and buying it back soon after to minimise their capital gains. When calculating your CGT, here are a few things that you should take into account: Capital Gains Tax losses When working out your CGT gain be aware that you can claim capital losses and use them to offset any potential gains in the current tax year or future tax years (within 4 years of the tax year the loss was realised). This is similar to how you would use losses on stocks and shares to offset gains realised from sales. Allowable costs When working out your gains you should be aware that there are certain allowable costs that you are able to deduct. These include any advertising fees when looking for a buyer or seller, transaction fees paid before the transaction was added to the digital ledger (blockchain), and making or paying for a valuation so you can calculate the gain on a transaction. Gifting Bitcoin If you are thinking of gifting Bitcoin to a friend or a relative then be aware that if you gift it to anyone other than you spouse or civil partner, it will be classed as as a disposal and you will need to calculate the disposal value as the date of the gift. Yes! If you think that you dont have to pay your taxes on trading Bitcoin, then think again. HMRC have allocated a lot of resources to cracking down on individuals and business who dont accurately report their capital gains from trading cryptocurrency. HMRC can request and be provided with information on customers by cryptocurrency exchanges. Quite simply, if you havent exceeded your CGT allowance then you dont have to pay tax. Although, you will still need to report your gains if you are registered for Self Assessment and the amount you sold the Bitcoin for was worth at least four times more than your allowance (49,200). If you do exceed your allowance then what you pay depends on which tax bracket you are in. Higher rate tax payer If you are higher rate taxpayer (earning between 50,270 and 150,000) or an additional rate tax payer (earning over 150,000), you will pay 20% tax on your gains. For example: You purchase 5,000 worth of Bitcoin and sell it for 15,000. Then you purchase more bitcoin for 10,000 and sell it for 25,000. You calculate this as: 25,000 (gain on purchases vs sales) 12,300 (allowance) = 12,700 The tax you pay is calculated as 20% of 12,700 = 2,540 Basic rate taxpayer If you are a basic rate taxpayer (earning less than 50,270), the tax you pay depends on your taxable income and the size of your gain. Your taxable income is your income minus your Personal Allowance (12,570) and any other Income Tax Relief, such as pension contributions or charity donations. If your taxable income and capital gain are below 37,700, then you will pay a tax rate of 10%. If it exceeds 37,700, youll pay 10% on the value up to the threshold, and 20% on the rest. As an example, your taxable income is 25,000 and your taxable gains are 14,000. After deducting your CGT allowance of 12,300, you are left with an amount of 1,700. When added to your taxable income it gives you a figure of 26,700, which is below the threshold of 37,700. If you have done your sums and worked out that you need to pay Capital Gains Tax, then you can either complete a Self Assessment tax return or use the real time Capital Gains Tax service. The current tax year runs from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022, and you need to report any gains by 31 December in the tax year after you made the gain. Reporting and record keeping HMRC specify that you should keep records of every transaction you make, including the date of purchase, date of disposal, type of currency, value, and record of the pooled costs. If they need to check any of the information you have filed in your Self Assessment, then they can request access to the records. As weve already discussed, calculating the gains on cryptocurrency can be a complicated and time consuming process. For your own benefit, its worth having as much information to hand as possible when it comes to working out these calculations. I have been paid in Bitcoin. If you are an employee and you have been paid in Bitcoin this counts as earnings, so Income Tax and National Insurance will apply. Although, as an employee, this would be calculated and paid by your employer. If you are self-employed and you have been paid for your services in Bitcoin then the responsibility lies with you to report it on your Self Assessment. How to minimise your Capital Gains Tax The best way to minimise your capital gains is to make use of your CGT allowance. The allowance for 2021/22 is 12,300 so if you dont want to pay CGT you should work out your gains in the tax year and plan your disposals carefully. Gifts to your spouse or civil partner are non-taxable, which allows you to potentially double your CGT allowance (24,600 for this tax year). Finally, make use of any losses to offset potential gains. Summary Bitcoin, like all investments, comes with a degree of risk. The volatility of the cryptocurrency market places it at the high end of the risk spectrum, but it also has the potential for high reward. Just remember that like any investment, the profit you make can be subject to tax.

https://www.abcmoney.co.uk/2021/06/04/can-i-count-bitcoin-as-an-expense-on-my-self-assessment/

Has Covid-19 forced us to redraw our lifestyles?

Answers are not simple but profound to these questions. The Hans India popped these questions to a cross section of the people to elicit their response. The sum up says that reality is sinking slowly and that "isolation, distance and safety" are inherent to one another. A common refrain tells us that social isolation will slowly lead to individualism in public spaces. "This may not happen immediately. Yet, in the long term, and given that the same conditions keep repeating, there is every possibility that it will lead to a kind of selfishness. It might change the concept of our urban lifestyle itself. Public spaces might shrink or get more personalised," a software engineer from Vishakhapatnam, R Raman opines. "On the contrary, the value of familial bonds will go up. People have already started dining together at home. Watching movies with the family members, reading books and spending time with kids is back. These are some of the pluses," Vineet Jaiswal of Rajahmundry is sure. Ramana Murthy Vedula, a retired teacher from Vizianagaram, is happy that the pace of life has slowed down. "Children from abroad are calling us more...almost every day to enquire about our well being. Care and concern for the family have grown. The news of the tragedies is mellowing us. This could lead to greater empathy by and large, perhaps." He is 72 now. For students who are 'locked down' for more than a year, Covid-19 is redesigning not only their learning spaces but also their social construct. "The socio-political has become 'social-media political'. Even our protests have acquired a different shape. It is all about online petitions now. It also means wider participation. Earlier, personal interactions were key to opinion making but suggestions were hard to come by on the campuses. Now there is not much hesitation in speaking our minds. It may be so because it is all online and impersonal," says Shubham, a second year literature student of the Christian College of Benguluru and hailing from Nellore. N Acharyulu of Bharat Abhiyaan, a voluntary organisation, working for the betterment of rural spaces says, "Dependence on social media for public welfare is amazing. Requests for hospital beds, medicines etc, are flying fast and furious on our WhatsApps from all over. We could arrange medicare for a person in Vijayawada based on a request from a resident of New Delhi." The pandemic is impacting our lives in several ways. Even religious institutions have got connected to devotees online. Many youngsters have taken to teaching kids online on a part-time basis. New business opportunities are opening up. Maybe.

https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/has-covid-19-forced-us-to-redraw-our-lifestyles-689332

Can the Seattle Police Department Consent Decree Be Fixed?

by Paul Faruq Kiefer (This article was previously published on PubliCola and has been reprinted with permission.) On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council rejected a proposal to cut $2.83 million from the Seattle Police Department (SPD) budget, bringing an end to a months-long debate and raising questions about whether federal oversight is the right path toward reforming the department. For almost a decade, SPD has been under federal oversight through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice called a consent decree. The consent decree, which Seattle entered in 2012, was supposed to ensure that SPD corrected a pattern of using unjustified force and racially biased policing, among other reforms. But after nearly a decade, a growing contingent within city government and activist circles are questioning whether the consent decree is capable of changing SPD for the better. Earlier this week, Councilmember Lisa Herbold was unable to pass legislation cutting millions from SPDs budget thanks in large part to opposition from SPD and the court-appointed monitor tasked with tracking reforms, Dr. Antonio Oftelie. Herbold initially proposed cutting $5.4 million from the police budget to offset SPD overspending in 2020, and to channel resources to next years participatory budgeting program. When the plan finally fizzled on Tuesday, many who support additional cuts to the departments budget blamed Oftelie and the consent decree. We are seeing the consent decree being wielded as an obstacle to community demands to divest from policing and invest in community safety, said Anglica Chzaro, a University of Washington professor and organizer with the activist group Decriminalize Seattle. When in reality the surest way to address issues of racial profiling, use of force, and other violations of constitutional rights by cops is to reduce police power and contact and ensure that communities have what they need to be safe, survive, and thrive. Herbold has occasionally joined those critics. During a public safety committee hearing on May 25, for example, she commented that she often feels hampered by the consent decree because it requires us to get court approval before making any changes. Oftelie, however, argues that dismissing the consent decree as an obstacle overlooks its unused potential. At its most basic level, Oftelie told PubliCola, the agreement establishes a floor for new policies, better training, and more constitutional policing. Everything can be built on that floor. If Seattle wants to be innovative and transformative, theres room, he said. Those reforms could include the creation of a larger-scale civilian unit to respond to mental health crises, or stricter regulation of police officers off-duty work. And while the consent decree outlines a way to add new language to an agreement that reflects newer priorities for reform, Oftelie says that Seattle hasnt taken advantage of that provision. Seattle, as a city, has never come forward to the monitoring team to offer a new solution to a problem, he said. Some parties in Seattle say, we cant do something because the consent decree wont allow it. Or theyll say, we want the consent decree to do something that its not doing at the moment. My sense is that if the city could design some alternative response solutions and had plans to show how those were real solutions, then the court and DOJ would be amenable to that. In order to propose a revision to the consent decree, the mayor and the council would need to agree about the goals and details of the change. Some simpler changes, like replacing out-of-date and ineffective technology used to flag officers who are more likely to use excessive force, would only require the city to identify better software; others, like adjusting the consent decree to require a large-scale civilian crisis response program, would require lengthier debates and pilot programs to produce a workable proposal for the court and DOJ. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkans office did not respond to PubliColas request for comment about whether her office would support any changes to the consent decree. Herbold, however, said that she is open to proposing changes to the consent decree so long as the changes arent up to the council or the mayors office. Instead, Herbold argued that Seattles Community Police Commission would be better suited to gather feedback from the public about how to re-work the agreement, and that the community groups who initially advocated for the consent decree including the NAACP of Seattle-King County, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and United Indians of All Tribes should take a lead role in deciding how the agreement should change. If the plans for amending the consent decree are generated inside the halls of city government, we might prompt some people to wonder if were just trying to get out from under federal oversight, Herbold said. Theres still so much division in the community about the usefulness of the consent decree, so if we were to seek modifications to it, it should be led by stakeholders who initiated the consent decree. PubliCola has reached out to the Community Police Commission to ask whether they think amending the consent decree could create new opportunities for reform. There are limitations to what changes the city could propose to the consent decree. For instance, from Oftelies perspective, reducing SPDs budget without offering a viable civilian alternative would violate the consent decrees guidelines for providing constitutional policing a central pillar of the agreement, he said. Constitutional policing doesnt mandate a particular size for the police department thats for the city to grapple with, Oftelie said. But police departments can only shrink so much, Oftelie says, before their ability to train officers and do real community-based policing is compromised. As a result, he said, Seattle would likely see more cases in which police officers overreact or fail to de-escalate, not fewer. Oftelie doesnt believe that any civilian crisis response model exists that could replace police officers at large scale, and argues that in cities that are trying to replace some officers with mental health workers or crisis intervention teams, those civilians want police as backup in case something goes sideways. So this discussion of reducing police workload with civilian responders becomes a theoretical exercise. Chzaro, from Decriminalize Seattle, argues that the consent decrees emphasis on constitutional policing is a fundamental problem with the agreement. Consent decrees are based on legitimizing policing so long as departments meet a certain set of metrics [of] constitutional policing, she said. But the Constitution, as interpreted by a Supreme Court that has been eroding constitutional protections in the context of policing for decades, permits many forms of racial profiling and discriminatory policing, use of force, and killings. This is why efforts to reduce police harm must not be limited to the limited protections provided in federal law. Seattle remains partially out of compliance with the consent decree because of terms in the most recent contract with the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), the citys largest police union, that undercut an array of oversight reforms passed by the council in 2017. But Oftelie is still unsure how or whether the court can play a role in the next round of negotiations with SPOG, which are supposed to start by the end of 2021 at the earliest. For example, even though the federal district court judge who oversees the consent decree, Judge James Robart, might refuse to release the city from the agreement if the next union contract fails to address all the accountability problems in the previous one, Oftelie believes that he cant dictate the terms the city agrees to in its next contract with SPOG, Many in Seattles police accountability circles are frustrated that key questions about what the consent decree does and does not allow are still unresolved nearly a decade after the agreement went into effect. For Oftelie, the solution is relatively straightforward: the mayor and city council need to propose changes to the consent decree itself. And for others in Seattles police accountability sphere, the consent decree is inherently too inflexible to support serious changes to how the city approaches public safety. Seattle could achieve the goals set out in the consent decree by decreasing police contact, power, and funding, said Chzaro. We need to stop throwing good money after bad. We need to stop investing millions in investigations, failed reforms and consent decree oversight that could be spent on building genuine and lasting safety through community-based safety strategies and supportive services. For now, the Seattle Police Department is still out of compliance with a binding federal agreement, and the consent decree isnt going anywhere. Paul Faruq Kiefer is a journalist, historian, and born-and-bred Seattleite. He has published work with KUOW, North Carolina Public Radio, and The Progressive magazine, and he is currently working on a podcast for KUAF in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Paul reports on police accountability for PubliCola. Featured Image: Screenshot of Dr. Antonio Oftelie speaking to the Seattle Community Police Commission in May 2021. Photo courtesy of PubliCola. Before you move on to the next story Please consider that the article you just read was made possible by the generous financial support of donors and sponsors. The Emerald is a BIPOC-led nonprofit news outlet with the mission of offering a wider lens of our regions most diverse, least affluent, and woefully under-reported communities. Please consider making a one-time gift or, better yet, joining our Rainmaker Family by becoming a monthly donor. Your support will help provide fair pay for our journalists and enable them to continue writing the important stories that offer relevant news, information, and analysis. Support the Emerald!

https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/06/04/can-the-seattle-police-department-consent-decree-be-fixed/

What makes a movie a family movie?

THE FAMILY MOVIE GENRE: Recent films like (left to right) Finding Ohana, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and Flora and Ulysses highlight the ways that family both sustains and needs sustenance. (L to r: Netflix / Netflix / Disney+) In the early weeks of the pandemic in New York City, when ambulance sirens were our soundtrack and we skipped daily walks because of the morgue trucks parked a few blocks away, family movie night on Sundays was often the only thing that structured a long, monotonous day at the end of a long, monotonous week. For the first few months we found ample outlet for our various emotional states; we wept our way through Inside Out and laughed uproariously at Paddington 2. But as the year wore on and we found ourselves dredging the back catalogs for Rio 2, the magic was giving way to a monotony of its own. Imagine my delight, then, when this spring a new crop of family movies hit our streaming services, giving new life to our Sunday ritual. Flora and Ulysses (directed by Lena Khan, streaming on Disney+), Finding Ohana (directed by Jude Weng, streaming on Netflix), and The Mitchells vs. the Machines (directed by Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe, also on Netflix) were all widely enjoyed by all four members of our family (no small feat in itself). And all three illuminate the family movie formula: heroic adventure leads to renewed understanding of the family itself as a site of radical love and transformation. After 14 months of sustained research, Ive come to realize there is a difference between a kids movie and a family movie. A kids movie is something a kid can watch all by herself, even in excerpted scenes divorced from the plot as a wholethink Moana or the Frozen movies. The best of the genre recognize that adults may be along for the ride and build in plenty of wry humor and poignant themes. A kids movie can often make a perfectly lovely choice for family movie night. Kathryn Reklis Kathryn Reklis teaches theology at Fordham University and is codirector of the Institute for Art, Religion and Social Justice. See All Articles Jun 16, 2021 issue But family movies are a smaller subset of the kids movie genre. While they are still aimed at kids and their adults, they make the family itself the main subject of exploration. Usually a quirky member of the family (the outsider) drags the rest of the clan into a series of wild adventures that force the family to think explicitly about what makes them a family. Flora (Matilda Lawler), for example, from Flora and Ulysses, is a verbally precocious ten-year-old cynic, who, in the wake of her parents divorce, has already decided life is meaningless. Misunderstood by most people around her, she imagines the world populated by comic book characters her father created. She is, therefore, uniquely prepared to meet Ulysses, a squirrel accidentally imbued with superhero powers. As she and her parents try to save Ulysses from an overzealous animal control agent, they are forced to reckon with the fears and insecurities that threaten their family harmony. Her parents, both frustrated artists, have to see past their own self-doubt and open themselves to risk and change. In return, Flora learns that risk and change are necessary for hope, and hope is the key to the life and love she thought was meaningless. In Finding Ohana, Pili (Kea Peahu) hides a nerdy passion for geocaching under her Brooklyn street attitude. When her single mother drags Pili and her brother to visit their grandfather in Hawaii, Pili discovers an old pirate map that promises a treasure that just might save her ancestral home. She drags her brother and two other kids on an outlandish quest that follows the major beats of the 1980s film The Goonies, complete with booby traps and pirate curses (but thankfully without the originals racist stereotypes, misogyny, or open mockery of characters with disabilities). While Pili and her brother are deciphering pirate clues, their mother is on her own quest to reconcile with her father and her grief. By the time they all come out the other side, they realize the treasure they are really seeking is ohana, the Hawaiian word for home, belonging, or family. In the animated film The Mitchells vs. the Machines, teenage daughter Kate (voiced by Abbi Jacobson) has always felt misunderstood by her father (voiced by Danny McBride), who thinks shes wasting her life making YouTube videos instead of real things you can build with your hands. But when smartphones take over the world during their road trip to drop Kate off at film school, the Mitchells have to rely on their different strengths to battle the machines that threaten humanity. So too Kate and her dad have to learn to see how much they are shaped by their mutual entanglement. Family isnt just a bunch of weirdos you try to escape, Kate realizes. If you are lucky, family are your people, and they make you the awesome weirdo you always wanted to be. This is the fragile hope of the family movie: that families can be webs of love that expand to hold us through our fears, insecurities, self-discovery, and joy. The fear, of course, is that they are also traps of misunderstanding and false expectations: parents who narcissistically project their disappointments on their kids, kids who shut down in angry defiance. A year into the pandemic, these fears and hopes feel especially poignant. For many of us, the family has been our main (or only) source of emotional and social connection. My family, at least, has been profoundly aware that the nuclear family alone is not enough. We need structural supports from our society, like schools and child care. We need communal networks of friends and neighbors and strangers at playgrounds to practice our human skills with so we can come back to the home with joys to share or wounds to tend. But maybe this is why these family movies require superhero squirrels, pirate curses, or machine apocalypses to launch a quest of discovery: something has to break the ordinary slog of family life to help us see its potential for radical love, forgiveness, growth, and healing. A global pandemic certainly hasnt felt like a glamorous adventure quest, but thanks in part to family movie night, it has definitely been a journey to better understand what the family can be.

https://www.christiancentury.org/article/screen-time/what-makes-movie-family-movie

Is Congress being sidelined in Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi govt?

Congress is part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party are the two other alliance members. (Photo: Reuters) After the bizarre confusion over an announcement to lift the ongoing lockdown in Maharashtra on Thursday by Congress leader and state minister Vijay Wadettiwar, allegations of the Congress being "sidelined" in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government have gained currency again. On Thursday, minutes after Maharashtra's Disaster Management Minister Vijay Wadettiwar announced a five-level 'unlock' in the state, the Chief Minister's Office issued a clarification saying no decision has been taken to completely lift the lockdown in 18 districts where positivity rate is below 5 per cent. This episode is being seen as an embarrassment for the Uddhav Thackeray government in general, and the Congress in particular. However, this is not the first time that a Congress minister in Maharashtra had to face such an awkward situation. Earlier, the state government had publicly turned down demands/announcements made by Congress ministers on two occasions. Last year, Maharashtra's Energy Minister Nitin Raut had announced that considering the situation borne out of the lockdown, the state government will provide relief to power consumers in the form of certain concessions. This unilateral announcement by the Congress minister was soon overruled by the Uddhav Thackeray-led state government, and left the Congress fuming. In another instance, Nitin Raut, who is also head of Congress' Schedule Caste cell in Maharashtra, expressed strong objections over the scrapping of quota in promotions by the state government. Raut had also warned of a statewide agitation to put pressure on the government to withdraw its decision. Meanwhile, BJP leader and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a jibe on Thursday's episode and asked if the decision to lift the lockdown was overruled "because a minister wanted to take credit for the announcement". The Congress has however downplayed the issue. "Differences of opinion happen whenever there is a coalition government. These incidents cannot be called sidelining. This is not a single party government. If there is no Congress in this government, there will be no government," Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said. ALSO READ | Maharashtra govt announces five-level unlock plan, backtracks later ALSO READ | Maharashtra power minister makes u-turn, says no waiver in electricity bills

https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/is-congress-being-sidelined-in-maharashtra-s-maha-vikas-aghadi-govt-1811053-2021-06-04

How can firms drive a robust strategy to gain insights from their data and deliver it with confidence?

A Q&A with Mukesh Jain, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Vice President & Head Insights and Data Technology, Capgemini, and Noah Schwartz, GM, Product and Engineering, AWS Data Exchange. Mukesh Jain leads the team responsible for building 890 by Capgemini a fast-deployed, cloud-ready, platform-agnostic product that allows organizations to make actionable, data-powered decisions, backed by strong governance, privacy, and security. Jain discusses the need to embrace insights and analytics, the challenges facing organizations, and what they need from data-analytics solution providers. Organizations generate a tremendous amount of data. Jain: When I speak with executives, I hear them express a number of challenges that many organizations seem to share. First, they know their organization generates a lot of data that contains valuable insights, but their business users dont know what that data is or what value they can derive from it. Second, they believe building a data-analytics solution that meets their organizations specific needs and situation must be done from the ground up, which can take anywhere from eight months to a year. The commitment of resources that represents is significant and often feels prohibitive. Third, decision makers understand theres a lot of data outside their organization that is valuable and relevant to their own activities for example, data generated by partners. But they arent sure how to integrate that with their own data. Finally, they recognize that any time an organization seeks insights from its data, it must do so in a way that complies with all applicable regulations governing data protection. Those regulations vary by jurisdiction and are constantly evolving. Whats more, the applicable regulations may change depending on what data is being collected, who is collecting it, and how its being used. These challenges are huge impediments to unlocking the value of data particularly when one moves beyond a test environment and scales out data analytics to encompass the entire organization and its partners. Schwartz: Its hard for customers to make sense of the first-party data they generate. Were seeing more and more customers that need the ability to marry their first-party data to third-party data so they can run their business. For example, putting together a green investment strategy for a hedge fund requires all the typical market data, but also needs to be joined to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data. Simply put, its unlikely a business possesses all the data within the organization to make decisions like this. And there is immense time pressure to make these decisions, so discovering, licensing, and being able to use data quickly are critical. Discovery and licensing alone can take weeks. Needing to build custom IT capabilities to integrate the data can add months and then must be maintained forever. Thats a real distraction from, for example, the goal of putting together a green investment strategy. Jain: While many executives want to take advantage of their data, only 50 percent of the organizations Capgemini surveyed in 2020 reported that they actively promote data-driven decision-making. The good news is thats up from just 38 percent in 2018 but it still means half of all organizations are not actively embracing data. Even then, we found many of the decisions being taken are reactive. That survey found organizations used reactive decision-making approaches such as basing decisions on what happened in the past, or why things happened as they did in the past about 51 percent of the time. Many executives still tend to respond to what happened in the past, rather than being proactive with future-oriented data. And fewer than four in 10 respondents said they were able to harness their data to create a sustained competitive advantage, introduce new business models, or introduce new products and services. Jain: One word: trust. Only about 20 percent of business executives trust the data that their organization is collecting. And only about 40 percent feel that their organizations data and analytics strategy is properly aligned with their overall business strategy. The reasons for this lack of faith in their data strategy include concerns over the quality of the data, its collection, and the organizations data-access policies. Yet trusted data is crucial to enhance organizational agility and the organizations ability to derive value from its data. Jain: The right solution will allow businesses to become Data Masters. They have developed strong capabilities to harness their data both in terms of the tools and technology required, and the DNA within the organization that encourages data analysis and data-driven decision-making. These Data Masters are able to explore their data and unlock valuable insights and do it while complying with all applicable regulations. They have figured out how to harness their data to create simulations, run various scenarios, and make better decisions. And it works: In my experience, clients who have implemented 890 by Capgemini discover their data is more useful, and they end up using it more. We are able to bring in data from within the organization and external or third-party data from AWS data exchange and other data providers and make it available via API for people to use or blend to enrich their data. Schwartz: At least 90 percent of what we build at AWS is exactly what our customers are telling us that they need. We heard over and over again that data providers wanted a managed solution for metering, billing, entitlements, security, and distribution at scale. Subscribers wanted the experience of licensing data in the cloud to be as easy as it is to shop online today. To do that, we developed AWS Data Exchange, making it easy for customers to find, subscribe to, and use third-party data in the cloud. With our integration into 890 by Capgemini, AWS customers, with just a few clicks, have access to more than 3,000 data products from more than 200 qualified data providers, including thousands of free data sets for immediate entitlement and use. The ability to discover, license, and leverage external data within existing workflows minimizes the time needed to reach insights from the data. Jain: There are also benefits for data scientists and other technical users at an organization because theyre able to do things better and faster and reduce the pain their business users have experienced in the past when using other means to try to explore their data and extract value from it. That said, Capgeminis research has determined that only about one in six organizations can be considered Data Masters. The majority of companies weve surveyed are what we would call Data Laggards. They are weak in both the tools and the culture required to harness their data to their advantage. Jain: I think history is littered with examples of Data Laggards. Over the past 25 years, Ive seen example after example of companies that have not leveraged their data, only to have a competitor overtake them. Look at the top companies on the Fortune 500 list: You dont have to go back very far to discover past leaders that no longer exist. The leaders of any organization need to take decisions based on data. Its that simple. Yet its immensely challenging to absorb and interpret and understand all the data thats available to them. Executives need tools to help them and the right type of tool is critical. With the right solution, executives can, for example, run alternate scenarios they can model the impact that changes to marketing will have on their sales, or how a change to customer service might affect overall satisfaction, and many other features for various scenarios. Jain: They must trust how the data is being collected, processed, and analyzed, so they must work with a solution provider with a proven track record in this area. The solution must feature robust rules of access and regulatory compliance, and it must easily integrate data from several sources including older data sources and data from partners. Speed of deployment is important, as is security of data and scalability. These were all must-have features when we developed the 890 by Capgemini solution and it is why companies, governments, consortiums, and other organizations are embracing it. With 890 by Capgemini, we deliver to our clients an organization-spanning workspace thats fully configurable, with a rich suite of ready-to-use AI and analytics tools. We designed our solution to make it easy for all users to analyze, model, and visualize the data and the results, to drive insights and outcomes that create value for their organization. In todays environment, extracting value-generating insights from an organizations data is no longer a choice. Its the only choice. Visit this page to know more about our Insights & Data services. Authors Mukesh Jain is Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Vice President and Head Insights & Data Technology at Capgemini. He is a veteran in the data, analytics, and artificial intelligence space with 25-plus years of experience building large scale products at Capgemini, Microsoft, Jio, and NICE Systems. He is a known figure in the industry and often speaks at internal conferences on these topics. He is active in teaching at several universities and is the author of two books. Noah Schwartz is the GM of Product and Engineering for AWS Data Exchange. He joined AWS in 2017 and has spent most of his career in a role building technology to generate or use data to answer questions across FSI, CPG, and Sports. Prior to joining AWS, he was the CTO of Bloomberg Sports, Head of R&D at Dow Jones, and Head of Engineering for Risk & Regulatory Data at Bloomberg.

https://www.capgemini.com/2021/06/how-can-firms-drive-a-robust-strategy-to-gain-insights-from-their-data-and-deliver-it-with-confidence/

Who are Alabama's top uncommitted recruiting targets for the 2022 class?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Alabama might as well have had a turnstile on its campus the past couple of days with in-person recruiting opening up and top recruits from all over the country dropping in for their time with Nick Saban and his coaching staff. In that spirit, The Athletic is focusing in on recruiting: The Crimson Tides current 2022 class consists of six members Here are some of the current top uncommitted targets for the 2022 class (listed in alphabetical order):Terrance Brooks, CBThe four-star cornerback from Plano, Texas, is a player at a position of need for the Crimson Tide.

https://theathletic.com/2632177/2021/06/04/who-are-alabamas-top-uncommitted-recruiting-targets-for-the-2022-class/

Who Will Stand With Queen Elizabeth At Her Birthday Parade?

Due to the pandemic, this is the second year in a row Queen Elizabeth II, who turned 95 on April 21, won't mark her official birthday in London with the traditional Trooping the Colour parade. Buckingham Palace confirmed in March that the annual event was canceled one again: "Following consultation with Government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that The Queen's Official Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London." Instead, the monarch will celebrate her 95th birthday at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace announced on June 4. "Her Majesty will view a parade held by the Household Division and The Queen's Colour of F Company Scots Guards will be trooped in the Quadrangle of #WindsorCastle," the statement read. Per the Daily Mail, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles are expected to attend, as are Prince William and Kate Middleton. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will skip the ceremony, according to Elle. Sadly, this will mark Queen Elizabeth's first Trooping the Colour and her first birthday celebration following her husband Prince Philip's death on April 9. Thankfully, she won't be alone this year. Keep scrolling to find out who will serve as the queen's "plus one" on June 12.

https://www.nickiswift.com/428895/who-will-stand-with-queen-elizabeth-at-her-birthday-parade/

How Does Joe Biden Really Feel About Dr. Fauci?

While a large percentage of the United States population fell a little in love with Dr. Anthony Fauci over the course of the pandemic in 2020, that isn't true of the whole country. A large number of conservatives and Donald Trump supporters see the scientist, who often contradicted the former president in press briefings, as something of an enemy. President Joe Biden has always expressed support for Dr. Fauci, but after The Washington Post and BuzzFeed News obtained and published a trove of the doctor's 2020 emails, there are those who wonder if that support has waned at all. One of the issues mentioned in the emails is the theory that coronavirus was "engineered" in a lab in Wuhan, China, per The Wall Street Journal. The political right is particularly interested in this, according to the BBC, as they claim that Dr. Fauci was burying evidence that COVID-19 was, in fact, created in a lab. For his part, Dr. Fauci said his emails were "misconstrued" and can easily "be taken out of context," per News Nation Now. He also explained that he noted in one of the emails that he thinks "the most likely origin [of COVID-19] is a jumping of species." He added that "I still do think it is," but noted he is "also keeping an open mind that it might be a lab leak."

https://www.nickiswift.com/428925/how-does-joe-biden-really-feel-about-dr-fauci/

Is the U.S. online gambling scene feeling the economic crunch?

Published Friday, Jun. 4, 2021, 2:12 pm Join AFP's 100,000+ followers on Facebook Purchase a subscription to AFP Subscribe to AFP podcasts on iTunes and Spotify News, press releases, letters to the editor: augustafreepress2@gmail.com Advertising inquiries: freepress@ntelos.net The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the daily lives of millions of people around the world. One of the major changes we have witnessed throughout the pandemic has been the closure of entertainment venues. Casinos are a good example and because they are a place where people come together and close in contact with each other, casinos were forced to close their doors during the worst times of the pandemic. However, while the land-based casino sector was left reeling by COVID-19, the same cannot be said for online casinos. At the time of writing, New Jersey is the largest market for regulated online gambling in the United States and you will find a huge selection of online casinos available to people who reside in the Garden State. In addition to the numerous licensed online casinos, you will also find a number of sportsbooks and online sports betting apps in New Jersey. Looking at the figures, New Jersey brings in $225 million a year from online gambling and other states, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia have also witnessed strong revenues from online gambling. An online gambling report based on the United States predicted the online gambling market will increase by a compound annual growth rate of 17.32% between 2021 and 2026. New Jersey is expected to be at the forefront of the growth but there are some early signs that the US online gambling scene is beginning to feel the economic crunch witnessed elsewhere. Between the months of March and April 2021, even NJ saw a drop in revenue, which will come as something of a shock to many people involved in the industry. The total iGaming revenue for the month of March in New Jersey was $113.7 million but it dropped to a figure of $107.7 million, a loss of $5 million. Sports gambling revenue has also seen a fall between March and April 2021. Total sports betting revenue fell from $60.8 million in March to $54.8 million in April, a drop of $6 million. You must go back to July 2020 to find the last time the average revenue per day dropped in the New Jersey iGaming industry. These figures do not necessarily translate to other states in the country but it will come as a warning to states where revenue has consistently been on the rise for some time. In terms of the reasons why we have seen a drop in revenue, especially in New Jersey, the opening of land based casinos could be a factor. With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in Atlantic City, more people can return to land based casinos. Some of these people may have turned to online gambling when land-based casinos were closed but would prefer to play casino games in a physical casino than online. However, by analyzing the figures between April 2020 and April 2021, online gambling in the United States is continuing to rise and it will be interesting to see the difference between the figures come April 2022. Story by Jon Mayhew Related Comments

https://augustafreepress.com/is-the-u-s-online-gambling-scene-feeling-the-economic-crunch/

Who is Fareed Zakarias wife Paula Throckmorton?

THE popular CNN host was married to his wife Paula Throckmorton for nearly 21 years. Their divorce made headlines but the two seem to have kept things friendly. Paula is a jewelry designer, meditation teacher, and writer. Her writing has been published by major outlets including Slate, Wall Street Journal, and Huffington Post. At one point she was the president and publisher of the Black Book, a photography journal and sourcebook based in New York. Paula and Fareed share three children, Omar, Lila and Sofia. In 2018, she filed for divorce from Fareed after 21 years of marriage citing an "irretrievable breakdown" in their marriage. The couple first split in 2011 with Fareed releasing a statement saying "It's true that we're having troubles and I have taken a small apartment a few blocks away, but I still live at our house most days of the week. We're trying to work things out. Divorce is not on the horizon." Unfortunately, the couple was unable to reconcile their relationship but appeared to have an amicable divorce. In a 2019 New York Times interview, Sanjay ran through his Sunday morning routine and co-parenting explaining that he sends his daughter Sofia on the train from his apartment in the Upper West Side to her mother in Rhinebeck, New York. Most read in Celebrity Breaking BELL'S BUSTED Drake & Josh star Drake Bell 'charged with endangering children' Exclusive SPELLING TROUBLE! According to Celebrity Net Worth, Fareed has an estimated net worth of $12 million with a salary of $5 million. The CNN host and his wife owned several properties including a $3.4million West 102nd Street townhouse and a $2.1million county estate in Rhinebeck which they supposedly split. Fareed has amassed his wealth working as a journalist and author at outlets such as CNN, Newsweek, Time magazine, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3017194/who-is-fareed-zakarias-wife-paula-throckmorton/

Why is Katie Beasley leaving Good Day Atlanta?

AFTER nearly ten years as a host, Katie Beasley announced she was leaving Good Day Atlanta. Her last day at Fox 5 will be June 5, 2021. On an episode of Good Day Atlanta, Katie announced: I simply want to share more mornings at home with my family. I know this time with my children is precious, and I don't want to miss any of it." "So right now, that means taking a step back from this career I love to really focus on being a wife and mother. My dream growing up was to deliver the news in my hometown, and I will always be grateful to Fox 5 for giving me this amazing opportunity, Beasley said. 3 Katie Beasley co-hosted Good Day Atlanta for eight years Credit: Instagram You welcomed me into your homes from day one, and I can never say thank you enough for the love, kindness, and support you have shown me and my family over the years. She added: My family isnt going anywhere. Atlanta is home and always will be. So hopefully we can stay connected on social media, as I navigate this new chapter in my life. Katie married her high school sweetheart in 2013, gave birth to a daughter in 2015 and welcomed a son in 2018. She and her family live in Fulton County. She co-hosted the 10am hour, which launched two years ago, as well as provided traffic reports. Katie, who joined Fox5 in 2013, hosted Good Day Atlanta for eight years. Katie grew up Cherokee County and graduated from the University of Georgia. 3 Katie Beasley provided the weather report as well as co-hosted the 10am hour on Fox 5 Credit: Instagram Before joining Fox 5, she was an anchor at WRDW-TV in Augusta. Katie has been recognized with three Georgia Association of Broadcasters Awards, one Georgia Associated Press Award and one Georgia Association of Broadcasters Merit Award. Good Day Atlanta fans took to Twitter to share their disappointment over Katie's departure. If you ask Google, @KatieBFOX5 and I are married with kids...... I also get asked a lot if Katie is my sister or if we are related. None of those statements are true, but we ARE good friends :) I will miss sending it to the other BeAsley for traffic and your vibrant smile. pic.twitter.com/CdKkquQIDg Ryan Beesley (@RyanBeesleyFox5) June 4, 2021 Most read in Entertainment 'THIS IS GROSS' Teen Mom Farrah called 'disgusting' after Sophia poses with pregnancy test 'JINGER IN JORDANS!' Duggar fans praise Jinger for wearing Jordans despite strict family Exclusive SPELLING TROUBLE! Teen Mom Catelynn's access to daughter Carly, 12, 'limited by adoptive parents' Exclusive A JLO-W BLOW Ben Affleck's dad breaks silence on Jennifer Lopez reunion "If you ask Google, @KatieBFOX5 and I are married with kids...... I also get asked a lot if Katie is my sister or if we are related. None of those statements are true, but we ARE good friends :) I will miss sending it to the other BeAsley for traffic and your vibrant smile," wrote her co-worker Ryan Beesley. "Time flies when you are having fun!! Katie we will miss your smiling face! I wish you and your family the best!! You deserve it all!" a viewer wrote.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3017638/katie-beasley-good-day-atlanta-departure/

Who is Brian Stelters wife Jamie Shupak Stelter?

BRIAN Stelter and Jamie Shupak Stelter are both on air reporters in New York City. The two connected through their similar careers and connections. Jamie is an Emmy nominated journalist working in New York City. She is currently on-air as a traffic anchor for NY1, the New York News TV station. The 37-year-old was born in Philadelphia and studied at the University of Maryland. The perky brunette joined NY1 back in 2010 and became a "local cult favorite" according to the New York Post. Speaking about her early schedule working the morning news Jamie admitted, I love the idea of waking people up in the morning. I never really want a 9-to-5 job." She also began writing a dating column for Complex magazine sharing her experiences dating in the Big Apple. Then in 2013, she published a novel, Transit Girl, loosely based off her life as she coped with her cheating ex-fianc, her dream job as a transit reporter, and dating in Manhattan. Jamie had to give up the dating column when she married Brian Stelter in 2014. The couple met on Twitter when Brian began following her tweets regarding a 2010 blizzard. They had a Jewish wedding ceremony in Philadelphia and have started a family in the Upper West Side. Reinforcing their status as a New York City power couple, their marriage was reported in The New York Times. The couple have two children, a daughter born in 2017 and a son born in 2019. Most read in Celebrity Breaking BELL'S BUSTED Drake & Josh star Drake Bell 'charged with endangering children' Exclusive SPELLING TROUBLE! Brian's net worth has reportedly been estimated at $10 million. He has amassed his wealth through his career as a the chief media correspondent for CNN and host of the networks show Reliable Sources. The 35-year-old previously worked as a media reporter for The New York Times and as the editor of TVNewser.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3017738/who-is-brian-stelters-wife-jamie-shupak-stelter/

Why was Drake Bell charged and arrested?

ON June 4, 2021, it was announced that former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell was arrested and charged. Bell featured on the hit kids program Drake and Josh from 2004 to 2007. Drake Bell was arrested in Ohio and charged with the attempted endangering of children. Court documents also show that the actor is facing charges of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. 3 Drake Bell was arrested but pled not guilty to charges of child endangerment Credit: Cuyahoga County Jail Drake appeared in Cuyahoga County court in Cleveland, Ohio on June 3, pleading not guilty to his charges and posting a $2,500 bond. The bond ordered him to have no contact with his alleged victim. The alleged incident happened four years ago in December 2017. He was not indicted until May 2021. He will return to court on June 23rd. The Nickelodean star was previously accused of "verbal and physical abuse" by his ex-girlfriend, though he also denied those claims. Melissa Lingafelt, who goes by the stage name Jimi Ono, claimed in a TikTok video that she was subjected to "the worst type of verbal abuse you could imagine," which she claimed later turned physical. The pair dated in 2006 for around two years before they called it quits. Lingafelt said, "I started dating Drake when I was 16. I was homeschooled, I moved in with him. I was singing. It wasn't until about a year when the verbal abuse started, and when I say verbal abuse, imagine the worst type of verbal abuse you could imagine and that's what I got." 3 Drake Bell and former co-star Josh Peck Credit: Rex Features She continued, "The verbal abuse then turned to physical. Hitting, throwing. Everything. At the pinnacle of it, he dragged me down the stairs in our house in Los Feliz, my face hit every step on the way down. I have photos of this." "I don't even want to get into the underaged girls thing," she said. "I mean, I will. But I'm scared." Bell said that he "never abused my ex-girlfriend or did so many of the other things Melissa falsely claimed on her TikTok video," in a statement to PEOPLE. The actor then said Lingafelt's actions were a "misguided quest for more money or attention," and that he is reviewing "legal options." Drake hasn't officially stated why the change occurred, but it seems to be down to his big fan base in Mexico. In a move to appeal to that market more, this could explain the change. On Instagram and Twitter his surname is now Campana and his bio reads "Para mis mejores amigos", which is Spanish and according to Google Translate means "For my best friends". Most read in Entertainment 'THIS IS GROSS' Teen Mom Farrah called 'disgusting' after Sophia poses with pregnancy test 'JINGER IN JORDANS!' Duggar fans praise Jinger for wearing Jordans despite strict family Exclusive SPELLING TROUBLE! Teen Mom Catelynn's access to daughter Carly, 12, 'limited by adoptive parents' Exclusive A JLO-W BLOW Ben Affleck's dad breaks silence on Jennifer Lopez reunion Campana is also a direct translation of Bell, so it seems he's just done a simple translation, but he hasn't confirmed if he's made the change legally too. This isn't the first time Drake has made a move to appear Mexican or Spanish, as in November 2019 he claimed on Twitter he wouldn't be writing in English any more, only Spanish. Since then he's released music in Spanish and has hinted at focusing his attentions more on Mexico than the US in a meme-inspired Instagram post.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/3018008/drake-bell-arrested-charged-child-endangerment/

How do we report on Trump's dastardly schemes without amplifying his lies and incitement?

There were many things that we thought would go away when Donald Trump left office but didn't. Somewhere near the top of the list is the interminable debate over whether ignoring him will make him disappear. There really is no answer to this question, alas. Team Ignore is right that the media fascination with Trump only helped him amplify his message and amass an army of trolls. Team Pay Attention, however, is right to note that the rise of American fascism that Trump represents is a story much bigger than Donald Trump himself, and that the only chance we have of stopping it rests on an awareness of what's going on. This debate is rearing its head again because Trump, who has been banned from Facebook and Twitter, has been angling for ways to keep injecting the Big Lie that Joe Biden stole the 2020 election into the public discourse. In many ways, he's succeeding. The entire Republican Party has been reorganized around the Big Lie, marshaling all its resources to cover up Trump's attempted insurrection and pass state-level laws restricting voting, using the Big Lie as their excuse. In addition, a series of surrogates like Michael Flynn and Mike Lindell have been holding events where they stoke the base's anger and unsubtly sow enthusiasm for another violent uprising. Clearly, however, this is not enough for Trump, since his epic narcissism demands that the media focus almost exclusively on him and his personality, not on all these other people acting on his behalf. But without Twitter, which was his favored medium for getting attention in the same way someone puking in your lap gets attention, he's been struggling. He got Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., ousted from the GOP leadership, but it was her picture, not his, that accompanied most of the stories about it. Stories about QAnon nuttery are more likely to show the "QAnon shaman" than Trump himself. Stories about his various kooky surrogates tend to focus headlines and pictures on that motley crew, not on Trump himself. Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Despite his best efforts to control the news cycle, Trump is losing his grip. Mentions of Trump in national media coverage have dramatically fallen off. Trump's social media mentions have gone down by 91% since January. His effort to recreate his Twitter power by starting a blog was a humiliating failure. Without Twitter forcing his lies and invective into the timeline of pundits and influencers, who would then retweet them in outrage, most of his nonsense is simply being ignored. Within less than a month, Trump gave up on his blog and shut it down It is likely no coincidence that right around that time, stories based on claims by anonymous sources "close to Trump" (which often means Trump himself) started to tick up. It began when New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, a longtime outlet for Trump "leaks", tweeted that Trump has been telling people close to him that he believes he'll reinstated as president in August. This tweet echoed a conspiracy theory from the QAnon and Q-adjacent world, and coincided with an uptick in far-right chatter about how the American right should look to Myanmar's February military coup for inspiration. After Haberman's tweet, the Washington Post strengthened this narrative with a story about how Trump is "increasingly consumed with the notion that ballot reviews pushed by his supporters around the country could prove that he won" and is peddling the idea that such "audits" which are deliberately messy and nonsensical affairs "could result in his return to the White House this year." The Daily Beast confirmed that "the ex-president had begun increasingly quizzing confidants about a potential August return to power." This reporting gave Fox News all the excuse they needed to amplify the message. Even though that came in the form of Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, denying the reporting, the end result was another round of news stories reinforcing the basic concepts: August is the month. A violent coup. Trump's miraculous reinstatement. This is entirely too similar to the way Trump got the message out to his followers to stage a revolt on Jan. 6, through winking and nudging. So far, the big difference is that no exact date and location, as far as I can tell, has been established for a MAGA uprising. As much as liberals resist the idea that Trump has any wits at all, what he's doing is not exactly mysterious. He wants to get this particular message out, vaguely claiming that a glorious revolution will restore him to power later this year, and he's using the mainstream press to do it. To make things worse, he's exploiting the liberal desire to point at him and laugh to spread the message further. Every time a liberal shares one of these stories and calls Trump and his followers "delusional" for thinking that some extra-constitutional return to power is possible, they help spread the word while also reminding Trump supporters how "owned" liberals would be if there really were a "storm" that swept Trump back into the White House in August. Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. Hence the conundrum that faces the media. On one hand, letting a wannabe fascist manipulate journalists to spread his message inciting sedition and violence seems like a huge mistake. On the other hand, it's clearly newsworthy that a former president who already incited one insurrection is busy cooking up another one, or at least encouraging others to do so. Attention aids Trump's strategy. But ignoring the tide of American fascism isn't exactly a smart move, either. Arguably, the unwillingness to take such chatter seriously is one reason the Jan. 6 insurrectionists got as far as they did. Furthermore, one major reason Trump was unable to steal the 2020 election is because progressives took his efforts seriously from the beginning, inspired in large part by journalists who took the threat seriously from the beginning. The baseline premise of journalism is simple: Tell the truth about what's going on. So while it is absolutely nerve-wracking to see Trump use the press to communicate the when (August) and the what (another coup attempt) that he longs for to his followers, it is hard to fault the journalists involved. A former president is plotting for ways to overthrow the government! No matter how you slice it, this conundrum is only going to get worse over the summer. Trump is reportedly bringing back his rallies, and while they're being advertised as a "comeback" for his potential 2024 campaign, the safe bet is that the focus will largely be on 2020 and Trump's false claims that he should be president right this minute. The rallies will be newsworthy. But it will also be true that if the press ignores the rallies, as they ignored Trump's blog, it'll be difficult for him to keep the incitement going. Sunlight may be the best disinfectant, but it also is the best illumination. Since ignoring Trump into oblivion does not seem possible, perhaps the best and only thing to do is to pay close attention and prepare to keep up the resistance.

https://www.salon.com/2021/06/03/how-do-we-report-on-trumps-dastardly-schemes-without-amplifying-his-lies-and-incitement/

Is Starbucks having a shortage?

STARBUCKS remains a beloved coffee chain in the United States and all over the world. But the company is facing an unprecedented issue in their supply chain. Starbucks has recently announced that they've paused two fan-favorite drinks. Fans of the Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher and Peach Green Tea Lemonade will be disappointed to know that they're no longer on the menu. But the company confirmed that these two drinks will be back soon. However, many Starbucks stores have found themselves with shortages of other items. 3 No more Very Berry Refreshers Credit: Getty Images - Getty Many stores are out of mocha and caramel syrups. Even some food items, like croissants and cake pops, have been removed from the menu. Staple items, like oat milk, aren't back on the Starbucks shelves quite yet, either. A spokesperson for Starbucks said that thanks to issues in the supply chain, the company is experiencing some shortages. 3 Caramel shortages Credit: AFP - Getty "We are experiencing temporary outages of some of our products and are working quickly to restock your favorites," they said. "Some stores are experiencing outages due to the overwhelming popularity on menu items, and constraints in the supply chain." While it remains to be seen when the syrups and the teas will be back on the Starbucks roster, oat milk still hasn't returned to the shelves and there's no telling when it will return. FOURTH BE WITH YOU A fourth Covid stimulus check could soon land in your bank account The issues haven't been resolved more than two months after the Starbucks shortage was first reported. A company spokesperson has promised updates, but so far, they haven't been forthcoming. The only thing customers know is that the oat millk will return "soon."

https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/3017857/starbucks-shortage-what-we-know/

Why were so many geese found dead near a fountain in the Cane Bay Plantation community?

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Nearly two dozen geese were found dead or dying around a pond at the entrance to Cane Bay Plantation in Berkeley County this week. Geese are very family-oriented. They have very strong bonds, they mate for life said Mary Jordan, a volunteer with Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. Usually, when you see flocks, thats a family. They look out for each other unfortunately, a whole family was wiped out. It breaks my heart. It breaks my heart. News 2 called the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources who came out to investigate the problem. The fountain at the neighborhood entrance has not worked for several years and the water level is very low. With the walls of the fountain being so high, juvenile geese are not able to get out. Geese dont know, you know, they see water and they figure my baby is safe in there- but theyre not. Its not high enough for them to get out, Jordan said. SCDNR officials say the geese likely died of hypothermia since they were never able to dry themselves off. They also were not able to eat. They found one adult with the geese; the others were juveniles. DNR believes that may have been a mother goose trying to take care of the young. There is now a piece of wood in the fountain to give them assistance. Jordan said her husband was at the fountain on Thursday and found 16 of these geese dead. Im glad I didnt see that because I dont think I wouldve been able to hold it together. I mean, Im barely holding it together because I know shes going. There were three geese alive on Thursday. One died while he was on the way home in the truck. We had two and one of them passed away during the night, said Jordan. This is the last goose still alive. Thats a sign that shes dying. Jordan says she is trying to give this goose as much comfort as possible. I usually hold them because I dont want them to die alone or think that theyre not loved; I know that probably sounds weird but thats how I am, I dont want them to die alone.

https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/berkeley-county-news/why-were-so-many-geese-found-dead-near-a-fountain-in-the-cane-bay-plantation-community/

How Big is the Cannabis Manufacturing Industry?

(MENAFN Newsfile Corp) VIVO Cannabis (TM) launches premium topical CBD cream with terpenes: a unique formulation for medicinal users. Toronto, Ontario (Newsfile Corp. June 3, 2021) VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSX: VIVO) (OTCQX: VVCIF) (VIVO or the Company), a leading provider of premium cannabis products and Cannabis Act services and license holders through its wholly owned subsidiaries Canna Farms Limited (Canna Farms) and ABcann Medicinals Inc. (ABcann), today announced the launch of Beacon Medical Extra Strength CBD | T Cream. an innovative topical cannabis topical cream for Canadian medical patients. With 500 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) per 50 gram unit, in a proprietary formulation that contains carefully selected ingredients with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties along with skin penetration enhancers, Beacon Medical Extra Strength CBD | T cream was created according to the principles of the Entourage designed to achieve synergies of bioactive ingredients and provide optimal symptom relief in medical conditions.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264628782004/how-big-is-the-cannabis-manufacturing-industry

Does Darren die in Hollyoaks?

Darrens life is on the line, as The Lofts sign comes crashing down on him (Picture: Lime Pictures) Hollyoaks legend Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson) is left fighting for his life tonight, after a shocking incident occurs outside The Loft. The young man is desperate to make a decision between Mandy Richardson (Sarah Jayne Dunn) and Nancy Osborne (Jessica Fox). After sleeping with the former, Darren will no doubt be riddled with guilt in tonights E4 first-look edition of the Channel 4 soap, given that he was only recently completing a reunion with the latter. He decides to face his dilemma head on, however, and following a conversation with best mate Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy) he at last makes a decision. Darren texts Mandy to meet him at The Loft, but before he can reveal his choice, tragedy strikes. Darren is left fighting for his life following a tragic event (Picture: Lime Pictures) Its currently unknown as to whether or not Darren dies in Hollyoaks. The Lofts snazzy new sign was tampered with by devilish Fergus Collins (Robert Beck) and sidekick Timmy (Sam Tutty). Darren meets with Mandy under said sign, which becomes loose and collapses to the floor. The mainstay of the serial drama makes every effort to get Mandy out of harms way, judging by the Summer trailer, which teased the scene in question. However, he himself is left in a bad way. Upcoming scenes will see Darren transferred to hospital ,where he slips into a coma. Nancy and Mandy, incredibly worried, wait outside the hospital for news on the young man, but things become a little awkward when Mandy is allowed in for a visit, given that shes still Darrens wife. 15 new Hollyoaks images reveal Darren death trauma, Nancy's revenge & Grace's downfall Nancy, meanwhile, makes it her mission to find out what transpired, and therefore she confronts Grace Black (Tamara Wall). Hollyoaks continues Friday June 4 at 7pm on E4. If youve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk wed love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE : Hollyoaks spoilers: 15 new images reveal Darren left to die, Nancys revenge and Graces deal with the devil MORE : 25 soap spoilers: Coronation Street new pub landlords, EastEnders sex shock, Emmerdale seduction, Hollyoaks Darren left to die

https://metro.co.uk/2021/06/04/does-darren-die-in-hollyoaks-14721271/

When is Open Cambridge returning in 2021?

Published: 7:00 PM June 4, 2021 Cambridges much-loved festival of history and culture will return this September with an extended programme of free live and digital events for everyone across the region to take part in and enjoy. This year's Open Cambridge, which is supported by the Cambridge BID, takes place from September 10 to September 19, 2021. St John's College gate in Cambridge. - Credit: Supplied by Open Cambridge The event has extended its usual run of three days to 10 days of tours, walks, films, talks and a host of activities that bring together local people and visitors to celebrate the unique heritage, culture and community of Cambridge. The University of Cambridge Public Engagement team, the organisers of Open Cambridge, are keen to ensure it is a city-wide celebration. The market in Cambridge. - Credit: Sir Cam Alongside the many live and digital events that will be on offer, they are asking people to get involved on social media by sharing their own stories that highlight the citys culinary heritage and culture under the Heritage Open Days theme edible England. Open Cambridge coordinator Sue Long said: The team are truly delighted to be hosting a live, in person event this year, alongside an extended digital offering. "Cambridge has so much to offer as a foodie city, so the theme this year is very fitting. As it is completely open to interpretation, we are expecting a range of intriguing events that really bring the citys uniqueness and flavour to life. We are also really looking forward to the whole community embracing the theme and sharing their own memories and old photos on our social media sites. Punting in Cambridge. - Credit: Sir Cam During the 10 days, everyone will have the opportunity to see hidden places and try out new experiences that bring to life this university city. With local stories at its heart, the free event is part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme, which is designed to offer special access to places that are normally closed to the public or charge admission. A fire station open day in 2018 as part of Open Cambridge. - Credit: Supplied by Open Cambridge Anyone can share their knowledge and experiences of the city, and, while there is a theme, organisers are keen to stress that social media posts do not have to be focussed just on food either. It could be anything from a secret, hidden part of the city they love to visit, their favourite building, a forgotten recipe, best places to forage for wild food, an interesting, little-known story about the citys past or present, or perhaps a tale or two of some of the many fascinating people and characters who have lived in Cambridge. Past Open Cambridge events have included a peek behind-the-scenes at the Cambridge Mosque. - Credit: Supplied by Open Cambridge Past Open Cambridge events have included a peek behind-the-scenes at the Cambridge Mosque and the ADC Theatre, a rare tour of the Parker Library, and fun and games at the Cambridge fire station. Specialist guides have offered tours of Cambridge University Colleges exquisite gardens, museums, galleries, and libraries. The lady in the hat from the Mill Road History Society Cambridge Collection. - Credit: MRHS Cambridge Collection Mill Road History Society has led walking tours and talks, bringing the rich history of the city to life by introducing visitors to some of the people and places that have made it the powerhouse it is today. This year promises to be much the same and more. For more information about Open Cambridge visit the website www.opencambridge.cam.ac.uk View from Great St Mary's tower in Cambridge. - Credit: Supplied by Open Cambridge

https://www.royston-crow.co.uk/things-to-do/cambridge-open-2021-event-dates-8028190

Can religion assist sustainable ecological development?

World Environment Day on June 5, is the one of the most important dates on the calendar to celebrate our environment, and ramp up global efforts to save the planet. On WED this year 2021, the UN will be launching a campaign to initiate the Decade for Ecosystem Restoration. Eco-systems and their value Ecosystems are the web of life on Earth. An eco-system comprises all the living organisms and the interactions among them and with their surroundings in a given place. They exist at all scales, from a grain of soil to the entire planet, and include forests, rivers, wetlands, grasslands, estuaries and coral reefs. Cities and farmlands contain important human-modified ecosystems. Ecosystems provide us with priceless benefits. They include a stable climate and breathable air; supplies of water, food and materials of all kinds; and protection from disaster and disease. Natural ecosystems are important for our physical and mental health, and for our identity. They are home to precious wildlife. For many, they are a source of wonder and spirituality. However all over the world, ecosystems face massive threats. Forests are being cleared; rivers and lakes polluted; wetlands and peatlands drained; coasts and oceans degraded and overfished; mountain soils eroded; and farmlands and grass-lands overexploited. Unless we change our ways and protect and restore our ecosystems, we will not only destroy the landscapes we love, we will undermine the foundations of our own well-being and bequeath a degraded, inhospitable planet to future generations. So caring for our eco-systems is an important part of preserving our environment, and is one of the major "sustainable development goals" -- there are 17 of them -- which were negotiated as objectives for the world. The goals of Sustainable Development The Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) were established in 2015, as the result of a long process of deliberation. They reflect an international consensus vital for the future of our civilization, to meet the challenges that humanity will face in the 21st Century. We mention a few: the availability of water, protection from ultra-violet radiation, food scarcity, agricultural productivity, public health, political stability, national security and migration patterns. Sustainable Development and Religious Perspectives Hitherto the general approach to the environment has been technocratic and utilitarian. Many despise religion as standing for a retrograde and obscurantist world view. For such as these, religion has no part to play in an essentially technical debate, unrelated to matters of faith. Nevertheless it must also be admitted that the utilitarian view has severely damaged the relations between human beings and nature. There are others however who have a different perspective. This is not just because ecological issues have moral implications, but also because the great majority of people in the world still depend on spiritual traditions for their vision of reality, for meaning and values, and for ethical guidance. The great religious traditions offer an alternative to the technocratic view of nature. As an example, we'll take two dimensions from the Christian tradition, the prophetic and the sacramental. The Prophetic Dimension A true ecological approach must integrate questions of justice into debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. (Laudato si', 49) In the prophetic tradition of the Bible, the condemnation of social injustice is closely linked to environmental degradation. Today this denunciation must also be related to unborn generations, and with distant neighbours, as a consequence of our indiscriminate use of natural resources. Therefore we need to critique severely this technocratic paradigm which has brought about a deviant anthropocentricism. The religious perspective states that one can't talk about ecology without speaking about social justice at the same time. It is not two crises that we're faced with -- the one environmental and the other social -- but rather it's one complex crisis which demands a "dual listening" -- to the earth and to the poor, to the present moment and to past history, to the local context and to the global dynamic. Pope Francis is right when he says that "comprehensive solutions must consider the interactions between natural systems and social systems" [LS, 139] The Sacramental Dimension It is our humble conviction that the divine and the human meet in the seamless garment of God's creation, in the last speck of dust on our planet. [LS, 9] Every spiritual tradition has its own way of expressing a sacramental vision of the world. Christianity defines sacrament as "an outward sign of inward grace", but it goes far beyond the traditional list of seven sacraments and recognises the whole of creation as a "proto-sacrament", a visible sign of the divine presence that permeates the material world. In fact, the signatories of the inter-religious declaration which preceded the Paris Climate Accord of 2015, stated: The true nature of our relationship with the Earth is that it is not a resource to be exploited in whatever way we like, but a sacred heritage and a precious home that we must protect. This sacramental vision of the earth, common to all religious traditions is a far cry from the uni-dimensional, utilitarian and materialist vision which is so present in the technical discourses of international organizations. It emphasizes that "other living beings have a value of their own" [LS 69], and that "ecosystemshave an intrinsic value independent of their usefulness" [LS 140]. The Christian understanding of nature is not anthropocentric or materialist. Rather, it looks at the whole of creation "as a joyful mystery to be contem-plated with gladness and praise" [LS 12]. Destroying nature therefore means destroying the mediations of supernatural life. In this sense therefore, the practice of contemplation can become an exercise in restoration and reconciliation. A sacramental vision of the world -- along with the prophetic -- provides us with a privileged point of entry into the ecological question. An agenda for Ourselves Our exposition on ecosystems and on the religious perspective of sustainable goals leads us to practical conclusions. Here are two to start with: Change your behaviour, change your spending habits to divert resources toward companies and activities that bring back nature instead of harming it. And encourage others to do the same. Make your voice and ideas count in debates about how to manage your local environment, and about how to make our societies and economies fairer and more sustainable. Press decision-makers to do the right thing. Myron J. Pereira, a Jesuit author based in Mumbai, writes regularly on topics of religious, cultural and socio-political interest.

https://international.la-croix.com/news/environment/can-religion-assist-sustainable-ecological-development/14414

What would happen to professional tennis if players refused to talk to the media?

Its right also that we know only scant details as to precisely what Osaka told the International Tennis Federation and French Open organisers, either before or after she determined that she wouldnt participate in mandatory media conferences. For reasons of medical privacy, essentially we know nothing at all of Naomi Osakas plight and her diagnosed medical condition(s). Weve absolutely no divine right to know anything about the extent to which Osaka suffers from crippling anxiety, the perenniality of the black dog lurking in her mind, or anything else. The mere fact Osaka is one of the worlds most famous athletes matters not at all in this regard. This, of course, is the quandary. The professional sports environment is a workplace, after all. Put simply, however, if (a) Osaka is suffering from a medically diagnosed mental condition; (b) the ITF and/or French Open organisations were positively on notice of this fact; and (c) those governing organisations, nonetheless, blindly demanded that Osaka front press conferences with the Sword of Damocles threat of disqualification dangling precariously above her, then thats a disgrace. Thats the easy part of the argument. Of course Osaka was treated reprehensibly by those governing organisations if they were properly on notice about serious medical matters. The diamond-hard aspect of the problem is this: if Osaka actually doesnt suffer from a properly diagnosed mental health condition of a kind that manifests, for her, in media conferences that constitute an awful trauma that exacerbates her condition, then Ive little sympathy for her defiant stance. Its a dangerous precedent that would be set if any athlete was absolved of his or her commitments only because they instead wished to focus on their primary goal of winning at any cost. The banality of an all-in media conference, held in the immediate aftermath of a sporting contest, is the proverbial fruit tree that always remains barren of fruit. Theres a PhD in this somewhere, should anyone be able to conjure a 150,000-word thesis that empirically and philosophically evaluates the true societal and information-gathering value of the perfunctory post-match press conference. But paying a dozen glittering no comments through gritted teeth is the price professional athletes are forced to, and expected to, cough up; the price of entry to compete for a slice of 35 million and a shot at sporting immortality, or something like it. Pointed criticism of tennis players or professional athletes in other sports whove lost matches or otherwise underperformed arises as a function of there being no room atop Mount Everest. The cross examination may seem personal and attacking; it rarely is. With few exceptions, I cant imagine any professional sportsperson exactly relishes (con)fronting the media. Tiger Woods and Serena Williams each have done so, with jaws firmly clenched, for more than two decades. Neither ever gives much away. Given a free chance, Im reasonably certain Woods and Williams would gleefully do away with the ancillary obligations that every other player begrudgingly complies with; however, its the price you pay.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/tennis/what-would-happen-to-professional-tennis-if-players-refused-to-talk-to-the-media-20210604-p57y5p.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport

What caused downfall of Israel's legendary prime minister?

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DrudgeReportFeed/~3/iGGZ5EyqRnU/netanyahu-what-caused-the-downfall-of-israels-legendary-prime-minister-670070 This is not a eulogy. Even if these days drama indeed results in Bibi Netanyahus departure from the prime ministerial residence on Balfour Street, his shadow will still hover above us, possibly for years. Even if the Bennett-Lapid government materializes, chances of a Netanyahu comeback will remain high: The coalition will be fragile, Iran might attack, and the court might acquit him, to mention but a few of the circumstances that could make Netanyahu spring back like a Jack-in-the-box. Still, Netanyahu this week emerged as a leader in vertigo, if even one still living in denial and refusing to accept his fate. Historians will likely mark 2021 as the year his star fell, even if someday his career will rebound. After 12 straight years of political mastery, the wiz who habitually built coalitions, floored opponents and toyed with rival and allied parties has run out of tricks. THE DOWNFALLS of powerful leaders are always complex, but they have often revolved around a massive event, or the rise of a new idea. Lyndon Johnson, for instance, was finished off by an event the Vietnam War, which he had no idea how to end. Similarly, Menachem Begins premiership ended because of the Lebanon War, whose mounting casualties he could not digest, and David Camerons premiership was felled by the Brexit referendums result, with which he did not agree, and for which he did not prepare. Czar Nikolais career was buried by an ascendant idea communism whose potency he failed to assess, much the way Erich Honecker, Nikolai Ceausescu and the rest of the last communist leaders were dethroned by freedoms drive. cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: 36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b }).render(4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6); }); if(window.location.pathname.indexOf(656089) != -1){console.log(hedva connatix);document.getElementsByClassName(divConnatix)[0].style.display =none;} Netanyahus downfall is not the result of any external shock. Unlike Golda Meir, he had no Yom Kippur War. Unlike Herbert Hoover, he had no Great Crash. And unlike George W. Bush, he had no Hurricane Katrina. If anything, the big event that animated his premiership the collapse of the Oslo peace process actually helped, and even fueled, his success. Similarly, his handling of the big event that animated his downfall, the corona pandemic, was praised even by his opponents. In fact, historians will likely see the pandemics impact on Netanyahus downfall as the inversion of its impact of the presidency of Donald Trump. By the same token, Netanyahus downfall is not the result of a rising idea that he failed to detect or grasp; on the contrary. As finance minister, he completed Israels capitalist revolution, in line with turn-of-century global trends. As prime minister the following decade, when he faced thousands marching in the streets demanding cheaper housing and food, Netanyahu launched a measured retreat from his monetarist orthodoxy, in line with the global quest for a more compassionate capitalism after the 2008 financial meltdown. So no, Netanyahus downfall is not about events or ideas. Its about character. THE CHARACTER flaws that drove Netanyahus downfall were twofold: social and moral. Socially, the number of people Netanyahu personally sidelined, alienated, humiliated and turned from close allies into sworn enemies is astonishing. In the emerging coalition alone they include Gideon Saar, who was once his education minister, Avigdor Liberman, who was once his offices director-general, Naftali Bennett, who was once his chief of staff, Ayelet Shaked, who was once his bureau chief, Yair Lapid, who was once his finance minister, and Benny Gantz, who still is his defense minister and nominal deputy. This is a very partial list of people Netanyahu alienated and who lost trust in him since the 1990s, when he lost his first governments foreign minister (David Levi), finance minister (Dan Meridor), defense minister (Yitzhak Mordecai), and science minister (Benny Begin). By the following century, the loss of trust in Netanyahu had become so solid and widespread that none of his potential coalition partners would believe any of his fire-sale promises for double, triple and quadruple rotations of the prime ministers seat. Netanyahus people skills are not normal. Only an emotional cripple can so serially and so intensely humiliate people. If he cant learn to feel the shame he causes other people, one would hope he could at least learn to calculate how, and at what price, they might respond to his arrogance. He couldnt. That, then, is the social-skills flaw that undid Netanyahus leadership. The moral flaw stems from it. Just like he believed that since he is that smart, everyone else is that stupid, Netanyahu assumed that since he is that big, justice is that small. And so, what began with taking an alleged NIS 1 million-worth of gifts from two millionaires was soon followed by his insertion of a convicted bribe-taker into his cabinet, a disgrace that was but a prelude for Netanyahus gloveless attack on the judiciary which dared suggest that the man who thought he was this big, was actually this small. Indeed, contrasting and balancing Netanyahus greatness and smallness will be his biographers trickiest task. His downfall, however, will be no mystery. It resulted from the smallness of a big leader who knew so much about history, economics and diplomacy, and so little about people, justice and trust. Amotz Asa-Els bestselling Mitzad Haivelet Hayehudi (The Jewish March of Folly, Yediot Sefarim, 2019) is a revisionist history of the Jewish peoples leadership from antiquity to modernity. Share this: Twitter Facebook

https://clarion.causeaction.com/2021/06/04/what-caused-downfall-of-israels-legendary-prime-minister/

Who makes the best doughnuts in New Hampshire?

Each week, we look for the best New Hampshire has to offer in our Viewers' Choice series.This week, we still want to find some of the best pastries in New Hampshire, so we want to know where to find the best doughnuts in the state. Now, we're not talking Dunkin' Donuts, even if those really hit the spot. Viewers' Choice always asks about the shops and businesses that make New Hampshire unique, so we're looking for local businesses.Give us your pick on our Facebook page. Voting ends at 9 a.m. Thursday, and we'll give you the results the next day. Each week, we look for the best New Hampshire has to offer in our Viewers' Choice series. This week, we still want to find some of the best pastries in New Hampshire, so we want to know where to find the best doughnuts in the state. Advertisement Now, we're not talking Dunkin' Donuts, even if those really hit the spot. Viewers' Choice always asks about the shops and businesses that make New Hampshire unique, so we're looking for local businesses. Give us your pick on our Facebook page. Voting ends at 9 a.m. Thursday, and we'll give you the results the next day.

https://www.wmur.com/article/who-makes-the-best-doughnuts-in-new-hampshire-2021/36631957

Will Golden Knights top two lines shine vs. Avalanche in Game 3?

Considering the time Max Paciorettys missed, you might cancel him out. And maybe realizing how much Pacioretty clicks with Mark Stone, maybe youd guess Stone isnt quite there. But even then, who would you guess. (Buzzer sounds.) Times up. The answer is um, Mattias Janmark, with six points in eight playoff games. Hmm. Truly, kudos to Janmark, whose six playoff points include a hat trick from Game 7 vs. the Wild, highlighted by a bold first goal considering the do-or-die context: Thats impressive stuff. But its still a little off-putting for the Golden Knights, especially considering that Ryan Graves Game 1 hit kept Janmark out of Game 2 vs. the Avalanche, and possibly beyond. All due respect to Janmark and other supporting cast members, but the Golden Knights could really use more from their top two lines, starting with Game 3 vs. the Avalanche on Friday (10 P.M. ET; NBCSN). Paciorettys return has helped, but Stone needs to throw in more Whether hes hobbled by a lower-body injury or not, Max Paciorettys made an impact since returning to the Vegas lineup. After their Game 7 win, Peter DeBoer spoke about the emotional impact of Paciorettys return. Pete DeBoer on Max Pacioretty's impact- "Just writing his name on the board for the lineup, I think, gave the group a lift." "It changed everything, about our confidence, our confidence to score." Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) May 29, 2021 Players are judged for their production (and wins) most of all, and Paciorettys played as well as anyone can expect. So far, hes a goal and two assists for a point-per-game in three playoff contests. Hes creating a volume of chances, too, with nine shots on goal (or three per game). So theres hope there, and maybe that could hoist up Mark Stone, whos currently mired in a four-game pointless slump. (Chandler Stephensons offense comes and goes, especially when his wingers are hit-or-miss.) Of course, before Stone Pacioretty developed dynamic duo chemistry, the Golden Knights were propelled by the trio of Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith. Heading into Game 3 vs. the Avalanche, the efforts at least been there for the Golden Knights original top line. That manifested itself most obviously when Reilly Smiths hard work resulted in a key goal in Game 2. Its easy to beat up on Vegas for all of that volume, but sometimes it all works. (Carolina finally got a win vs. Tampa Bay in their Game 3, for example.) If nothing else, if youre causing havoc in the other end, you might keep the puck away from top Avs threats such as Nathan MacKinnon. (At least, if youre careful not to get burned by lightning-fast Avs in transition.) But maybe a bit more tweaking is in order. Take Jonathan Marchessault, for instance. Its a mix of good and bad news with Marchessault. The potentially explosive forward only has three points (1G, 2A) through nine playoff games; however, he has an assist in each of the past two contests. And hes generating chances. Marchessaults fired 33 SOG in nine playoff games, including six SOG in two vs. Colorado. Ultimately, he hasnt scored a goal since Game 2 vs. the Wild, so the VGK need more particularly against the lethal Avs attack. A chance to be underdogs again Truthfully, its still kind of stunning that the Golden Knights are a legitimate contender in year four. Maybe most jarring is that theyve probably gotten fairly used to it. Even before the Avalanche built a 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3, the Golden Knights were somewhere between mild to considerable underdogs. While this isnt exactly a comfortable situation, its also a feeling that Marchessaults line, in particular, can recall. So maybe thats why he seemed to project confidence, as The Athletics Jesse Granger reports (sub required). This is the first time in four years that it feels like the first year, Marchessault said. Right now were in an underdog situation and we kind of have nothing to lose, really. The best team in the league is Colorado. It may only really matter if they believe it. AVALANCHE VS. GOLDEN KNIGHTS (COL leads 2-0) series livestream link Game 1: Avalanche 7, Golden Knights 1 Game 2: Avalanche 3, Golden Knights 2 (OT) Game 3: Fri. June 4: Avalanche at Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET (NBCSN) Game 4: Sun. June 6: Avalanche at Golden Knights, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN) *Game 5: Tues. June 8: Golden Knights at Avalanche TBD *Game 6: Thurs. June 10: Avalanche at Golden Knights TBD *Game 7: Sat. June 12: Golden Knights at Avalanche TBD

https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2021/06/04/will-golden-knights-top-two-lines-shine-vs-avalanche-in-game-3/

What is going on with the Gulf of Mexico's red snapper fishery?

Texas red snapper season for private recreational anglers in federal waters began this week. The season length will likely be comparable to what anglers have experienced the past few years, despite hope that the findings of the Great Red Snapper Count would open more access. Texas' private recreational season in federal waters was 63 days in 2020 and 62 in 2019. The Great Red Snapper Count was a groundbreaking, three-year study that assembled some of the top fisheries scientists to identify an absolute abundance of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. That research ascertained a population of 110 million red snapper aged two years and older in the Gulf, which is more than three times the previous estimation of 36 million. About two-thirds of those fish were discovered on what is referred to as uncharacterized bottom, which includes anything from small rock formations, sunken containers, undiscovered banks and shipwrecks. Anglers will likely have to wait, though, to access these previously undocumented fish because the results from the Great Red Snapper Count were only partially incorporated by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils scientific and statistical committee (SSC). The SSC used the Great Red Snapper Count to set an overfishing limit (OFL) of 25.6 million pounds. The new OFL is a huge jump from the previous 15.5 million pounds. However, the acceptable biological catch (ABC) was set without using the Snapper Count, and only saw a small increase from 15.1 to 15.4 million pounds. The gap between the 15.4 million-pound ABC and 25.6 million-pound OFL created an unprecedented buffer of about 40 percent. Spread across the commercial, for-hire and private sectors, the 300,000-pound increase in ABC is barely noticeable. The Gulf Council recommended a private angling allocation for Texas of 270,386 pounds for this season, up marginally from last year's 265,105. However, the National Marine Fisheries Service has not established the official allocation yet. The recommended allocation for Texas accounts for just over six percent of the total for all Gulf states. Added with Louisiana's 19 percent, the western Gulf accounts for a quarter of the allocation even though the Great Red Snapper Count determined the biomass of the red snapper population is more evenly split. The western Gulf is home to 52 million of the 110 million red snapper; 48 million of the eastern Gulf''s 58 million red snapper reside off the coast of Florida, which holds nearly 45 percent of the allocation. "The western Gulf is subsidizing the eastern Gulf," said Tom Hilton, founder of Hilton's Fishing Charts. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will utilize a myriad of data, including iSnapper, to determine when to close the season in federal waters and still allow for year-round access to the fishery in state waters. Anglers can keep two fish with a 16-inch minimum in federal waters and four fish with a 15-inch minimum in state waters. Fish caught in federal waters count as part of the state bag limit. The for-hire/charter federal season began June 1 and will end Aug. 3. The for-hire sector represents 42.3 percent of the Gulf's total recreational quota. The commercial sector utilizes an individual fishing quota program. Anglers wanting to see more access from the results of the Great Red Snapper Count will likely have to wait until the next benchmark stock assessment is completed, probably in 2023. The Snapper Count will go through a rigorous review process before it is fully implemented into the management of the red snapper fishery. We dont expect seasons to change now for two years. (The SSC) added in fish from the Snapper Count, except those were taken away by a buffer thats being re-evaluated, said Great Red Snapper Count project leader and Gulf Council member Greg Stunz, who is also the Harte Research Institutes chair for fisheries and ocean health and director of the Sportfish Center at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. When we get the stock assessment, those fish will be fully integrated and youll see a lot more quota freed up. The problem is that doesnt happen for the short term. In the short term, the recreational angler is left wondering why more fish cannot be landed when millions of previously unaccounted for fish have been identified in the Gulf of Mexico. Lets not forget that 22 of the best scientists in the Gulf led the Snapper Count, 80-plus scientists participated in it and 11 institutions around the Gulf supported it. The Count found at least 800 million pounds of red snapper we didnt know were there, Coastal Conservation Associations conservation director Ted Venker stated during the public commentary portion of the most recent Gulf Council meetings. The fact is that we are nowhere near overfishing this stock, but we are managing it like its a Prius when we have a Ferrari. A point of contention that kept the SSC from a larger ABC increase was the NMFSs bottom longline survey. The NMFS bottom longline index tells us how the abundance of the red snapper stock is changing over time, and that is super valuable. Right now, it tells us that the stock is no longer increasing and that it may, in fact, be declining a bit. It also tells us that, if we increase catches above the current level, the abundance of the stock is likely to decline, said Kai Lorenzen, a fisheries professor at University of Florida and acting chair of the SSC. I think we all agree that the stock is currently quite healthy. That is largely the result of restraint exercised over many years, allowing the stock to rebuild from a very depleted state to the current level of abundance. The current disagreements are about how much catch the stock can sustain without jeopardizing its health. Keeping in mind that the SSCs ABC recommendation of 15.4 million pounds is the highest quota ever set for Gulf red snapper, that is consistent with the idea that the stock is currently quite healthy. Anglers can take some solace in that access to the fishery will remain status quo instead of becoming more restrictive. Season lengths have liberalized since states took over management of private recreational seasons in 2018. Recreational anglers enjoyed year-round access to red snapper in federal waters in 1996, then the season slowly dissolved. It dropped to 194 days from 2000-2007. Then it was 65 in 2008, 48 in 2011 and a dismal nine days in 2014. An announcement of a three-day season caused an uproar in 2017 before Gulf states and the U.S. Department of Commerce brokered a deal to extend it 39 more days. For the near term, private recreational red snapper season will likely look like it has the past couple of years. Were still going to probably be looking at 60-70 days of a red snapper season, which most people would find that pretty agreeable, Stunz said. The Gulf Council also moved to defer calibration of each Gulf state's reporting data to the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). Calibration would have resulted in management crises for Alabama and Mississippi. Both states would have seen drastic cuts to allocations for private recreational anglers. That would have reduced the allocations to Mississippi and Alabama by about half from what we are currently fishing. That has been delayed until the 2023 fishing season. So, Alabama will be able to fish at the level that weve been fishing at the last few years, said Scott Bannon, director of Alabamas Marine Resources Division. We felt that was a very favorable decision for us and the anglers who fish in Alabama. Alabamas 2021 private angling allocation of 1,145,026 pounds would have dropped to 547,298 pounds and significantly shrunk its season. It has a tremendous economic impact to the state of Alabama. It would create a short season for Alabama, which creates what I call panic fishing. No matter what the weather would have been, if we opened for a short period of time, people wouldve felt like they had to go. Were trying to get away from that; its not safe, its not an efficient way to fish, Bannon said. The stress level is reduced a little bit now that we are back to what weve been fishing. Calibrating the data from Alabamas Snapper Check system to MRIP would have inflated the amount of red snapper caught off the states coast, from its perspective, and would have been penalized for perceived overfishing. Were confident that the level of harvest weve had off Alabama has been sustainable. We have an independent reef-fish assessment done pre- and postseason every year by the University of South Alabama. Were continuously looking at the Alabama reef zone and are very comfortable at the level were fishing. We believe its sustainable and we believe it provides the access that people should be having to the Alabama reef zone, said Bannon, who also acknowledged that the calibration issue still needs to be fixed. The decision to not calibrate drew the ire of organizations such as the Ocean Conservancy and Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance. The problem is that the current management system for private recreational red snapper fishing in the Gulf is illegal, unless immediate calibrations took place. Theres a design flaw in the system. Theres a lack of the ability to directly compare state landings to federal quota. The Gulf Council knows this and has known this for years. But they voted to keep going with this illegal system for two more years. So, its really an abdication of their responsibility to sustainably manage red snapper, said Meredith Moore, director of the fish conservation program for Ocean Conservancy. Moore said the current system allows recreational anglers to continually go over their quotas, puts the stock at risk of overfishing and is out of compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Moore said it is unfair to the commercial and for-hire sectors, and although she is supportive of state management and the Gulf Councils work to rebuild the fishery, this recent decision to not calibrate puts these efforts in jeopardy. Everyone is going to take a cut. Right now, were talking about a couple of states having to take a cut for one sector, but we are on our way to absolutely everyone in the Gulf having to take a cut. And also that cut could be pretty large, because were still in a rebuilding plan and coming toward the end of it, Moore said. The best thing to do now is to solve the problem before it gets bigger than it already is.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/general/article/What-is-going-on-with-the-Gulf-of-Mexico-s-red-16217743.php

Is the French Riviera's Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc the Most Iconic Hotel of All-Time?

If anyone needs me this summer, Ill be drinking ros on the rocks and if I had to guess, Id be willing to bet you will be, too. Though drinking wine over ice has long been condemned as the original sin of wine consumption, reserved for only the most clueless or willfully uncouth of consumers, sipping ros on the rocks is a luxury in which the illustrious or at least enviable beachgoers and sunbathers of St. Tropez have indulged for years. Rumor has it Parisian starlet Brigitte Bardot could often be found frolicking around the French Riviera downing ros and Champagne on the rocks, and shes even credited with giving this style of ros consumption its name: piscine de ros, using the French word for swimming pool as a playful nod to the large cognac glass in which the drink was often served.

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2264563377953/is-the-french-riviera-s-hotel-du-cap-eden-roc-the-most-iconic-hotel-of-all-time

How many wrestlers did WWE release in 2021 and how did present superstars react to it?

WWE decided to release a number of wrestlers from its roster in 2021. During WWEs annual spring cleaning, the company announced the release of several wrestlers and on-air talents from contracts. Superstars like Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe, Aleister Black, Big Show, and Andrade were released from the roster by WWE. It was a shocking moment for the fans as well as the present WWE superstars, who saw their colleagues being given their pink slips by the compan. READ | 'This was a complete left field for me': Aleister Black taken aback by WWE release Here is the list of wrestlers released by WWE in 2021: Lars Sullivan Steve Cutler Big Show Andrade Samoa Joe Mojo Rawley Billie Kay Peyton Royce Wesley Blake Bo Dallas Kalisto Tucker Chelsea Green Mickie James Jessamyn Duke Velveteen Dream Vanessa Borne Kavita Devi Alexander Wolfe Adnan Virk Tom Phillips Braun Strowman Aleister Black Lana Murphy Ruby Riott Santana Garrett While some releases were expected, some came as a shock to many as Vince McMahons promotion announced its decision in a press release. How did wrestlers and Hall of Famers respond to the news. Here are some of the reactions:- WWE Hall of Famer Booker T had an explanation for Strowman's release. "Yeah, it definitely made me go, 'Wow!,' you know, 'Braun Strowman?' And then I started looking at it from a business perspective, you know, if it is true, the rumors out there saying Braun Strowman had a huge contract and he was making a lot of money. Who's the guy we really need here to keep this thing running?'" said Booker T said on Hall of Fame podcast with co-host Brad Gilmore. "And, you know, take nothing away from Braun Strowman," Booker T added. "He was an enigma, he was the guy, you know, somewhat of a throwback to the guys that did it much before him. Look at Braun Strowman, even being the enigma that he was, it was kind of hard to match Braun Strowman up with more than 2-3 guys on the roster."

https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/how-many-wrestlers-did-wwe-release-in-2021-and-how-did-present-superstars-like-sasha-banks-alexa-bliss-and-seth-rollins-react-to-it-101622815036645-amp.html

How Much Trouble Is Louis DeJoy In?

On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that the FBI was investigating Trump-holdover Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for an alleged illegal campaign finance scheme from before his time in government. DeJoy became infamous last year when he ordered wide-scale changes to the Postal Service that greatly deteriorated service at around the time that his benefactor, Donald Trump, was publicly promising to sabotage the Postal Service to try to stymie the pandemic-inspired movement toward universal mail-in voting. After the uproar, enough service was restored and the election went on smoothly enough that millions of voters cast their ballots by mail, and those votes accounted for Joe Bidens victory over Trump. Advertisement Less well publicized, though, than the great postal service slowdown of 2020 and the overlapping election controversy was DeJoys role as a major Republican donor prior to his government serviceand a possible illegal straw donor scheme he allegedly orchestrated during that time. The Washington Post first reported in September on allegations by former employees of DeJoys company that he pressured workers to donate to Republican causes and then reimbursed them via bonuses. All of this would be a clear violation of the law, and it is what the Department of Justice is reportedly investigating now after local law enforcement in North Carolina in April said it would not be moving forward with the case. Advertisement Advertisement Theres one major hitch, though. The Post investigation was only able to report on sources willing to describe an alleged straw donor scheme that began in 2000 and ran till 2014, the year DeJoy sold his company New Breed logistics to XPO logistics. The issue is: theres a five-year statute of limitations on this particular campaign-finance crime, so any offenses would have had to be committed after summer 2016 in order to prosecute. Advertisement Unless DeJoys offenses extended beyond the period that the Post covered, that statute of limitations will be difficult to get around. In civil law, the statute of limitations can be equitably tolled, or delayed for various obscure reasons. In criminal law, though, this is much less common. As Lindsey Powell wrote in the American Criminal Law Review in 2008, there is a general absence of equitable tolling principles under the federal criminal limitations regime. Under criminal law, she writes, statutes of limitations begin to run from the completion of the offense and are tolled by the filing of an indictment or information. The main criminal tolling principles involve a suspect fleeing from justice, which is not the case for DeJoy. Again, they would have to find criminal activity that extended into the summer of 2016. According to multiple sources, though, finding such activity as part of a complex conspiracy such as the one alleged by the Post is actually quite plausible. Advertisement Before the Post reported on DeJoys alleged scheme, Rep. Jim Cooper asked him point-blank during sworn Congressional testimony if he had paid back several of your top executives for contributing to Trumps campaign by bonusing or rewarding them? DeJoy forcefully denied it. Cooper then said he was merely trying to ensure that all campaign contributions were legal and DeJoy responded Im fully aware of legal campaign contributions, and I resent the assertion, sir. Advertisement In an interview shortly after that testimony, I asked Cooper why he hadnt asked about the period extending prior to Trumps 2015 run, as DeJoys denial might technically not be a lie if he didnt continue the scheme after he sold the company. Cooper told me that he believed it was possible the scheme was ongoing even after 2014. Although he was not the CEO of his own company New Breed in 2016, he was a highly compensated and very important employee of XPO, and I think he ran his own division, Cooper told me. And I dont know exactly how much responsibility he had, but my guess is when you run your own division, you get to recommend pay and bonus levels. So it remains to be seen exactly what happened at XPO. Advertisement Advertisement These are the areas that any FBI investigations will presumably delve intoDeJoy himself has already been issued a subpoena, according to the Post. Indeed, in its reporting on the FBI investigation, the Post noted a report from the Campaign Legal Center advocacy group that indicated the behavior may have extended past the time the Post initially reported: Between 2015 and 2018, the group alleged, campaign finance records showed several instances of XPO employees contributing to the same candidate or committee, during the same period of time, and often in similar amounts, and that DeJoy family members, including DeJoys college-aged children, also made contributions on the same day or in the same period as those employees. Between 2015 and 2018, XPO Logistics employees and DeJoy family members following this pattern together gave over $150,000 to the same candidates and committees, including over $50,000 to Trump Victory, President Donald Trumps joint fundraising committee, the group alleged. Advertisement Miriam Baer, a professor at Brooklyn Law School and former criminal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, also sees potential avenues for the Department of Justice investigation. Baer says: Conspiracies can be continuing offenses, so for example if part of the straw donor scheme is that the donor is pressured to make a contribution but gets the money back some time later, I would think that a prosecutor would argueand I think successfully that the scheme lasts as long as it takes for the person to get their money back. In other words, if its a straw donor scheme and we will repay you for the donation we coerced you to make then you can say that the repayment is part of the scheme, so if the repayment occurs within five years, I think you could make a pretty strong argument that the scheme is still ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Given that DeJoys former human resources director, David Young, told the Post that the repayment as part of the straw donor scheme covered the tax and everything else, this possibly could extend that payment period from the election year to the year after, when taxes would have been paid on any of the bonuses. Additionally, Baer said, any effort DeJoy may have made to influence underlings after the fact to deny involvement in the scheme could add obstruction of justice charges that would be within the statute of limitations. Experts say that perjury is a very difficult case to make, which would make it unlikely here. Advertisement It is one of the hardest crimes to prove and some would say rightfully, Baer says. We dont want to punish people for answering questions that are themselves imprecise. A good defense attorney would be able to parse Coopers questions and DeJoys answers and say that question was imprecise or DeJoys response was technically answering correctly, Baer notes. But if elements of the straw-donor scheme or efforts to cover it up extended into the summer of 2016 and beyond, then proving perjury would be entirely unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Given the leeway that the Biden DOJ has shown to Trump and his former officials so far, one wonders if DeJoy had merely decided to tuck his tail between his legs and retreat from public life following Trumps defeat, he might have avoided further criminal scrutiny. Because of the quirks of the USPS board of governors system, though, he has been allowed to remain in office and decided to stick it out to push through his plans for slower service and higher prices. If federal prosecutors can prove that DeJoys alleged criminal behavior extended into the Trump era, that decision could prove very costly indeed.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/06/louis-dejoy-fbi-statute-limitations-ruh-roh.html?via=rss

How Does Coachspeak Work?

The closest I will ever come to that scene in the science-fiction movie where the protagonist thuddingly realizes that hes surrounded by Lizard People or whatever was this one time in a Southern Colorado Best Western hotel restaurant. First I saw one table of white men wearing visors and Adidas shower slides, then a second, then a third, and suddenly I realizedthey were everywhere. The slides were important, because they showed off the boundary between the leathery orange of the shin and the pale fishbelly of the lower ankle, the crisp line where a pair of low cut athletic socks would go. The men drank bottled beer and talked blithely about what they had learned that day; they gave the impression of men well-pleased with themselves and the world. I was between jobs and on a road trip with a friend; I had the distinct impression that if I went over to one of the tables to ask for their ketchup bottle, or something, nobody would hear me. It was a high school football coach convention. I think about it a lot. The other day I was listening to Don Granato on The Athletic Hockey Show podcast, hockey podcasts having become my most recent source for my daily Narrative needs (no soap operas, just hockey!). Don Granato, if you havent been keeping track, is the interim head coach for the Buffalo Sabres. Before that, when he was still an assistant, he almost died. The sadness of the Sabres has been temporarily set aside for the playoffs in favor of other popular and well-worn sadnesses like the sadnesses of the Edmonton Oilers or the Toronto Maple Leafs, but as a refresher, the Sabres lost 18 games in a row this year, which is maybe not actually a record but seems like it should be. Its important to note that I did not at once think about those men in their shower slides while I was listening to Don Granato. I wasnt immediately thrust into the alien ecosystem of coaching, and coachspeak, and coachbrain, with no points of contact to my world. Instead I listened, and I thought, hey, this guy makes a lot of sense. He talked about how what we treat as the indicators of intensitythrown water bottles and dramatics on the sidelinesdont necessarily have anything to do with actual intensity. He talked about how the pressure that gets put on players on losing teams to enact their dissatisfaction with losing for the media can seep into the way they view the world and how thats not necessarily good for anybody. And then offered a metaphor straight out of a self-help seminar for how to get better and stay better: When youre 4-foot-10 and standing in the 5-foot pool you have to jump and jump to get your head above water, but simply grow four inches, and all of a sudden you can just stand there, peaceful as anything. I was driving to work and it seemed like a real insight, like something I could use in my actual life to make myself happier and my performance better. And then I sat down at my desk and realized that none of what I had just heard would help me even a little bit. Sure, getting better is a good idea, growing the proverbial four inches would be great, but the only thing in my life that has ever actually felt like that was going on antidepressants, and presumably Don Granato was not trying to tell me that the entire Buffalo Sabres organization needed a Lexapro prescription. Things would be better if you were differentmaybe true, certainly not actionable. The blandness of hockey players and coaches is a clich in itself, right, and before it was a clich about hockey it was a clich about baseballBull Durham came out in 1988, and we are as far from 1988 as 1988 was from 1955and for all I know it was a clich about hockey then too. But even when I sat down to think about them Granatos words didnt hit as clich. (This is very fair-minded of me given that he described the Sabres as having a really solid foundation.) He seemed like a smart serious moral guy who lives in an entirely different world than I do, a world in which a question about Jack Eichels complexity is answered not by saying, well, were all complex individuals, but by attesting that if you put Jack Eichel on an ice rink with a hockey stick all of that complexity melts away into a Stuart Smalley affirmation. And its precisely because Granato seems like a smart serious moral guy that I cant stop thinking about the uncanny valley between the world he describes and the one I live in. The swimming pool metaphor in particular I couldnt get past. Because Granato didnt talk about getting to 5-foot-2 and stopping there. He said, if you get to 6-foot its even easier. And its not that I dont understand what hes trying to get across, but in the swimming pool context, once youre above the waterline, it doesnt really matter how much taller you get. And then later he said, well, like I was talking about, if youre below the water you dont know how close you are to the surface, which might be true in some contexts, like scuba-diving the Mariana Trench, but is not, in my experience, true at all of swimming pools. This lack of metaphorical clarity is not the kind of thing anybodys going to make Yogi Berrastyle compilations of and circulate on the internet. The consensus answer to that question will obviously change over time, but the kind of answer that Granato gives is one I find particularly hard to wrap my head around. With the old school of yelling coaches, although it was monstrous, the mechanism by which it theoretically worked was pretty straightforward. You started with an assumption that players were by nature lazy underachievers, and then you set about making it more painful for them to listen to you scream than to continue to underachieve on the ice. If instead your plan is to coach by creating an environment in which people can get better, I dont know how you do that. There are hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles out there eager to fill this gap in my education, but Im not going to read them and if I did read them I wouldnt believe them. Even an ongoing tournament in which nothing but the coaches changed would leave me with methodology questions. Part of me resists the idea that the particulars of the coach make a difference once you leave the question of technical competence behind. Phil Jackson was a genius until he wasnt. And yet (obviously) my own coach-less existence has certainly benefited from the generous and sustained attention of someone watching my performance, of someone telling me I can do better than I have done in the past. Maybe the problem is that we dont have a language to convey the possibility of getting better at something that doesnt either descend into vacuity or trail behind it an implicit you-lazy-sack-of-shit. And if those are the two options, give me vacuity. Probably, push comes to shove, I would even choose vacuity over the idea that were doomed to remain more or less at the level of competence weve always had. Maybe thats the fundamental secret to coaching: you want to believe in them and their self-help bromides, because the alternative, theres no help coming and never will be, is too dark to contemplate. In the end, I too want to see Jack Eichel emerge, monstrous and huge, from the ocean where hes been lurking, only inches beneath the surface this whole time.

https://defector.com/how-does-coachspeak-work/

Was Google right not to fire Kamau Bobb over his antisemitic blog post?

When news broke that Googles now-former head of diversity Kamau Bobb had authored an antisemitic blog post back in 2007, the outrage was understandable. Comments like BobbsIf I were a Jew I would be concerned about my insatiable appetite for warare bigoted coming from anyone. But his role as global lead for diversity strategy and research at Google made Bobbs sentiments striking in their hypocrisy. Rather than firing him, Google reassigned Bobb to a different, STEM-focused role. Its a decision bound to upset some people, particularly given the frequency with which antisemitism is downplayed as a problem. We dont know the specific factors behind Googles decision, or to what extent Bobbs views have changed over the years (he did apologize for the way his criticisms of Israel relied on antisemitic tropes). But its worth reflecting on whether firing is truly the only acceptable resolution when an employees problematic online past is revealed. Getting fired for social media posts There are certainly times when firing an employee over a resurfaced speech or offensive post on social media is the right thing to do. After all, many people absorb biased stereotypes and intolerant views while growing up, and then learn through education and greater exposure to the outside world why they were wrong. The internet has also eliminated some of the leeway historically afforded to gaffe-prone young people, whose histories online can never be erased. Consider Emily Wilder, the 22-year-old Associated Press reporter who was recently fired after the group Stanford College Republicans dug up pro-Palestinian social media posts shed written in college, including one that referred to billionaire GOP donor Sheldon Adelson as a naked mole rat. As Kashmir Hill wrote recently for the New York Times, Wilders experience was a reminder that the current societal norm is to exact harsh judgments upon anyone with a troubling online past. Accountability from an individuals employer or affiliated institutions is expected immediately upon the unearthing of years-old content, Hill observed. Who you were a year ago, or five years ago, or decades ago, is flattened into who you are now. There are real risks to adopting black-and-white approaches to misdeeds: For example, zero-tolerance sexual harassment policies can backfire by discouraging women from reporting low-level harassment, since they dont want men to lose their positions over relatively minor (but still unwanted) offenses. When it comes to revelations about peoples harmful past behaviors, well all be better off if workplaces consider individual circumstances and context, even if those considerations arent necessarily visible to the outside world. Its inarguably important to hold people accountable for their actionsbut accountability neednt always mean firing the offender.

https://qz.com/work/2017099/was-google-right-not-to-fire-kamau-bobb-over-his-antisemitic-blog-post/

Is Robert Sugden returning to Emmerdale after Lukes shock confession?

Emmerdale revealed a huge twist tonight about Robert and Lee Posners fight. This week, Ethan was horrified to find out Victorias boyfriend Luke had been catfishing him on a dating app. In tonights episode of the soap (Friday, June 4) Wendy continued to question Luke about what happened with Ethan. In the scenes, Luke explained what happened between him and Ethans friend Steven. He revealed he got very close with Stephen and even wanted Wendy to meet him. Luke told Wendy that he got into a fight with Lee the same day Robert hit him (Credit: ITV) Luke told his mum that his brother Lee beat him up after discovering he was dating a man. He told his mum about the terrifying moment Lee grabbed his throat and hit him in the stomach. Luke ended up pushing his brother, causing him to fall and smack his head on the step. Lee fell unconscious but soon woke up and tried to attack Luke once again. Before leaving he threatened to come back with his friends and beat up Luke. In a shocking twist, Luke revealed that the next time he saw Lee he was in the hospital on life support, meaning Luke and Lees fight happened just hours before Robert hit Lee. Lee died after Robert hit him over the head with a shovel (Credit: ITV) Wendy was horrified and realised that Robert hitting Lee might not be the reason he died. Luke admitted he cut things off with Stephen in order to keep him safe. Luke told Wendy to keep his secret or shell lose him too. Whilst it hasnt been revealed if Ryan Hawley will be returning to the role, there is always a chance in soapland that any character can return even if theyre dead on occasion. In 2019, Victoria was raped by Lee Posner after a night out and later discovered she was pregnant with his child. Lee denied raping Victoria and he and Wendy accused Victoria of being a liar. Later Victorias brother Robert ended up attacking Lee by hitting him over the head with a shovel. Robert was sentenced to life with a fixed term of 14 years (Credit: ITV) Read more: Emmerdale SPOILERS: Andreas dog targeted in murder plan Lee went on life support. Meanwhile Victoria became friendly with Luke, unaware he was Lees brother. Later Lee died from his injuries and on the day Robert was sentenced to life in prison, Victoria discovered Luke was Lees brother. Robert was given life with a fixed term of 14 years. Last year Luke and Victoria began a relationship. Entertainment Daily has a dedicated Emmerdale spoilers section for you to get your fix before the latest episodes air. Emmerdale continues tonight (June 3) at 7pm on ITV. Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays. Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.

https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/soaps/is-robert-sugden-returning-to-emmerdale-after-lukes-shock-confession/

Does the Eero 6 support HomeKit?

Best answer: Yes. Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6 are HomeKit-enabled routers with special permissions for HomeKit devices to keep your network secure. Eero will not act as a HomeKit hub, however. HomeKit support made it to the older routers in the Eero line earlier in 2021, but the newest Wi-Fi 6 Eeros were not included. This changed with a firmware update in May of 2021 that featured the Eero 6 and Eero 6 Pro. Now the entire Eero lineup supports Apple's HomeKit security features. This is a great thing as the Eero 6 is easily one of the best Wi-FI 6 mesh routers you can get. You will need to use the Eero app on an Apple device to enable HomeKit. HomeKit routers aren't the same thing as HomeKit hubs, and you will still need an Apple TV, iPad, or HomePod to act as your HomePod hub. HomeKit routers offer security enhancements specifically tailored to the needs of HomeKit accessories. This allows users to decide what kind of permissions to grant to these accessories.

https://www.androidcentral.com/does-eero-6-support-homekit?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+androidcentral+%28Android+Central%29

Where is Gardeners' World host Monty Don and who is Arit Anderson?

Viewers of BBC2s Gardeners World will be missing Monty Don tonight (June 4) as he takes a break from hosting this weeks programme. Familiar faces Arit Anderson and Frances Tophill will instead be taking Montys place. Monty, 65, has been the lead presenter of Gardeners World since 2003 when he took over from Alan Titchmarsh. Monty and his dogs, golden retriever Nell and Yorkshire terrier Patti, are firm favourites of green-fingered viewers. Fans of the show will also remember his tribute to his beloved golden retriever Nigel, who passed away in May 2020. Monty has not given a reason for his absence from the show tonight. His tweets suggest he will be back next week as he shared a picture of filming on May 31. In response to a fan he wrote: We film a week ahead of transmission. We film a week ahead of transmission. Monty Don (@TheMontyDon) June 1, 2021 Back in April, Monty took a break from the show to record his book My Garden World as an audiobook. Read more: Monty Don opens up about deep depression Presenter and landscape designer Adam Frost stood in for him that time. Arit is an award-winning garden designer and writer. The 55 year old comes from Isleworth in south-west London. A creative with an eye for design, she spent 25 years working in the fashion industry before studying gardening at Capel Manor College. Read more: Kate Garraway reveals gardening gave her hope during Dereks COVID battle Arits gardening career began to bloom when she won the Fresh Talent Award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2013. Arit has been a regular on Garden Rescue with Charlie Dimmock, as well as Gardeners World. She regularly posts stunning pictures of gardens to her Instagram page. This is both terrifying and exciting in equal measure. Arit is married to husband Scott, and has two step-children Harvey and Freya. Her step-children have featured in an episode of Gardeners World where it was clear they share Arits love of the outdoors. Freya, 14, said she is growing potatoes, onions and cucumber. Frances has made appearances on Gardeners World since 2016. She is passionate about getting more young people into gardening and has written four books. Born in Deal, Kent, Frances now lives in Exeter. She has also made appearances on ITVs Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh. Frances was a late bloomer when it came to her interest in gardening. In an interview with One magazine, she said she applied for a job as an apprentice gardener aged 19 despite having no gardening experience. Luckily she landed the job and has been gardening ever since. On her Instagram Stories earlier today, Frances shared Arits post about their hosting duties and added: This is both terrifying and exciting in equal measure. This is both terrifying and exciting in equal measure Frances wrote on her Instagram story (Credit: Instagram) Gardeners World airs tonight on BBC Two at 9pm. Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.

https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/monty-don-who-hosts-gardeners-world-bbc/

Does Roisin Conaty have a partner?

Comedian Roisin Conaty is joining tonights panel on the popular BBC news quiz Have I Got News For You (June 4). Roisin Conaty is an Irish-English actor and comedian. Her parents are both from Ireland but met in London and Roisin was born in Camden, North London. Roisin Conaty started her comedy career at the age of 24, after graduating with a degree in film from Middlesex University. She won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2010. In that same year, she made her first TV appearance on Russell Howards Good News. She competed on the Big Fat Quiz of Everything in a team with Rob Beckett in January 2021. Although Roisin may have made a name for herself in comedy, she has also turned her hand to writing and acting. After finding success as a comedian, Roisin appeared in Man Down, written by comedian Greg Davies, as Jo. After her appearance in Man Down, she wrote and starred in the Channel 4 sitcom Gameface in 2014, and the second series in 2019. Fans of Ricky Gervais Netflix series After Life will recognise Roisin from her role as sex worker Roxy who strikes up an unlikely friendship with widower Tony (Gervais). Tonights episode of Have I Got News For You airs at 9pm on BBC One. And, after airing on BBC, the show will be available on iPlayer. It is hosted by Aisling Bea, who recently starred in ITVs Quiz. Clive Myrie, who is the new host of Mastermind, will also be joining team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton as a guest. Last year, Have I Got News For You celebrated its 30th year on air. Tonights episode will be the season finale of the programmes 61st series. Tell us what you think on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix

https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/roisin-conaty-partner-boyfriend-bbc-have-i-got-news-for-you/

Could we cut out cancer genes using CRISPR gene editing?

An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. Fusion oncogenes are cancer-causing genes that are made when two separate genes are fused together to make a new gene. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas has found that fusion oncogenes cause more than 16% of cancers in humans. Finding a way to stop and fix fusion oncogenes could be an important tool to stop these cancers. Scientists think genome editing may be the answer. They use a laboratory technique involving the CRISPR/Cas9 system. [An earlier] study used CRISPR to target fusion oncogenes, but it was considered potentially expensive and inefficient to do clinically because the therapy would have to be personalized to each patient. Because of this, they wanted to do it in a way that isnt patient-specific. Subscribe to our newsletter. SIGN UP The scientists [new method] reduces the size of tumors. Even better, it is highly efficient and potentially universal for cancers caused by fusion oncogenes. The CRISPR method was also specific to just cancer cells, leaving healthy cells alone. When healthy cells are spared, it means fewer side effects for patients. Overall, this is a promising method for possible cancer treatment. Read the original post

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/06/04/could-we-cut-out-cancer-genes-using-crispr-gene-editing/

Do people with artificial limbs come to see their prostheses as a natural part of the body or just a tool?

Embodiment implies that when one holds a screwdriver, for example, the brain morphs its representation of a hand until that representation reaches all the way to the very tip of the tool. [Neuroscientist Tamar Makin] examined whether people with prosthesesor London street cleaners wielding litter-grabbing metal polesdo, in fact, merge their identities with such tools. So far the results of Makins studies contradict some modern research that had suggested using an implement alters internalized body maps. Subscribe to our newsletter. SIGN UP Embodiment is a multifaceted phenomenon. If you ask the brain, or at least the visual cortex, of the people who use the prosthesis more, their organs embody the prosthesis less. But if you ask people about their subjective experience of how they perceive the prosthesis after long periods of use, the more they use it, the more they say it feels like part of their body, [Makin said.] Read the original post

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2021/06/04/do-people-with-artificial-limbs-come-to-see-their-prostheses-as-a-natural-part-of-the-body-or-just-a-tool/

Why is Turkey so prone to earthquakes?

In Turkey, earthquakes are nothing out of the ordinary with thousands of tremors taking place all over the country. The country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) recorded more than 33,000 earthquakes in 2020 alone, including 322 of magnitude 4.0 and higher. In fact, last year's three deadliest earthquakes all took place in or near Turkey. Forty-one people were killed in eastern Elaz in January and a month later 10 died in southeastern Van. In October, a magnitude 6.6 tremor struck western Izmir, killing 117 people, while two more died on the Greek island of Samos. There is a well-known saying in Turkish "corafya kaderdir" which means "geography is destiny." And it perfectly describes Turkey's proneness to earthquakes. Most of Turkey is located on the Anatolian tectonic plate, which sits between two major plates, the Eurasian and African, and a minor one, the Arabian. As the larger African and Arabian plates shift Turkey is being literally squeezed, while the Eurasian plate impedes any northward movement. Thus, Turkey sits on several fault lines. A villager stands next to his collapsed house after an earthquake in Sivrice near Elaz, Turkey, Jan. 25, 2020. (Reuters Photo) The most potentially devastating fault line in the country is the North Anatolian fault line (NAF), where the Anatolian and Eurasian plates meet. It runs from just south of Istanbul all the way to northeastern Turkey. The NAF has produced devastating earthquakes throughout history. More than 17,000 people were killed and over 43,000 were injured when a magnitude 7.4 quake rocked the Marmara region for 37 seconds in the early hours of Aug. 17, 1999, with its epicenter located in Glck, some 75 kilometers (46.60 miles) southeast of the Bosporus. Three months later, on Nov. 12, 1999, 845 people were killed and nearly 5,000 injured when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Dzce province, about 120 kilometers northeast of Glck. A woman weeps as the remains of her 16 year-old brother are taken by rescue workers to an ambulance after being pulled out of the rubble in Glck, Turkey, Aug. 23, 1999. (AP Photo) At the same time, the East Anatolian fault line stretches some 650 kilometers from eastern Turkey's highlands to the Mediterranean, from where it turns southward and meets the northern end of the Great Rift system separating the African and Arabian plates. The strike-slip fault was formed millions of years ago as the Anatolian plate was being pushed northwestwards by the Arabian plate. Meanwhile, western Turkey is also effected by another minor tectonic plate, the Aegean Sea Plate. An unfortunate tectonic location and a traumatizing history of deadly earthquakes have made the fear of tremors evident in everyday life as Turks are taught how to behave during earthquakes from a young age and many take certain precautions in case a quake suddenly strikes, such as preparing an emergency bag and establishing safety zones at home or work. Meanwhile, experts continue to issue warnings and predictions that a potentially catastrophic earthquake may hit Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, sometime in the near future.

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/why-is-turkey-so-prone-to-earthquakes/news

What are the top trends coming down the line for cloud?

Huaweis Dinesh Wijekoon discusses the biggest trends affecting the cloud space and the challenges going forward. To close out our Cloud Week on Siliconrepublic.com, we wanted to look to the future and see what the main trends are within the cloud sector. Dinesh Wijekoon is a senior software architect in the Huawei research centre in Ireland as part of the companys site reliability engineering lab, having previously worked as a software development engineer in Amazon Web Services. He said AI is one of the biggest trends that is coming down the line in cloud computing, although he added that it is very much a buzzword at the moment. AI and cloud computing When it comes to cloud computing, Wijekoon said AI can be divided into that which is used by external customers and that which is used by internal customers. External use of AI includes image recognition, language processing, recommendation engines and autonomous driving vehicles. Internal customers use of AI includes infrastructure, failure and scaling predictions, and logistics management. While AI has plenty of well-known benefits, Wijekoon said cloud computing enables AI to process much larger volumes of data, which is why cloud is so important. Taking the example of autonomous driving, he said that previously, if one person had a car, it would only have data from that one vehicle to work with. But with AI, now they are collecting every cars data across the whole car fleet, and they apply machine learning on top of that, he said. If there are 100,000 cars, all 100,000 cars get better the next day. He said he does not believe this would be possible without the help of cloud computing. You need a huge environment [to process data], so the cloud enables you to have special purpose computing in order to do the work for the AI. However, he also noted that because AI is such a buzzword in this sector, businesses that rush to use it may end up using it for the wrong things. AI is not a silver bullet that fixes everything, he said. People should find the balance of where to use it and where not to use it because it comes with a huge cost, it comes with a lot of training and it takes time. Hybrid clouds Another major trend within the industry is the use of hybrid cloud computing, which Wijekoon said is becoming more popular because of the flexibility it offers. While public or private cloud offerings can work for certain workloads, they are unlikely to work for all. Therefore, the blended nature of hybrid brings both options to the table, allowing companies to move some infrastructure to the cloud, while retaining other components on-prem. Its a real market and its addressing the real concerns that customers had for a long time, said Wijekoon. He added that hybrid solutions can also help address concerns around data protection laws such as GDPR. Cybersecurity in the cloud Wijekoon noted that security is another major concern among customers, but it is perhaps a misunderstood area. He said the mindset many people may have had in the past when it comes to security is that if you put information somewhere like the cloud, its not secure. It needs to live in your house or in your buildings and then its secure, but thats not true, he said. Running your own cloud or a small rack of computers would have more security problems than [a provider] who has perfected these solutions in the cloud. He said that cloud service providers also have much bigger budgets to spend on strong security, which can then be distributed to customers, making it more cost effective than businesses doing it themselves. Concerns around cybersecurity in the cloud may grow following recent global cyberattacks such as the attack on the HSE, the attack on a major US gas pipeline and this weeks ransomware attack on the worlds largest meat producer. All these matters are making every customer concerned, said Wijekoon. [However], you can provide better solutions from the cloud because if youre a small company with 10 people, you dont have that much engineering or knowledge to make things secure.

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/cloud-trends-ai-cybersecurity-huawei

Could School Resegregation Drive White Students to Become Democrats as Adults?

Research released earlier this year that focused on school districts in six Southern states could provide some clues. It indicates that in such situations, those white students who entered high school right after their districts were dismissed from court-ordered desegregation plans were 3.8 percentage points more likely to align with the Democratic Party as adults in 2020 than their white peers who either graduated from those districts before those dismissals, or who were in districts that remained under those orders from 1990 to 2014. Addressing school segregation and its effects on everything from education funding to students life outcomes is a key issue for many political leaders and others in the education world; the number of districts under court desegregation orders has declined in the last few decades, although exact and consistent information about those orders is hard to pin down . The study doesnt get into the details of why different districts had the court orders lifted. School districts can show theyve achieved desegregation in order to have court orders lifted, although theres also some evidence that lax enforcement and oversight of such orders has led to a decline in their influence. The way teachers as well as district leaders talk about race in the classroom has become a polarizing national political issue in recent months. And more broadly, even small shifts in partisanship in the states included in the study, like Florida and Georgia, can have immense political consequences. In her working paper, which is undergoing peer review, Taylor Mattia, a Ph.D. candidate in politics at New York University, wrote that her findings corroborate a theory that white peoples increased exposure to other racial groups leads them to see a threat to their own identity, and to respond negatively to those other groups. In the context of educational settings, exposure alone may generate backlash, wrote Mattia, whos also studied the effect of education spending on voter turnout and is an affiliated researcher at NYUs Public Safety Lab. Noting that the Democratic Party attracts more people of color than the Republican Party, Mattia also wrote in her paper that: These findings [are] potentially troubling. They imply a higher likelihood of identification with the Democratic Party among whites due to increased social distance between whites and students of color. However, a different theory holds that contact and interaction with different racial groups reduces negative stereotypes and leads to greater affinity and cooperation between people in those groups. And its important to note that other recent research about this general topic has resulted in findings substantively different than Mattias. For example, a study of white men who were bused to predominantly Black schools in Louisville, Ky., in the 1970s found that those men were more likely to be registered Democrats four decades later. And a study of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina found a correlation between an increase in schools enrollment of students of color and a decrease in students subsequent likelihood of registering as Republicans, a correlation largely driven by white students partisan affiliation as adults. While court-ordered desegregation efforts have often played a big role in debates about diversity and race in education, those arent the only efforts by policymakers and educators to enhance things like the socioeconomic diversity of their schools. Some districts have undertaken a variety of integration efforts voluntarily. Recent polling data indicates that while parents from different racial and political backgrounds tend to say theyd prefer for their children to attend racially and economically integrated schools, their decisions about their childrens schooling often dont match those stated preferences . A federal watchdogs report from 2016 found that that the share of racially and economically isolated schools was on the rise, although claims that the report showed an increase in school segregation were disputed . Links between teenagers experiences and their adult politics should be studied closely In an interview about her study, Resegregated Schools, Racial Attitudes, and Long-Run Partisanship: Evidence for White Backlash, Mattia noted that the research encompasses a much larger number of schools, districts, and students than the studies of Louisville and Charlotte-Mecklenburg mentioned above. Mattia said she took an interest in the topic because many studies focus on parents influence on their childrens political outlook, but fewer look at schools impact on things like partisan affiliation. If I know that youre a Democrat when youre 25, theres a really high chance youre going to be a Democrat when youre 50, Mattia said in an interview. We know that adolescent experiences are important to the formation of partisanship. For her research, Mattia focused on public high schools in districts in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and sorted districts by whether court-ordered desegregation was kept in place or dismissed between 1990 and 2014; Mattia chose these states because of their relatively robust data on voters racial identity and partisan identification. Its not just safe to assume that numeric diversity will translate to positive outcomes. Mattia also replicated previous research to show that dismissals of court desegregation led to actual resegregation by race in the high schools she studied. She then gathered data on individual students from schools presence on Classmates , a social-networking site, and linked that data to information about their race and partisan affiliation. She also didnt find a meaningful link between the dismissal of court-ordered integration in a district and a subsequent migration of white parents into that district. The link between white students in resegregated schools and their future affiliation as Democrats was strongest among those who already attended predominantly white high schools when their districts court-ordered desegregation was dismissed. When Mattia looked at whether the dismissal of court-ordered desegregation had an affect on the adult partisan affiliation of Black and Latino students, she found none. The idea that desegregation policies can provoke a threatened response is a real concern for schools and others, but its also on a complicated spectrum of reactions and not insurmountable for such efforts, said Peter Piazza, a researcher at the Massachusetts Consortium for Innovative Education Assessment, who studies school integration efforts. If people focus too heavily on white students potential negative responses, Piazza said, Id be worried that people would say, Well, whats the point of integration? He also pointed to research showing benefits that white students in diverse schools report when it comes to issues like engagement, safety, and civic participation. In an Education Week story about schools named for segregationist politicians , Willie Bright, a Black member of the South Carolina community served by Strom Thurmond High Schoolnamed for the long-time U.S. senatorsaid that, Just because they go through the same door doesnt mean its integrated. The schools just as segregated as it ever was. Beyond school-level enrollment figures, issues like racial disparities in participation in advanced coursework have also garnered attention. Ultimately, Mattia said, schools should work to create opportunities for students of different races to forge friendships and (as she put it in her working paper) other close, meaningful, and cooperative relationships in schools themselves. Theres a lot of other research showing that, at least at the classroom level, there are actions that teachers and administrators and even school districts elected officials can take in order to ensure that racial diversity leads to more positive outcomes, Mattia said in the interview. Its not just safe to assume that numeric diversity will translate to positive outcomes.

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/could-school-resegregation-drive-white-students-to-become-democrats-as-adults/2021/06

Why do most S. Ossetian high-school graduates apply for universities in Russia?

As the university application season approaches, journalist, blogger, and entrepreneur Alan Parastaev explores why South Ossetian school graduates prefer Russian universities. The exam period is now in full motion in South Ossetia and, much like in Soviet times and the 90s, S. Ossetian teenagers are taking their final exams in schools, instead of taking the unified state exam, which, unlike in Russia, has never been introduced here. In recent years, the majority of South Ossetian applicants have been admitted to universities in Russia, and all of them had to both sit exams and pass interviews. The system of university applications is rather complex for S.Ossetian first-year applicants. Quotas in Russian universities are allocated every year for South Ossetian students, but the Russian institutions that introduce them work with various agencies in S. Ossetia, so it is often hard to determine the exact number of places available for applicants from South Ossetia. The most famous organization dealing with the distribution of quotas is Rossotrudnitchestvo which has been working in South Ossetia since 2003. This year, as in previous years, 18 university places will be allocated for South Ossetian applicants via this organization, said Sergei Skvortsov, representative of Rossotrudnichestvo in South Ossetia. Despite the fact that the number of places remains unchanged, the directions are adjusted every year in cooperation with the South Ossetian departments. Until 2013, the South Ossetian Ministry of Education would conduct interviews and allocate places for applicants to study at Russian universities. However, in recent years, the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo has been charged with this process. This year, applicants will be passing the selection process online, meaning that they will no longer have to submit documents to the Rossotrudnichestvo. All information required from the applicant will now have to be uploaded to the website. The functions of Rossotrudnichestvo are, therefore, reduced to tracking the downloaded data and reacting in time if something needs to be corrected or added. South Ossetian applicants during selection to universities of the Russian Ministry of Defense, July 2020. Photo: Ministry of Defense of South Ossetia. Why most applicants choose to undertake military careers The places in Russian universities provided by Rossitrudnichestvo are only a part of all quotas provided by Russia to S. Ossetian applicants. The Russian Ministry of Defense is the leader in terms of quotas this year, offering a total of 91 places in the Russian military universities (former military schools). In comparison, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia allocated 21 places for South Ossetia students in its educational institutions. But this does not mean that we will get 91 officers, artillerymen, or paratroopers. A large percentage of the professions offered by the Russian military to South Ossetian applicants have little to do with military service, and instead, S. Ossetian students can learn to become doctors, financiers, engineers, or even musicians and diplomats. Having said that, those who really want to dedicate their lives to military service can apply for military universities. Some are joining the South Ossetian army hoping that, after several years, to become a Russian officer, as most of them also have Russian citizenship. According to the existing agreement, our cadets cannot join the Russian army immediately upon graduation and study in Russia as foreign students. Same is the case with quotas for other universities of law enforcement agencies (KGB, Ministry of Internal Affairs) and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Diplomacy, art, culture and other specialties Both MGIMO (Moscow Institute of International Relations) and the Diplomatic Academy propose S. Ossetian students study diplomacy in order to competently defend the foreign policy interests of our republic. As a result, South Ossetia expects to receive 10 certified diplomats. The most active in promoting art and culture, according to my friends, is the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Tskhinvali. The center distributes quotas for specialties related to cinema, theater, visual arts, and other creative professions. If we add to this list the places allocated by the universities of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, among which about 60 are offered by the Mining Institute, then it is obvious that there is no shortage of university places for South Ossetian youth. Will S.Ossetian youth return after studying in Russia The main problem associated with the return of our youth after graduating from Russian universities is multifaceted and ambiguous. There is a certain form of agreement with applicants having entered a university in Russia, they vow to return to South Ossetia after graduation. For its part, the state assumes responsibility for the employment of young specialists but the real question is whether or not a recent graduate will be satisfied with it. In addition, vacancies may simply not be available. For example, the aforementioned diplomats with all due respect to this profession are clearly not in demand here. There is another problematic aspect associated with qualifications, or rather, with the acquisition of work experience. It is clear that the opportunity to work for at least a couple of years after receiving a diploma in a Russian institution or company gives a specialist the right to call themselves a professional and work more productively upon returning home. After all, the employer will no longer want to let go of a good specialist, and the specialists themselves may not want to leave the team where they achieved their first successes. It often happens that the parents of quota graduates are inclined to persuade and even encourage their children to stay where they study. I know a lot of such examples and I cannot explain what caused this behavior because it can be said without exaggeration that it is definitely easier to live and work in Tskhinval today than in many regions of Russia and even in its capital, where both the rhythm of life and the prices can be overwhelming. Although the career can be built faster there as well, it is not always the case for everyone. If we talk about the ratio of the students entering Russian universities and our native alma mater, the South Ossetian State University, then it is about 60% to 40%. For example, last year 207 young people were admitted to the daytime department at YUOGU. Of these, at least 170 were high school graduates. According to my calculations, more than 200 of our former schoolchildren will go to study in Russia this year. Terms, place names, opinions and publication ideas do not necessarily coincide with those of JAMnews or its individual employees. JAMnews reserves the right to remove comments on posts that are deemed offensive, threatening, violent or otherwise ethically unacceptable.

https://jam-news.net/why-do-most-s-ossetian-high-school-graduates-apply-for-universities-in-russia/