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Should Celgene Investors Take Bristol's Money and Run?	In 2018, Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) relied on just two products to drive growth, and the pharma giant's late-stage development pipeline looks like Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards. Investors know that Bristol-Myers needs to do something to continue pushing the needle forward, but a $74 billion offer for Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) might not have been what they had in mind. Celgene shareholders will receive a combination of cash and Bristol-Myers Squibb stock. Frightened person running with a briefcase bursting with cash. More Image source: Getty Images. What Celgene shareholders get Assuming the deal completes as intended, Celgene investors have a few reasons to stick around. For each share of Celgene, they'll receive one share of Bristol-Myers Squibb, $50 upfront, and another $9 if three drugs in late-stage development earn FDA approval in a timely manner. Celgene shareholders who hang on will also begin receiving a quarterly dividend that offers a 3.6% yield at Bristol's recent stock price. Bristol has two key growth drivers pulling a train of established brands uphill. During the first nine months of 2018, Opdivo sales grew 35% to $4.9 billion, and Eliquis sales grew 35% to $4.7 billion. Generic competition for established brands pulled Bristol's top line in the opposite direction, which limited total year-to-year sales growth to just 8% during the period. Bristol-Myers expects to record adjusted earnings of at least $3.80 per share for all of 2018, and at least $4.10 per share in 2019, excluding any impact from the Celgene acquisition. Celgene shareholders eager to fire Mark Alles over the ozanimod debacle of 2018 will also get their wish: Bristol-Myers CEO Giovanni Caforio will continue to serve as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the combined company. More reasons to hold on To get investors on board, Bristol-Myers pointed at six experimental new drugs in late-stage development that have $15 billion in total -- not annual -- revenue potential. That figure seems entirely reasonable considering EvaluatePharma recently estimated their combined net present value at $25.2 billion, a figure that accounts for positive and negative cash flows, plus how long it could take to achieve them. A lot of Celgene's top-line sales already flow to the bottom line. Over the past year, Celgene generated a whopping $4.2 billion in free cash flow, with just $15.2 billion in top-line sales, and the same operations are about to become a lot more profitable. Bristol-Myers Squibb already has around 22,000 employees who perform many of the same functions as counterparts at Celgene who racked up $3.2 billion in sales and administrative expenses over the past year.	Celgene shareholders will receive a combination of cash and Bristol-Myers Squibb stock. Opdivo sales grew 35% to $4.9 billion in the first nine months of 2018. Generic competition for established brands pulled Bristol's top line in the opposite direction.	bart	2	https://news.yahoo.com/celgene-investors-bristol-apos-money-130700633.html	0.138171
Is Chelsea move the right step for Pulisic?	And there is no simple answer. Scroll to continue with content Ad [ MORE: Pulisic issues statement ] We all know that Pulisic was destined to play in the Premier League. He has said time and time again that he hoped to move there one day, and his love for the league is clear after his spell living in England as a youngster and watching closely from Hershey, Pennsylvania growing up. The fact Pulisic has arrived at one of the biggest clubs on the planet for such a massive transfer fee is a monumental moment for American soccer. He has arrived at Chelsea for a huge $73 million fee and will join them in the summer after being loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the current campaign. The players remaining at Chelsea when Pulisic arrives in the summer will likely dictate if his move to England and the Premier League is a successful one. Chelsea host Southampton on Wednesday (Watch live, 2:45 p.m. ET on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com) at Stamford Bridge and our Premier League analysts will be breaking down Pulisics move. Pro Soccer Talk understands that Pulisic has been told that some key attacking players at Chelsea will be moved on between now and this summer to allow him to become a key player for the west London club. That is crucial as Pulisic has been on the outside looking in at Dortmund in recent months due to a few small injuries and the amazing form of Englands Jadon Sancho in his place. In that sense, Dortmund getting the cash they have for a player with 18 months left on his contract is great business, and Pulisic will feel like hes upgraded too. [ STREAM: Watch every PL match live ] Story continues He is not the first youngster to arrive at the Blues with huge expectations placed upon him, as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Romelu Lukaku all failed to break through (under Jose Mourinho, not someone who gives youth a chance might we add) and reinforced the notion that Chelsea is a no-go zone for top young players. With Chelseas revolving door policy with managers, it is also a risky place for a player to fall out of favor quickly. Pulisics character has so far seen him deal comfortably with being the golden boy of American soccer and he will be unfazed by everything swirling around him in the Premier League. Aside from the huge marketing potential Chelsea will see in having the first global American superstar in their squad, they have paid this huge fee for a reason. They believe in Pulisics talents. Despite that, getting into this Chelsea team will be tough for Pulisic to do on a weekly basis. At least at first. If Eden Hazard does stay at Chelsea and doesnt head to Real Madrid, Pulisic will be fighting with Willian and Pedro for the one remaining spot out wide. However, his arrival is likely to signal the departure of either Willian or Pedro, or maybe both, and even if one of their wingers remains Maurizio Sarri has played with three wingers going forward many times this season. Having Hazard as a false nine with Pulisic and Willian buzzing around him could work very well. That said, you cannot brush aside Chelseas track record of stockpiling young talent and then seeing many of their careers stagnating at Stamford Bridge. Pulisic falls into a slightly different category, but academy products Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nathaniel Chalboah, Nathan Ake, Tammy Abraham and many others have all had to move elsewhere (either on loan or permanently) to try and kick-start their careers. The fact that Chelsea splashed this cash to sign Pulisic proves they are going to use him and he will be a key cog under Sarri. And that is perhaps the biggest plus for him signing for Chelsea. Sarri loves players who are able to possess the ball and press high up the pitch. That suits Pulisics game to a tee, and if Hazard stays this summer he will be able to link up and learn from one of the best players on the planet. Even if Hazard leaves then Pulisic will be given a greater responsibility to be Chelseas main attacking threat. He may not score as many goals as he would like, but his creativity, pace and ability to play in multiple positions means he will slot into this Chelsea system seamlessly. Liverpools front three are going nowhere, and although Pulisic has a great relationship with Jurgen Klopp, a move to Anfield just didnt seem like a good fit, at least right now. If he gets the opportunity to play regularly, as he should do, then this move looks perfect for Pulisic.	American soccer star Christian Pulisic has signed for Chelsea for a $73 million fee. He will join Chelsea in the summer after being loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the current campaign.	bart	1	https://sports.yahoo.com/chelsea-move-step-pulisic-120510309.html?src=rss	0.117639
Is Chelsea move the right step for Pulisic?	And there is no simple answer. Scroll to continue with content Ad [ MORE: Pulisic issues statement ] We all know that Pulisic was destined to play in the Premier League. He has said time and time again that he hoped to move there one day, and his love for the league is clear after his spell living in England as a youngster and watching closely from Hershey, Pennsylvania growing up. The fact Pulisic has arrived at one of the biggest clubs on the planet for such a massive transfer fee is a monumental moment for American soccer. He has arrived at Chelsea for a huge $73 million fee and will join them in the summer after being loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the current campaign. The players remaining at Chelsea when Pulisic arrives in the summer will likely dictate if his move to England and the Premier League is a successful one. Chelsea host Southampton on Wednesday (Watch live, 2:45 p.m. ET on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com) at Stamford Bridge and our Premier League analysts will be breaking down Pulisics move. Pro Soccer Talk understands that Pulisic has been told that some key attacking players at Chelsea will be moved on between now and this summer to allow him to become a key player for the west London club. That is crucial as Pulisic has been on the outside looking in at Dortmund in recent months due to a few small injuries and the amazing form of Englands Jadon Sancho in his place. In that sense, Dortmund getting the cash they have for a player with 18 months left on his contract is great business, and Pulisic will feel like hes upgraded too. [ STREAM: Watch every PL match live ] Story continues He is not the first youngster to arrive at the Blues with huge expectations placed upon him, as the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Romelu Lukaku all failed to break through (under Jose Mourinho, not someone who gives youth a chance might we add) and reinforced the notion that Chelsea is a no-go zone for top young players. With Chelseas revolving door policy with managers, it is also a risky place for a player to fall out of favor quickly. Pulisics character has so far seen him deal comfortably with being the golden boy of American soccer and he will be unfazed by everything swirling around him in the Premier League. Aside from the huge marketing potential Chelsea will see in having the first global American superstar in their squad, they have paid this huge fee for a reason. They believe in Pulisics talents. Despite that, getting into this Chelsea team will be tough for Pulisic to do on a weekly basis. At least at first. If Eden Hazard does stay at Chelsea and doesnt head to Real Madrid, Pulisic will be fighting with Willian and Pedro for the one remaining spot out wide. However, his arrival is likely to signal the departure of either Willian or Pedro, or maybe both, and even if one of their wingers remains Maurizio Sarri has played with three wingers going forward many times this season. Having Hazard as a false nine with Pulisic and Willian buzzing around him could work very well. That said, you cannot brush aside Chelseas track record of stockpiling young talent and then seeing many of their careers stagnating at Stamford Bridge. Pulisic falls into a slightly different category, but academy products Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nathaniel Chalboah, Nathan Ake, Tammy Abraham and many others have all had to move elsewhere (either on loan or permanently) to try and kick-start their careers. The fact that Chelsea splashed this cash to sign Pulisic proves they are going to use him and he will be a key cog under Sarri. And that is perhaps the biggest plus for him signing for Chelsea. Sarri loves players who are able to possess the ball and press high up the pitch. That suits Pulisics game to a tee, and if Hazard stays this summer he will be able to link up and learn from one of the best players on the planet. Even if Hazard leaves then Pulisic will be given a greater responsibility to be Chelseas main attacking threat. He may not score as many goals as he would like, but his creativity, pace and ability to play in multiple positions means he will slot into this Chelsea system seamlessly. Liverpools front three are going nowhere, and although Pulisic has a great relationship with Jurgen Klopp, a move to Anfield just didnt seem like a good fit, at least right now. If he gets the opportunity to play regularly, as he should do, then this move looks perfect for Pulisic.	Pulisic will join Chelsea in the summer after being loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the current campaign. There is no simple answer as to whether the move is the right one for the 20-year-old American. Chelsea have a history of stockpiling young talent and then seeing many of their careers stagnate.	ctrlsum	2	https://sports.yahoo.com/chelsea-move-step-pulisic-120510309.html?src=rss	0.170947
How Will the Shutdown End?	This week, the third shutdown of the federal government in 2018 became the first government shutdown of 2019. For more than two weeks now, a partial shutdown has dragged on following President Donald Trumps refusal to sign a spending bill passed by both a majority in the lame-duck Republican House and unanimously in the GOP-held Senate. The reason for Trumps intransigence is simple: he wants any spending bill to include $5 billion to pay for a wall on the Mexico-U.S. borderthe central policy goal of his 2016 campaign and which he consistently promised that Mexico would pay for. Story Continued Below Congressional approval of a border wall seemed unlikely even when Trumps fellow Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress. Now that a new Congress has been sworn in and the House is firmly in Democratic handsand with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowing not to authorize a single dime for the construction of a border walla resolution to the impasse seems, at the moment, unimaginable. We asked 11 top political strategists, pundits and observers from across the political spectrum how they think the shutdown will end. Heres what they had to say. It will end with Trump declaring victory regardless of the actual outcome Anita Dunn is managing director at SKDKnickerbocker, was a senior adviser to President Barack Obamas 2008 campaign and served as White House communications director in 2009. It is likely that the shutdown will end before the State of the Union (still to be scheduled, but traditionally late January) and it will end with President Trump declaring victory and progress on getting the wall built, regardless of the actual outcome. In the alternate reality, Congress will fund border security at roughly the same levels it would have funded border security in December. House Republicans will NOT use the wall (or even beautiful steel slats) as a recruitment talking point in the districts they lost in 2018, and Members of Congress will try to pretend the whole thing never happened. Trump will propose a fix for DACA recipients in exchange for at least half of the $5 billion dollars in funding for the border wall Alfonso Aguilar is president of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles Because the shutdown is partial, it seems that both sides are not in a hurry or feel as much pressure to reach a deal. Both will take time to score points with their base. The shutdown will, therefore, continue easily for another 10 days. By next week, however, the White House and congressional Democrats will begin serious negotiations that will lead to an agreement that allows both of them to save face and claim some sort of victory. President Trump will take the first step and proposeto the chagrin of his nativist immigration aide Stephen Millera fix for DACA recipients in exchange for at least half of the $5 billion dollars in funding for the border wall he has requested. This will turn the table on Pelosi and Schumer. If they insist on not including any money for the wall when the president is showing flexibility and willing to negotiate, they will come across as intransigent and only interested in playing politics with the immigration issue. After some initial push back, they will accept the deal but will demandand Republicans will acceptthat the final legislative language not include the term wall but alternative terminology such as strategic fencing, which in practical and policy terms means exactly the same. The shutdown will end around January 12th. The government will open very quickly if Dems offer future chances for a border wall Paul Winfree is director of the Heritage Foundations Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies and former White House budget policy director for President Trump. Thus far, Congressional Democrats seem to be offering only paths that would roll back the administrations policies while eliminating current and future opportunities to deliver on border security. Thats not exactly a strategy for progress if the goal is to the open the government. I suspect that the government will open very quickly once Democrats offer Trump the ability to make progress on the border infrastructure while creating future opportunities for evaluation and debate by limiting the amount of money available for construction relative to the Presidents request. Amidst plummeting approval ratings, Trump will be forced to sign a compromise without a wall Neera Tanden is president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank. Speaker Nancy Pelosiwho, unlike her predecessor Paul Ryan, is capable of governingwill pass legislation in the House which mirrors the bill that the Senate has already unanimously approved. Eventually, Senators who supported this same package just two weeks agoparticularly Republicans facing reelection in 2020, such as Cory Gardner, Susan Collins, Joni Ernst, and Thom Tilliswill recognize that refusing to reenact the Houses resolution will constitute their first flip-flop of the upcoming campaign cycle. Once the Senate decides to abide by the terms of its previous agreement, President Trump will be forced to sign this legislation amidst plummeting approval ratings. He will then issue a rambling and fraudulent tweet boasting that the new spending bill funds his border wall. Sadly, this is a lie that his base is likely to believe. It should end with a grand compromise: The Dream Act, plus a border barrier Frank Luntz is a pollster and communications strategist who has worked for a wide array of clients in the business and Republican political world. I dont know how it will end, but I do know how it should end: with a grand compromise that includes the Dream Act for Democrats and funding for border security and a barrier or the Republicans. Everyone can get what they care about most, and the public can once again get a government that functions. If we focus on delivering for our constituents rather than beating the opposition, we can achieve so much. It wont be a physical wall, but the language will by written in a way that Trump can claim I got my wall Michael Steele is the former chairman of the Republican National Committee. President Trump and Speaker Pelosi have entered the Shutdown Ring, circling each other like prize fighters looking for each others weakness to exploit with one quick and stunning blow. Unfortunately, the only people getting punched are the more than 800,000 federal workers who arent getting paid. Given Trump and Pelosis posturing, dont expect a quick end to the madness: Speaker Pelosi has absolutely no incentive to give the president $5 billion for a wall, and the president has every incentive to blame the Democrats for the shutdown. I suspect that by January 29, the tentative date of the State of the Union speech, something close to $2 billion will be appropriated for border security. It wont be a physical wall, but the language will be written in a way that Trump can claim I got my wallremember, hes down to slats at this point. This shutdown will end with Trump capitulating on the wall Rick Wilson is a Republican political strategist and the author of Everything Trump Touches Dies. This shutdown will end with Trump capitulating on the wall. The White House hasnt felt any of the pain and chaos from it yet, and the pressures that come with 800,000 federal employees sitting home without pay will rise and rise. Trumps disregard for federal workers is one thing; the damage will ramify across the economy and the political sphere as this game drags out. The only hope the White House has right now is that Schumer blinks, though it looks like the Democrats have the political will to hold the line. Theyd be fools not to; this is a massive, singular issue on which Trump bet 100 percent of his credibility. He put his head on the chopping block and handed Pelosi the axe. Uncertainty will continue until Senate Republicans wake up and find their groove Donna Brazile is the former chair of the Democratic National Committee and managed Al Gores 2000 presidential campaign. The newly elected Democratic majority in the House of Representatives will take the lead by offering proposals that would normally get us back to the negotiating tableTrump enjoys playing by his own set of rules. Uncertainty will continue until Senate Republicans wake up and find their groove to lead with or without the President. Especially as the economy falters, the president needs some street cred with his base, and he might try to find it in badgering Democrats. The challenge for him is that in trying to get Congress to pay for his border wall, he risks highlighting the fact he was unable to make good on his single biggest campaign promise from 2016: that he would build a wall, and Mexico would pay for it. The longer this shutdown drags on, the bigger the risk for Trump. Of course, he could come clean by telling the American people that he needs taxpayers the foot the bill for the wallperhaps hell get more by telling us the truth than forcing innocent public servants to play his foolish game of chickenbut I doubt hell do that. There must be fencing the Obama folks created that can be extended or renewed at a modest increase in spending David Gergen is the director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and a former White House adviser to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton. The only certainty about the shutdown is that it will end. Democrats are holding the high cards at the momentand Nancy Pelosi is playing a more skillful game than Donald Trumpbut the longer the impasse, the more the public will blame both parties. Each side, then, needs to find a quiet way stop this craziness soonand in truth, it shouldnt be that hard. There must be fencing the Obama folks created that can be extended or renewed at a modest increase in spending. Dems can then claim they are beefing up security just like Obama; Trump in turn can claim that barriers are longer and even higher than in the past. On both sides, there are already hints that they could also agree to a compromise on spending levels. What about each side designating three negotiators and passing a continuing resolution giving them two weeks to finish, letting federal workers return to their jobs immediately and promise to protect their back pay. It shouldnt even take two weeks to get it done. One thing is for sure: the public is sick of political stuntsour leaders in Washington are bound to see that, get this one behind us, and move on. Who will cave: Pelosi or Trump? Sophia A. Nelson is a former Republican counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, and author of the book, E Pluribus One: Reclaiming our Founders Vision for a United America. Given President Trumps bizarre appearance in the White House Briefing Room on Thursday afternoon, I think we are in for a rough road and a long standoff. If Trumps press conference is any indication, he will stand his ground on the border wall and hold out for money for his wall. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a smart and savvy leader, has vowed not to give any funding for a wall, and knows that she cannot allow the Democrats to get the blame for this shutdown. My money is that Pelosi comes out the winner here, as Republicans in Congress lose patience as Trump drifts further and further away from the simple reality that most Americans care more about their personal financial security than about a border wall. The shutdown will end when Fox News tells Trump to end it Adam Jentleson is public affairs director at Democracy Forward, former president of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, and was a top aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. This feels different than past shutdowns. There is no obvious endgame and Trump is firmly ensconced in a Fox News bubble, unresponsive to rational inputs. It will end when Fox News tells him to end itthats the most Im confident predicting.	It will end with President Trump declaring victory.	ctrlsum	0	https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/04/how-will-government-shutdown-end-223691	0.152176
Can St. Paul's 'Top Chef' contestant survive the pressure cooker of Restaurant Wars?	Never do a Champagne toast to your impending victory while soaking in a hot tub of hubris. Thats the lesson learned on Top Chef, as the shows Restaurant Wars challenge wrapped up Wednesday night miserably for our hometown hero, Justin Sutherland. Last week, Sutherland and his overconfident teammates jinxed themselves with that hot tub toast. This week, their Blue Team is altogether crashing and burning, and Sutherland chef at St. Pauls Handsome Hog isnt looking too good. To recap, Restaurant Wars is the big challenge of the season, where the chefs team up to conceive, design and execute a brand-new restaurant in two days. When we left our chefs in the first of this two-parter, Sutherlands team was struggling with front-of-the-house training. Chef Nini Nguyen was in charge of bringing the servers up to speed, but wasnt doing a very good job of it. Sutherland, who was in the executive chef role, was stomping around and cursing loudly. Things dont look much better in the second part, as the servers keep mixing up tables and questioning Nguyen about how a guest will be able to eat soup if she doesnt have a fork and a knife. In the kitchen, chefs Sutherland, David Viana and Kelsey Barnard Clark are way behind schedule and have to shuck oysters to order. Meanwhile, Nguyens ice cream is melting down. So is Sutherland, by the time the judges, a table of six, sit down to eat at the teams Third Coast restaurant. Customers arent getting their food, the wrong orders are being served and guests are waiting an hour for a table. Youre killing me, Sutherland says at one point. The food isnt getting great reviews from the judges, either. The compound butter on the oysters is too acidic, and Sutherlands own crawfish bisque is too thick. Their entrees (red snapper, duck and cabbage) fare better, but the judges dont see the connection between them and the appetizers. Meanwhile, dishes keep getting sent back to the kitchen because the orders were incorrect. This is one of the most ridiculous situations Ive ever been in in my career, Sutherland says. Bleep. Finally, its over, and time for judgment. Unsurprisingly, the Blue Team does not win the challenge. When asked what went wrong, Sutherland unleashes his displeasure. It was a mess, he says. The service staff was not ready and really had no training. Cut to Nguyen looking both guilty and annoyed. It was chaos, he continues. But Sutherland cant place all the blame on the front of the house. Guest judge Nilou Motamed, the editor of Food & Wine magazine, calls Sutherlands bisque one of the weakest dishes of the night at any of the restaurants. Tom Colicchio said it didnt taste like seafood. Host Padma Lakshmi called it swampy. And because this was a continuation of the high-stress Restaurant Wars, Sutherland didnt get any redeeming moments in the form of his signature off-the-cuff witticisms, or his cool shirts and hats. The series most dynamic contestant was reduced to a chefs coat and a scowl face for most of the episode. But hes safe, for now. Nguyen, along with chef Pablo Lamon, is sent home. As most of the other chefs pile hugs on her, Sutherland stands back and breathes a sigh of relief. Now that hes bought himself another week, maybe the fun old Justin Sutherland will return. Id toast to that.	Justin Sutherland, chef at St. Paul's Handsome Hog, crashed and burned on "Top Chef" Sutherland's Blue Team struggled with front-of-the-house training. The Blue Team didn't win the Restaurant Wars challenge, but Sutherland didn't get any redeeming moments.	ctrlsum	2	http://www.startribune.com/can-st-paul-s-top-chef-contestant-survive-the-pressure-cooker-of-restaurant-wars/503899632/	0.210173
Which countries have the highest State Department threat levels for traveling?	18. Mali Population: 19.5 million Cases in 2018: 643 Cases in 2017: 21 Cases in 2016: 109 Mali faced epidemic levels in 2009-2010 when it had over 3,700 confirmed measles cases. Back then, nomadic groups presented a huge challenge for the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of children, according to humanitarian organization Mdecins Sans Frontires. ALSO READ: Teams With the Most Hall of Famers (Photo: dutourdumonde / Getty Images) As a new year of travel planning begins, the U.S. State Department has cautioned people not to travel to 10 countries around the world. The countries which include conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria have No. 4-level travel advisories. Last year, the State Department simplified its travel warnings and alerts. Under the new system, introduced in January 2018, every country in the world is now ranked 1 to 4. No. 1 advises travelers to take normal precautions. No. 2 encourages increased caution. No. 3 urges travelers to reconsider a trip. And No. 4 recommends against travel. Specific threats are now labeled by letter. C is for crime, T for terrorism, U for civil unrest, H for health risks, N for natural disasters, E for time-limited events such as elections or sporting events, and O for other. Ten countries including Turkey and Venezuela have No. 3 travel advisory levels. Mexico, overall, has a No. 2 travel advisory level due to crime. But the State Department also has alerts for each state. The department advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the following states due to crime: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas. Reviews for countries ranked 1 or 2 will happen once a year. Those with 3 or 4 levels will be reassessed every six months. But the labels may change at other times depending on events. The State Department cannot forbid U.S. travelers from visiting any of these countries, except for North Korea. To see pictures of the riskiest countries in the world, take a look at the photo gallery above. The countries with the No. 4 warning and the codes of their specific threats are: Afghanistan, C, T, U, O Central African Republic, C, U Iraq, T, O Libya, C, T, U, O Mali, C, T North Korea, O Somalia, C, T, O South Sudan, C, O Syria, T, U, O Yemen, T, U, H, O Those with No. 3 travel warnings are: Chad, C, T, O Congo DRC, C, U, O Mauritania, C, T Nicaragua, C, U, H, O Niger, C, T Nigeria, C, T, U, O Pakistan, T, O Sudan, C, T, U, O Turkey, T, O Venezuela, C, U, H, O Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/01/04/these-most-dangerous-countries-travel/2478837002/	Mali is the most dangerous country to travel to, according to the State Department.	ctrlsum	0	https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/01/04/these-most-dangerous-countries-travel/2478837002/	0.492619
Which countries have the highest State Department threat levels for traveling?	18. Mali Population: 19.5 million Cases in 2018: 643 Cases in 2017: 21 Cases in 2016: 109 Mali faced epidemic levels in 2009-2010 when it had over 3,700 confirmed measles cases. Back then, nomadic groups presented a huge challenge for the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of children, according to humanitarian organization Mdecins Sans Frontires. ALSO READ: Teams With the Most Hall of Famers (Photo: dutourdumonde / Getty Images) As a new year of travel planning begins, the U.S. State Department has cautioned people not to travel to 10 countries around the world. The countries which include conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria have No. 4-level travel advisories. Last year, the State Department simplified its travel warnings and alerts. Under the new system, introduced in January 2018, every country in the world is now ranked 1 to 4. No. 1 advises travelers to take normal precautions. No. 2 encourages increased caution. No. 3 urges travelers to reconsider a trip. And No. 4 recommends against travel. Specific threats are now labeled by letter. C is for crime, T for terrorism, U for civil unrest, H for health risks, N for natural disasters, E for time-limited events such as elections or sporting events, and O for other. Ten countries including Turkey and Venezuela have No. 3 travel advisory levels. Mexico, overall, has a No. 2 travel advisory level due to crime. But the State Department also has alerts for each state. The department advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the following states due to crime: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas. Reviews for countries ranked 1 or 2 will happen once a year. Those with 3 or 4 levels will be reassessed every six months. But the labels may change at other times depending on events. The State Department cannot forbid U.S. travelers from visiting any of these countries, except for North Korea. To see pictures of the riskiest countries in the world, take a look at the photo gallery above. The countries with the No. 4 warning and the codes of their specific threats are: Afghanistan, C, T, U, O Central African Republic, C, U Iraq, T, O Libya, C, T, U, O Mali, C, T North Korea, O Somalia, C, T, O South Sudan, C, O Syria, T, U, O Yemen, T, U, H, O Those with No. 3 travel warnings are: Chad, C, T, O Congo DRC, C, U, O Mauritania, C, T Nicaragua, C, U, H, O Niger, C, T Nigeria, C, T, U, O Pakistan, T, O Sudan, C, T, U, O Turkey, T, O Venezuela, C, U, H, O Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/01/04/these-most-dangerous-countries-travel/2478837002/	Mali is the most dangerous country to travel to, according to the U.S. State Department. There have been 643 confirmed measles cases in Mali in 2018, and 109 in 2016.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/01/04/these-most-dangerous-countries-travel/2478837002/	0.578174
Which countries have the highest State Department threat levels for traveling?	18. Mali Population: 19.5 million Cases in 2018: 643 Cases in 2017: 21 Cases in 2016: 109 Mali faced epidemic levels in 2009-2010 when it had over 3,700 confirmed measles cases. Back then, nomadic groups presented a huge challenge for the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of children, according to humanitarian organization Mdecins Sans Frontires. ALSO READ: Teams With the Most Hall of Famers (Photo: dutourdumonde / Getty Images) As a new year of travel planning begins, the U.S. State Department has cautioned people not to travel to 10 countries around the world. The countries which include conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria have No. 4-level travel advisories. Last year, the State Department simplified its travel warnings and alerts. Under the new system, introduced in January 2018, every country in the world is now ranked 1 to 4. No. 1 advises travelers to take normal precautions. No. 2 encourages increased caution. No. 3 urges travelers to reconsider a trip. And No. 4 recommends against travel. Specific threats are now labeled by letter. C is for crime, T for terrorism, U for civil unrest, H for health risks, N for natural disasters, E for time-limited events such as elections or sporting events, and O for other. Ten countries including Turkey and Venezuela have No. 3 travel advisory levels. Mexico, overall, has a No. 2 travel advisory level due to crime. But the State Department also has alerts for each state. The department advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the following states due to crime: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas. Reviews for countries ranked 1 or 2 will happen once a year. Those with 3 or 4 levels will be reassessed every six months. But the labels may change at other times depending on events. The State Department cannot forbid U.S. travelers from visiting any of these countries, except for North Korea. To see pictures of the riskiest countries in the world, take a look at the photo gallery above. The countries with the No. 4 warning and the codes of their specific threats are: Afghanistan, C, T, U, O Central African Republic, C, U Iraq, T, O Libya, C, T, U, O Mali, C, T North Korea, O Somalia, C, T, O South Sudan, C, O Syria, T, U, O Yemen, T, U, H, O Those with No. 3 travel warnings are: Chad, C, T, O Congo DRC, C, U, O Mauritania, C, T Nicaragua, C, U, H, O Niger, C, T Nigeria, C, T, U, O Pakistan, T, O Sudan, C, T, U, O Turkey, T, O Venezuela, C, U, H, O Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/01/04/these-most-dangerous-countries-travel/2478837002/	Mali is the most dangerous country to travel to, according to the U.S. State Department. Mali has the highest number of measles cases in the world at 18.5 per cent. Mexico has the lowest level of travel advisories at No. 2 due to crime.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2019/01/04/these-most-dangerous-countries-travel/2478837002/	0.614679
What's So Different About Cryptocurrency Exchanges?	This piece is part one of a four-part series looking at trading cryptocurrency. While both traditional exchanges and cryptocurrency exchanges facilitate trade across thousands of accounts, their setups are vastly different. A traditional exchange only carries out swaps between securities; it stays out of the broker/dealer role and doesnt touch custody. Transferring digital assets requires transacting on a blockchain and storing funds in a digital wallet. These unique factors, combined with largely undefined regulation, mean that crypto exchanges perform several services in one. One Function Versus Many Centralized crypto exchanges like Binance and OKEx employ several services needed to coordinate digital asset trading. Each crypto exchange uses an order-matching engine to match buyers and sellers, verify accounts and finally process transactions. In contrast, traditional exchanges basically perform one service, carrying out trades through an order-matching engine. They dont hold funds or perform the role of a broker/dealer. Shane Molidor, Global Head of Business Development at FBG ONE Trading, explains crypto exchanges role as more analogous to all-in-one platforms that interact with a custodian, the exchange, and a clearing agency, rather than just one place to exchange funds. While each of these functions were built separately for financial trading, Molidor says, crypto platforms consolidate all of this functionality. If you deposit bitcoin with Coinbase Pro, for example, youre commingling your assets with all their other customers whove deposited bitcoin. When you place a buy or sell order, Coinbase is serving as the broker/dealer introducing that order to the order matching engine. When the maker and taker interact with one another, the trades are settled immediately but back into the commingled accounts. This difference from traditional exchanges is what makes much of Wall Street and traditional investors uncomfortable using cryptocurrency exchanges. Cross-functionality also creates counterparty risk (the risk that one party will default on the agreement). Another key difference involves how crypto exchanges and traditional exchanges interact with data. Data Centers and Cloud Services While traditional financial exchanges rely on massive data centers in physical locations, most crypto exchanges rely on cloud servicesmore specifically, Amazon Web Services. Using AWS (or any centralized data center) puts crypto exchanges at risk of service outages like the time a human error brought AWS down in an entire region for five hours. While such outages are infrequent, crypto exchanges face some risk that a government will order their services cut off. Crypto introduces the complexity of transferring funds using various cryptocurrencies with multiple blockchains, gas fees and digital wallets, along with counterparty risk, custody issues and regulatory uncertainty. While exchanges, market makers and traders are profiting, the differences between crypto exchanges and their traditional counterparts are keeping many potential investors out for now. As more regulatory scrutiny comes to crypto, its possible the collection of services offered on crypto exchanges will start to separate in order to provide better protection against counterparty threats and regulatory violations.	While both traditional exchanges and cryptocurrency exchanges trade across thousands of accounts, their setups are vastly different.	pegasus	0	https://www.forbes.com/sites/leslieankney/2019/01/04/whats-so-different-about-cryptocurrency-exchanges/	0.246474
What's So Different About Cryptocurrency Exchanges?	This piece is part one of a four-part series looking at trading cryptocurrency. While both traditional exchanges and cryptocurrency exchanges facilitate trade across thousands of accounts, their setups are vastly different. A traditional exchange only carries out swaps between securities; it stays out of the broker/dealer role and doesnt touch custody. Transferring digital assets requires transacting on a blockchain and storing funds in a digital wallet. These unique factors, combined with largely undefined regulation, mean that crypto exchanges perform several services in one. One Function Versus Many Centralized crypto exchanges like Binance and OKEx employ several services needed to coordinate digital asset trading. Each crypto exchange uses an order-matching engine to match buyers and sellers, verify accounts and finally process transactions. In contrast, traditional exchanges basically perform one service, carrying out trades through an order-matching engine. They dont hold funds or perform the role of a broker/dealer. Shane Molidor, Global Head of Business Development at FBG ONE Trading, explains crypto exchanges role as more analogous to all-in-one platforms that interact with a custodian, the exchange, and a clearing agency, rather than just one place to exchange funds. While each of these functions were built separately for financial trading, Molidor says, crypto platforms consolidate all of this functionality. If you deposit bitcoin with Coinbase Pro, for example, youre commingling your assets with all their other customers whove deposited bitcoin. When you place a buy or sell order, Coinbase is serving as the broker/dealer introducing that order to the order matching engine. When the maker and taker interact with one another, the trades are settled immediately but back into the commingled accounts. This difference from traditional exchanges is what makes much of Wall Street and traditional investors uncomfortable using cryptocurrency exchanges. Cross-functionality also creates counterparty risk (the risk that one party will default on the agreement). Another key difference involves how crypto exchanges and traditional exchanges interact with data. Data Centers and Cloud Services While traditional financial exchanges rely on massive data centers in physical locations, most crypto exchanges rely on cloud servicesmore specifically, Amazon Web Services. Using AWS (or any centralized data center) puts crypto exchanges at risk of service outages like the time a human error brought AWS down in an entire region for five hours. While such outages are infrequent, crypto exchanges face some risk that a government will order their services cut off. Crypto introduces the complexity of transferring funds using various cryptocurrencies with multiple blockchains, gas fees and digital wallets, along with counterparty risk, custody issues and regulatory uncertainty. While exchanges, market makers and traders are profiting, the differences between crypto exchanges and their traditional counterparts are keeping many potential investors out for now. As more regulatory scrutiny comes to crypto, its possible the collection of services offered on crypto exchanges will start to separate in order to provide better protection against counterparty threats and regulatory violations.	Cryptocurrency exchanges perform several functions in one. This makes them different from traditional exchanges, which only perform one function. They are also different in their use of data centers and cloud services.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.forbes.com/sites/leslieankney/2019/01/04/whats-so-different-about-cryptocurrency-exchanges/	0.657806
What's So Different About Cryptocurrency Exchanges?	This piece is part one of a four-part series looking at trading cryptocurrency. While both traditional exchanges and cryptocurrency exchanges facilitate trade across thousands of accounts, their setups are vastly different. A traditional exchange only carries out swaps between securities; it stays out of the broker/dealer role and doesnt touch custody. Transferring digital assets requires transacting on a blockchain and storing funds in a digital wallet. These unique factors, combined with largely undefined regulation, mean that crypto exchanges perform several services in one. One Function Versus Many Centralized crypto exchanges like Binance and OKEx employ several services needed to coordinate digital asset trading. Each crypto exchange uses an order-matching engine to match buyers and sellers, verify accounts and finally process transactions. In contrast, traditional exchanges basically perform one service, carrying out trades through an order-matching engine. They dont hold funds or perform the role of a broker/dealer. Shane Molidor, Global Head of Business Development at FBG ONE Trading, explains crypto exchanges role as more analogous to all-in-one platforms that interact with a custodian, the exchange, and a clearing agency, rather than just one place to exchange funds. While each of these functions were built separately for financial trading, Molidor says, crypto platforms consolidate all of this functionality. If you deposit bitcoin with Coinbase Pro, for example, youre commingling your assets with all their other customers whove deposited bitcoin. When you place a buy or sell order, Coinbase is serving as the broker/dealer introducing that order to the order matching engine. When the maker and taker interact with one another, the trades are settled immediately but back into the commingled accounts. This difference from traditional exchanges is what makes much of Wall Street and traditional investors uncomfortable using cryptocurrency exchanges. Cross-functionality also creates counterparty risk (the risk that one party will default on the agreement). Another key difference involves how crypto exchanges and traditional exchanges interact with data. Data Centers and Cloud Services While traditional financial exchanges rely on massive data centers in physical locations, most crypto exchanges rely on cloud servicesmore specifically, Amazon Web Services. Using AWS (or any centralized data center) puts crypto exchanges at risk of service outages like the time a human error brought AWS down in an entire region for five hours. While such outages are infrequent, crypto exchanges face some risk that a government will order their services cut off. Crypto introduces the complexity of transferring funds using various cryptocurrencies with multiple blockchains, gas fees and digital wallets, along with counterparty risk, custody issues and regulatory uncertainty. While exchanges, market makers and traders are profiting, the differences between crypto exchanges and their traditional counterparts are keeping many potential investors out for now. As more regulatory scrutiny comes to crypto, its possible the collection of services offered on crypto exchanges will start to separate in order to provide better protection against counterparty threats and regulatory violations.	Cryptocurrency exchanges perform several functions in one. This makes them different from traditional exchanges, which only perform one function. They are also different in how they interact with data, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) This article is part one of a four-part series on trading cryptocurrency.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.forbes.com/sites/leslieankney/2019/01/04/whats-so-different-about-cryptocurrency-exchanges/	0.626915
Is a 1-Year Space Station Mission in the Works?	A Russian report this week claimed that an American and a Russian will launch on a one-year trip to the International Space Station in 2015. But NASA says the endurance space mission is just an idea, for now. The short news story Wednesday (Aug. 22) by Russia's Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source within Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) to state that the marathon space station flight, which would be twice as long as typical six-month trips, will launch in three years and feature a two-person crew. But NASA officials say not so fast. Nothing, they say, has been decided yet. "We are exploring the idea of a one-year increment as part of preparations for exploration beyond low-Earth orbit," NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries of Johnson Space Center in Houston told SPACE.com. "But the discussion is very preliminary and no official decisions have been made." [Most Extreme Human Spaceflight Records] The Interfax report also stated that the American on the mission would be veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who stepped down as the agency's chief astronaut recently to rejoin its active spaceflying ranks. The Russian cosmonaut for the one-year crew has not been chosen, but a one-year mission would free up some Soyuz spacecraft seats for space tourists to visit the orbiting lab, Interfax reported. If a one-year stay aboard the International Space Station is actually in the works, it could help lay the foundation for even more ambitious human spaceflight efforts down the road. President Barack Obama has challenged NASA to develop new spacecraft and technology in order to send astronauts to visit a nearby asteroid by 2025, and ultimately on to Mars in the 2030s. A roundtrip journey to Mars, according to some mission concepts, would take about two years to complete. So a one-year stint on the International Space Station would allow scientists a chance to observe some of the longer-term effects of spaceflight beyond what crews have reported to date. In fact, a one-year trip into space has actually been done before. In the mid-1990s, Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, a medical doctor, spent nearly 438 consecutive days in space during a marathon mission aboard the Mir Space Station. The mission began in January 1994 and ended in March 1995. While Polyakov's endurance space trial helped researchers study the long-term physiological effects of human spaceflight, Russia has also had a keen interest in the psychological impact of spending such a long period away from Earth. Last year, six volunteers representing Russia, Europe and China completed a staggering 520-day Mars mission simulation that aimed to recreate the isolation and mental stress of long-term spaceflight. That simulation, called the Mars500 mission, began in June 2010 and ended in November 2011. The International Space Station is currently home to six crewmembers representing three different countries. The station's Expedition 32 crew includes three Russians, two Americans and a Japanese astronaut. NASA, Russia and the space agencies of Canada, Europe and Japan built the $100 billion space station over more than decade. Construction began in 1998, with another Russian lab due to arrive at the station next year. A total of 15 different countries have participated in the station's construction.	A one-year mission to the International Space Station would be twice as long as typical six-month trips.	pegasus	0	https://www.foxnews.com/science/is-a-1-year-space-station-mission-in-the-works	0.143403
Is a 1-Year Space Station Mission in the Works?	A Russian report this week claimed that an American and a Russian will launch on a one-year trip to the International Space Station in 2015. But NASA says the endurance space mission is just an idea, for now. The short news story Wednesday (Aug. 22) by Russia's Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source within Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) to state that the marathon space station flight, which would be twice as long as typical six-month trips, will launch in three years and feature a two-person crew. But NASA officials say not so fast. Nothing, they say, has been decided yet. "We are exploring the idea of a one-year increment as part of preparations for exploration beyond low-Earth orbit," NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries of Johnson Space Center in Houston told SPACE.com. "But the discussion is very preliminary and no official decisions have been made." [Most Extreme Human Spaceflight Records] The Interfax report also stated that the American on the mission would be veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who stepped down as the agency's chief astronaut recently to rejoin its active spaceflying ranks. The Russian cosmonaut for the one-year crew has not been chosen, but a one-year mission would free up some Soyuz spacecraft seats for space tourists to visit the orbiting lab, Interfax reported. If a one-year stay aboard the International Space Station is actually in the works, it could help lay the foundation for even more ambitious human spaceflight efforts down the road. President Barack Obama has challenged NASA to develop new spacecraft and technology in order to send astronauts to visit a nearby asteroid by 2025, and ultimately on to Mars in the 2030s. A roundtrip journey to Mars, according to some mission concepts, would take about two years to complete. So a one-year stint on the International Space Station would allow scientists a chance to observe some of the longer-term effects of spaceflight beyond what crews have reported to date. In fact, a one-year trip into space has actually been done before. In the mid-1990s, Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, a medical doctor, spent nearly 438 consecutive days in space during a marathon mission aboard the Mir Space Station. The mission began in January 1994 and ended in March 1995. While Polyakov's endurance space trial helped researchers study the long-term physiological effects of human spaceflight, Russia has also had a keen interest in the psychological impact of spending such a long period away from Earth. Last year, six volunteers representing Russia, Europe and China completed a staggering 520-day Mars mission simulation that aimed to recreate the isolation and mental stress of long-term spaceflight. That simulation, called the Mars500 mission, began in June 2010 and ended in November 2011. The International Space Station is currently home to six crewmembers representing three different countries. The station's Expedition 32 crew includes three Russians, two Americans and a Japanese astronaut. NASA, Russia and the space agencies of Canada, Europe and Japan built the $100 billion space station over more than decade. Construction began in 1998, with another Russian lab due to arrive at the station next year. A total of 15 different countries have participated in the station's construction.	A Russian report this week claimed that an American and a Russian will launch on a one-year trip to the International Space Station in 2015. NASA says the endurance space mission is just an idea, for now.	bart	1	https://www.foxnews.com/science/is-a-1-year-space-station-mission-in-the-works	0.265337
Is a 1-Year Space Station Mission in the Works?	A Russian report this week claimed that an American and a Russian will launch on a one-year trip to the International Space Station in 2015. But NASA says the endurance space mission is just an idea, for now. The short news story Wednesday (Aug. 22) by Russia's Interfax news agency cited an unnamed source within Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) to state that the marathon space station flight, which would be twice as long as typical six-month trips, will launch in three years and feature a two-person crew. But NASA officials say not so fast. Nothing, they say, has been decided yet. "We are exploring the idea of a one-year increment as part of preparations for exploration beyond low-Earth orbit," NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries of Johnson Space Center in Houston told SPACE.com. "But the discussion is very preliminary and no official decisions have been made." [Most Extreme Human Spaceflight Records] The Interfax report also stated that the American on the mission would be veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who stepped down as the agency's chief astronaut recently to rejoin its active spaceflying ranks. The Russian cosmonaut for the one-year crew has not been chosen, but a one-year mission would free up some Soyuz spacecraft seats for space tourists to visit the orbiting lab, Interfax reported. If a one-year stay aboard the International Space Station is actually in the works, it could help lay the foundation for even more ambitious human spaceflight efforts down the road. President Barack Obama has challenged NASA to develop new spacecraft and technology in order to send astronauts to visit a nearby asteroid by 2025, and ultimately on to Mars in the 2030s. A roundtrip journey to Mars, according to some mission concepts, would take about two years to complete. So a one-year stint on the International Space Station would allow scientists a chance to observe some of the longer-term effects of spaceflight beyond what crews have reported to date. In fact, a one-year trip into space has actually been done before. In the mid-1990s, Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, a medical doctor, spent nearly 438 consecutive days in space during a marathon mission aboard the Mir Space Station. The mission began in January 1994 and ended in March 1995. While Polyakov's endurance space trial helped researchers study the long-term physiological effects of human spaceflight, Russia has also had a keen interest in the psychological impact of spending such a long period away from Earth. Last year, six volunteers representing Russia, Europe and China completed a staggering 520-day Mars mission simulation that aimed to recreate the isolation and mental stress of long-term spaceflight. That simulation, called the Mars500 mission, began in June 2010 and ended in November 2011. The International Space Station is currently home to six crewmembers representing three different countries. The station's Expedition 32 crew includes three Russians, two Americans and a Japanese astronaut. NASA, Russia and the space agencies of Canada, Europe and Japan built the $100 billion space station over more than decade. Construction began in 1998, with another Russian lab due to arrive at the station next year. A total of 15 different countries have participated in the station's construction.	A Russian report this week claimed that an American and a Russian will launch on a one-year trip to the International Space Station in 2015. NASA says the endurance space mission is just an idea, for now. A one- year trip into space has actually been done before.	bart	2	https://www.foxnews.com/science/is-a-1-year-space-station-mission-in-the-works	0.249263
Is Obama Administration Going Overboard With Federal Regulations?	This is a RUSH transcript from "The O'Reilly Factor," October 13, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. Watch "The O'Reilly Factor" weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET! BILL O'REILLY, HOST: In the "Impact" segment tonight: An article in The Washington Post today says the federal government is regulating just about everything, including Cheerios. The cereal was saying it lowers cholesterol, and the feds replied, hey, you can't say that; only drugs can lower cholesterol. That's just one example of more and more regulation under President Obama. Joining us now from Los Angeles, radio talk show star Leslie Marshall. OK, can't buy pistachio nuts. The FDA says, hey, no, better not eat pistachio nuts. That puts all those people out of business. Then you have trans fat ban in California. No trans fats. Then you have smoking, no smoking anywhere. In fact, Michael Jordan gets whacked for having a cigar on a golf course. Click here to watch the debate! LESLIE MARSHALL. RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, I don't smoke, and I've lost over 50 pounds from last year, Bill, so maybe the trans fats was a good thing here in California. I love Cheerios, my kids eat Cheerios, but if I have high cholesterol and I'm eating Cheerios because I think it's going to reduce my cholesterol, then I think the government and our president is right that General Mills, that owns and runs Cheerios, shouldn't be sending that message. I don't think it's wrong to say hey, this is healthy and this is why. But I think it's bad to give that kind of message because that should come not only from a drug, drug company but certainly from a medical O'REILLY: OK, I don't have any beef with Cheerios and the government saying, look, you know, unless you can prove this in clinical studies, you got to take it off. I want honesty, and I want people to know what's going on. But they're taxing soda now. You know, you get a coke, you're going to pay a sugar tax. The intent, Leslie, is good. The execution, though, is nanny state. It's almost a quasi fascism. It's basically Barack Obama and his merry guys saying, you know, we think Oreos are bad. We're going to tax them. We think Ding Dongs are bad, Cheetos are bad, we're taxing them. We don't want you to do this. Now you know, the logical extension is that if you don't exercise, we're going to have to pay a little bit more income tax. You know, but if you're in shape, like me, you get a tax break. MARSHALL: Look, although I'm a liberal Democrat, and we're known, Democrats, for having more and bigger government, this would be too much government to have the intrusion into your personal fitness center, etc. However O'REILLY: But you have it now. MARSHALL: ...as Americans, but we are fatter, Bill. And we are less healthy. And heart disease is killing us. And we need to worry about not only ourselves, but our kids and our kids' kids, etc. O'REILLY: OK, but then you have the MARSHALL: So if the government is O'REILLY: Here's my beef. You're right. And we don't want to be a chubby nation of people keeling over when they're 55 of heart attacks. Or do you suggest that, hey, this is really the right thing to do. It's more of a persuasion. Now, you have McDonald's, the fast food industry. They're posting now the calories. I'm for that. I'm for that. I think that's good. But I don't want them to slap 20-cent excise tax on a Big Mac. I think that's bad. You don't punish people for their choices. You advise them; you don't punish them. Go. MARSHALL: When you said that, you know, you kind of, you know, guide or gear an individual. Then maybe we can look at the tobacco tax as such. O'REILLY: But that's different though. MARSHALL: Somebody has to pay more, maybe they won't smoke. O'REILLY: Because MARSHALL: Is it different because it's lung cancer vs. girth O'REILLY: Right. MARSHALL: which affects your arteries and your heart. O'REILLY: It's the difference between crack and marijuana. I mean, some things are so dangerous, that you have to regulate them. But a Big Mac isn't. A Big Mac can be enjoyed once in a while. A Coke can be enjoyed once in a while. You shouldn't be punishing people if they want to have some comfort food. I don't want that kind of a government, Leslie. I don't think it's right. Go. MARSHALL: Well, I'll tell you, I agree with you that having a Big Mac my personal favorite is a lot of macaroni and cheese for my comfort food. O'REILLY: Yeah, once in a while. MARSHALL: But if I sit and eat macaroni and cheese, and I've done it, and if I sit and eat macaroni and cheese day after day, and if I have 10 Big Macs instead of one, that's where the problem is. We lack self-control, and if the government can help us get a little O'REILLY: I know. MARSHALL: I think it's a good thing. O'REILLY: But if the government's gong to tax everybody without self-control, we're all going to be bankrupt. Leslie, everybody. We appreciate it. Content and Programming Copyright 2009 FOX News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Transcription Copyright 2009 CQ Transcriptions, LLC, which takes sole responsibility for the accuracy of the transcription. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No license is granted to the user of this material except for the user's personal or internal use and, in such case, only one copy may be printed, nor shall user use any material for commercial purposes or in any fashion that may infringe upon FOX News Network, LLC'S and CQ Transcriptions, LLC's copyrights or other proprietary rights or interests in the material. This is not a legal transcript for purposes of litigation.	A Washington Post article says the federal government is regulating everything. Radio talk show host Leslie Marshall says Obama's government is nanny state.	pegasus	0	https://www.foxnews.com/story/is-obama-administration-going-overboard-with-federal-regulations	0.108093
Is Obama Administration Going Overboard With Federal Regulations?	This is a RUSH transcript from "The O'Reilly Factor," October 13, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. Watch "The O'Reilly Factor" weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET! BILL O'REILLY, HOST: In the "Impact" segment tonight: An article in The Washington Post today says the federal government is regulating just about everything, including Cheerios. The cereal was saying it lowers cholesterol, and the feds replied, hey, you can't say that; only drugs can lower cholesterol. That's just one example of more and more regulation under President Obama. Joining us now from Los Angeles, radio talk show star Leslie Marshall. OK, can't buy pistachio nuts. The FDA says, hey, no, better not eat pistachio nuts. That puts all those people out of business. Then you have trans fat ban in California. No trans fats. Then you have smoking, no smoking anywhere. In fact, Michael Jordan gets whacked for having a cigar on a golf course. Click here to watch the debate! LESLIE MARSHALL. RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, I don't smoke, and I've lost over 50 pounds from last year, Bill, so maybe the trans fats was a good thing here in California. I love Cheerios, my kids eat Cheerios, but if I have high cholesterol and I'm eating Cheerios because I think it's going to reduce my cholesterol, then I think the government and our president is right that General Mills, that owns and runs Cheerios, shouldn't be sending that message. I don't think it's wrong to say hey, this is healthy and this is why. But I think it's bad to give that kind of message because that should come not only from a drug, drug company but certainly from a medical O'REILLY: OK, I don't have any beef with Cheerios and the government saying, look, you know, unless you can prove this in clinical studies, you got to take it off. I want honesty, and I want people to know what's going on. But they're taxing soda now. You know, you get a coke, you're going to pay a sugar tax. The intent, Leslie, is good. The execution, though, is nanny state. It's almost a quasi fascism. It's basically Barack Obama and his merry guys saying, you know, we think Oreos are bad. We're going to tax them. We think Ding Dongs are bad, Cheetos are bad, we're taxing them. We don't want you to do this. Now you know, the logical extension is that if you don't exercise, we're going to have to pay a little bit more income tax. You know, but if you're in shape, like me, you get a tax break. MARSHALL: Look, although I'm a liberal Democrat, and we're known, Democrats, for having more and bigger government, this would be too much government to have the intrusion into your personal fitness center, etc. However O'REILLY: But you have it now. MARSHALL: ...as Americans, but we are fatter, Bill. And we are less healthy. And heart disease is killing us. And we need to worry about not only ourselves, but our kids and our kids' kids, etc. O'REILLY: OK, but then you have the MARSHALL: So if the government is O'REILLY: Here's my beef. You're right. And we don't want to be a chubby nation of people keeling over when they're 55 of heart attacks. Or do you suggest that, hey, this is really the right thing to do. It's more of a persuasion. Now, you have McDonald's, the fast food industry. They're posting now the calories. I'm for that. I'm for that. I think that's good. But I don't want them to slap 20-cent excise tax on a Big Mac. I think that's bad. You don't punish people for their choices. You advise them; you don't punish them. Go. MARSHALL: When you said that, you know, you kind of, you know, guide or gear an individual. Then maybe we can look at the tobacco tax as such. O'REILLY: But that's different though. MARSHALL: Somebody has to pay more, maybe they won't smoke. O'REILLY: Because MARSHALL: Is it different because it's lung cancer vs. girth O'REILLY: Right. MARSHALL: which affects your arteries and your heart. O'REILLY: It's the difference between crack and marijuana. I mean, some things are so dangerous, that you have to regulate them. But a Big Mac isn't. A Big Mac can be enjoyed once in a while. A Coke can be enjoyed once in a while. You shouldn't be punishing people if they want to have some comfort food. I don't want that kind of a government, Leslie. I don't think it's right. Go. MARSHALL: Well, I'll tell you, I agree with you that having a Big Mac my personal favorite is a lot of macaroni and cheese for my comfort food. O'REILLY: Yeah, once in a while. MARSHALL: But if I sit and eat macaroni and cheese, and I've done it, and if I sit and eat macaroni and cheese day after day, and if I have 10 Big Macs instead of one, that's where the problem is. We lack self-control, and if the government can help us get a little O'REILLY: I know. MARSHALL: I think it's a good thing. O'REILLY: But if the government's gong to tax everybody without self-control, we're all going to be bankrupt. Leslie, everybody. We appreciate it. Content and Programming Copyright 2009 FOX News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Transcription Copyright 2009 CQ Transcriptions, LLC, which takes sole responsibility for the accuracy of the transcription. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No license is granted to the user of this material except for the user's personal or internal use and, in such case, only one copy may be printed, nor shall user use any material for commercial purposes or in any fashion that may infringe upon FOX News Network, LLC'S and CQ Transcriptions, LLC's copyrights or other proprietary rights or interests in the material. This is not a legal transcript for purposes of litigation.	A Washington Post article says the federal government is regulating everything. Radio talk show host Leslie Marshall says Obama's government is nanny state. If you don't exercise, you'll have to pay more income tax, Marshall says. But if you're in shape, like Marshall, you get a tax break, he says.	pegasus	2	https://www.foxnews.com/story/is-obama-administration-going-overboard-with-federal-regulations	0.105029
Did I Miss Out On A Deal Because I Didn't Buy a Car Before The New Year?	As Jalopniks resident car buying expert and professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. Ive decided to pick a few questions and try to help out. This week we will discuss whether or not you missed out on deals if you didnt buy before the New Year, and how to hedge against high mileage depreciation. We are/were looking at either a new Toyota Highlander, RAV4, Honda Pilot or CRV, and as the money came last Friday, we tried to rally to get a deal before the end of the year. After test driving them all over the weekend, we had zeroed in on the CRV as fitting our lifestyle and were lining up an offer. That is until I stumbled across the rating question on Consumer Reports related to the engine issues plaguing the 2017 and 2018. We tried to double back and go with the 2018 RAV4, but the dealer was down to a few left and decided they were no longer willing to negotiate on them. So we did nothing. We are thinking about going after a Highlander now, but technically the Toyota incentives have expired. A common car buying myth is that if you want to score a deal you need to do so the last week of December right before the New Year because dealers are desperate to make sales for both the end of the month and the end of the year. Ive covered before why this isnt always the case, but I can tell you that you probably didnt miss out on the deal of a lifetime. Most of those savings come in the form of discounts and rebates from the manufacturer, so the dealers ability to discount the car out of their own profit margins doesnt really change from month to month or year to year. If they want to offer an aggressive price at or even below their invoice cost, they can do so. Furthermore, with import brands tend to have fewer rebates compared to some of the massive sales like the domestic brands such as GMs Employee Pricing Program. If you are looking at cars that are in very popular segments like compact and mid-size crossovers like a Honda CR-V or a Toyota Highlander, those are going to sell wellthe automakers dont really need to put a lot of cash on the hood. Therefore, youre primarily working with the best dealer discount anyway. One thing you want to know about Toyota is that rebates can vary from region to region, and the rebate follows the dealer, not the buyer. I had a customer in the New York City metro area buy a Tacoma near Philly because the dealer was willing to offer a steeper discount, but in addition to that Toyota was offering stronger rebates in that region that resulted in more savings. It pays to spread your net wide. Just wondering if you have some general advice on this. If keeping the car longer than the loan duration obviously that gets negated. Lets say for this case its trading in the car at around 3 years on a 5-year loan. Are there leases that would allow for that sort of mileage and would they even make financial sense. If you are going to buy a car and really rack up the miles there are a few ways to approach this. First, you can get something that has already depreciated, but given the mileage that means you would likely run out of warranty pretty fast. The other option is to buy something brand new, if that works for your budget, that will hold its value. Look into a high-value car like a Honda CR-V or Subaru Outback, as even with a lot of miles on them their resale numbers should still be solid. Sedans are great deals right now but theyre not holding their value. Now Is the Time to Buy a Sedan<em></em> Also if you have the ability to drop a sizable down payment and establish a lot of upfront equity to keep you ahead of the curve, that would be recommended. Hedging yourself with extra payments certainly isnt a bad idea, but you could also stash those extra payments away into a separate fund in case you need to use it to balance the scales on an underwater loan. High mileage leases are sometimes an option but they are usually very expensive. I would suggest you stick with a purchase over a lease. Email me at tom.mcparland@jalopnik.com! Read more	A common car buying myth is that if you want to score a deal you need to do so the last week of December right before the New Year.	bart	0	https://news.yahoo.com/did-miss-deal-because-didnt-175000959.html	0.262161
Did I Miss Out On A Deal Because I Didn't Buy a Car Before The New Year?	As Jalopniks resident car buying expert and professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. Ive decided to pick a few questions and try to help out. This week we will discuss whether or not you missed out on deals if you didnt buy before the New Year, and how to hedge against high mileage depreciation. We are/were looking at either a new Toyota Highlander, RAV4, Honda Pilot or CRV, and as the money came last Friday, we tried to rally to get a deal before the end of the year. After test driving them all over the weekend, we had zeroed in on the CRV as fitting our lifestyle and were lining up an offer. That is until I stumbled across the rating question on Consumer Reports related to the engine issues plaguing the 2017 and 2018. We tried to double back and go with the 2018 RAV4, but the dealer was down to a few left and decided they were no longer willing to negotiate on them. So we did nothing. We are thinking about going after a Highlander now, but technically the Toyota incentives have expired. A common car buying myth is that if you want to score a deal you need to do so the last week of December right before the New Year because dealers are desperate to make sales for both the end of the month and the end of the year. Ive covered before why this isnt always the case, but I can tell you that you probably didnt miss out on the deal of a lifetime. Most of those savings come in the form of discounts and rebates from the manufacturer, so the dealers ability to discount the car out of their own profit margins doesnt really change from month to month or year to year. If they want to offer an aggressive price at or even below their invoice cost, they can do so. Furthermore, with import brands tend to have fewer rebates compared to some of the massive sales like the domestic brands such as GMs Employee Pricing Program. If you are looking at cars that are in very popular segments like compact and mid-size crossovers like a Honda CR-V or a Toyota Highlander, those are going to sell wellthe automakers dont really need to put a lot of cash on the hood. Therefore, youre primarily working with the best dealer discount anyway. One thing you want to know about Toyota is that rebates can vary from region to region, and the rebate follows the dealer, not the buyer. I had a customer in the New York City metro area buy a Tacoma near Philly because the dealer was willing to offer a steeper discount, but in addition to that Toyota was offering stronger rebates in that region that resulted in more savings. It pays to spread your net wide. Just wondering if you have some general advice on this. If keeping the car longer than the loan duration obviously that gets negated. Lets say for this case its trading in the car at around 3 years on a 5-year loan. Are there leases that would allow for that sort of mileage and would they even make financial sense. If you are going to buy a car and really rack up the miles there are a few ways to approach this. First, you can get something that has already depreciated, but given the mileage that means you would likely run out of warranty pretty fast. The other option is to buy something brand new, if that works for your budget, that will hold its value. Look into a high-value car like a Honda CR-V or Subaru Outback, as even with a lot of miles on them their resale numbers should still be solid. Sedans are great deals right now but theyre not holding their value. Now Is the Time to Buy a Sedan<em></em> Also if you have the ability to drop a sizable down payment and establish a lot of upfront equity to keep you ahead of the curve, that would be recommended. Hedging yourself with extra payments certainly isnt a bad idea, but you could also stash those extra payments away into a separate fund in case you need to use it to balance the scales on an underwater loan. High mileage leases are sometimes an option but they are usually very expensive. I would suggest you stick with a purchase over a lease. Email me at tom.mcparland@jalopnik.com! Read more	A common car buying myth is that if you want to score a deal you need to do so the last week of December right before the New Year. Jalopniks resident car buying expert and professional car shopper answers your questions.	ctrlsum	1	https://news.yahoo.com/did-miss-deal-because-didnt-175000959.html	0.263582
Did I Miss Out On A Deal Because I Didn't Buy a Car Before The New Year?	As Jalopniks resident car buying expert and professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. Ive decided to pick a few questions and try to help out. This week we will discuss whether or not you missed out on deals if you didnt buy before the New Year, and how to hedge against high mileage depreciation. We are/were looking at either a new Toyota Highlander, RAV4, Honda Pilot or CRV, and as the money came last Friday, we tried to rally to get a deal before the end of the year. After test driving them all over the weekend, we had zeroed in on the CRV as fitting our lifestyle and were lining up an offer. That is until I stumbled across the rating question on Consumer Reports related to the engine issues plaguing the 2017 and 2018. We tried to double back and go with the 2018 RAV4, but the dealer was down to a few left and decided they were no longer willing to negotiate on them. So we did nothing. We are thinking about going after a Highlander now, but technically the Toyota incentives have expired. A common car buying myth is that if you want to score a deal you need to do so the last week of December right before the New Year because dealers are desperate to make sales for both the end of the month and the end of the year. Ive covered before why this isnt always the case, but I can tell you that you probably didnt miss out on the deal of a lifetime. Most of those savings come in the form of discounts and rebates from the manufacturer, so the dealers ability to discount the car out of their own profit margins doesnt really change from month to month or year to year. If they want to offer an aggressive price at or even below their invoice cost, they can do so. Furthermore, with import brands tend to have fewer rebates compared to some of the massive sales like the domestic brands such as GMs Employee Pricing Program. If you are looking at cars that are in very popular segments like compact and mid-size crossovers like a Honda CR-V or a Toyota Highlander, those are going to sell wellthe automakers dont really need to put a lot of cash on the hood. Therefore, youre primarily working with the best dealer discount anyway. One thing you want to know about Toyota is that rebates can vary from region to region, and the rebate follows the dealer, not the buyer. I had a customer in the New York City metro area buy a Tacoma near Philly because the dealer was willing to offer a steeper discount, but in addition to that Toyota was offering stronger rebates in that region that resulted in more savings. It pays to spread your net wide. Just wondering if you have some general advice on this. If keeping the car longer than the loan duration obviously that gets negated. Lets say for this case its trading in the car at around 3 years on a 5-year loan. Are there leases that would allow for that sort of mileage and would they even make financial sense. If you are going to buy a car and really rack up the miles there are a few ways to approach this. First, you can get something that has already depreciated, but given the mileage that means you would likely run out of warranty pretty fast. The other option is to buy something brand new, if that works for your budget, that will hold its value. Look into a high-value car like a Honda CR-V or Subaru Outback, as even with a lot of miles on them their resale numbers should still be solid. Sedans are great deals right now but theyre not holding their value. Now Is the Time to Buy a Sedan<em></em> Also if you have the ability to drop a sizable down payment and establish a lot of upfront equity to keep you ahead of the curve, that would be recommended. Hedging yourself with extra payments certainly isnt a bad idea, but you could also stash those extra payments away into a separate fund in case you need to use it to balance the scales on an underwater loan. High mileage leases are sometimes an option but they are usually very expensive. I would suggest you stick with a purchase over a lease. Email me at tom.mcparland@jalopnik.com! Read more	A common car buying myth is that if you want to score a deal you need to do so the last week of December right before the New Year. If you are going to buy a car and really rack up the miles there are a few ways to approach this.	bart	2	https://news.yahoo.com/did-miss-deal-because-didnt-175000959.html	0.283747
Who replaces Kaulana Apelu as Oregons middle linebacker, defensive leader in 2019?	EUGENE One of the bigger voids Oregon will have to fill in the offseason is in the heart of its defense. Kaulana Apelus career coming to an end leaves the Ducks needing to find a new middle linebacker and defensive leader in 2019. Apelu had 65 tackles with six for loss including two sacks and four pass breakups in 10 games this season, but production is not how best to measure his contributions. The intangibles and his leadership on and off the field is where Oregon will have the hardest time replacing Apelu. Some of that will be mitigated if Troy Dye, who also played an inside linebacker role, chooses to return for his senior season. If Dye returns, hes going to be the voice of the defense and make the calls, checks and signals that Apelu handled. But if Dye leaves for the NFL, Oregon will have three new starting linebackers and LaMar Winston Jr. can only do so much as the lone returning linebacker. Winston would likely have to take over the communication responsibilities in this scenario. Sampson Niu filled in when Apelu went down with an ankle injury and had 23 tackles with three for loss and one sack this season. Niu will clearly have a role in his junior season, but Isaac Slade-Matautia should also see more opportunities after recording 20 tackles in seven games before a shoulder injury. Keith Simms, who had 23 tackles this season, will also vie for more playing time and can play inside and outside. MJ Cunningham and Andrew Johnson Jr. will be coming off redshirt seasons and spring practice will be important for them to show where they fit on the depth chart. The incoming players who could be a factor are junior college transfer Dru Mathis and signee Mase Funa, the highest-ranked linebacker recruit in Oregon history. There is little doubt both will play next season, its a matter of how much and in what roles. Funa is clearly expected to be a centerpiece of Oregons defense in the years to come, its a matter of how he continues to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered last summer and how quickly he learns the defense to be a regular contributor.	Kaulana Apelu's career coming to an end leaves the Ducks needing to find a new middle linebacker. If Troy Dye returns, hes going to be the voice of the defense and make the calls, checks and signals. If Dye leaves for the NFL, Oregon will have three new starting linebackers.	bart	2	https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/01/who-replaces-kaulana-apelu-as-oregons-middle-linebacker-defensive-leader-in-2019.html	0.119713
Will The Jewelry Trends Change From 2018's Golden Globes?	In just a few days, red carpet season kicks off again with the 76th Annual Golden Globes. What the A-listers are wearing at the Globes often provides a good indication of what we will see during the SAG's (Screen Actor's Guild) Awards and the Academy Awards to follow. Last year the highlights of the red carpet season from the Globes throughout The Cannes Film Festival proved to reveal earrings as the trend that took over the star-studded events. But there were also statement necklaces and armfuls of bracelets that took the spotlight. Diamonds dazzled, particularly when it came to antique and vintage pieces provided by red carpet favorites such as Fred Leighton and Neil Lane and the archives of Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and Cartier. Lorraine Schwartz provided the color and the bold singular statement as did some of the independent designers that we always love to see gain some traction at these luminary events. Tune in to to watch the show and to view our coverage of the trend-setting jewels. In the meantime, here are some of the highlights from last year's Golden Globes: Variety in styles and lengths of diamond earrings: Reese Witherspoon in vintage-inspired Bulgari diamond earrings. Jessica Chastain in delicate yet bold Piaget diamond wreath earrings Jessica Biel in big and beautiful Bulgari Official diamond earrings Pops of color in emeralds against the backdrop of black gowns: The large emerald pendant earrings and emerald ring on Zoe Kravitz by Lorraine Schwartz The emerald chandeliers Catherine Zeta-Jones by Lorraine Schwartz The emerald and diamond outstanding necklace on Issa Rae all by Lorraine Schwartz Bold and statement making yet feminine necklaces: Viola Davis in Harry Winston platinum and diamond necklace Allison Williams in an 18K gold in a Forevermark five-row diamond choker	The 76th Annual Golden Globes will be held on Sunday, January 28. Last year earrings were the biggest trend.	bart	0	https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethbernstein/2019/01/04/will-the-trends-change-from-2018s-golden-globes/	0.172012
Will The Jewelry Trends Change From 2018's Golden Globes?	In just a few days, red carpet season kicks off again with the 76th Annual Golden Globes. What the A-listers are wearing at the Globes often provides a good indication of what we will see during the SAG's (Screen Actor's Guild) Awards and the Academy Awards to follow. Last year the highlights of the red carpet season from the Globes throughout The Cannes Film Festival proved to reveal earrings as the trend that took over the star-studded events. But there were also statement necklaces and armfuls of bracelets that took the spotlight. Diamonds dazzled, particularly when it came to antique and vintage pieces provided by red carpet favorites such as Fred Leighton and Neil Lane and the archives of Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and Cartier. Lorraine Schwartz provided the color and the bold singular statement as did some of the independent designers that we always love to see gain some traction at these luminary events. Tune in to to watch the show and to view our coverage of the trend-setting jewels. In the meantime, here are some of the highlights from last year's Golden Globes: Variety in styles and lengths of diamond earrings: Reese Witherspoon in vintage-inspired Bulgari diamond earrings. Jessica Chastain in delicate yet bold Piaget diamond wreath earrings Jessica Biel in big and beautiful Bulgari Official diamond earrings Pops of color in emeralds against the backdrop of black gowns: The large emerald pendant earrings and emerald ring on Zoe Kravitz by Lorraine Schwartz The emerald chandeliers Catherine Zeta-Jones by Lorraine Schwartz The emerald and diamond outstanding necklace on Issa Rae all by Lorraine Schwartz Bold and statement making yet feminine necklaces: Viola Davis in Harry Winston platinum and diamond necklace Allison Williams in an 18K gold in a Forevermark five-row diamond choker	The 76th Annual Golden Globes will be held on Sunday, January 28. Last year earrings were the trend, but there were also statement necklaces and armfuls of bracelets.	bart	1	https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethbernstein/2019/01/04/will-the-trends-change-from-2018s-golden-globes/	0.191535
Will The Jewelry Trends Change From 2018's Golden Globes?	In just a few days, red carpet season kicks off again with the 76th Annual Golden Globes. What the A-listers are wearing at the Globes often provides a good indication of what we will see during the SAG's (Screen Actor's Guild) Awards and the Academy Awards to follow. Last year the highlights of the red carpet season from the Globes throughout The Cannes Film Festival proved to reveal earrings as the trend that took over the star-studded events. But there were also statement necklaces and armfuls of bracelets that took the spotlight. Diamonds dazzled, particularly when it came to antique and vintage pieces provided by red carpet favorites such as Fred Leighton and Neil Lane and the archives of Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and Cartier. Lorraine Schwartz provided the color and the bold singular statement as did some of the independent designers that we always love to see gain some traction at these luminary events. Tune in to to watch the show and to view our coverage of the trend-setting jewels. In the meantime, here are some of the highlights from last year's Golden Globes: Variety in styles and lengths of diamond earrings: Reese Witherspoon in vintage-inspired Bulgari diamond earrings. Jessica Chastain in delicate yet bold Piaget diamond wreath earrings Jessica Biel in big and beautiful Bulgari Official diamond earrings Pops of color in emeralds against the backdrop of black gowns: The large emerald pendant earrings and emerald ring on Zoe Kravitz by Lorraine Schwartz The emerald chandeliers Catherine Zeta-Jones by Lorraine Schwartz The emerald and diamond outstanding necklace on Issa Rae all by Lorraine Schwartz Bold and statement making yet feminine necklaces: Viola Davis in Harry Winston platinum and diamond necklace Allison Williams in an 18K gold in a Forevermark five-row diamond choker	The 76th Annual Golden Globes will be held on Sunday, January 28. Last year earrings were the trend, but there were also statement necklaces and armfuls of bracelets. Lorraine Schwartz provided the color and the bold singular statement as did some of the independent designers.	bart	2	https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethbernstein/2019/01/04/will-the-trends-change-from-2018s-golden-globes/	0.198383
Why Arent Democratic Governors Pardoning More Prisoners?	All three of those governors hail from the Republican Party, which traditionally favored tough-on-crime policies. But even Democratic governors can be stingy. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made headlines last month when he pardoned 22 immigrants who faced deportation or couldnt apply for citizenship because of previous state convictions. The pardons gave Cuomo a chance to cast himself as a leading figure in the Democratic resistance to President Trump. But with almost 200,000 New Yorkers in prison, probation, or parole, issuing fewer than two dozen pardons is hardly a courageous act. Pardoning incarcerated people or commuting their sentences largely fell out of vogue during the tough-on-crime era at both the state and federal level. Harry Truman issued more than 1,900 pardons during his tenure, while Dwight D. Eisenhower handed out more than 1,100 throughout his eight years in office. That number fell even as prison populations exploded in the 1980s and 1990s: George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush collectively issued fewer than 700 pardons during their quarter-century in power. Though comparable figures for the nations governors arent readily available, theyve reportedly shown a similar aversion to clemency since the 1960s. Jerry Brown, Californias outgoing governor, carved out a model of sorts. The states longtime leader spent his fourth and final term in office setting a national benchmark for clemency: The Times of San Diego reported that Brown has pardoned at least 1,332 inmates since 2011, quadrupling the number issued by the preceding four governors combined. The burst of activity is particularly stark compared to his two immediate predecessors, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis, who respectively issued fifteen and zero pardons. Those whove received pardons from Brown cut a broad swath, ranging from a couple that lost their home in the devastating Camp Fire last month to five Cambodian-born immigrants who feared deportation by the Trump administration. In a slate of Christmas Eve pardons, the governor also ordered new DNA tests for Kevin Cooper, a death-row inmate who says that local police framed him for a quadruple homicide in the 1980s. For Brown, theres a self-redemptive element at play. He previously served as Californias governor from 1975 to 1983, right at the cusp of the nations turn towards harsher sentencing laws and mass incarceration. Solid-blue states arent the only ones where governors have made bold use of their clemency powers. Terry McAuliffe, a moderate Democrat who led Virginia from 2014 to 2018, initially tried to restore voting rights to almost 200,000 former felons with a single executive order in 2016. After the state supreme court struck down his sweeping order later that year, McAuliffe began to issue them on a person-by-person basis, restoring the franchise to more than 173,000 citizens by the time he left office. Ralph Northam, his successor, has continued the clemency program on a rolling basis as prisoners return to society.	Pardoning incarcerated people or commuting their sentences largely fell out of vogue during the tough-on-crime era at both the state and federal level. Jerry Brown, Californias outgoing governor, set a national benchmark for clemency, quadrupling the number issued by the preceding four governors combined.	ctrlsum	2	https://newrepublic.com/article/152847/arent-democratic-governors-pardoning-prisoners	0.113934
Why is the Trump administration slow in releasing storm protection funds?	The Trump administration has delayed the release of $16 billion in storm protection funds, prompting complaints from officials in Puerto Rico and Texas, who say the money is vitally needed to protect coastal communities before the next hurricane season. Congress last February authorized the $16 billion in disaster mitigation funds, to be used for projects to better safeguard communities damaged by floods and hurricanes in 2017. Puerto Rico was slated to receive $8.3 billion of the money, followed by Texas ($4 billion), Louisiana ($1.2 billion), the U.S. Virgin Islands ($774 million) and Florida ($550 million). But according to state officials, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has yet to issue regulations on how states and U.S. territories can apply for the money. While the ongoing government shutdown is adding to the delays, the problems preceded the current stalemate, according to the office of Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, who this week sent the Trump administration a letter complaining about the situation. I am writing to ask you to please approve these rules for publication as soon as possible so we can get started on construction of vital infrastructure projects to protect Texans from the type of damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, said Bush, the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, in a letter Wednesday to Trumps budget director and acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney. Digital Access for only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. We cannot afford to wait any longer, added Bush, a Republican elected official. Neither HUD nor staff at the Office of Management and Budget responded to inquiries about Bushs letter, which was previously reported by Bloomberg. HUD says on its website that the entire department is closed, due to the lapse in Congressional Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019. This is not the first time that HUD Secretary Ben Carson has heard complaints about delays in disbursing hurricane relief funds. In August, Puerto Ricos non-voting congressional representative, Jenniffer Gonzlez Coln, joined 15 senators and representatives from Florida, Louisiana and other states in pressing Carson to speed up release of money for disaster recovery and mitigation. Our communities remain vulnerable to the hurricane season without having been able to use the funds, the congressional members said in a letter to Carson. While President Donald Trump is on good terms with Republican leaders in Texas and Florida, hes lashed out at Puerto Rican leaders whove been critical of the federal response to Hurricane Maria, which killed 2,975 people there, an estimate Trump disputed. According to the Texas land office, the holdup stems from HUDs inability to agree on what kind of projects qualify as mitigation under the federal appropriation. In his letter, Bush said his office has provided information to HUD on what type of mitigation projects would best serve those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. This collaboration was done in part to help expedite publication of the rules government these funds in the Federal Register. Flood control experts have long advocated more investment in mitigation such as elevating or relocating vulnerable homes or improving drainage. Part of the aim is to reduce the kind of multi-billion-dollar damages that threaten the solvency of the National Flood Insurance Program. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2017 was the most expensive year on record for disaster damages, with approximately $306 billion in losses. Even before Hurricane Florence hit last September, the National Flood Insurance Program faced a debt of $20.5 billion.	Puerto Rico, Texas complain about delays in storm protection funds. Congress authorized the $16 billion in disaster mitigation funds in February. HUD has yet to issue regulations on how states and U.S. territories can apply for the money. The government shutdown is adding to the delays, Texas land commissioner says.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article223926040.html	0.180977
Can mediation solve the LeBreton Flats legal dispute?	It is not exactly magic, but it could be a formula that works. With just two weeks until the Jan. 19 deadline set by the National Capital Commission to disintegrate the deal, and a very public legal dispute among partners Eugene Melnyk, John Ruddy and Graham Bird, news came Friday that the parties had agreed to early mediation. The project is too important to fail and is worth salvaging, said Bird in a statement. The last-ditch mediation effort, aimed at preventing the NCC from terminating its relationship with RendezVous LeBreton as it has said it would do if the partners dont reach an agreement, is to be led by Ontarios former chief justice Warren K. Winkler, considered one of the countrys leading mediators. The fact that the parties have volunteered to enter mediation is itself a good sign, says Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, who practises civil litigation as well as criminal law. The agreement to enter mediation and Birds statements about the proposed project, including an arena for the Ottawa Senators, being too important to fail are positive signs that the parties want to find a solution, he said. Related The mediation process offers something that might lower the heat on the dispute among Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, Trinity Development founder John Ruddy and Bird of GBA Development and Project Management: privacy. The process takes place behind closed doors and what happens there remains private, said Greenspon. Typically, parties sign a confidentiality agreement as soon as the mediation begins, before lawyers for each party make their opening statements summarizing their positions to the other side. During the process, the mediator goes back and forth between parties trying to narrow the gaps between their positions. The mediator does not make a ruling, but acts as a negotiator and guide to bring the sides together. Greenspon said the fact that mediation is held behind closed doors will likely improve the chances of an agreement being reached, because there will be no need for public posturing or concern about public reaction. That is especially important in a case that is in such a harsh spotlight because of its location, the involvement of the Senators owner and the history of LeBreton Flats. By taking it out of the public spotlight, it turns the heat down, especially in the hands of an experienced mediator like Winkler, said Greenspon. There is no need for parties to fear what the public might think about their private position, he said. Mediation is increasingly used to settle civil litigation, said lawyer and mediator Peter Bishop. In Ottawa, fewer than five per cent of civil cases go to trial since mediation became mandatory in the late 1990s. The RendezVous LeBreton mediation is not mandated, but voluntary. Motivation by the participatns is the key to success, said Bishop. Greenspon said the fact that the parties have agreed and the mediation is voluntary, is a very good sign. It is a sign they recognize this is an issue that cant wait. epayne@postmedia.com ALSO IN THE NEWS: Deachman: On being 19, our year of living dangerously Capital jobless rate climbs to 4.9 per cent in December City will get keys to Ottawas LRT system by end of March, builders say	Mediation may be the only way to solve the LeBreton Flats legal dispute.	ctrlsum	0	https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/can-mediation-solve-the-lebreton-flats-legal-dispute	0.605568
Can mediation solve the LeBreton Flats legal dispute?	It is not exactly magic, but it could be a formula that works. With just two weeks until the Jan. 19 deadline set by the National Capital Commission to disintegrate the deal, and a very public legal dispute among partners Eugene Melnyk, John Ruddy and Graham Bird, news came Friday that the parties had agreed to early mediation. The project is too important to fail and is worth salvaging, said Bird in a statement. The last-ditch mediation effort, aimed at preventing the NCC from terminating its relationship with RendezVous LeBreton as it has said it would do if the partners dont reach an agreement, is to be led by Ontarios former chief justice Warren K. Winkler, considered one of the countrys leading mediators. The fact that the parties have volunteered to enter mediation is itself a good sign, says Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, who practises civil litigation as well as criminal law. The agreement to enter mediation and Birds statements about the proposed project, including an arena for the Ottawa Senators, being too important to fail are positive signs that the parties want to find a solution, he said. Related The mediation process offers something that might lower the heat on the dispute among Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, Trinity Development founder John Ruddy and Bird of GBA Development and Project Management: privacy. The process takes place behind closed doors and what happens there remains private, said Greenspon. Typically, parties sign a confidentiality agreement as soon as the mediation begins, before lawyers for each party make their opening statements summarizing their positions to the other side. During the process, the mediator goes back and forth between parties trying to narrow the gaps between their positions. The mediator does not make a ruling, but acts as a negotiator and guide to bring the sides together. Greenspon said the fact that mediation is held behind closed doors will likely improve the chances of an agreement being reached, because there will be no need for public posturing or concern about public reaction. That is especially important in a case that is in such a harsh spotlight because of its location, the involvement of the Senators owner and the history of LeBreton Flats. By taking it out of the public spotlight, it turns the heat down, especially in the hands of an experienced mediator like Winkler, said Greenspon. There is no need for parties to fear what the public might think about their private position, he said. Mediation is increasingly used to settle civil litigation, said lawyer and mediator Peter Bishop. In Ottawa, fewer than five per cent of civil cases go to trial since mediation became mandatory in the late 1990s. The RendezVous LeBreton mediation is not mandated, but voluntary. Motivation by the participatns is the key to success, said Bishop. Greenspon said the fact that the parties have agreed and the mediation is voluntary, is a very good sign. It is a sign they recognize this is an issue that cant wait. epayne@postmedia.com ALSO IN THE NEWS: Deachman: On being 19, our year of living dangerously Capital jobless rate climbs to 4.9 per cent in December City will get keys to Ottawas LRT system by end of March, builders say	Mediation may be the best way to solve the LeBreton Flats legal dispute. The parties have agreed to early mediation, a good sign, says Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon.	ctrlsum	1	https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/can-mediation-solve-the-lebreton-flats-legal-dispute	0.637927
Can mediation solve the LeBreton Flats legal dispute?	It is not exactly magic, but it could be a formula that works. With just two weeks until the Jan. 19 deadline set by the National Capital Commission to disintegrate the deal, and a very public legal dispute among partners Eugene Melnyk, John Ruddy and Graham Bird, news came Friday that the parties had agreed to early mediation. The project is too important to fail and is worth salvaging, said Bird in a statement. The last-ditch mediation effort, aimed at preventing the NCC from terminating its relationship with RendezVous LeBreton as it has said it would do if the partners dont reach an agreement, is to be led by Ontarios former chief justice Warren K. Winkler, considered one of the countrys leading mediators. The fact that the parties have volunteered to enter mediation is itself a good sign, says Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, who practises civil litigation as well as criminal law. The agreement to enter mediation and Birds statements about the proposed project, including an arena for the Ottawa Senators, being too important to fail are positive signs that the parties want to find a solution, he said. Related The mediation process offers something that might lower the heat on the dispute among Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, Trinity Development founder John Ruddy and Bird of GBA Development and Project Management: privacy. The process takes place behind closed doors and what happens there remains private, said Greenspon. Typically, parties sign a confidentiality agreement as soon as the mediation begins, before lawyers for each party make their opening statements summarizing their positions to the other side. During the process, the mediator goes back and forth between parties trying to narrow the gaps between their positions. The mediator does not make a ruling, but acts as a negotiator and guide to bring the sides together. Greenspon said the fact that mediation is held behind closed doors will likely improve the chances of an agreement being reached, because there will be no need for public posturing or concern about public reaction. That is especially important in a case that is in such a harsh spotlight because of its location, the involvement of the Senators owner and the history of LeBreton Flats. By taking it out of the public spotlight, it turns the heat down, especially in the hands of an experienced mediator like Winkler, said Greenspon. There is no need for parties to fear what the public might think about their private position, he said. Mediation is increasingly used to settle civil litigation, said lawyer and mediator Peter Bishop. In Ottawa, fewer than five per cent of civil cases go to trial since mediation became mandatory in the late 1990s. The RendezVous LeBreton mediation is not mandated, but voluntary. Motivation by the participatns is the key to success, said Bishop. Greenspon said the fact that the parties have agreed and the mediation is voluntary, is a very good sign. It is a sign they recognize this is an issue that cant wait. epayne@postmedia.com ALSO IN THE NEWS: Deachman: On being 19, our year of living dangerously Capital jobless rate climbs to 4.9 per cent in December City will get keys to Ottawas LRT system by end of March, builders say	Mediation may be the best way to solve the LeBreton Flats legal dispute. The parties have agreed to early mediation, a good sign, says Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon. The mediation process offers something that might lower the heat on the dispute: privacy.	ctrlsum	2	https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/can-mediation-solve-the-lebreton-flats-legal-dispute	0.691988
When Are All of the Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2019?	2019 will have plenty in store for astronomy fans across the world, with a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse and more. The most exciting such event for U.S.-based stargazers may be the so-called Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse on Jan. 21, says Christian Veillet, an astronomer at the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory in Arizona. The January lunar eclipse will be special, at least for the U.S. Its really seen by the whole of America and South America and nicely centered, so everyone will be able to see all the totality phase of it, so its a nice show, he says. Viellet says 2019 wont have any solar or lunar events that are especially rare, like 2017s total solar eclipse, which was the first of its kind to be visible exclusively from the United States since the countrys founding. Still, theres plenty to see in the night sky over the next 12 months. Of course, like all celestial happenings, your ability to view these events can depend on your location on Earth as well as the local weather. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Sign Up Now From the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse in January to the total solar eclipse in July, here are five solar and lunar phenomena to watch in 2019: January 6: Partial Solar Eclipse On Jan. 6, stargazers in parts of East Asia and the Pacific will be able to witness a partial solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the sun is obscured by the moon. If the sun, moon and Earth are lined up, you get a total solar eclipse. But if that alignment is off, it can result in a partial solar eclipse, and only part of the sun will appear to be blocked by the moon. Januarys partial solar eclipse will the last until April 2022, when another will be visible in parts of South America and Antarctica. January 21: Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse On Jan. 21, people in North America, South America, Greenland, Iceland and more will be able to view a lunar eclipse that some are calling the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse. The astronomical event, a simultaneous total lunar eclipse and a supermoon, will take place on the night of Jan. 20 into the morning of Jan. 21. During the event, the moon will fall completely into Earths shadow, and appear red-colored and slightly larger than usual for about an hour. The Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse will be the last total lunar eclipse until 2021. July 2: Total Solar Eclipse On July 2, people in parts of Chile and Argentina will be able to witness a total solar eclipse just before sunset. Those in some other places, including Ecuador; Brazil; Uruguay and Paraguay, will only be able to witness a partial solar eclipse, according to Space.com. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks the entire view of the sun, leaving just the corona visible to those viewing from Earth. (While the sun is 400 times bigger than the moon in diameter, the moon happens to be 400 times closer to Earth, giving it the relative size needed to block out the sun.) Julys total solar eclipse will be relatively long, lasting almost two minutes in some places. According to NASA, the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century occurred in July 2009, lasting six minutes and 39 seconds; it was visible through most of Southeast Asia. Julys total solar eclipse is the last such event until December 2020, when another total solar eclipse will be visible over similar parts of South America. July 16: Partial Lunar Eclipse On July 16, people in much of Europe and Asia, as well as parts of south and east North America, South America and Antartica, will be able to view a partial lunar eclipse. A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, but the bodies are not perfectly aligned. During a partial lunar eclipse, the moon falls partially into Earths shadow (also called the umbra), leaving only a portion of it visible to those on Earth. Julys partial lunar eclipse will be the last until November 2021. December 26: Annular Solar Eclipse The day after Christmas 2019, people in eastern Europe, much of Asia, and northern and western Africa will be able to witness a ring of fire caused by an annular solar eclipse. During an annular solar eclipse, the moon is further away from the Earth. That means it appears to be smaller in the sky and does not completely cover the sun, leaving just the ring of fire, according to NASA. The next annular eclipse will be in June 2020. Write to Gina Martinez at gina.martinez@timeinc.com.	2019 will have plenty of opportunities for stargazers to see solar and lunar events. There will be a total solar eclipse in January and a total lunar eclipse in July.	ctrlsum	1	http://time.com/5493536/solar-lunar-eclipse-2019/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29	0.4501
When Are All of the Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2019?	2019 will have plenty in store for astronomy fans across the world, with a total solar eclipse, an annular solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse and more. The most exciting such event for U.S.-based stargazers may be the so-called Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse on Jan. 21, says Christian Veillet, an astronomer at the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory in Arizona. The January lunar eclipse will be special, at least for the U.S. Its really seen by the whole of America and South America and nicely centered, so everyone will be able to see all the totality phase of it, so its a nice show, he says. Viellet says 2019 wont have any solar or lunar events that are especially rare, like 2017s total solar eclipse, which was the first of its kind to be visible exclusively from the United States since the countrys founding. Still, theres plenty to see in the night sky over the next 12 months. Of course, like all celestial happenings, your ability to view these events can depend on your location on Earth as well as the local weather. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Sign Up Now From the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse in January to the total solar eclipse in July, here are five solar and lunar phenomena to watch in 2019: January 6: Partial Solar Eclipse On Jan. 6, stargazers in parts of East Asia and the Pacific will be able to witness a partial solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the sun is obscured by the moon. If the sun, moon and Earth are lined up, you get a total solar eclipse. But if that alignment is off, it can result in a partial solar eclipse, and only part of the sun will appear to be blocked by the moon. Januarys partial solar eclipse will the last until April 2022, when another will be visible in parts of South America and Antarctica. January 21: Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse On Jan. 21, people in North America, South America, Greenland, Iceland and more will be able to view a lunar eclipse that some are calling the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse. The astronomical event, a simultaneous total lunar eclipse and a supermoon, will take place on the night of Jan. 20 into the morning of Jan. 21. During the event, the moon will fall completely into Earths shadow, and appear red-colored and slightly larger than usual for about an hour. The Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse will be the last total lunar eclipse until 2021. July 2: Total Solar Eclipse On July 2, people in parts of Chile and Argentina will be able to witness a total solar eclipse just before sunset. Those in some other places, including Ecuador; Brazil; Uruguay and Paraguay, will only be able to witness a partial solar eclipse, according to Space.com. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon blocks the entire view of the sun, leaving just the corona visible to those viewing from Earth. (While the sun is 400 times bigger than the moon in diameter, the moon happens to be 400 times closer to Earth, giving it the relative size needed to block out the sun.) Julys total solar eclipse will be relatively long, lasting almost two minutes in some places. According to NASA, the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century occurred in July 2009, lasting six minutes and 39 seconds; it was visible through most of Southeast Asia. Julys total solar eclipse is the last such event until December 2020, when another total solar eclipse will be visible over similar parts of South America. July 16: Partial Lunar Eclipse On July 16, people in much of Europe and Asia, as well as parts of south and east North America, South America and Antartica, will be able to view a partial lunar eclipse. A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, but the bodies are not perfectly aligned. During a partial lunar eclipse, the moon falls partially into Earths shadow (also called the umbra), leaving only a portion of it visible to those on Earth. Julys partial lunar eclipse will be the last until November 2021. December 26: Annular Solar Eclipse The day after Christmas 2019, people in eastern Europe, much of Asia, and northern and western Africa will be able to witness a ring of fire caused by an annular solar eclipse. During an annular solar eclipse, the moon is further away from the Earth. That means it appears to be smaller in the sky and does not completely cover the sun, leaving just the ring of fire, according to NASA. The next annular eclipse will be in June 2020. Write to Gina Martinez at gina.martinez@timeinc.com.	2019 will have plenty of opportunities for stargazers to see solar and lunar eclipses. The most exciting event will be the so-called Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse on Jan. 21. There will also be an annular solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse in July.	ctrlsum	2	http://time.com/5493536/solar-lunar-eclipse-2019/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29	0.429394
Did al Qaeda fugitives get inside help?	Investigators are looking into the possibility that intelligence officers helped 23 al Qaeda prisoners including a militant convicted in the 2000 USS Cole bombing escape from an underground prison located under a heavily guarded security headquarters, officials said Monday. The prisoners escaped last week, apparently by digging a tunnel, some 180 yards long, that emerged in the women's section of a mosque near the headquarters, the security officials said. It was not the first major prison escape for al Qaeda militants. At least four members of the group broke out of a prison at Bagram, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan in July. Among them was Omar al-Farouq, a top leader of al Qaeda in Southeast Asia. The capture, trial and imprisonment of those responsible for the attack on the USS Cole was a high point in Yemen's declared alliance with the United States in the war on terror, CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports. The escape of those behind the attack is a deep embarrassment and puts Yemen's determination into question. An investigation headed by the Yemeni interior minister has begun questioning intelligence officers on how Friday's escape in San'a happened, government and security officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge details on the probe. "It couldn't have happened without the coordination of high ranking officers in the intelligence," said one official. He pointed to possible infiltration of the intelligence agency by militants, saying hundreds of Yemenis who fought in Afghanistan in the 1980s against Russian occupation were given jobs with the security forces when they returned home. "It is no surprise that many of these former fighters are sympathetic to al Qaeda," he said. Yemen's interior ministry confirmed in a statement that the convicts escaped from the headquarters for the political security forces, a security branch affiliated with the intelligence. But it gave no further details on the escape or the search for the militants. The prison was underground in the headquarters, one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the capital. The compound is surrounded by a high wall and armed guards and all roads leading to it are blocked to vehicles. The 23 militants, all convicted members of Al Qaeda, were all kept in the same cell, the officials said. The international police agency Interpol said Sunday it was informed by Yemen that Jamal al-Badawi a man convicted of plotting, preparing and helping carry out the Cole bombing was among the fugitives. Al-Badawi was among those sentenced to death in September 2004 for plotting the attack, in which two 17 sailors were killed when suicide bombers blew up an explosives-laden boat next to the destroyer as it refueled in the Yemeni port of Aden on Oct. 12, 2000. His sentence was later reduced to 15 years in prison. For at least 10 of the escaped convicts, this is the second time they escaped prison. In 2003, they escaped briefly from a prison in the city of Aden before they were recaptured and convicted. The first time al-Badawi escaped, he headed for Yemen's remote tribal lands, and officials assume that is where he is headed this time, CBS News correspondent David Martin reports. The FBI has offered to help in the manhunt, but so far the Yemenis have not taken up the offer, Martin reports. Checkpoints throughout the city have been set up and the interior ministry has issued photographs of the convicts to security forces throughout the country to aid in their capture. Since Friday, at least a dozen members of Islamic groups in Yemen known to be affiliated with the convicts, have been detained for interrogation. Some relatives of the convicts have also been summoned for questioning. Authorities have also approached tribal leaders to watch for the fugitives, particularly in Maarib, a lawless region northeast of the capital. In Afghanistan, a search for the four al Qaeda members who escaped in July is still continuing, said U.S. military spokesman Lt. Mike Cody said. Military officials declined to say how they broke out of the high-security facility at Bagram. The four boasted about their breakout on a video believed filmed in Afghanistan and broadcast in October on Dubai-based TV station Al-Arabiya. They claimed they picked a lock and timed the escape for a Sunday when many of the Americans on the base were off duty.	Investigators looking into possibility that intelligence officers helped 23 al Qaeda prisoners escape.	ctrlsum	0	https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-qaeda-fugitives-get-inside-help/	0.141139
Did al Qaeda fugitives get inside help?	Investigators are looking into the possibility that intelligence officers helped 23 al Qaeda prisoners including a militant convicted in the 2000 USS Cole bombing escape from an underground prison located under a heavily guarded security headquarters, officials said Monday. The prisoners escaped last week, apparently by digging a tunnel, some 180 yards long, that emerged in the women's section of a mosque near the headquarters, the security officials said. It was not the first major prison escape for al Qaeda militants. At least four members of the group broke out of a prison at Bagram, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan in July. Among them was Omar al-Farouq, a top leader of al Qaeda in Southeast Asia. The capture, trial and imprisonment of those responsible for the attack on the USS Cole was a high point in Yemen's declared alliance with the United States in the war on terror, CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports. The escape of those behind the attack is a deep embarrassment and puts Yemen's determination into question. An investigation headed by the Yemeni interior minister has begun questioning intelligence officers on how Friday's escape in San'a happened, government and security officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge details on the probe. "It couldn't have happened without the coordination of high ranking officers in the intelligence," said one official. He pointed to possible infiltration of the intelligence agency by militants, saying hundreds of Yemenis who fought in Afghanistan in the 1980s against Russian occupation were given jobs with the security forces when they returned home. "It is no surprise that many of these former fighters are sympathetic to al Qaeda," he said. Yemen's interior ministry confirmed in a statement that the convicts escaped from the headquarters for the political security forces, a security branch affiliated with the intelligence. But it gave no further details on the escape or the search for the militants. The prison was underground in the headquarters, one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the capital. The compound is surrounded by a high wall and armed guards and all roads leading to it are blocked to vehicles. The 23 militants, all convicted members of Al Qaeda, were all kept in the same cell, the officials said. The international police agency Interpol said Sunday it was informed by Yemen that Jamal al-Badawi a man convicted of plotting, preparing and helping carry out the Cole bombing was among the fugitives. Al-Badawi was among those sentenced to death in September 2004 for plotting the attack, in which two 17 sailors were killed when suicide bombers blew up an explosives-laden boat next to the destroyer as it refueled in the Yemeni port of Aden on Oct. 12, 2000. His sentence was later reduced to 15 years in prison. For at least 10 of the escaped convicts, this is the second time they escaped prison. In 2003, they escaped briefly from a prison in the city of Aden before they were recaptured and convicted. The first time al-Badawi escaped, he headed for Yemen's remote tribal lands, and officials assume that is where he is headed this time, CBS News correspondent David Martin reports. The FBI has offered to help in the manhunt, but so far the Yemenis have not taken up the offer, Martin reports. Checkpoints throughout the city have been set up and the interior ministry has issued photographs of the convicts to security forces throughout the country to aid in their capture. Since Friday, at least a dozen members of Islamic groups in Yemen known to be affiliated with the convicts, have been detained for interrogation. Some relatives of the convicts have also been summoned for questioning. Authorities have also approached tribal leaders to watch for the fugitives, particularly in Maarib, a lawless region northeast of the capital. In Afghanistan, a search for the four al Qaeda members who escaped in July is still continuing, said U.S. military spokesman Lt. Mike Cody said. Military officials declined to say how they broke out of the high-security facility at Bagram. The four boasted about their breakout on a video believed filmed in Afghanistan and broadcast in October on Dubai-based TV station Al-Arabiya. They claimed they picked a lock and timed the escape for a Sunday when many of the Americans on the base were off duty.	Investigators looking into possibility that intelligence officers helped 23 al Qaeda prisoners escape. The escape of those behind the attack is a deep embarrassment and puts Yemen's determination into question. The FBI has offered to help in the manhunt.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-qaeda-fugitives-get-inside-help/	0.141342
Did al Qaeda fugitives get inside help?	Investigators are looking into the possibility that intelligence officers helped 23 al Qaeda prisoners including a militant convicted in the 2000 USS Cole bombing escape from an underground prison located under a heavily guarded security headquarters, officials said Monday. The prisoners escaped last week, apparently by digging a tunnel, some 180 yards long, that emerged in the women's section of a mosque near the headquarters, the security officials said. It was not the first major prison escape for al Qaeda militants. At least four members of the group broke out of a prison at Bagram, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan in July. Among them was Omar al-Farouq, a top leader of al Qaeda in Southeast Asia. The capture, trial and imprisonment of those responsible for the attack on the USS Cole was a high point in Yemen's declared alliance with the United States in the war on terror, CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports. The escape of those behind the attack is a deep embarrassment and puts Yemen's determination into question. An investigation headed by the Yemeni interior minister has begun questioning intelligence officers on how Friday's escape in San'a happened, government and security officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge details on the probe. "It couldn't have happened without the coordination of high ranking officers in the intelligence," said one official. He pointed to possible infiltration of the intelligence agency by militants, saying hundreds of Yemenis who fought in Afghanistan in the 1980s against Russian occupation were given jobs with the security forces when they returned home. "It is no surprise that many of these former fighters are sympathetic to al Qaeda," he said. Yemen's interior ministry confirmed in a statement that the convicts escaped from the headquarters for the political security forces, a security branch affiliated with the intelligence. But it gave no further details on the escape or the search for the militants. The prison was underground in the headquarters, one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the capital. The compound is surrounded by a high wall and armed guards and all roads leading to it are blocked to vehicles. The 23 militants, all convicted members of Al Qaeda, were all kept in the same cell, the officials said. The international police agency Interpol said Sunday it was informed by Yemen that Jamal al-Badawi a man convicted of plotting, preparing and helping carry out the Cole bombing was among the fugitives. Al-Badawi was among those sentenced to death in September 2004 for plotting the attack, in which two 17 sailors were killed when suicide bombers blew up an explosives-laden boat next to the destroyer as it refueled in the Yemeni port of Aden on Oct. 12, 2000. His sentence was later reduced to 15 years in prison. For at least 10 of the escaped convicts, this is the second time they escaped prison. In 2003, they escaped briefly from a prison in the city of Aden before they were recaptured and convicted. The first time al-Badawi escaped, he headed for Yemen's remote tribal lands, and officials assume that is where he is headed this time, CBS News correspondent David Martin reports. The FBI has offered to help in the manhunt, but so far the Yemenis have not taken up the offer, Martin reports. Checkpoints throughout the city have been set up and the interior ministry has issued photographs of the convicts to security forces throughout the country to aid in their capture. Since Friday, at least a dozen members of Islamic groups in Yemen known to be affiliated with the convicts, have been detained for interrogation. Some relatives of the convicts have also been summoned for questioning. Authorities have also approached tribal leaders to watch for the fugitives, particularly in Maarib, a lawless region northeast of the capital. In Afghanistan, a search for the four al Qaeda members who escaped in July is still continuing, said U.S. military spokesman Lt. Mike Cody said. Military officials declined to say how they broke out of the high-security facility at Bagram. The four boasted about their breakout on a video believed filmed in Afghanistan and broadcast in October on Dubai-based TV station Al-Arabiya. They claimed they picked a lock and timed the escape for a Sunday when many of the Americans on the base were off duty.	23 al Qaeda prisoners escaped from an underground prison in San'a, officials say. The prisoners apparently dug a tunnel that emerged in the women's section of a mosque. The escape of those behind the attack is a deep embarrassment and puts Yemen's determination into question. The FBI has offered to help in the manhunt.	bart	2	https://www.cbsnews.com/news/did-qaeda-fugitives-get-inside-help/	0.164222
Will Space Tourism Ever Be A Viable Business?	Ten years ago, I wrote a story about the space tourism industry, centered around Mojave, California, a bit more than an hours drive north of Los Angeles. Mojave and the area around it, particularly Edwards Air Force Base, have been a cradle of rocket-powered flight since Chuck Yeager and the X-1. My space tourism story followed a very early morning in 2004. That day, I let my son play hooky from middle school. Instead, we drove to Mojave to see the launch of the first private manned space flight, SpaceShipOne. We craned our necks to watch the tiny craft detach from its mothership and zoom up to a record-breaking height of over 300,000 feet. It seemed we were on the verge of a new erathe era of private suborbital spaceflight. SpaceShipOne was to be the precursor of Virgin Galactics SpaceShipTwo, unveiled in December 2009. At about 48,000 feet, the craft would detach from its White Knight mothership. Two pilots would then fly the six space tourists on board for a brief trip to the edge of space, including six minutes of weightlessness. The craft would then glide to a landing on a giant runway. Although hardly mass-tourism, it was thought millions of people around the world could potentially afford what was projected as a $250,000 flight. But as its turned out, there is an enormous difference between space tourism and private space flight. The latter began as early as 1982 and appears to be a working business model. Elon Musks Space X achieved 19 launches in 2018, crowning the year with the successful December 2018 launch of 64 satellites. Space X is just one of several private space contenders, such as United Launch Alliance (a Boeing/Lockheed Martin joint venture) Europe's Arianespace, and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, which, in addition to readying its New Shepherd suborbital rocket (which will sell tickets for suborbital flights "soon"), recently won a multi-billion engine development contract. Most customers are commercial or governments. The picture is not quite so rosy with the development of space tourism as a viable enterprise. To date, only seven people have made a total of 8 space tourism flights between 2001 and 2009, all on Russian Soyuz spacecraft through Space Adventures. These space tourists, (who included one woman, scientist Anousheh Ansari), reportedly paid between $20 and $40 million, participated in rigorous training and blasted off a Russian launchpad into orbit. But as the US space shuttle program ended in 2011 and US astronauts had to fly on Russian spacecraft to get to the ISS, it seems there were no more Soyuz seats for tourists. Suborbital space tourism had different, typically financial, problems. The launch I saw in 2004 may have been the crest of the space tourism "movement", not the beginning. SpaceShipOne, built by Scaled Composites, was one of more than 25 entries built to compete for the $10 million Ansari X Prize. But after SpaceShipOne won (and its design would be used in Virgin Galactic's suborbital bid) most of the other contenders shifted to other areas or went out of business. For other, technical setbacks led to business failures. Two competitors, Rocketplane and Armadillo Aerospace (funded by John Carmack of video game DOOM fame) eventually went belly-up. In what may have had troubling similarities to what happened in New Mexico, Rocketplane got significant tax subsidies from the state of Oklahoma, including access to an old Air Force base, then filed bankruptcy. Xcor was the company that most people considered Virgin Galactic's closest competition, promising a two-seat Lynx space plane that was supposed to fly four times a day. Xcor planned to have Lynx get up to suborbital space on its own power--no mothership. The story was exciting and the tickets were affordable, at $100,000. More than 280 people put down their hard-earned money, only to be left holding the bag when Xcor filed for bankruptcy in November 2017. Unlike all the other contenders, the company did not seem to lack for money. As of November 2014, the Financial Times reported that some $600 million had been invested in Virgin Galactic, about two-thirds of which came from Abu Dhabi. In 2017, an additional one billion investment by Saudi Arabia (with an option for an additional $480 million) was announced, but at the end of 2018, billionaire Richard Branson, founder, and chairman of Virgin Galactic, said he was temporarily suspending the Saudi partnership, after the disappearance of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi in October. The state of New Mexico also invested $220 million in the Spaceport America facility, beating out Southern California. Yet to date, not a single passenger has flown out of the spaceport in the desert about 20 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences. The hundreds of thousands of tourists who flocked to Florida's Cape Canaveral to watch fifty years of US manned space launches have also failed to appear. Virgin Galactic had other problems. As even space booster SpaceNews note, the company "originally anticipated beginning flights a decade ago. But technical problems slowed developed. Then, in 2014, there was a problem on a test flight. The subsequent crash in the Mojave killed the co-pilot and injured the pilot. The investigation slowed progress even further, but Virgin persevered. Finally, in December 2018, Virgins SpaceShipTwo finally flew into space on a test flight, earning the pilots their astronaut wings. After ten years of promises, the best indefatigable promotor Branson could come up with was, Today, for the first time in history, a crewed spaceship built to carry private passengers reached space. Hype seems inescapable in the race for private space. Even Wikipedia, the replacement for encyclopedias which were supposed to be collections of facts, has fallen victim to wishful thinking. The Space Tourism entry reads, As of 2018, no suborbital space tourism has yet occurred, but since it is projected to be more affordable, many companies view it as a money-making proposition." Burt Rutan, the designer of SpaceShipOne, is less sanguine. We got nothing done! he said in a 2017 podcast. But Virgin Galactic customers are still keeping the faith. The company has taken deposits for a decade and has about 700 customers whove plunked down their money for a place in space. Branson continues to promises he will be among the first passengers. If he does so, Branson (69 in July 2019) would be the second-oldest person in space, behind only the incredible John Glenn, 77 during his space shuttle flight in 1998. Other have bet against Branson and lost. But fifteen years later, the suborbital tourism business has yet to take off.	There is an enormous difference between'space tourism' and 'private space flight' The latter began as early as 1982 and appears to be a working business model. Most customers are commercial or governments. The picture is not quite so rosy of the development of space tourism as a viable enterprise.	pegasus	2	https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2019/01/04/will-space-tourism-ever-be-a-viable-business/	0.177455
Why isnt there a single medical licence for all doctors in Canada?	Open this photo in gallery Dr. Mike Benusic, medical resident, ER doc and spokesperson for Medical Residents of Canada poses for photos in a Roncesvalles clinic in Toronto, Ont. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. J.P. MOCZULSKI Monika Dutt has worked as a doctor in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Ontario. Although she has been practising medicine since 2005, a combination of family medicine and public health, each move has required Dr. Dutt to go through the frustrating and expensive process of getting a new medical licence. Thats because, while there is a standard set of requirements physicians need to meet to apply for a full licence to practise medicine in Canada, all 13 provinces and territories have separate licensing requirements and fees. Story continues below advertisement The Ontario application required 42 documents, right back to my medical-school transcripts, said Dr. Dutt, who is now the CEO of the Timiskaming Health Unit in northeastern Ontario. There were also thousands of dollars in fees. For example, the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons has an annual fee of $1,950, plus an additional $975 if the fee is paid after July 1. A temporary licence costs an additional $850. There are also fees to review qualifications, $550, and a documentation fee of $450. A copy of a diploma costs $75 and a letter confirming a physician is a member is $40. Physicians who do locums (temporary postings) pay $250 more a month. Other provinces have similar fees. Universities and hospitals also charge fees for documentation. It really adds up, Dr. Dutt said. She said she understands why rigorous licensing is necessary to weed out the small number of physicians who have done awful things but it is not clear why the provinces and territories dont recognize each others licences. Dr. Dutt is not alone in asking that question. A growing chorus of medical groups including the Canadian Medical Association, Resident Doctors of Canada and the Canadian Federation of Medical Students are pushing for some form of national licensing. After all, training is similar in Canadas 17 medical schools and in residency programs across the country, and patients are not appreciably different. The physician groups pushing for change argue requiring separate licences in every jurisdiction makes it difficult, and sometimes impossible, for physicians, particularly in rural and remote parts of the country, to find doctors to fill in for them while theyre on holidays or when they wish to reduce their hours as they grow older. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement The onerous licensing rules also discourage interprovincial co-operation for example, a Vancouver orthopedic surgeon cant easily go to St. Johns to do hip replacements, even if there is a desperate need. The current fragmented system doesnt just create annoyance for physicians, it creates real barriers to patient care, Mike Benusic, the lead on national licensing for Resident Doctors of Canada, said in an interview. He said RDC believes the onerous relicensing provision is an unfair restriction on labour mobility and, as such, violates the Canadian Free Trade Agreeement. He splits his time between working as a public-health resident in Toronto and lending a hand in family practice in rural Alberta which means having two licences. Like many young physicians, he does locums in clinics or hospitals, often on weekends and holidays. Locums allow you to check out places, to see if you would like to practise there. They also pay well, so you can pay off some student debt, he said. Locums are also an important recruitment tool, especially for rural and remote communities, who use them to woo doctors. Story continues below advertisement According to a survey by Resident Doctors of Canada, 18.5 per cent of medical residents say, once they are in practice, they are planning to do locums in another province or territory. But 52 per cent said they would do so if it did not require the hassle and expense of getting additional licences. Dr. Benusic understands the hesitancy. He was asked to help out temporarily in a family practice in rural British Columbia, but realized the licensing process would take months and bring additional costs. A B.C. licence costs $1,700, requires a criminal record check and a plethora of other documents. Meanwhile, there were 800 patients waiting for care, he said. So who are these rules serving? Linda Inkpen, president of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC), which shares best practices among jurisdictions, said regulation is a provincial/territorial responsibility in medicine, just as it is in law, engineering and other fields, and thats not going to change. Constitutional issues put up major barriers to the idea of a national licence, she said in an interview. Dr. Inkpen added, its also not clear how much its really needed either. While there are surveys showing what physicians might do in theory, theres very little data on how many actually practise in more than one jurisdiction. Story continues below advertisement The CMA, in a small survey, found 10 per cent of physicians were licensed in more than one province or territory. But only 1,300 of the countrys 80,000 physicians were surveyed, and those who responded are likely those most interested in the issue of national licensing. Some physicians feel the colleges are merely protecting their turf and their income by maintaining separate regimes in each jurisdiction, but Dr. Inkpen said that is unfair. We are there to uphold standards and we take that role seriously, she said. (However, the standards are more or less the same in every province and territory.) She added provinces and territories hold regulatory bodies very close to their chest, as demonstrated by the lengthy federal-provincial battle over a national securities regulator. Dr. Inkpen said FMRAC has spent considerable time and effort breaking down provincial barriers, spurred by the Canadian Free Trade Agreement that come into force in 2017. For example, the application process is now similar in each province and territory. FMRAC, in conjunction with the provincial and territorial regulators, is looking at some sort of trusted physician licence (similar to a Nexus card for frequent flyers), which would provide expedited clearance for physicians to work temporarily in other jurisdictions. But that falls short of the portable locum licence that the residents group is looking for. The mandate of regulatory authorities is to protect the public and we support that fully, Dr. Benusic said. But we think a single licence would do that as effectively maybe even more effectively than separate licences in every jurisdiction.	There is a standard set of requirements physicians need to meet to apply for a full licence to practise medicine in Canada. But all 13 provinces and territories have separate licensing requirements and fees.	pegasus	1	https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-why-isnt-there-a-single-medical-licence-for-all-doctors-in-canada/	0.20441
Why isnt there a single medical licence for all doctors in Canada?	Open this photo in gallery Dr. Mike Benusic, medical resident, ER doc and spokesperson for Medical Residents of Canada poses for photos in a Roncesvalles clinic in Toronto, Ont. on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. J.P. MOCZULSKI Monika Dutt has worked as a doctor in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Ontario. Although she has been practising medicine since 2005, a combination of family medicine and public health, each move has required Dr. Dutt to go through the frustrating and expensive process of getting a new medical licence. Thats because, while there is a standard set of requirements physicians need to meet to apply for a full licence to practise medicine in Canada, all 13 provinces and territories have separate licensing requirements and fees. Story continues below advertisement The Ontario application required 42 documents, right back to my medical-school transcripts, said Dr. Dutt, who is now the CEO of the Timiskaming Health Unit in northeastern Ontario. There were also thousands of dollars in fees. For example, the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons has an annual fee of $1,950, plus an additional $975 if the fee is paid after July 1. A temporary licence costs an additional $850. There are also fees to review qualifications, $550, and a documentation fee of $450. A copy of a diploma costs $75 and a letter confirming a physician is a member is $40. Physicians who do locums (temporary postings) pay $250 more a month. Other provinces have similar fees. Universities and hospitals also charge fees for documentation. It really adds up, Dr. Dutt said. She said she understands why rigorous licensing is necessary to weed out the small number of physicians who have done awful things but it is not clear why the provinces and territories dont recognize each others licences. Dr. Dutt is not alone in asking that question. A growing chorus of medical groups including the Canadian Medical Association, Resident Doctors of Canada and the Canadian Federation of Medical Students are pushing for some form of national licensing. After all, training is similar in Canadas 17 medical schools and in residency programs across the country, and patients are not appreciably different. The physician groups pushing for change argue requiring separate licences in every jurisdiction makes it difficult, and sometimes impossible, for physicians, particularly in rural and remote parts of the country, to find doctors to fill in for them while theyre on holidays or when they wish to reduce their hours as they grow older. Story continues below advertisement Story continues below advertisement The onerous licensing rules also discourage interprovincial co-operation for example, a Vancouver orthopedic surgeon cant easily go to St. Johns to do hip replacements, even if there is a desperate need. The current fragmented system doesnt just create annoyance for physicians, it creates real barriers to patient care, Mike Benusic, the lead on national licensing for Resident Doctors of Canada, said in an interview. He said RDC believes the onerous relicensing provision is an unfair restriction on labour mobility and, as such, violates the Canadian Free Trade Agreeement. He splits his time between working as a public-health resident in Toronto and lending a hand in family practice in rural Alberta which means having two licences. Like many young physicians, he does locums in clinics or hospitals, often on weekends and holidays. Locums allow you to check out places, to see if you would like to practise there. They also pay well, so you can pay off some student debt, he said. Locums are also an important recruitment tool, especially for rural and remote communities, who use them to woo doctors. Story continues below advertisement According to a survey by Resident Doctors of Canada, 18.5 per cent of medical residents say, once they are in practice, they are planning to do locums in another province or territory. But 52 per cent said they would do so if it did not require the hassle and expense of getting additional licences. Dr. Benusic understands the hesitancy. He was asked to help out temporarily in a family practice in rural British Columbia, but realized the licensing process would take months and bring additional costs. A B.C. licence costs $1,700, requires a criminal record check and a plethora of other documents. Meanwhile, there were 800 patients waiting for care, he said. So who are these rules serving? Linda Inkpen, president of the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC), which shares best practices among jurisdictions, said regulation is a provincial/territorial responsibility in medicine, just as it is in law, engineering and other fields, and thats not going to change. Constitutional issues put up major barriers to the idea of a national licence, she said in an interview. Dr. Inkpen added, its also not clear how much its really needed either. While there are surveys showing what physicians might do in theory, theres very little data on how many actually practise in more than one jurisdiction. Story continues below advertisement The CMA, in a small survey, found 10 per cent of physicians were licensed in more than one province or territory. But only 1,300 of the countrys 80,000 physicians were surveyed, and those who responded are likely those most interested in the issue of national licensing. Some physicians feel the colleges are merely protecting their turf and their income by maintaining separate regimes in each jurisdiction, but Dr. Inkpen said that is unfair. We are there to uphold standards and we take that role seriously, she said. (However, the standards are more or less the same in every province and territory.) She added provinces and territories hold regulatory bodies very close to their chest, as demonstrated by the lengthy federal-provincial battle over a national securities regulator. Dr. Inkpen said FMRAC has spent considerable time and effort breaking down provincial barriers, spurred by the Canadian Free Trade Agreement that come into force in 2017. For example, the application process is now similar in each province and territory. FMRAC, in conjunction with the provincial and territorial regulators, is looking at some sort of trusted physician licence (similar to a Nexus card for frequent flyers), which would provide expedited clearance for physicians to work temporarily in other jurisdictions. But that falls short of the portable locum licence that the residents group is looking for. The mandate of regulatory authorities is to protect the public and we support that fully, Dr. Benusic said. But we think a single licence would do that as effectively maybe even more effectively than separate licences in every jurisdiction.	There is a standard set of requirements physicians need to meet to apply for a full licence to practise medicine in Canada. But all 13 provinces and territories have separate licensing requirements and fees. A growing chorus of medical groups are pushing for some form of national licensing.	bart	2	https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-why-isnt-there-a-single-medical-licence-for-all-doctors-in-canada/	0.233493
What is impeachment and how long does the process take?	Impeachment is a rarely used tool used to oust a sitting US president from power, and since Donald Trump became president chatter around the "I" word has increased in Washington circles. It first arose following accusations last year that Mr Trump has obstructed justice, but speculation began growing after the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in November in the midterm elections. Nancy Pelosi declined to rule out impeaching Mr Trump as she was sworn in as speaker for the US House of Representatives, kicking off the Democratic Partys control of the body. The Republican leader faces allegations he asked his FBI director James Comey to halt a probe of a senior former advisor, and dismissed Comey in a bid to curb an investigation into his campaign team's possible collusion with Russia. Some Democrats have mentioned impeachment as a possibility for the 45th president, although initiating the procedure remains a hypothetical. Here is a look at exactly what impeachment is and where it's been used before. Impeachment is the process by which Congress puts certain officials, namely the president, on trial. The constitution lays out a broad scope of offences that can lead to impeachment: Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Impeachment does not mean a president will necessarily be kicked out of office. It proceeds like a bill passing through legislature. First, a majority in the House of Representatives - 218 out of 435 members - must approve articles of impeachment previously approved in committee. The make-up of the House before Tuesday's midterm elections favoured Mr Trump, with Republicans holding 238 seats while Democrats held 193. (Four seats werevacant.) Now, however, the Democrats have won back at least 23 seats, meaning they control the chamber. Second, it goes to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority vote is needed to convict the president and consequently remove him from office - even getting the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster would be difficult. Given the Republicans kept control and even gained seats in the Senate on Tuesday, it is highly unlikely Congress would remove him from office. In the unlikely event Mr Trump was impeached, Vice President Mike Pence would immediately take the oath of office and become president. Should Mr Pence be impeached too, then the Republican Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, would take the top job. Impeachment is a political process, not criminal. Congress has no power to impose criminal penalties on impeached presidents or officials. However criminal courts could try to punish officials if they are believed to have committed crimes. "There isn't any judicial review of impeachment decisions, so Congress just needs to be satisfied that Trump committed high crimes or misdemeanors," Jens David Ohlin, a law professor and associate dean at Cornell Law School said. "They are the ultimate judge of what meets that standard."	Impeachment is a rarely used tool used to oust a sitting US president from power.	bart	0	https://news.yahoo.com/impeachment-long-does-process-081206417.html	0.157469
What is impeachment and how long does the process take?	Impeachment is a rarely used tool used to oust a sitting US president from power, and since Donald Trump became president chatter around the "I" word has increased in Washington circles. It first arose following accusations last year that Mr Trump has obstructed justice, but speculation began growing after the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in November in the midterm elections. Nancy Pelosi declined to rule out impeaching Mr Trump as she was sworn in as speaker for the US House of Representatives, kicking off the Democratic Partys control of the body. The Republican leader faces allegations he asked his FBI director James Comey to halt a probe of a senior former advisor, and dismissed Comey in a bid to curb an investigation into his campaign team's possible collusion with Russia. Some Democrats have mentioned impeachment as a possibility for the 45th president, although initiating the procedure remains a hypothetical. Here is a look at exactly what impeachment is and where it's been used before. Impeachment is the process by which Congress puts certain officials, namely the president, on trial. The constitution lays out a broad scope of offences that can lead to impeachment: Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Impeachment does not mean a president will necessarily be kicked out of office. It proceeds like a bill passing through legislature. First, a majority in the House of Representatives - 218 out of 435 members - must approve articles of impeachment previously approved in committee. The make-up of the House before Tuesday's midterm elections favoured Mr Trump, with Republicans holding 238 seats while Democrats held 193. (Four seats werevacant.) Now, however, the Democrats have won back at least 23 seats, meaning they control the chamber. Second, it goes to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority vote is needed to convict the president and consequently remove him from office - even getting the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster would be difficult. Given the Republicans kept control and even gained seats in the Senate on Tuesday, it is highly unlikely Congress would remove him from office. In the unlikely event Mr Trump was impeached, Vice President Mike Pence would immediately take the oath of office and become president. Should Mr Pence be impeached too, then the Republican Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, would take the top job. Impeachment is a political process, not criminal. Congress has no power to impose criminal penalties on impeached presidents or officials. However criminal courts could try to punish officials if they are believed to have committed crimes. "There isn't any judicial review of impeachment decisions, so Congress just needs to be satisfied that Trump committed high crimes or misdemeanors," Jens David Ohlin, a law professor and associate dean at Cornell Law School said. "They are the ultimate judge of what meets that standard."	Impeachment is a rarely used tool used to oust a sitting US president from power. It first arose following accusations last year that Mr Trump has obstructed justice.	bart	1	https://news.yahoo.com/impeachment-long-does-process-081206417.html	0.140078
What is impeachment and how long does the process take?	Impeachment is a rarely used tool used to oust a sitting US president from power, and since Donald Trump became president chatter around the "I" word has increased in Washington circles. It first arose following accusations last year that Mr Trump has obstructed justice, but speculation began growing after the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives in November in the midterm elections. Nancy Pelosi declined to rule out impeaching Mr Trump as she was sworn in as speaker for the US House of Representatives, kicking off the Democratic Partys control of the body. The Republican leader faces allegations he asked his FBI director James Comey to halt a probe of a senior former advisor, and dismissed Comey in a bid to curb an investigation into his campaign team's possible collusion with Russia. Some Democrats have mentioned impeachment as a possibility for the 45th president, although initiating the procedure remains a hypothetical. Here is a look at exactly what impeachment is and where it's been used before. Impeachment is the process by which Congress puts certain officials, namely the president, on trial. The constitution lays out a broad scope of offences that can lead to impeachment: Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Impeachment does not mean a president will necessarily be kicked out of office. It proceeds like a bill passing through legislature. First, a majority in the House of Representatives - 218 out of 435 members - must approve articles of impeachment previously approved in committee. The make-up of the House before Tuesday's midterm elections favoured Mr Trump, with Republicans holding 238 seats while Democrats held 193. (Four seats werevacant.) Now, however, the Democrats have won back at least 23 seats, meaning they control the chamber. Second, it goes to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority vote is needed to convict the president and consequently remove him from office - even getting the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster would be difficult. Given the Republicans kept control and even gained seats in the Senate on Tuesday, it is highly unlikely Congress would remove him from office. In the unlikely event Mr Trump was impeached, Vice President Mike Pence would immediately take the oath of office and become president. Should Mr Pence be impeached too, then the Republican Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, would take the top job. Impeachment is a political process, not criminal. Congress has no power to impose criminal penalties on impeached presidents or officials. However criminal courts could try to punish officials if they are believed to have committed crimes. "There isn't any judicial review of impeachment decisions, so Congress just needs to be satisfied that Trump committed high crimes or misdemeanors," Jens David Ohlin, a law professor and associate dean at Cornell Law School said. "They are the ultimate judge of what meets that standard."	Impeachment is a rarely used tool used to oust a sitting US president from power. It first arose following accusations last year that Mr Trump has obstructed justice. Speculation began growing after the Democrats took control of the House in November in the midterm elections. Nancy Pelosi declined to rule out impeaching Mr Trump as she was sworn in as speaker.	bart	2	https://news.yahoo.com/impeachment-long-does-process-081206417.html	0.12793
How no-deal Brexit will hit travel in and out of the UK and Europe?	(CNN) It's prime time to start booking summer vacations, but for millions of people the looming threat of Britain crashing chaotically out of the European Union could transform their annual break into a misery of delays, cancellations and bureaucratic nightmares. Travelers seeking to head in or out of the UK face so many uncertainties that it's almost impossible to plan effectively to avoid them. Perhaps it'll be business as usual. Perhaps they'll spend hours, days even, trapped in snarl-ups at English Channel ports or airport lounges, with the rising heat of exasperation and anger -- dampened only by the inevitable downpours of the British summer. Disrupted vacations might seem trifling weighed against the huge trade deals at stake in the Brexit negotiations, but tourism across both sides of the UK border is worth billions of dollars and annual summer getaways are vital to the well-being of millions of key workers. Later in January, the UK's parliament is due to vote on a Brexit deal thrashed out by Prime Minister Theresa May, but with few expecting it to pass, the likelihood of the UK leaving the European Union without a deal is high. So much of modern British life -- from airport management to cheese production -- is tangled up in European legislation that the sudden severing of ties, scheduled for March 29, just days before schools break up for Easter, will have huge implications. Those traveling to and from the UK can expect significant disruption, according to travel industry experts. Aviation, currency, insurance, mobile phone roaming and passport control are all likely to be affected. "Preparing for no deal is now an operational priority for the UK government. So we have to entertain that nightmare," says Tom Jenkins, chief executive of ETOA, the European Tourism Association. Border delays Jenkins says that a no-deal scenario could cause growing queues at passport control, with the European Union intending to treat UK passengers as those from a "third country" rather than those enjoying full EU rights under freedom of movement. "This adds 90 seconds of border checks on each passenger," says Jenkins. "This is hours of delays disembarking any flight, and days of delays at Channel ports. It will be a spectacular introduction to the red tape of Brexit." Queues are likely to grow at both UK and EU airports, he added. Not everyone forecasts doom and gloom. "Tourism is big business in the UK, just as it is in Europe, and huge quantities of money are spent from both sides each year by visitors from all over the world," says Matt Dunne, operations manager at tour company Healing Holidays. "Therefore, the UK government and the EU will be keen to ensure this continues." These air travelers were delayed by flight cancellations. Brexit could create more problems for fliers. JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images While some, including Dunne, say airfares could rise in the event of no deal, air travel itself is expected to continue between the UK and EU even if an agreement isn't struck. The European Union issued guidance in December 2018 saying it intended to allow flights from the UK into its airspace. However, it was quick to clarify that this would only extend to "basic connectivity." Britain's exodus from the the EU's Single European Sky initiative could have knock-on implications for air traffic management, significantly affecting airport runway capacities. In an attempt to preempt post-Brexit confusion, budget airline Ryanair, one of Europe's largest carriers, is among several that have set up UK-based subsidiaries to get separate UK certification needed if Britain crashes out. Meanwhile, the UK's EasyJet has had to set up a European base. The UK government has said it is studying the EU's proposals, but that consumers could still book flights after March 29 in the event of no deal, "...with confidence." "Both the EU and UK have made it very clear that both parties want to ensure flights between the UK and EU continue in any scenario," says Reigo Eljas, lastminute.com's country director of the UK and Ireland. "The importance to retain the aviation links, which bring significant economic and cultural benefits, is clearly understood by both sides." Currently UK passports are marked "European Union." Assurances have been made by the EU's legislative body that visas will not be required, at least initially. "The European Commission announced in November 2018 that, even in a no-deal scenario, UK travelers can still visit the EU without a visa, providing the same is offered to European citizens visiting the UK," says ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents. However, the Commission has also confirmed that as of 2021, UK visitors to the EU will have to pay 7 (about $8) for the European Travel Information and Authorization Scheme (ETIAS), which can be bought online ahead of travel. This will last three years and ensure smooth entry at EU borders and airports, similar to the current ESTA scheme many tourists use to travel to the United States. The UK government is also advising citizens to ensure they have at least six months' validity left on their passport when entering the EU, up from the current 90-day limit. EU travelers heading to the UK are unlikely to face visa restrictions, as long as the UK reciprocates the EU's offer. However, the UK has yet to finalize its post-Brexit immigration strategy, adding further confusion. Your insurance may no longer cover you. PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images UK travelers are also likely to face major changes when it comes to insuring themselves while traveling within the EU. Currently, travelers who need to use health services can show a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access free medical care in any EU country. Yet ABTA sounds a worrying note, confirming that, "In the event of a no-deal Brexit, UK registered EHICs will no longer be valid." "British travelers need to check their travel insurance policies carefully to ensure that they provide sufficient cover," says Jo Mackay of Bookings For You, a holiday lettings firm specializing in France and Italy. "It is likely that insurance premiums could rise in the short term." ABTA, meanwhile, is advising UK travelers to check existing policies to see if they have emergency cover, as this will be required to cover costs if medical attention is needed and the UK and EU have not secured an agreement. Those driving to the EU from the UK via the Channel Tunnel and major ports in southeast England will benefit from the fact that train and ferry travel are protected by EU rail regulations and international maritime law respectively. However, drivers may need to get a special license in order to be fully compliant when on the EU's roads. In official guidance released in September 2018, the UK government said, "If there is no deal with the EU, you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU." That call from the beach could become more expensive after Brexit. Sean Gallup/Getty Images Similarly, concerns have also been raised about the cost of using mobile phones in the EU when traveling. EU-wide agreements which came into place in 2017 saw punitive roaming charges banned, but consumers are being advised that a no-deal Brexit could mean EU mobile networks charging UK travelers to access data, make calls and send text messages, with the UK being seen as a "third country" in this case. "Whilst the major UK providers have made clear statements that they currently have no plans to raise charges on roaming services post-Brexit, the loss of this EU regulation could leave consumers without a safety net when it comes to the cost of data whilst abroad in the future," says Ernest Doku, mobiles expert at UK consumer site Uswitch.com. The cost of travel for UK citizens is also likely to increase, although it could be beneficial to those traveling into the country as exchange rates are affected. "With a no-deal we expect sterling to further weaken and make the UK an even more attractive place to visit," says Rob Russell, joint CEO of AC Group, a UK-based tour operator. "Two of our biggest US clients have already seen an increase in sales for 2019." That said, the Britain that awaits them could be a vastly different place from that depicted in the holiday brochures if apocalyptic warnings about food, medicine and other shortages come to pass, not to mention the possibility of civil unrest. Russell also sounds a note of caution. Related content 25 of the best places to visit in the UK "No-deal could have a huge impact on tour operators," he says. "It is that knock-on effect that is potentially very damaging; it will put people off booking short weekend breaks, or making confirmed bookings. It might seem inconsequential to most people, but for tour operators it's their bread and butter." Despite both sides initiating no-deal planning in a bid to ameliorate the worst effects of such a scenario, there remains a heightened sense of uncertainty within the travel industry. That in turn has left consumers unclear as to how the world will look if a deal isn't signed off before the March 29 deadline.	Travelers traveling to and from the UK can expect significant disruption. Aviation, currency, insurance, mobile phone roaming and passport control are all likely to be affected.	bart	1	https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/how-brexit-will-affect-travel/index.html	0.14465
How no-deal Brexit will hit travel in and out of the UK and Europe?	(CNN) It's prime time to start booking summer vacations, but for millions of people the looming threat of Britain crashing chaotically out of the European Union could transform their annual break into a misery of delays, cancellations and bureaucratic nightmares. Travelers seeking to head in or out of the UK face so many uncertainties that it's almost impossible to plan effectively to avoid them. Perhaps it'll be business as usual. Perhaps they'll spend hours, days even, trapped in snarl-ups at English Channel ports or airport lounges, with the rising heat of exasperation and anger -- dampened only by the inevitable downpours of the British summer. Disrupted vacations might seem trifling weighed against the huge trade deals at stake in the Brexit negotiations, but tourism across both sides of the UK border is worth billions of dollars and annual summer getaways are vital to the well-being of millions of key workers. Later in January, the UK's parliament is due to vote on a Brexit deal thrashed out by Prime Minister Theresa May, but with few expecting it to pass, the likelihood of the UK leaving the European Union without a deal is high. So much of modern British life -- from airport management to cheese production -- is tangled up in European legislation that the sudden severing of ties, scheduled for March 29, just days before schools break up for Easter, will have huge implications. Those traveling to and from the UK can expect significant disruption, according to travel industry experts. Aviation, currency, insurance, mobile phone roaming and passport control are all likely to be affected. "Preparing for no deal is now an operational priority for the UK government. So we have to entertain that nightmare," says Tom Jenkins, chief executive of ETOA, the European Tourism Association. Border delays Jenkins says that a no-deal scenario could cause growing queues at passport control, with the European Union intending to treat UK passengers as those from a "third country" rather than those enjoying full EU rights under freedom of movement. "This adds 90 seconds of border checks on each passenger," says Jenkins. "This is hours of delays disembarking any flight, and days of delays at Channel ports. It will be a spectacular introduction to the red tape of Brexit." Queues are likely to grow at both UK and EU airports, he added. Not everyone forecasts doom and gloom. "Tourism is big business in the UK, just as it is in Europe, and huge quantities of money are spent from both sides each year by visitors from all over the world," says Matt Dunne, operations manager at tour company Healing Holidays. "Therefore, the UK government and the EU will be keen to ensure this continues." These air travelers were delayed by flight cancellations. Brexit could create more problems for fliers. JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images While some, including Dunne, say airfares could rise in the event of no deal, air travel itself is expected to continue between the UK and EU even if an agreement isn't struck. The European Union issued guidance in December 2018 saying it intended to allow flights from the UK into its airspace. However, it was quick to clarify that this would only extend to "basic connectivity." Britain's exodus from the the EU's Single European Sky initiative could have knock-on implications for air traffic management, significantly affecting airport runway capacities. In an attempt to preempt post-Brexit confusion, budget airline Ryanair, one of Europe's largest carriers, is among several that have set up UK-based subsidiaries to get separate UK certification needed if Britain crashes out. Meanwhile, the UK's EasyJet has had to set up a European base. The UK government has said it is studying the EU's proposals, but that consumers could still book flights after March 29 in the event of no deal, "...with confidence." "Both the EU and UK have made it very clear that both parties want to ensure flights between the UK and EU continue in any scenario," says Reigo Eljas, lastminute.com's country director of the UK and Ireland. "The importance to retain the aviation links, which bring significant economic and cultural benefits, is clearly understood by both sides." Currently UK passports are marked "European Union." Assurances have been made by the EU's legislative body that visas will not be required, at least initially. "The European Commission announced in November 2018 that, even in a no-deal scenario, UK travelers can still visit the EU without a visa, providing the same is offered to European citizens visiting the UK," says ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents. However, the Commission has also confirmed that as of 2021, UK visitors to the EU will have to pay 7 (about $8) for the European Travel Information and Authorization Scheme (ETIAS), which can be bought online ahead of travel. This will last three years and ensure smooth entry at EU borders and airports, similar to the current ESTA scheme many tourists use to travel to the United States. The UK government is also advising citizens to ensure they have at least six months' validity left on their passport when entering the EU, up from the current 90-day limit. EU travelers heading to the UK are unlikely to face visa restrictions, as long as the UK reciprocates the EU's offer. However, the UK has yet to finalize its post-Brexit immigration strategy, adding further confusion. Your insurance may no longer cover you. PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images UK travelers are also likely to face major changes when it comes to insuring themselves while traveling within the EU. Currently, travelers who need to use health services can show a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access free medical care in any EU country. Yet ABTA sounds a worrying note, confirming that, "In the event of a no-deal Brexit, UK registered EHICs will no longer be valid." "British travelers need to check their travel insurance policies carefully to ensure that they provide sufficient cover," says Jo Mackay of Bookings For You, a holiday lettings firm specializing in France and Italy. "It is likely that insurance premiums could rise in the short term." ABTA, meanwhile, is advising UK travelers to check existing policies to see if they have emergency cover, as this will be required to cover costs if medical attention is needed and the UK and EU have not secured an agreement. Those driving to the EU from the UK via the Channel Tunnel and major ports in southeast England will benefit from the fact that train and ferry travel are protected by EU rail regulations and international maritime law respectively. However, drivers may need to get a special license in order to be fully compliant when on the EU's roads. In official guidance released in September 2018, the UK government said, "If there is no deal with the EU, you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU." That call from the beach could become more expensive after Brexit. Sean Gallup/Getty Images Similarly, concerns have also been raised about the cost of using mobile phones in the EU when traveling. EU-wide agreements which came into place in 2017 saw punitive roaming charges banned, but consumers are being advised that a no-deal Brexit could mean EU mobile networks charging UK travelers to access data, make calls and send text messages, with the UK being seen as a "third country" in this case. "Whilst the major UK providers have made clear statements that they currently have no plans to raise charges on roaming services post-Brexit, the loss of this EU regulation could leave consumers without a safety net when it comes to the cost of data whilst abroad in the future," says Ernest Doku, mobiles expert at UK consumer site Uswitch.com. The cost of travel for UK citizens is also likely to increase, although it could be beneficial to those traveling into the country as exchange rates are affected. "With a no-deal we expect sterling to further weaken and make the UK an even more attractive place to visit," says Rob Russell, joint CEO of AC Group, a UK-based tour operator. "Two of our biggest US clients have already seen an increase in sales for 2019." That said, the Britain that awaits them could be a vastly different place from that depicted in the holiday brochures if apocalyptic warnings about food, medicine and other shortages come to pass, not to mention the possibility of civil unrest. Russell also sounds a note of caution. Related content 25 of the best places to visit in the UK "No-deal could have a huge impact on tour operators," he says. "It is that knock-on effect that is potentially very damaging; it will put people off booking short weekend breaks, or making confirmed bookings. It might seem inconsequential to most people, but for tour operators it's their bread and butter." Despite both sides initiating no-deal planning in a bid to ameliorate the worst effects of such a scenario, there remains a heightened sense of uncertainty within the travel industry. That in turn has left consumers unclear as to how the world will look if a deal isn't signed off before the March 29 deadline.	Travel to and from the UK and Europe could be disrupted by a no-deal scenario. The UK is due to leave the European Union on March 29, with or without a deal. Airports, currency, insurance, mobile phone roaming and passport control are all likely to be affected.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/how-brexit-will-affect-travel/index.html	0.571472
How many women have been nominated to be US president?	Just before 2018 turned into 2019, Senator Elizabeth Warren announced she would be exploring a run for president in the 2020 US election. If the Massachusetts Democrat is chosen as the presidential candidate by her party, she will join a list of women who have run to be US president (though none so far have won). Female Democrats show Capitol Hill's new face but some traditions persist Read more Its a simple question that is surprisingly tricky to answer, but heres an estimate: 31 women have been nominated to run as president by their respective parties. Since many of those women have run for president multiple times, the total number of times women have been nominated totals 41. Where possible, the race of the candidate has been illustrated in the chart here. The women include Charlene Mitchell, who ran for the Communist party in 1968; 54-year-old Margaret Wright, described as a grandma when she was nominated by the Peoples party in 1976; and Lenora Fulani, who was the nominee of the New Alliance party in 1988 and again in 1992. Facebook Twitter Pinterest A clip of the 9 October 1975 Star News. Photograph: Star News, 1975 The total shown here is higher than the list provided by Center for American Women and Politics, but thats because it includes the likes of Gracie Allen, who ran for the Surprise party in 1940. Allen was a comedian who ran as a publicity stunt and says she chose the name of her party because her mother was a Democrat, her father a Republican, and she had been born a surprise (her running song included the lyric Vote for Gracie to win the presidential racie). She retired her candidacy before the vote took place, saying she wanted the serious campaigning to go ahead. But she still managed to gain thousands of write-in votes. However, Allen was not the first woman to run for the presidency. That accolade goes to Victoria Woodhull who, in 1872, ran for the Equal Rights party alongside Frederick Douglass. Not long before announcing her run, Woodhull gave a lecture calling for marriage laws to be completely rethought (the press covered it as a theory of free love and derided the idea). It took 144 years after Woodhulls run for any woman to be considered a serious contender for the White House. When Hillary Clinton ran in 2016, she won the popular vote (gaining 2.9 million votes more than Donald Trump) but didnt become president. She ran alongside five other women who ran for the Green party, Peace and Freedom party, Socialist Workers party, Workers World party and the Revolutionary party. Some of those parties have a long-held tradition of nominating female candidates to represent them in their presidential bids. The Workers World party has had six female candidates, while the Socialist Workers party has had three. Clinton was the first ever woman to be nominated to run as the candidate for a major political party. If chosen by the Democrats, Elizabeth Warren would be the second woman nominated by a major party to run for president but she would be only the 32nd woman nominated by a party for a White House bid. This is a new column that illustrates numbers from the news each week. Write to me: mona.chalabi@theguardian.com	Elizabeth Warren is exploring a run for president in the 2020 US election. If chosen by the Democrats, she would be only the 32nd woman nominated by a party for a White House bid. The total number of times women have been nominated totals 41.	bart	1	https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2019/jan/05/women-nominated-run-us-president-history	0.349722
How many women have been nominated to be US president?	Just before 2018 turned into 2019, Senator Elizabeth Warren announced she would be exploring a run for president in the 2020 US election. If the Massachusetts Democrat is chosen as the presidential candidate by her party, she will join a list of women who have run to be US president (though none so far have won). Female Democrats show Capitol Hill's new face but some traditions persist Read more Its a simple question that is surprisingly tricky to answer, but heres an estimate: 31 women have been nominated to run as president by their respective parties. Since many of those women have run for president multiple times, the total number of times women have been nominated totals 41. Where possible, the race of the candidate has been illustrated in the chart here. The women include Charlene Mitchell, who ran for the Communist party in 1968; 54-year-old Margaret Wright, described as a grandma when she was nominated by the Peoples party in 1976; and Lenora Fulani, who was the nominee of the New Alliance party in 1988 and again in 1992. Facebook Twitter Pinterest A clip of the 9 October 1975 Star News. Photograph: Star News, 1975 The total shown here is higher than the list provided by Center for American Women and Politics, but thats because it includes the likes of Gracie Allen, who ran for the Surprise party in 1940. Allen was a comedian who ran as a publicity stunt and says she chose the name of her party because her mother was a Democrat, her father a Republican, and she had been born a surprise (her running song included the lyric Vote for Gracie to win the presidential racie). She retired her candidacy before the vote took place, saying she wanted the serious campaigning to go ahead. But she still managed to gain thousands of write-in votes. However, Allen was not the first woman to run for the presidency. That accolade goes to Victoria Woodhull who, in 1872, ran for the Equal Rights party alongside Frederick Douglass. Not long before announcing her run, Woodhull gave a lecture calling for marriage laws to be completely rethought (the press covered it as a theory of free love and derided the idea). It took 144 years after Woodhulls run for any woman to be considered a serious contender for the White House. When Hillary Clinton ran in 2016, she won the popular vote (gaining 2.9 million votes more than Donald Trump) but didnt become president. She ran alongside five other women who ran for the Green party, Peace and Freedom party, Socialist Workers party, Workers World party and the Revolutionary party. Some of those parties have a long-held tradition of nominating female candidates to represent them in their presidential bids. The Workers World party has had six female candidates, while the Socialist Workers party has had three. Clinton was the first ever woman to be nominated to run as the candidate for a major political party. If chosen by the Democrats, Elizabeth Warren would be the second woman nominated by a major party to run for president but she would be only the 32nd woman nominated by a party for a White House bid. This is a new column that illustrates numbers from the news each week. Write to me: mona.chalabi@theguardian.com	Senator Elizabeth Warren announced she would be exploring a run for president in the 2020 US election. If chosen by her party, she will join a list of women who have run to be US president. Since many of those women have run for president multiple times, the total number of times women have been nominated totals 41.	pegasus	2	https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2019/jan/05/women-nominated-run-us-president-history	0.490474
What Is a Student Loan Servicer?	Student loans account for a large and increasing share of consumer debt, especially for younger borrowers. According to third-quarter 2018 Federal Reserve data, borrowers in the U.S. owed more than $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. That mountain of debt is handled by student loan servicers -- the folks who collect borrowers' monthly loan payments and take care of other administrative tasks to maintain the loans. If you have student loans, you should know who your student loan servicers are and what they can and cannot do. Learn how they can go beyond collecting payments and help you manage your loans. Nearly 90 percent of student loans issued in the 2017-18 school year were federal loans from the U.S. Department of Education. The remaining nonfederal loans were from states, institutions and private lenders, such as banks and credit unions. Private lenders may administer their own student loans. For example, Sallie Mae manages its own loans rather than handing over that duty to an outside servicer, says spokesman Rick Castellano. But the Department of Education outsources most administrative tasks to student loan servicers. In the 2018 federal budget, student loan servicers had more than $800 million in loan servicing contracts with the department. [Read: Best Student Loan Consolidation Lenders.] A student loan servicer oversees a loan from the time the borrower enrolls in school, through grace and repayment periods, until the borrower pays back the loan, as long as it doesn't go into default. One of the key functions of student loan servicers is to prevent borrowers from defaulting on their loans, according to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute. You can't pick your federal student loan servicer or your private loan servicer. If you've got a federal loan, the Department of Education chooses a servicer for you. With a private loan, the lender either services the loan or hires an outside company to manage it. The servicer of a federal loan can change during the life of your loan. Always open and read any letters or emails you receive about your loan in case the Department of Education is notifying you of a transfer to a different servicer, Castellano says. Christina Randell, president and CEO of My Education Solutions, which helps borrowers wipe out student loan debt, notes that if you consolidate your federal loans, you might end up with a new loan servicer. When a servicer changes, you will usually receive multiple notifications, says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher and vice president of research at Savingforcollege.com. These include a letter from the old servicer before the transfer and a letter from the new servicer after the transfer. Despite a servicer switch, the terms of your loan -- including the interest rate and the payment period -- should stay the same, says Emeka Oguh, founder and CEO of PeopleJoy, a company that enables employers to offer student loan repayment benefits to employees. If you have a federal loan, the loan servicer should notify you once the Department of Education has assigned it to your account. If you've got a private loan, your lender will provide loan servicing details. To retrieve information about your federal student loan, including the name of the loan servicer, log into My Federal Student Aid or the National Student Loan Data System, Randell says. Another option: Check your credit report, which will include the name of your student loan servicer once you graduate and begin making payments. StudentLoans.gov, operated by the Department of Education, lists the names, websites and phone numbers of student loan servicers it does business with. While borrowers mainly interact with student loan servicers about one thing -- paying the monthly bill -- loan servicers also can help if you run into trouble. Here's how. [Read: Best Private Student Loans.] It can adjust your repayment plan. A standard repayment plan for a federal student loan stretches across a 10-year period. However, you might be eligible to extend the repayment period to 25 years, resulting in lower monthly payments but a higher overall cost because you're paying more interest.	Student loan servicers collect borrowers' monthly payments and maintain the loans.	pegasus	0	https://news.yahoo.com/student-loan-servicer-140000418.html	0.138262
What Is a Student Loan Servicer?	Student loans account for a large and increasing share of consumer debt, especially for younger borrowers. According to third-quarter 2018 Federal Reserve data, borrowers in the U.S. owed more than $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. That mountain of debt is handled by student loan servicers -- the folks who collect borrowers' monthly loan payments and take care of other administrative tasks to maintain the loans. If you have student loans, you should know who your student loan servicers are and what they can and cannot do. Learn how they can go beyond collecting payments and help you manage your loans. Nearly 90 percent of student loans issued in the 2017-18 school year were federal loans from the U.S. Department of Education. The remaining nonfederal loans were from states, institutions and private lenders, such as banks and credit unions. Private lenders may administer their own student loans. For example, Sallie Mae manages its own loans rather than handing over that duty to an outside servicer, says spokesman Rick Castellano. But the Department of Education outsources most administrative tasks to student loan servicers. In the 2018 federal budget, student loan servicers had more than $800 million in loan servicing contracts with the department. [Read: Best Student Loan Consolidation Lenders.] A student loan servicer oversees a loan from the time the borrower enrolls in school, through grace and repayment periods, until the borrower pays back the loan, as long as it doesn't go into default. One of the key functions of student loan servicers is to prevent borrowers from defaulting on their loans, according to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute. You can't pick your federal student loan servicer or your private loan servicer. If you've got a federal loan, the Department of Education chooses a servicer for you. With a private loan, the lender either services the loan or hires an outside company to manage it. The servicer of a federal loan can change during the life of your loan. Always open and read any letters or emails you receive about your loan in case the Department of Education is notifying you of a transfer to a different servicer, Castellano says. Christina Randell, president and CEO of My Education Solutions, which helps borrowers wipe out student loan debt, notes that if you consolidate your federal loans, you might end up with a new loan servicer. When a servicer changes, you will usually receive multiple notifications, says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher and vice president of research at Savingforcollege.com. These include a letter from the old servicer before the transfer and a letter from the new servicer after the transfer. Despite a servicer switch, the terms of your loan -- including the interest rate and the payment period -- should stay the same, says Emeka Oguh, founder and CEO of PeopleJoy, a company that enables employers to offer student loan repayment benefits to employees. If you have a federal loan, the loan servicer should notify you once the Department of Education has assigned it to your account. If you've got a private loan, your lender will provide loan servicing details. To retrieve information about your federal student loan, including the name of the loan servicer, log into My Federal Student Aid or the National Student Loan Data System, Randell says. Another option: Check your credit report, which will include the name of your student loan servicer once you graduate and begin making payments. StudentLoans.gov, operated by the Department of Education, lists the names, websites and phone numbers of student loan servicers it does business with. While borrowers mainly interact with student loan servicers about one thing -- paying the monthly bill -- loan servicers also can help if you run into trouble. Here's how. [Read: Best Private Student Loans.] It can adjust your repayment plan. A standard repayment plan for a federal student loan stretches across a 10-year period. However, you might be eligible to extend the repayment period to 25 years, resulting in lower monthly payments but a higher overall cost because you're paying more interest.	Student loan servicers collect borrowers' monthly payments and maintain the loans. One of the key functions of student loan servicers is to prevent borrowers from defaulting. If you consolidate your federal loans, you might end up with a new loan servicer.	pegasus	1	https://news.yahoo.com/student-loan-servicer-140000418.html	0.167979
What Is a Student Loan Servicer?	Student loans account for a large and increasing share of consumer debt, especially for younger borrowers. According to third-quarter 2018 Federal Reserve data, borrowers in the U.S. owed more than $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. That mountain of debt is handled by student loan servicers -- the folks who collect borrowers' monthly loan payments and take care of other administrative tasks to maintain the loans. If you have student loans, you should know who your student loan servicers are and what they can and cannot do. Learn how they can go beyond collecting payments and help you manage your loans. Nearly 90 percent of student loans issued in the 2017-18 school year were federal loans from the U.S. Department of Education. The remaining nonfederal loans were from states, institutions and private lenders, such as banks and credit unions. Private lenders may administer their own student loans. For example, Sallie Mae manages its own loans rather than handing over that duty to an outside servicer, says spokesman Rick Castellano. But the Department of Education outsources most administrative tasks to student loan servicers. In the 2018 federal budget, student loan servicers had more than $800 million in loan servicing contracts with the department. [Read: Best Student Loan Consolidation Lenders.] A student loan servicer oversees a loan from the time the borrower enrolls in school, through grace and repayment periods, until the borrower pays back the loan, as long as it doesn't go into default. One of the key functions of student loan servicers is to prevent borrowers from defaulting on their loans, according to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute. You can't pick your federal student loan servicer or your private loan servicer. If you've got a federal loan, the Department of Education chooses a servicer for you. With a private loan, the lender either services the loan or hires an outside company to manage it. The servicer of a federal loan can change during the life of your loan. Always open and read any letters or emails you receive about your loan in case the Department of Education is notifying you of a transfer to a different servicer, Castellano says. Christina Randell, president and CEO of My Education Solutions, which helps borrowers wipe out student loan debt, notes that if you consolidate your federal loans, you might end up with a new loan servicer. When a servicer changes, you will usually receive multiple notifications, says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher and vice president of research at Savingforcollege.com. These include a letter from the old servicer before the transfer and a letter from the new servicer after the transfer. Despite a servicer switch, the terms of your loan -- including the interest rate and the payment period -- should stay the same, says Emeka Oguh, founder and CEO of PeopleJoy, a company that enables employers to offer student loan repayment benefits to employees. If you have a federal loan, the loan servicer should notify you once the Department of Education has assigned it to your account. If you've got a private loan, your lender will provide loan servicing details. To retrieve information about your federal student loan, including the name of the loan servicer, log into My Federal Student Aid or the National Student Loan Data System, Randell says. Another option: Check your credit report, which will include the name of your student loan servicer once you graduate and begin making payments. StudentLoans.gov, operated by the Department of Education, lists the names, websites and phone numbers of student loan servicers it does business with. While borrowers mainly interact with student loan servicers about one thing -- paying the monthly bill -- loan servicers also can help if you run into trouble. Here's how. [Read: Best Private Student Loans.] It can adjust your repayment plan. A standard repayment plan for a federal student loan stretches across a 10-year period. However, you might be eligible to extend the repayment period to 25 years, resulting in lower monthly payments but a higher overall cost because you're paying more interest.	Borrowers in the U.S. owed more than $1.5 trillion in student loan debt in the third quarter of 2018. A student loan servicer oversees a loan from the time the borrower enrolls in school, until the borrower pays back the loan.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/student-loan-servicer-140000418.html	0.180226
What's closed during the partial government shutdown?	The partial government shutdown began on December 22 after President Trump and congressional Democrats could not agree on funding for the president's long-sought southern border wall. While Mr. Trump and congressional leaders have met periodically to try to resolve the impasse -- twice in the first week of January -- they have made no discernible progress. The president told Democratic leaders he was willing to have the government shut down for "years" over border wall funding. Nine out of 15 federal departments are closed, as well as dozens of agencies. However, several funding bills were passed and signed, so about 75 percent of government services are unaffected by the shutdown. More than 420,000 federal employees are working without pay, including agents from the FBI, ATF, DEA and CBP, as well as staff from the State Department, Coast Guard, IRS and Department of Homeland Security. Another 380,000 workers have been furloughed from departments including NASA, the State Department, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Transportation Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the IRS. Here is what is -- and isn't -- affected by the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown so far: What is closed during the government shutdown: The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., shut their doors on January 2. The National Zoo has closed, although animals are still being cared for by zoo workers. Many national parks have also closed, but several remain open during the shutdown, albeit without services. Sanitary conditions have rapidly deteriorated at many of the nation's parks, with restroom toilets overflowing and trash piling up. At Yellowstone, private companies that offer tours have been performing some maintenance, enabling them to continue operating throughout the winter, if necessary, The Associated Press reported. Volunteer Alexandra Degen cleans a restroom at Joshua Tree National Park on January 4, 2019 in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Volunteers with 'Friends of Joshua Tree National Park' have been cleaning bathrooms and trash at the park as the park is drastically understaffed during the partial government shutdown. Campgrounds and some roads have been closed at the park due to safety concerns. Mario Tama/Getty Images The IRS has mostly stopped working (only 12 percent of its staff are working -- without pay), and those who are working are mostly focused on security and technology, not on taxpayers' refunds. The IRS is not issuing refunds, updating tax forms or answering phone help lines during the shutdown, according to its shutdown plans. Immigration courts have also closed, forcing judges to indefinitely postpone hearings scheduled months in advance. There is already a backlog of over 800,000 cases. E-Verify, the government immigration system and database employers use to check and confirm that employees are eligible to work in the United States, is out of service during the shutdown. It typically takes just a few seconds for E-Verify to compare an employee's records against DHS and Social Security records. #EVerify is not available due to lapse in DHS appropriations. https://t.co/xzw4doYGww USCIS E-Verify (@EVerify) December 22, 2018 Still open and operating during shutdown: Mail is still being delivered. Social Security checks are still going out to recipients, and Medicare and Medicaid are unaffected by the partial shutdown. Federal courts are still open and operating through January 11, by relying on court fee balances and funds that do not depend on a congressional appropriation. Should the shutdown extend beyond that date, the courts would continue to operate under the Anti-Deficiency Act, in support of Article III powers. However, staffing could be reduced. TSA agents are considered essential. However, by the 14th day of the shutdown, TSA had seen an increase in sick calls since the shutdown started, although that had not negatively impacted the agency's ability to screen airline passengers, CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reported. As of January 5, major airlines and airports were unaware of any issues or delays at checkpoints. Special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation will continue because it does not depend on a congressional appropriation for its funding. Nutrition benefits like SNAP will be available through January. Other nutrition assistance programs may operate with any state and local funding resources that are available, but no other federal funds will be provided during the shutdown. Child nutrition programs, like School Lunc and School Breakfast will keep operating into February. Forest Service law enforcement and emergency response efforts will continue. U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, which deals with naturalization and citizenship, has been uninterrupted because its operations are funded by user fees. Veterans are still receiving their benefits because the Veterans Affairs Department was among those funded through September 2019. Passport services will still be offered during the shutdown. Passports can be renewed by mail or in person at passport agencies, post offices, libraries and other facilities, and processing times are expected to remain unchanged. Unintended consequences Pay raises for top officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, were set to go into effect on Saturday, The Washington Post reported. But federal agencies were told in a memo issued Friday from the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management to hold off on enacting the raises during the shutdown, according to The Associated Press. A pay freeze for the officials had been close to expiring due to the shutdown.	Nine out of 15 federal departments are closed, as well as dozens of agencies. About 75 percent of government services are unaffected by the shutdown.	bart	0	https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-what-closed-open-affected-explained-post-office-irs-national-parks-2019-01-05/	0.155637
What's closed during the partial government shutdown?	The partial government shutdown began on December 22 after President Trump and congressional Democrats could not agree on funding for the president's long-sought southern border wall. While Mr. Trump and congressional leaders have met periodically to try to resolve the impasse -- twice in the first week of January -- they have made no discernible progress. The president told Democratic leaders he was willing to have the government shut down for "years" over border wall funding. Nine out of 15 federal departments are closed, as well as dozens of agencies. However, several funding bills were passed and signed, so about 75 percent of government services are unaffected by the shutdown. More than 420,000 federal employees are working without pay, including agents from the FBI, ATF, DEA and CBP, as well as staff from the State Department, Coast Guard, IRS and Department of Homeland Security. Another 380,000 workers have been furloughed from departments including NASA, the State Department, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Transportation Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the IRS. Here is what is -- and isn't -- affected by the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown so far: What is closed during the government shutdown: The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., shut their doors on January 2. The National Zoo has closed, although animals are still being cared for by zoo workers. Many national parks have also closed, but several remain open during the shutdown, albeit without services. Sanitary conditions have rapidly deteriorated at many of the nation's parks, with restroom toilets overflowing and trash piling up. At Yellowstone, private companies that offer tours have been performing some maintenance, enabling them to continue operating throughout the winter, if necessary, The Associated Press reported. Volunteer Alexandra Degen cleans a restroom at Joshua Tree National Park on January 4, 2019 in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Volunteers with 'Friends of Joshua Tree National Park' have been cleaning bathrooms and trash at the park as the park is drastically understaffed during the partial government shutdown. Campgrounds and some roads have been closed at the park due to safety concerns. Mario Tama/Getty Images The IRS has mostly stopped working (only 12 percent of its staff are working -- without pay), and those who are working are mostly focused on security and technology, not on taxpayers' refunds. The IRS is not issuing refunds, updating tax forms or answering phone help lines during the shutdown, according to its shutdown plans. Immigration courts have also closed, forcing judges to indefinitely postpone hearings scheduled months in advance. There is already a backlog of over 800,000 cases. E-Verify, the government immigration system and database employers use to check and confirm that employees are eligible to work in the United States, is out of service during the shutdown. It typically takes just a few seconds for E-Verify to compare an employee's records against DHS and Social Security records. #EVerify is not available due to lapse in DHS appropriations. https://t.co/xzw4doYGww USCIS E-Verify (@EVerify) December 22, 2018 Still open and operating during shutdown: Mail is still being delivered. Social Security checks are still going out to recipients, and Medicare and Medicaid are unaffected by the partial shutdown. Federal courts are still open and operating through January 11, by relying on court fee balances and funds that do not depend on a congressional appropriation. Should the shutdown extend beyond that date, the courts would continue to operate under the Anti-Deficiency Act, in support of Article III powers. However, staffing could be reduced. TSA agents are considered essential. However, by the 14th day of the shutdown, TSA had seen an increase in sick calls since the shutdown started, although that had not negatively impacted the agency's ability to screen airline passengers, CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reported. As of January 5, major airlines and airports were unaware of any issues or delays at checkpoints. Special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation will continue because it does not depend on a congressional appropriation for its funding. Nutrition benefits like SNAP will be available through January. Other nutrition assistance programs may operate with any state and local funding resources that are available, but no other federal funds will be provided during the shutdown. Child nutrition programs, like School Lunc and School Breakfast will keep operating into February. Forest Service law enforcement and emergency response efforts will continue. U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, which deals with naturalization and citizenship, has been uninterrupted because its operations are funded by user fees. Veterans are still receiving their benefits because the Veterans Affairs Department was among those funded through September 2019. Passport services will still be offered during the shutdown. Passports can be renewed by mail or in person at passport agencies, post offices, libraries and other facilities, and processing times are expected to remain unchanged. Unintended consequences Pay raises for top officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, were set to go into effect on Saturday, The Washington Post reported. But federal agencies were told in a memo issued Friday from the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management to hold off on enacting the raises during the shutdown, according to The Associated Press. A pay freeze for the officials had been close to expiring due to the shutdown.	The partial government shutdown began on December 22. President Trump and congressional Democrats could not agree on funding for the president's long-sought southern border wall. Nine out of 15 federal departments are closed, as well as dozens of agencies.	pegasus	1	https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-what-closed-open-affected-explained-post-office-irs-national-parks-2019-01-05/	0.116098
What's closed during the partial government shutdown?	The partial government shutdown began on December 22 after President Trump and congressional Democrats could not agree on funding for the president's long-sought southern border wall. While Mr. Trump and congressional leaders have met periodically to try to resolve the impasse -- twice in the first week of January -- they have made no discernible progress. The president told Democratic leaders he was willing to have the government shut down for "years" over border wall funding. Nine out of 15 federal departments are closed, as well as dozens of agencies. However, several funding bills were passed and signed, so about 75 percent of government services are unaffected by the shutdown. More than 420,000 federal employees are working without pay, including agents from the FBI, ATF, DEA and CBP, as well as staff from the State Department, Coast Guard, IRS and Department of Homeland Security. Another 380,000 workers have been furloughed from departments including NASA, the State Department, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Transportation Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the IRS. Here is what is -- and isn't -- affected by the 2018-2019 partial government shutdown so far: What is closed during the government shutdown: The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., shut their doors on January 2. The National Zoo has closed, although animals are still being cared for by zoo workers. Many national parks have also closed, but several remain open during the shutdown, albeit without services. Sanitary conditions have rapidly deteriorated at many of the nation's parks, with restroom toilets overflowing and trash piling up. At Yellowstone, private companies that offer tours have been performing some maintenance, enabling them to continue operating throughout the winter, if necessary, The Associated Press reported. Volunteer Alexandra Degen cleans a restroom at Joshua Tree National Park on January 4, 2019 in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Volunteers with 'Friends of Joshua Tree National Park' have been cleaning bathrooms and trash at the park as the park is drastically understaffed during the partial government shutdown. Campgrounds and some roads have been closed at the park due to safety concerns. Mario Tama/Getty Images The IRS has mostly stopped working (only 12 percent of its staff are working -- without pay), and those who are working are mostly focused on security and technology, not on taxpayers' refunds. The IRS is not issuing refunds, updating tax forms or answering phone help lines during the shutdown, according to its shutdown plans. Immigration courts have also closed, forcing judges to indefinitely postpone hearings scheduled months in advance. There is already a backlog of over 800,000 cases. E-Verify, the government immigration system and database employers use to check and confirm that employees are eligible to work in the United States, is out of service during the shutdown. It typically takes just a few seconds for E-Verify to compare an employee's records against DHS and Social Security records. #EVerify is not available due to lapse in DHS appropriations. https://t.co/xzw4doYGww USCIS E-Verify (@EVerify) December 22, 2018 Still open and operating during shutdown: Mail is still being delivered. Social Security checks are still going out to recipients, and Medicare and Medicaid are unaffected by the partial shutdown. Federal courts are still open and operating through January 11, by relying on court fee balances and funds that do not depend on a congressional appropriation. Should the shutdown extend beyond that date, the courts would continue to operate under the Anti-Deficiency Act, in support of Article III powers. However, staffing could be reduced. TSA agents are considered essential. However, by the 14th day of the shutdown, TSA had seen an increase in sick calls since the shutdown started, although that had not negatively impacted the agency's ability to screen airline passengers, CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reported. As of January 5, major airlines and airports were unaware of any issues or delays at checkpoints. Special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation will continue because it does not depend on a congressional appropriation for its funding. Nutrition benefits like SNAP will be available through January. Other nutrition assistance programs may operate with any state and local funding resources that are available, but no other federal funds will be provided during the shutdown. Child nutrition programs, like School Lunc and School Breakfast will keep operating into February. Forest Service law enforcement and emergency response efforts will continue. U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, which deals with naturalization and citizenship, has been uninterrupted because its operations are funded by user fees. Veterans are still receiving their benefits because the Veterans Affairs Department was among those funded through September 2019. Passport services will still be offered during the shutdown. Passports can be renewed by mail or in person at passport agencies, post offices, libraries and other facilities, and processing times are expected to remain unchanged. Unintended consequences Pay raises for top officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, were set to go into effect on Saturday, The Washington Post reported. But federal agencies were told in a memo issued Friday from the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management to hold off on enacting the raises during the shutdown, according to The Associated Press. A pay freeze for the officials had been close to expiring due to the shutdown.	The partial government shutdown began on December 22. Nine out of 15 federal departments are closed, as well as dozens of agencies. More than 420,000 federal employees are working without pay. Several funding bills were passed and signed, so about 75 percent of government services are unaffected.	pegasus	2	https://www.cbsnews.com/news/government-shutdown-what-closed-open-affected-explained-post-office-irs-national-parks-2019-01-05/	0.287641
Which film should win the 2019 Golden Globe for Best Drama?	"Black Panther" and "A Star Is Born" were two of the biggest blockbusters of 2018, and both are nominated for Best Drama at the 2019 Golden Globes. "Black Panther" is regarded as a cultural milestone, and earned $1.3 billion at the box office worldwide. "A Star Is Born" also slayed at the box office, and many critics regard the film as the frontrunner to win at the Globes. PERSPECTIVES Below is the synopsis of "Black Panther," per Rotten Tomatoes. "Black Panther" follows T'Challa who, after the events of "Captain America: Civil War," returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T'Challa's mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk. "Black Panther" not only holds a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but moviegoers and critics alike praised the film for being a cultural milestone for the black diaspora and cinema in general. Below is the synopsis of "A Star is Born," per Rotten Tomatoes. In "A Star Is Born," Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga fuse their considerable talents to depict the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Theirs is a complex journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive. In this new take on the iconic love story, four-time Oscar nominee Cooper ("American Sniper," "American Hustle," "Silver Linings Playbook"), makes his directorial debut, and also stars alongside multiple award-winning, Oscar-nominated music superstar Gaga in her first leading role in a major motion picture. Cooper portrays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally. She has given up on her dream to become a successful singer, until she meets Jack, who immediately sees her natural talent. In addition to the Golden Globes, "A Star Is Born" is also garnering Oscar buzz; it could potentially be nominated not only for Best Picture, but Best Actress (Lady Gaga) and Best Actor (Bradley Cooper) as well. The film holds a fresh rating of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans love the award-nominated soundtrack. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.	"Black Panther" and "A Star Is Born" are both nominated for Best Drama at the 2019 Golden Globes.	pegasus	0	https://www.oregonlive.com/tylt/2019/01/which_film_should_win_the_2019.html	0.316789
Which film should win the 2019 Golden Globe for Best Drama?	"Black Panther" and "A Star Is Born" were two of the biggest blockbusters of 2018, and both are nominated for Best Drama at the 2019 Golden Globes. "Black Panther" is regarded as a cultural milestone, and earned $1.3 billion at the box office worldwide. "A Star Is Born" also slayed at the box office, and many critics regard the film as the frontrunner to win at the Globes. PERSPECTIVES Below is the synopsis of "Black Panther," per Rotten Tomatoes. "Black Panther" follows T'Challa who, after the events of "Captain America: Civil War," returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T'Challa's mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk. "Black Panther" not only holds a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but moviegoers and critics alike praised the film for being a cultural milestone for the black diaspora and cinema in general. Below is the synopsis of "A Star is Born," per Rotten Tomatoes. In "A Star Is Born," Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga fuse their considerable talents to depict the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Theirs is a complex journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive. In this new take on the iconic love story, four-time Oscar nominee Cooper ("American Sniper," "American Hustle," "Silver Linings Playbook"), makes his directorial debut, and also stars alongside multiple award-winning, Oscar-nominated music superstar Gaga in her first leading role in a major motion picture. Cooper portrays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally. She has given up on her dream to become a successful singer, until she meets Jack, who immediately sees her natural talent. In addition to the Golden Globes, "A Star Is Born" is also garnering Oscar buzz; it could potentially be nominated not only for Best Picture, but Best Actress (Lady Gaga) and Best Actor (Bradley Cooper) as well. The film holds a fresh rating of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans love the award-nominated soundtrack. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.	Both "Black Panther" and "A Star Is Born" are up for Best Drama at the 2019 Golden Globes. Both films are also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Actor.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.oregonlive.com/tylt/2019/01/which_film_should_win_the_2019.html	0.481881
Which film should win the 2019 Golden Globe for Best Drama?	"Black Panther" and "A Star Is Born" were two of the biggest blockbusters of 2018, and both are nominated for Best Drama at the 2019 Golden Globes. "Black Panther" is regarded as a cultural milestone, and earned $1.3 billion at the box office worldwide. "A Star Is Born" also slayed at the box office, and many critics regard the film as the frontrunner to win at the Globes. PERSPECTIVES Below is the synopsis of "Black Panther," per Rotten Tomatoes. "Black Panther" follows T'Challa who, after the events of "Captain America: Civil War," returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T'Challa's mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk. "Black Panther" not only holds a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but moviegoers and critics alike praised the film for being a cultural milestone for the black diaspora and cinema in general. Below is the synopsis of "A Star is Born," per Rotten Tomatoes. In "A Star Is Born," Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga fuse their considerable talents to depict the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Theirs is a complex journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive. In this new take on the iconic love story, four-time Oscar nominee Cooper ("American Sniper," "American Hustle," "Silver Linings Playbook"), makes his directorial debut, and also stars alongside multiple award-winning, Oscar-nominated music superstar Gaga in her first leading role in a major motion picture. Cooper portrays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally. She has given up on her dream to become a successful singer, until she meets Jack, who immediately sees her natural talent. In addition to the Golden Globes, "A Star Is Born" is also garnering Oscar buzz; it could potentially be nominated not only for Best Picture, but Best Actress (Lady Gaga) and Best Actor (Bradley Cooper) as well. The film holds a fresh rating of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans love the award-nominated soundtrack. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say.	Both "Black Panther" and "A Star Is Born" are up for Best Drama at the 2019 Golden Globes. Both films are also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Actor. The Tylt wants to hear what you think. Submit your thoughts at the Tylt.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.oregonlive.com/tylt/2019/01/which_film_should_win_the_2019.html	0.549944
Why is Saints safety Chris Banjo having so much fun?	Since joining the New Orleans Saints in 2016, Chris Banjo, the backup safety and special teamer, has played 39 games with zero starts. But it would be hard to find a more popular player in the locker room. We feed off of his positive energy, free safety Marcus Williams said. Theres no negativity in him. Banjo, 28, has an infectious smile and laugh, and while hes not the most important player on the roster, several players say his leadership helps on both special teams and defense. Now in his sixth NFL season his first three-plus years were with the Green Bay Packers Banjo understands that all players can add value to a team. One way is by making plays, but because Banjos role is almost exclusively on special teams, he said he adds value by being one of the teams energy guys. Craig Robertson, the Saints' one-man hype machine, finds energy in his love of the game Defensive end Cameron Jordan referred to Banjo as a spark plug. Whenever the Saints have a big play, No. 31 is normally among the first people celebrating, and after games, hes often in the middle of the locker room dance circle. This game is hard enough as it is, just from a preparation standpoint to obviously a physical standpoint, Banjo said, So Ive always just tried to have fun competing and compete to the highest of my ability. Banjo went undrafted in 2013 and isnt an every-down player, but hes just as competitive as his teammates. In fact, Banjo has probably won more games than anyone else since joining the Saints in 2016 playing Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo 64. Players can often be found playing the game during media availability, and Banjos skills leave his teammates in disbelief. They come close to beating him but rarely do. For as lively as Banjo is on the sidelines, when he plays Super Smash Bros, hes pretty reserved. Other Saints players will boast about a kill or an impressive move, but he sits back and waits to unload his trash talk for when he inevitably wins. Linebacker Craig Robertson, who also plays the game a lot, said he has no problem admitting Banjo is better. Banjo, however, will not concede on who of the two has the best dance moves. Banjo and Robertson are among the most energetic guys in the Saints locker room, and their bond helps them liven things up. Both players are from the Houston area and went to college in Dallas, Banjo at SMU and Robertson at North Texas. I guess we kind of feed off each other, Robertson said. Its kind of like were jokesters. We just kind of make everything fun. Around us, theres never like a dull situation. Beating Kirby with Samus in Super Smash Bros. obviously has no bearing on what happens on the field, but those hotly contested games are just another opportunity for Saints players to bond in a competitive way. Then, when Sundays come, the players all hope to celebrate together. These are my brothers, so whenever I get to see them succeed in opportunities that I know they prepared for, thats a great feeling, and I just want to enjoy that moment with them, Banjo said. There have been a few times this season when Banjo was the reason for the celebration. Against the Eagles in Week 11, Banjo played a season-high 13 defensive snaps in the 48-7 blowout, and he made two interceptions. He said the special part of those plays was the aftermath, when his teammates celebrated his on-field performance the way he normally does theirs. Linebacker Vince Biegel considers himself a high-energy guy, and hes glad to have like-minded players like Banjo and Robertson on the Saints special teams unit. According to Biegel, players genuinely want to play special teams on the Saints, which isnt always the case. Meanwhile, the defensive backs see a side of Banjo that others dont. Because he rarely plays on defense, he has a unique perspective from the sidelines, and the other players in the secondary appreciate his input. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore said he and the other young defensive backs look up to Banjo. Banjo is just a great guy, Lattimore said, smiling when asked about his teammate. He has that leadership ability. Hes not the most outspoken player, but hell come to you one-on-one and let you know to turn it up. He never gets to the point where hell call you out in front of people. Another word Banjos teammates use to describe him is focused. Yes, he ensures his teammates are locked in during meetings or games, but that focus also extends to the fun times. Banjo thinks its important to appreciate the opportunities to celebrate. As he said, a lot of teams dont have a reason to dance. These moments dont last forever, especially having the season that were having and that were fortunate to have, Banjo said. Hopefully, itll continue.	Chris Banjo is one of the most popular players in the New Orleans Saints locker room. He's known for his love of Super Smash Bros. and his infectious smile.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/01/why-is-saints-safety-chris-banjo-having-so-much-fun.html	0.164594
Why is Saints safety Chris Banjo having so much fun?	Since joining the New Orleans Saints in 2016, Chris Banjo, the backup safety and special teamer, has played 39 games with zero starts. But it would be hard to find a more popular player in the locker room. We feed off of his positive energy, free safety Marcus Williams said. Theres no negativity in him. Banjo, 28, has an infectious smile and laugh, and while hes not the most important player on the roster, several players say his leadership helps on both special teams and defense. Now in his sixth NFL season his first three-plus years were with the Green Bay Packers Banjo understands that all players can add value to a team. One way is by making plays, but because Banjos role is almost exclusively on special teams, he said he adds value by being one of the teams energy guys. Craig Robertson, the Saints' one-man hype machine, finds energy in his love of the game Defensive end Cameron Jordan referred to Banjo as a spark plug. Whenever the Saints have a big play, No. 31 is normally among the first people celebrating, and after games, hes often in the middle of the locker room dance circle. This game is hard enough as it is, just from a preparation standpoint to obviously a physical standpoint, Banjo said, So Ive always just tried to have fun competing and compete to the highest of my ability. Banjo went undrafted in 2013 and isnt an every-down player, but hes just as competitive as his teammates. In fact, Banjo has probably won more games than anyone else since joining the Saints in 2016 playing Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo 64. Players can often be found playing the game during media availability, and Banjos skills leave his teammates in disbelief. They come close to beating him but rarely do. For as lively as Banjo is on the sidelines, when he plays Super Smash Bros, hes pretty reserved. Other Saints players will boast about a kill or an impressive move, but he sits back and waits to unload his trash talk for when he inevitably wins. Linebacker Craig Robertson, who also plays the game a lot, said he has no problem admitting Banjo is better. Banjo, however, will not concede on who of the two has the best dance moves. Banjo and Robertson are among the most energetic guys in the Saints locker room, and their bond helps them liven things up. Both players are from the Houston area and went to college in Dallas, Banjo at SMU and Robertson at North Texas. I guess we kind of feed off each other, Robertson said. Its kind of like were jokesters. We just kind of make everything fun. Around us, theres never like a dull situation. Beating Kirby with Samus in Super Smash Bros. obviously has no bearing on what happens on the field, but those hotly contested games are just another opportunity for Saints players to bond in a competitive way. Then, when Sundays come, the players all hope to celebrate together. These are my brothers, so whenever I get to see them succeed in opportunities that I know they prepared for, thats a great feeling, and I just want to enjoy that moment with them, Banjo said. There have been a few times this season when Banjo was the reason for the celebration. Against the Eagles in Week 11, Banjo played a season-high 13 defensive snaps in the 48-7 blowout, and he made two interceptions. He said the special part of those plays was the aftermath, when his teammates celebrated his on-field performance the way he normally does theirs. Linebacker Vince Biegel considers himself a high-energy guy, and hes glad to have like-minded players like Banjo and Robertson on the Saints special teams unit. According to Biegel, players genuinely want to play special teams on the Saints, which isnt always the case. Meanwhile, the defensive backs see a side of Banjo that others dont. Because he rarely plays on defense, he has a unique perspective from the sidelines, and the other players in the secondary appreciate his input. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore said he and the other young defensive backs look up to Banjo. Banjo is just a great guy, Lattimore said, smiling when asked about his teammate. He has that leadership ability. Hes not the most outspoken player, but hell come to you one-on-one and let you know to turn it up. He never gets to the point where hell call you out in front of people. Another word Banjos teammates use to describe him is focused. Yes, he ensures his teammates are locked in during meetings or games, but that focus also extends to the fun times. Banjo thinks its important to appreciate the opportunities to celebrate. As he said, a lot of teams dont have a reason to dance. These moments dont last forever, especially having the season that were having and that were fortunate to have, Banjo said. Hopefully, itll continue.	Chris Banjo is one of the most popular players in the New Orleans Saints locker room. He's known for his love of Super Smash Bros. and for his infectious smile and laugh. Banjo has won more games than anyone else since joining the Saints in 2016, according to NFL.com.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.nola.com/saints/2019/01/why-is-saints-safety-chris-banjo-having-so-much-fun.html	0.26821
How On Earth Did 'Pokmon GO' Make Almost $800 Million In 2018?	The biggest story of the gaming year is certainly Fortnite, which made Epic Games $3 billion this year despite its battle royale mode being free, selling only cosmetics. But a similarly impressive story is that Pokmon GO made $795 million in 2018, two years after its release, which represents a 35% jump from the year before. And Id argue that it did so while being a free game that sells far less attractive items than Fortnites never-ending carousel of skins. Well, it is still a low key global phenomenon, even if its not in headlines as much, and Niantic really delivered on their promise to double down on Pokmon GO, which many assumed would not happen with a new Harry Potter game on deck (which didnt actually come out in 2018 the way many expected it would). Engagement has been dramatically increased with new features like the friend system, research quests, trading and PvP battling. Weve seen the launch of new generations of Pokmon, working our way up all the way to Gen 4 out of 7 now. There was plenty of cross-promotion with Lets Go Pikachu and Eevee as Nintendo and The Pokmon Company are finally leaning into Pokmon GOs success. Past that, as SerebiiNet points out, there were 31 events, 12 Community Days and 4 special raiding days in Pokmon GO in 2018, as opposed to 10 total events in 2017. Niantic has figured out that to keep players engaged there needs to essentially be a non-stop parade of events in some form or another. Community Days in particular have been a huge hit for the game, as during a few hours every month it recreates the feeling of everyone is playing GO outside, making large scale, IRL meet-ups still possible, even if the craziness of two years ago has subsided. I remain impressed with GOs revenue not just in terms of player engagement, but again, because the monetization in this game isjust not that intense. Everything else is just icing, and this is not Fortnite selling elaborate $20 skins or $40 cosmetic sets on a non-stop 24 hour rotation. GO has also steered away from both loot boxes and traditional mobile trappings like pay-to-skip wait timers. Its kind of miraculous its putting up this much revenue given the way its monetized, which speaks to the overall breadth and devotion of its playerbase. This latest revenue total means that Pokmon GO has brought in $2.2 billion since its launch in the summer of 2016, and it seems possible it will hit $3 billion by the end of 2019, if they keep up this kind of momentum. And thats not counting whatever Niantic brings in from Harry Potter and its WB partnership. What a year, indeed. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Read my new sci-fi thriller novel Herokiller, available now in print and online. I also wrote The Earthborn Trilogy.	Pokmon GO made $795 million in 2018, a 35% jump from the year before. This latest revenue means that Pokmon GO has brought in $2.2 billion since its launch.	pegasus	1	https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2019/01/05/how-on-earth-did-pokemon-go-make-almost-800-million-in-2018/	0.15568
How On Earth Did 'Pokmon GO' Make Almost $800 Million In 2018?	The biggest story of the gaming year is certainly Fortnite, which made Epic Games $3 billion this year despite its battle royale mode being free, selling only cosmetics. But a similarly impressive story is that Pokmon GO made $795 million in 2018, two years after its release, which represents a 35% jump from the year before. And Id argue that it did so while being a free game that sells far less attractive items than Fortnites never-ending carousel of skins. Well, it is still a low key global phenomenon, even if its not in headlines as much, and Niantic really delivered on their promise to double down on Pokmon GO, which many assumed would not happen with a new Harry Potter game on deck (which didnt actually come out in 2018 the way many expected it would). Engagement has been dramatically increased with new features like the friend system, research quests, trading and PvP battling. Weve seen the launch of new generations of Pokmon, working our way up all the way to Gen 4 out of 7 now. There was plenty of cross-promotion with Lets Go Pikachu and Eevee as Nintendo and The Pokmon Company are finally leaning into Pokmon GOs success. Past that, as SerebiiNet points out, there were 31 events, 12 Community Days and 4 special raiding days in Pokmon GO in 2018, as opposed to 10 total events in 2017. Niantic has figured out that to keep players engaged there needs to essentially be a non-stop parade of events in some form or another. Community Days in particular have been a huge hit for the game, as during a few hours every month it recreates the feeling of everyone is playing GO outside, making large scale, IRL meet-ups still possible, even if the craziness of two years ago has subsided. I remain impressed with GOs revenue not just in terms of player engagement, but again, because the monetization in this game isjust not that intense. Everything else is just icing, and this is not Fortnite selling elaborate $20 skins or $40 cosmetic sets on a non-stop 24 hour rotation. GO has also steered away from both loot boxes and traditional mobile trappings like pay-to-skip wait timers. Its kind of miraculous its putting up this much revenue given the way its monetized, which speaks to the overall breadth and devotion of its playerbase. This latest revenue total means that Pokmon GO has brought in $2.2 billion since its launch in the summer of 2016, and it seems possible it will hit $3 billion by the end of 2019, if they keep up this kind of momentum. And thats not counting whatever Niantic brings in from Harry Potter and its WB partnership. What a year, indeed. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Read my new sci-fi thriller novel Herokiller, available now in print and online. I also wrote The Earthborn Trilogy.	Pokmon GO made $795 million in 2018, a 35% jump from the year before. This latest revenue means that Pokmon GO has brought in $2.2 billion since its launch. I remain impressed with GOs revenue not just in terms of engagement, but again, because the game is...just not that intense.	pegasus	2	https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2019/01/05/how-on-earth-did-pokemon-go-make-almost-800-million-in-2018/	0.26573
Why Is Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) Up 2.6% Since Last Earnings Report?	Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Broadcom Inc. (AVGO). Shares have added about 2.6% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Broadcom Tops Q4 Earnings Estimates, '19 Outlook Strong Broadcom Limited has delivered stellar fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results. Non-GAAP earnings of $5.85 per share marginally beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.58 per share. The figure improved 27.5% from the year-ago quarter and 17.5% sequentially. Non-GAAP revenues from continuing operations were $5.448 billion, soaring 124% from the year-ago quarter and 8% sequentially. GAAP revenues came in at $5.444 billion. The figure marginally surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.401. Decline in its large wireless customers and lower-than-expected demand in broadband business due to sluggish carrier spending is a headwind. Segment Revenues Wired Infrastructure revenues (41% of total revenues) totaled $2.2 billion, up 3% from the year-ago quarter. The upside was primarily driven by robust demand for cloud data centers and traditional enterprises. Broadcom also announced that robust growth in networking and compute offloading in cloud data centers, and solid growth spending by enterprise IT positively impacted the segmental revenues. However, lower-than-expected demand in broadband business owing to sluggish carrier spending is a concern. As a result, revenues from broadband were down year over year. Wireless Communications (31% of total revenues) was down 5% year over year to roughly $1.7 billion. Decline in large wireless customers remains a headwind. Enterprise Storage (23% of total revenues) surged 96% from the year-ago quarter to $1.3 billion. The improvement was largely backed by contribution from the recently-acquired Brocade Fibre Channel switch business and strong enterprise IT spending. Industrial & other (5% of total revenues) increased 5.8% year over year to $272 million. Excluding IP licensing revenues, Industrial business continued to grow, highlighting single-digit increase year over year. Operating Details Non-GAAP gross margin expanded 510 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis to 68.4%. The increase was buoyed by favorable product mix, driven by higher revenues from wired segment. Non-GAAP operating expenses increased 11.4% year over year to $863 million. Operating margin expanded 520 bps from the year-ago quarter to 52.5%. Liquidity As of Nov 4, 2018, cash & cash equivalents were $4.3 billion compared with $4.1 billion in the previous quarter. Long-term debt was $17.5 billion at the end of the fourth quarter, in line with the prior quarter level. Broadcom generated cash flow from operations of roughly $2.6 billion compared with $2.2 billion in the previous quarter. Capital expenditures totaled $106 million, down from the last quarter figure of $120 million. During the reported quarter, the company repurchased approximately 6.4 million shares worth $1.53 billion. In fiscal 2018, the company repurchased 31.9 million shares worth $7.258 billion. Additionally, Broadcom returned $723 million in the form of dividends to shareholders during the fourth quarter. The company also approved a quarterly cash dividend of $2.65 per ordinary share (an increase of 51%, sequentially). Guidance For fiscal 2019, Broadcom forecasts non-GAAP revenues of almost $24.5 billion. Non-GAAP operating margin is anticipated to be 51%, while non-GAAP operating expenses are expected at around $874 million. The company projects capital expenditures of $550 million for fiscal 2019. In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. VGM Scores Currently, Broadcom Inc. has a nice Growth Score of B, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with an A. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.	Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) reported earnings 30 days ago. Shares have added about 2.6% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Broadcom (AV GO) The company reported stellar fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-broadcom-inc-avgo-2-143002962.html	0.15511
Why Is Signet (SIG) Down 15.4% Since Last Earnings Report?	It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Signet (SIG). Shares have lost about 15.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Signet Posts Q3 Loss, Revenues Up Y/Y Signet Jewelers Limited posted adjusted loss in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Nevertheless, both bottom and top lines surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the reported quarter. Performance was mainly driven by growth in same-store sales. Q3 Details The company reported adjusted loss of $1.06 per share in the quarter, which was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.08. Also, the same declined more than five folds compared with the year-ago quarters loss of 20 cents. This jewellery retailer generated total revenues of $1,191.7 million that came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,172 million and rose 3% year over year. On a constant-currency basis, revenues increased 3.3%. Per management, sales were primarily driven by strong same-store sales performance, the James Allen acquisition in September 2017 and the application of new revenue recognition accounting standards. These upsides were partly negated by unfavourable currency, impacts stemming from calendar shifts and store closures. The companys same-store sales rose 1.6% year over year. E-commerce sales, including James Allen, came in at $125 million, up 54.9% on a year-over-year basis. We note that e-commerce improved across all channels in the quarter and accounted for 10.5% of total sales. Adjusted gross profit increased 15.6% to $371.2 million, while gross margin expanded 330 basis points (bps) to 31.1%. Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were up 9.2% to $410.3 million in the quarter, owing to higher advertising expenses, rising incentive compensation and increasing credit outsourcing costs that were partly offset by cost savings. Adjusted operating loss came in at $38.9 million, against operating income of $5.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Segment Discussion Sales at the North America segment increased 4.1% on a reported basis (or 4.3% at constant currency basis) to $1,064.3 million. Comps rose 2.1% on the back of James Allens contribution to sales and renewed focus on product assortment. Further, comps increased 2.8%, 16.2% and 0.7% in Zales, Piercing Pagoda and Kay segment, respectively, while it remained flat for Jared. Sales at the International segment decreased 5.5% to $121.3 million on a reported basis and declined 4.2% on a constant-currency basis. Comps at the segment declined 3.1%, along with flat ATV and a transaction decline of 2.7%. Dismal comps performance mainly stemmed from soft-traffic trends and a tough consumer environment. Further, lower sales of diamond jeweler and fashion watches were partially offset by higher prestige watch sales. Other Details Signet ended the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $130.7 million, net accounts receivable (inclusive of accounts receivable held for sale) of $14.1 million and inventories worth $2,647.1 million. Long-term debt and total shareholders equity were $660.4 million and $1,349 million, respectively. For fiscal 2019, the company plans to close more than 200 stores and open approximately 30 stores. As of Nov 3, the company operated 3,478 stores. The company has repurchased 8.8 million shares worth approximately $485 million year to date. As of Nov 3, the company is left with share repurchase authorization of $165.6 million. Guidance Management revised its guidance for fiscal 2019. The company anticipates earnings per share between $4.15 and $4.40 compared with its prior guidance of $4.05-$4.40. It now expects same-store sales to be flat to up 1% compared with the prior view of flat to down 1.5%. Sales for the year is projected to be $6.26-$6.31 billion compared with the previous projection of $6.2-$6.3 billion. The company continues to anticipate capital expenditures of $165-$185 million. Signet also provided fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 guidance. The company anticipates adjusted earnings per share of $4.35-$4.59. Sales are projected to be $2.17-$2.22 billion. Further, gross margin rate and SG&A expenses are expected to increase year over year in the quarter. Earlier in March 2018, the company announced its three-year Path to Brilliance transformation plan. In this regard, Signet continues to anticipate cost savings of $85-$100 million during fiscal 2019 with additional cost savings of $115-$125 million by the end of the three-year program. Additionally, the company continues to project cost savings from this program to be $200-$225 million over the next three years.	Signet Jewelers Limited posted adjusted loss in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Shares have lost about 15.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Both bottom and top lines surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.	bart	1	https://news.yahoo.com/why-signet-sig-down-15-143002295.html	0.207139
Why Is Signet (SIG) Down 15.4% Since Last Earnings Report?	It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Signet (SIG). Shares have lost about 15.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Signet Posts Q3 Loss, Revenues Up Y/Y Signet Jewelers Limited posted adjusted loss in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Nevertheless, both bottom and top lines surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the reported quarter. Performance was mainly driven by growth in same-store sales. Q3 Details The company reported adjusted loss of $1.06 per share in the quarter, which was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.08. Also, the same declined more than five folds compared with the year-ago quarters loss of 20 cents. This jewellery retailer generated total revenues of $1,191.7 million that came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,172 million and rose 3% year over year. On a constant-currency basis, revenues increased 3.3%. Per management, sales were primarily driven by strong same-store sales performance, the James Allen acquisition in September 2017 and the application of new revenue recognition accounting standards. These upsides were partly negated by unfavourable currency, impacts stemming from calendar shifts and store closures. The companys same-store sales rose 1.6% year over year. E-commerce sales, including James Allen, came in at $125 million, up 54.9% on a year-over-year basis. We note that e-commerce improved across all channels in the quarter and accounted for 10.5% of total sales. Adjusted gross profit increased 15.6% to $371.2 million, while gross margin expanded 330 basis points (bps) to 31.1%. Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were up 9.2% to $410.3 million in the quarter, owing to higher advertising expenses, rising incentive compensation and increasing credit outsourcing costs that were partly offset by cost savings. Adjusted operating loss came in at $38.9 million, against operating income of $5.5 million in the year-ago quarter. Segment Discussion Sales at the North America segment increased 4.1% on a reported basis (or 4.3% at constant currency basis) to $1,064.3 million. Comps rose 2.1% on the back of James Allens contribution to sales and renewed focus on product assortment. Further, comps increased 2.8%, 16.2% and 0.7% in Zales, Piercing Pagoda and Kay segment, respectively, while it remained flat for Jared. Sales at the International segment decreased 5.5% to $121.3 million on a reported basis and declined 4.2% on a constant-currency basis. Comps at the segment declined 3.1%, along with flat ATV and a transaction decline of 2.7%. Dismal comps performance mainly stemmed from soft-traffic trends and a tough consumer environment. Further, lower sales of diamond jeweler and fashion watches were partially offset by higher prestige watch sales. Other Details Signet ended the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $130.7 million, net accounts receivable (inclusive of accounts receivable held for sale) of $14.1 million and inventories worth $2,647.1 million. Long-term debt and total shareholders equity were $660.4 million and $1,349 million, respectively. For fiscal 2019, the company plans to close more than 200 stores and open approximately 30 stores. As of Nov 3, the company operated 3,478 stores. The company has repurchased 8.8 million shares worth approximately $485 million year to date. As of Nov 3, the company is left with share repurchase authorization of $165.6 million. Guidance Management revised its guidance for fiscal 2019. The company anticipates earnings per share between $4.15 and $4.40 compared with its prior guidance of $4.05-$4.40. It now expects same-store sales to be flat to up 1% compared with the prior view of flat to down 1.5%. Sales for the year is projected to be $6.26-$6.31 billion compared with the previous projection of $6.2-$6.3 billion. The company continues to anticipate capital expenditures of $165-$185 million. Signet also provided fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 guidance. The company anticipates adjusted earnings per share of $4.35-$4.59. Sales are projected to be $2.17-$2.22 billion. Further, gross margin rate and SG&A expenses are expected to increase year over year in the quarter. Earlier in March 2018, the company announced its three-year Path to Brilliance transformation plan. In this regard, Signet continues to anticipate cost savings of $85-$100 million during fiscal 2019 with additional cost savings of $115-$125 million by the end of the three-year program. Additionally, the company continues to project cost savings from this program to be $200-$225 million over the next three years.	Signet Jewelers Limited posted adjusted loss in third-quarter fiscal 2019. Shares have lost about 15.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Both bottom and top lines surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the reported quarter. Performance was mainly driven by growth in same-store sales.	bart	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-signet-sig-down-15-143002295.html	0.303726
Why Is John Wiley & Sons (JW.A) Down 6.5% Since Last Earnings Report?	It has been about a month since the last earnings report for John Wiley & Sons (JW.A). Shares have lost about 6.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. John Wiley & Sons Q2 Earnings & Revenues Decline Y/Y John Wiley & Sons came out with second-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein both top and bottom lines deteriorated year over year and also fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second straight time. The company reiterated its previously issued drab earnings outlook for fiscal 2019. Continued softness in Publishing revenues and costs related to increased growth investments remained deterrents for the company in the second quarter. Moreover, revenues, operating income and the bottom line were somewhat hurt by foreign currency headwinds. Q2 in Detail John Wiley & Sons adjusted earnings of 89 cents per share tumbled 13.6% year over year, and dropped 9% on a constant-currency (cc) basis. Earnings were mainly hit by costs associated with growth investments to enhance performance across Research and Education Services. The bottom line also came a penny below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which marked the companys second consecutive miss after seven straight quarterly beats. Revenues of $448.6 million dipped close to 1% year over year (up 1% on a cc basis). Further, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $453 million. Results were hurt by persistent weakness at the Publishing division, while Solutions segment continued with its robust show. Meanwhile, sales at the Research segment remained flat. Adjusted operating income came in at $67.5 million compared with $79.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating income plunged 10% at cc. The downside primarily stemmed from increased investments in growth efforts. Adjusted operating margin contracted 260 basis points to 15%. Segmental Details Research revenues remained flat year over year, while it rose 3% at cc. Results were fueled by double-digit improvements in Open Access and Atypon Publishing Technology Services. Journal subscriptions remained flat at cc. The segments adjusted contribution to profit declined 7% at cc on account of greater society publishing royalties and growth investments. Publishing revenues dropped 5% on a reported basis and 3% at cc, due to soft performance by Educational Publishing, STM and Professional Publishing. This was somewhat compensated by growth in WileyPLUS and Test Preparation. Adjusted contribution to profit dipped 2% at cc, owing to soft revenues. The company posted an 8% increase in Solutions revenues, which jumped 9% at cc. The upside was backed by robust performance by Professional Assessment and Corporate Learning. Performance of Education Services was fueled by same-school growth, though it was countered by termination of various underperforming contracts. Solutions segments adjusted contribution to overall profit jumped 22% at cc, courtesy of improved revenues and efficiency. This was partly negated by growth investments. Other Financial Update The company used $121.1 million of cash from operating activities in the first half of fiscal 2019. Further, the company used free cash flow (net of Product Development Spending) of $163.5 million. Capital expenditures (including Technology, Property, and Equipment and Product development spending) were $42 million. In fiscal 2019, capital expenditures are expected to be lower than $150.7 million incurred in fiscal 2018. Management expects cash provided by operations to decline in high-single digits from the year-ago level of $381.8 million. John Wiley & Sons raised its quarterly dividend to 33 cents in June. During the first half, the company bought back shares worth roughly $25 million and paid $38 million as dividends. Other Developments & Guidance Wiley acquired The Learning House on Nov 1, which is set to solidify the companys position in the fast-growing education services market, worth nearly $10 billion. Further, management expects to gain from its solid university partners, new research publishing ventures and focus on expanding in growth areas. The companys focus on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs also bode well. Management reiterated its earnings and sales guidance for fiscal 2019. Revenues are expected to be flat year over year at $1796.1 million. A low-single-digit rise in Research and Solutions revenues is anticipated to be countered by a low-single-digit fall in Publishing revenues. Adjusted earnings (at cc) are anticipated to decline in mid-single digits from $3.43 in the previous fiscal, owing to escalated investments in revenue enhancement efforts, mainly in Research and Education Services. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2019 earnings and revenues is pegged at $3.07 and $1.8 billion, respectively.	Shares of John Wiley & Sons (JW.A) have lost about 6.5% since the last earnings report. The company reiterated its previously issued drab earnings outlook for fiscal 2019.	ctrlsum	1	https://news.yahoo.com/why-john-wiley-sons-jw-143002234.html	0.132316
Why Is John Wiley & Sons (JW.A) Down 6.5% Since Last Earnings Report?	It has been about a month since the last earnings report for John Wiley & Sons (JW.A). Shares have lost about 6.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. John Wiley & Sons Q2 Earnings & Revenues Decline Y/Y John Wiley & Sons came out with second-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein both top and bottom lines deteriorated year over year and also fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second straight time. The company reiterated its previously issued drab earnings outlook for fiscal 2019. Continued softness in Publishing revenues and costs related to increased growth investments remained deterrents for the company in the second quarter. Moreover, revenues, operating income and the bottom line were somewhat hurt by foreign currency headwinds. Q2 in Detail John Wiley & Sons adjusted earnings of 89 cents per share tumbled 13.6% year over year, and dropped 9% on a constant-currency (cc) basis. Earnings were mainly hit by costs associated with growth investments to enhance performance across Research and Education Services. The bottom line also came a penny below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, which marked the companys second consecutive miss after seven straight quarterly beats. Revenues of $448.6 million dipped close to 1% year over year (up 1% on a cc basis). Further, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $453 million. Results were hurt by persistent weakness at the Publishing division, while Solutions segment continued with its robust show. Meanwhile, sales at the Research segment remained flat. Adjusted operating income came in at $67.5 million compared with $79.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating income plunged 10% at cc. The downside primarily stemmed from increased investments in growth efforts. Adjusted operating margin contracted 260 basis points to 15%. Segmental Details Research revenues remained flat year over year, while it rose 3% at cc. Results were fueled by double-digit improvements in Open Access and Atypon Publishing Technology Services. Journal subscriptions remained flat at cc. The segments adjusted contribution to profit declined 7% at cc on account of greater society publishing royalties and growth investments. Publishing revenues dropped 5% on a reported basis and 3% at cc, due to soft performance by Educational Publishing, STM and Professional Publishing. This was somewhat compensated by growth in WileyPLUS and Test Preparation. Adjusted contribution to profit dipped 2% at cc, owing to soft revenues. The company posted an 8% increase in Solutions revenues, which jumped 9% at cc. The upside was backed by robust performance by Professional Assessment and Corporate Learning. Performance of Education Services was fueled by same-school growth, though it was countered by termination of various underperforming contracts. Solutions segments adjusted contribution to overall profit jumped 22% at cc, courtesy of improved revenues and efficiency. This was partly negated by growth investments. Other Financial Update The company used $121.1 million of cash from operating activities in the first half of fiscal 2019. Further, the company used free cash flow (net of Product Development Spending) of $163.5 million. Capital expenditures (including Technology, Property, and Equipment and Product development spending) were $42 million. In fiscal 2019, capital expenditures are expected to be lower than $150.7 million incurred in fiscal 2018. Management expects cash provided by operations to decline in high-single digits from the year-ago level of $381.8 million. John Wiley & Sons raised its quarterly dividend to 33 cents in June. During the first half, the company bought back shares worth roughly $25 million and paid $38 million as dividends. Other Developments & Guidance Wiley acquired The Learning House on Nov 1, which is set to solidify the companys position in the fast-growing education services market, worth nearly $10 billion. Further, management expects to gain from its solid university partners, new research publishing ventures and focus on expanding in growth areas. The companys focus on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs also bode well. Management reiterated its earnings and sales guidance for fiscal 2019. Revenues are expected to be flat year over year at $1796.1 million. A low-single-digit rise in Research and Solutions revenues is anticipated to be countered by a low-single-digit fall in Publishing revenues. Adjusted earnings (at cc) are anticipated to decline in mid-single digits from $3.43 in the previous fiscal, owing to escalated investments in revenue enhancement efforts, mainly in Research and Education Services. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2019 earnings and revenues is pegged at $3.07 and $1.8 billion, respectively.	Shares of John Wiley & Sons (JW.A) have lost about 6.5% since the last earnings report. The company posted second-quarter fiscal 2019 results that fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second straight time. It reiterated its previously issued drab earnings outlook for fiscal 2019.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-john-wiley-sons-jw-143002234.html	0.661454
Why Is G-III Apparel (GIII) Down 17% Since Last Earnings Report?	A month has gone by since the last earnings report for G-III Apparel Group (GIII). Shares have lost about 17% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. G-III Apparel Tops Q3 Earnings, Lags Sales Estimates G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. posted third-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein the top and the bottom line improved year on year. Also, earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This marks the companys seventh straight bottom-line beat. The quarterly results were backed by sturdy performance of the wholesale business. Further, management raised view for fiscal 2019. However, the companys retail segment was unimpressive in the quarter, due to sales declines across major stores and lower store count. Results in Detail Adjusted earnings came in at $1.88 per share, which surpassed the consensus mark of $1.82. The bottom line improved 12.6% from the year-ago quarters figure of $1.67. Further, net sales of $1,073 million grew 4.7% year over year. Sales mainly benefited from stellar show in the wholesale operations, which gained from impressive brand performances. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1079 million. Moving on, gross profit declined 2.3% to reach $382.1 million. Further, gross margin of 35.6% contracted 260 basis points (bps), due to dismal gross margins in the retail and wholesale segments. In the quarter under review, SG&A expenses declined 4.4% to nearly $232 million. The improvement was primarily driven by the adoption of a new revenue standard. Further, operating profit amounted to $140 million, marking a 0.1% decline from the prior-years figure. Segment Performances Net sales in the wholesale segment came in at $1.01 billion, up almost 4%. The Tommy Hilfiger and DKNY brands were primary growth drivers. However, bankruptcy of Bon-Ton stores negatively impacted the performance of Calvin Klein brand. Retail segment net sales came in at $111 million, down 7% from the prior-year quarters figure. The segment witnessed sales decline across Wilsons and G.H. Bass stores, partially offset by higher sales in DKNY stores. Decline in the number of stores operated by the company also weighed upon the segments performance. Other Financial Details GIII-Apparel exited the third quarter of fiscal 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of $66.1 million and long-term debt of $694.3 million. Total stockholders equity came in at $1,181 million. Guidance & Management Plans Led by sturdy results in the third quarter, management raised view for fiscal 2019. The company now expects net sales close to $3.08 billion compared with the previous view of approximately $3.06 billion. Also, management expects earnings in the range of $2.67-$2.77 per share compared with the prior projection of $2.52-$2.62. The bottom line estimate excludes imputed interest expense related with the Donna Karan International acquisition. Management is optimistic about the momentum in the wholesale businesses. We expect this unit to continue performing well in the upcoming quarters. Additionally, to improve retail business, the company is reviewing growth opportunities and focusing on minimizing losses. It is also on track with rationalizing retail store portfolio. In this respect, the company has already shuttered 71 stores of its targeted 105 closures. Apart from these, GIII-Apparel is on track with bolstering brands across channels. Fresh estimates followed an upward path over the past two months. The consensus estimate has shifted 22.53% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, G-III Apparel has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a B. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook G-III Apparel has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report G-III Apparel Group, LTD. (GIII) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.	Shares of G-III Apparel Group (GIII) have lost about 17% since the last earnings report. The quarterly results were backed by sturdy performance of the wholesale business.	ctrlsum	1	https://news.yahoo.com/why-g-iii-apparel-giii-143002531.html	0.336189
Why Is G-III Apparel (GIII) Down 17% Since Last Earnings Report?	A month has gone by since the last earnings report for G-III Apparel Group (GIII). Shares have lost about 17% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. G-III Apparel Tops Q3 Earnings, Lags Sales Estimates G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. posted third-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein the top and the bottom line improved year on year. Also, earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This marks the companys seventh straight bottom-line beat. The quarterly results were backed by sturdy performance of the wholesale business. Further, management raised view for fiscal 2019. However, the companys retail segment was unimpressive in the quarter, due to sales declines across major stores and lower store count. Results in Detail Adjusted earnings came in at $1.88 per share, which surpassed the consensus mark of $1.82. The bottom line improved 12.6% from the year-ago quarters figure of $1.67. Further, net sales of $1,073 million grew 4.7% year over year. Sales mainly benefited from stellar show in the wholesale operations, which gained from impressive brand performances. However, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1079 million. Moving on, gross profit declined 2.3% to reach $382.1 million. Further, gross margin of 35.6% contracted 260 basis points (bps), due to dismal gross margins in the retail and wholesale segments. In the quarter under review, SG&A expenses declined 4.4% to nearly $232 million. The improvement was primarily driven by the adoption of a new revenue standard. Further, operating profit amounted to $140 million, marking a 0.1% decline from the prior-years figure. Segment Performances Net sales in the wholesale segment came in at $1.01 billion, up almost 4%. The Tommy Hilfiger and DKNY brands were primary growth drivers. However, bankruptcy of Bon-Ton stores negatively impacted the performance of Calvin Klein brand. Retail segment net sales came in at $111 million, down 7% from the prior-year quarters figure. The segment witnessed sales decline across Wilsons and G.H. Bass stores, partially offset by higher sales in DKNY stores. Decline in the number of stores operated by the company also weighed upon the segments performance. Other Financial Details GIII-Apparel exited the third quarter of fiscal 2019 with cash and cash equivalents of $66.1 million and long-term debt of $694.3 million. Total stockholders equity came in at $1,181 million. Guidance & Management Plans Led by sturdy results in the third quarter, management raised view for fiscal 2019. The company now expects net sales close to $3.08 billion compared with the previous view of approximately $3.06 billion. Also, management expects earnings in the range of $2.67-$2.77 per share compared with the prior projection of $2.52-$2.62. The bottom line estimate excludes imputed interest expense related with the Donna Karan International acquisition. Management is optimistic about the momentum in the wholesale businesses. We expect this unit to continue performing well in the upcoming quarters. Additionally, to improve retail business, the company is reviewing growth opportunities and focusing on minimizing losses. It is also on track with rationalizing retail store portfolio. In this respect, the company has already shuttered 71 stores of its targeted 105 closures. Apart from these, GIII-Apparel is on track with bolstering brands across channels. Fresh estimates followed an upward path over the past two months. The consensus estimate has shifted 22.53% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, G-III Apparel has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a B. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook G-III Apparel has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report G-III Apparel Group, LTD. (GIII) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.	Shares of G-III Apparel Group (GIII) have lost about 17% since the last earnings report. The quarterly results were backed by sturdy performance of the wholesale business, but the companys retail segment was unimpressive in the quarter, due to sales declines across major stores.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-g-iii-apparel-giii-143002531.html	0.738575
Why Is Patterson Cos. (PDCO) Down 11% Since Last Earnings Report?	Patterson Cos. (PDCO) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Patterson Cos. (PDCO). Shares have lost about 11% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Patterson Companies Q2 Earnings Beat, Animal Health Up Patterson Companies reported adjusted earnings of 39 cents per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents. Earnings however fell 23.5% year over year. Net sales in the quarter were $1.40 billion, up 1.4% year over year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a slight 0.01%. Segmental Analysis The company currently distributes products through subsidiaries Patterson Dental and Patterson Animal Health. Dental Segment This segment provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, equipment, software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists as well as laboratories throughout North America. In the second quarter, dental sales (39% of total sales) declined 2% year over year to approximately $542.5 million. Dental Consumable Sales in the sub-segment were $303.8 million, down 2.4% year over year. Dental Equipment & Software Sales in the segment fell 1.1% on a year-over-year basis to $167.7 million. Other This segment comprises technical service, parts and labor, software support services as well as office supplies. Sales in the segment declined 2.6% on a year-over-year basis to $71 million. Animal Health Segment This segment is a leading distributor of veterinary supplies to clinics, public and private institutions and shelters across the United States. Coming to the second-quarter performance of the platform (61% of total sales), sales increased almost 3.9% on a year-over-year basis to $855.4 million. Corporate Sales at the segment were $6.83 million, down 19.9% year over year. Gross Margin Analysis Gross profit in the reported quarter was $295.1 million, down 6.5% year over year. As a percentage of revenues, gross margin contracted 180 basis points (bps) to 21% in the second quarter. Operating expenses in the reported quarter totaled $253.9 million, up 4% on a year-over-year basis. Guidance For fiscal 2019, Patterson Companies has retained its guidance. Notably, earnings per share are expected in the range of $1.40 to $1.50. In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. VGM Scores At this time, Patterson Cos. has a subpar Growth Score of D, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a B. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. Notably, Patterson Cos. has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Patterson Companies, Inc. (PDCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.	Patterson Cos. (PDCO) reported earnings 30 days ago. Shares have lost about 11% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Patterson Companies reported adjusted earnings of 39 cents per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-patterson-cos-pdco-down-143002658.html	0.111701
Why Is Cooper Cos. (COO) Down 11.1% Since Last Earnings Report?	Cooper Cos. (COO) reported earnings 30 days ago. We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Cooper Cos. (COO). Shares have lost about 11.1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Cooper Companies Q4 Earnings Miss, Gains From Core CVI Cooper Companies reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 earnings of $2.87 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3%. However, earnings increased 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. The company reported revenues worth $651.5 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $645.8 million. On a year-over-year basis, revenues improved 16%. Q4 Segment Details CVI This segment garnered revenues worth $480.6 million, up 10% on a pro forma basis and 9% year over year. Per management, the segment saw a noticeable uptick in the daily silicone hydrogel lenses, showing pro forma growth of 50% driven by accelerating growth in both Clariti and MyDay. Toric (31% of CVI) revenues totaled $149.2 million, up 11% on a pro forma basis and 10% year over year. Multifocal (10%) generated revenues worth $47.8 million, up 7% at pro forma and 6% year over year. Single-use sphere (29%) posted revenues worth $141.7 million, which shot up 21% at pro forma and 19% from a year ago. Non single-use sphere (30%) revenues came in at $141.9 million, up 2% at pro forma and 2% from a year ago. Geographically, the segment saw an improvement in U.S. revenues (39%), up 8% at pro forma and 8% year over year to $185.8 million. EMEA revenues (38%) were $183.8 million, up 9% at pro forma and 6% from the prior-year quarter. Per management, overseas growth was driven by clariti and MyDay strength and strong results from Biofinity and Avaira Vitality. Asia Pacific sales (23%) rose 19% at pro forma and 19% year over year to $111 million. Per management, APAC posted strong results buoyed by Clariti along with strength in MyDay and Biofinity. CSI This segment posted revenues of $170.9 million, up 5% at pro forma and 40% year over year. Per management, growth was led by a 20% rise in PARAGARD. Sub-segment Office and Surgical products (64% of CSI) accounted for $110 million, up 12% at pro forma and a whopping 97% on a year-over-year basis. Fertility (36%) posted sales worth $60.9 million, down 9% year over year and 6% at pro forma. Margin Analysis In the fiscal fourth quarter, gross profit totaled $430 million, up 21.7% year over year. Per management, adjusted gross margin was 66%, flat with the year-ago quarter level. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted gross margin at the CSI segment was 73%, up from 60% a year ago. Per management, the upside was driven by the addition of PARAGARD and improvement in product mix. As a percentage of revenues, adjusted gross margin at the CVI segment was 64% compared with 68% in the year-ago quarter. Operating income in the quarter totaled $122.7 million, up 13.1% year over year. Adjusted operating margin was 24.3%, up 180 bps from the prior-year quarter. Per management adjusted operating margin was 27%, flat year over year. Financial Condition Cooper Companies exited the fiscal fourth quarter with free cash flow of $193.2 million, up 16% year over year. The companys debt fell to $2.02 billion primarily due to paydown with operational cash flow generation. FY19 Guidance Cooper Companies expects fiscal 2019 revenues within $2,600-$2,660 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $2.67 billion, above the projected range. Notably, revenues from CVI are expected between $1,940 million and $1,980 million, while the same from CSI are anticipated within $660-$680 million. The company also expects adjusted earnings per share between $11.30 and $11.70. Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. The consensus estimate has shifted -7.81% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, Cooper Cos. has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.	Shares of Cooper Cos. (COO) have lost about 11.1% since the last earnings report. The company reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 earnings of $2.87 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $645.8 million.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-cooper-cos-coo-down-143002309.html	0.415776
Why Is The Children's Place (PLCE) Down 18.5% Since Last Earnings Report?	A month has gone by since the last earnings report for The Children's Place (PLCE). Shares have lost about 18.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Children's Place Lags Q3 Earnings, Cuts View The Childrens Place, Inc. reported third-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but sales surpassed the same. That said, the companys top and bottom lines both increased on a year-over-year basis, courtesy of surging demand in its digital channels. Despite the improvement, it trimmed its fiscal 2018 earnings and margin guidance. Lets Delve Deeper The company reported adjusted earnings of $3.07 a share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.08 but came at the higher end of its guided range of $2.97-$3.07. However, the bottom line increased 19% during the quarter under review, following a decline of 18.6% in the fiscal second quarter. This year-over-year improvement can be attributed to higher digital sales, partly offset by lower margins owing to increased focus on e-commerce penetration. The company generated net sales of $522.5 million, which increased 6.6% year over year and also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $502 million. Its net sales topped the consensus mark in the fiscal second quarter as well. The increase in net sales in the fiscal third quarter was due to comparable retail sales increase of 9.5% and new revenue recognition rules. The positives were partly offset by about $14 million impact from the calendar shift related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2017. U.S. and Canada comparable retail sales increased 10.6% and 1.6%, respectively, owing to strength in traffic trends, transactions and conversion. E-commerce, which represented 29% of total net sales, surged 38% during the quarter. Adjusted gross profit edged up about 1% to $204.4 million, whereas gross margin contracted 220 basis points (bps) to 39.1% due to increased e-commerce penetration. Adjusted operating income came in at $65.5 million, down 4.2% from $68.4 million a year ago, while operating margin contracted 150 bps year over year to 12.5%. Adjusted SG&A expenses increased 4% from a year ago to $122 million. However, as a percentage of net sales, the same improved 60 bps on a year-over-year basis. The improvement in SG&A expenses was due to fixed cost leverage on stronger comparable retail sales and lower incentive compensation expenses. Store Update As a part of store fleet optimization endeavors, the company shuttered four stores and did not open any outlet, thereby ending the quarter with 988 stores. Since the announcement of the fleet optimization plan in 2013, the company has shuttered 195 outlets. The companys international franchise partners opened 21 net new points of distribution through fiscal 2018, ending the quarter with 211 international points of distribution open that are operated by its eight franchise partners in 20 countries. Other Financial Details Children's Place ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $93 million compared with $257.7 million a year ago. The company exited the quarter with inventories of $376.9 million and shareholders equity of $343.5 million. It has a revolving loan of $65 million. During the quarter, the company bought back 192.2 thousand shares for roughly $26 million and paid a quarterly dividend of approximately $8 million. At the end of the quarter, the company still has approximately $281 million remaining under its existing share repurchase program. Management incurred capital expenditures of approximately $28 million during the quarter and expects the same to be in the range of $70-$75 million for the fiscal year. Guidance Slashed Management now anticipates adjusted earnings in the band of $7.69-$7.79 per share for fiscal 2018, down from the prior guided range of $8.09-$8.29 and compared with earnings of $7.91 reported in fiscal 2017. The guidance includes about $30 million costs related to the companys accelerated digital spending. Children's Place now envisions total net sales in the range of $1.955-$1.960 billion compared with $1.945-$1.955 billion projected earlier. The company forecasts mid-single digit growth in comparable retail sales. Meanwhile, it has slashed adjusted operating margin guidance to 7.7-7.8% from the prior guided range of 8.5-8.7%. The tepid outlook takes into account higher fulfillment expenses to support stronger demand in digital channels and shipping costs due to a shift from store to online during the fiscal fourth quarter. Management expects digital penetration to increase to 27% of net sales from 23%. The company now envisions fourth quarter net sales in the range of $547-$552 million. The company projects fourth-quarter earnings between $2.07 and $2.17 per share, down from $2.52 recorded in the prior-year period. Management now expects low-single digit increase in comparable retail sales versus prior expectation of mid-single digit growth. Adjusted operating margin is now expected in the range of 8.1-8.4% for the final quarter.	Shares of The Children's Place (PLCE) have lost about 18.5% since the last earnings report. The company reported adjusted earnings of $3.07 a share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of ($3.08) Despite the improvement, it trimmed its fiscal 2018 earnings and margin guidance.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-childrens-place-plce-down-143002742.html	0.503956
Why Is Ulta (ULTA) Down 12.9% Since Last Earnings Report?	It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Ulta Beauty (ULTA). Shares have lost about 12.9% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Ulta Beauty Q3 Earnings Beat, Sales Meet Estimates Ulta Beauty reported third-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein earnings outpaced estimates while revenues met the same. Further, the top and the bottom lines improved year over year. Management also issued guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter, which was below analysts' expectations. Nevertheless, it reaffirmed fiscal 2018 outlook. Quarterly results were driven by the companys retail business, solid store-expansion efforts, gains from the adoption of revenue standard, higher market share gains, and sturdy e-commerce sales and salon operations. Q3 Numbers Ulta Beautys earnings were $2.18 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a couple of cents. Further, the bottom line improved 28.2% year over year. Net sales of this cosmetics retailer grew 16.2% year over year to $1,560 million but came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. We note that Ulta Beauty adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers on Feb 4, 2018. The adoption of this revenue standard contributed nearly $10.5 million to the top line in the reported quarter. Comparable sales (comps), including stores and e-commerce, climbed 7.8% compared with 10.3% growth in the prior-year quarter. Increase in traffic and ticket, along with higher store productivity, led to comps growth. During the fiscal third quarter, the company registered a transaction increase of 5.3% while average ticket was up 2.5%. Retail business (comprising retail and salon) witnessed comps growth of 4.4%, including 3.5% improvement in salon comps. Sales for the salon business rose 10.7% to $74 million. Further, e-commerce sales soared 42.5% to $170.7 million, reflecting about 340 basis points (bps) of total comps growth. Gross profit increased 16.1% year over year to $572.3 million. However, gross margin remained flat at 36.7% as category and channel mix shifts along with investments in salon services and supply chain were completely offset by the impact from revenue recognition accounting and leverage in fixed store expenses. Including the effects from the adoption of the revenue standard, gross margin expanded 50 bps. While operating income was up 4% year over year to $169.2 million, operating margin declined 130 bps to 10.8%. This contraction was due to rise of 140 bps in SG&A expenses (as a percentage of sales), somewhat mitigated with lower pre-opening expenses, which decreased 21.6% to $7.6 million. Other Financials Ulta Beauty ended the quarter under review with cash and cash equivalents of $296.9 million, and total stockholders equity of $1,835.7 million. Merchandise inventories summed $1,484.6 million as of Nov 3, 2018, marking a 10% increase from the year-ago period. However, average inventory per store remained flat year over year. Net cash provided by operating activities came in at roughly $542.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2018. In the fiscal third quarter, management bought back 451,424 shares for $119 million. Year to date, it has repurchased 1,582,118 shares worth $379.4 million. With this, the company had nearly $282.8 million outstanding as of Nov 3, 2018, under its $625-million share repurchase plan announced in March this year. Store Updates In the fiscal third quarter, Ulta Beauty opened 42 stores while shuttered three. As of Nov 3, 2018, the company operated 1,163 stores, increasing its total square footage by 9.7% year over year. Moving ahead, the company still plans to launch 100 stores and remodel or relocate 15 outlets in fiscal 2018. Guidance Following the impressive quarterly results, management provided guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter and reiterated the same for fiscal 2018. Net sales are projected to be $2,085-$2,103 million compared with $1,937.6 million registered in the prior-year quarter, which has a 53rd week. Comps, including e-commerce sales, are predicted to grow 7-8% compared with 8.8% rise in fourth-quarter fiscal 2017. Earnings per share for the ongoing quarter are envisioned to be $3.50-$3.55 compared with $3.40 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, which included an impact of 14 cents from the 53rd week. For fiscal 2018, the company still expects total sales to grow in low teens percentage, with comps growth of 7-8%. Further, the company continues anticipating e-commerce sales rise in the 40% range. However, operating margin is still projected to decline by 50-70 bps. Further, management continues to expect earnings per share to increase in the low 20% percentage range. The forecast includes nearly $500-million impact from share repurchases and estimates an effective tax rate of 24% for fiscal 2018. Ulta Beauty still plans to spend about $375 million in fiscal 2018 compared with $441 million capital expenditure incurred last year.	Shares of Ulta Beauty (ULTA) have lost about 12.9% since the last earnings report. The cosmetics retailer reported third-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein earnings outpaced estimates while revenues met the same. The company also issued guidance for the fourth quarter, which was below analysts' expectations.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/why-ulta-ulta-down-12-143002052.html	0.53292
Will JPMorgan Chase Raise Its Dividend in 2019?	2018 was a disappointing year for banking giant JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM). Shares of the New York-based company sagged by about 9%, and despite seeing solid fundamentals throughout much of the year that resulted in solid growth in deposits, loans, and credit card revenue, shareholders became nervous late in 2018 that the recent rise in interest rates would come to an end, bringing with it potential contraction in the interest income growth that the banking giant has seen over time. Dividend investors have long looked to JPMorgan Chase for income, and the bank has been diligent in paving the way forward. Shareholders got a huge dividend increase in 2018 and they'd enjoy seeing even larger quarterly payments in 2019 and beyond. Let's look more closely to see whether JPMorgan Chase investors can bank on higher dividends in the coming year. Dividend stats on JPMorgan Chase Current Quarterly Dividend Per Share $0.80 Current Yield 3.3% Number of Consecutive Years With Dividend Increases 8 years Payout Ratio 40% Last Increase October 2018 Source: Yahoo! Finance. Last increase refers to ex-dividend date. Hitting new highs in dividends JPMorgan Chase has seen its dividend fully recover from its challenges during the financial crisis. The bank has historically been able to offer dividend yields that stay within a range of around 2.5% to 4%, but in 2009, it slashed its dividend to the bone, making just a $0.05 per-share quarterly payout in order to comply with the requirements of government bailout guidelines. Even at the time, JPMorgan didn't really want to make that move. It worked to reverse the dividend cut as quickly as possible, and it only took a couple of years before it got permission to quintuple its dividend. By 2014, the bank had restored its full dividend from before the financial crisis. But as you can see below, that wasn't enough to satisfy JPMorgan, which went quite a bit further. JPM Dividend Chart More JPM Dividend data by YCharts. Shareholders had something to celebrate in 2018, as JPMorgan gave investors a 43% boost to their quarterly payouts effective in October. On top of strong business conditions, JPMorgan also benefited from lower corporate tax rates following tax reform in late 2017, and that was a factor in prompting the outsized dividend increase. A lot of investors have focused on the inverting yield curve as a warning sign for JPMorgan and its peers. Yet at least so far, the implied recessionary threat hasn't really materialized, as unemployment remains at levels not seen in decades and overall economic growth has remained steady. That's a favorable environment for JPMorgan, which benefits when consumers have the confidence to spend and the wage growth to invest in bank savings and investment products.	JPMorgan Chase raised its quarterly dividend by 43% in 2018. The bank has seen its dividend fully recover from its challenges during the financial crisis. Shareholders can bank on even larger quarterly payments in 2019 and beyond.	ctrlsum	1	https://news.yahoo.com/jpmorgan-chase-raise-dividend-2019-163800470.html	0.203086
Will JPMorgan Chase Raise Its Dividend in 2019?	2018 was a disappointing year for banking giant JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM). Shares of the New York-based company sagged by about 9%, and despite seeing solid fundamentals throughout much of the year that resulted in solid growth in deposits, loans, and credit card revenue, shareholders became nervous late in 2018 that the recent rise in interest rates would come to an end, bringing with it potential contraction in the interest income growth that the banking giant has seen over time. Dividend investors have long looked to JPMorgan Chase for income, and the bank has been diligent in paving the way forward. Shareholders got a huge dividend increase in 2018 and they'd enjoy seeing even larger quarterly payments in 2019 and beyond. Let's look more closely to see whether JPMorgan Chase investors can bank on higher dividends in the coming year. Dividend stats on JPMorgan Chase Current Quarterly Dividend Per Share $0.80 Current Yield 3.3% Number of Consecutive Years With Dividend Increases 8 years Payout Ratio 40% Last Increase October 2018 Source: Yahoo! Finance. Last increase refers to ex-dividend date. Hitting new highs in dividends JPMorgan Chase has seen its dividend fully recover from its challenges during the financial crisis. The bank has historically been able to offer dividend yields that stay within a range of around 2.5% to 4%, but in 2009, it slashed its dividend to the bone, making just a $0.05 per-share quarterly payout in order to comply with the requirements of government bailout guidelines. Even at the time, JPMorgan didn't really want to make that move. It worked to reverse the dividend cut as quickly as possible, and it only took a couple of years before it got permission to quintuple its dividend. By 2014, the bank had restored its full dividend from before the financial crisis. But as you can see below, that wasn't enough to satisfy JPMorgan, which went quite a bit further. JPM Dividend Chart More JPM Dividend data by YCharts. Shareholders had something to celebrate in 2018, as JPMorgan gave investors a 43% boost to their quarterly payouts effective in October. On top of strong business conditions, JPMorgan also benefited from lower corporate tax rates following tax reform in late 2017, and that was a factor in prompting the outsized dividend increase. A lot of investors have focused on the inverting yield curve as a warning sign for JPMorgan and its peers. Yet at least so far, the implied recessionary threat hasn't really materialized, as unemployment remains at levels not seen in decades and overall economic growth has remained steady. That's a favorable environment for JPMorgan, which benefits when consumers have the confidence to spend and the wage growth to invest in bank savings and investment products.	JPMorgan Chase raised its quarterly dividend by 43% in 2018. The bank has seen its dividend fully recover from its challenges during the financial crisis. Shareholders can bank on even larger quarterly payments in 2019 and beyond. Click here to follow the JPMorgan Chase dividend news LIVE!.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/jpmorgan-chase-raise-dividend-2019-163800470.html	0.171397
Can no ships ferry firm really save Ramsgate?	Flanked by seagulls against a powder-blue sky, a dredger is on day two of its low-rumbling shuffle across Ramsgate harbour. The job of excavating two-and-a-half metres of mud from the port is slow and dull. But the UKs only royal harbour has become the site of fevered debate as it prepares to turn into a second Dover in the event of a no-deal Brexit. With only 11 weeks to go and a 13.8m government contract awarded by transport secretary Chris Grayling to Seaborne Freight, a firm with no track record to run Ramsgates proposed ferry route to Ostend, the pressure is on. It doesnt look like that thing [the dredger] is doing very much, said Margaret Selwood, who was walking her dog along the beach. Selwood, whose late husband worked in maritime, was hopeful that a no-deal Brexit could restore Ramsgate to its former glory. We were a proud town before they just left all this here to rot and its a shame really. I dont think this lot knows what theyre doing but I think its good if it gives us a boost. Seaborne Freight faced scrutiny and ridicule last week when it was revealed that the firm had no ships, no contracts with Ramsgate or Ostend ports in place, and that the terms and conditions on its website were cut and pasted from a takeaway delivery company. Its CEO, Ben Sharp, was previously managing director of Mercator, a chartering company that collapsed in 2014 with debts of 1.8m. It is understood that Seaborne has hired Dutch company Van Oord to prepare the port to accommodate large cross-Channel ferries. A harbour tradesman, who did not want to be named, said: Its a shambles. Everything is so cloak and dagger and mysterious Seaborne have been trying to get hold of this harbour for two or three years now but they have no experience or rep in the industry. Its not just the dredging none of the walkways are safe at the moment, parts of it are condemned. Its a minimum of 12 weeks work. Theres no way it will be up and running in time. The residents of Ramsgate have been lobbying for the redevelopment of its ailing port for more than 18 months. Run by Thanet District Council and incurring estimated losses of 20m since 2010, Ramsgate harbour has not had a cross-Channel service since 2013. The arrival, then, of Seaborne Freight might have been met with more enthusiasm. Youve got to be joking, laughs John Davis, a campaigner. It is a farce. Grayling is pure incompetence. At lunchtime in the Royal Victoria Pavilion, a grand seaside building converted into Britains biggest Wetherspoons, Davis has organised an impromptu meeting of Ramsgate Action Group. Were a bit like a dads army, explained chairman Steve Coombes, who has been railing against Thanet Council and Seaborne Freight for two years. The group is lobbying for Ramsgates harbour to be restored into a commercially owned marina village. Its all a load of hogwash, Seaborne arent equipped to deal with a 14m contract. They havent got a port to piss in Steve Coombes, Ramsgate Action Group Where was the due diligence with the government handing Seaborne this contract? asked Coombes. Its all a load of hogwash, they arent equipped to deal with a 14m contract. They havent got a port to piss in. A DfT spokesperson said: Before any contract was signed, due diligence on Seaborne Freight was carried out both by senior officials at the Department for Transport, and highly reputable independent third-party organisations. Our contractual arrangements clearly reflect Seaborne Freights status as a new ferry operator and as such it is obliged to meet a number of stringent time-staged requirements to demonstrate that it can provide an effective service, with break clauses in the DfTs favour if it fails to meet them. Ramsgate is a deprived town and were not waiting for the government to inject money here, said Stephen Byrne, who moved from London. It has a wonderful history, Van Gogh lived here, Queen Victoria holidayed here, were trying to regenerate the port and harbour as a tourist attraction. In 2016, the Kent town of about 40,000 people voted overwhelmingly for Brexit with 64% of the Thanet constituency voting Leave, based on a 73% turnout one of the highest in the UK. According to Davis, very few locals will have changed their mind: It was never about too much immigration really, he nodded awkwardly. Its about jobs, housing and paying all that money to the EU. Irene, who works in a cafe by the train station, agreed. We just want it over with now, its a joke. But we need to get out and just get on with it. The majority of us voted for it and its only right. Irene would not be pressed on whether she would prefer Britain crashing out with no deal. I think them doing what theyre doing can only be a good thing, because it will be better for businesses here. Ramsgate has been hit hard by a decade of austerity, unemployment is higher than the average for both Kent and the country as a whole. Where neighbouring Margate has enjoyed a resurgence by attracting an artistic community priced out of London, this district of Thanet once had the UKs only Ukip-led council. We voted a Ukip council but not because were Ukip-y, explained Davis. We were fed up but its gotten worse. Were being left behind.	Seaborne Freight has no track record to run Ramsgates proposed ferry route to Ostend.	ctrlsum	0	https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/05/can-shambles-ferry-firm-seaborne-freight-save-ramsgate	0.12025
Can no ships ferry firm really save Ramsgate?	Flanked by seagulls against a powder-blue sky, a dredger is on day two of its low-rumbling shuffle across Ramsgate harbour. The job of excavating two-and-a-half metres of mud from the port is slow and dull. But the UKs only royal harbour has become the site of fevered debate as it prepares to turn into a second Dover in the event of a no-deal Brexit. With only 11 weeks to go and a 13.8m government contract awarded by transport secretary Chris Grayling to Seaborne Freight, a firm with no track record to run Ramsgates proposed ferry route to Ostend, the pressure is on. It doesnt look like that thing [the dredger] is doing very much, said Margaret Selwood, who was walking her dog along the beach. Selwood, whose late husband worked in maritime, was hopeful that a no-deal Brexit could restore Ramsgate to its former glory. We were a proud town before they just left all this here to rot and its a shame really. I dont think this lot knows what theyre doing but I think its good if it gives us a boost. Seaborne Freight faced scrutiny and ridicule last week when it was revealed that the firm had no ships, no contracts with Ramsgate or Ostend ports in place, and that the terms and conditions on its website were cut and pasted from a takeaway delivery company. Its CEO, Ben Sharp, was previously managing director of Mercator, a chartering company that collapsed in 2014 with debts of 1.8m. It is understood that Seaborne has hired Dutch company Van Oord to prepare the port to accommodate large cross-Channel ferries. A harbour tradesman, who did not want to be named, said: Its a shambles. Everything is so cloak and dagger and mysterious Seaborne have been trying to get hold of this harbour for two or three years now but they have no experience or rep in the industry. Its not just the dredging none of the walkways are safe at the moment, parts of it are condemned. Its a minimum of 12 weeks work. Theres no way it will be up and running in time. The residents of Ramsgate have been lobbying for the redevelopment of its ailing port for more than 18 months. Run by Thanet District Council and incurring estimated losses of 20m since 2010, Ramsgate harbour has not had a cross-Channel service since 2013. The arrival, then, of Seaborne Freight might have been met with more enthusiasm. Youve got to be joking, laughs John Davis, a campaigner. It is a farce. Grayling is pure incompetence. At lunchtime in the Royal Victoria Pavilion, a grand seaside building converted into Britains biggest Wetherspoons, Davis has organised an impromptu meeting of Ramsgate Action Group. Were a bit like a dads army, explained chairman Steve Coombes, who has been railing against Thanet Council and Seaborne Freight for two years. The group is lobbying for Ramsgates harbour to be restored into a commercially owned marina village. Its all a load of hogwash, Seaborne arent equipped to deal with a 14m contract. They havent got a port to piss in Steve Coombes, Ramsgate Action Group Where was the due diligence with the government handing Seaborne this contract? asked Coombes. Its all a load of hogwash, they arent equipped to deal with a 14m contract. They havent got a port to piss in. A DfT spokesperson said: Before any contract was signed, due diligence on Seaborne Freight was carried out both by senior officials at the Department for Transport, and highly reputable independent third-party organisations. Our contractual arrangements clearly reflect Seaborne Freights status as a new ferry operator and as such it is obliged to meet a number of stringent time-staged requirements to demonstrate that it can provide an effective service, with break clauses in the DfTs favour if it fails to meet them. Ramsgate is a deprived town and were not waiting for the government to inject money here, said Stephen Byrne, who moved from London. It has a wonderful history, Van Gogh lived here, Queen Victoria holidayed here, were trying to regenerate the port and harbour as a tourist attraction. In 2016, the Kent town of about 40,000 people voted overwhelmingly for Brexit with 64% of the Thanet constituency voting Leave, based on a 73% turnout one of the highest in the UK. According to Davis, very few locals will have changed their mind: It was never about too much immigration really, he nodded awkwardly. Its about jobs, housing and paying all that money to the EU. Irene, who works in a cafe by the train station, agreed. We just want it over with now, its a joke. But we need to get out and just get on with it. The majority of us voted for it and its only right. Irene would not be pressed on whether she would prefer Britain crashing out with no deal. I think them doing what theyre doing can only be a good thing, because it will be better for businesses here. Ramsgate has been hit hard by a decade of austerity, unemployment is higher than the average for both Kent and the country as a whole. Where neighbouring Margate has enjoyed a resurgence by attracting an artistic community priced out of London, this district of Thanet once had the UKs only Ukip-led council. We voted a Ukip council but not because were Ukip-y, explained Davis. We were fed up but its gotten worse. Were being left behind.	Seaborne Freight has been awarded a 13.8m government contract to run Ramsgate's proposed ferry route to Ostend. The firm has no ships, no contracts with Ramsgate or Ostend ports in place, and that the terms and conditions on its website were cut and pasted from a takeaway delivery company.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/05/can-shambles-ferry-firm-seaborne-freight-save-ramsgate	0.326357
Are White Sox offering anyone a ten-year deal or not?	Yesterday morning Jeff Passan, who is now at ESPN, wrote this: The Phillies and White Sox are the other two teams known to be willing to guarantee Harper the decade-plus-long deal he and Machado, each 26 years old, are seeking. Scroll to continue with content Ad Yesterday evening Bruce Levine, of 670 The Score in Chicago, reported this: Reports of the White Sox offering ten plus years for Manny Machado or Bryce Harper are Without any substance and flat out wrong according to high ranking industry sources . Wh Sox will not be giving offer of more than 7 years for either player. Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) January 2, 2019 Someones got some bad information. No, I have no idea who. There are reasons why someone may embellish a teams willingness to do or not do something and there are reasons for them to deny things that are, in fact true. The entire public-facing part of the hot stove season is an exercise in spin, p.r. and leverage-creation. Never let anyone tell you different. While were on this general subject, lets also remember something about reports of what a team is or is not doing and why. We often hear that so-and-so team cant afford so-and-so player. That may be true and it may not be true, but we have no idea if it is or not because baseball is the only place where people talk putatively intelligently about what teams budgets and financial limitations are with no real knowledge and zero disclosure of what teams actual budgets and financial limitations are. Story continues Every story you see about a team being unable to afford a player is either rank speculation or is sourced to a team saying that, likely for self-serving reasons. We never see teams actual financials and, the luxury tax notwithstanding, we never know how high they can/will go financially. We have just as much insight into the actual bottom line and budget of most teams as we do into the bottom line and budget of a strip mall carpet store. Sure, we can guess fairly intelligently, based on past history, what a team is willing to do the Nationals, generally, will offer a Scott Boras client a big contract, the Rays will not but we have no idea what they are actually able to do. We simply do not know and are never told what the denominator is in their calculations. I think that distinction matters. The willing vs. able thing. Its not just semantics. So much of what is written about the business of baseball, large markets and small markets and so on assumes its all about able and not about willing. Teams want you to assume that so that, if and when they do not spend a lot of money on players, they cannot be blamed for making a choice. Theyd prefer you to believe they did everything within their power. Sure, there are limits to what teams can spend. But we dont know those limits because they wont tell us. Unless and until they do, they shouldnt get the benefit of the doubt.	White Sox will not be giving offer of more than 7 years for either player.	pegasus	0	https://sports.yahoo.com/white-sox-offering-anyone-ten-144134443.html?src=rss	0.319538
Are White Sox offering anyone a ten-year deal or not?	Yesterday morning Jeff Passan, who is now at ESPN, wrote this: The Phillies and White Sox are the other two teams known to be willing to guarantee Harper the decade-plus-long deal he and Machado, each 26 years old, are seeking. Scroll to continue with content Ad Yesterday evening Bruce Levine, of 670 The Score in Chicago, reported this: Reports of the White Sox offering ten plus years for Manny Machado or Bryce Harper are Without any substance and flat out wrong according to high ranking industry sources . Wh Sox will not be giving offer of more than 7 years for either player. Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) January 2, 2019 Someones got some bad information. No, I have no idea who. There are reasons why someone may embellish a teams willingness to do or not do something and there are reasons for them to deny things that are, in fact true. The entire public-facing part of the hot stove season is an exercise in spin, p.r. and leverage-creation. Never let anyone tell you different. While were on this general subject, lets also remember something about reports of what a team is or is not doing and why. We often hear that so-and-so team cant afford so-and-so player. That may be true and it may not be true, but we have no idea if it is or not because baseball is the only place where people talk putatively intelligently about what teams budgets and financial limitations are with no real knowledge and zero disclosure of what teams actual budgets and financial limitations are. Story continues Every story you see about a team being unable to afford a player is either rank speculation or is sourced to a team saying that, likely for self-serving reasons. We never see teams actual financials and, the luxury tax notwithstanding, we never know how high they can/will go financially. We have just as much insight into the actual bottom line and budget of most teams as we do into the bottom line and budget of a strip mall carpet store. Sure, we can guess fairly intelligently, based on past history, what a team is willing to do the Nationals, generally, will offer a Scott Boras client a big contract, the Rays will not but we have no idea what they are actually able to do. We simply do not know and are never told what the denominator is in their calculations. I think that distinction matters. The willing vs. able thing. Its not just semantics. So much of what is written about the business of baseball, large markets and small markets and so on assumes its all about able and not about willing. Teams want you to assume that so that, if and when they do not spend a lot of money on players, they cannot be blamed for making a choice. Theyd prefer you to believe they did everything within their power. Sure, there are limits to what teams can spend. But we dont know those limits because they wont tell us. Unless and until they do, they shouldnt get the benefit of the doubt.	White Sox will not be giving offer of more than 7 years for either player. The entire public-facing part of the hot stove season is an exercise in spin, p.r. and leverage-creation.	pegasus	1	https://sports.yahoo.com/white-sox-offering-anyone-ten-144134443.html?src=rss	0.327223
Are White Sox offering anyone a ten-year deal or not?	Yesterday morning Jeff Passan, who is now at ESPN, wrote this: The Phillies and White Sox are the other two teams known to be willing to guarantee Harper the decade-plus-long deal he and Machado, each 26 years old, are seeking. Scroll to continue with content Ad Yesterday evening Bruce Levine, of 670 The Score in Chicago, reported this: Reports of the White Sox offering ten plus years for Manny Machado or Bryce Harper are Without any substance and flat out wrong according to high ranking industry sources . Wh Sox will not be giving offer of more than 7 years for either player. Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) January 2, 2019 Someones got some bad information. No, I have no idea who. There are reasons why someone may embellish a teams willingness to do or not do something and there are reasons for them to deny things that are, in fact true. The entire public-facing part of the hot stove season is an exercise in spin, p.r. and leverage-creation. Never let anyone tell you different. While were on this general subject, lets also remember something about reports of what a team is or is not doing and why. We often hear that so-and-so team cant afford so-and-so player. That may be true and it may not be true, but we have no idea if it is or not because baseball is the only place where people talk putatively intelligently about what teams budgets and financial limitations are with no real knowledge and zero disclosure of what teams actual budgets and financial limitations are. Story continues Every story you see about a team being unable to afford a player is either rank speculation or is sourced to a team saying that, likely for self-serving reasons. We never see teams actual financials and, the luxury tax notwithstanding, we never know how high they can/will go financially. We have just as much insight into the actual bottom line and budget of most teams as we do into the bottom line and budget of a strip mall carpet store. Sure, we can guess fairly intelligently, based on past history, what a team is willing to do the Nationals, generally, will offer a Scott Boras client a big contract, the Rays will not but we have no idea what they are actually able to do. We simply do not know and are never told what the denominator is in their calculations. I think that distinction matters. The willing vs. able thing. Its not just semantics. So much of what is written about the business of baseball, large markets and small markets and so on assumes its all about able and not about willing. Teams want you to assume that so that, if and when they do not spend a lot of money on players, they cannot be blamed for making a choice. Theyd prefer you to believe they did everything within their power. Sure, there are limits to what teams can spend. But we dont know those limits because they wont tell us. Unless and until they do, they shouldnt get the benefit of the doubt.	Reports of the White Sox offering ten plus years for Manny Machado or Bryce Harper are Without any substance and flat out wrong According to high ranking industry sources, the Sox will not be giving offer of more than 7 years for either player. The willing vs. able thing matters.	ctrlsum	2	https://sports.yahoo.com/white-sox-offering-anyone-ten-144134443.html?src=rss	0.446035
Who replaces Ugochukwu Amadi in Oregon secondary, on punt returns?	EUGENE Oregon has to replace its leader in the secondary and top punt returner in Ugochukwu Amadi, but an heir apparent is already clear. Amadi was one of Oregons more productive players in the defensive backfield. He had 55 tackles with five for loss including 1.5 sacks, three interceptions with two returned for touchdowns, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble this season. The safety also averaged 15.93 yards per punt return, which wouldve ranked third nationally if he qualified statistically, with a touchdown. The good news for the Ducks is freshman Jevon Holland burst on the scene with 44 tackles, a team-high five interceptions and six pass breakups. Holland will clearly be in line to take over at Oregons starting free safety and should get a chance as a return man as well. He took reps on kickoff returns, another role Oregon has to fill, and fielded one punt this season. Whether or not Oregon would want a starter to handle both return roles is unclear, as its become increasingly rare for players to do both. With Holland set to move up a line on the depth chart there will be competition for the backup safety spots behind him and Nick Pickett. Brady Breeze had 10 tackles this season, Steve Stephens had two and Billy Gibson had one. Oregons lone safety signee is Trikweze Bridges, who tied the Alabama state record for career interceptions. One thing really stands out about 'kweze, its his length, safety coach Keith Heyward said. Hes a long, long dude. Huge wingspan. Hes 6-foot-3, hes about 185 pounds now. Hes a guy that (has a) high football IQ, super foundation of principles and values in the family home. Bridges will have to put on weight before being able to contribute consistently on defense and wont arrive on campus until after spring practice.	Ugochukwu Amadi was one of Oregon's more productive players in the defensive backfield. Jevon Holland burst on the scene with 44 tackles, a team-high five interceptions and six pass breakups.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/01/who-replaces-ugochukwu-amadi-in-oregon-secondary-on-punt-returns.html	0.212166
Who replaces Ugochukwu Amadi in Oregon secondary, on punt returns?	EUGENE Oregon has to replace its leader in the secondary and top punt returner in Ugochukwu Amadi, but an heir apparent is already clear. Amadi was one of Oregons more productive players in the defensive backfield. He had 55 tackles with five for loss including 1.5 sacks, three interceptions with two returned for touchdowns, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble this season. The safety also averaged 15.93 yards per punt return, which wouldve ranked third nationally if he qualified statistically, with a touchdown. The good news for the Ducks is freshman Jevon Holland burst on the scene with 44 tackles, a team-high five interceptions and six pass breakups. Holland will clearly be in line to take over at Oregons starting free safety and should get a chance as a return man as well. He took reps on kickoff returns, another role Oregon has to fill, and fielded one punt this season. Whether or not Oregon would want a starter to handle both return roles is unclear, as its become increasingly rare for players to do both. With Holland set to move up a line on the depth chart there will be competition for the backup safety spots behind him and Nick Pickett. Brady Breeze had 10 tackles this season, Steve Stephens had two and Billy Gibson had one. Oregons lone safety signee is Trikweze Bridges, who tied the Alabama state record for career interceptions. One thing really stands out about 'kweze, its his length, safety coach Keith Heyward said. Hes a long, long dude. Huge wingspan. Hes 6-foot-3, hes about 185 pounds now. Hes a guy that (has a) high football IQ, super foundation of principles and values in the family home. Bridges will have to put on weight before being able to contribute consistently on defense and wont arrive on campus until after spring practice.	Ugochukwu Amadi was one of Oregon's more productive players in the defensive backfield. Jevon Holland burst on the scene with 44 tackles, a team-high five interceptions and six pass breakups. Oregons lone safety signee is Trikweze Bridges, who tied the Alabama state record for career interceptions.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2019/01/who-replaces-ugochukwu-amadi-in-oregon-secondary-on-punt-returns.html	0.259123
Does December's Manufacturing Growth Slowdown Spell Doom For The U.S. Economy?	Markets and pundits alike got jittery this week when the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Report on Business showed the December Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) falling to 54.1%, from Novembers 59.3%. Decembers figure was the lowest since November 2016. US stock indexes fell sharply when the report came out last Thursday, with the drop also linked to Apple slashing its quarterly revenue projections due to weak sales in Asia. Market bears and administration critics pounced on the news. Poor Administration policy regarding tariffs and trade wars may have accelerated a slowdown that was already likely, was the report at Seeking Alpha. Manufacturing ends 2018 on a decline, reports ISM, said the Supply Chain Management Review. First, take a deep breath and read more closely. Any PMI number above 50% indicates growth, not decline, in manufacturing output. Decembers number is the 28th consecutive one showing U.S. manufacturing growing, and the overall U.S. economy has now grown for 116 consecutive months. So those terms slowdown and decline in the quotes above are somewhat misleading. A drop in the rate of growth is still growth, not negative territory. Other economic indicators remain strongly positive. The ISMs Chicago Business Barometer, seen as a broad indicator of the nations economic health, turned in a strong 65.4% in December. Meanwhile, the U.S. December jobs report came out on Friday and helped erase the Thursday market declines the nation created 312,000 jobs last month, and the two previous months were revised upwards as well, for an average monthly pace of 254,000 jobs created. And manufacturing did especially well all year with respect to jobs, adding 284,000 in 2018 nearly 80,000 more than the previous year. Not all the news is good, however. One of the more troubling components of the December Report on Business is the New Orders Index. It was still positive, if barely, at 51.1% - but it decreased a full 11 percentage points from Novembers score. That indicates a dramatic weakening of customer demand, even if it was the 36th straight month in positive territory. It could be, too, that the economys recent strength is a mini-bubble caused by tariff-driven panic purchasing. Thats what Danielle DiMartino Booth, former advisor to the president of the Dallas Federal Reserve and current CEO of Quill Intelligence, a research and analytics firm, predicted several months ago. She correctly foresaw the economic strength of the past two months, but predicted a severe drop-off in the first quarter of next year. With inventory levels having risen over the past couple of months (albeit slowly), the scenario could very well play out that demand drops off as tariffs increase next year, and inventories then skyrocket, forcing manufacturing into actual negative territory as they slow production down to adjust to the new economic situation. One months decline in growth figures certainly doesnt constitute a trend, however. The PMI numbers have been bouncing up and down throughout 2018, hitting a high of 61.3% in August, and a previous low (excluding last months) of 57.3 in April. No movement in either direction lasted more than two months. So time will tell; look for next months figure to see if Decembers decline in growth continues. Even if Januarys figure is still in growth territory, another drop would be significant because of its continuation of last months steep decline. If the bears like DiMartino Booth are right, then by February the PMI should certainly go truly negative, and decline to below 50%. If neither of those things happen, then weve dodged the bullet for now. Because when it comes to the economy, the easy thing about predicting a recession is that eventually you'll be right.	Decembers figure was the lowest since November 2016. Any PMI number above 50% indicates growth, not decline, in manufacturing output. The overall U.S. economy has now grown for 116 consecutive months.	pegasus	1	https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2019/01/05/does-decembers-manufacturing-growth-slowdown-spell-doom-for-the-u-s-economy/	0.157034
Does December's Manufacturing Growth Slowdown Spell Doom For The U.S. Economy?	Markets and pundits alike got jittery this week when the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Report on Business showed the December Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) falling to 54.1%, from Novembers 59.3%. Decembers figure was the lowest since November 2016. US stock indexes fell sharply when the report came out last Thursday, with the drop also linked to Apple slashing its quarterly revenue projections due to weak sales in Asia. Market bears and administration critics pounced on the news. Poor Administration policy regarding tariffs and trade wars may have accelerated a slowdown that was already likely, was the report at Seeking Alpha. Manufacturing ends 2018 on a decline, reports ISM, said the Supply Chain Management Review. First, take a deep breath and read more closely. Any PMI number above 50% indicates growth, not decline, in manufacturing output. Decembers number is the 28th consecutive one showing U.S. manufacturing growing, and the overall U.S. economy has now grown for 116 consecutive months. So those terms slowdown and decline in the quotes above are somewhat misleading. A drop in the rate of growth is still growth, not negative territory. Other economic indicators remain strongly positive. The ISMs Chicago Business Barometer, seen as a broad indicator of the nations economic health, turned in a strong 65.4% in December. Meanwhile, the U.S. December jobs report came out on Friday and helped erase the Thursday market declines the nation created 312,000 jobs last month, and the two previous months were revised upwards as well, for an average monthly pace of 254,000 jobs created. And manufacturing did especially well all year with respect to jobs, adding 284,000 in 2018 nearly 80,000 more than the previous year. Not all the news is good, however. One of the more troubling components of the December Report on Business is the New Orders Index. It was still positive, if barely, at 51.1% - but it decreased a full 11 percentage points from Novembers score. That indicates a dramatic weakening of customer demand, even if it was the 36th straight month in positive territory. It could be, too, that the economys recent strength is a mini-bubble caused by tariff-driven panic purchasing. Thats what Danielle DiMartino Booth, former advisor to the president of the Dallas Federal Reserve and current CEO of Quill Intelligence, a research and analytics firm, predicted several months ago. She correctly foresaw the economic strength of the past two months, but predicted a severe drop-off in the first quarter of next year. With inventory levels having risen over the past couple of months (albeit slowly), the scenario could very well play out that demand drops off as tariffs increase next year, and inventories then skyrocket, forcing manufacturing into actual negative territory as they slow production down to adjust to the new economic situation. One months decline in growth figures certainly doesnt constitute a trend, however. The PMI numbers have been bouncing up and down throughout 2018, hitting a high of 61.3% in August, and a previous low (excluding last months) of 57.3 in April. No movement in either direction lasted more than two months. So time will tell; look for next months figure to see if Decembers decline in growth continues. Even if Januarys figure is still in growth territory, another drop would be significant because of its continuation of last months steep decline. If the bears like DiMartino Booth are right, then by February the PMI should certainly go truly negative, and decline to below 50%. If neither of those things happen, then weve dodged the bullet for now. Because when it comes to the economy, the easy thing about predicting a recession is that eventually you'll be right.	Decembers PMI number is the 28th consecutive one showing U.S. manufacturing growing. The overall U.S. economy has now grown for 116 consecutive months. It could be, too, that the economys recent strength is a mini-bubble caused by tariff-driven panic purchasing.	pegasus	2	https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2019/01/05/does-decembers-manufacturing-growth-slowdown-spell-doom-for-the-u-s-economy/	0.244566
How Bad Is This Year's Flu Season?	Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Flu season has arrived: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is widespread in 24 states, and during the last week of December, 4.1 percent of doctors visits across the U.S. were for flulike illnesses. Those numbers arent as high as they were for that week last year, when the percentage of doctors visits for flulike illness had already jumped to 5.8 and the flu was widespread in 46 states. Its a little bit too early to predict the intensity and magnitude of flu season for this year, says Pedro Piedra, M.D., a professor in the departments of molecular virology and microbiology and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. There are some hopeful signs, however. For one, the CDCs estimates of flu vaccination coverage as of November 2018 were several points higher than they were at the same time in 2017which means more people could be protected from flu this season. Still, flu season is far from over and could worsen in the coming weeks, says Lynnette Brammer, M.P.H., an epidemiologist with the CDCs influenza division. There are still multiple weeks of flu season to go, she says. Heres how this flu season is shaping up, and how to protect yourself and your family. This Year's Flu Strain . . . so Far This time last year, most people with flu were getting sick from the H3N2 strain, which was a major factor in the severity of the 2017 to 2018 flu season. This year, a different strain is making most people sick: H1N1, the same strain that caused the flu pandemic in 2009. But because H1N1 has now been around for a decade, immunity against it has built up in the general public, says William Schaffner, M.D., professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. It generally causes milder infections than H3N2, he says. Plus, in recent years, the flu vaccine did a better job of protecting against H1N1 strains than against H3N2. What to know: While H3N2 is known for being especially dangerous for older adults (who are already at increased risk for severe illness from flu), H1N1 tends to be riskier for younger people, including children and young adultswho might not have been exposed to the strain enough to build up immunity to it, Schaffner says. In fact, so far this year, the highest rate of hospitalizations for flu has been among children 4 years old and younger, which is unusual. Typically, adults 65 and up experience the highest rates of hospitalization from flu, according to the CDC. Note that although H1N1 has predominated overall, in some states the H3N2 strain of flu is more prevalent. According to the CDC, its the most common strain in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. How to Protect Yourself Get a flu shot. You should run, not walk, to get your flu shot if you havent already, Schaffner says. It takes about two weeks for the shot to become fully protective. Be sure children get vaccinated, too. Every year, most kids who die from flu were unvaccinated. So far this year, 13 children have died from flu, and last year a total of 185 children died over the course of the flu season. And embrace easy strategies such as diligent hand-washing, keeping away from people who are coughing and sneezing if possible, and staying home if you do get sick. Consider antiviral medications. Most people who catch the flu get better on their own. But young children, pregnant women, older adults, and anyone with an underlying health condition such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are at an increased risk for a serious complication, such as pneumonia or having to be hospitalized, if they get sick with flu. If that includes you, call your doctor as soon as you notice flu symptomsfever, chills, head and body aches, cough, or sore throatand ask for a prescription for an antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu and generic) or the newly approved single dose antiviral baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza). Antiviral medications can reduce the length of time you feel sick by about a day and can reduce your chances of having a severe complication from flu. But they need to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of your symptoms for the best results. Interactive courtesy of the CDCMore from Consumer Reports: Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc.	This year's flu season is shaping up to be worse than last year's. There are some hopeful signs that vaccination coverage could be higher this year. Still, flu season could worsen in the coming weeks.	ctrlsum	1	https://news.yahoo.com/bad-apos-flu-season-203811803.html	0.141106
How Bad Is This Year's Flu Season?	Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Flu season has arrived: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is widespread in 24 states, and during the last week of December, 4.1 percent of doctors visits across the U.S. were for flulike illnesses. Those numbers arent as high as they were for that week last year, when the percentage of doctors visits for flulike illness had already jumped to 5.8 and the flu was widespread in 46 states. Its a little bit too early to predict the intensity and magnitude of flu season for this year, says Pedro Piedra, M.D., a professor in the departments of molecular virology and microbiology and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. There are some hopeful signs, however. For one, the CDCs estimates of flu vaccination coverage as of November 2018 were several points higher than they were at the same time in 2017which means more people could be protected from flu this season. Still, flu season is far from over and could worsen in the coming weeks, says Lynnette Brammer, M.P.H., an epidemiologist with the CDCs influenza division. There are still multiple weeks of flu season to go, she says. Heres how this flu season is shaping up, and how to protect yourself and your family. This Year's Flu Strain . . . so Far This time last year, most people with flu were getting sick from the H3N2 strain, which was a major factor in the severity of the 2017 to 2018 flu season. This year, a different strain is making most people sick: H1N1, the same strain that caused the flu pandemic in 2009. But because H1N1 has now been around for a decade, immunity against it has built up in the general public, says William Schaffner, M.D., professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. It generally causes milder infections than H3N2, he says. Plus, in recent years, the flu vaccine did a better job of protecting against H1N1 strains than against H3N2. What to know: While H3N2 is known for being especially dangerous for older adults (who are already at increased risk for severe illness from flu), H1N1 tends to be riskier for younger people, including children and young adultswho might not have been exposed to the strain enough to build up immunity to it, Schaffner says. In fact, so far this year, the highest rate of hospitalizations for flu has been among children 4 years old and younger, which is unusual. Typically, adults 65 and up experience the highest rates of hospitalization from flu, according to the CDC. Note that although H1N1 has predominated overall, in some states the H3N2 strain of flu is more prevalent. According to the CDC, its the most common strain in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. How to Protect Yourself Get a flu shot. You should run, not walk, to get your flu shot if you havent already, Schaffner says. It takes about two weeks for the shot to become fully protective. Be sure children get vaccinated, too. Every year, most kids who die from flu were unvaccinated. So far this year, 13 children have died from flu, and last year a total of 185 children died over the course of the flu season. And embrace easy strategies such as diligent hand-washing, keeping away from people who are coughing and sneezing if possible, and staying home if you do get sick. Consider antiviral medications. Most people who catch the flu get better on their own. But young children, pregnant women, older adults, and anyone with an underlying health condition such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system are at an increased risk for a serious complication, such as pneumonia or having to be hospitalized, if they get sick with flu. If that includes you, call your doctor as soon as you notice flu symptomsfever, chills, head and body aches, cough, or sore throatand ask for a prescription for an antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu and generic) or the newly approved single dose antiviral baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza). Antiviral medications can reduce the length of time you feel sick by about a day and can reduce your chances of having a severe complication from flu. But they need to be taken within 48 hours of the onset of your symptoms for the best results. Interactive courtesy of the CDCMore from Consumer Reports: Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc.	This year's flu season is shaping up to be worse than last year's. There are some hopeful signs that vaccination coverage could be higher this year. Still, flu season isn't over and could worsen in the coming weeks, says Lynnette Brammer, M.P.H.	ctrlsum	2	https://news.yahoo.com/bad-apos-flu-season-203811803.html	0.141479
Can 'Spider-Verse' pull a historic upset at the Golden Globes?	If history is any predictor, then the Golden Globes trophy for 2018's best animated feature will be handed to Disney/Pixar's "Incredibles 2" during Sunday's telecast - winning in a field of five that includes Sony's late-year smash, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." That's because of the backstory: The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Globes's voting body, adores its Disney. A movie distributed by Disney has been crowned best animated feature 10 times during the dozen years of the category's existence. (The only animated films that have beat the Mouse House are 2011's "The Adventures of Tintin" and 2014's "How to Train Your Dragon 2.") By contrast, during that time, animated films distributed beneath the Sony umbrella - including four involving Sony Pictures Animation - have gone 0-for-5. Advertisement But "Spider-Verse" is Sony's best shot yet to break the losing streak. First, factor in the critical response. Of Disney's two nominees this year, the "Incredibles" sequel has an average score of 80 on Metacritic.com, and Disney Animation's "Ralph Breaks the Internet" has a 71. "Spider-Verse" tops both with 87. (Of the other two nominees, the Fox Searchlight-distributed "Isle of Dogs" scores an 82, and Studio Chizu's "Mirai" gets an 81.) "Spider-Verse" is also tops on Rotten Tomatoes, where it's certified as 97 percent "fresh" among professional critics and gets a 94 percent score among civilian filmgoers. "Incredibles 2" was second with just 3,300 votes. Plus, "The Incredibles" is a beloved, Oscar-winning franchise that has grossed nearly $1.9 billion worldwide. ("Spider-Verse," which introduces webslinger Miles Morales, has grossed $227 million worldwide since its mid-December release.) So although the Pixar film would seem to have the edge, the dazzling, dizzying effects of "Spider-Verse" do make it a strong contender. "Spider-Verse" is a richly layered, visually innovative tour de force, delivering waves of tucked-in nods to a half-century of Spider-Man comic books specifically and Marvel Comics more generally - and popping off the screen with constant stylistic shifts and even splashes of "Kirby Krackle." The look of "Spider-Verse" should render it a powerful contender at the Oscars and the animation industry's Annie Awards. But if "Spider-Verse" can buck history and even win over the Hollywood Foreign Press, then it will emerge as The One to Beat at the Academy Awards, presuming that it's a lock for a nomination. And in one last twist, a win for "Spider-Verse" is also a win for production partner Marvel Entertainment - which, as it happens, is a subsidiary of Disney.	"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is up for best animated feature at the Golden Globes. It's up against "Incredibles 2," "Ralph Breaks the Internet" and "Isle of Dogs" A Disney-distributed film has won the award 10 times in the past 12 years.	bart	2	https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12186219	0.158724
Will Arizona lawmakers (again) try to kill the Electoral College?	Opinion: If enough states pass laws awarding their electoral college votes to the popular vote winner the arcane, racially motivated practice goes away. Protesters hold signs during a demonstration to protest the National Electoral College's selection of President-elect Donald Trump outside the Wilson Building in Washington. (Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo , EPA) Two years ago, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to eliminate the Electoral College. Its a great idea. Long overdue. The House passed a bill that would have given all of Arizonas 11 electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote no matter who wins the in-state vote. Both Democrats and Republicans voted for it. Twelve states already have passed similar laws, with a combined number of 165 electoral votes. When enough states pass such bills to equal 270 electoral votes it would guarantee that the popular vote winner would win the presidency. How to make every vote count CLOSE Here are 3 things you need to know about the electoral college. Wochit The website for National Popular Vote, which is pushing the interstate compact, says in part: The bill ensures that every vote, in every state, will matter in every presidential election. Exactly. The proposal passed in the Arizona House by a 40-16 margin, crossing political lines, but then-Senate President Andy Biggs would not let the bill come to a vote in the Senate. Maybe J.D. Mesnard, who introduced the bill back in 2016 and who now is in the Senate, will give it another go. He said in 2016, "Our presidential elections have come down to 10 battleground states. Arizona is so decidedly Republican that neither Democrats nor Republicans find it necessary or beneficial to campaign here. Arizona's issues are ignored because Arizona voters don't matter." Trump wanted to abolish it, until ... Every vote, Republican or Democrat or anything else, should matter. Before he ran for president, Donald Trump loved the idea of abolishing the Electoral College. For a time during the 2012 presidential election it appeared as if Republican Mitt Romney might win the popular vote but lose in the electoral college. That didnt happen. President Obama beat Romney by roughly 2.5 million in the popular vote. When it looked like Romney might get more votes, however, then citizen Trump tweeted: Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 And: This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 And: The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 The Washington Post also catalogued a number of tweets that Trump later deleted, which included: He [Obama] lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election. We should have a revolution in this country! And: The phoney [sic] electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation. The loser one! And: More votes equals a lossrevolution! (Nov. 7) ... he needed the Electoral College Somehow, that very strong view changed for Trump after Hillary Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes than he did in the presidential election but lost to him in the electoral college. After that happened Trump tweeted: The Electoral College is actually genius in that it brings all states, including the smaller ones, into play. Campaigning is much different! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2016 Actually, the Electoral College came into effect in the 1800s under the influence of southern states like Virginia, which demanded that their slaves who could not vote be counted among their population. Not as individuals, exactly. The proposal to create the Electoral College included the three-fifths compromise, by which each slave was counted as three-fifths of a person, instead of a whole. Imagine that. It was enough to prop up the electoral college numbers for slave states like Virginia and tilt the presidency their way. How to make Arizona relevant In other words, the Electoral College is an arcane, racist conceit. Not only that, but the notion that smaller states come into play by way of the Electoral College is a joke. Its the so-called battleground states that come into play while other states are ignored. The only way to stage a free and fair national presidential election is to have every vote in every state matter. Then every state would be a battleground. The Arizona House recognized that in 2016. Maybe this year the entire Legislature will do so. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. MORE BY MONTINI: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/05/arizona-electoral-college-national-popular-vote/2479675002/	Two years ago, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to eliminate the Electoral College.	bart	0	https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/05/arizona-electoral-college-national-popular-vote/2479675002/	0.245698
Will Arizona lawmakers (again) try to kill the Electoral College?	Opinion: If enough states pass laws awarding their electoral college votes to the popular vote winner the arcane, racially motivated practice goes away. Protesters hold signs during a demonstration to protest the National Electoral College's selection of President-elect Donald Trump outside the Wilson Building in Washington. (Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo , EPA) Two years ago, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to eliminate the Electoral College. Its a great idea. Long overdue. The House passed a bill that would have given all of Arizonas 11 electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote no matter who wins the in-state vote. Both Democrats and Republicans voted for it. Twelve states already have passed similar laws, with a combined number of 165 electoral votes. When enough states pass such bills to equal 270 electoral votes it would guarantee that the popular vote winner would win the presidency. How to make every vote count CLOSE Here are 3 things you need to know about the electoral college. Wochit The website for National Popular Vote, which is pushing the interstate compact, says in part: The bill ensures that every vote, in every state, will matter in every presidential election. Exactly. The proposal passed in the Arizona House by a 40-16 margin, crossing political lines, but then-Senate President Andy Biggs would not let the bill come to a vote in the Senate. Maybe J.D. Mesnard, who introduced the bill back in 2016 and who now is in the Senate, will give it another go. He said in 2016, "Our presidential elections have come down to 10 battleground states. Arizona is so decidedly Republican that neither Democrats nor Republicans find it necessary or beneficial to campaign here. Arizona's issues are ignored because Arizona voters don't matter." Trump wanted to abolish it, until ... Every vote, Republican or Democrat or anything else, should matter. Before he ran for president, Donald Trump loved the idea of abolishing the Electoral College. For a time during the 2012 presidential election it appeared as if Republican Mitt Romney might win the popular vote but lose in the electoral college. That didnt happen. President Obama beat Romney by roughly 2.5 million in the popular vote. When it looked like Romney might get more votes, however, then citizen Trump tweeted: Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 And: This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 And: The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 The Washington Post also catalogued a number of tweets that Trump later deleted, which included: He [Obama] lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election. We should have a revolution in this country! And: The phoney [sic] electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation. The loser one! And: More votes equals a lossrevolution! (Nov. 7) ... he needed the Electoral College Somehow, that very strong view changed for Trump after Hillary Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes than he did in the presidential election but lost to him in the electoral college. After that happened Trump tweeted: The Electoral College is actually genius in that it brings all states, including the smaller ones, into play. Campaigning is much different! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2016 Actually, the Electoral College came into effect in the 1800s under the influence of southern states like Virginia, which demanded that their slaves who could not vote be counted among their population. Not as individuals, exactly. The proposal to create the Electoral College included the three-fifths compromise, by which each slave was counted as three-fifths of a person, instead of a whole. Imagine that. It was enough to prop up the electoral college numbers for slave states like Virginia and tilt the presidency their way. How to make Arizona relevant In other words, the Electoral College is an arcane, racist conceit. Not only that, but the notion that smaller states come into play by way of the Electoral College is a joke. Its the so-called battleground states that come into play while other states are ignored. The only way to stage a free and fair national presidential election is to have every vote in every state matter. Then every state would be a battleground. The Arizona House recognized that in 2016. Maybe this year the entire Legislature will do so. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. MORE BY MONTINI: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/05/arizona-electoral-college-national-popular-vote/2479675002/	Two years ago, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to eliminate the Electoral College. Twelve states already have passed similar laws, with a combined number of 165 electoral votes.	bart	1	https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/05/arizona-electoral-college-national-popular-vote/2479675002/	0.275208
Will Arizona lawmakers (again) try to kill the Electoral College?	Opinion: If enough states pass laws awarding their electoral college votes to the popular vote winner the arcane, racially motivated practice goes away. Protesters hold signs during a demonstration to protest the National Electoral College's selection of President-elect Donald Trump outside the Wilson Building in Washington. (Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo , EPA) Two years ago, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to eliminate the Electoral College. Its a great idea. Long overdue. The House passed a bill that would have given all of Arizonas 11 electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote no matter who wins the in-state vote. Both Democrats and Republicans voted for it. Twelve states already have passed similar laws, with a combined number of 165 electoral votes. When enough states pass such bills to equal 270 electoral votes it would guarantee that the popular vote winner would win the presidency. How to make every vote count CLOSE Here are 3 things you need to know about the electoral college. Wochit The website for National Popular Vote, which is pushing the interstate compact, says in part: The bill ensures that every vote, in every state, will matter in every presidential election. Exactly. The proposal passed in the Arizona House by a 40-16 margin, crossing political lines, but then-Senate President Andy Biggs would not let the bill come to a vote in the Senate. Maybe J.D. Mesnard, who introduced the bill back in 2016 and who now is in the Senate, will give it another go. He said in 2016, "Our presidential elections have come down to 10 battleground states. Arizona is so decidedly Republican that neither Democrats nor Republicans find it necessary or beneficial to campaign here. Arizona's issues are ignored because Arizona voters don't matter." Trump wanted to abolish it, until ... Every vote, Republican or Democrat or anything else, should matter. Before he ran for president, Donald Trump loved the idea of abolishing the Electoral College. For a time during the 2012 presidential election it appeared as if Republican Mitt Romney might win the popular vote but lose in the electoral college. That didnt happen. President Obama beat Romney by roughly 2.5 million in the popular vote. When it looked like Romney might get more votes, however, then citizen Trump tweeted: Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 And: This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 And: The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2012 The Washington Post also catalogued a number of tweets that Trump later deleted, which included: He [Obama] lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election. We should have a revolution in this country! And: The phoney [sic] electoral college made a laughing stock out of our nation. The loser one! And: More votes equals a lossrevolution! (Nov. 7) ... he needed the Electoral College Somehow, that very strong view changed for Trump after Hillary Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes than he did in the presidential election but lost to him in the electoral college. After that happened Trump tweeted: The Electoral College is actually genius in that it brings all states, including the smaller ones, into play. Campaigning is much different! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2016 Actually, the Electoral College came into effect in the 1800s under the influence of southern states like Virginia, which demanded that their slaves who could not vote be counted among their population. Not as individuals, exactly. The proposal to create the Electoral College included the three-fifths compromise, by which each slave was counted as three-fifths of a person, instead of a whole. Imagine that. It was enough to prop up the electoral college numbers for slave states like Virginia and tilt the presidency their way. How to make Arizona relevant In other words, the Electoral College is an arcane, racist conceit. Not only that, but the notion that smaller states come into play by way of the Electoral College is a joke. Its the so-called battleground states that come into play while other states are ignored. The only way to stage a free and fair national presidential election is to have every vote in every state matter. Then every state would be a battleground. The Arizona House recognized that in 2016. Maybe this year the entire Legislature will do so. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. MORE BY MONTINI: Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/05/arizona-electoral-college-national-popular-vote/2479675002/	Two years ago, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to eliminate the Electoral College. The House passed a bill that would have given all of Arizonas 11 electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Twelve states already have passed similar laws, with a combined number of 165 electoral votes.	bart	2	https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2019/01/05/arizona-electoral-college-national-popular-vote/2479675002/	0.333889
Was it a UFO, meteor . . . or an out-of-control Russian satellite?	According to a local expert the object seen flying through our sky last night was probably the remains of a Russian satellite - and it there's a chance a small part of it might be sitting in someone's backyard. Thousands of excited Kiwis from Whangarei to Nelson quickly took to social media last night to post pictures and video of the bright object that streaked through our dusk sky, and then seemed to disappear. There's been much speculation since then about what the object was - and what happened to it once it vanished from view - but according to a leading space expert it was almost certainly the remains of an out-of-control Russian missile defence satellite. Advertisement Theoretical cosmologist Professor Richard Easther, the head of physics at the University of Auckland, said he was 99 per cent certain that it was the Russian Kosmos 2430 satellite - and that the Russians appear to have lost control of it. He said it was among several satellites sent up to Earth orbit by Russia to protect against missile attacks, primarily by the United States. "The US has a similar constellation of satellites." Easther said it conceivable that some of the satellite, which had weighed nearly 2 tonnes, had survived the intense heat of its dive through the atmosphere and landed in someone's backyard. The kinds of debris to look for would be large chunks of glass or scorched metal. Easther said several satellites returned to Earth each year. Notable ones included the US Skylab and a Russian satellite that contaminated part of Canada. Debris from Skylab was found in Western Australia after the US space station crashed back to Earth in 1979. The previous year, the Soviet reconnaissance satellite Kosmos 954 scattered radioactive debris over northern Canada when it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. A fault before re-entry had prevented the safe separation of its onboard nuclear reactor. Easther said Kosmos 2430 was known to be passing over New Zealand at the time of the bright object last night. The proof that it was the cause would be in sky watchers reporting its absence. If it had been a controlled descent, it would have been manoeuvred to splash into the Southern Ocean. The fact its re-entry occurred over New Zealand implied that "the Russians lost control of it".	A leading space expert says it was almost certainly the remains of a Russian missile defence satellite.	ctrlsum	0	https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12186248	0.11933
Was it a UFO, meteor . . . or an out-of-control Russian satellite?	According to a local expert the object seen flying through our sky last night was probably the remains of a Russian satellite - and it there's a chance a small part of it might be sitting in someone's backyard. Thousands of excited Kiwis from Whangarei to Nelson quickly took to social media last night to post pictures and video of the bright object that streaked through our dusk sky, and then seemed to disappear. There's been much speculation since then about what the object was - and what happened to it once it vanished from view - but according to a leading space expert it was almost certainly the remains of an out-of-control Russian missile defence satellite. Advertisement Theoretical cosmologist Professor Richard Easther, the head of physics at the University of Auckland, said he was 99 per cent certain that it was the Russian Kosmos 2430 satellite - and that the Russians appear to have lost control of it. He said it was among several satellites sent up to Earth orbit by Russia to protect against missile attacks, primarily by the United States. "The US has a similar constellation of satellites." Easther said it conceivable that some of the satellite, which had weighed nearly 2 tonnes, had survived the intense heat of its dive through the atmosphere and landed in someone's backyard. The kinds of debris to look for would be large chunks of glass or scorched metal. Easther said several satellites returned to Earth each year. Notable ones included the US Skylab and a Russian satellite that contaminated part of Canada. Debris from Skylab was found in Western Australia after the US space station crashed back to Earth in 1979. The previous year, the Soviet reconnaissance satellite Kosmos 954 scattered radioactive debris over northern Canada when it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. A fault before re-entry had prevented the safe separation of its onboard nuclear reactor. Easther said Kosmos 2430 was known to be passing over New Zealand at the time of the bright object last night. The proof that it was the cause would be in sky watchers reporting its absence. If it had been a controlled descent, it would have been manoeuvred to splash into the Southern Ocean. The fact its re-entry occurred over New Zealand implied that "the Russians lost control of it".	A leading space expert says it was almost certainly the remains of a Russian missile defence satellite - and it there's a chance a small part of it might be sitting in someone's backyard.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12186248	0.103232
Will the Browns opt for the Patriots Brian Flores, another branch of the Bill Belichick tree?	The Browns interviewed Flores, 37, Saturday for their head coach vacancy in New England, where the Patriots are on a playoff bye. Flores is the fifth candidate to be interviewed, following interim coach Gregg Williams, former Colts and Lions coach Jim Caldwell, Vikings interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski and Saints assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell. Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will interview on Sunday, according to ESPNs Dan Graziano, and the Browns have also asked permission to talk to Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni. Their meeting with Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens will likely take place next week, and theyll also talk to former Packers coach Mike McCarthy next week, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Flores is one of the hottest candidates on the market, with the Bengals, Broncos, Browns and Packers all requesting permission to interview him. If the Browns hire him, theyd likely recommend that he keep Kitchens, whom theyve blocked from interviewing for other NFL coordinator positions. In an interview in December with ESPN.com, Flores described his coaching philosophy. I think leadership is about being honest, he said. Its about being transparent. Its about putting yourself in the shoes of others. Its about being tough on people, having high expectations, having a high standard and not letting off that standard. I think you can do that specifically with players you can be tough on them, expect a lot from them, but not be somebody they despise. Its important to connect to people. When you can do that, you can get more out of them. Thats part of my leadership style. Its a combination of building trust and building that connection so you can be tough and they know its out of love. If the Browns hire Flores to be their ninth full-time head coach, hed be the third Belichick disciple in that role since 1999, all from the defensive side of the ball. The first two were Patriots defensive coordinators Romeo Crennel from 2005-08 (24-40) and Eric Mangini in 2009-10 (10-22). Curiously, the Browns have not requested permission to interview Canton-area native Josh McDaniels, the Patriots' offensive coordinator and former Broncos head coach who was high on their list the last two searches. Of the nine Belichick assistants who have gone on to become head coaches, only three have winning records: Al Groh, 9-7 with the Jets in 2000; Bill OBrien, whos 42-38 in five seasons with the Texans, and Mike Vrabel, who went 9-7 with the Titans this season. But those whove worked with Flores rave about him. He never really lets his emotions get to him," Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler told masslive.com. "He collects himself. And he just calls it like it is. He focuses on getting the job done rather than any of the extra stuff. Why Dan Campbell should be a leading contender for the Browns' head coach job Like Belichick, Flores demands a lot from his players. You understand you might not be able to have a perfect game maybe ever, but that focus is one of the things he demands," defensive end Trey Flowers said. "From a players standpoint, its demanding that excellence and the play-calling. I love playing for Coach Flores," said former Browns and current Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty. With Flores calling the plays for the first time this year, the Patriots finished seventh in the NFL in points allowed and fifth in takeaways (28). In his seven seasons as a defensive position coach, the Patriots finished in the top 10 in fewest points, including No. 1 in 2016. A former linebacker for Boston College, Flores got his start when then-Patriots personnel executive Scott Pioli, now with the Falcons, brought him in as a scouting assistant in 2004. He moved over to the coaching side in 2008 as a special teams assistant, and spent the 2010 season helping out on offense. In 2011, he moved back to defense, and coached safeties from 2012-15. He coached linebackers from 2016-18, and assumed the play calling duties this year when defensive coordinator Matt Patricia took the Lions' head coach job. One of five sons of Honduran immigrants who moved to the United States in the 1970s, he grew up in the crime-ridden Brownsville housing projects of Brooklyn, New York. Whenever I feel like theres any semblance of complacency I think back to a time when I wasnt as fortunate as I am now, Flores told reporters in New England before this season. I try to be that same kid who had a fire burning in him to get out of that area to be a success, to make my parents proud, to make my family proud. I go right there because Im still trying to do that. Thats never going to change. A two-year starter at at Boston College, Flores earned his bachelors degree in English and a masters degree in administrative studies. Now, he plans to branch out from Belichick and become the fourth disciple to win in the NFL.	The Browns interviewed Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores on Saturday. Flores is one of the hottest candidates on the market, with the Bengals, Broncos, Browns and Packers all requesting permission to interview him.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/01/will-the-browns-opt-for-the-patriots-brian-flores-another-branch-of-the-bill-belichick-tree.html	0.175609
Will the Browns opt for the Patriots Brian Flores, another branch of the Bill Belichick tree?	The Browns interviewed Flores, 37, Saturday for their head coach vacancy in New England, where the Patriots are on a playoff bye. Flores is the fifth candidate to be interviewed, following interim coach Gregg Williams, former Colts and Lions coach Jim Caldwell, Vikings interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski and Saints assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell. Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will interview on Sunday, according to ESPNs Dan Graziano, and the Browns have also asked permission to talk to Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni. Their meeting with Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens will likely take place next week, and theyll also talk to former Packers coach Mike McCarthy next week, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Flores is one of the hottest candidates on the market, with the Bengals, Broncos, Browns and Packers all requesting permission to interview him. If the Browns hire him, theyd likely recommend that he keep Kitchens, whom theyve blocked from interviewing for other NFL coordinator positions. In an interview in December with ESPN.com, Flores described his coaching philosophy. I think leadership is about being honest, he said. Its about being transparent. Its about putting yourself in the shoes of others. Its about being tough on people, having high expectations, having a high standard and not letting off that standard. I think you can do that specifically with players you can be tough on them, expect a lot from them, but not be somebody they despise. Its important to connect to people. When you can do that, you can get more out of them. Thats part of my leadership style. Its a combination of building trust and building that connection so you can be tough and they know its out of love. If the Browns hire Flores to be their ninth full-time head coach, hed be the third Belichick disciple in that role since 1999, all from the defensive side of the ball. The first two were Patriots defensive coordinators Romeo Crennel from 2005-08 (24-40) and Eric Mangini in 2009-10 (10-22). Curiously, the Browns have not requested permission to interview Canton-area native Josh McDaniels, the Patriots' offensive coordinator and former Broncos head coach who was high on their list the last two searches. Of the nine Belichick assistants who have gone on to become head coaches, only three have winning records: Al Groh, 9-7 with the Jets in 2000; Bill OBrien, whos 42-38 in five seasons with the Texans, and Mike Vrabel, who went 9-7 with the Titans this season. But those whove worked with Flores rave about him. He never really lets his emotions get to him," Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler told masslive.com. "He collects himself. And he just calls it like it is. He focuses on getting the job done rather than any of the extra stuff. Why Dan Campbell should be a leading contender for the Browns' head coach job Like Belichick, Flores demands a lot from his players. You understand you might not be able to have a perfect game maybe ever, but that focus is one of the things he demands," defensive end Trey Flowers said. "From a players standpoint, its demanding that excellence and the play-calling. I love playing for Coach Flores," said former Browns and current Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty. With Flores calling the plays for the first time this year, the Patriots finished seventh in the NFL in points allowed and fifth in takeaways (28). In his seven seasons as a defensive position coach, the Patriots finished in the top 10 in fewest points, including No. 1 in 2016. A former linebacker for Boston College, Flores got his start when then-Patriots personnel executive Scott Pioli, now with the Falcons, brought him in as a scouting assistant in 2004. He moved over to the coaching side in 2008 as a special teams assistant, and spent the 2010 season helping out on offense. In 2011, he moved back to defense, and coached safeties from 2012-15. He coached linebackers from 2016-18, and assumed the play calling duties this year when defensive coordinator Matt Patricia took the Lions' head coach job. One of five sons of Honduran immigrants who moved to the United States in the 1970s, he grew up in the crime-ridden Brownsville housing projects of Brooklyn, New York. Whenever I feel like theres any semblance of complacency I think back to a time when I wasnt as fortunate as I am now, Flores told reporters in New England before this season. I try to be that same kid who had a fire burning in him to get out of that area to be a success, to make my parents proud, to make my family proud. I go right there because Im still trying to do that. Thats never going to change. A two-year starter at at Boston College, Flores earned his bachelors degree in English and a masters degree in administrative studies. Now, he plans to branch out from Belichick and become the fourth disciple to win in the NFL.	The Browns interviewed Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores on Saturday. Flores is one of the hottest candidates on the market, with the Bengals, Broncos, Browns and Packers all requesting permission to interview him. If the Browns hire Flores, he'd be their ninth full-time head coach since 1999.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/01/will-the-browns-opt-for-the-patriots-brian-flores-another-branch-of-the-bill-belichick-tree.html	0.234162
Is Stress Subjective?	originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by James Porter, Author of the book STOP STRESS THIS MINUTE and President of StressStop.com, on Quora: You could make a very good case for why stress is entirely subjective. Almost ALL stress is measured based on self-reporting. In other words, whether someone says an event is stressful or not. And obviously, thats entirely subjective. There are some very official sounding organizations that conduct surveys like the The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Harris Poll, that essentially codify this information making it sound very objective. So, for example, you can go on the APA website and look up statistics on what people find most stressful and youll see their annual Stress in America Survey. The APA has been tracking stress in the US for about ten years now and during that entire time job stress and financial stress have ranked 1 and 2 on the list. But this data is entirely based on peoples opinions of what they find to be most stressful. In her TED TALK, How to Make Stress Your Friend, Dr. Kelly McGonigal, a health psychology professor at Stanford, raised quite a stir when she quoted a study that said stress isn't harmful to your health: Only having the belief that stress is harmful is what makes it harmful. How the researchers that conducted this (retrospective) study arrived at that startling conclusion was a data crunching exercise in parsing out peoples opinions about stress from the 1990s and then looking up death records from then until now. So here you have a study - that runs contrary to pretty much everything that has ever been written about stress - that is based on a combination of peoples very subjective opinions about stress PLUS very objective lists of whether they died or not. Dr. McGonigal, who wrote a book entitled THE UPSIDE OF STRESS, built her whole thesis for the book around the idea that subjectivity is the very root cause of the problem we call stress. But there are some fairly objective ways we can measure stress as well. Biofeedback devices measure all kinds of internal states including: skin temperature, perspiration, heart rate and brainwave frequencies. You can show someone a scary scene from a film and monitor their heart rate or skin temperature, or perspiration and most peoples internal states will change in a predictable way that correlates with their stress. Cortisol levels are probably the most objective way to measure stress. Cortisol, which is a hormone released into the body during a stressful event, can be measured by taking saliva samples. But theres one small problem with this mostly reliable way to measure stress. Peoples cortisol levels vary throughout the day and the only way to get an approximation of where they should be, is to test them for several days prior to running the experiment. Sarah Damaske, a professor at Penn State, conducted just such a study. She wanted to find out if work was really more stressful than being at home as most people would surmise if asked. She checked her study participants cortisol levels for several days before conducting the experiment. After establishing a baseline, Dr. Damaske compared levels of cortisol for these subjects when they were home and at work. (Each subject took their own saliva samples at certain times during the day.) Across the board she found that peoples cortisol levels (for the most part) went down when they were at work and were elevated when they got home. So this last test tells us something very interesting. While most people would subjectively say that work was more stressful than home, in this OBJECTIVE measure of cortisol levels, home turned out to be more stressful than work. To answer your question. Id have to say, that for the most part (but not ALWAYS), stress is subjective. James Porter is CEO of StressStop and author of The Stress Profiler and Stop Stress This Minute. He also has presented seminars on stress management for The CIA, The FBI, Time Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield and The American Heart Association. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:	Almost ALL stress is measured based on self-reporting. Cortisol levels are probably the most objective way to measure stress.	bart	0	https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/05/is-stress-subjective/	0.142067
Is Stress Subjective?	originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by James Porter, Author of the book STOP STRESS THIS MINUTE and President of StressStop.com, on Quora: You could make a very good case for why stress is entirely subjective. Almost ALL stress is measured based on self-reporting. In other words, whether someone says an event is stressful or not. And obviously, thats entirely subjective. There are some very official sounding organizations that conduct surveys like the The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Harris Poll, that essentially codify this information making it sound very objective. So, for example, you can go on the APA website and look up statistics on what people find most stressful and youll see their annual Stress in America Survey. The APA has been tracking stress in the US for about ten years now and during that entire time job stress and financial stress have ranked 1 and 2 on the list. But this data is entirely based on peoples opinions of what they find to be most stressful. In her TED TALK, How to Make Stress Your Friend, Dr. Kelly McGonigal, a health psychology professor at Stanford, raised quite a stir when she quoted a study that said stress isn't harmful to your health: Only having the belief that stress is harmful is what makes it harmful. How the researchers that conducted this (retrospective) study arrived at that startling conclusion was a data crunching exercise in parsing out peoples opinions about stress from the 1990s and then looking up death records from then until now. So here you have a study - that runs contrary to pretty much everything that has ever been written about stress - that is based on a combination of peoples very subjective opinions about stress PLUS very objective lists of whether they died or not. Dr. McGonigal, who wrote a book entitled THE UPSIDE OF STRESS, built her whole thesis for the book around the idea that subjectivity is the very root cause of the problem we call stress. But there are some fairly objective ways we can measure stress as well. Biofeedback devices measure all kinds of internal states including: skin temperature, perspiration, heart rate and brainwave frequencies. You can show someone a scary scene from a film and monitor their heart rate or skin temperature, or perspiration and most peoples internal states will change in a predictable way that correlates with their stress. Cortisol levels are probably the most objective way to measure stress. Cortisol, which is a hormone released into the body during a stressful event, can be measured by taking saliva samples. But theres one small problem with this mostly reliable way to measure stress. Peoples cortisol levels vary throughout the day and the only way to get an approximation of where they should be, is to test them for several days prior to running the experiment. Sarah Damaske, a professor at Penn State, conducted just such a study. She wanted to find out if work was really more stressful than being at home as most people would surmise if asked. She checked her study participants cortisol levels for several days before conducting the experiment. After establishing a baseline, Dr. Damaske compared levels of cortisol for these subjects when they were home and at work. (Each subject took their own saliva samples at certain times during the day.) Across the board she found that peoples cortisol levels (for the most part) went down when they were at work and were elevated when they got home. So this last test tells us something very interesting. While most people would subjectively say that work was more stressful than home, in this OBJECTIVE measure of cortisol levels, home turned out to be more stressful than work. To answer your question. Id have to say, that for the most part (but not ALWAYS), stress is subjective. James Porter is CEO of StressStop and author of The Stress Profiler and Stop Stress This Minute. He also has presented seminars on stress management for The CIA, The FBI, Time Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield and The American Heart Association. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:	Almost ALL stress is measured based on self-reporting. Cortisol levels are probably the most objective way to measure stress. Biofeedback devices measure skin temperature, perspiration, heart rate and brainwave frequencies.	bart	1	https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/05/is-stress-subjective/	0.188341
Is Stress Subjective?	originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. Answer by James Porter, Author of the book STOP STRESS THIS MINUTE and President of StressStop.com, on Quora: You could make a very good case for why stress is entirely subjective. Almost ALL stress is measured based on self-reporting. In other words, whether someone says an event is stressful or not. And obviously, thats entirely subjective. There are some very official sounding organizations that conduct surveys like the The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Harris Poll, that essentially codify this information making it sound very objective. So, for example, you can go on the APA website and look up statistics on what people find most stressful and youll see their annual Stress in America Survey. The APA has been tracking stress in the US for about ten years now and during that entire time job stress and financial stress have ranked 1 and 2 on the list. But this data is entirely based on peoples opinions of what they find to be most stressful. In her TED TALK, How to Make Stress Your Friend, Dr. Kelly McGonigal, a health psychology professor at Stanford, raised quite a stir when she quoted a study that said stress isn't harmful to your health: Only having the belief that stress is harmful is what makes it harmful. How the researchers that conducted this (retrospective) study arrived at that startling conclusion was a data crunching exercise in parsing out peoples opinions about stress from the 1990s and then looking up death records from then until now. So here you have a study - that runs contrary to pretty much everything that has ever been written about stress - that is based on a combination of peoples very subjective opinions about stress PLUS very objective lists of whether they died or not. Dr. McGonigal, who wrote a book entitled THE UPSIDE OF STRESS, built her whole thesis for the book around the idea that subjectivity is the very root cause of the problem we call stress. But there are some fairly objective ways we can measure stress as well. Biofeedback devices measure all kinds of internal states including: skin temperature, perspiration, heart rate and brainwave frequencies. You can show someone a scary scene from a film and monitor their heart rate or skin temperature, or perspiration and most peoples internal states will change in a predictable way that correlates with their stress. Cortisol levels are probably the most objective way to measure stress. Cortisol, which is a hormone released into the body during a stressful event, can be measured by taking saliva samples. But theres one small problem with this mostly reliable way to measure stress. Peoples cortisol levels vary throughout the day and the only way to get an approximation of where they should be, is to test them for several days prior to running the experiment. Sarah Damaske, a professor at Penn State, conducted just such a study. She wanted to find out if work was really more stressful than being at home as most people would surmise if asked. She checked her study participants cortisol levels for several days before conducting the experiment. After establishing a baseline, Dr. Damaske compared levels of cortisol for these subjects when they were home and at work. (Each subject took their own saliva samples at certain times during the day.) Across the board she found that peoples cortisol levels (for the most part) went down when they were at work and were elevated when they got home. So this last test tells us something very interesting. While most people would subjectively say that work was more stressful than home, in this OBJECTIVE measure of cortisol levels, home turned out to be more stressful than work. To answer your question. Id have to say, that for the most part (but not ALWAYS), stress is subjective. James Porter is CEO of StressStop and author of The Stress Profiler and Stop Stress This Minute. He also has presented seminars on stress management for The CIA, The FBI, Time Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield and The American Heart Association. This question originally appeared on Quora - the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:	Almost ALL stress is measured based on self-reporting. Cortisol levels are probably the most objective way to measure stress. Biofeedback devices measure all kinds of internal states including: skin temperature, perspiration, heart rate and brainwave frequencies. Only having the belief that stress is harmful is what makes it harmful.	bart	2	https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/01/05/is-stress-subjective/	0.213946
Is the Obama Campaign Trying to Keep Joe Biden Under Wraps?	Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Average Joe Time Magazine writes that one of the few things that could derail the Barack Obama campaign is his running mate, so it says the campaign is "hidin' Biden." Karen Tumulty compares traveling with Joe Biden to "reporting on a politician packaged in shrink-wrap" and that he is "leashed to a teleprompter even when he is talking in a high school gym that is three-quarters empty." Tumulty says the campaign is so cautious that when she requested an interview, a spokesman said Biden was suffering from a cold that made interviews difficult. Tumulty added, "I didn't glean evidence of any symptoms during the four speeches that I watched him give over two days." An al Qaeda leader is making his feelings known ahead of Tuesday's general election here. While he did not endorse either party, Abu Yahya al Libi, says in a video posted on the Internet, "O God, humiliate Bush and his party, O Lord of the worlds, degrade and defy him." Al Libi is said to be living in Afghanistan or Pakistan. He also equates President Bush to past tyrants in history. His reference to the election is the first this season from a leading al Qaeda figure. Plumbing the Depths Background checks using state computers on Samuel Wurzelbacher better known as "Joe the plumber" by state employees in Ohio are more extensive than previously thought. The Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency is investigating an employee who allegedly accessed Wurzelbacher's driver's license and vehicle registration information. The Columbus Dispatch reports the director of Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services says her agency also accessed Wurzelbacher's information to see if he was receiving welfare assistance or owed taxes. Helen Jones-Kelley says, "When a person behind in child support payments or receiving public assistance... appears to have available financial resources, the department risks justifiable criticism if it fails to take note and respond." But Wurzelbacher says he is not involved in any child support case, and there is no evidence that he owes taxes. Jones-Kelly called the checks "well-meaning" and insisted there is no connection between them and her support for Senator Obama. The Ohio inspector general is investigating. The McCain campaign's Connecticut co-chairman has serious doubts about his own candidate. Republican Congressman Chris Shays tells the Yale Daily News, "I just don't see how he McCain can win... he has lost his brand as a maverick he did not live up to his pledge to fight a clean campaign." And Shays says the mudslinging goes both ways. "Obama has four-times the amount of money McCain has, so for every negative ad he runs he can balance it with an upbeat one. McCain ... has been nearly 100 percent negative." FOX News Channel's Zachary Kenworthy contributed to this report.	Time Magazine says the Obama campaign is "hidin' Biden" An al Qaeda leader is making his feelings known ahead of Tuesday's general election.	ctrlsum	0	https://www.foxnews.com/story/is-the-obama-campaign-trying-to-keep-joe-biden-under-wraps	0.108629
Is the Obama Campaign Trying to Keep Joe Biden Under Wraps?	Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Average Joe Time Magazine writes that one of the few things that could derail the Barack Obama campaign is his running mate, so it says the campaign is "hidin' Biden." Karen Tumulty compares traveling with Joe Biden to "reporting on a politician packaged in shrink-wrap" and that he is "leashed to a teleprompter even when he is talking in a high school gym that is three-quarters empty." Tumulty says the campaign is so cautious that when she requested an interview, a spokesman said Biden was suffering from a cold that made interviews difficult. Tumulty added, "I didn't glean evidence of any symptoms during the four speeches that I watched him give over two days." An al Qaeda leader is making his feelings known ahead of Tuesday's general election here. While he did not endorse either party, Abu Yahya al Libi, says in a video posted on the Internet, "O God, humiliate Bush and his party, O Lord of the worlds, degrade and defy him." Al Libi is said to be living in Afghanistan or Pakistan. He also equates President Bush to past tyrants in history. His reference to the election is the first this season from a leading al Qaeda figure. Plumbing the Depths Background checks using state computers on Samuel Wurzelbacher better known as "Joe the plumber" by state employees in Ohio are more extensive than previously thought. The Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency is investigating an employee who allegedly accessed Wurzelbacher's driver's license and vehicle registration information. The Columbus Dispatch reports the director of Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services says her agency also accessed Wurzelbacher's information to see if he was receiving welfare assistance or owed taxes. Helen Jones-Kelley says, "When a person behind in child support payments or receiving public assistance... appears to have available financial resources, the department risks justifiable criticism if it fails to take note and respond." But Wurzelbacher says he is not involved in any child support case, and there is no evidence that he owes taxes. Jones-Kelly called the checks "well-meaning" and insisted there is no connection between them and her support for Senator Obama. The Ohio inspector general is investigating. The McCain campaign's Connecticut co-chairman has serious doubts about his own candidate. Republican Congressman Chris Shays tells the Yale Daily News, "I just don't see how he McCain can win... he has lost his brand as a maverick he did not live up to his pledge to fight a clean campaign." And Shays says the mudslinging goes both ways. "Obama has four-times the amount of money McCain has, so for every negative ad he runs he can balance it with an upbeat one. McCain ... has been nearly 100 percent negative." FOX News Channel's Zachary Kenworthy contributed to this report.	Time Magazine says the Obama campaign is "hidin' Biden" Background checks using state computers on Samuel Wurzelbacher are more extensive than previously thought. The McCain campaign's Connecticut co-chairman has serious doubts about his own candidate.	bart	1	https://www.foxnews.com/story/is-the-obama-campaign-trying-to-keep-joe-biden-under-wraps	0.14998
Is the Obama Campaign Trying to Keep Joe Biden Under Wraps?	Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Average Joe Time Magazine writes that one of the few things that could derail the Barack Obama campaign is his running mate, so it says the campaign is "hidin' Biden." Karen Tumulty compares traveling with Joe Biden to "reporting on a politician packaged in shrink-wrap" and that he is "leashed to a teleprompter even when he is talking in a high school gym that is three-quarters empty." Tumulty says the campaign is so cautious that when she requested an interview, a spokesman said Biden was suffering from a cold that made interviews difficult. Tumulty added, "I didn't glean evidence of any symptoms during the four speeches that I watched him give over two days." An al Qaeda leader is making his feelings known ahead of Tuesday's general election here. While he did not endorse either party, Abu Yahya al Libi, says in a video posted on the Internet, "O God, humiliate Bush and his party, O Lord of the worlds, degrade and defy him." Al Libi is said to be living in Afghanistan or Pakistan. He also equates President Bush to past tyrants in history. His reference to the election is the first this season from a leading al Qaeda figure. Plumbing the Depths Background checks using state computers on Samuel Wurzelbacher better known as "Joe the plumber" by state employees in Ohio are more extensive than previously thought. The Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency is investigating an employee who allegedly accessed Wurzelbacher's driver's license and vehicle registration information. The Columbus Dispatch reports the director of Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services says her agency also accessed Wurzelbacher's information to see if he was receiving welfare assistance or owed taxes. Helen Jones-Kelley says, "When a person behind in child support payments or receiving public assistance... appears to have available financial resources, the department risks justifiable criticism if it fails to take note and respond." But Wurzelbacher says he is not involved in any child support case, and there is no evidence that he owes taxes. Jones-Kelly called the checks "well-meaning" and insisted there is no connection between them and her support for Senator Obama. The Ohio inspector general is investigating. The McCain campaign's Connecticut co-chairman has serious doubts about his own candidate. Republican Congressman Chris Shays tells the Yale Daily News, "I just don't see how he McCain can win... he has lost his brand as a maverick he did not live up to his pledge to fight a clean campaign." And Shays says the mudslinging goes both ways. "Obama has four-times the amount of money McCain has, so for every negative ad he runs he can balance it with an upbeat one. McCain ... has been nearly 100 percent negative." FOX News Channel's Zachary Kenworthy contributed to this report.	Time Magazine says the Obama campaign is "hidin' Biden" Background checks using state computers on Samuel Wurzelbacher are more extensive than previously thought. The McCain campaign's Connecticut co-chairman has serious doubts about his own candidate. Republican Congressman Chris Shays says the mudslinging goes both ways.	bart	2	https://www.foxnews.com/story/is-the-obama-campaign-trying-to-keep-joe-biden-under-wraps	0.156966
How Green Is Bamboo-Based Clothing?	Bamboo is no longer just a delicacy for pandas or a collectible for sinophiles. The environmental movement is embracing bamboo it's actually a type of gigantic grass with hollow, jointed, woody stems as a raw material source for organic clothing. A number of manufacturers and retailers Sprout Kids Clothing, New Balance, Sameunderneath and Lela Designs, among others are offering underwear, T-shirts and other clothing made primarily of bamboo, targeting green-conscious consumers and advertising the products as all natural. Established clothing purveyors such as JC Penney and H&M are also joining the movement, touting their eco-friendly offerings. The market for organic clothing is expected to be worth at least $3 billion by the end of this year, according to research by Berkeley, Calif.-based Organic Exchange, an organic-cotton promotion group. "Companies around the world are looking at their product lines using organic fibers to step more lightly on the planet," says executive director LaRhea Pepper, who runs an organic-cotton farm in Texas with her husband and father. One might reasonably imagine bamboo-based clothing to be scratchy and uncomfortable, the modern-day version of a hair shirt, something one might don when making penance in a medieval monastery. Fabric made from bamboo has a silky texture, environmentalists say. According to the National Geographic Green Guide, bamboo is an "a priori" eco-friendly material because it's naturally pest-resistant, requires little water, is amazingly regenerative and known to grow a foot a day. Bamboo also has a much lighter environmental impact than pesticide-laden conventional cotton and petroleum-derived nylon and polyester synthetics. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conventional cotton consumes more water than any other agricultural commodity. Nitrogen-heavy fertilizer runoff from cotton fields feeds oceanic "dead zones" that deprive water of oxygen and kill fish. Seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops are deemed by the EPA to be potential or known human carcinogens. Industrial production of synthetic fibers releases lung-damaging pollutants such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides, particulates, carbon monoxide and heavy metals into the air. Manufacturing of most fabrics also releases climate-warming carbon dioxide into the air. Not so with bamboo. The president and founder of Santa Monica, Calif.-based Sprout Kids Clothing not to be confused with the online retailer Sprout Kids describes the bamboo clothing as "comfortable" as well as eco-friendly. "I wanted to create children's' clothing that was sustainable, but without sacrificing quality, or putting kids in burlap bags," says Maegan Harvey. "When I discovered bamboo that was it." The fabric used by Sprout Kids Clothing is made of 70 percent bamboo and 30 percent organic cotton, which is made without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. There's no polyester in the mix. Additionally, bamboo contains a natural element called "bamboo kun" which serves as a natural antibiotic, protecting the wearer from nasty germs as well as body odor, which is caused by bacteria living in our armpits. The clothing makers use non-industrial chemicals to dye the products, such as "low-impact, or vegetable dyes," says Daisy Hu, a spokeswoman for Under the Canopy, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based organic clothing developer. Other designers and retailers tout additional environmental benefits for their clothing. "I work with a wonderful eco-friendly women's line, Oxygen Required, and their line is made of bamboo, cotton," says Heather Wilbeck, a spokeswoman for the New York firm, whose lead designer is Vivian Fang. "The collection is breathable, biodegradable, anti-bacterial and eco-friendly." Both bamboo and organic cotton are big selling points for green consumers, says Jennifer Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver, B.C. environmentally-friendly clothing maker Lela Designs. Manufacturers of bamboo-based clothing are also trying to expand the infrastructure of organic farming around the globe and are working with suppliers in China, India, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Britain and the U.S. Bamboo may be the most popular "eco-friendly" material now, but others are emerging. Much of Boston-based athletic shoemaker New Balance's apparel collection utilizes charcoal derived from coconut shells, which is said to provide better evaporation and odor resistance, as well as protection from UV rays, says spokeswoman Kaitlin Kerns. The company also offers bamboo-based running jackets and T-shirts. Some worry, however, that all of this green talk is just that chatter. The clothes that are being offered may well be organic, but there are concerns that the packaging that contains the clothes is made out of cardboard or materials whose use offsets the green-friendliness of the clothing. "I love organic socks and bought quite a few sets online," says Michal Ann Strahilevitz, a marketing professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. "When they arrived, I saw that every single pair had a relatively substantial-sized cardboard tag pinned to the socks, discussing the organic nature of the socks. "Why did they have to waste paper with those silly, huge tags?" she adds. "Any positive impact on the earth that came from wearing the cotton was probably more than cancelled out by all those silly, thick information tags that they attached to each pair." Given such criticisms, are the bamboo-based and organic clothes really "green?" We think so. The bamboo fiber serves as a natural antibiotic, and is biodegradable and comfortable. The fabric is silky smooth. And since it naturally "wicks" perspiration, it doesn't have to be washed as frequently as clothes made from polyester. Overall, bamboo clothing is definitely sustainable it's doing something better, rather than doing something less bad.	Bamboo is being used as a raw material for organic clothing. Environmentalists say bamboo has a lighter environmental impact than conventional cotton.	ctrlsum	0	https://www.foxnews.com/story/how-green-is-bamboo-based-clothing	0.118376
How Green Is Bamboo-Based Clothing?	Bamboo is no longer just a delicacy for pandas or a collectible for sinophiles. The environmental movement is embracing bamboo it's actually a type of gigantic grass with hollow, jointed, woody stems as a raw material source for organic clothing. A number of manufacturers and retailers Sprout Kids Clothing, New Balance, Sameunderneath and Lela Designs, among others are offering underwear, T-shirts and other clothing made primarily of bamboo, targeting green-conscious consumers and advertising the products as all natural. Established clothing purveyors such as JC Penney and H&M are also joining the movement, touting their eco-friendly offerings. The market for organic clothing is expected to be worth at least $3 billion by the end of this year, according to research by Berkeley, Calif.-based Organic Exchange, an organic-cotton promotion group. "Companies around the world are looking at their product lines using organic fibers to step more lightly on the planet," says executive director LaRhea Pepper, who runs an organic-cotton farm in Texas with her husband and father. One might reasonably imagine bamboo-based clothing to be scratchy and uncomfortable, the modern-day version of a hair shirt, something one might don when making penance in a medieval monastery. Fabric made from bamboo has a silky texture, environmentalists say. According to the National Geographic Green Guide, bamboo is an "a priori" eco-friendly material because it's naturally pest-resistant, requires little water, is amazingly regenerative and known to grow a foot a day. Bamboo also has a much lighter environmental impact than pesticide-laden conventional cotton and petroleum-derived nylon and polyester synthetics. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conventional cotton consumes more water than any other agricultural commodity. Nitrogen-heavy fertilizer runoff from cotton fields feeds oceanic "dead zones" that deprive water of oxygen and kill fish. Seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops are deemed by the EPA to be potential or known human carcinogens. Industrial production of synthetic fibers releases lung-damaging pollutants such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides, particulates, carbon monoxide and heavy metals into the air. Manufacturing of most fabrics also releases climate-warming carbon dioxide into the air. Not so with bamboo. The president and founder of Santa Monica, Calif.-based Sprout Kids Clothing not to be confused with the online retailer Sprout Kids describes the bamboo clothing as "comfortable" as well as eco-friendly. "I wanted to create children's' clothing that was sustainable, but without sacrificing quality, or putting kids in burlap bags," says Maegan Harvey. "When I discovered bamboo that was it." The fabric used by Sprout Kids Clothing is made of 70 percent bamboo and 30 percent organic cotton, which is made without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. There's no polyester in the mix. Additionally, bamboo contains a natural element called "bamboo kun" which serves as a natural antibiotic, protecting the wearer from nasty germs as well as body odor, which is caused by bacteria living in our armpits. The clothing makers use non-industrial chemicals to dye the products, such as "low-impact, or vegetable dyes," says Daisy Hu, a spokeswoman for Under the Canopy, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based organic clothing developer. Other designers and retailers tout additional environmental benefits for their clothing. "I work with a wonderful eco-friendly women's line, Oxygen Required, and their line is made of bamboo, cotton," says Heather Wilbeck, a spokeswoman for the New York firm, whose lead designer is Vivian Fang. "The collection is breathable, biodegradable, anti-bacterial and eco-friendly." Both bamboo and organic cotton are big selling points for green consumers, says Jennifer Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver, B.C. environmentally-friendly clothing maker Lela Designs. Manufacturers of bamboo-based clothing are also trying to expand the infrastructure of organic farming around the globe and are working with suppliers in China, India, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Britain and the U.S. Bamboo may be the most popular "eco-friendly" material now, but others are emerging. Much of Boston-based athletic shoemaker New Balance's apparel collection utilizes charcoal derived from coconut shells, which is said to provide better evaporation and odor resistance, as well as protection from UV rays, says spokeswoman Kaitlin Kerns. The company also offers bamboo-based running jackets and T-shirts. Some worry, however, that all of this green talk is just that chatter. The clothes that are being offered may well be organic, but there are concerns that the packaging that contains the clothes is made out of cardboard or materials whose use offsets the green-friendliness of the clothing. "I love organic socks and bought quite a few sets online," says Michal Ann Strahilevitz, a marketing professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. "When they arrived, I saw that every single pair had a relatively substantial-sized cardboard tag pinned to the socks, discussing the organic nature of the socks. "Why did they have to waste paper with those silly, huge tags?" she adds. "Any positive impact on the earth that came from wearing the cotton was probably more than cancelled out by all those silly, thick information tags that they attached to each pair." Given such criticisms, are the bamboo-based and organic clothes really "green?" We think so. The bamboo fiber serves as a natural antibiotic, and is biodegradable and comfortable. The fabric is silky smooth. And since it naturally "wicks" perspiration, it doesn't have to be washed as frequently as clothes made from polyester. Overall, bamboo clothing is definitely sustainable it's doing something better, rather than doing something less bad.	Bamboo is being used as a raw material for organic clothing. Bamboo has a silky texture and is regenerative, according to the National Geographic Green Guide. Manufacturers and retailers are touting bamboo as an eco-friendly material.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.foxnews.com/story/how-green-is-bamboo-based-clothing	0.197229
How Green Is Bamboo-Based Clothing?	Bamboo is no longer just a delicacy for pandas or a collectible for sinophiles. The environmental movement is embracing bamboo it's actually a type of gigantic grass with hollow, jointed, woody stems as a raw material source for organic clothing. A number of manufacturers and retailers Sprout Kids Clothing, New Balance, Sameunderneath and Lela Designs, among others are offering underwear, T-shirts and other clothing made primarily of bamboo, targeting green-conscious consumers and advertising the products as all natural. Established clothing purveyors such as JC Penney and H&M are also joining the movement, touting their eco-friendly offerings. The market for organic clothing is expected to be worth at least $3 billion by the end of this year, according to research by Berkeley, Calif.-based Organic Exchange, an organic-cotton promotion group. "Companies around the world are looking at their product lines using organic fibers to step more lightly on the planet," says executive director LaRhea Pepper, who runs an organic-cotton farm in Texas with her husband and father. One might reasonably imagine bamboo-based clothing to be scratchy and uncomfortable, the modern-day version of a hair shirt, something one might don when making penance in a medieval monastery. Fabric made from bamboo has a silky texture, environmentalists say. According to the National Geographic Green Guide, bamboo is an "a priori" eco-friendly material because it's naturally pest-resistant, requires little water, is amazingly regenerative and known to grow a foot a day. Bamboo also has a much lighter environmental impact than pesticide-laden conventional cotton and petroleum-derived nylon and polyester synthetics. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), conventional cotton consumes more water than any other agricultural commodity. Nitrogen-heavy fertilizer runoff from cotton fields feeds oceanic "dead zones" that deprive water of oxygen and kill fish. Seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops are deemed by the EPA to be potential or known human carcinogens. Industrial production of synthetic fibers releases lung-damaging pollutants such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides, particulates, carbon monoxide and heavy metals into the air. Manufacturing of most fabrics also releases climate-warming carbon dioxide into the air. Not so with bamboo. The president and founder of Santa Monica, Calif.-based Sprout Kids Clothing not to be confused with the online retailer Sprout Kids describes the bamboo clothing as "comfortable" as well as eco-friendly. "I wanted to create children's' clothing that was sustainable, but without sacrificing quality, or putting kids in burlap bags," says Maegan Harvey. "When I discovered bamboo that was it." The fabric used by Sprout Kids Clothing is made of 70 percent bamboo and 30 percent organic cotton, which is made without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. There's no polyester in the mix. Additionally, bamboo contains a natural element called "bamboo kun" which serves as a natural antibiotic, protecting the wearer from nasty germs as well as body odor, which is caused by bacteria living in our armpits. The clothing makers use non-industrial chemicals to dye the products, such as "low-impact, or vegetable dyes," says Daisy Hu, a spokeswoman for Under the Canopy, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based organic clothing developer. Other designers and retailers tout additional environmental benefits for their clothing. "I work with a wonderful eco-friendly women's line, Oxygen Required, and their line is made of bamboo, cotton," says Heather Wilbeck, a spokeswoman for the New York firm, whose lead designer is Vivian Fang. "The collection is breathable, biodegradable, anti-bacterial and eco-friendly." Both bamboo and organic cotton are big selling points for green consumers, says Jennifer Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver, B.C. environmentally-friendly clothing maker Lela Designs. Manufacturers of bamboo-based clothing are also trying to expand the infrastructure of organic farming around the globe and are working with suppliers in China, India, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Britain and the U.S. Bamboo may be the most popular "eco-friendly" material now, but others are emerging. Much of Boston-based athletic shoemaker New Balance's apparel collection utilizes charcoal derived from coconut shells, which is said to provide better evaporation and odor resistance, as well as protection from UV rays, says spokeswoman Kaitlin Kerns. The company also offers bamboo-based running jackets and T-shirts. Some worry, however, that all of this green talk is just that chatter. The clothes that are being offered may well be organic, but there are concerns that the packaging that contains the clothes is made out of cardboard or materials whose use offsets the green-friendliness of the clothing. "I love organic socks and bought quite a few sets online," says Michal Ann Strahilevitz, a marketing professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. "When they arrived, I saw that every single pair had a relatively substantial-sized cardboard tag pinned to the socks, discussing the organic nature of the socks. "Why did they have to waste paper with those silly, huge tags?" she adds. "Any positive impact on the earth that came from wearing the cotton was probably more than cancelled out by all those silly, thick information tags that they attached to each pair." Given such criticisms, are the bamboo-based and organic clothes really "green?" We think so. The bamboo fiber serves as a natural antibiotic, and is biodegradable and comfortable. The fabric is silky smooth. And since it naturally "wicks" perspiration, it doesn't have to be washed as frequently as clothes made from polyester. Overall, bamboo clothing is definitely sustainable it's doing something better, rather than doing something less bad.	Bamboo is being used as a raw material for organic clothing. Bamboo has a silky texture and is regenerative, according to the National Geographic Green Guide. Manufacturers and retailers are touting bamboo-based clothing as eco-friendly. The market for organic clothes is expected to be worth at least $3 billion by the end of this year.	ctrlsum	2	https://www.foxnews.com/story/how-green-is-bamboo-based-clothing	0.323674
How does Donald Trump stack up to master legislator Nancy Pelosi?	The president and the House speaker are at political odds, but they may have a thing or two in common Born Donald John Trump in New York, 14 June 1946, the son of Fred Trump, a property developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. Nancy Patricia DAlesandro in Baltimore, Maryland, 26 March 1940, the daughter of Thomas DAlesandro Jr, a US congressman and Baltimore mayor, and Anunciata DAlesandro. Proud children Donald Trump Jr is a cheerleader for the president on the campaign trail and could be in hot water over alleged collusion with Russia. Alexandra Pelosi is a documentary film-maker who said of her mother this week: Shell cut your head off and you wont even know youre bleeding. 'Remarkable': the two photos revealing the divide in Washington Read more Claim to political fame Trump: First person without political or military experience to be elected US president. Pelosi: First woman to become speaker of the US House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, re-elected in 2019. Claim to infamy Trump: Rich man hated by Democrats (Were going to impeach the motherfucker, said newly elected congresswoman Rashida Tlaib). Pelosi: Rich woman hated by Republicans (Republican David Brat mentioned Pelosi and her liberal agenda 21 times at a debate). Blowing your own trumpet Trump: I would give myself an A+, is that enough? Pelosi: I am a master legislator. I just love it. Daily schedule Trump: Reportedly wakes at 5.30am and watches news in the White House master bedroom, then stays up beyond midnight. Pelosi: Reportedly wakes at 5.30am and works late into the night. Political acumen Trump responds to flattery from cabinet members and dictators and has no other discernible tactics or strategy. Pelosi played a blinder to quell a party rebellion more than 60 Democratic candidates campaigned on a pledge to oppose her speakership bid and ensure that she would reclaim the gavel. Oratory skills Trump: Incoherent, rambling, self-contradictory, zig-zagging, nonsensical. Pelosis speaking style is less tangential than cubist, full of unexpected angles, says the New York Times Magazine. At times, she seems to be carrying on three or four different conversations at once. Gaffes Trump: All the time, every day. Pelosi: Not quite so often, although her remark about Obamacare We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of controversy was described by the New York Times Magazine as the most memorable gaffe of her political career. Where they stood on the 2003 Iraq war Trump was for it and then against it. Pelosi, then in Congress, spoke out against it. Where they stood on Obamacare Trump admitted in February 2017: Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated. Pelosi did know, having worked Congress with Lyndon B Johnson-like craft to get the Affordable Care Act passed. Where they stand on the media Trump: The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People. Pelosi: I think the press loves him [Trump] Mussolini, he didnt care what they said about him, as long as they were talking about him. Where they stand on impeachment Trump: You cant impeach a great president but lets talk about it and rally my base. Pelosi: Im secretly all for it but lets not talk about it so we dont rally his base. Romantic life Thrice married Trump was caught on video explaining his approaching to wooing: When youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything Grab em by the pussy. Pelosi married financier Paul Pelosi and moved to New York, then San Francisco, where they had five children in six years. Religion Trump is a self-described Presbyterian who enjoys the backing of conservative evangelicals. Pelosi, of Italian descent, is a devout Catholic. Fashion taste Trump favours a red tie, usually worn too long. Last month Pelosi walked out of the White House in a bright red coat and put on sunglasses to address reporters. Food taste Trump: Cheeseburgers. Pelosi: Chocolate. (I dont know what it is. But some call it dedication, some call it an addiction, others call it an affliction. I knew I loved my husband when I said I would give up chocolate for him. But I also knew he loved me because hed never ask me to do such a thing.) Most likely to watch Trump: Fox News. Pelosi: MSNBC. Twitter followers Trump: 56.9m. Pelosi: 1.85m	Trump: Incoherent, rambling, self-contradictory, zig-zagging, nonsensical. Pelosi: First woman to become speaker of the US House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, re-elected in 2019.	ctrlsum	1	https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/06/trump-pelosi-comparison-political-background	0.110558
How does Donald Trump stack up to master legislator Nancy Pelosi?	The president and the House speaker are at political odds, but they may have a thing or two in common Born Donald John Trump in New York, 14 June 1946, the son of Fred Trump, a property developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. Nancy Patricia DAlesandro in Baltimore, Maryland, 26 March 1940, the daughter of Thomas DAlesandro Jr, a US congressman and Baltimore mayor, and Anunciata DAlesandro. Proud children Donald Trump Jr is a cheerleader for the president on the campaign trail and could be in hot water over alleged collusion with Russia. Alexandra Pelosi is a documentary film-maker who said of her mother this week: Shell cut your head off and you wont even know youre bleeding. 'Remarkable': the two photos revealing the divide in Washington Read more Claim to political fame Trump: First person without political or military experience to be elected US president. Pelosi: First woman to become speaker of the US House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, re-elected in 2019. Claim to infamy Trump: Rich man hated by Democrats (Were going to impeach the motherfucker, said newly elected congresswoman Rashida Tlaib). Pelosi: Rich woman hated by Republicans (Republican David Brat mentioned Pelosi and her liberal agenda 21 times at a debate). Blowing your own trumpet Trump: I would give myself an A+, is that enough? Pelosi: I am a master legislator. I just love it. Daily schedule Trump: Reportedly wakes at 5.30am and watches news in the White House master bedroom, then stays up beyond midnight. Pelosi: Reportedly wakes at 5.30am and works late into the night. Political acumen Trump responds to flattery from cabinet members and dictators and has no other discernible tactics or strategy. Pelosi played a blinder to quell a party rebellion more than 60 Democratic candidates campaigned on a pledge to oppose her speakership bid and ensure that she would reclaim the gavel. Oratory skills Trump: Incoherent, rambling, self-contradictory, zig-zagging, nonsensical. Pelosis speaking style is less tangential than cubist, full of unexpected angles, says the New York Times Magazine. At times, she seems to be carrying on three or four different conversations at once. Gaffes Trump: All the time, every day. Pelosi: Not quite so often, although her remark about Obamacare We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of controversy was described by the New York Times Magazine as the most memorable gaffe of her political career. Where they stood on the 2003 Iraq war Trump was for it and then against it. Pelosi, then in Congress, spoke out against it. Where they stood on Obamacare Trump admitted in February 2017: Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated. Pelosi did know, having worked Congress with Lyndon B Johnson-like craft to get the Affordable Care Act passed. Where they stand on the media Trump: The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People. Pelosi: I think the press loves him [Trump] Mussolini, he didnt care what they said about him, as long as they were talking about him. Where they stand on impeachment Trump: You cant impeach a great president but lets talk about it and rally my base. Pelosi: Im secretly all for it but lets not talk about it so we dont rally his base. Romantic life Thrice married Trump was caught on video explaining his approaching to wooing: When youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything Grab em by the pussy. Pelosi married financier Paul Pelosi and moved to New York, then San Francisco, where they had five children in six years. Religion Trump is a self-described Presbyterian who enjoys the backing of conservative evangelicals. Pelosi, of Italian descent, is a devout Catholic. Fashion taste Trump favours a red tie, usually worn too long. Last month Pelosi walked out of the White House in a bright red coat and put on sunglasses to address reporters. Food taste Trump: Cheeseburgers. Pelosi: Chocolate. (I dont know what it is. But some call it dedication, some call it an addiction, others call it an affliction. I knew I loved my husband when I said I would give up chocolate for him. But I also knew he loved me because hed never ask me to do such a thing.) Most likely to watch Trump: Fox News. Pelosi: MSNBC. Twitter followers Trump: 56.9m. Pelosi: 1.85m	Pelosi was speaker of the US House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. Trump was first person without political or military experience to be elected US president. Pelosi worked Congress with Lyndon B Johnson-like craft to get the Affordable Care Act passed. Trump responds to flattery from cabinet members and dictators and has no other discernible tactics or strategy.	bart	2	https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/06/trump-pelosi-comparison-political-background	0.132837
Could Craig Kimbrel's return to Red Sox be "a foregone conclusion"?	originally appeared on nbcsportsboston.com He may not get that six-year deal his agent said he was initially looking for, but Craig Kimbrel is likely headed back to the Red Sox after finding a surprisingly tepid free agent market for a 30-year-old closer who's 14th on the all-time saves list with 333. Scroll to continue with content Ad That's the conclusion of veteran baseball writer Richard Justice of MLB.com. In his rundown of potential landing spots for the seven remaining high-profile, free-agent relievers, Justice writes of Kimbrel: He might not get the six-year deal the Red Sox have resisted giving the 30-year-old right-hander. But he could still match the largest contract ever given a closer, that being the five-year, $86 million deal Aroldis Chapman got from the Yankees two offseasons ago. With the loss of Kelly and the lack of a proven closer being the only real question for the defending champions, Kimbrel's destination seems a foregone conclusion. Joe Kelly signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving the Sox closer options dwindling, though Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and Alex Cora have expressed faith in setup men Ryan Brasier and Matt Barnes to close. Dombrowski also stated publicly at the winter meetings that the team wasn't planning on "big expenditures on an elite closer." Still, if Kimbrel's price comes down and a veteran closer is preferred, a Kimbrel reunion could make sense, as NBC Sports Boston Red Sox Insider Evan Drellich reported earlier this winter. Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device. NBC SPORTS BOSTON SCHEDULE	Craig Kimbrel is likely headed back to the Red Sox after finding a surprisingly tepid free agent market.	ctrlsum	0	https://sports.yahoo.com/could-craig-kimbrels-return-red-222753053.html?src=rss	0.189464

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