Facebook Advertisement Stephen Waddell Twitter LEAVE A REPLY Cancel replyLog in to leave a comment Login/Register With: After 39 years as our Master Steersman of this mighty ship called ACTRA, our Scottish lad from Clan Waddell will soon be taking a step back from the helm.How to describe what Stephen Waddell has done for this union, YOUR union, is somewhat impossible to describe in a 700-word essay. But here we go.Stephen helped us achieve a lot of firsts for our union. He helped revamp ACTRA’s infrastructure, making it purr like a kitten. From the get-go, Stephen found ways to better our working conditions, securing residual fees so that long after we shoot a film, we would still see money coming our way. With each successive negotiation with producers, Stephen (our Chief Negotiator) steered the Negotiating Committee into making great gains for ACTRA. The 1995-1998 Independent Production Agreement represented a major change in the way Use fees are calculated so producers could no longer deduct questionable expenses that chipped away at what performers were owed. Then, in 1999, he helped negotiate the VERY FIRST collective agreement in the world to cover performers appearing in digital media ads (that means the Internet!). And who can forget 2007 when Stephen guided us through the very first strike in our union’s history. I was part of the Negotiating Committee that year and it was particularly volatile, but ultimately a successful bargaining round. Not once did Stephen waver in his convictions that we ACTRA members were worth the fight. This led to us achieving the first collective bargaining agreement in the world to contain provisions for New Media production and Use. Advertisement read more
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The entire process had to be started over again, but there is hope in the oil and gas industry that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project will go through. This as the consultation meetings between the National Energy Board (NEB) and indigenous groups continue in Calgary.The new consultations are needed after the Federal Court of Appeals stopped the project in August, citing a lack of consultation with indigenous communities and not enough of an environmental review when it comes to researching the effects of increased tanker traffic off of the BC coast.Nick Schultz is the VP of pipeline regulation with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).He believes there will be progress from these latest rounds of consultations.“That’s being undertaken in a very rigorous way in accordance with the direction of the court so we (CAPP) have great confidence that will be done appropriately,” he said. “Not to say that it is easy, or that there won’t be some controversy, or that there won’t be people who feel this is not quite enough for them, but this is all moving in the right direction.”He understands that not everyone will be on board with this project, no matter what is undertaken.“There is a whole bunch of folks who have adopted the ‘over my dead body approach’ to the project so whatever anybody does is not going to satisfy people of that mind.”He believes many of the indigenous groups will have their lingering questions answered at these new meetings.“There’s common ground there to build on for many if not all of the First Nations. There may be some that fall into the category of not wanting it under any circumstances, but one can only do so much.”He said while it has been frustrating, the fact that the industry had to go back and start new consultation processes is a sign of how stringent the process to get a pipeline built in Canada is.“Canada does this probably better than many other countries in the world. We have constitutionally protected rights that are taken very seriously.” read more
New Delhi: Voting began on Tuesday across 117 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over 15 states and Union Territories as the third – and largest – phase of the mega seven-phase electoral exercise kicked off.A total of 116 seats across 14 states were slated to see voting in the phase including polling in the first of the staggered polling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag constituency.Voting also began in Tripura East, which was slated in the second phase of polling on April 18 but was deferred by the Election Commission to the third phase on security concerns. Also Read – India gets first tranche of Swiss bank a/c detailsThe chief of the two main political parties are in fray in the third phase with BJP President Amit Shah making his Lok Sabha election debut from Gandhinagar and Congress President Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad, which he also contesting along with his traditional Amethi seat.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will aim to defend the 62 of the 117 third phase seats it won in 2014 and its performance in this phase will be crucial in deciding its political fortunes. Also Read – Tourists to be allowed in J&K from ThursdayWhile voting started in all seats in Gujarat (26), Kerala (20) and Goa (2), it also started in the remaining 14 of Karnataka’s 28 seats and 14 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra.Of Uttar Pradesh’s 80 constituencies, voting started in 10 of them while it also began in seven out of 11 constituencies in Chhattisgarh, six out of 21 in Odisha, five each in Bihar (out of 40) and West Bengal (out of 42).People also came out to vote in four constituencies in Assam (out of 14), and the lone seats in the Union Territories of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. With the third phase, voting will be completed in all seats of Gujarat, Kerala, Goa, Karanataka, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and would conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. read more
Rabat – A new sexual assault scandal has made international headlines. This time, the accused attacker is Kelvin Hopkins, member of British Labour Party.Hopkins was suspended on November 2, after Labour activist Ava Etemadzadeh accused him of harassing her and sending her inappropriate text messages, reported British news outlet BBC.Etemadzadeh also claimed that Hopkins hugged her inappropriately after a student event in 2014. The activist said that Hopkins told her during a conversation in parliament to “not talk about politics,” asking her instead if she had a boyfriend.She explained that Hopkins told her “if nobody was in his office he would have taken [her] there.” “I was absolutely shocked and I was not really expecting that,” she told BBC.Etemadzadeh said that she tried to avoid talking to him after this encounter. She explained that after she refused to respond to his calls, he sent her a text message saying “that [she is] an attractive, lovely young woman and a man would be lucky to have [her] as a lover and if he was young… but he is not,” according to BBC.The 76-year old denied the activist’s claims through his lawyers. In a statement, his solicitors denied that Hopkins had acted inappropriately at the student event in 2014.Hopkins claimed that he simply put an arm around Etemadzadeh “to give her a brief, slight hug just before getting into my car,” reported BBC.“I did not hold her tight, I did not rub any part of my body, let alone my crotch, against Ava.”However, Hopkins admitted that he sent her text messages saying she was “charming and sweet-natured.” He also admitted that he sent her a message where he said she is a young woman and man would be nice to have her as a girlfriend. Hopkins claims that she replied to his message. read more
16 March 2011Repeatedly calling the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan “very serious,” the head of the United Nations agency that coordinates global nuclear safety announced today that he will make a flying visit to the country to see what further help he can offer. Repeatedly calling the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan “very serious,” the head of the United Nations agency that coordinates global nuclear safety announced today that he will make a flying visit to the country to see what further help he can offer.But International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano said he would spend one night in the country and then report back to the IAEA Board of Governors.“I will fly to Japan as soon as possible, hopefully tomorrow, to get the latest information from them and learn from our Japanese counterparts how best the IAEA can help them,” he told a news conference at IAEA headquarters in Vienna.Mr. Amano, who said he would like to receive better information from the Japanese, is also sending two teams of experts to Japan, one on nuclear safety, the other on radiation protection, in response to the nuclear crisis that resulted from power being cut to the reactors’ cooling systems at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant when a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck the country last Friday.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spoke by phone with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan to again extend his sympathy at the catastrophic impact of the quake and tsunami, which may have claimed well in excess of 10,000 lives, according to media reports, and cut a vast swathe of total devastation along the north-eastern coast of Honshu, the largest island.The two also discussed the situation at Fukushima. “The Secretary-General remains very concerned while appreciating the Government of Japan’s efforts to contain the risk to the population,” spokesperson Martin Nesirky told a news briefing in New York, adding that Mr. Ban assured Mr. Kan that the UN stands ready to provide any additional support if requested.The Security Council began its meeting today with a minute’s silence for the victims of the quake and tsunami. Meanwhile the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has been asked to assist in relief efforts, providing specialized logistics support in delivering water, tents, and blankets to families who have spent many nights already in freezing temperatures without heating and other necessities.Mr. Amano began his news briefing with the stark comment: “The situation is very serious.” He cited confirmed damage to three cores, which remain partially uncovered by cooling waters.“We do not know the exact situation inside the reactor vessels, but the pressure inside remains above atmospheric pressure; this suggests that they remain largely intact,” he said, noting that increased temperatures have also been observed at spent fuel ponds and the radiation dose rates in Tokyo and other cities have increased “very slightly” to levels that he stressed are not dangerous to humans’ health. Mr. Amano said he would like to have high-level contacts during his brief trip but did not know yet whom he would meet. “If I wait until everything is fixed it will be too late, so there are some uncertainties, but I decided to go and do my best to reach the people who are handling this issue… it is like running and thinking, this is unavoidable in such a situation,” he noted.While stressing that he did not mean that he was frustrated, Mr. Amano said he would like to see “better communication of information both in quantity and quality. There is constant information but there certainly is room for improvements,” he added.Neither Mr. Amano nor agency experts would be drawn on whether the situation was out of control at the Fukushima Daiichi plant when quizzed on the issue. read more
The mobile phone bleeped twice. The text message was short: we are hungry, you must help. The recipient: the London office of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The sender: a Somali primary school teacher in an arid refugee camp in Kenya who fled violence in his homeland as a boy 15 years ago. “My name is Mohammed Sokor, writing to you from Dagahaley refugee camp in Dadaab,” the phone screen flashed. “Dear Sir, there is an alarming issue here. People are given too few kilograms of food. You must help.”It may seem strange that someone so short of food can afford a mobile phone but one of the great ironies of modern Africa is that mobile phones are not seen as a luxury, but a necessity, WFP noted. They are often cheap and used far more widely than most would imagine. For traders, they are the primary tool of commerce and for the many millions – like Mohammed – who make up the African diaspora, they are the thread that binds scattered communities together.“In terms of sheer initiative, Mohammed’s direct appeal has to be a first,” WFP said. A phone call to back Mohammed revealed the story behind his plea for help. Like so many Somalis, he had the misfortune to be born into a country that began disintegrating in spectacular fashion when the Cold War structures that had held so many weak States together suddenly collapsed in the early 1990s. The vicious militia groups that rushed in to fill the vacuum left by absent government exacerbated the apocalyptic famine in Somalia, prompting tens of thousands to move southwards and across the border to relative safety in northern Kenya. Here they were confined to refugee camps situated in one of the bleakest environments in the world, and here, many remain to this day. If life was tough at home in Somalia, it was not much easier in northern Kenya. The camps in Dadaab are in a semi-desert area that can be brutally hot during the day and cold at night, WFP said. Successive seasons of drought have placed his refugee camp at the very epicentre of a regional disaster affecting up to 8 million people in the Horn of Africa. It is not surprising that Mohammed and his family are hungry. Funding for the 230,000 Somali and Sudanese refugees in north east Kenya is so low that WFP had to cut food rations by up to 20 per cent earlier this year. “If he had the time and the money, he might like to spread his message further by texting his appeal to ministers and civil servants – or for that matter Bono, Richard Branson and Bill Gates,” WFP said of rich benefactors helping the world’s hungry. “It will never happen, but it would be interesting to measure the impact on donor support if alongside regular food rations, WFP could hand out mobile phones and a list of VIP telephone numbers. Humble SMS text messages from refugees could become an effective SOS for millions whose voices are so rarely heard.” read more
by Sandra Prusina Posted Aug 10, 2017 12:15 pm MDT B.C. joins legal battles against Trans Mountain pipeline expansion AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to TwitterTwitterShare to FacebookFacebookShare to RedditRedditShare to 電子郵件Email Pipes are seen at the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain facility in Edmonton, Alta., Thursday, April 6, 2017. Two key British Columbia cabinet ministers are expected to outline the government’s next steps Thursday on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion after campaigning against the project. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward The British Columbia government wants to join the legal fight against the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.The province’s NDP government has hired former judge Thomas Berger to provide legal advice to the government as it seeks intervener status in legal challenges to the federal government’s approval of the pipeline expansion.The NDP has opposed the expansion of the pipeline, which received the blessing of the province’s former Liberal government earlier this year.B.C. Premier John Horgan promised in the provincial election this spring to use “every tool in the toolbox” to stop the $7.4-billion project by Trans Mountain, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Canada.Several First Nations and municipalities have filed legal challenges against the expansion, which would triple the capacity of the Alberta-to-B.C. pipeline and increase the number of tankers in Vancouver-area waters seven-fold.Trans Mountain has said construction on the project is set to begin in September, but Environment Minister George Heyman says only three of eight environmental management plans that would allow work to begin have been accepted and it is unlikely those remaining will get approval before work was to start.Here is the release from the NDP:The provincial government is taking initial action on its commitment to protect British Columbia’s interests in the face of the proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline and increased tanker traffic.At a news conference today, Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman and Attorney General David Eby outlined both legal and consultation steps the government will take immediate action on.“Our government made it clear that a seven-fold increase in heavy oil tankers in the Vancouver harbour is not in B.C.’s best interests,” said Heyman. “Not for our economy, our environment, or thousands of existing jobs. We will use all available tools to protect our coastal waters and our province’s future.”The British Columbia government has secured Thomas Berger, QC, OC, OBC as external counsel to government in the legal action related to Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline.“We are committed to fighting for B.C.’s interests and it is government’s desire to seek intervenor status in legal challenges to federal approval of the pipeline expansion and increased oil tanker traffic off B.C.’s coast,” said Eby. “Mr. Berger will provide legal advice to government on the options for participation in legal challenges, and those hearings are scheduled to begin in federal court later this fall.”The Province will also fulfil its duty of meaningful consultation with Indigenous people concerning this project, including consultations regarding potential impacts to Aboriginal rights and title – a responsibility that has been identified in a number of court cases. In particular, that duty must be fulfilled as consultation relates to environmental assessment certificate (EAC) requirements. Until these consultations are completed in a way that meets the Province’s legal obligations, work on the project on public lands cannot proceed.“Going forward we will be reviewing policies to outline how our government expects to further meet our commitments to First Nations as well as to all British Columbians with regard to defending our air, land and water,” said Heyman. “This policy review will clarify government policy for decision-makers as they evaluate future permits and work plans.”The Province will continue to explore other tools to hold Kinder Morgan’s project plans to the high standards of environmental protection and Indigenous consultation that British Columbians expect. Trans Mountain read more
BEREA, Ohio — Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield believes Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley is ready to make the jump to the NFL.Mayfield was asked Wednesday whether he would like Riley, who will lead the Sooners against No. 1 Alabama in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29, to coach him in Cleveland. Mayfield acknowledged he has a strong relationship with his former coach, but he isn’t going to campaign for Riley to get the Browns’ job.Mayfield believes the 35-year-old Riley has been prepared to move into the pros, but said he wouldn’t be surprised if he stays at the Big 12 school “for the next 20 years.”The Browns fired coach Hue Jackson in October. Defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams is serving as the team’s interim coach for the remainder of the season. General manager John Dorsey is leading Cleveland’s coaching search and has said Williams will get an interview.Dorsey has attended Oklahoma’s past two games.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLTom Withers, The Associated Press read more
Lad making surprise Christmas visit home gets helping hand from Willie O’Dea>Millennium milk bottles are coming back to Irish doorsteps> You know lots of people just resort to violence. Look at road rage, people flip each other off all the time. I really don’t see what the big deal is.The argument arose when Childs was unhappy with things Weldon put on Facebook about her after Childs accused her of stealing her dog. Weldon clearly isn’t happy, considering the house lies empty.And she’s putting another finger on the roof? Are you serious? She’s only coming over here to antagonise me and bring up old sh*t. She just wants attention. That’s all this is about.When a middle finger was recently cut down by a frustrated neighbour, Childs accused Weldon.They went on my roof, cut them all up, cut everything up. They did the firing shot. It’s on.Weldon said “I didn’t climb my ass on no roof and cut her lights down,” and that there are plenty of others who would have done the same thing.One of the locals, Todd Traylor, told the Advocate that the display irritates a lot of surrounding neighbours, not just the intended recipent.She doesn’t live there. I don’t even know why she’s back. THERE’S CHRISTMAS CHEER and then there’s this.Sarah Childs isn’t fond of her neighbour Kayla Weldon, in fact they have an intense feud. Instead of silently sorting things out, Childs has erected a huge light display to flip her, and everyone else in the neighbourhood, off.But to add insult to injury, this is the second time the neighbours been forced to open their blinds to a giant neon hand telling them exactly where to go.Louisiana resident Childs first put the display up last year, but was soon forced to remove the lights by local police. She enlisted the help of the American Civil Liberties Union to sue the city, with a federal judge granting her a temporary restraining order against the city due to her rights under the first amendment.This year, the lights are back with a vengeance. Speaking to Louisiana Radio Network, Childs said it’s better than a physical confrontation with her neighbour. read more
Nicolas Sarkozy et François Hollande : quelle position sur la santé ?Le moins que l’on puisse dire, c’est que les thèmes sanitaires ne sont pas omniprésents dans cette campagne, au grand dam des praticiens et d’une grande part de la population pour qui la santé demeure une des principales préoccupations. Si les divergences entre la droite et la gauche restent assez limitées, certains moyens d’actions partagent les candidats. Focus sur quatre thèmes récurrents abordés par les deux finalistes.L’accès au soinLa lutte contre les déserts médicaux est une priorité dans le domaine alors que de nombreuses zones rurales comme certaines banlieues se plaignent du manque de médecins. Pour endiguer le phénomène, les deux candidats prévoient chacun la création de maisons de santé. Des structures qui ont déjà été au coeur de plusieurs mesures au cours du précédent quinquennat.Nicolas Sarkozy projette ainsi de construire entre 700 et 1.500 “maisons pluridisciplinaires libérales” d’ici à 2017 pour garantir “l’accès de tous aux soins” et “encourager les professionnels qui ne souhaitent plus travailler seuls à se rapprocher les uns des autres”. Comme il l’avait déjà expliqué, l’actuel président s’est dit contre d’imposer aux médecins l’installation dans les zones déficitaires et souhaite plutôt maintenir la politique engagée pour en amplifier les effets. Parallèlement, il préconise également une transformation de l’hôpital avec une hausse de la chirurgie ambulatoire.De son côté, François Hollande a également évoqué l’importance d’une “meilleure répartition des médecins”. Il souhaite pour cela favoriser la création de “pôles de santé de proximité” dans chaque territoire qui regrouperont également des médecins de plusieurs spécialités. Ces structures permettront selon lui de fixer un délai maximum d’une demi-heure pour accéder aux soins d’urgence.Dépassements d’honorairesLes deux candidats s’accordent sur les conséquences qu’engendrent les dépassements d’honoraires abusifs déjà objet de mesures au cours du précédent quinquennat. Ainsi, François Hollande veut s’y attaquer directement par un “encadrement” des dépassements en même temps qu’une “réforme de la tarification”. Des mesures qui permettraient de mettre fin à “l’assimilation de l’hôpital avec les établissements privés”. Nicolas Sarkozy souhaite quant à lui maintenir le “secteur optionnel”, ce “troisième secteur” pour lequel les dépassements d’honoraires sont limités en échange de baisses de charges. Il prévoit néanmoins de maintenir le dialogue “avec les médecins, l’assurance maladie, les mutuelles” pour “limiter les dépassements d’honoraires et garantir qu’une bonne partie des actes effectués soit bien réalisée au tarif conventionné”. En cas de réel abus, il appelle néanmoins à des mesures réglementaires nécessaires voire des sanctions envers les praticiens concernés.Cancer, drogues, maladiesSi Nicolas Sarkozy compte poursuivre les plans Cancer et Alzheimer déjà en œuvre, il prévoit aussi un “programme de lutte contre les addictions chez les jeunes (alcoolisme, cannabis et cocaïne” de manière à réprimer davantage les trafics de drogue notamment à la sortie des écoles. Il évoque en outre la mise en place d’un “plan de prévention du suicide des jeunes” “Il y aura bien un troisième plan cancer” annonce de son côté François Hollande dans son programme, basé sur “la prévention”, le “soutien à l’innovation et la recherche” et “l’organisation des parcours et des prises en charge”. Il souhaite aussi “marquer quelques priorités” comme “la lutte contre le tabagisme”, en redistribuant en partie au plan Cancer les bénéfices des industriels acquis pendant la hausse des prix du tabac. L’”individualisation des traitements”, et la facilitation des conditions de vie des malades, seront également de rigueur.Dépendance”Je pense que le défi dans les années à venir est notamment d’adapter notre système de santé au vieillissement de la population”, déclare le président actuel. Dès 2013, celui-c i prévoit ainis de mener la “réforme de la dépendance” afin que les personnes âgées et leur famille puissent “rester à domicile” où être pris en charge en établissement “dans de bonnes conditions”.À lire aussiCes instruments médicaux de l’ancienne époque vont vous effrayerDe son côté, François Hollande propose de voter une loi d’adaptation de la société au vieillissement de la population en prenant trois engagements. Il prévoit tout d’abord, “l’adaptation de 80.000 logements par an” ce qui permettra aux personnes âgées de rester sans difficulté à domicile. Il évoque néanmoins également une hausse du “plafond de l’allocation personnalisée d’autonomie à domicile” et veut par ailleurs aider les “aidants familiaux” par l’intermédiaire d’actions de formation et de structures leur permettant d’avoir des temps de répit.Les réponses aux coûts de la santé sont peut-être finalement ce qui partage le plus les deux adversaires ou du moins, les moyens à employer pour réduire ces coûts aujourd’hui en augmentation. En effet, Nicolas Sarkozy compte baisser les dépenses via notamment la lutte contre la fraude quand François Hollande planche plutôt entre autres sur la participation fiscale des capitaux. D’autres questions divisent néanmoins les deux candidats comme la création d’une nouvelle loi sur l’euthanasie. Réaffirmant sa position, Nicolas Sarkozy s’est dit non favorable à une telle légalisation. François Hollande lui, s’est engagé à permettre que toute personne majeure en phase avancée ou terminale d’une maladie incurable puisse demander à bénéficier d’une assistance médicalisée pour terminer sa vie dans la dignité mais dans des conditions strictes et précises. “L’ouverture de ce droit doit se faire de manière très encadrée, en s’appuyant sur l’avis d’un collège de soignants”, affirme t-il.Le 3 mai 2012 à 17:43 • Maxime Lambert read more
Viewers are still catching their breath after Saturday’s intense Doctor Who season finale, which set up this year’s Christmas special with an appearance by the “original” Doctor.But David Bradley as William Hartnell as the First Doctor may not be the only throwback in Steven Moffat’s final Yuletide event.Following rumors of the reappearance of companion Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) for the Twelfth Doctor’s epilogue, British tabloid The Mirror again reported the 31-year-old’s pending return.“Jenna Coleman has agreed to film something new as Clara,” an unnamed source told the site. “It’ll help give Peter [Capaldi] the send-off he deserves after three years.”The Impossible Girl may return this Christmas (via BBC)Killed, resurrected, and departed in a stolen TARDIS at the end of season nine, Clara is now traveling through all of space and time, presumably with the immortal Ashildr (Game of Thrones‘ Maisie Williams). So you’d hope she could stop by for one last goodbye.“Fans will have to wait until the Christmas special to see Peter Capaldi’s time as the Doctor come to an end,” BBC Radio 2 presenter Steve Wright said on Monday. “But today it has been announced that former companion Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, will be making a guest appearance as the Doctor regenerates. Wow.”The assertion, however, has not yet been backed up by an announcement from the BBC.Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald (via BBC)When whispers of Clara’s return first surfaced in May, social media was abuzz with theories: Twitter claimed Eddie’s Diner (in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff, Wales) is booked for two days of filming this month. The real-life restaurant, as seen in a number of Doctor Who episodes, is believed to be Clara and Ashildr’s TARDIS in disguise.“It’s become a tradition now for the companions to reappear as the Doctor regenerates and Jenna isn’t letting the side down,” The Mirror‘s anonymous source said.In 2009, David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor managed a final farewell to Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), and Karen Gillan came back as Amy Pond to bid her raggedy man (Matt Smith) adieu in 2013.Meanwhile, the superb Pearl Mackie—whose Doctor Who run ended over the weekend when Bill ran off with new flame Heather—is expected to appear “in some form” (cyber, puddle, or human?) at Christmas, along with Matt Lucas as Nardole, The Mirror reported. But neither will allegedly be part of incoming showrunner Chris Chibnall’s new series.David Bradley reprises his role as First Doctor William Hartnell in December (via BBC)The BBC on Saturday released an official synopsis of the 2017 holiday special, suggesting that “further casting and details” for the episode “will be revealed in due course.”Currently in production, the festive installment sees David Bradley reprise his role as William Hartnell’s Time Lord. The Harry Potter and Broadchurch actor portrayed Hartnell in An Adventure in Space and Time, the 2013 TV movie dramatization about the creation of Doctor Who.“As previously announced, the special will serve as Peter Capaldi’s farewell to the series, and will feature the debut of the next Doctor,” the Beeb said.Stream all of Doctor Who now for free with your Amazon Prime membership.Let us know what you like about Geek by taking our survey. Stay on target HBO Max Scores Exclusive ‘Doctor Who’ Streaming RightsJo Tro Do Plo Plo No: ‘Doctor Who’ Welcomes Back Familiar Monster read more
Nimble Eco-Friendly Fast Portable Charger (8-Day/20,000 mAh) – $46.95See Deal Nimble Eco-Friendly Fast Portable Charger – $42.95See Deal Nimble Eco-Friendly Fast Portable Charger (Five Day/13,000 mAh)MSRP: $59.95 | Sale Price: $42.95 | Save 28 percent off retailDesigned for long life, this portable battery pack from Nimble will reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your mobile devices fully charged. It features a capacity of 13,000 mAh — enough to recharge a smartphone about five times — so it’s perfect for weekend getaways or any other time that you might be away from an electrical source for a short while.Simply plug in up to four USB-powered devices, such as a smartphone or tablet, and the charger does the rest. With the ability to charge an iPhone to 50 percent in 30 minutes and an Android phone to 80 percent in 35 minutes, it offers enough kick to be one of the best portable charges in this price range while still maintaining Nimble’s commitment to the environment. Nimble Eco-Friendly Fast Portable Charger (Ten Day/26,800 mAh)MSRP: $99.95 | Sale Price: $64.95 | Save 35 percent off retailLooking for a portable charger that offers more capacity? Then you definitely should check out this one that holds a massive 26,800 mAh of juice. With it, you could conceivably be away from a power source for a week and a half and still have the ability to charge your phone to full capacity every single day — Plus have some left over for your camera or portable gaming unit.Similar to the aforementioned products from Nimble, this charger uses cutting edge technology to avoid obsolescence and is constructed using ecologically friendly materials. And, with purchase, you can reduce your carbon footprint further as Nimble promises to recycle up to 1 lb of your old electronics for free. Nimble Eco-Friendly Fast Portable Charger (10-Day/26,800 mAh) – $64.95See Deal Want your products featured in the Geek.com Deals Store? Learn more about how to sell your products online! Mobile accessories put a considerable strain on our natural environment. If they don’t break within a few months, they become obsolete relatively quickly and then spend eternity sitting in a landfill. When you consider how many accessories are sold every single day, you’ll quickly understand how huge this problem is.That’s why Nimble created a line of durable accessories that’ll provide years of faithful service but are constructed using eco-friendly materials to reduce their carbon footprint. Want to do your part for the environment? Purchase any of these four Nimble products now at the Geek.com Deals store and save 26 to 35 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.Nimble Eco-Friendly Wireless Dual Charging PadMSRP: $49.95 | Sale Price: $36.95 | Save 26 percent off retailThe eco-friendly wireless dual charging pad is a prime example of Nimble’s commitment to forward-thinking tech. Constructed using green materials such as recycled water bottles, plant-based plastics, and organic hemp, this wireless charger outperforms many of its competitors by offering fast and efficient charging for up to two devices at once.Simply place your compatible iPhone or Android device onto the pad. It detects your phone’s power needs and then safely delivers an appropriate amount of charge so you get on your way as quickly as possible. It’s designed to last for years, it’s shipped in 100% plastic-free packaging, and they’ll even recycle 1 Lb worth of your old tech for free. Nimble Eco-Friendly Wireless Dual Charging Pad – $36.95See Deal Nimble Eco-Friendly Fast Portable Charger (Eight Day/20,000 mAh)MSRP: $69.95 | Sale Price: $46.95 | Save 32 percent off retailThis fast portable charger from Nimble is similar to the previous item but offers a larger capacity of 20,000 mAh. That’s enough juice to recharge an average smartphone to full power every day for about a week, which makes it perfect for longer camping trips or short vacations to foreign countries.Like other Nimble products, this charger has a green centered focus while offering a durable construction that’ll provide a long service life. It uses new USB-C technology to satisfy all your fast charging needs and you can even recycle up to 1 Lb worth of your old broken accessories for free with purchase. Sonic Soak Is the Tiny Washing Machine That Goes AnywhereThis $500 SEO Tool Is Only $24 Today Stay on target read more
In its sitting yesterday, Thursday 21 December, the National Assembly voted to suspend the debate on the Forestry Bill 2017, and referred the draft to the Select Committee on Forestry before it is tabled again.The Bill was tabled by the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Mr. Lamin B. Dibba, who was seeking for the amendment and substitution of the Forestry Act with this new draft law.However, following the debate which highlighted issues that needed more consultation with the stakeholders, the deputies finally decided, in a vote, to refer the Bill to the Select Committee to work closely with the officials of the ministry in order to review it before tabling it again.
Brazil continued Mexico’s streak of Round of 16 exits by defeating its rival 2-0. Neymar (51′) and Firmino (89′) were the goalscorers for La Seleccao.The teams are in for #BRAMEX! #WorldCup??? pic.twitter.com/cayJmgV2fJ— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 2, 2018Neymar responds to PSG criticism with a stunning winner Tomás Pavel Ibarra Meda – September 14, 2019 Despite all the backlash he got today at Parc des Princes, Neymar responded by scoring a stunning winner vs Strasbourg.We all knew that Neymar’s…Mexico was by far the better team during the first 20 minutes. They looked dangerous, they looked fast, they looked like they did against Germany. Meanwhile, the Brazilians looked lost and confused, as if they weren’t prepared for the energy with which El Tri entered the contest. The space the Brazilians left between their defense and midfield was really surprising. Nevertheless, they eventually started gathering composure and as the half was passing by, Tite’s men were increasing the pressure. A few attempts on goal were blocked by Mexican defenders. In the 43rd minute, Filipe Luis earned the match’s first yellow card. An energetic first period ended goalless, but didn’t lack intensity.Miguel Layun, who started all of Mexico’s games until today, replaced Rafa Marquez at the break. Philippe Coutinho dribbled past a couple of defenders and took a shot that was comfortably saved by Guillermo Ochoa. In the 51st minute, Brazil took the lead. A fantastic burst by Willian saw him get past Carlos Salcedo inside Mexico’s box and create enough space to direct a low cross towards the far post. Neymar slid and tapped the ball into the net. In the 55th minute, Hector Herrera received a booking that would see him miss a potential quarter-final. The same happened with Casemiro in the 58th minute.In the meantime, Jonathan dos Santos and Raul Jimenez entered the frame, replacing Edson Alvarez and Javier Hernandez. Next, Paulinho had an open look at goal from inside the penalty area. His casual shot was saved by Ochoa. Two minutes later, Alisson punched out Carlos Vela’s long range effort. Ochoa had to make another save, this time on a Willian blast from outside the box. Things were really heating up. In the 68th minute, Salcedo’s block on Neymar’s shot prevented a Brazil counter attack from ending with celebration for its fans. Willian was amazing in the second half. The Mexicans couldn’t handle his speed and pace.Fernandinho and Paulinho swapped places in the 80th minute. Brazil’s next refreshment was Firmino for Coutinho. In the 89th minute, the Mexican defenders forgot about Neymar, who sprinted freely inside the box and tried to beat Ochoa. The Mexican goalkeeper touched the ball, enough to make it easier for Firmino to tap it in for a 2-0 advantage and a place among the last 8. After a tremendous start, Mexico slowed down and never regained momentum. La Seleccao was a deserved winner. read more
The Manchester United defender believes Juventus will be extra difficult in the UEFA Champions League match on WednesdayEnglish Premier League club Manchester United will play against Italian Lega Serie A side Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.And for the Red Devils’ full-back Matteo Darmian, there is a big challenge ahead, having played against the Bianconeri when he played for Torino.“I think Juventus are a very big club, one of the biggest clubs in the world,“ the 28-year-old was quoted by Goal.Maguire says United need to build on today’s win George Patchias – September 14, 2019 Harry Maguire wants his United teammates to build on the victory over Leicester City.During the summer, Harry Maguire was referred to as the ultimate…“For sure, they are the biggest club in Italy and they have won the last seven Serie A (titles) so everyone wants to beat them. They are a very good team and it will be a difficult game.”“They have good organization and are a compact team so it’s difficult to score against them, so we have to be focused and try to score and win the game,” he added.“Cristiano [Ronaldo] was the biggest signing of the summer transfer window,” Darmian said.“We all know the quality of Cristiano, but he’s not the only one we have to look out for because they have a lot of good players, not only up front but also in midfield and defense.” read more
Posted: February 16, 2018 National Comedy Theatre offering improv classes for teens and adults 00:00 00:00 spaceplay / pause qunload | stop ffullscreenshift + ←→slower / faster ↑↓volume mmute ←→seek . seek to previous 12… 6 seek to 10%, 20% … 60% XColor SettingsAaAaAaAaTextBackgroundOpacity SettingsTextOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundSemi-TransparentOpaqueTransparentFont SettingsSize||TypeSerif MonospaceSerifSans Serif MonospaceSans SerifCasualCursiveSmallCapsResetSave SettingsFor San Diegans in the mood to try something fun that can also benefit their personal and professional skills, people of all ages and backgrounds have discovered something different in improv classes.KUSI’s Lisa Remmilard has the story. February 16, 2018 KUSI Newsroom KUSI Newsroom, Categories: Local San Diego News FacebookTwitter read more
News Email Sound Thinking NYC Introduces H.S. Women To The Music Industry Facebook Sound Thinking NYC Helps H.S. Women With Music Biz sound-thinking-nyc-introduces-hs-women-music-industry Twitter A unique pilot program hopes to create a pipeline of next-generation women, each ready to make their personal place in the music industryPhilip MerrillGRAMMYs Jul 18, 2018 – 2:56 pm The inaugural free program Sound Thinking NYC began its three-week summer intensive on July 9 with 40 female students from New York City’s five boroughs who will be entering grades 11 and 12 next year. Based at City University of New York’s Creative Arts Team, the pilot program selected its entering summer class from 85 applications.”The primary thing that we were looking for in the applicants was that they had a passion about learning more and demonstrated in their essays and answers that they could commit to exploring the world of music,” said CUNY-CAT’s Executive Director Dr. Jeanne Houck.With visits to recording studios, panels of industry experts and leadership training filling their days through July 27, the program will continue to support these students after they return to school. It was inaugurated in partnership with NY Is Music and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Downtown Music Publishing CEO Justin Kalifowitz helped initiate the pilot program based on his previous experiences speaking to school groups.”The kids were not particularly enthused and I got up there and started talking about the music business, and not only my job, but all of the other jobs that exist behind the scenes,” he said. “I watched the kids’ eyes light up. I probably spent an hour and a half answering questions. These were all high school juniors, seniors.”The experience inspired him to do something about it, and now the extended team of educators and music pros is making the behind-the-scenes jobs real with the first 40 motivated prospects.”We think it’s a great way to incubate that talent, which will create a real pipeline of women entering into the field,” said Commissioner Julie Menin with the Mayor’s office. The prospects for expansion are positive as well, with two summer intensives of 50 students each planned for next year.Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? “Talk To GRAMMYs”Read more read more
63 Photos 2020 Hyundai Palisade review: Posh enough to make Genesis jealous More From Roadshow 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST: Gaining more street cred Comments Tags Diesel Cars Trucks Share your voice 2 Chevrolet Enlarge ImageGM is coming out swinging against Ford and Ram’s lighter-duty diesel engine options. Nick Miotke/Roadshow When it comes to passenger cars, diesel may be struggling in America, but in pickup trucks, it continues to thrive. This is especially true in the half-ton pickup category, where Ford is now offering a V6 PowerStroke diesel and Ram is working on a new diesel that will see service in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Gladiator. What — you’re probably asking yourself — about GM?Well, Automotive News reports, GM is coming out of the gate hard with what it’s calling the most powerful diesel engine in the category. The folks from GM claim that the 3.0-liter Duramax I6 makes 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This puts it handily ahead of the Ford unit, which produces 250 hp and 450 lb-ft.General Motors decided not to give us the new Silverado 1500 diesel’s fuel economy numbers, towing capacities or payload, but it will undoubtedly be competitive with the rest of the offerings from the Big Three.The diesel powertrain option will be available to purchase sometime during the summer of 2019 for the same price as the 6.2-liter gasoline-powered V8 model, despite offering the same torque and more power.Chevrolet didn’t immediately return requests for comment. 2020 Kia Telluride review: Kia’s new SUV has big style and bigger value General Motors Chevrolet 2020 BMW M340i review: A dash of M makes everything better read more
Airborne lead dust from abandoned housing, like this one in Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester area, poses danger to children and adults. (Photo by Deborah Bailey)In Flint – it’s in the water. In Baltimore –it’s in the walls. The lead paint legacy of Baltimore’s poor and predominately Black neighborhoods is a long and tragic story unfolding in plain sight before our eyes.“Every single poor child who lives in a rental property in Baltimore is getting a much higher lead exposure than the children in Flint” said Saul Kerpelman, a Baltimore attorney who has exclusively handled lead paint poising cases for the past 30 years.194 children in Baltimore tested positive for lead poisoning in 2014 and have lead blood levels in excess of 10 micrograms per deciliter, a damaging amount, according to the most recent data from the Maryland Department of the Environment. Almost all of the 194 reported cases represent new reports, meaning new families have either stepped forward to be tested or are now testing with toxic lead levels. African-American children represent the overwhelming majority of child lead poisoning cases in Baltimore.Since 2012, the Center for Disease Control has determined that no level of lead in the blood is safe. Before 2012, blood levels below 5 micrograms per deciliter were considered non-toxic. It is now known that even microscopic levels of lead can poison children, especially those below the age of six, according to the CDC.Chips from crumbling paint in windows, doors and peeling walls of older homes can cause lead poisoning. But toxic lead can also be breathed in from dust – even that which lingers in the air for days and months after abatement efforts or the mass demolition planned through Governor Larry Hogan’s $700 million removal of old, abandoned housing in Baltimore – much of them lined with lead paint. The use of interior lead paint was banned in the US in 1978.“The US has known about the dangers of lead paint long before 1978,” said Kerpelman. “Baltimore has been one of the most aggressive cities in monitoring lead paint exposure – but we’re also known for our share of problems with this issue” Kerpelman stated.As early as 1899, Sherwin-William’s internal research unit warned company insiders against the dangers of lead paint. By the early 20th century, leading lead paint manufactures such as Dupont and Sherwin Williams, knew ingesting chips from lead-based paint caused lead poisoning in children, according to the book “Lead Wars: The Politics of Science and the Fate of America’s Children.” A number of European countries, including Sweden, France, Belgium, Poland, Austria and others soon banned the use of interior lead paint in the 1920’s and 1930’s concurrent with an international ban on lead-based paint sponsored in 1922 by the League of Nations.As early as the 1940’s, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Huntington Williams partnered with the Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute, to conduct evaluations on homes of children suffering from lead poisoning. Baltimore was one of the first cities in the US to ban lead-based paint in the construction of new homes in 1950 and the first city to offer free blood-lead testing.Shortly after 1978, when lead-based paint was banned in the US, Federal Government officials started reaching a consensus that something had to be done to remove lead from older homes. The Department of Health and Human Resources developed a multi-billion-dollar plan in 1990 to remove lead-based paint from American homes, but the effort was shelved.Instead, the US Environmental Protection Agency, commissioned The Kennedy-Krieger Institute, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, to conduct the Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Repair and Maintenance Study, controversial research involving children in 108 African-American households to investigate “low-cost partial lead abatement procedures to prevent lead poisoning in children living in inner-city Baltimore” according to David Buchanan and Franklin Miller, authors of a review article on the troubled study.Although most of the study children’s lead levels decreased or remained constant, several participants ended the study with elevated blood-lead levels. Two parents who enrolled their children in the Study later sued Kennedy -Krieger indicating, “they were not fully informed of the risks of participation for their children and Kennedy-Krieger failed to inform them in a timely manner of test results.” Buchanan and Miller wrote in their review.The Maryland Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s initial ruling to dismiss the case and reinstated the families’ lawsuits. In August 2001, the court issued an impassioned 96-page ruling questioning the basic ethics of the Kennedy-Krieger study and drawing parallels with the latent racial discrimination involved in the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study.In 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Kennedy-Krieger Institute alleging that researchers “used those children as known guinea pigs in lead-contaminated houses to complete the study” according to court documents. Some of the Kennedy-Krieger cases have been settled while others are still in litigation.Johns Hopkins University Hospital was contacted for comment on this story but did not provide a response. read more