Posts - Americans

Georgia Appliance Repair Convicted Of Online Bullying And Fake Reviews

Finance

Mechanic’s Heating and Air Conditioning (MHAC) in Marietta, Georgia has recently been ordered to cease operations as a result of many years of posting fake online reviews, in addition to its campaign of hosting smear websites targeting customers who have been critical of the business.

MHAC’s owner, Monty White, was accused of overcharging customers and inventing “problems” to fix. He collected the details of his critical customers and created custom websites for them, with their private information listed alongside his incoherent rants.

The company was covered in a 2012 report by Fox 5 news, which revealed that White had gone so far as to post family photos of his customers on sites like DirtyCustomer.com. White was brazen with his online bullying, even directing these customers to visit the sites on which he posted their information.

The history of abuse dates back to at least 2008, when a previous report by the same news station detailed the company’s poor work practices. Even with the two news reports and a history of offenses, it took three more years for MHAC to be shuttered.

Since then, White’s business has been given an “F” rating by the Better Business Bureau prior to a Cobb County court’s order to, “permanently cease and desist from doing business in the heating and air conditioning industry within the State of Georgia, and surrender all business and trade licenses.”

Fines totaling $1.3 million were also imposed on White and he was ordered by the court to remove the content in question from 61 websites for being in violation of Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act in at least 293 instances.

While searching online for the best local car repair shop or restaurant, we’ve all witnessed the unusual instance of that singular five-star review among a company’s overwhelmingly negative respondents, but MHAC took it too far.

British City Goes On A Campaign Against Sugar To Combat Obesity

Health & Wellness

The British city of Brighton and Hove is the first English city to enact a voluntary “sugar tax”.

The local council of the city is calling on food and drink shops to impose a small tax of about 18 cents on all sugary soft drinks. The proceeds will be utilized in a children’s health and food education trust.

The measure is being backed by British celebrity chef and nutrition campaigner Jamie Oliver, who has introduced a similar tax in his own restaurants. Money raised in his restaurants from the tax will be donated to the Children’s health fund.

The city council is also working to ensure that healthy nutritious snacks are available in vending machines across the city. Brighton and Hove also aspires to have food education studies offered in every primary school.

According to studies, Brighton and Hove spends more than $120 million on diet related illnesses every year.

Additionally, more than 7% of four and five year olds and more than 13% of ten and eleven year old in the city were found to be obese.

England maintains one of the highest obesity rates in Europe. Many British citizens eat as much as three times the amount of recommended sugar on a daily basis.

Brighton and Hove director of public health Tom Scanlon said, “Over the years sugar has been creeping into our diet, sometimes in ways we don’t even suspect. We are consuming more sugar than ever before and this is having extremely serious effects on levels of tooth decay, obesity and diabetes.”

Meanwhile, schools in the city are getting in on the health craze. Schools have been limiting sugar, banning and restricting sweets, and offering smaller cartons of fruit juice.

Oliver stated, “This is exactly what we need to try to tackle the rise in obesity and diet-related disease. Today, studies show that one in three of our children are leaving primary school overweight or obese and these children are likely to be the first generation that will have a shorter lifespan than their parents.”

Last month, the British government declined Oliver’s campaign to enact a wider sugar tax across all of Great Britain. His petition had earned more than 146,000 signatures.

Area Surrounding Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Area Is Now Full Of Wildlife

Entertainment News

Wildlife has returned to the exclusionary zone that surrounds the damaged Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine.

Researchers have stated the number of animals in the area is much higher now than after one of the worst nuclear accidents in the history of mankind took place at the now-decommissioned facility in 1986.

The exclusionary zone extends 19 miles in all directions from where the Chernobyl plant was located.

However, scientists are stressing that this does not mean that the radiation is good for wildlife. That being said, they are willing to admit that the effects of human habitation, such as deforestation, large-scale farming and excessive hunting are worse for the environment.

In the recent study, scientists counted animals in the area, such as deer, elk, boars, and wolves. They also tracked animals in the winter using footprints, and they measured levels of radiation that were found in the tracks.

Leader of the study Professor Jim Smith says, “The numbers of animals we see in Chernobyl is similar to the populations in uncontaminated nature reserves.”

The study also found that areas in the exclusionary zone did not differ in terms of levels of contaminations. Highly contaminated areas contained just as many animals as less contaminated areas.

Particularly surprising was the number of wolves, as scientists found that up to seven times as many wolves were found living in the exclusionary area than in nearby nature reserves. Professor Smith believes that this is because of the lack of hunting that takes place in the exclusion zone.

However, the study did not examine the health effects that the animals might have experienced as a result of the radiation.

Another flaw with the study is that it focused on large mammals, particularly ones that have been under pressure from human predators. Animals such as birds and insects that are not as affected by human habitation were not studied.

University of South Carolina Professor Tim Mousseau says that more research concerning the environmental impact of nuclear accidents is desperately needed. Professor Mousseau says he is largely troubled by the notion that the area surrounding the former plant is full of abundant wildlife.

While animals in the exclusionary zone might have the benefit of avoiding hunters, it remains to be seen if they can survive in the area without any major health consequences.

But so far, things appear to be okay.

Shipping Container Homes Provide Major Innovations For Homebuyers

Entertainment News

One company is offering home buyers a unique concept that is geared towards growing modern families. The concept promises a home that can be easily expanded as the family grows and can be customized to suit their unique needs.

The idea is to construct homes out of shipping containers.

Blocks Container Structures from Canada is a shipping container construction company that is offering unique solutions for multi-generational households that hope to someday upsize.

The founder of the company Chuck Lemieux says, “It’s really about building homes that grow as your family grows and grow as your budget grows.”

The homes are expandable. So when a new child enters the picture or an aging parent wants to move in, families will be able to add a new room. Since all renovations are performed off-site, the simple process is as non-intrusive as possible.

Plus, there are homes to fit virtually any budget since the homes cost as little as $120 per square foot.

Lemieux says, “The really unique thing about building with containers is that we can start you off with a small one or two bedroom house and then we can add to that to grow your home around you as your family grows, as your circumstances change and as your budget increases. We start by planning where you want to be and then we build for where you’re at right now.”

While the concept sounds futuristic, Lemieux insists that it works. The idea for shipping container homes has been around since at least 1987. However, many believe that the idea may finally flourish in the coming years.

According to urban sociologist Jyoti Gondek, the constantly changing face of the typical North American household will lead to substantial changes in the housing market. With the idea of the “average family” being very ambiguous in today’s day and age, expandable shipping container houses might be the way of the future.

Sociologists are particularly enthused about the idea of families being able to expand their home without having to sell their current one and relocate. Up until now, expanding to a new family home often involves uprooting the family from the local community altogether. This affects not only the family but the community as a whole.

However, the biggest challenge for Lemieux has been convincing the public that his shipping container homes are just as good as traditional homes.

He says, “We’ve spent a lot of time setting up show homes so people see that the finished product can look as much or as little like a shipping container as you want it to. That’s also one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced with communities where people want everything to look the same. And we can do that. Most of our finished homes are unrecognizable as containers.”

Environmentalists Praise The Trans-Pacific Partnership For Wildlife Protections

Culture

While some environmentalists believe that the historic Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal (TPP) did not go far enough in its provisions to protect the environment, many other activists feel the agreement is ground-breaking and provides much needed protections in various areas, such as the illegal trafficking of animals and animal parts.

The inclusion of wildlife protections in the TPP constitute a major victory for environmentalists and the Obama administration. Once viewed as a deal-breaker, the 12 countries who signed the agreement accepted the terms providing protection for wildlife.

David McCauley, senior vice president for policy and government affairs at the World Wildlife Fund, stated that, “The provisions in the [TPP] go beyond what we have seen in other trade agreements. We see this as a very big deal.”

An earlier draft of the environmental chapter of the TPP was released in early 2014. Environmentalists criticized the chapter as it appeared the United States was retreating from many of its stated objectives. The draft failed to include a provision that would require the agreement’s signatories to abide by existing environmental treaties. The final deal now includes that provision but also provides for new methods to enforce those treaties.

The TPP complements provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Under the TPP, countries are required to enforce regulations and laws to protect wildlife covered under CITES. Failure to do so will result in the imposition of economic sanctions. The wildlife provisions of the TPP also requires law enforcement across international borders to cooperate with each other in investigating and preventing illegal animal trafficking. Presently, the illegal trade of animal parts is estimated at about $20 billion annually.

The trade agreement also includes provisions to protect against overfishing, something that has been necessary for years.

While supporters praise the TPP, they note that the provided wildlife protections are only good if the countries enforce them. Glenn Prickett, chief external affairs officer for the Nature Conservancy observed that, “There has to be vigilance in monitoring the agreements and making sure that countries live up to their end of the bargain.”

Americans Are Declining ATMs To Avoid Significant Fees

News

The cost for using an ATM to withdraw cash is continuing to rise, leading more Americans to think twice before using the machines to stock up on money.

According to one survey, the average national expense to use an out-of-network ATM is $4.52. This is the ninth year in a row that ATM fees have increased on average, and fees are up by 21% over the previous five years.

However, people are getting smarter about the fees, and customers are making strong efforts to avoid using ATMs that are outside of their bank’s network.

Surveys show that the typical debit card user in the United States only uses ATMs to withdraw cash just two times per month. This has significantly decreased from figures ten years ago.

Now with cash back services at stores and electronic alternatives to cash, customers are less dependent on ATMs than ever before.

However, fees have increased because fewer people are being lured in.

Financial analyst Greg McBride says, “People are getting smarter about ATM fees and are seeking out free ATMs run by their own banks when they do need cash. The fees are going up because, with fewer users to spread their costs over, ATM owners have to charge more.”

Reports indicate that Atlanta has the highest average ATM fees in the country. In Atlanta, one can expect to be charged $5.15 for using an out-of-network ATM.

In New York, the figure stands at $5.03. In Milwaukee, it’s $4.78. Chicago is below average at “just” $4.50. Surprisingly, San Francisco had the lowest average rates in the country at $3.85.

These fees can quickly rack up, and financial advisers are increasingly urging their clients to plan ahead and find in-network ATMs to avoid throwing away money. They also support the practice of avoiding ATMs altogether, opting instead to just get cash back at grocery stores.

Meanwhile overdraft fees are also increasing, as the national average fee for an overdraft on an account is $33.07.

Russian Volunteer Troops Will Soon Hit The Ground In Syria

Entertainment News

Russia’s involvement in the Syrian war continues to intensify as Russian officials indicate that “voluntary” ground troops will soon enter the region to complement the current airstrikes. The increasing number of Russian airstrikes continue to anger the United States and its allies in the Syrian conflict, especially after a Russian warplane invaded Turkey’s airspace over the weekend.

The addition of Russian ground troops severely compromises Turkey’s goal of creating a “safe zone” along the Turkey-Syria border where Syrian refugees could return in the future.

Russian officials point out that such volunteers “cannot be stopped.”

Both Russia and Iran have ramped up their efforts to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. By attacking Syrian groups that wish to remove al-Assad from office, Russia is effectively waging battles against groups backed and supported by the United States, Turkey and their allies. Several rebel factions who oppose al-Assad released a statement Monday that Russia’s “brutal occupation has cut the road to any political solution.”

Russia’s escalation of its military efforts in the region is happening simultaneously as the United States increases its efforts to thwart ISIS militant groups. Although both countries seek to destroy ISIS, the two differ in their definition of “terrorists.” Russia has stated that in addition to fighting ISIS, it is also attacking several rebel groups fighting al-Assad. Therein lies a major problem.

With respect to the Russian jet that flew over Turkish airspace, Turkish fighter jets quickly intercepted the warplane and escorted it out of the country. NATO issued a stern warning to Russia as the United States urgently consulted with Turkey.

NATO’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg stated that Russia’s “mistake” was “an unacceptable violation” of Turkish airspace and that “Russia’s actions are not contributing to the security and stability of the region.”

One American official opined that, “I don’t believe this was an accident. Along with quite a bit of Russia’s behavior, this just affirms our deep concern over what they’re doing,” and that Russia’s behavior “raises questions about basic safe conduct in the skies.”

Another official called Russia’s behavior “deliberately provocative.”

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan echoes these sentiments and told reporters over the weekend that, “The steps Russia is taking and the bombing campaign in Syria are quite unacceptable to Turkey. Unfortunately, Russia is making a grave mistake.”

Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu indicated that Russia said its violation of Turkish airspace was a mistake and that it would not happen again. Davutoglu told reporters that, “I should express it clearly, even if it is Syria, Russia or any other country’s planes, Turkey’s military engagement rules are valid for all.”

Despite all the warnings, Russia does not indicate any willingness to back down. Russian official Andrei Kartapolov told reporters that, “Our airstrikes will not only continue, but grow in intensity.”

It remains to be seen how the the world’s two biggest superpowers will resolve their differences.

Butt Dials Are Major Problem For 911 Phone Operators

News

Emergency 911 phone calls have been increasing because people are accidentally calling the number.

In San Francisco, there was a 28% increase in 911 phone calls between 2011 and 2014. This increase was largely the result of people “butt-dialing” the number.

One study took place where researchers sat next to 911 operators and noted the reason for the call. The results showed that 30% of the calls were from people accidentally dialing the number on their mobile phones.

This is particularly dangerous, since the 911 dispatcher is unable to tell if the phone call was a mistake or someone trying to call for help. The phone operator has to call the person back in order to determine the cause for the call.

On average, it took one minute and 14 seconds to realize that the call was an accident.

A survey of 911 dispatchers showed that 80% of workers believe that having to retrace these calls is overly time-consuming. Additionally, 39% went as far as to say that it was the “biggest pain point” contained in the job.

In the United States mobile phones are mandated to have the ability to place an emergency phone call without having to unlock it. However, this has often led to accidental phone calls.

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimated that as much as 50% of all calls from mobile phones are accidental. Using this statistic would mean that roughly 84 million 911 calls every year were placed by accident.

The results are that resources are wasted, the cost of emergency services increases, the morale of 911 operators is depleted and legitimate 911 calls are more likely to be delayed.

In the United Kingdom, emergency services require that the caller press “55” if the operator responds to a silent phone call. This helps filter out accidental calls. However, this had led to a small number of cases where legitimate phone calls were deemed to be accidental.

Google has discussed research into making 911 calls more efficient at the Code for America Summit. However, the company says that the lack of data offered from the government of the United States makes things difficult. Many of the accidental phone calls were not registered by the dispatcher or they were dumped into miscellaneous groupings that contained situations beyond just accidental phone calls.

Researchers obtained a small sample size by sitting next to phone operators and counting. While it’s just a small sample size, it is a start.
The team said, “In order to make good decisions, you need information, and this is an important step.”

Climate Change Could Prove Disastrous For Lizards

Culture

The flat-tail horned lizard of the Sonoran Desert is under threat from environmental changes caused by humans, as the habitat of the lizard has experienced major changes as a result of modernization and climate change.

The lizards are just a few inches in length, and they feed on ants in lightly vegetated areas in Arizona and California. They need places to escape the intense sun or else they will melt away in the heat.

Herpetologists Dan Mulcahy and Peter Buck are attempting to map out the genes of the species in order to help it survive in the ever-changing environment. Previous studies conducted by the scientists indicated that western flat-tailed horned lizards show more genetic diversity than lizard populations found to the east.

Some lizards were separated by both natural and man-made geographical features, which led to genetic differences between lizard populations.

However, the scientists want to take a closer look at the gene flow between populations. In order to do this, scientists will need to further examine the DNA of the lizards. The new studies will focus on DNA that is obtained from both of a lizard’s parents. Previous studies were only able to examine the DNA from a lizard’s mother.

Mulcahy says, “Now we have the technology to rapidly sequence a lot of DNA. With the next-generation sequencing, we can capture big pieces of the genome very quickly and efficiently.”

The scientists believe that looking at the DNA from both parents might indicate different results from when they only looked at the DNA that was passed along from the mothers.

Mulcahy and Buck speculate that obtaining this data will assist researchers in determining whether or not some populations of the lizard will be better able to adapt to new climate changes that are likely to occur in the future.

Mulcahy explains, “(For the lizards) things are constantly changing, whether it’s disease or climate. Genetic diversity can help a species weather such changes.”

Scientists are particularly worried about global warming. A hotter climate could prove disastrous for the lizards. As cold-blooded reptiles, they are not able to regulate their own body temperatures. The flat-tailed horned lizards cope with this by burrowing underground.

However, if the climate becomes hotter, they will have to retreat earlier in the day, which might not give them the time they need to find food and other resources.

Mulcahy says that the lizards might need to transition into a nocturnal species if they want to survive. However, their genes might not allow for that to happen. By examining their genes further, the scientists will be able to understand the situation better.

Scientists Hope To Make New Discoveries By Studying Meteorites From Antarctica

Culture

Scientists are heading back to Antarctica to search for more Meteorites. The search is being led by the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and it is called the Antarctic Search for Meteorites, or ANSMET.

Since its formation in 1976, ANSMET has obtained nearly 20,000 meteorites. Annual counts have ranged from 30 meteorites to more than 1,200. Over 80% of the world’ space rocks have come from Antarctica.

The meteorites that are obtained by ANSMET originate from asteroids, the moon and sometimes even Mars. Scientists have been using these space rocks to obtain a better understanding of our solar system.

Lead scientist for the exhibition Jim Karner says, “ANSMET has been a great boon for scientists. We don’t own the samples. They’re curated by the Smithsonian and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and (they are) really free to anybody in the world who wants to study them.”

Karner is particularly enthusiastic about the potential to learn more about the solar system by studying these space artifacts.

“There is a myriad of studies you can do with meteorites. They tell us about the properties of our solar system and the evolution of planetary bodies. Some really old meteorites even have solid pieces of minerals that predate our solar system,” he says.

Other scientists make use of the meteorites to study how the Earth originally formed.

Smithsonian geologist Cari Corrigan says, “One thing we can do with meteorites is develop a better understanding of the Earth. If we can understand the composition and the makeup of the early solar system, we will have a much better picture of the Earth’s early composition and structure and the processes that had to take place to give us what we have now.”

Corrigan also believes that meteorites might be the key to discovering how life first came to exist on Earth.

“Things like amino acids have been found in meteorites in the last 20 years, the starting compositions for life on Earth. Trying to understand what we started out as, and what we started out with, will help us understand why the Earth evolved the way it did,” she says.

While meteorites can land anywhere on Earth, Antarctica is an ideal spot to gather samples. The continent is largely composed of ice sheets that are free of any indigenous surface rocks. Virtually every rock that is found in the area is a meteorite. Plus, they are easy to spot in the icy background.

One area referred to by scientists as Miller Range is one of the best sites. Hundreds of meteorites are located per square mile. This year is the ninth year that ANSMET will visit the region.

Karner says, “We’ve found every conceivable type of meteorite in the Miller Range. So it’s been this great range of diversity.”

Additionally, the frozen land of Antarctica, where airborne moisture is virtually nonexistent, basically preserves the meteorites that would be damaged by moisture elsewhere on the planet.

After a season’s worth of meteorites is collected in Antarctica, the meteorites are shipped to Houston and provided descriptions and sorted by NASA. Small samples are sent to the Smithsonian for additional classification. The Smithsonian publishes a newsletter containing a list of all the different types of meteorites. Scientific institutions are then able to request samples.

Meteorites are classified by chemical composition, mineralogy, and the presence of certain elements. However they are generally sorted into four groups: chondrites, achondrites, stony-iron and iron.

While, the scientists rarely find anything that is particularly noteworthy or groundbreaking, they do believe that continuing to search for meteorites is a valuable endeavor so that their findings can be studied by research facilities across America.

The more data they have, the better.

Search Continues For Those Onboard Missing Cargo Ship El Faro

News

The United States Coast Guard reported on Monday that the cargo ship which went missing five days ago has in fact sunk, but the search for the 33 people onboard will continue.

It is believed that the immense ocean waves and brutal winds of Hurricane Joaquin caused the container ship, El Faro, to sink off the coast of the Bahamas. Those onboard included 28 Americans.

Coast Guard Captain Mark Fedor stated that, “We believe [El Faro] sank in its last known position on Thursday. We are still looking for survivors or any signs of life.” He also reported that aircraft searched 70,000 square miles of ocean on Sunday – the first day that the weather calmed down enough to allow for the search. He noted that rescue craft are focusing on two different debris fields.

Fedor acknowledged that the survival conditions are “challenging” but pointed out that the crew was well-trained at abandoning ship during threatening ocean conditions. “We are not going to discount somebody’s will to survive, and that is why we are still searching today.”

The ship was caught in the middle of Hurricane Joaquin while traveling between Florida and Puerto Rico. The ship’s last communication was recorded Thursday, when the crew reported that the ship had lost power, was taking on water and was listed at 15 degrees. At that point, the hurricane was a Category 4 storm and winds were gusting at an excess of 120 miles per hour, creating 50 foot waves.

The ship’s owner, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, issued a statement thanking all those involved in search and rescue efforts. “We continue to hold out hope for survivors. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family members and we will continue to do all we can to support them.”

Part of that “support” will likely come as the result of many families bringing lawsuits against the company. Maritime attorney Rod Sullivan believes the El Faro should have been retired years ago. He stated that, “In my opinion, this vessel [which was built in 1975,] had reached beyond its useful life.”

Sullivan predicted that there will be heavy litigation in the near future but points out that the focus now should be on finding survivors. “Hopefully there are still some families that will have their loved ones come back to them. That’s what I am hoping for.”

Indeed, that is what everyone is hoping for.

Alphabet Drops Google’s Iconic Phrase Don’t Be Evil

Finance

The newly formed massive corporate conglomerate Alphabet has dropped the infamous catch phrase of “don’t be evil” from its codebook. As of last Friday, Alphabet is the new holding company of major technology company Google.

Instead of “don’t be evil”, Alphabet has a new replacement phrase in its codebooks.

It reads, “Employees of Alphabet and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates should do the right thing—follow the law, act honorably, and treat each other with respect.”

Google included a similar “don’t be evil” clause into its code of conduct shortly after the company was founded. It used the motto as a way to showcase the company’s independence.

Google plans to continue using the slogan, despite being a subsidiary of Alphabet. The company considers the slogan to be a part of their culture.

However, Alphabet, while strongly associated with Google, wants to develop its own motions and a culture of its own that is independent from Google.

The phrase was even incorporated by Google Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin into a letter before the day of their initial public offering back in 2004.

The motto has been integrated into Google’s complex algorithm for determining what search results are relevant for a user.

Some observers believe that the shift might represent one way that Alphabet is trying to differentiate itself from Google and start things fresh with a clean slate.

The phrase had attracted some criticism, as some people believed that it was ambiguous and somewhat hypocritical.

Other people believe that Alphabet is trying to attract new investors by changing its code of conduct. The company is reportedly making an effort to look beyond its core search engine and advertising businesses.

On Monday, Alphabet began trading on the NASDAQ stock market. It is using Google’s former ticker symbols of GOOG and GOOGL.

World’s First Driverless Bus Unveiled In China

Entertainment News

China is upping the game on self-driving vehicles, as Chinese manufacturer Yutong has introduced the world’s first driverless bus.

This represents the first step towards a system of unmanned mass transportation.

The large and accommodating vehicle was unveiled at the end of August. It took three years of development before it was able to successfully execute a 20 mile autonomous trip through the busy city of Zhengzhou.

The bus made the trip safely and without incident. However, a driver was behind the wheel and ready to take over if anything went wrong.

Yutong says that the bus performed fantastically during the trek, which spanned from Zhengzhou to the city of Kaifeng. The trip had 26 traffic lights in total, and traffic was particularly heavy.

The driverless bus managed to complete several complex driving acts. It changed lanes, overtook slower cars and responded to traffic lights. The highest speed that the bus was able to achieve was 42 mph.

Many automotive experts in China believe that driverless vehicles will eventually be able eliminate all kinds of traffic accidents, making driving considerably safer.

The bus utilizes technology, such as cameras, laser radars and a master controller that lets it know when to speed up and when to stop at traffic signals.

Yutong also says that the bus has an efficient driving style. It claims that this driving style can only be attained through years of driving experience as an attentive and careful driver. This driving style will reportedly lessen energy waste and make driving friendlier to the environment.

Yutong plans to conduct additional tests in the near future. As a part of this testing, the bus will also be run on race lanes. Eventually, the company hopes that their driverless vehicles will be used in public environments on a daily basis throughout China.

Violence Erupts As Air France Executives Flee From Employee Protesters

Finance

Violence erupted on Monday at the Charles de Gaulle airport in France as protesters stormed the offices of Air France executives. Human resources chief Xavier Broseta and the head of long-haul flights Pierre Plissonnier had to scale an eight-foot fence in order to escape the crowds. Broseta escaped with his shirt off – literally – while Plissonnier’s suit was torn to bits.

The violent altercation took place after Air France informed its employees that 1,700 ground staff, 900 flight attendants and 300 pilots may lose their jobs. Failed talks between management and employees led to the announcement.

Air France released a statement that, “These attacks were made by isolated and particularly violent individuals as the demonstration by personnel on strike was going on calmly.” The company also stated that it would file a complaint for aggravated assault with France’s transport secretary, Alain Vidalies, condemning the violence as “unacceptable and must be punished.”

Air France unveiled the plan to reduce its workforce as it is being squeezed from all sides. The company cannot effectively compete with low-cost airlines in Europe and Gulf carriers for long-haul flights. Air France tried to reach a deal with its employees in order to come to some sort of cost-cutting resolutions, but to no avail. As a result, the company had to make a move.

Acknowledging the company’s troubles, a cargo worker representative, Yves Porte, pointed out that, “The Gulf companies, who have low fuel prices and who receive government subsidies, compete with us. It’s impossible, we are not on a level playing field.”

As part of its cost-cutting plan, Air France announced that in addition to cutting jobs, it would cut the number of routes, reduce its fleet by 14 jets as well as scrap orders for more Boeing jets. It will also phase out its Airbus Group.

The company tried to reach a deal with employees to cut the annual losses that began in 2011. The French government urged both sides to continue talking in an effort to save the jobs.

In past efforts to offset costs, Air France Chief Executive Officer Alexandre de Juniac announced a plan to establish a low-cost airline located outside of France. He was defeated when Air France crews went on strike for two weeks – costing the company $564 million.

Despite the protests and related violence, Air France will not back down in its plans. Broseta stated that, “We are fighting every day for an Air France that will have lasting growth. Violence and intimidation will have part of that.”

Report Shows Housing And Job Market Affects College Enrollments

News

According to a report issued by the National Bureau of Economic Research there is a direct link between how the housing and job market is performing college attendance.

The report says that college attendance experienced a “significant slowing” between the late 1990s when the housing market started to pick up and 2006 when it began to stall.

According to the report, written by University of Chicago’s Erik Hurst and Kerwin Kofi Charles and Northwestern University’s Matthew J. Notowidigdo, the housing boom accounts for 30 percent of the college attendance slowdown amongst young adults aged 18 to 25 years during that time period.

The report also says growing home values are linked with many other economic improvements, especially growing household wealth. It says since housing has been the largest asset of American families, increasing home equity affects other areas of American life, such as an increasing demand in the labor market for a variety of associated jobs such as construction workers, gardeners, retail workers and nannies.

Labor market experts say that a plentiful job market is one of the main reasons why people skip or leave higher education. They say many young adults see time spent in school, coupled with the cost of schooling, as both earning time and money sacrificed. Even though the majority still agree that a college degree means a higher salary at the end of the road, during boom years, that trade-off can be less appealing.

This theory is supported by the report which shows the greatest impact on lowering college attendance was among two-year programs, because in times of higher labor demand,
the perceived value of an associate’s degree was only marginally better in terms of job opportunities and earning than a high-school degree.

The report shows that although enrollment in two year schools increased when the economy collapsed, when it did rebound, those who had bypassed school in favor of jobs were not among the enrollees. It showed that a large percentage of those that skipped out on school during boom years never re-entered the student population.

Japan’s New Personal ID System Goes Into Effect Monday Prompting Protests

Entertainment News

A new personal identification system in Japan came into effect on Monday, stirring up controversy in the process. The “My Number ID” system will connect a person’s individual tax information, disaster relief benefits and social security benefits. Critics worry about the possibility of the government’s invasion of personal privacy as well the potential for personal information to be hacked.

Unlike social security numbers in the United States and national identification numbers in Europe, Japan has had no equivalent system. The new legislation will provide every Japanese citizen and foreign resident with a 12-digit ID number, which will reach 55 million households. The stated goal of the program is to make the administration of certain services more efficient, such as social welfare benefits and taxation. The program is also aimed at curbing benefit fraud and tax evasion.

However, the government intends to eventually extend the security system to bank accounts for the purpose of keeping track of assets to determine taxation liabilities. While this part of the program is voluntary beginning in 2018, it will likely become mandatory by 2021.

A number of critics gathered for demonstrations in Tokyo’s Shibuya district on Saturday to protest the program. Protesters shouted, “Stop My Number now!” and “No dangerous My Number card!”

Yasuhiko Tajima, professor of media law at Sophia University, quipped that the My Number program is “unconstitutional.” He further stated that, “It is very undemocratic of the government to pass an ‘amendment’ when the system itself hasn’t begun yet.”

Those opposed to the program believe the Japanese government may use the system to track the public in undisclosed ways. Some are concerned that it may be abused to collect citizens’ health records, political beliefs and other highly sensitive information.

There are also concerns that data leaks could occur. These fears have been heightened since the Japanese government revealed in June that the country’s pension system was hacked. The government reported that Japan’s Pension Service staff computers were hacked by an email virus which led to the leak of personal data of an estimated 1.25 million people.

Major Court Ruling Could Immediately Stop Data Transfers Between US And Europe

Finance

The European Court of Justice is set to decide whether or not the Safe Harbor agreement will be revoked. The agreement allows companies in Europe to easily transfer personal data to United States without having to seek approval each time.

The agreement was signed into force in the year 2000, and it is essential for companies like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft to function successfully. The European court will decide if the agreement was able to protect the private data of European citizens once the data reached the United States.

Companies from the United States that conduct business in Europe promise to protect personal data when they agree to Safe Harbor. They act as though the data is still located in Europe, where laws regarding data protection and privacy are stronger.

However, with widespread leaks about government spying, critics have stated that the agreement is basically meaningless. Many people allege that the United States government obtained personal data from European citizens through the Safe Harbor program and companies like Facebook.

The CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg has denied giving any information about European citizens to the government of the United States.

However, many people believe that the protections offered by Safe Harbor are not adequate.

EU advocate general Yves Bot stated in his opinion, “The Safe Harbor scheme… does not contain any appropriate guarantees for preventing mass and generalized access to the transferred data.”

Officials from the United States claim that Bot’s statement is inaccurate.

Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s court decision, major companies in the United States will most certainly be affected, but it won’t be anything catastrophic.

Major companies of the United States that are operating in Europe are not going to suddenly shut down or stop working in Europe, as they generally have separate legal contracts regarding data protection laws that would enable them to continuing operating even if Safe Harbor falls apart.

However, the long term futures of these companies in Europe might become somewhat unclear.

Representatives from Facebook, Microsoft, and Google have not commented on the issue.

Many experts are stating that a breakdown of Safe Harbor would lead to “uncharted territory”.

Dutch member of the European Parliament Sophie in ‘t Veld stated, “If indeed Safe Harbor is declared invalid, companies will be in breach of EU law when they are in transferring data. Some sort of arrangement will have to put in place very quickly, and it really makes you wonder as we have done over the years why the Commission hasn’t acted sooner.”

In’t Veld says that she believes the European Commission would immediately react on a ruling if Safe Harbor were to be abolished. In such an event, data transfers between the United States and Europe would immediately cease.

Brussels-based lawyer at Covington & Burling Monika Kuschewsky says that the situation is a “headache” for companies in both the United States and Europe.

She stated, “If (the court) realized what consequences it would have and in other cases where it has declared Commission instruments invalid, it’s always taken into account the effect this would have on the stakeholders.”

While the immediate effect on businesses in unclear, it could be awhile before everything settles down.

The United States Federal Trade Commission is particularly concerned about the potential suspension of the Safe Harbor program.

FTC Commissioner Julie Brill stated, “(Suspending the program) will be taking away a privacy-protecting solution, and not addressing the underlying issue of government surveillance.”

The European Court of Justice will announce its ruling early on Tuesday.

South Carolina Continues To Deal With Rainfall And Flooding

News

As South Carolina continues to deal with epic rainfall, officials warn residents that flooding will impact the state for weeks to come.

After several days, some spots have received more than 25 inches of rain. Nine people are reported dead and dozens of roads and large stretches of interstate highways remain closed due to flooding. Authorities encourage people to stay at home as the state tries to deal with the disaster.

The areas of South Carolina that were hardest hit by the rain includes Columbia – in the middle of the state – and all the way from coastal cities Charleston up to Georgetown. According to the National Weather Service, Columbia suffered its rainiest day in history on Sunday. Meanwhile, Charleston has received two feet of rainfall.

According to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, more than 600 National Guardsmen, eight swift water rescue teams and 11 aircraft worked to rescue citizens stranded due to the floods. Over 200 water rescues took place between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

CNN meteorologist Chad Myers reports that the multiple-day storm is the result of a weather system that brought moisture into the state but never left. Myers stated that, “It was a garden hose that just kept pouring ashore in one spot, and that spot was South Carolina.” Myers also pointed out that while the rain is beginning to move out of the state, some rivers will continue to rise over the next two weeks, meaning citizens will have to deal with flooding for the foreseeable future.

Haley described the storm as the worst the state has seen in 1,000 years – referring to the situation as a 1-in-1,000 chance of happening. “This is an incident we’ve never dealt with before.”

President Obama declared a statewide emergency over the weekend retroactive to Thursday, authorizing federal aid to help with the situation.

In addressing the citizens of South Carolina, Haley “heavily encouraged” government offices and schools to close Monday. “The main reason for that is this is not going to clear up until at least Tuesday or Wednesday.”

Officials also warned residents not to drive on streets, even if it looks like there is only a few inches of water. “Do not attempt to drive into flooded roadways. It takes just 12 inches of flowing water to carry off a small car. Turn around, don’t drown.”

Officials also urged people to boil their drinking water for now. “Rising water from flooding can carry viruses, bacteria, chemicals and other submerged objects picked up as it moves through storm water systems, across industrial sites, yards, roads and parking lots.” Those unsure about whether to boil their water should do so as a precaution.

ISIS Destroys Historic Landmark In Ancient Syrian City

Entertainment News

Forces of the Islamic State have destroyed the historic Arch of Triumph in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, an act that many are considering to be a war crime.

The Arch of Triumph was 1,800 years old and it highlighted the approach to the ancient city.

Reports indicate that it was destroyed on Sunday. The area was designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.

ISIS gained control of Palmyra from Syrian government forces in May. Since gaining control of the area, extremists beheaded the antiquities expert who was responsible for looking after the ancient ruins. ISIS then proceeded to destroy the historic architecture.

In August, ISIS destroyed two temples which had major cultural significance, as they demolished the Temple of Bel and the Temple of Baalshamin. These actions brought rage and condemnation from across the world.

The Arch of Triumph had consisted of one large arch that was flanked by two smaller arches. It opened onto Palmyra’s iconic Colonnade. Beautiful geometrical and plant ornaments decorated the top of the arch.

The archway’s adornments had been described by the cultural organization of the United Nations as “an outstanding example of Palmyrene art”.

The director general of the organization has declared the destruction of the historic site to be a crime of war.

In addition to temples, ISIS has also destroyed funerary towers from ancient Rome that the United Nations said were “among the most representative and evocative monuments” at the site.

As one might expect, ISIS does not care. In fact, the terrorist group has even published photos of the destruction.

Cultural enthusiasts in Syria have been growing increasingly concerned about Palmyra’s fate being under control of ISIS. Many people stated that the ancient city of Palmyra stands for “tolerance and multicultural richness”.

However, ISIS does not agree with those principles.

North Korea Releases Detained New York University Student

Entertainment News

New York University student Won-moon Joo, who has been in detention in North Korea since April, has been released according to South Korean officials. They say Joo was handed over to them today at the border of the two countries.

A South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman says they were relieved Joo was released but also urged North Korea to free three other South Korean citizens who remain in detention.
At the time of his arrest, North Korea said the student’s illegal entry was “a serious violation” of its laws.

New York University spokesman John Beckman says the university, which has been in close contact with Joo’s family and government officials since he was arrested, welcomed the news of his release.
“He and his family have been in our thoughts. We’re relieved to learn of his release and glad for this good outcome,” he says.

Joo, who is in his early 20’s, although a permanent U.S. resident is a South Korean citizen. He was arrested by a North Korean border patrol after crossing into the country from China. He had reportedly taken a semester off from his studies at New York University to find work in California but after failing to do so, had decided to go to China to cross into North Korea.

During an interview with CNN in May, Joo said he had crossed into North Korea to “make a statement”.

“I thought that by my entrance to the DPRK — illegally, I acknowledge — I thought that some great event could happen and hopefully that event could have a good effect on the relations between the two Koreas,” he had said.

Although released by North Korea, Joo’s future freedom from prosecution is not certain as South Korea’s National Intelligence Service says it will be investigating if Joo violated national security laws.

Prominent Chinese Artist Finds Listening Devices In His Studio

Entertainment News

The Chinese artist who famously designed Beijing’s “Bird Nest” for the 2008 Olympics reported that he just found several hidden listening devices in his studio – likely installed by the Chinese government four years ago. Dissident artist Ai Weiwei posted pictures of the bugs on his Instagram account over the weekend.

In the past, Ai has upset Chinese authorities because of his bold criticisms of the Communist government. He was arrested and detained in 2011 for supposed tax evasion, which he describes as politically motivated. He was released after spending 81 days in prison. Authorities withheld his passport and only returned it to him four years later.

It was only after Ai recently returned to Beijing following his trip to Germany and England that he discovered the listening devices. During renovation of his studio, he began to spot the bugs in his office, living room and bedroom.

Ai reported to CNN that “[it’s] a professional job. It is easy to identify: a tiny microphone, a receiver and a 6-volt electronic transmitter. It’s maybe there for years or set in after I was released. It only could be a job by [public security bureau] or [national security] which I wouldn’t know.”

The artist acknowledged that he figured he was probably under surveillance due to his critical views of the government, but finding the devices was still unnerving.

“When I found these bugs, I had a strange feeling. Even though I was quite sure that these technologies have existed and the authorities have been using them for some unspeakable purpose, it’s just like [when] you know a snake exists but when you see it, you feel such a chill. It has been there, so close to me and for an unknown length of time. You start to imagine the people on the other end of the line who receive every single sound, and every voice I have ever made. The feeling is quite different.”

Ai also noted that, “It will make you think why the authorities are so interested to interfere in a private area without being noticed. It may be the only way besides force that they can take advantage of people. [A] society that gives up the values on trust and respect leads to no future.”

New Industry In China Lures Mistresses Away From Husbands

Entertainment News

Chinese business man Connor Ding is undertaking a new venture that helps women get rid of their husbands’ mistresses to supposedly allow them to revert back to happily married lives with their partners.

Connor insists that his new business in China is completely serious, and it is exactly how it sounds.

Connor stated, “Every man cheats if he is unhappy in love, including myself. People cheat because something is missing in their marriage, whether it is sex appeal, respect or love. We help people to take control of their relationship by teaching them how to address and resolve problems and gain back their partners, which often involves getting rid of a third party.”

Mistresses share a common role throughout the world, and women in China have a major demand for getting rid of them. Many Chinese wives would rather pay millions of yuan for the mistresses to leave the picture rather than fight against their husbands in court. Many experts say that women often endure unfaithful relationships for the sake of their children. Additionally, marriage laws often work against women, since men can easily hide their assets when it comes time to determine settlements.

However, divorce is becoming increasingly common in China. One marriage consultant from Shanghai Ming Li says that she has handled more than 50,000 throughout her years.

“We see 20 to 30 new clients at our consultancy every day,” she said.

Ming blames the changing culture of China for this somewhat recent trend that used to be quite taboo.

She stated, “China was so conservative then, but today many girls just don’t have the patience to wait for years while their men acquire enough wealth to afford a house and car. Declining morals and materialistic values are equally to blame.”

Statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affair in China show that more than 3.6 million couples in the country filed for divorce last year. This statistic has been increasing every year for the past 12 years.

Many believe that technology, which has made it easier than ever to cheat, has attributed to this extremely high rate of divorce.

Connor’s business is commonly referred to as “mistress-dispelling”. It is a rapidly growing industry in which dating consultants hire groups of handsome gym instructors, counsellors, lawyers, and investigators to offer a “holistic approach” in convincing the unwanted mistress to leave. Essentially, they lure the mistress away.

One intervention strategy of the professional service includes assisting the mistress in discovering better, alternative life options. Another works to help the mistress realize that their lover is married with children and does not want a divorce.

Connor’s company is located in the city of Shenzhen, which is commonly referred to as the “City of Mistresses” because of the large number of men from Hong Kong who keep “second wives” in the city.

About one-fifth of Connor’s clients are from overseas. He says that business is doing so well that he has plans to establish a branch in every mainland Chinese province in the next two years.

The industry is also accepting wives from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States who say that their husband has been lured by a young woman from mainland China.

Fees for Connor’s service start at nearly $5,000. However, that will only get a frustrated wife consultation over the phone or internet. Working “offline” starts at almost $16,000. Connor says that he has charged up to $315,000 in extreme cases.

He says that his success rate is 80%, and he promises a money-back guarantee.

While the business may seem unusual, you cannot argue with success.

White House Announces Two New Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries

Culture

The Obama administration has announced the formation of two new National Marine Sanctuaries as part of its environmental protection initiatives. According to an administration official, the sanctuaries will be administered and controlled by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They will be located in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan and in the tidal waters of Maryland.

The new protected waters are the first to be designated as such in 15 years.

The announcement was made at the international conference on marine protection in Valparaiso, Chile, which is being attended by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other top U.S. officials.

The spokesman says the move was the latest in a series of steps by President Obama to protest marine environments. Last year the White House set aside 400,000 square miles of the central Pacific Ocean to be protected from deep sea mining and commercial fishing. He says the President will be announcing measures to “further protect more American waters in the coming months” .

The Lake Michigan protected area will cover 875-square miles from Port Washington to Two Rivers, and contains 39 known shipwrecks, of which 15 are listed by the National Register of Historic Places.
The Maryland tidal waters protected area comprises 14 square miles of the Mallows Bay-Potomac River neighboring Charles County. The area holds 200 vessels, some of which date back to the Revolutionary War, and provides habitat for endangered species of fish and wildlife.
Sanctuaries are authorized under the 1972 National Marine Sanctuaries Act and are designated to “protect areas of the marine environment with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational or esthetic qualities as national marine sanctuaries”. These objects of “special national significance” include sunken historical vessels, coral reefs and areas of unique habitats.

Chinese Bombing Suspect Reportedly Killed In One Of His Own Blasts

Entertainment News

The suspect accused of setting off multiple parcel bombs in China last week was reportedly killed in one of the blasts – but rumors are circulating regarding whether or not he had accomplices.

On September 30th, 33-year old Wei Yinyong allegedly placed homemade bombs with timers in several delivery packages across different locations throughout the city of Liuzhou, including government buildings, supermarkets, private houses, a hospital and shopping mall.

One day after the multiple bombings took place, another single bomb exploded in a small residential village, reportedly killing Wei. Chinese officials stated that DNA tests confirmed that Wei was killed – contradicting earlier reports that Wei had been captured by police.

Officials believe that Wei had concocted the bombs as a vengeance act in order to get back against local residents he had been disputing with regarding his family-owned quarry.

Local media reports indicate that Wei’s former family home in the village of Dabeitun was raided on October 1st and explosives were found. Wei’s wife and father-in-law were taken away by officials.

Wei reportedly moved out of Dabeitun around two years ago after the quarry was forced to shut down. Local villagers indicated that Wei rarely came back to the village and also that his children were looked after by relatives.

Villagers painted different pictures of Wei’s personality. Some claimed that Wei was very quiet and generous, often providing loans to residents of his village. Others reported that Wei and his family repaired damaged local roads for free. One thing seemed to be in common however.

Wei was very upset when the quarry was shut down and his financial situation declined. Several witnesses reported that they heard Wei shouting at authorities regarding the quarry and threatening to blow up everyone’s houses.

Various rumors regarding the reason the quarry was closed continue to swirl as does the possibility that Wei had accomplices with respect to the bombings – and that those accomplices are still at large.

Supreme Court Back In Session With Major Cases On The Docket

News

The Supreme Court of the United State is set to resume session on Monday, and there are several landmark cases scheduled to take place in the near future.

A major hot topic will be abortion, as states are making efforts to limit the practice and regulate clinics and doctors. Religious institutions are particularly involved, as they believe it is their right to refuse to offer women terminations to complicated or unwanted pregnancies.

Some people are arguing that abortion clinics and their doctors must meet the same standards required for hospitals and surgical centers. Facilities that do not meet such guidelines would be shut down. Those in favor of this ruling claim that high standards are needed in order to protect the health of women. However, others are stating that this would harm poorer women who would be unable to access such services due to rising costs and a reduced number of facilities. Many believe that the possible requirement has the actual goal of reducing the number of abortions, rather than improving women’s health.

Immigration will be another discussion point for the court, with many people questioning President Barack Obama’s right to provide semi-legal status to millions of immigrants in the United States who came to the country illegally when they were children.

A major case for labor unions is set to take place, as teachers from California are claiming that being forced to pay union fees is a violation of their First Amendment rights. They believe that unions should be required to obtain permission before collecting the fees that are going to be used for political purposes. Under the current system, objecting employees must opt out of the union to avoid paying fees.

The court will also address a major case on affirmative action, as the constitutionality of the law school program of the University of Texas is being questioned. Rejected applicant Abigail Fisher claims that she was not allowed entry into the program because of her race. The case had previously been in the Supreme Court, where it was ruled that affirmative action programs must be handed with “strict scrutiny”, but they were not necessarily unconstitutional. Making a ruling in support of Fisher here could result in a major blow to both affirmative action and racial and ethnic diversity in public institutions across the United States.

One Texas case could shift political influence away from densely-populated urban areas and provide suburban and rural areas with more voting power. The case is questioning whether or not the legislative districts of states should be allowed to be appointed by using the number of eligible voters in the district instead of the total number of people in the district, regardless of whether or not they can vote. Since immigrants and children cannot vote, some people believe that they should not be counted. If only eligible voters are to be counted, then rural areas would gain power, since there tends to be fewer immigrants and fewer children in these areas. The ruling could affect Congressional redistricting in the future.

Religious nonprofit institutions are filing lawsuits arguing that Obamacare’s process for letting them opt out of the policy’s contraception requirement forces to them to violate their religious beliefs. Many judges are asking the Supreme Court to intervene by overturning the refusal of lower courts to protect religious parties from penalties for not filling out paperwork that triggers the contraception exemption while setting in motion coverage from others.

With many intense court cases lined up, it’s clear that the Supreme Court of the United States is ready for a busy fall session of 2015.

United States And 11 Other Countries Reach Historic Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement

News

The largest regional trade agreement in history was reached on Monday between the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) focuses on global commerce and worker standards that will connect 40% of the world’s economy.

In addition to the United States, participating countries include Japan, Canada, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Peru, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The agreement has been in the works for eight years and, if passed by Congress, could be a “legacy maker” of the Obama administration. Obama contends that the partnership would build a common blockade against China’s economic practices and influence. It further would allow the United States and its partners – not Beijing – to set the standards for trade and commerce in the Pacific region.

The TPP covers numerous topics, but one highlight includes the phasing out of thousands of import tariffs faced by many countries participating in international trade. The agreement also focuses on establishing rules and regulations on the intellectual property of corporations, opening the availability of the Internet everywhere, including communist Vietnam, and levying more penalties on wildlife trafficking and abuses to the environment.

Additional items covered include providing protections for pharmaceutical companies, open markets for sugar and dairy products and a gradual phaseout of the tariffs on Japan’s automotive vehicles sold in North America.

The TPP will likely face stiff opposition in Congress in the months ahead. Labor unions, liberal activists and environmentalists all argue that the TPP favors large corporations over workers’ rights and environmental protection. Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders alike have condemned the TPP, calling the agreement a bad deal. Even Hillary Clinton’s support for the TPP is likely to waiver as she seeks to gain the votes of labor unions across the United States.

The White House contends that the United States has more to gain from open, freer trade with Pacific nations while opponents argue that the TPP will cause American jobs to be lost or be sent overseas.

Human rights groups and unions also express skepticism that Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam will actually improve labor conditions.

Republicans also will likely take issue with provisions of the agreement that provide a shorter period of time for brand-name pharmaceutical companies to keep their data secret with respect to advanced medicines made from living organisms. The generic drug industry and nonprofit health organizations want even shorter periods of time, however. They argue that a shorter period of time to keep the data secret is necessary to advance medicines that are affordable to the world’s population.

While the TPP attempts to address a number of global commerce and trade issues, there is a long road ahead before it becomes a reality.

Apple and Google Top The Interbrand Best Global Brands Report

Finance

Despite rapid growth by many global companies over the last year, Apple and Google remain the most valuable brands, according to the annual Interbrand Best Global Brands report released today. This the third year in a row that the two U.S companies have topped the report, which estimates Apple’s brand being worth $170.3 billion and Google’s at $120.3 billion.

The report says Apple’s worth increased 43 percent from 2014 while Google enjoyed a 12 percent rise in value.

While Facebook only came in at 23rd in the rankings, it had the highest percentage increase over the past year with 54 percent growth to be valued at $22 billion.

The global chief executive of Interbrand Jez Frampton says that by looking at the companies heading the report and those who had shown the fastest growth it was obvious that, “Nowadays, in order to succeed in any marketplace, you not only have to have a great business idea, you have to have a great brand.”

“All the brands in the top are there for a very good reason,” says Frampton. “They’ve either transformed or made better how we live our lives.”

The technology sector dominated this year’s Interbrand list, representing a third of the report’s overall value. As well as Apple and Google, technology brands filled four of the report’s top 10 ranking, with Microsoft climbing to 4th place from last year’s fifth; IBM at No. 5; and Samsung remaining at No. 7.

The other brands in the top 10 are Coca-Cola, No. 3; Toyota, No. 6; General Electric, No. 8; McDonald’s, No. 9; and Amazon, No 10.

Frampton says the Interbrand report’s rankings and brand valuations are determined by brand earnings and how big a role a brand has had in influencing its consumers’ loyalty and decisions over the past year.

Glencore Shares Rally Again And See 70% Rise In Hong Kong

Finance

Commodity trader and mining company Glencore is continuing to rise after its massive decline, as shares for the company are up more than 70% in Hong Kong.

Just one week ago, shares for Glencore had fallen by nearly 30%. There were widespread rumors that the company was going to liquidate its assets in the near future. However, the company insisted that it would be able to weather the storm.

Shares for Glencore have been extremely volatile, moving up and down throughout last week. The company has been heavily plagued by an economic slowdown in China, the world’s largest buyer of raw materials. However, market analysts have said that the troubles for Glencore had been over-exaggerated, resulting in sharp rises of the company’s stock.

Basically, it has been a roller coaster ride for Glencore.

In August, Glencore revealed that it would attempt to reduce its debt by raising billions of dollars in equity and selling assets. Newspapers in London reported that a major portion of Glencore’s agriculture department was likely to be sold.

That same month, Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg stated that he was unable to predict the economy of China. He also said that he would be open to takeover offers for the company.

However, most market analysts believe that no company would want to touch Glencore given its massive debt load.

Glencore is primarily listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is Glencore’s secondary listing.

Glencore’s more recent rise has been accompanied by major activity in the stock market. Monday might turn out to be the most heavily traded day in recorded history for the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Representatives of Glencore informed market regulators that the company is not aware of why its value suddenly skyrocketed. Meanwhile, in London, shares for the company were up 13%.

Mining and energy stocks have also had a strong performance in Australia. Shares for BHP Billiton are up 4%, while shares for Santos have risen by nearly 6%. Gold mining company Newcrest Mining is up 9%.

Most analysts have shown approval in Glencore’s debt management plan. They say that the company’s methods for raising equity, selling assets, and preserving cash should successfully reduce its debt load over time.

It remains to be seen if Glencore’s strategies will pan out in the long run.

Holland Debuts World’s First Sand Castle Hotels

Entertainment News

The world’s first sand hotels just closed for the year in the Holland cities of Oss and Sneek, but due to the overwhelming interest in both venues, owners are considering a repeat performance for next year. Structural elements like walls and floors were made of sand with wood reinforcement, all furnished with standard pieces (no, you won’t be sleeping in a bed of sand).

The hotels were built as a promotion for local sand sculpture festivals, but some of the tenants say they have long dreamt of staying in a real sand castle, as hotel manager Maud van Leeuwen explained, “I think for some people it’s a childhood fantasy to sleep in a sandcastle, while for others it’s a bit like going on an adventure, or for a special occasion.”

In contrast to the $1,000-plus rates of the Swedish ice hotel that spawned the idea, rooms here go for as low as $170 a night and even feature a drawbridge and turrets. In order to prevent the structure from crumbling away, the sand is fixed using a special lime binder.

Van Leeuwen says that guests need not worry about the comfort level in her sand hotel, “People say: ‘It’s a sand hotel, it’s going to be a like a muddy puddle’ but in fact it’s very luxurious.”

The theme for Oss this year was “journey through time,” with each room featuring several sculptures of medieval figures, dinosaurs and robots.

Due to the great success of both hotels, there is interest in expanding into Britain and Germany for next year.

“We have many artists who work with both sand and ice and suddenly we thought — why not build a sand hotel?” Van Leeuwen told AFP.

Those who can’t wait until next year to stay in a fantasy hotel can seek a room in the 26th rendition of the Jukkasjärvi ice hotel in Sweden, opening December 11th.

Beard Transplants See A Six Hundred Percent Rise

Health & Wellness

There is a popular solution for people who are unable to grow an impressive beard, as an increasing number of facial-hair-challenged individuals are opting to receive a beard transplant.

The procedure reportedly costs anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000.

Statistics show that beard transplants increased by 600% from 2004 to 2014.

While many recipients are males who want a long, thick beard which they would otherwise be unable to grow, the procedure is also useful for transgendered individuals who want to transition from female to male. The transplant is also being received by people who are trying to hide acne scars.

Other people want the transplant to look older. Jose Amos, who is a 28 year old paramedic from New York, said that patients did not take him seriously because of his youthful appearance. He opted to receive a beard transplant so that his patients would give him the proper medical authority that he needs on the job.

And still, some men are having the procedure because they believe that it will give them more luck with the ladies. One statistic stated that two thirds of women prefer a man with an impressive beard than a clean-shaven man.

Hair restoration surgeon Dr. Jeffrey S. Epstein says ten years ago that he only performed four or five facial hair transplants per year. Now he says he does at least three every week. Clearly the procedure is more popular than ever before.

Meanwhile the non-profit medical association called the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery claims that beard transplants had 1.5% of the global hair restoration procedure market in 2012. However, by last year, beard transplants represented 3.7% of the hair restoration procedures across the world.

While the reasons for receiving the procedure vary from person to person, there is no denying the fact that beard transplants are becoming quite popular.