Posts - Americans

Housing Boom Badly Hurt US College Admissions

News

The housing boom led to one of the lowest college enrollment rates in the history of the U.S., a new study reveals. The housing boom that occurred from the late 90’s and into the early 2000’s escalated housing prices in many parts of the U.S., earning tidy sums for many. Tidy enough for most to ditch college for open employment.

When the housing industry was a hot commodity from the late 1990s to 2006, many jobs were found that did not need a college education. To a majority of high school graduates, being offered employment with good perks made going to college a dodgy affair.

According to the study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, “The housing boom improved labor market opportunities for young men and women, thereby raising their opportunity cost of college-going.”

The authors of the study, Prof. Kerwin Kofi Charles, Erik Hurst from the University of Chicago and finally Mathew Notowidigo from Northwestern University, further said that “The boom substantially lowered college enrollment and attainment for both young men and women.”

The researchers compiled cross city information between the housing boom periods, together with empirical data sources such as the Census Bureau and the Department of Education to formulate a concise graph of college admissions over the period.

The graph revealed that the percentage of men and women joining college before the boom increased gradually before taking a hit during the boom when the housing prices were highest. The researchers, however, reported an increase in college membership in some states. According to the researcher, “that would be as a result of the high real estate earnings availing parents with the money to send their kids to school.”

When the market burst, thousands of workers were left without a job and education as they had forestalled college for the market. What followed was an aged generational crisis between those who had been working without the relevant papers and those who had gone to college.

Researchers said, “Our evidence suggests that these cohorts have experienced a sort of ‘educational scarring,’ whereby their rates of attainment are permanently lower than would have been true had there been no boom.”

Many Americans fail to go to college because of the high tuition fees. The research solidifies the myth that economic earnings are directly proportionate to the work done.

Pentagon Faces Problems As Its Network Connections Expose Vulnerabilities

News

The Pentagon was one of the first government departments to embrace the practice of connecting sensitive networks, power weapons and expensive equipment by using the Internet. While the practice was a sign of forward thinking at the time, the Pentagon is now experiencing troubles that were not anticipated in those early years.

The connectivity between all of these networks and equipment has an enormous number of benefits, but it also comes with risks. The Defense Department is exposed to many vulnerabilities as a result of being online.

Admiral Michael Rogers, commander of Cyber Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that, “We are trying to overcome decades of a thought process . . . where we assumed that the development of our weapon systems that external interfaces, if you will, with the outside world were not something to be overly concerned with. They represented opportunity for us to remotely monitor activity, to generate data as to how aircraft, for example, or ships’ hulls were doing in different sea states around the world. [These are] all positives if you’re trying to develop the next generation of cruiser [or] destroyer for the Navy.”

Rogers also pointed out that along with those opportunities come risks. The reality is that adversaries are developing systems and strategies based on stealing Pentagon data. This is illustrated by the fact that China has stolen some of this information and subsequently created the J-31 fighter, which many experts describe as a cheap version of the United States F-35.

Rogers told the committee that, “That’s where we find ourselves now. So one of the things I try to remind people is: it took us decades to get here. We are not going to fix this set of problems in a few years. We have to prioritize it, figure out where is the greatest vulnerability.”

Also present at the committee hearing was Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work. He told committee members that the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer, Frank Kendall, was evaluating virtually every weapon in the United States arsenal to understand the “hackability” of each one. Work promised that he expected the job to be completed in the very near future.

Work also acknowledged that the current list of vulnerabilities faced by the Pentagon is “a big, big problem,” and added that, “Most of the weapons systems that we have today were not built to withstand a concerted cyber threat.”

Work provided a list of things that the Pentagon was trying to accomplish in order to reduce risks and vulnerabilities. When referring to transitioning to smaller computing networks as opposed to larger networks, he stated that, “We’re going from 15,000 enclaves to less than 500. We’re going from 1,000 defendable firewalls to less than 200, somewhere between 50 and 200.”

U.S. Fears Compromise of Military Secrets As Russia Enters Intelligence Sharing Agreement With Iraq And Syria

Entertainment News

Reports of intelligence sharing between the Iraqi government and Russia have raised concerns by the U.S. Defense Department that U.S. secrets could be vulnerable. Russian cyber security breaches of U.S. government systems gives credence to those fears, and Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work confirmed that the nature of the communications between Iraq and Russia is currently unknown.

The Syrian government joined Iraq and Russia in creating the intelligence sharing agreement, which holds ISIS terrorism as its main reason for existence. Defense Secretary Work commented on the news, “We were caught by surprise that Iraq entered into this agreement with Syria, Iran and Russia. Obviously, we are not going to share intelligence with either Syria, or Russia, or Iran.

So we are in the process of working to try and find out exactly what Iraq has said. Certainly we are not going to provide any classified information that would help those actors on the battlefield.”

The U.S. fears that Syria is another theater for Russia’s expansion of power in the region, just as it demonstrated in Ukraine, with the new agreement as a means to that end. Any claims of Russian assistance against the ISIS threat are what Director of National Intelligence James Clapper describes as, “a belated motivation.”

The Congressional appropriation in 2015 of $1.6 billion worth of training and equipment to the Iraqi military included sensitive equipment and techniques for improvised explosive device detection. The dissemination of that information between Iraq, Syria, and Russia could raise the likelihood of its compromise by extremist groups like ISIS, allowing them to improve their bomb-making capabilities.

The presence of over 3,500 U.S. troops within Iraq is another point of concern.

The U.S. continues to proclaim its desire to “deconflict” Iraq and Syria, its main motivation being the avoidance of a direct conflict between Russia and the U.S., as the two nations pursue their own ends in the region.

Banks Might Have To Begin Work With Technology Firms

Finance

Banks throughout the world will soon have to make the decision of either helping upstart technology companies or working against them. Startup technology companies are able to provide banking services that are often cheaper and more convenient.

These startup technology companies are able to offer online banking applications that are easy to use and appeal to the needs of customers. Banking companies will either have to develop their own technology or team-up with the companies that already have resources.

Because of the weak relationships between banks and their customers, banks are vulnerable to competition from startup companies and established companies such as Apple and Google. Banks will have to choose whether or not to assist new entrants into the market by providing loans for the young companies.

Since 2009, profits of banks have recovered, surpassing $1 trillion globally in 2014. The banking industry currently makes more profits than any other industry. This success has attracted more than 12,000 startup technology companies that threaten to shrink the profit margins enjoyed by banks. These startup companies often offer cheaper services than are usually offered by banks.

Banking analysts from McKinsey wrote in a report, “The window for making this choice is narrowing. Banks must decide soon, probably within three years, or the choice will be made for them.”

The retail banking industry faces a risk of anywhere between 20% and 60% of their profits in the situation. Banks have already experienced a drop in margins, which has resulted in lower returns among lenders.

In order to work with new startups, lenders must use the data that they already possess to improve online banking applications, as most people are making the switch to online banking services rather than traditional mailing services.

The report said that banks should also focus on switching their messages that emphasize the strength and stability of banks to messages that appeal to human emotions.

Report co-author Philipp Haerle said, “Banks certainly have the perception of solidity, of safeness, of competence when it comes to financial services. It’s not that they’re starting from a desperate spot. But of course, the type of brand you need in this new environment is different.”

Some banks have already started working with new companies. For instance, Banco Santander SA created its own app that enables customers to track their spending. The app is used in conjunction with Apple Pay.

Other banks could decide to let the technology companies focus on the customers, while the banks concentrate on the functionality of their core services, such as checking accounts. This could reduce costs incurred by banks.

Haerle says, “To do this successfully, you will need to run this in a very effective fashion with relatively low cost. The transition is anything but easy. It takes years.”

However, some banks are skeptical of new emerging companies.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon wrote in a letter to shareholders, “Silicon Valley is coming. We are going to work hard to make our services as seamless and competitive as theirs. And we also are completely comfortable with partnering where it makes sense.”

Whether or not banks will team-up with new technology companies, it seems that banking is only going to become more convenient in the near future.

Laser Beard Shaver Finally Invented And Available On Kickstarter

Entertainment News

A startup has just invented a groundbreaking new way to shave without causing irritations or bumps, using laser technology. Laser beams are currently used in laser hair removal, but never in beard shaving. Millions of men from around the world will be looking out for the new invention when it hits the retail shops.

Skarp Laser Razor, the new invention by Skarp, will give users an incredibly close shave without the irritations of a regular razor. The new prototype is an all round aluminum razor shaped in the form of a gizmo that uses a laser to cut and burn through facial hair.

Skarp says the razor is powered by a laser which is in turn powered by an AA battery. The laser cuts at just above the skin’s surface, removing all traces of hair while avoiding burns, irritations, cuts and ingrown hair.

The battery has been estimated to run for up to a month while the device lasts for close to 50,000 hours. The device is waterproof, making using it in the shower easy. Additionally, it does not require lathering.

According to the inventors, the chief factor inhibiting the development of the razor was finding a laser frequency that could cut through hair of any color. This made the find tedious and the razor almost inconceivable.

Hope was finally found when scientists discovered a chromophore in hair which could absorb any particular wave length. Chromophores are particles that can absorb wavelengths of light. The specific chromophores identified in the study can be found in every human being, regardless of age, gender or race.

Skarp also went ahead to alleviate health concerns when using the razor. The company issued a statement saying, “The wavelength we’re using doesn’t emit UV. The power of the laser is too low to cause damage. But more importantly, the laser doesn’t enter the skin, it only enters the hair. So there is absolutely no risk of developing any complications or damage.”

The razor’s name, Skarp, comes from the Swedish word for sharp. The company’s founder, Morgan Gustavsson, grew up in Sweden. Gustavsson also invented Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), a preferred hair removal method for dermatologists worldwide.

The new laser razor will set the tone for beard shaving across the world. For millions of men around the world, an end to the painful bumps and cuts from razors is in sight.

Skarp is currently available on Kickstarter.

North Carolina Considers Major Discriminatory Bill Aimed At Local Governments

News

North Carolina is considering a bill that would take power away from local city governments, giving the state more control over local laws. The bill would grant the state authority in areas such as housing, wages, and traffic laws.

Early Wednesday morning, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified the bill, but it did not include the amendment language that would take power away from local cities.

The bill has garnered major opposition from local government representatives and LGBT rights organizations.

If the bill does eventually pass the way it was originally intended, it would largely benefit wealthy individuals.

One aspect of the bill would remove the ability of cities to regulate local relations between tenants and landlords, giving landlords more power to place restrictions over their tenants.

Another portion of the bill prevents local and county governments from increasing the minimum wage within their jurisdictions. They would also lose the power to control any private employment practices. This would allow for conservative parties to discriminate against certain individuals, such as those who identify as LGBT or as Muslims.

Local governments would also face restrictions in passing laws or ordinances that deal with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Instead, the North Carolina Board of Transportation would take complete and total control over such authority.

One major concern about the bill is the fact that it would prohibit any party other than the state government from setting affordable-housing goals, mandates, or minimums. This could result in lower-income individuals not having a place to live.

Earlier this year, a state-level religious freedom act failed in North Carolina. Meanwhile, a local ordinance in Charlotte that would have protected LGBT people from discrimination also failed to pass. Clearly, the state still has issues against certain minority groups.

The amendment currently in question would prevent cities in North Carolina from even considering ideas like local non-discrimination requirements.

Charlotte Mayor Daniel G. Clodfelter is not happy about the proposal. He is also displeased about the sneaky methods that were used by state officials to incorporate discriminatory practices into the bill.

“These provisions were inserted in the conference report with no prior public notice. They did not appear in any prior version of the bill as it was debated in committee or on the floor of either chamber. These provisions set our community back nearly half a century and will have a lasting negative impact on everyone,” he stated.

Teenagers Create Innovative Reactor to Produce Biodiesel

Culture

Researchers from the University of Delaware believe that carbonized chicken feathers could be used as a replacement for expensive carbon nanotubes in storing hydrogen. Using cheap materials, such as chicken feathers, in place of traditional expensive equipment could significantly reduce the cost of major items such as vehicles powered by hydrogen.

Meanwhile, some teenagers from Bosnia and Herzegovina have been conducting experiments of their own. Anela Arifi and Ilda Ismaili have many chickens in their area. The teenagers managed to construct a reactor that outputs both biodiesel and carbonized chicken feathers.

Their reactor was so successful that they managed to reach the finals of the Google Science Fair, which was held last week in Mountain View, CA.

The reactor starts with ordinary chicken feathers. It then uses heat and extracted chicken fat in combination with methanol and sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, to produce biodiesel. The biodiesel is purified using wood chips. Additionally, the chicken feathers are carbonized in the process. Glycerol is also produced.

By using their reactor, the teenagers have managed to come up with a cheap and efficient way of producing biodiesel. The carbonized chicken feathers are also useful because of their potential for storing hydrogen.

Biodiesel is a variation of diesel fuel that is manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled greases. The fuel is safe, biodegradable, and it creates less air pollution than diesel derived from petroleum. Biodiesel is used throughout the world to power certain vehicles. Cars, trucks, trains, and airplanes have all utilized biodiesel as a fuel source. Biodiesel has also been used as way to heat buildings and to generate electricity.

Finding a method to easily store carbon has been a longstanding challenge for scientists. Most current methods are expensive or take a large amount of effort. While the utilization of carbonized chicken feathers isn’t likely to change hydrogen storage methods overnight, it should give researchers some more ideas to work with.

Diesel Exhaust From Vehicles Create Spikes Of Pollution

Entertainment News

Many people are worried about pollution from diesel vehicles following the admission by Volkswagen that 11 million of its diesel cars were equipped with cheating devices which tricked officials into believing that the vehicles were compliant with emission standards.

Engines of diesel vehicles produce many carbon particulates, most of which get caught by filters. However, some are able to get by the filters, and they are harmful to human lungs. In short, diesel engines are a major source of air pollution. The air pollution in question is known as nitrous oxide, which is the cause of many respiratory diseases in humans.

A recent study that was presented at a conference held in Amsterdam by the European Respiratory Society said that even a single diesel vehicle is able to create a noticeable spike in pollution levels. The study found that pollution was particularly heavy on busy streets.

Researcher from London’s Queen Mary University Lee Koh carried a monitor that he used while traveling along both a busy street and a calm street in London during its evening rush hour. The busier street only had slightly higher than average pollution levels, but local spikes occurred whenever a vehicle passed by. This shows that whenever a person is nearby a vehicle, they are subject to pollution. This is especially true for diesel vehicles.

The largest spikes of pollution particulates reached levels of more than 10,000 nanograms of carbon per cubic meter. This is three times the average levels that were detected in London’s evening rush hour. London has some of the highest rates of pollution in Western Europe.

Koh planned the routes by using an app known as Walkit. The app is used to show walking routes in large cities. The app is also able to provide routes that avoid areas known for having large amounts of air pollution.

Abundance Of Artificial Light Messes With Reproductive Patterns Of Wallabies

Culture

In a new study conducted in Australia, researchers have determined that the over-abundance of artificial light disrupts the reproductive cycle of wallabies. The miniature cousins of kangaroos, wallabies are found in the plains and forests of Australia, New Guinea and one of New Zealand’s islands. Their reproductive patterns are generally very time-specific and this new research shows how artificial light can mess with those cycles.

Wallabies mate in October, but the female’s body relies on the sun for cues as to when to deliver her babies. She holds the embryo dormant until after the summer solstice, which occurs in December down under.

Essentially, the natural, predictable shortening of days and the decreasing daylight triggers the female’s body to create and produce melatonin. This hormone regulates sleep and wakefulness. The production of melatonin thereafter increases progesterone levels, which signals the embryo to develop into a fetus.

Once the fetus develops, wallabies deliver their babies exactly six weeks after the summer solstice, when day length and temperatures are perfect.

Up until now, most studies on the effects that light pollution has on mammals have taken place in controlled laboratory environments or on field observations of behavior alone. The researchers of this new study, consisting of Australian and German scientists, actually observed wallabies in their natural environments as well as obtaining biological measurements.

The researchers placed small collars on five females. The collars measured near constant light levels and GPS coordinates of the marsupials. The team also collected several blood samples which they measured for levels of melatonin. They also recorded the birth schedules of approximately 300 babies delivered over a five-year period.

Importantly, the researchers studied two different populations of wallabies. One population lived in a bush environment that was far away from artificial lighting. The other population was located in the grasses near a naval base that had tons of artificial light glowing at all hours of the night.

The observations of researchers indicate that the presence of artificial light definitely alters the reproductive timing of female wallabies. Females located near the naval base had a more difficult time responding to shortening days (because the artificial lighting masked natural lighting.) They therefore developed less melatonin than the females located in the bush (which enjoyed natural light and darkness.) Less melatonin means delayed development of the fetus.

The study concluded that for the naval base mothers, the lighting caused biological changes that affected their bodies as well their babies. On average, the mothers delivered their babies a whole month after the bush mothers delivered their young.

The researchers note that the problem of the abundance of artificial light is not going away any time soon for wallabies, as well as all kinds of wildlife. Artificial light pollution is constantly increasing, growing at a rate of about 6% annually.

Russia Conducts First Airstrikes In Syria Following Military Buildup

Entertainment News

Following weeks of deploying its military in Syria, Russia began conducting its first airstrikes within the country on Wednesday. The recent move to act provided a powerful reinforcement to Russian president Vladimir Putin’s criticisms of what many describe as an ineffective U.S. policy towards the conflict.

In statements at the UN General Assembly this week, President Obama has indicated his desire for a transition away from an Assad-ruled Syria, contrary to Putin’s argument that Assad’s military is the only solution to the ISIS problem.

Russia has previously vetoed Western-backed UN sanctions against Syria over the conflict, and has also provided Assad with its advanced S-300 anti-air missile system. Because the rebel forces in Syria do not have any air capabilities, the delivery could be construed as a warning against further involvement by the U.S. coalition, which includes Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

When Obama issued statements earlier this month authorizing direct attacks against ISIS in Syria, he was opposed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich who stated that U.S. intervention in Syria, “without the consent of the legitimate government… in the absence of a UN Security Council decision, would be an act of aggression, a gross violation of international law.”

The U.S. coalition has previously provided intelligence and air strike capability to rebels in Syria.

In recent weeks, Russia has built up a military force on Syrian soil including thousands of troops, over 40 aircraft and 9 T-90 tanks. It has also deployed drones into rebel-held Idlib, as well as government-controlled Hamah and Latakia. Reports following Wednesday’s airstrikes are stating that some of the attacks were on rebel forces, and not just ISIS targets.

If true, the claims would confirm U.S. fears that Russia is indeed acting to preserve the Assad regime, and may move against coalition actors to further that goal.

Iranian General Warns Enemies After A Satellite And Aircraft Deal With Russia

Entertainment News

Today, a high ranking Iranian official warned that Iran will deliver a “crushing response” to any nation that “attempts” to wage war against it.
Although this is appears to be the usual Iranian beating-of-chest war rhetoric, middle east experts say the timing of the threat from Iran’s Army Ground Force Operation head General Seyed Ali

Mehrabi is interesting. The announcement follows news that Iran has purchased Russian aircraft and satellite systems to the tune of $21 billion and had also agreed on joint development projects for aircraft engine production and helicopter design.

According to Iranian officials the deal was struck after Iranian officials visited Russia’s recent MAKS-2015 international air show.

“The enemy is aware that Iran is an important place for all Muslims and an influential country in the region and even the world, given its great capacities. Our armed forces have proved that if the enemy makes a mistake, they will give a strong and crushing response to them with all their power,” said Mehrabi.

Experts say the General’s posturing could have been bolsted by the recent purchases, which although confirmed by Iranian technology and aviation official Manouchehr Manteghi, have not been itemized.

There was speculation during the MAKS-2015 air show that Iran was among the first potential buyers of the Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) turboprop military transport aircraft, which is expected to be ready for export in 2017.

Last month Iranian Vice President Sorena Sattari confirmed Iran was engaged in talks with Russia on purchasing military aircraft and using Russian rocket carriers to launch satellites into orbit. At the same time, news broke of Russia supplying weapons, including anti-aircraft missile systems to Syria.

Inmate Kelly Gissendaner Is The First Woman To Be Executed In Georgia In 70 Years

News

Death row inmate of Georgia, Kelly Gissendaner, was executed early Wednesday morning for hiring a hitman to kill her husband in 1997. Gissendaner was originally scheduled to be executed at 7 pm on Tuesday, but her lawyers filed last-minute appeals in a last ditch effort to save her life.

Gissendaner’s children had to make the difficult choice on Tuesday of either seeing their mother one last time before her execution or making a final appeal before the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. The children ultimately decided to attempt the appeal, which failed.

Her children even presented a letter from Pope Francis that encouraged the board not to execute Gissendaner.

The letter read, “While not wishing to minimize the gravity of the crime for which Ms. Gissendaner has been convicted, and while sympathizing with the victims, I nonetheless implore you, in consideration of the reasons that have been presented to your Board, to commute the sentence to one that would better express both justice and mercy.”

The Pope had also sent a letter to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin in which he asked her to repeal the death sentence for Richard Glossip, who is scheduled for execution on Wednesday.

Witnesses say that Gissendaner was crying as she entered the execution chamber. She released a final statement that apologized to her victim, and she reportedly sang Amazing Grace as the execution took place.

Gissendaner was convicted of murder in 1997, and she had been on death row for more than 18 years. She convinced a man she was having an affair with to kill her husband. Gissendaner is the first female to be executed in Georgia in 70 years.

The man Gissendaner hired to murder her husband is only serving a life sentence.

Meanwhile, relatives of Doug Gissendaner, Kelly’s husband and murder victim, said in a statement that they were pleased that the execution was finally taking place.

The statement read, “Kelly planned and executed Doug’s murder. She targeted him and his death was intentional. Kelly chose to have her day in court and after hearing the facts of this case, a jury of her peers sentenced her to death. As the murderer, she’s been given more rights and opportunity over the last 18 years than she ever afforded to Doug, who, again, is the victim here. She had no mercy, gave him no rights, no choices, nor the opportunity to live his life. His life was not hers to take.”

However, the children of Kelly and Doug wanted their mother to be spared.

“My dad would not want my mom to be executed, even knowing her role in his murder, would not want us to endure another devastating loss,” daughter Kayla Gissendaner said in a statement. The daughter went on to say that her mother had experienced a change in character over the previous 18 years.

A petition signed by more than 90,000 people urged Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to stop the execution.

Lawyers of Gissendaner argued that her sentence was not in appropriate proportion compared to Greg Owen, who actually killed Doug Gissendaner. Owen testified against Kelly Gissendaner as part of a plea bargain.

Gissendaner’s execution had previously been postponed twice. Only 15 females have been executed in the United States since 1976.

Several Explosions Rock China’s Guangxi’s Liucheng County In Less Than One Hour

Entertainment News

Beginning at about 3:50 p.m. local time, the first of several explosions erupted in China’s city of Liuzhou in Guangxi province. It is reported that there were between 13 and 17 explosions that rocked up to 17 different locations. At least seven people were killed, more than 50 people were injured and two are still missing. Chinese officials have ruled out the possibility of a terror attack.

The places hit by the explosions include a prison, shopping mall, local government building, transport station, hospital, supermarket, vegetable market, staff dormitory of animal husbandry and a disease control center.

The blasts all resulted from parcel bombs, and Liucheng county official Cai Tianlai stated that following the explosions, approximately 60 suspicious courier parcels were placed under security, pending processing by the bomb squad. Authorities also issued a public safety alert warning citizens not to open packages.

One witness, Li Acheng, reported that, “I was sitting inside [my] shop and a sudden loud bang was heard. Some windows in my shop broke. I walked outside to see what happened and almost got hit by a window falling from the third floor. I saw a half of a building nearly collapse.”

Li further stated that, “We were all very shocked and thought it might be an act of terrorism. All shops were closed and the town is under curfew with police guard each street. It was very scary with so many attacks in just over an hour.”

Pictures posted on social media and news outlets show upturned cars and a large building that had partially collapsed.

In recent years, a number of attacks have been carried out at China’s markets and train stations by those who wish to air their grievances. But, until now, the attacks were limited to knife and small bombings. The parcel bomb explosions represent a larger, coordinated attack.

The blasts occurred on the eve of China’s national holiday, which begins a seven-day public vacation.

Japanese Men Detained In China For Alleged Spying

Entertainment News

Two Japanese men have been arrested in China on suspicions of spying. Japan has said that these men have been held in captivity since May, and Japanese diplomats are doing everything in their power to help the imprisoned men.

Japanese media sources have stated that the two men in question were from the private sector.

One of the men was arrested in the province of Liaoning, which is located in northeast China near its border with North Korea. The other man was separately detained near a military facility in China’s eastern province of Zhejiang. Both men are reportedly in their 50s.

China is reportedly determining whether or not the men were working for the Japanese government.

Japan has been informed by China of the present situation. A press conference was held by Japan in Tokyo to discuss the issue.

Rumors are circulating of a third imprisoned Japanese person, but the Japanese government has said that they are only aware of two at this time.

Japan has insisted that it was not spying on China and that it is not spying on any other country. Japan believes that authorities in China are simply making excuses to link the men to spying.

The man arrested in Zhejiang near a military facility was not living in China, but rather he was simply visiting from Japan. Analysts believe that his release will take a large amount of time and effort from the Japanese government.

Chinese president Xi Jinping has stated that the country has been increasing its watch of foreign organizations and visitors. Officials have said that foreign visitors will be closely monitored.

In 2010, four Japanese nationals were detained temporarily in China under the suspicion that they had entered a military zone and took photographs.

Last week, China said that it had been investigating an American woman who came into China in March for supposedly committing actions that were a threat to Chinese security.

Climate Change Will Soon Affect Global Financial Markets

Finance

In a speech delivered to insurers, investors and financial analysts, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney spoke of his grave concerns that climate change will have on financial stability of markets in the near future. While his speech was geared towards the British economy, his warnings are certainly applicable to the economy of the United States and the global economy as a whole.

Carney said that investors need to get in the game and wake up to the potential for huge losses that will be sustained when government regulations shift and in order to fight global warming and decrease the use of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil.

He pointed out that, “The challenges currently posed by climate change pale in significance compared with what might come. Once climate change becomes a defining issue for financial stability, it may already be too late.”

Carney further proffered that, “The exposure to . . . investors, including insurance companies, to these shifts is potentially huge,” and noted that the most imminently exposed to such losses are insurers.

He described the scenario in which policy changes will leave coal miners and oil drillers with stranded reserves and assets that have little value. This will happen because regulations aimed at fighting climate change will require that these resources are left in the ground rather than be harvested.

Carney emphasized that, “A wholesale reassessment of prospects, especially if it were to occur suddenly, could potentially destabilize markets, spark a pro-cyclical crystallization of losses and a persistent tightening of financial conditions. The speed at which such re-pricing occurs is uncertain and could be decisive for financial stability.”

However, he surmises that these risks can be minimized if investors and companies prepare for regulatory changes and adjust their policies.

Carney is the most important figure yet from the finance world to lay out his concerns on how climate change could destabilize the world’s financial markets. Stephanie Pfeifer, chief executive officer of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, stated that, “[Carney] chose his setting perfectly.”

She further noted that, “We welcome his focus on more consistent and reliable carbon disclosure that will allow investors to make a more informed assessment of the climate risks in their portfolios.”

Japanese Company Muji To Begin Selling Efficient Compact Homes

Finance

The major Japanese designing company Muji has started offering pre-built homes for sale. Muji is best known for selling cheap and efficient homewares. The homes offered by the company start at $215,000.

Many people consider Muji to be the Japanese equivalent of IKEA.

Muji is giving customers the choice of three flat-pack houses. Each of the houses are considerably minimalistic and highly efficient. The company will even send out professionals to build the home for you.

The designs, which were put on display as of last year, are not officially for sale on the Muji website.

The cheapest home is the “Wooden House”. Next is the “Window Home”. The most expensive and newest design is the “Vertical House”.

The Vertical House takes inspiration from the popular building method in Tokyo of expanding upwards rather than outwards. The house is only 4.4 meters wide, and it contains no internal walls or doors. It also features large rectangular windows in order to bring in sunlight.

The homes are a true symbol of the minimalistic design that Muji has traditionally offered in its products. They feature furniture that comes in natural colors and storage areas that conveniently fit products offered by the company.

Muji opened stores in Australia earlier this year. The company currently has three stores in the country. The locations include a newly opened store at Sydney’s Galleries, a store at Sydney’s Chadstone Shopping Center, and a store at the Emporium in Melbourne.

IKEA is also attempting to move beyond home furniture and housewares, as the company is now testing the concept of moveable walls. However, IKEA is considerably behind Muji, as the moveable walls won’t be available to consumers for at least three years. It will take a large amount of time before the popular Swedish company offers entire flat-pack homes.

China Reveals New Drone That Could Threaten United States

Entertainment News

China has unveiled a new unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, that might be utilized to track the location of aircraft carriers of the United States in the Western Pacific. It might also be used to guide anti-ship ballistic missiles to their intended target.

The drone is called the Shen Diao, but it is also known as the “Divine Eagle”.

The Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group are also working on two larger versions of the unmanned aircraft. The sizes of these work-in-progress drones are comparable to the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk that is used by the United States. That aircraft is also an unmanned drone. The main purpose of the Chinese drones will be to assist in reconnaissance missions that occur in the Asia-Pacific region of the world.

The Shen Diao, along with another aircraft, the Sky Wing III, is believed to be able to track large warships of the United States in waters that extend from the Philippines all the way to Alaska.

By using the Shen Diao and the Sky Wing III, the People’s Liberation Army of China and their Second Artillery Corps will be able to launch very precise attacks against warships of the United States using missiles.

Additionally, the Shen Diao can serve as a warning aircraft for the air force of the People’s Liberation Army. The Shen Diao contains a larger radar system than the Sky Wing III.

At the present time, China is unable to produce early warning aircrafts in large numbers. This is because China does not yet have the production capacity needed to do so. The Shen Diao might be able to change this for the country.

The unmanned aircrafts are not scheduled to enter into service until at least 2020. So far, the manufacturers have only designed a single prototype of the Shen Diao and the Sky Wing III.

China Will Possibly Unblock Facebook

Entertainment News

China might finally allow Facebook to enter its country. Facebook has long been blocked in the country, but many people believe that this may change in the near future, as Chinese president Xi Jinping allowed a picture featuring him and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to be shown on Chinese social networking websites.

Researcher from the China Institute of International Studies Teng Jianqun said, “The picture suggests Xi is willing to accept Facebook or allow the social networking site to operate in China. The Chinese government has no more reason to restrict social networking websites’ access to China since Xi met Zuckerberg in person.”

It is still not known when Facebook will enter China. That is, if it even happens in the first place. However, because of China’s massive population, the number of Facebook users would be expected to dramatically increase should the country permit the social networking giant.

Zuckerberg and president Xi met in Seattle, along with several other technology leaders of the United States. Their entire conversation was in Mandarin Chinese. Zuckerberg has stated in the past that learning Chinese has placed him more favorably in the eyes of Chinese leaders. Zuckerberg previously held a full discussion at Beijing’s Tsinghua University in Mandarin.

Facebook has over 968 million users as of June this year. China has blocked the social networking website since 2009. Twitter and YouTube have also been blocked. The country maintains clones of these popular websites, each equipped with the measures of censorship one would expect from China.

Director of State Internet Information Lu Wei previously said that foreign internet companies would be required to abide by China’s laws and regulations in order to be allowed into China. Additionally, they can only represent a small portion of the Chinese market share, and they cannot be deemed to hurt the national interests of the country. Plus, they could be shut down by the Chinese government at any time.

Basically, if Facebook wants to enter China, it will have to do so by their rules.

Saudi-Led Coalition Detains Iranian Fishing Boat Carrying Weapons Destined For Houthi Fighters

Entertainment News

It has been reported that the Saudi-led coalition stopped and detained an Iranian ship allegedly carrying weapons to Houthi militant fighters in Yemen. The seizure of the ship comes as the coalition has imposed a near-blockade in the Arabian Sea for the purpose of stopping arms deliveries to the Houthis.

The coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, has been fighting the Iranian-backed Houthis for over six months. The alliance is trying to stabilize the Yemeni government led by President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Another goal of the coalition is to contain an increasing Iranian presence in the region.

With respect to the recent detainment of the Iranian ship, the coalition released a statement that, “The Command of the Coalition . . . foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons destined to the Houthi militias, on an Iranian fishing boat.” Authorities stated that 14 Iranian soldiers were placed in custody after they found 54 anti-tank shells, firing guidance systems, launchers and 18 anti-armored Concourse shells. The boat was seized about 150 miles off the coast of southern Oman.

The naval seizure comes shortly after the coalition seized the Marib dam from Houthi fighters earlier this week. The recapture of the dam is a sizeable victory for Yemen as its location is critical in pushing back against the Houthis.

The coalition also released a statement emphasizing that it was not responsible for the airstrike that killed 131 people attending a wedding reception in the Taiz province over the weekend. Alliance spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri stated that, “No air strikes were launched in that area in the past three days . . . it’s not true that every explosion that happens in Yemen is caused by the coalition.”

The past six months of the civil war has resulted in hundreds of coalition airstrikes and the deaths of more than 5,400 people. The war has also greatly exacerbated the significant hunger and suffering of Yemeni civilians.

Glencore Rebounds After A Major Slump In Share Prices

Finance

After a 29% plunge in the value of its shares on Monday, commodities trading firm Glencore has recouped most of its losses. The company, run by billionaire Ivan Glasenberg, rebounded over the past two days, with its gains at 30%. The roller coaster that Glencore has been riding continues to roll.

While the prices of commodities, particularly oil and precious metals, continue to tank, so has investor confidence in the firms that trade them. Glencore has been one of the hardest hit.

Earlier this month, Glasenberg bowed to shareholder pressures by agreeing to reduce the company’s debts and protect its ratings. Glencore also announced that it plans to suspend dividends, sell assets and raise cash in order to reduce its net debt by 30% by end of 2016.

Because of those measures and since the market continues to decline, Glencore’s investors have pushed management to make some kind of statement in order to calm fears.

In response, Glencore released a statement that, “We have positive cash flow, good liquidity and absolutely no solvency issues.” The company further stated that, “Glencore has no debt covenants and continues to retain strong lines of credit and secure access to funding.”

Glencore turned its private managers into billionaires when it went public in 2011. Many financial analysts who criticized the move said that the company should have remained private. Citi analysts recently wrote a note to its investor clients that, “In the event the equity market continues to express its unwillingness to value the business fairly, [Glencore] management should take the company private, whereby restructuring measures can be taken easily and quickly.”

Other analysts believe that Glencore will be just fine when the market eventually rebounds. They believe the recent slump in the company’s shares was excessive and that Glencore is currently undervalued. John Meyer, a mining analyst at SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP in London stated that, “The market got scared. It was Glencore’s flash crash based on momentum rather than reality. I think Glencore’s stock will continue to climb.”

The Jury Is Still Out On President Xi Jinping’s PR Efforts

News

The jury is still out on whether the U.S. visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping was the public relations success Chinese officials may have wanted it to be. While most international political observers agree that Xi is now better known to the average joe in the U.S., they do not all agree that he is better liked, or that he came across as anything more than just the leader of a superpower that has to be treated with caution.

Before Xi’s visit, his foreign minister Wang Yi, promised a “people first visit” that would showcase his boss’s “extensive outreach to the American people.”

Professor of international relations at the University of Pennsylvania, Avery Goldstein sums up Xi’s visit by saying, “Many are struck by what seems to be the subdued and careful demeanor of Xi. Few Americans have a deep impression of Xi Jinping as a person or leader, and instead simply view him as important only because of his role as President of China.”

The observers says there were two objectives to Xi’s visit: to present him as the strong leader of a continually rising economic and military power; while at the same time showcasing his “softer side” to offset the way he was viewed by the western world as the feared leader of a “Communist juggernaut”.

University of Miami political science professor and former commissioner of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, June Teufel Dreyer, says the PR efforts which included promises to the UN for human rights improvements in China and deals on climate change; and hanging out with football players at a high school, did not work. She says “Xi looked stiff and over-rehearsed. He certainly appeared unspontaneous and anything but warm.”

The director of U.S. Studies at Renmin University in Beijing, Shi Yinhong, although agreeing Xi’s image was not softened as much as foreign minister Wang Yi had hoped for, gives the president full marks for a good effort. He says, “Xi Jinping’s definitely not the chatty, laughing, smiling type,” but he did try to engage with the public, even mentioning Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea and other U.S. cultural references in speeches.

The vice dean of the Institute of International Affairs at Shanghai Fudan University, Shen Dingli says although Xi may not have come across as warm and fuzzy, his wife Peng Liyuan, a popular Chinese folk singer, made up for it. Dingli cited her interaction with Michelle Obama while visiting a zoo to name a Panda, and giving singing lessons to public school students, as great PR for China saying, “These are, in my view, examples of China’s ever improving diplomacy and public diplomacy.”

Some observers say too much emphasis has been placed on how Xi was viewed by the public. The director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, Paul Haenle, says not too much attention should be paid to the humanizing PR efforts but rather to the business at hand which world leaders are meant to focus on.

“Connecting on a personal level is important but what we also need to do is address the concerns of the business community,” says Haenle. “Ultimately, the most important thing is to address seriously the legitimate concerns of the business community, about access and security of intellectual property in China.”

Apple Bans Controversial Drone App That Displays US Drone Strikes

News

An app that keeps track of every drone strike made by the United States has been banned by Apple from the App Store.

The app was created by Josh Begley in order to accompany his Twitter account @dronestream. On the Twitter account, Begley posts news stories regarding the locations and the times that the United States military executes a drone strike. The postings also tell how many people were killed in the strikes.

Such data would then be entered into the Metadata+ app, and notifications would be sent to alert users when a strike takes place.

It was not easy for Begley to convince Apple to allow the controversial app. He originally wanted to name it Drones+, but after that was denied, he went for Dronestream. However, that also didn’t work, so Begley went with the name of Metadata+. The app was submitted to the App Store with no mention of drones, and that time it was accepted.

Apple claimed that the reason the app was initially rejected was because they believed it was not useful or entertaining. They said that it would not appeal to most users. Another issue was that the app utilized Google Maps, but it did not include the Google logo. They also said that some users might find the content “objectionable”.

Begley said that one Apple employee informed him that his app would not be accepted if its only focus was on drone strikes. The employee said Begley would need to broaden his topic.

However, even after the app was finally accepted, it just recently got banned, months later.

Meanwhile, violent, gory video games are still available on the App Store. This is simply a case of Apple rejecting a journalistic product, and it isn’t the first time either.

Recently an app that was censored allowed users to take a virtual reality walk through the 2014 Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO. The app showed 3D models of key people in the case and their locations according to witnesses. It also provided users with radio recordings and photos of evidence. There were no violent scenes in the app.

Apple says that the app was “too narrow”, since it only focused on one single event. However, most people assume that Apple simply did not want to deal with the controversy.

Apple says that the company maintains behavioral standards for apps, and it will ban any app that it believes crosses the line.

Arctic Northwest Passage Not Suitable For Shipping Route

Culture

Scientists have determined that the Northwest Passage in the Arctic is not suitable for usage as a regular commercial shipping route.

Researcher from York University Christian Haas, along with a team of colleagues, measured the thickness of the sea ice across a stretch of over 600 miles between the Resolute and Cambridge bays. The results indicated that most of the ice in this region is almost 10 feet thick.

The study, which represents the first large-scale assessment of ice thickness in the area, took place earlier this year, and it was published in the journal of Geophysical Research Letters.

The ice remains in place over a period of multiple years, giving it the proper distinction of “multi-year ice”. This type of ice is the thickest and oldest type of ice. In the winter, the area is completely covered by ice. However, some of it melts in the summer.

Haas said, “The Northwest Passage is very complicated because it’s one region where there is still a lot of multi-year ice. We were surprised to find this much thick ice in the region in late winter, despite the fact that there is more and more open water in recent years during late summer.”

The researchers believe that it will take three to five decades before the ice is weak enough to consider utilizing the area as a regular shipping route. The Northwest Passage is the connecter between the Beaufort Sea of the west and the eastern Baffin Bay. The passage is a quicker route between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans than the canals of Panama and Suez.

While the results of the study might be a downer for the shipping industry, it does show that global warming might not be occurring as quickly as we thought. The Arctic is believed to be one of the places where global warming is the most extreme, and the impact is the most significant.

However, scientists are still worried, saying that the Arctic region is massive, and only one area was observed in this instance.

Scientists said in September that Arctic sea ice decreased in size to its fourth-lowest ever recorded level. The lowest level that was ever recorded came from 2012.

Top Economist Claims US Veterans Lack Private Sector Employability

News

Military service is hindering the employability and private sector transitioning of veterans, according to some top U.S. economists. They claim that through service to the country, veterans are unable to achieve the private sector experience necessary in transitioning from post-military service, a statement that has raised plenty of heat from those unwilling to call out anything anti-U.S. troops.

According to former Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, many veterans are not doing well when they retire from active service. Speaking at a Brookings Institution event in August, Bernanke said, “If you go into the military at age 18—versus an identical person who stays in the private sector and takes a private sector job—10 years later, if you leave the military, your skills and wages are probably not going to be quite as high on average as the private-sector person..”

The former Federal Reserve chair said military service budgetary maintenance would be better spent if the service men were trained on entering the private sector once they left service. Speaking at the event themed “defense spending and its economic impacts,” Bernanke referred to the average unemployment rate of veterans at 7 percent, much higher than the national average of 5.3 percent.

Critics have come forward arguing that Bernanke’s statements were incorrect and that the military was not hurting the employment prospects of its veterans. Fred Wellman, a 22 year-old army veteran serving as the chief executive of ScoutComms, an advocacy group for veterans, said on Foreign Policy, “I am not sure where Mr. Bernanke got his information, but the current numbers just don’t reflect saying military service does not help you succeed in the private sector. The most current surveys show that veterans are far more likely to be employed than non-veterans and earn higher median incomes in those jobs.”

Another veteran, Robert L. Gordon II, a retired Army colonel, and head of advocacy group Got Your 6, wrote in the Huffington Post that Bernanke’s statements fed into a misplaced myth that veterans were “broken heroes.” Gordon even went ahead to state that unemployment figures among veterans, from the Bureau of Statistics, were actually lower than the national average.

Gordon attributed Bernanke’s figure of 7 percent was limited only to veterans returning to the private sector post 9/11, while his own figure tracked veterans since World War II.

Away from the exchange of figures and statistics, the plight of the U.S’s veterans is a topic almost never talked about. Only through open dialogue can the unemployment rates among those who have served their country be reduced.

Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Announces Repairs For Up To 11 Million Vehicles

Entertainment News

The fallout from Volkswagen’s (VW) rigging of emissions tests continues to accumulate this week, with the company stating that it will repair up to 11 million vehicles affected by the scandal. Costs associated with just the repairs could amount to over $6.5 billion, not counting additional costs from customer lawsuits or regulator fines.

Customers would be right to sue, as the stated mileage on the affected vehicles is only possible when the vehicles produce illegal levels of emissions like nitrous oxide. After customers have their vehicles repaired, their new mileage numbers will surely be lower.

VW also admitted to cheating European tests, a market that accounts for 40% of its sales. Germany’s car industry currently employs over 750,000, forming a major source of the nation’s export income, but Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel was not worried about economic damage as long as VW chose to deal with the problem sensibly.

VW has stated it will set aside $7.3 billion in order to cover costs from the scandal.

Spain stated that it would request that VW return the money from energy-efficiency subsidies that it illegally obtained through its emissions scheme.

Newly appointed CEO Matthias Mueller said customers would be notified whether their vehicles would need repair and that details of the vehicle repair process will be submitted to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) next month. The KBA also issued an October 7 deadline for a new plan detailing how the automaker will comply with diesel emissions regulations.

U.S. lawmakers demanded that VW produce documents concerning the scandal, including details about the software cheat. Current estimates on the number of affected vehicles in the U.S. is around 500,000.

Nitrous oxide is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases, trapping nearly 300 times the heat per molecule as carbon dioxide. There’s also the added harm of destroying atmospheric ozone. Approximately one third of nitrous oxide production is anthropogenic, resulting from combustion of fossil fuels, nitrogen-based fertilizers and sewage treatment plants.

Snowden Comes Out From Hiding And Debuts On Twitter

Entertainment News

Edward Snowden is finally coming out of the dark and joining Twitter. The whistleblower, famous for leaking documents concerning the National Security Agency’s (NSA) rampant U.S. mobile phone surveillance, will be taking his fight for privacy rights to social media.

Snowden joined Twitter on Tuesday with the handle @Snowden. He debuted on Twitter with a tweet that read “Can you hear me now?” The tweet immediately went viral, amassing a comfortable 25,000 retweets in an hour. In less than one hour since joining, the whistleblower had already attracted a 171,000 strong following.

Snowden’s profile reads “I used to work for the government. Now I work for the public.” Peculiarly, he only follows one account, his former employer, the NSA.

Snowden shot to fame in 2013 when he revealed documents outlining the NSA’s secret spying program that collected mobile phone data from American citizens. The documents would later spur the federal court’s decision to strike off those powers from the NSA, leading to an investigation into the possible breach of Section 215 of the Patriot’s Act by the FBI and the NSA.

Snowden fled the U.S. after the leak and is believed to be benefiting from a granted asylum in Moscow, Russia. Reports indicate that Snowden downloaded up to 1.7 million secret documents before leaving the U.S. where he is now wanted for charges that could see him face up to 30 years in prison.

Snowden spent the better part of his Twitter debut exchanging tweets with prominent astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson concerning the discovery of water on Mars. Snowden tweeted, “Now we’ve got water on Mars! Do you think they check passports at the border? Asking for a friend.” He even joked about his new found role of safeguarding people’s freedoms keeping him busy “but I still find time for cat pictures.”

In another tweet he said, “Hero, traitor – I’m just a citizen with a voice.”

Earlier this year, Snowden appeared before a Geneva audience saying he would like to be granted asylum in Switzerland. He also appeared on video link before a New York forum last week to campaign for a new treaty. The “Snowden Treaty” would see countries altogether abandon spy programs on citizens and commit themselves to granting asylum to whistleblowers.

Snowden has amassed a huge following of fans, many of whom credit him with becoming a symbol of privacy freedoms and an anti-government crusader. By joining Twitter, the whistleblower will have an opportunity to engage with his audience and even raise awareness on the “Snowden Treaty.”

Afghan Security Forces Endure Taliban Attacks On Kunduz Airport

Entertainment News

Afghan police defended the Kunduz airport from Taliban attacks Tuesday, following the group’s victory over the city of 300,000 yesterday. The victory over Kunduz was the Taliban’s first return to the city in over 14 years, and allowed the group to rescue more than 100 imprisoned Taliban leaders and gain access to weapons stores.

Government officials there claim that ISIS-linked militants were involved in the operation, in addition to those from the Islamic Movement of Uzbeikistan (IMU). Afghan security forces within the airport are currently under siege, as supply lines have been cut.

Kunduz’s status as a major transportation hub to central Asia, as well as its proximity to Tajikistan, will provide Russian President Vladimir Putin valuable fodder for his public speeches, as he moves to expand Russia’s influence in the region.

Putin reaffirmed his commitment to Tajikistan in recent weeks, stating, “Here in Tajikistan you are confronted with problems, with encroachments and attempts to rock the situation, and I would like to say that you can always count on our assistance and support.”

The U.S. still maintains a force of nearly 10,000 in Afghanistan, but President Obama has vowed to withdraw those by the end of 2016. One of Obama’s most popular campaign promises going into the 2008 election, was his commitment to end the U.S. wars in the Middle East.

There is no politically popular solution to the problem, leading Obama to pursue an ineffective bombing campaign, as he strives to avoid placing additional “boots on the ground.”

Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour issued statements on their ultimate objective, “This is the beginning, and our aim is Kabul. You will see how we capture Kabul and hang these puppets there in squares.”

Deputy governor of Kunduz, Abdullah Danishy, stated that reinforcements from neighboring regions would soon arrive for a counterattack.

McDonald’s Makes Yet Another Effort To Revamp Lackluster Sales

News

McDonald’s is continuing to make efforts to reverse its slumping sales. This time the burger chain is renaming its build-your-own burger program and replacing two flavors that did not prove to be popular offerings.

The program’s new name is “Chef Crafted”, which McDonald’s hopes will be more attractive to customers than the previous name of “Taste Crafted”.

In the flavor department, McDonald’s is clearly showing some love to bacon, as “maple bacon dijon” and “buffalo bacon” are in, and “hot jalapeno” and “deluxe” are out.

Company spokesperson Lisa McComb said, “The original name ‘Taste Crafted’ did not resonate with consumers. We decided to celebrate our chefs who have created these recipes and highlight the culinary expertise of our in-house and supplier chefs.”

McDonald’s has struggled to keep up with newer restaurants that offer healthier selections and more customizable meals. The “Chef Crafted” program is McDonald’s third try at a build-your- own burger offering.

The world’s largest restaurant chain is also offering customers the ability to “Create Your Taste”, using a large touch-screen kiosk where customers can choose their own toppings

The Chef Crafted program is currently being tested in more than 200 restaurants, and it will arrive in more restaurants later this year. A few restaurants that are lagging behind still feature the old “Taste Crafted” program.

Representatives of McDonald’s have stated that the term “Taste Crafted” was said to be “lacking in emotion”.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s has been advertising the chain’s premium offerings. These include “Quarter Pounder” cheeseburgers and “Artisan Grilled Chicken” sandwiches that are seasoned with lemon, garlic, and parsley.

Despite these efforts, sales for the company are still declining. The most recent quarter saw a 2% decline.

The Chef Crafted “maple bacon dijon” sandwich includes maple bacon, grilled onions, honey dijon sauce, white cheddar, and lettuce. The “buffalo bacon” option includes blue cheese sauce with crumbles, buffalo sauce, smoked bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Many analysts say that the “Chef Crafted” name will also fail to attract customers. They claim that while the name would work in casual and fine-dining restaurants, it will not work in a fast food restaurant such as McDonald’s.

The consensus here is that McDonald’s is just trying yet another tactic that differs from what originally made it famous.

Senior Citizens Embracing Uber As Drivers

News

When you think of Uber drivers, you probably don’t think of senior citizens. However, that might change in the near future.

Uber drivers have many perks that are typically appreciated by retirees looking to make some extra money and get out of the house. The job has few barriers to entry and flexible hours, making seniors ideal candidates.

Seniors working as drivers for ride-sharing companies say that they like the fact that they can choose their own hours and take breaks whenever they feel like it.

They say that it also beats sitting around at home, while giving them some extra spending money.

Senior citizens have some of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they are starting to embrace companies like Uber.

Although stereotypes exist that older Americans are often bad drivers, the statistics say otherwise. As of 2010, the age group of 55 to 64 had the highest rate of driver’s licenses among any age group at 94%. While the driving rates of younger Americans have fallen, they have continued to rise for seniors.

Additionally, since companies like Uber require that workers bring their own car, senior citizens are ideal since they are more likely than young people to purchase a new car. Seniors also purchase more expensive cars than young people on average.

Young people are often turned-off from working at Uber due to its lack of benefits and the fact that many people view it as a dead-end job. But for seniors, this is not a major concern. Most seniors don’t need a “second career”. Most of them already maintain health insurance from Medicare and their life-savings prevent them from needing the payments from a full-time job.

Uber stated earlier this year that 25% of its drivers were over the age of 55. The company says that it has enjoyed employing seniors, as it works out for both parties.

Perhaps most importantly, many seniors say that they enjoy being social and interacting with their fares.

It beats sitting at home.

FBI Under New Investigation For Mobile Phone Spying Programs

News

The U.S Department of Justice is investigating the FBI for information obtained from mass surveillance by the National Security Agency’s (NSA) phone data collection methods. The NSA spying program secretly collected massive amounts of U.S. citizen data without consent, while actively sharing the information between federal agencies.

Earlier this year, a U.S. judge described the NSA spy program as yielding “staggering” results when the court struck down the agency’s right to collect the data. The program was resumed in June and was given a set operational timeline to December this year. Judge Lynch described the information as “Such expansive development of government repositories of formerly private records would be an unprecedented contraction of the privacy expectations of all Americans.”

The comprehensive spying program was first leaked to the public by former NSA analyst Edward Snowden back in 2013.

Another Justice Department investigation is targeting the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), with regard to its use of an information sharing program labeled “parallel construction.” Reports indicate the program was used by the agency to take information from sources such as the NSA, cover it with lies, and give it out to other federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The technique has been described in DEA circles as a “decades old, bedrock concept.” The program was identified by the Electronic Frontier Federation (EFF) as an “intelligence laundering” tool for covering up “deception and dishonesty.” Critics also argued that the program runs parallel to post 9/11 surveillance laws.

Both the FBI and DEA, running under the Justice Department, have been put under review by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The OIG is mandated to investigate fraud, abuse and office mismanagement. Though reports from the office cannot force change, they are analyzed in congress and released to the public.

The U.S. Justice Department is also investigating the FBI’s use of the Patriot’s Act Section 215, allowing it to take “any tangible thing” straight from any business as part of investigations on terrorism. A recent investigation indicated that all Section 215 applications by the FBI were approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA).

The NSA’s spying program has long been subject to criticism over infringement of private citizens’ rights. The program, which has since resumed, needs to stop lest Americans’ constitutional privacy rights are done away with.