Tesla Model Y Test Drive & Impressions: The Good & The Bad – InsideEVs

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We've been patiently waiting for our good friend Sean Mitchell's Tesla Model Y review just as much as he's been patiently waiting to get behind the wheel of the new Tesla crossover. To be clear, we're all patiently waiting for many things these days. Even with the best-laid plans, we're learning that we don't really have much control over the present or the future.

With that said, we appreciate everyone's patience, as well as everyone's efforts to do what they can to stay healthy, help keep others healthy, and assist where they can. To be clear, Mitchell didn't buy a Model Y. Instead, he was waiting for access to someone else's new car. While many people have already taken delivery of the Model Y, in many cases it hasn't been safe to collaborate. InsideEVs has access to a Model Y as well, which we plan to review and use for exclusive content, but it's still a waiting game at this point.

Mitchell takes us through the car and then heads out on the road. He's impressed with the Model Y's ride height, storage, automatic liftgate, and overall headroom and legroom. However, he questions why Tesla stuck with the piano back console, which many people are unhappy with. In addition, Mitchell mentions the noisy heat pump.

Can three adults fit comfortably across the second row? Perhaps more important to families waiting for a three-row Model Y, how much room will the third row offer? Check out the video and then let us know what you think of Mitchell's impressions. If you recently took delivery of a Tesla Model Y, please share more details with us in the comment section.

Model Y: The Good and Bad

Good:Ride heightHead and leg roomAuto lift gateStorage

Bad:Glossy consoleNoisy heat pumpSize with three adults in back2 adults in third row!?

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Tesla Model Y Test Drive & Impressions: The Good & The Bad - InsideEVs

Teslas latest self-driving visualization comes to life in this impressive picture – Electrek

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Tesla has made some impressive progress in self-driving visualization with its latest software updates. Check out this new beautiful picture that represents that progress extremely well.

In an update called Full Self-Driving Sneak Previewlate last year, Tesla made a series of Driving Visualization Improvements:

The driving visualization can now display additional objects that include stoplights, stop signs, and select road markings. The stop signs and stoplight visualizations are not a substitute for an attentive driver and will not stop the car. To see those additional objects in your driving visualization, tap Controls > Autopilot > Full Self Driving Visualization Preview.

However, the display of those new objects in the visualization system was not always accurate.

As we recently reported, Tesla is going through a significant foundational rewrite in the Tesla Autopilot. As part of the rewrite, CEO Elon Musk says that the neural net is absorbing more and more of the problem.

It will also include a more in-depth labeling system.

The CEO added that it will dramatically improve Autopilot visualization and Tesla will be able to quickly roll out better iterations.

We are already seeing some improvements in the latest software updates Tesla released in the last few weeks and a picture taken by Jacob S. illustrates some of those improvements perfectly.

The Tesla owner from Reno, Nevada, shared the picture taken in his Model 3 with Electrek:

As you can see in the image, Tesla is accurately detecting and then representing on the display all three cones blocking the road, the temporary stop sign, and if you zoom in closer, you can even see that Tesla is detecting and representing on the screen the person holding the stop sign.

Jacob told Electrek:

It was immediately. We were first in line and I looked right to the visualization.

These new and improved visualizations are expected to lead to Teslas new Stopping at Traffic Lights and Stop Signsfeature, which is currently being tested in the early access program.

While this feature is part of Teslas Full Self-Driving Capability Package, its important to note that Tesla still requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and be ready to take control at all time.

This is an impressive improvement. We come a long ways from the days of V9, which was less than two years ago:

Of course, visuliazation is one thing and acting on what the system detects is a completely different thing, but it is a confidence builder.

It shows that Teslas system is accurately able to detect and render its surroundings, and that will go a long way further down the road to help people accept Teslas self-driving system.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Teslas latest self-driving visualization comes to life in this impressive picture - Electrek

Teslas acquisition of DeepScale starts to pay off with new IP in machine learning – Electrek

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Teslas acquisition of machine-learning startup DeepScale is starting to pay off, with the team hired through the acquisition starting to deliver new IP for the automaker.

Late last year, it was revealed that Tesla acquired DeepScale, a Bay Area-based startup that focuses on Deep Neural Network (DNN) for self-driving vehicles, for an undisclosed amount.

They specialized in computing power-efficient deep learning systems, which is also an area of focus for Tesla, who decided to design its own computer chip to power its self-driving software.

There was speculation that Tesla acquired the small startup team in order to accelerate its machine learning development.

Now we are seeing some of that teams work, thanks to a new patent application.

Just days after Tesla acquired the startup in October 2019, the automaker applied for a new patent with three members of DeepScale listed as inventors: Matthew Cooper, Paras Jain, and Harsimran Singh Sidhu.

The patent application called Systems and Methods for Training Machine Models with Augmented Data was published yesterday.

Tesla writes about it in the application:

Systems and methods for training machine models with augmented data. An example method includes identifying a set of images captured by a set of cameras while affixed to one or more image collection systems. For each image in the set of images, a training output for the image is identified. For one or more images in the set of images, an augmented image for a set of augmented images is generated. Generating an augmented image includes modifying the image with an image manipulation function that maintains camera properties of the image. The augmented training image is associated with the training output of the image. A set of parameters of the predictive computer model are trained to predict the training output based on an image training set including the images and the set of augmented images.

The system that the DeepScale team, now working under Tesla, is trying to patent here is related to training a neural net using data from several different sensors observing scenes, like the eight cameras in Teslas Autopilot sensor array.

They write about the difficulties of such a situation in the patent application:

In typical machine learning applications, data may be augmented in various ways to avoid overfitting the model to the characteristics of the capture equipment used to obtain the training data. For example, in typical sets of images used for training computer models, the images may represent objects captured with many different capture environments having varying sensor characteristics with respect to the objects being captured. For example, such images may be captured by various sensor characteristics, such as various scales (e.g., significantly different distances within the image), with various focal lengths, by various lens types, with various pre- or post-processing, different software environments, sensor array hardware, and so forth. These sensors may also differ with respect to different extrinsic parameters, such as the position and orientation of the imaging sensors with respect to the environment as the image is captured. All of these different types of sensor characteristics can cause the captured images to present differently and variously throughout the different images in the image set and make it more difficult to properly train a computer model.

Here they summarize their solution to the problem:

One embodiment is a method for training a set of parameters of a predictive computer model. This embodiment may include: identifying a set of images captured by a set of cameras while affixed to one or more image collection systems; for each image in the set of images, identifying a training output for the image; for one or more images in the set of images, generating an augmented image for a set of augmented images by: generating an augmented image for a set of augmented images by modifying the image with an image manipulation function that maintains camera properties of the image, and associating the augmented training image with the training output of the image; training the set of parameters of the predictive computer model to predict the training output based on an image training set including the images and the set of augmented images.

An additional embodiment may include a system having one or more processors and non-transitory computer storage media storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising: identifying a set of images captured by a set of cameras while affixed to one or more image collection systems; for each image in the set of images, identifying a training output for the image; for one or more images in the set of images, generating an augmented image for a set of augmented images by: generating an augmented image for a set of augmented images by modifying the image with an image manipulation function that maintains camera properties of the image, and associating the augmented training image with the training output of the image; training the set of parameters of the predictive computer model to predict the training output based on an image training set including the images and the set of augmented images.

Another embodiment may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions for execution by a processor, the instructions when executed by the processor causing the processor to: identify a set of images captured by a set of cameras while affixed to one or more image collection systems; for each image in the set of images, identify a training output for the image; for one or more images in the set of images, generate an augmented image for a set of augmented images by: generate an augmented image for a set of augmented images by modifying the image with an image manipulation function that maintains camera properties of the image, and associate the augmented training image with the training output of the image; train the computer model to learn to predict the training output based on an image training set including the images and the set of augmented images.

As we previously reported, Tesla is going through a significant foundational rewrite in the Tesla Autopilot. As part of the rewrite, CEO Elon Musk says that the neural net is absorbing more and more of the problem.

It will also include a more in-depth labeling system.

Musk described 3D labeling as a game-changer:

Its where the car goes into a scene with eight cameras, and kind of paint a path, and then you can label that path in 3D.

This new way to train machine learning systems with multiple cameras, like Teslas Autopilot, with augmented data could be part of this new Autopilot update.

Here are some drawings from the patent application:

Heres Teslas patent application in full:

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Teslas acquisition of DeepScale starts to pay off with new IP in machine learning - Electrek

Apple Car research focusing on use of Tesla-style induction motor – AppleInsider

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By William GallagherTuesday, April 21, 2020, 07:08 am PT (10:08 am ET)

Apple will still not say that it is making a car, despite filing legally-required documentation, and also countless patents regarding the interior and exterior. Now, though, those countless patents include one that details how Apple intends to use an electrical motor that is designed for cars.

Titled "Electric motor with bar wound stator and end turn cooling," US Patent No 10,630,127, discusses the technology that Apple has chosen, and has now been granted, for a potential Apple Car.

The patent details specifically a three-phrase AC induction motor, which is only one of several possible electrical motor systems for cars. However, it uses the same squirrel cage motor technology that Tesla does.

Apple will have chosen this technology specifically for the same reasons that Tesla has. It can generate a high starting torque when the voltage/frequency is controlled, it's cheaper, and is also useful over rugged terrain. These motors can be also be expected to have a longer life, and need less maintenance, than, for instance, a permanent magnet drive.

In comparison, hybrid vehicles from Ford and Nissan use permanent magnet synchronous motors. They are more efficient than induction motors, but they also cost more and need greater maintenance. Plus their magnets tend to wear out and need replacement over time.

Three-phase induction motors are likely chosen because the technology is relatively cheap to build, requires little maintenance, and can generate a high starting torque when voltage/frequency is controlled. When properly controlled, a three-phase AC induction motor can be made to be 90% efficient. The problem is in the complexity of that control, though the patent does not explicitly detail Apple's systems for handling this.

Instead, Apple's patent concentrates on the motor technology paired with a method for dissipating heat from the engine. "[A] cooling structure [is] disposed in a thermally conductive relationship with at least one of the upper exterior ring surface or the lower exterior ring surface for receiving heat from the end turn ring," it says.

The patent is credited to five inventors, Dillon J. Thomasson, Kan Zhou, Rui Guan, Yateendra B. Deshpande, and William M. Prince. Thomasson, Zhou, and Guan are all previously credited on the related patent "Electric motor with shielded phase windings."

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Apple Car research focusing on use of Tesla-style induction motor - AppleInsider

Fisker Reveals Its Answer To The Tesla Cybertruck – CleanTechnica

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April 19th, 2020 by Steve Hanley

Fisker has taken the wraps off a ruggedized version of its Ocean electric SUV it calls the Force-E. According to Forbes, the Force-E is an extreme off-road package that includes a 300 horsepower all-wheel drive powertrain that offers more torque than the standard Ocean. Other than that, it has been given the full The Rubicon Trail aint got nuthin I cant handle off-road treatment a raised heavy duty suspension, big knobbly tires mounted on tough looking wheels, a scuff plate to protect the front suspension, a roof rack with integrated off road lights, and tow hooks sprouting from every corner.

Image credit: Fisker via Instagram

There are other delights as well AC outlets for plugging in power tools miles from civilization, a fresh water tank accessible from outside the vehicle, virtually indestructible upholstery and interior trim, and a full-size spare integrated into the hood in lieu of a frunk.

The company is pitching the Force-E package as more than an ultra-tough looking setup for those who like to go out into the boonies and drink lite beer on the weekends. It thinks it will appeal to search and rescue services, utility companies, and others whose daily existence requires venturing far from the nearest paved road.

In a press release, Fisker says, The Force-E package was initiated to cover market segments including rescue vehicles, military personnel movements on military bases, police vehicles, municipalities and international organizations promoting a cleaner planet. Over 22,000 people from 116 countries have shown interest in the 2022 Fisker Ocean EV, with majority of paid reservations coming from North America, the company says. The Force-E package itself has gottenan overwhelming number of inquiries, according to Fisker. No pricing information has been provided by the company at this time.

The Fisker Ocean is scheduled to start deliveries next year, with full production coming in 2022 just in time to run head on into the Tesla Cybertruck, which also will offer some sterling off-road capabilities. The Fisker Force-E looks like a bulked up conventional car, while the Cybertruck looks like something left over from the set of the last Mad Max movie with a dash of Lost In Space thrown in for good measure. Fisker says it has 22,000 expressions of interest. Tesla says it has 250,000 paid reservations.

The Fisker Ocean Force-E is actually quite appealing if you are into the off-road scene. The question now is whether the company can actually produce any vehicles. There have been years of talk, promises, hints, and hype. Now its time to put up or shut up, and may the best truck win.

Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

Tags: Fisker, Fisker Ocean Force-E, off road electric SUV, Tesla Cybertruck

Steve Hanley Steve writes about the interface between technology and sustainability from his homes in Florida and Connecticut or anywhere else the Singularity may lead him. You can follow him onTwitter but not on any social media platforms run by evil overlords like Facebook.

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Fisker Reveals Its Answer To The Tesla Cybertruck - CleanTechnica

Tesla Stock Rose for the 9th Straight Day. Heres Whats Behind Its Run. – Barron’s

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Tesla shares are at it again, rising for the ninth straight day. The stock rose 2.1% to more than $745 Thursday.

The shares (ticker: TSLA) have been on a seemingly unstoppable run. They are up roughly 65% since April 2, when the stock had the audacity to drop 5.6% to just $454 a share. The stock is now up about 80% year to date, crushing the comparable double-digit drops of the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average. Whats more, shares are up more than 30% for the week. The Dow is down for the week. The S&P is up slightly.

The gains are leaving investors wondering whats going on. In short, lots.

Tesla stock was upgraded recently to Hold from Sell by Credit Suisse. Goldman Sachs launched coverage on Wednesday with a Buy rating, further boosting shares.

(No new Street research on Tesla was published Thursday, based on data from various news-aggregation sites.)

When any stock spikes, short covering is often cited. Tesla shares are more heavily shorted than shares of other companies. About 20 million shares of Tesla, or 14% of stock available for trading, has been sold short. Shorting refers to bearish investors borrowing stock they dont own and selling it, betting on near-term price declines. Any recent short bets have turned out badly, which can generate a flurry of buying as short positions are covered.

Sometimes stocks rise just because that is what it has been doing. Traders love stocks with high volatility. Short-term trading gains feed on themselves. Trading gains, after all, are possible only when stocks move significantly. Conversely, it is impossible to make a lot of money trading a stock that barely moves. The change in daily value is too small. Big daily gains attract interest from many different kinds of stock-market denizens.

In addition to all of that, earnings are coming on April 29. The period ahead of a quarterly report can also generate more trading activity as investors position themselves for the coming event. Based on options markets, Tesla shares are expected to move between 10% and 20% when numbers are reported. It s a big range, again reflecting the recent volatility.

The stock has moved about 14% up or down, on average, the last three times quarterly results were reported.

The coming earnings report and conference call will likely focus on car productionwhich stopped in March because of the coronavirusnear-term sales and new product introductions. The Tesla Model Y is out and is expected to become the bestselling model the car company has produced. Americans especially love larger, SUV-size vehicles. SUVs, trucks and crossover vehicles account for a majority of U.S. car sales.

The rally has left Tesla shares trading for 400 times estimated 2020 earnings. It is a big multiple, but Tesla is growing fast. The stock trades for 64 times estimated 2021 earnings of almost $12 a share.

Tesla has also left its peers in the dust. Other U.S. auto makers stocks are down about 45% year to date. Car parts providers are down about 40% year to date. The Russell 3000 Auto & Auto Parts Index is down just 11% year to date, but Tesla is more than half of the Index, measured by market capitalization. In fact, Tesla is worth more, at $136 billion, than the other 23 members in the index combined.

Write to Al Root at allen.root@dowjones.com

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Tesla Stock Rose for the 9th Straight Day. Heres Whats Behind Its Run. - Barron's

Tesla’s Bioweapon Filter Is Another Line Of Defense Against COVID-19 – InsideEVs

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The Tesla Model S and Model X come standard with Bioweapon Defense Mode, which is possible due to a massive HEPA filter.If you haven't seen it or replaced it, you're likely to be shocked by its size.According to Tesla, the filter is "100 times more effective than premium automotive filters. It removes at least 99.97% of fine particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, as well as bacteria, viruses, pollen, and mold spores."Is it really necessary, though?

There's a pretty good chance that going out in your car is not going to make you highly susceptible to contracting the coronavirus, but we're not doctors. At this point, it seems even doctors and scientists aren't 100-percent sure about many details related to this new disease. We can tell you that we have seen many people walking alone outside with masks and gloves on, and just about as many people driving down the road with their windows closed and masks and gloves on.

Clearly, some people are extremely concerned about the potential for getting sick. Even when they're alone, practicing social distancing, and not touching anything except things only they've touched themselves, they're wearing gloves and masks. In a perfect world, the air inside your car should be clean, right? All cars have air filters for that purpose. However, not all air filters are created equal.

For all practical purposes, a massive HEPA filter is probably unnecessary in your car. However, if you're concerned about all those gas cars you're following, it's sure to help. If you or one of your family members has asthma or another breathing condition, the excessive filter could prove very helpful. It probably provides some peace of mind during an outbreak, too.Check out the video to see the mammoth Tesla filter and how to replace it.

What's inside Tesla Biodefense Filter?

Elon Musk made a Bio Weapon Defense Mode! We find out how to replace the Filter. This thing is huge!

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Tesla's Bioweapon Filter Is Another Line Of Defense Against COVID-19 - InsideEVs

What To Expect In Tesla Q1 Earnings – City Index

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GAIN Capital UK Limited (trading as City Index) is an execution-only service provider. This material, whether or not it states any opinions, is for general information purposes only and it does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. This material has been prepared using the thoughts and opinions of the author and these may change. However, City Index does not plan to provide further updates to any material once published and it is not under any obligation to keep this material up to date. This material is short term in nature and may only relate to facts and circumstances existing at a specific time or day. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, legal, tax or other advice and no reliance should be placed on it.

No opinion given in this material constitutes a recommendation by City Index or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although City Index is not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, City Index does not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

For further details see our full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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What To Expect In Tesla Q1 Earnings - City Index

Nio and Tesla turn to live stream events to boost sales – TechNode

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Chinese automakers are looking for novel ways to reach customers as people in China shy away from going outdoors.

To curb the spread of Covid-19, the new flu-like virus that has rocked the country over the past few weeks, cities across the country have imposed strict rules limiting peoples movement. The epidemic has had a profound impact on Chinas auto sector, with numerous manufacturers repeatedly postponing the reopening of their production facilities. Just one-third of Chinese automakers have resumed production, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said on Feb. 13.

Beyond production issues, EV makers are struggling to sell their cars. Electric vehicle makers Tesla and its Chinese rival Nio said last week that they expect significant adverse effects on their business as a result of the virus. Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, said that only 5% of car dealerships in China had reopened for business last week.

As a result, EV makers in China have moved the battlefield from offline stores to the virtual world in a bid for customers attention. What have these companies been doing on Chinese social media and live-streaming platforms to win the favor of potential car buyers? Are these attempts to maintain their presence and boost sales truly effective?

In a step further from traditional auto showrooms and toward contemporary Chinese retail mores, Tesla opened aTMall digital storeon April 16. On April 21, Tesla started broadcasting a car-themed EV livestream for an hour a day (one pm to two pm).

From the TechNode archives, we bring you a look at the companys awkward first steps into livestreaming, during the high lockdown of February. Originally available only as a members e-mail newsletter, were now making the piece free for all readers. Start your free trial now.

Nio, Teslas most high-profile rival in China, has joined the attention economy.

As people hunker down at home to limit potential exposure to Covid-19, the EV maker has started live-streaming an eclectic collection of shows 12 hours a day, hoping to capture the minds and wallets of the countrys upper-middle class. A team of influence peddlers host the shows, including stylish employees and influential car owners.

Nio is not the only EV maker to join the live-streaming battle. Established automakers from BMW to Chinas Geely are exploiting the format in pursuit of customers. These automakers have taken to the enormously popular short-video platforms Douyin (known internationally as TikTok) and Kuaishou. These two platforms were among the top five Chinese mobile apps with more than 200 million daily active users during this years Spring Festival holidays, according to the latest report by market research firm QuestMobile.

Live-streaming appears to be a perfect fit for auto sales at a moment when fears of the epidemic have left shops bereft of customers and trying to prop up sales during a continuing downturn in the auto market.

For Nio, the move aligns with the companys ongoing efforts to expand its community and Nio House clubhouses online.

In one live-streamed video, Nio employees can be seen taking an ES6 electric crossover out for a drive on a frigid sunny morning, giving viewers a hands-on experience on what its like to use the companys assisted driver system, Nio Pilot. In another video, a host compares a Tesla with one of the companys own cars, pointing out differences in design and workmanship.

Nio owners, who pride themselves on their loyalty to the EV maker, are participating in the companys online crusade. TechNode joined in a nighttime livestream hosted by Wang Zhengyang, a longtime Nio owner who lives in northeastern Chinas Heilongjiang province. Within the first 30 minutes of the show, Wang fielded more than a dozen questions from livestream viewers, all from within his parked car. Queries ranged from the possible price of Nios recently launched EC6 coupe to the range of electric vehicles in colder climates. Wang also presented tutorials on the basics of driving an EV.

As the first ES6 owner in one of the coldest provinces in China, Wang spent three hours addressing problems of other customers all over the country. His shows have continued for more than 10 days, according to the program lists Nio has published within its app.

What really differentiates Nio from other automakers in this online battle for customers attention is the variety of their content, essentially moving leisure activities from the offline world to online. Nio has presented dozens of different reality shows in real time this month. From teaching women about how to apply makeup to sharing secrets for brewing coffee, Nios sales officers are constantly seeking out topics of interest for their potential customers.

The move originated with Nio Houses, the companys exclusive clubhouses for customers in its flagship stores. Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, Nio owners had organized events and made connections in these spaces, which are equipped with a co-working space, a caf, and even a childcare center.

In an online network that is not subject to the restrictions of space, Nio is not only trying to draw the attention of customers with different interests and backgrounds, but also fulfilling an ambitious goal: building connections with its community using a customer-centric strategy. Nios customer loyalty is the companys strength, and it is playing to that strength to solidify its reputation.

Nio is not alone in its online crusade. Tesla has also taken to short videos and live-streaming in China, but unlike its competitor, the American EV maker has suffered from poor planning and unprofessional hosts.

On Feb. 8, just one day after Nio launched its revitalized online marketing campaign, two Tesla stores in the Pudong area of Shanghai opened accounts on Douyin. Tesla stores in other Chinese cities have also set up Douyin accounts.

In comparison to Nio, Teslas official Douyin account consistently posts swanky, yet less focused, content that ranges from videos of the Cybertruck and Roadstar 2 to goofy skits. The companys default policy has been to let its local stores determine what content they post. Tesla has yet to designate a person to develop a central content strategy, two Tesla salespeople said when contacted by TechNode last week.

In one of these livestreams, a young Tesla employee used the last 15 minutes of the show to make small talk with his dozen viewers. These conversations included urging a customer to take out a loan on a new car, adding that a RMB 40,000 (about $5,700) down payment on a car was quite cheap. The host went on to make fun of his own hair, saying that he was unhappy with the wavy hairstyle and complaining that salons have remained closed because of the outbreak.

In another livestream, a salesperson wearing a facemask walked around a Model X in a Tesla store, providing detailed information about the car. A female assistant took the camera and occasionally asked questions sent by viewers. The sales supervisor was knowledgeable about EVs and careful in the choice of his words. Faced with a hardball question about the cars wind noise, he acknowledged that the Model Xs fastback roof and frameless doors make wind noise reduction more challenging than for other cars. However, the distracting spectacle of several employees goofing off nearby spoiled the professionalism of the video. During the 20 minutes that TechNode viewed this livestream, fewer than 10 viewers were watching the show.

One possible explanation for Teslas less-focused content is less needsales have been good since the company began accepting orders for its Chinese-made Model 3. Meanwhile, Nio has warned that it expects deliveries to drop off in February.

EV makers in China have always taken an internet-first approach to their businesses. But the recent virus outbreak has made this modus operandi a matter of necessity rather than just convenience.

As the government has encouragedand constrainedpeople to stay indoors, the entire process of buying a car has moved online. Many EV companies are providing online showrooms via live-streaming, where potential buyers ask questions and interact with the host just as they would in a physical space.

Interested individuals can book a door-to-door test drive, in which the company brings the car to them and takes them back home after the drive. And if they decide to buy that electric vehicle, they can order and pay online, and have the car delivered directly to them.

A Tesla salesperson in Shanghai told TechNode that if the deposit for a China-made Model 3 is paid now, a test drive can be arranged for March. If the customer feels the vehicle isnt up to standard, the deposit will be returned.

However, the process relies on piquing the interest of customers, and so far, live-streaming has had mixed results for EV makers.

According to TechNodes investigation, vehicle-related live-streams do well in audience terms, often drawing more than 100 viewers per show. One Nio video detailing the companys self-driving capabilities attracted more than 1,000 viewers. However, the companys lifestyle livestreams typically get many fewer views.

Everyone cares more about hardcore content, an EV fan in Xiamen told TechNode, referring to videos about actual cars rather than other topics.

The diverse types of content are directed at different audiences: those who are interested in buying cars and those who are already part of the EV community. Nio in particular is clearly attempting to expand its Nio House concept to the online space by providing non-vehicle-related services and content.

Nevertheless, numerous viewers appear to be less than impressed with some of the livestreams, describing the live shows as boring and lacking in informative content. Given that these livestreams have yet to garner many viewers, its unclear how successful the format may be in converting viewers to buyers.

If EV live-streaming gains a widespread following, it could potentially allow companies to scale back their presence in brick-and-mortar stores, dramatically reducing overhead.

For now, however, this avenue of sales is all that EV companies really have, as many city governments have enforced temporary closures of nonessential stores to stop the spread of the virus.

Offline channels are basically blocked, said a user on microblogging platform Weibo. Now only those online can be used.

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Nio and Tesla turn to live stream events to boost sales - TechNode

Amash Running as an Independent Presidential Candidate? Okay, Should We Care? The Answer is "Maybe." – PolitiZoom

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US Representative Justin Amash (I-MI) is considering a run as a third-party independent.

Youd be forgiven by asking, Who? Youd also be forgiven for adding, Why should I care? Well, the answer to the second question is, Maybe you shouldnt, but

Amash is a former Tea Party darlingwho entered Congress as part of the sewage tsunami that overran Congress in 2010. Hes more libertarian than most of the right-wing bottom feeders, and in his own way, he has some integrity about him. Position-wise, hes hard to pin down. Hes 100% against abortion in any form, but is also against the death penalty in federal prisons. Then, in February 2020, he was one of the four Congressional members to vote against a landmark anti-lynching bill. He opposes the EPA, doesnt believe the government should take any actions to mitigate climate change, and even voted against providing funding for water provisioning to Flint, Michigan. Theres more, but you get the idea. He encapsulates the ideal of the far-right libertarian, actually better than libertarian darling Rand Paul (R-Thug), who is just a white supremacist who has Atlas Shrugged downloaded to his Kindle app.

At any rate, we dont want him in government at all, even if he does have a sense of integrity that most of his (former) GOP colleagues totally lack. His ideology and policy stances are 175.2 degrees away from ours (that figure is a rough estimate, of course). But he did win some fans when, in mid-2019, he began telling anyone who would listen that he believed Trump had committed impeachable acts. No one in the GOP was surprised: Amash was always a Never Trumper,and has been targeted as one of Trumps innumerable enemies since at least 2017.Amash supported the conclusions of the Mueller Report, and left the Republican Party shortly thereafter. He was the only non-Democrat in the House to vote for impeachment.

At least five Republicans are running to unseat Amash,so its no surprise that he may want to do something to either revitalize his House campaign or step away from Congress altogether.

On April 13, he tweeted that he was considering a run for the White House because Americans who believe in limited government deserve another option.

Well, Americans deserve better than Trump, thats certain. But they also deserve better than Amash.

Regardless. Its pointless to analyze Amashs potential for good or bad as president, because he wont win. He may not choose to run. Certainly the Never Trumpers at The Bulwark (the conservative site headed by William Kristol and Charlie Sykes, among others) dont want him to.

They are very clear on their reasoning: they love everything about Amash and would wet themselves in glee if by some electoral miracle he could gain the White House, but since that wont happen, his run could help reelect Donald Trump. Yup. Authors Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller are very clear:

This isnt an easy call. On one hand, we want to be for him to have the joy and satisfaction of getting behind the constitutional superhero of our dreams. But on the other hand, there is a downside risk to his running and the price of a second Trump term is too great for anyone to be playing dice with it. Trump is not just a Bad Orange Man or guy with suboptimal policy preferences. He is a threat to pluralism, the Constitution, Americans health and safety, and the rule of law. Hes a threat to the very heart of our liberal democracy. We know all of this deep in our bones. And we know Justin Amash knows it, too. Its the reason his moral clarity has been so refreshing the past three years. So the real question about his possible candidacy is a political one: Could we be certain that a third-party campaign from a Constitutional conservative would not help Trump get reelected? The answer, unfortunately, is no.

Remember, Liberty Project board member Reed Galen told a reporter in Februarythat their resistance to Trump would only need to peel 1% of the Republican vote away from Trump for the Democratic candidate to stomp a mudhole in him.

I agree with that. I also think that Amashs quixotic, ideology-driven campaign would more than likely sink without much of a trace.

But I also remember Jill Steinand Gary Johnson,the Green and Libertarian Party candidates in 2016. Stein got just over 1% of the votes cast in 2016, mostly from leftist hothouse flowers too pure and pristine to vote for Hillary Clinton. Johnson took 3.27% of the vote, largely from young conservatives who didnt care for either Trump or Clinton.

The Johnson candidacy in particular worries me. Amash will not run as the candidate for the Libertarian Party (that honor is going to go to either some nameless stooge from a libertarian foundation or our favorite politician who wears a boot on his head, Vermin Supreme), so thats something of a relief (though its possible the Libertarians will toss Vermin and Stooge over the side and nominate Amash by acclaim to head their ticket if Amash decides to run). If he remains an independent, Im honestly not sure how many state ballots Amash could legitimately be included on if he entered the race at this late date.

But Johnsons candidacy gives me pause. Amash is a lot more savvy than Johnson, who famously couldnt remember where or even what was Aleppo, Syria, and prompted speculation that if he won, hed be the first president to take bong hits while sitting at the Resolute Desk. If Amash gets some traction among the disaffected Never Trumper right and that is a big fat blinking if he could peel that 1% of votes Galen was talking about away from Trump, but also away from Biden.

I worry about things like this after the 2016 catastrophe.

Granted, I dont worry that much about Amash. I didnt run for the Maalox after reading the headlines about Amashs contemplated run. But Longwell and Miller may be stocking up on the Pepto-Bismol. Theyre looking at a poll that shows Biden with a 12% popular vote lead in Michigan, Amashs home state, over Trump a lead that shrinks to 6% when Amash is added to the list. Richard Czuba, who conducted the poll, told a Detroit reporter:

He will not take away Republican votes from Trump. What he will do is give independent voters who dont want to support President Trump an outlet to not vote for the Democrat. And if you look at who or what would be moving toward Amash, it is particularly independent men.

The Bulwark authors build on Czubas findings:

In the end, [third-party candidates such as Amash] tend to give those people who werent going to vote for Trump anyway an excuse to vote for someone else, while not pulling many voters from the Trump column.

Yes, its one poll, and only in Michigan, where Amash would get an outsized percentage of the vote as compared to the other states and territories.

Still. This worries me. The authors agree that Amash should not take the chance of giving wobbly voters a third option. Theyre all for Amash 2024, but for this year, theyre encouraging him to decline the opportunity.

Until Amash decides to help oust the Orange Nazi by not running, maybe Ill just mask up and head out to the grocery store for some Tums. Just a roll or two. Just in case.

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Amash Running as an Independent Presidential Candidate? Okay, Should We Care? The Answer is "Maybe." - PolitiZoom

Your Next MD Will Be From HR! – BW Businessworld

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Why just your next MD or CEO, it is plausible that the next wave of corporate leadership and those occupying the seat at the head of the table in boardrooms across the world, real or virtual, could be from the People Function. For far too long this function has played a support role and has been dutifully performing its task on the leadership fringe. But all that is set to change in the Industry 4.0 milieu.

Much is being discussed, written and spoken about Industry 4.0, its sectoral impact, opportunities it will create, skills that will be required and much more, but I find a conspicuous absence of any discussion on how 4.0 will impact the leadership construct.

Even if we do not go as far back as the steam engine or the Spinning Jenny and begin to trace evolution of industry from Industry 2.0 through to 4.0, we see that functional origins of leadership in corporations was predictable and more or less mirrored the evolution of the industry itself.

Industry 2.0 & The Manufacturing Boss"The pre and post World-War II era, which roughly translates to this period, beginning in early 1920s and ending in late 1960s, was characterized by hegemony of manufacturing and production. Across the globe from Motown majors in US to engineering behemoths in France & Germany to Industries out of post war nationalist Japan, the world was setting a frenetic pace of manufacturing, producing and excavating. Post-depression consumerism which was boosted multiple times by the heightened public spend that followed the end of war time command economy devoured everything that could be produced. Fortune 500 data of only American companies at the mid and end of that era makes for interesting observation. Most corporations are from this sector.

Typically, the people leading these corporations were the tough, gruffy, hard-nosed, cigar smoking, down to earth engineers, inventors and technocrats. From opportunist Robber barons to the absent-minded inventor, hurried and impatient as they were, each wanted to get on with the job. And fast. Money was to be made and time was short, and nothing mattered but the end. And many times, not even the means to the end! Pop culture reflected this. Chaplins Modern Times offers a brilliant view from the bottom of the pyramid while Ayn Rands seminal essays on capitalism; Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, give a view from the top about this era. Hank Rearden and Howard Roark typify the industry 2.0 boss!

This was the context in which the People Function or shall we say the Industrial Relations (IR) function emerged in that era. Human Relations (HR) was yet to come. Men and later women and their physical power became essential and important in the composite ingredient mix along with material and money to keep the mass-producing assembly lines moving. And this manpower needed to be managed even if only to the extent of achieving zero machine downtime. Priority was machine and material first, money second and manpower last. The IR function dutifully managed this resource with a primary intent of not unruffling the maverick boss. Sure, the leftists were not sitting idle, and they did introduce some complexities such as trade unions and wage negotiation which kept the IR function on its feet, and they coped.

Industry 3.0 & The Marketing BossAs we reach the mid-point of Industry 3.0, around mid-80s, and look at the list of leading corporations, we can see competition picking up. Number of oil and auto companies in the fortune 500 list itself begin to increase and by the time we are at the end of that era we find strange new and alien sounding entrants like Amazon and Apple creep into the lists. Even names from far corners of the world like Philips and Samsung find a mention. The Japanese are seen to be warming up in the sidelines with Toyota and the Chinese are surging with a military like Comintern intent with their banks and petroleum companies. Even Walgreens is wedged in between crude, steel and auto. but that which perhaps typifies an epochmaking change of this era is a retailer sitting at the top; Wal-Mart!

This perhaps is hint enough of what was happening in the world of business. Competition was increasing, supply had begun to outstrip demand, need creation became important as basic needs were in any case few and were satisfied. The boob tube had hit the drawing room, media and communication had matured and the mother of everything, the internet era had dawned. This era saw the baton passing from a no-nonsense manufacturing boss who retracted into his walnut paneled club to the glib talking, master communicator who could make the consumer follow him like the proverbial Pied Piper. The Marketing Boss! Management books deified Sculley, Iacocca and Steve Jobs and Philip Kotler attained demigod status. Jerry Maguire and Devil Wears Prada brought marketing and branding out into pop culture! India though was a few years behind in that era still straddling 2.0 & 3.0, best reflected by Amitabh Bachchan in the era of angry young man of Kala Patthar, Deewar and Trishul. The people function was busy adapting and reskilling during this time. IR transitioned to HR and learnt new skills. Gen-X was tolerable and manageable but then the millennial arrived with strange and alien seeming and exasperating expectations and had to be dealt with differently. Gig economy had started, and technology was throwing up ever newer challenges. But the HR head coped with all that while dutifully adapting to keep the wheels of industry moving many times even in the face of brash decision making by the Marketing Boss. But this was era when the HR head matured

In the meanwhile: The Finance Boss and the Technology BossIt did seem, albeit for a short while in 3.0 era that the leadership role will be taken over by the finance and technology function. Particularly during the Y2K era in India and a little before that elsewhere in the world. But both, finance and technology, transitioned from being of mere business support functions to leviathan industry sectors on their own and began charting their own leadership roadmaps.Industry 4.0 & The HR BossFrom every angle it seems that industry 4.0 is going to be an era of the HR Boss or at least a boss who is adept at handling the human element. As the world of business continues its deep dive towards new and epoch-making integration of technology and manufacturing in its quest to find that next spike of growth and productivity it seems to be strangely blindsided about its impact on leadership.

An army of technologist is getting ready and is obsessed and even perhaps possessed with dealing with agile manufacturing, smart factories, data driven and computing prowess aided machine learning to standardize thought pattern and develop artificial intelligence. It sure looks like machines will be taken care of or perhaps will even evolve to take care of themselves. But who will take care of that other critical element humans? That perhaps is the reason the HR Boss will now take charge.

The new order will on one side throw up new opportunities, new challenges and new jobs but on the other, time at hand and frequency of skill obsolescence cycles will increase. Interestingly the top 10 skills required to succeed as per the oft quoted World Economic Forum (WEF) survey done as a part of their Future of Jobs report points out to no particular functional or operational skill but more towards attitudinal skills. Human touch will gain prominence and how this resource will be managed will make the difference between winners and the also rans.

Of course, all this may be a conjecture at this point and we still dont know how things will evolve but the top 10 skills sure do point at a many which have traditionally been in the domain of HR and Learning & Development.

But before the HR fraternity revels at the thought of smelling leather of that boardroom chair they will need some introspection and reskilling of their own. Unlike in the past, during the transition from 2.0 to 3.0 or from HR to IR, when it happened due to forces or evolutionary change or even if forced by the then bosses in manufacturing and marketing, this time it will require some effort.For beginners, since leadership role does not operate in a silo and demands deft modulation of multi-functional interplay, the HR Boss will have to learn and be aware of other functional skills. He will have to transition from being an enabler to a driver of goals and the function will have to move from being reactive to being proactive. Complexity and difficulty index for him will now increase as the ultimate goal will not just be people but value creation through people. The buck will now stop at him.

Sure Industry 4.0 will throw up many uncertainties but those in the HR function must know -Your time for that leadership role has come. And your time start now.

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Your Next MD Will Be From HR! - BW Businessworld

COVID-19 and psoriasis: Risks and precautions – Medical News Today

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People with psoriasis may be wondering how COVID-19 might affect them. COVID-19 is a new illness resulting from infection with the novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2.

At present, it is unclear how COVID-19 may affect those with psoriasis, which is an immune-mediated condition. This mean the condition occurs as a result of abnormal immune system activity. Scientists are also unsure about how it may impact the treatment of these individuals.

Some treatments for psoriasis, which are immunosuppressive medications, may increase the risk of a COVID-19, or of severe illness due to the virus. However, the effects are still unknown.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential risks of COVID-19 for those with psoriasis, including the precautions that people can take to reduce their risk of developing COVID-19 and its complications.

The details of how COVID-19 affects those with psoriasis remain unknown, but there is not yet evidence to suggest that it affects them differently than people without the condition.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), if a person is not taking an immunosuppressive medication and is free from other underlying diseases, there may be minimal additional risk of them contracting SARS-CoV-2 relative to the rest of the population.

However, as the virus is highly transmissible, spreads rapidly, and replicates rapidly, everyone is at risk. Even asymptomatic people can transmit the virus to others.

The NPF note that people with severe psoriasis, such as those who are on immunosuppressive therapies or have other medical conditions, probably are at higher risk of infection.

As psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated condition, some people may take immunosuppressant drugs to keep their symptoms under control.

These medications can reduce immune function, which may increase the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 or other infectious agents. Immunosuppressive drugs could also increase the risk of severe symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conditions or medications that weaken the immune system and cause people to become immunocompromised increase the risk of severe COVID-19.

The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) recommend that people with psoriasis who receive a COVID-19 diagnosis discuss discontinuing or postponing their use of immunosuppressant medications with their doctor.

However, the IPC caution that doctors should carefully weigh the benefit-to-risk ratio of immunosuppressive treatments on an individual basis.

The medical board of the NPF do not recommend that people with psoriasis stop their treatment unless they have an active infection. They suggest that those in high risk groups discuss their options with their doctor.

The CDC list the following as high risk:

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other expert bodies are still learning about the effects of COVID-19 on those with co-occurring conditions.

The WHO list the most common COVID-19 symptoms as:

They state that other possible symptoms include:

Some people with COVID-19 also report a loss of taste or smell.

Symptoms typically develop within 214 days of exposure to the virus. They range from mild to severe, although the majority of people experience a relatively mild form of the disease, which will not require specialist treatment in a hospital.

Some people may be asymptomatic, meaning that they have no symptoms, despite testing positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Asymptomatic individuals can still transmit the virus to others, though.

People can reduce the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus by:

Anyone who thinks that they may have become exposed to the virus should:

It is advisable to call ahead before presenting at an emergency facility in case they need to put safety measures in place.

The NPF recommend that people with psoriasis discuss their treatment with their doctor. A doctor may recommend continuing medications or taking a break from them.

It is important that people only adjust or stop their treatment after consulting with their doctor.

So far, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. In those who contract the virus and develop symptoms, treatment aims to alleviate these symptoms. Treatments include:

People who develop severe illness will require hospitalization. In the hospital, doctors may put them on oxygen or a ventilator, or provide other specialist care.

In some cases, doctors may speak to a person about participating in a clinical trial, which is very important in helping experts learn about the disease and find effective treatments.

People with psoriasis who develop COVID-19 should speak to their doctor about their psoriasis treatment while ill.

Those taking immunosuppressive medications will often need to stop treatment temporarily until their doctor says that it is safe to resume. The doctor will advise on other types of psoriasis treatment on a case-by-case basis.

When someone tests positive for the novel coronavirus, their doctor will provide them with instructions for recovery. They will also explain to the individual how to self-isolate to reduce the spread of the virus to others.

People with mild symptoms can typically recover at home, while those with severe illness often require a hospital stay.

It is difficult to determine the outlook for people with COVID-19 and psoriasis, but this generally depends on:

Data from China showed that 80% of people who develop COVID-19 have mild-to-moderate symptoms and recover well. Of the remainder, 13.8% develop severe disease, and 6.1% become critical and require intensive care.

Prompt medical treatment may improve the outlook of people with severe disease and reduce the risk of complications, which include pneumonia and organ failure. In some cases, COVID-19 can also lead to death.

At present, experts know little about the effects of COVID-19 on people with psoriasis.

However, it seems that those who are not taking an immunosuppressive medication and do not have another co-occurring disorder have a similar risk to the rest of the population.

People taking immunosuppressive therapies who receive a COVID-19 diagnosis should consult their doctor immediately. It is likely that the doctor will advise them to stop taking these medications until they recover.

There is no specific treatment for the novel coronavirus, but individuals can reduce their risk of contracting it by maintaining physical distance from others, avoiding unnecessary public outings, and practicing good hygiene.

Individuals with psoriasis should speak to their doctor about their specific case. A doctor will address any concerns that a person has, and they may adjust their treatment plan accordingly.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

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COVID-19 and psoriasis: Risks and precautions - Medical News Today

Arcutis Announces Enrollment of First Patient in Phase 1/2b Study of ARQ-252 in Patients with Chronic Hand Eczema – Yahoo Finance

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WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., April 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (ARQT), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for unmet needs in immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions, or immuno-dermatology, today announced that it has enrolled the first patient in Phase 1/2b study of ARQ-252, a potent and highly selective topical small molecule inhibitor of janus kinase type 1 (JAK1), in adult patients with chronic hand eczema.

Hand eczema is one of the most common skin diseases, affecting approximately 8 million Americans, and currently there are no FDA-approved therapies for this affliction, said Howard Welgus, M.D., Arcutis Chief Medical Officer. We are delighted to begin enrollment in this Phase 1/2b study of ARQ-252, our topical JAK1 inhibitor, in adult patients with chronic hand eczema. JAK inhibition has been shown to treat a range of inflammatory diseases including hand eczema, and we believe that, due to its demonstrated potency and high selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2, ARQ-252 has the potential to treat hand eczema without causing the adverse effects that may be associated with other less selective JAK inhibitors.

The Phase 1 portion of the study will assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of once daily application of ARQ-252 cream 0.3% to both hands for two weeks in six subjects with chronic hand eczema. The Phase 2b portion of the study will assess the safety and efficacy of ARQ-252 cream 0.1% once daily and ARQ-252 cream 0.3% once daily and twice daily versus vehicle applied once daily and twice daily for 12 weeks to patients with chronic hand eczema. The Company expects to begin the Phase 2b portion of the study in the second half of 2020, and expects topline data in the second half of 2021.

About Hand EczemaHand eczema is a common, predominantly inflammatory, skin disease. It is the most common skin disease affecting the hands, with prevalence estimated at up to 2.5% of the population. Hand eczema is characterized variously by redness, fluid filled blisters or bumps, scaling, cracking, itching and pain occurring on the hands, especially the palms. It is a diverse syndrome, incorporating dyshidrotic eczema, an immune disease possibly related to atopic dermatitis; irritant contact dermatitis of the hands, which is caused by occupational irritants such as chemicals; allergic contact dermatitis of the hands, which is caused by an allergic reaction; atopic hand dermatitis, which is atopic dermatitis occurring on the hands, and hyperkeratotic hand dermatitis, which are thickened, scaly, red plaques, similar to psoriasis, on the hands. The impact of hand eczema on patients can be significant, leading to work absences or disability, social stigmatization, and psychosocial distress.

About ARQ-252 ARQ-252 is a potent and highly selective topical, small molecule inhibitor of janus kinase type 1 (JAK1). Many inflammatory cytokines and other signaling molecules rely on the JAK pathway, and specifically JAK1, which plays a central role in immune system function. Inhibition of JAK1 has been shown to treat a range of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohns disease, and atopic dermatitis. The Company believes that due to its high selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2, ARQ-252 will be able to effectively treat inflammatory diseases without causing the hematopoietic adverse effects typically associated with JAK2 inhibition. In 2018, Arcutis exclusively licensed the active pharmaceutical ingredient in ARQ-252 for all topical dermatological uses in the United States, Europe, Japan and Canada from Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. of China. In mid-2019, Hengrui completed a Phase 2 study in rheumatoid arthritis that used the same active pharmaceutical ingredient as in ARQ-252 but dosed orally. The results confirmed that this active pharmaceutical ingredient is a highly potent inhibitor of JAK1 based on the drugs impact on rheumatoid arthritis, and was generally well tolerated at exposures well above those expected with topical administration of ARQ-252.

About Arcutis - Bioscience, applied to the skin.Arcutis is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for unmet needs in immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions, or immuno-dermatology. Arcutis exploits recent innovations in inflammation and immunology to develop potential best-in-class therapies against validated biological targets, leveraging our deep development, formulation and commercialization expertise to bring to market novel dermatology treatments, while maximizing our probability of technical success and financial resources. Arcutis is currently developing three novel compounds (topical roflumilast cream (ARQ-151), topical roflumilast foam (ARQ-154) and ARQ-252) for multiple indications, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and eczema. For more information, please visit http://www.arcutis.com or follow the Company on LinkedIn.

Story continues

Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including, among others, statements regarding the potential for ARQ-252 to treat hand eczema without causing the adverse effects associated with other JAK inhibitors; the anticipated timing of beginning the Phase 2b portion of the Phase 1/2b study; and the anticipated timing of the topline data of the Phase 2b portion of the study. These statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ include risks inherent in the clinical development process and regulatory approval process, the timing of regulatory filings, and our ability to defend our intellectual property. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties applicable to our business, see the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed withU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) onMarch 19, 2020, as well as any subsequent filings with theSEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

Investors and Media:Heather Rowe ArmstrongVice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communicationsharmstrong@arcutis.com805-418-5006, Ext. 740

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Arcutis Announces Enrollment of First Patient in Phase 1/2b Study of ARQ-252 in Patients with Chronic Hand Eczema - Yahoo Finance

Farm style – but not as you would know it – Daily Record

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Never at this time of year have there been so few properties on the market.

An unprecedented time of difficulty for people wanting to sell and buy. And a revenue disaster for estate agents. But out of this spell we will surely come.

This week we feature a terrific property put on the market just before the shutdown.

And the five-bedroomed Helenton View is ready to move into without a thing needing done.

It lies amidst lush pasture about a mile from Symington, spread out in old farm steading style over 3,444 square feet.

This is no old farm property inside, instead an executive take on modern country living for the family.

Plenty of glass gives you views across the fertile Pow Valley.

The Pow Burn trickles past nearby, the same water that goes under Prestwick Airports main runway, through Prestwick Golf Course and into the sea between Prestwick and Troon. Corum in Troon has it for sale at offers over 495,000.

The design includes some rooms which span to the apex of the roof, giving a true feeling of space. Many old farm properties with their small windows and low ceilings can feel claustrophobic.

Corum say: The level of fixtures and fittings is luxurious, including sanitary ware by Porcelanosa, a custom kitchen with integrated appliances and extensive use of solid oak, including the doors, surrounds and a large part of the downstairs flooring.

The family room with mezzanine sitting area stretches to more than thirty six feet. Upstairs there is a big theatre room to take in movies with the family.

Back at ground level, there is a custom kitchen/ dining room with the spaces defined by an island with hob.

A lovely feature is the fireplace which can be seen from the lounge and the dining area. Four of the five bedrooms are downstairs, with three having en-suites, the master having extra wardrobes and a full height ceiling.

Other features include underfloor heating, electric blinds, and media system. Outside electric gates lead to a sweeping drive. Call Corum on Troon 310010, offers over 495,000.

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Farm style - but not as you would know it - Daily Record

At Sea Since October, Solo Sailor Takes Isolation to the Extreme While Battling Weather and High Seas – The Weather Channel

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Bert ter Hart stands with his boat, the Seaburban. ter Hart is in the midst of a solo sailing adventure that has kept him isolated from the coronavirus pandemic.

Alone and isolated from his family and friends, Bert ter Hart makes homemade bread. He bemoans a shortage of his favorite snacks. He counts his remaining toilet paper squares, wondering if he will run out.

Coronavirus isn't what ter Hart's worried about, though.

It's the weather.

He's been on a solo sailing quest since late October when he left Victoria, British Columbia - devoid of any in-person human contact on his 40-foot sailboat Seaburban, challenged both by storms and by calm seas that have set him back at least two months from his original planned date to return to civilization.

Some say ter Hart's spot alone in the middle of the ocean makes him the safest human in the world.

He disagrees.

"Although I am certainly safe from the coronavirus, I am most certainly not safe from a host of other problems or issues that I must face every single day. Of course weather is the obvious one. But I could get a toothache, an infection and die, before anyone could get to me. A simple cut could become infected and that could turn into something extremely serious in no time flat. Some solo sailors go far as to remove their appendix so they do not run the risk of appendicitis and death," ter Hart, 62, told weather.com in an email sent via satellite link.

"So I think in only one very narrow context am I the safest person on the planet."

(WATCH: Coyote Roams Near the Golden Gate Bridge Amid Coronavirus Lockdown)

Just a few days ago, ter Hart battled waves up to 30 feet high and howling winds in the Southern Indian Ocean. An unusually strong storm for this time of year whipped the winds up to 81 mph in some parts of the region. ter Hart described the experience of steering by hand for seven hours straight to try and keep the boat under control.

"Facing backwards to watch the waves catch us up, I stepped into the well and with water up to my knees, brought Seaburban's stern to face the wind and whatever swell or wave came our way," ter Hart wrote in a Facebook post.

He also has a blog where he posts updates with the help of his wife and family back home, and fans can follow his journey in real time here, along with weather data from his current location.

It's not just storms that have challenged the accomplished sailor. He's also encountered an unusually high number of calm days, something he didn't count on.

"The weather I have encountered in the South Atlantic and the Indian oceans has been very unusual," ter Hart said in his email. "It seems to be more extreme. For example, I have been becalmed almost 40 days in the six and a half months I have been gone. That is very, very rare. That translates to almost 5,000 nautical miles, and had I not been without wind so often I would be home by now."

A detour due to what he said was a rare subtropical high caused him to lose another 1,300 miles.

"The net result of the above is that I am about 6 to 8 weeks behind schedule," ter Hart said. "And that means that my food and water stores are going to be taxed right to the limit by the time I get home."

ter Hart relies on pilot charts for navigational purposes, which he said are a compilation of data collected over "many, many years."

"The data consists of wind direction and velocity, the number of calms and storms, as well as fog, magnetic deviation limit of icebergs, etc. and other tidbits of interest to mariners. They represent climatological means if you will," ter Hart said. "The weather that I have experienced is vastly different than what is on the pilot chart. You could say then that my experience with the weather has been vastly different than the climatological mean."

Bert ter Hart is seen here in a photo during his current solo sailing adventure, which he started long before the coronavirus pandemic.

When he's not chasing adventure, ter Hart said he develops and sells software and IT services. He added that he's a veteran of the Canadian Airborne Special Service Forces, and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in physics and physical oceanography.

Part of the reason he took up the challenge of his solo sailing quest was to draw school children, many of whom follow him online as part of their classes, into careers in the ocean and atmospheric sciences. There are three science experiments on board the Seaburban, focusing on surface currents, plastic pollution and blue bottle jellyfish.

ter Hart first heard about the novel coronavirus on the radio when he was near land in the Falkland Islands, shortly before the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. Then, his son sent word of skyrocketing numbers of infections and deaths in countries like Italy.

At that point, ter Hart knew it was serious.

"I did not think that my own isolation was any particular advantage," he said. "At some point I will have to return to land and then I will be like everyone else, except late to the party."

For the latest coronavirus information in your county and a full list of important resources to help you make the smartest decisions regarding the disease, check out our dedicated COVID-19 page.

The Weather Companys primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

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At Sea Since October, Solo Sailor Takes Isolation to the Extreme While Battling Weather and High Seas - The Weather Channel

Oakland County-born singer shines some "Light" in Nashville – The Oakland Press

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Michelle Brooke has taken a circuitous path to her current shelter place as a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who just released her first EP, "Let the Light In."

The Southfield-raised performer gravitated to music nearly from birth. Her father, retired Ob-Gynphysician Andrew Markowitz of Franklin, is a musician and still plays in the local group the Foster Brooks Band, and her parents played plenty of music around the house.

"There was nothing else I was ever interested in," says Brooke (nee Markowitz), who sang in the choir at Congregation Shaarey Zedeck synagogue and appeared in numerous musicals as a youth and a teenager at Walled Lake Central High School.

"My father is a guitarist. My mother sings around the house," she adds. "My grandparents were wildly obsessed with music. My mother's father was a violin player. My father's parents were huge music lovers. I was around my entire life, and that's all I wanted to do. I didnt want to focus in school I didn't think I would need any of it."

Walled Lake Central High School alumnus Michelle Brooke's new EP, "Let the Light In," came out April 10. (Cover provided by Michelle Brooke)

Brooke, who began writing songs as a teenager, did go to school, getting abachelor of fine arts degree at Central Michigan University before moving to New York. That, in turn, led to six years with Carnival Cruise Lines, "singing and dancing in Vegas-style revue shows" on the high seas.

"But I missed writing," Brooke recalls, which in 2016 led her to "make the leap to where the most talented people in the world come" and move to Nashville.

"I always say I'm scared and nervous about things, but I tend to run towards the fire cause I love to be challenged," Brooke says about heading to Music City. "It was intimidating, but I don't grow until I'm ... terrified. I had to figure out how to make my mark, to try to stand out and fit in at the same time."

Brooke found her place as part of the Music City Coppers house band at Acme Feed and Seed, which helped her build a community of supporters both other musicians as well as fans.

"I got really lucky and was brought into a network of people who are extremely kind and giving and believed in me," says Brooke, who was introduced to the venue by a former roommate, who was also from the Detroit area. Brooke also started singing at legendary venues such as the Bluebird Cafe and the Ryman Auditorium the latter as a backing vocalist for a multiartist benefit show and was featured on NPR's "She's a Rebel" program.

Brooke started co-writing with others around Nashville, and her break came with last year's "Storm," which she wrote with two fellow members of another band, Apollo LTD, and recorded at Sputnik Sound studio with producer Mitch Dane. The soulful single got some rave reviews. American Songwriter gushed that "her voice dazzles in the light of gospel and soul music," and it got some airplay on Nashville's Lightning 100. And it putin motion the "Let the Light In" EP, which came out April 10, funded through Kickstarter.

"I would say it all started with Motown," Brooke says of her sound, "with me falling in love with melodies, falling in love with Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. Being from Hitsville, it's definitely in my blood, but I take from musical theater as well."

Brooke also lists Sara Bareilles as a contemporary influence and adds that, "I'm a very theatrical and emotional person."

"I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm not afraid to talk about things and say how I feel," she says. "But I have this fun, eccentric personality, too, so I want that to come through as well."

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Oakland County-born singer shines some "Light" in Nashville - The Oakland Press

The global system drags anchor – United World International

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The greatest nightmare for the sailors, especially for a ship commanding officer or a captain, is dragging the anchor. Because of heavy wind or strong current, the dragging ship is unable to hold its position, even with engine power. At some point, the ship will likely strand. If the stranded ship hits the sand there may be a chance to recover, but if the ship is dragged and stranded on rocks, the hull will be pierced and begin to take on water, thus becoming unrecoverable. At that point, the ship becomes shipwrecked. If there is one thing we have learned from the coronavirus crisis, it is that the same can happen to entire governments.

Governments can also become stranded because of wars, internal conflicts, uprisings, economic crises, natural disasters and plagues. Some can survive these extraordinary conditions without turning into wreckage, some can not and are eradicated from history. Very rarely, a new state is built on that wreckage with a new spirit, identity and with fresh power, as was the case for the Atatrks Republic of Turkey.

World Wars, climate change, environmental disasters, natural disasters, economic crises and plagues can also drag the anchor of the world. Although the community, tribe, or nation systems founded by more than 100 billion people who have ever lived on earth since the first Homo Sapiens have faced five different extinction threats over the last few millions of years, they have never faced a threat of total annihilation. For that reason, the world, which has dragged anchor for various reasons, has nonetheless never been turned into a total wreckage.

After 1945, the earth experienced a sixth period of self-destruction, this time due to human innovation. The first step of this process was the detonation of the nuclear weapons in Japan. Nuclear weapons had become the greatest destructive force in human history. For the first time, humanity was initiating a potential process of self-destruction by its own will. At that point, this will was synonymous with American will. That is why Oppenheimer, the mastermind behind the American atomic bombing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, spoke these words which he read in a Hindu scripture, when the first test of the Manhattan Project was successful:

Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds.

Pixabay

According to reports from 2012, 9 countries in the world (the US, Russia, the UK, China, France, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea) have a collective 4,400 nuclear weapons ready to use at any time. If those being kept in silos are included, roughly 19,000 nuclear weapons are reported. The destructive power is big enough to completely eradicate life on earth. The surviving creatures would have to live with heavy nuclear fallout.

The other devastation has come from the environment. With the industrial revolution in the end of the 18th century and the start of the Oil Age in the early 20th century, the most advanced species on earth, human beings, have rapidly expanded their power to control nature. The actual reason that started this process was mankinds ambition to produce more, something which eventually went out of control. The liberal-capitalist West wanted to gain more, exploit more and to live a better life. When we reached the 21st century, the earth was roughly 4.5 billion years old, and humanity had existed for 200,000 years. The earliest of civilizations was 10,000 years old; and the first monotheistic religious scripts dated back to roughly 5,000 years ago. Aside from the last 260 years, humanity and the economy have improved on mainly muscle and wind power.

Things changed after British inventor James Watts invention of the steam engine in 1773. With the resources of the earth, coal first and then petroleum one hundred years later, we developed industrial civilization to a greater point than we could have possibly imagined. At the same time, however, we devastated nature.

Petroleum has impacted every area of human life from energy, to plastics, fertilizers and chemical industries. As the 21st century came to an end, the demand for natural gas has begun to increase. As a result, the hydrocarbons; petroleum, natural gas and coal has offered a great development with larger energy demands than were never experienced before, all of which has further devastated nature, mainly with the carbon dioxide, SOX, NOX emissions and by-products such as plastics, fertilizers, etc. Today, all the non-human biological beings will likely be obliterated and human life will cease to exist on earth if this consumption and extraction isnt slowed. Since 1970, the worlds human population has doubled, while the wildlife population has been reduced by half.

Some scientists define this period as the sixth extinction period. The level of CO2 in the atmosphere is more than it was in millions of years. Organisms that supply the oxygen to earth, thousands of meters deep in the ocean, are dying. Seas, rivers and lakes are dying, and ice caps are melting due to global warming. Sea levels are rising. Droughts, floods, hurricanes are occurring more frequently. Due to the solid wastes and plastics, garbage islands with the size of Turkey are being formed in the oceans.

Needpix.com/https://www.needpix.com/photo/1183990/green-planet-futuristic-design-background-abstract-3d-animation-technology

The earth was giving signals of distress, such as melting glaciers, extinct species, destroyed rainforests, and limitations in resources seized by the neo-liberal capitalism. The earth was dragging its anchor. The capitalist system took over the command of the world-ship after the 18th century. Capitalism, shaped by the protestant ethics, has evolved into imperialism, and with the comfort of winning two world wars and the Cold War behind, the US has transformed itself into neo-liberal capitalism, and spread throughout the globe.

This system, which has expanded its imperialist sphere of influence under the name of so-called democracy, has eliminated all the mechanisms of controlling the natural resources of competing nation-states by using its psychological superiority and its financial, cultural power under the umbrella of destructive nuclear military power. Now, the control of nature has fallen into the hands of the neoliberal elites who know no boundaries. The ship was destined to stand, despite all the warnings of the first half of the 21st century.

The system was wrong, the theory was wrong, and the practice was wrong. Humanity was committing suicide. One percent of the worlds population has 80 percent of global wealth. The imbalance of income, population growth and the destruction of nature are all intertwined. This imbalance is not only a result of human-to-human exploitation, it is also due to the exploitation of nature by the neoliberal capitalist economy. The global system which had previously developed nuclear weapons was now destroying nature altogether. Covid-19 has put an end to this process. On the other hand, it has also accelerated the anchor dragging of the global economic system.

This virus, which has left almost 3 billion people in lock down within a month, has proven that the world and nature can survive. The new order will not have to carve a path through millions of dead and wounded, devastated cities and nations in a world war, it can arise in response to the pandemic. The West faces the reality of the two monsters that it has created (nuclear and environmental destruction) both need to be brought under control without causing further unprecedented disasters.

The era of the empowerment of nation states is beginning. In this new era, we can say that the teachings of Kemalism, or the six arrows for short, will guide every state for harmony, prosperity, peace and stability since Kemalism values nature, human life, the state and the people. It is a statist, populist, secular, nationalist, republican and reformist ideology. A new world that takes Kemalism as a guide for entering into the coming Asian Era is the only possibility for taking a stranded humankind to the high seas of peace.

Those in Turkey, who are in search of a new hope after witnessing the collapse of the Atlantic system and those who see nationalism as a disease will hopefully now come to a better understanding. When the Titanic hit the iceberg 108 years ago on April 14th 1912, at 23:35, no one from among the passengers and the crew, even the captain, could foresee that the ship would sink in just two hours and 45 minutes.

What a pity! These lands, which gave birth to the Republic of Turkey and to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk might be subject to the same misjudgements as those aboard that ill-fated ship. The problem is not their existence: we have seen their ancestors during the Moudros ceasefire era of 1918-1919.

The Grand Vizier Damat Ferit once told Admiral Arthur Calthorpe, the High Commissioner of Great Britain, the Sultan and I hope that our salvation would only be from Great Britain after Allah.

The problem is the existence of such people, deceiving them by telling them that the setting sun is rising, along with the presence of those who keep believing in this shameless lie. It is our duty in this beautiful country to warn those who still believe in this lie and those who want to believe for only little gains implied, in todays political atmosphere, are the crypto-Gulenists, the outright enemies of Ataturk, as well as the fake Kemalists.

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The global system drags anchor - United World International

Sea of Thieves Is Finally Letting Crewmates Revive Each Other – Screen Rant

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At long, long last,Sea of Thieves is finally going to let players revive each other when the game's next update rolls out to sea. The wait for this seemingly innocuous feature has been perhaps a littletoo long out from the game's 2018 release, but the game's community is no less eager for it and other improvements packed into this month's major update.

XboxGamesStudios' Rare, of unforgettable Nintendo 64fame, has spent the past years molding an increasingly varied pirate experience around the rather bare skeleton that was the initial launch version ofSea of Thieves. The Microsoftexclusive has had its fair share of rocky update rollouts and, like any always-online title with a content drip, has been criticized on more than one occasion for moving too slowly and prioritizing the wrong features at the wrong times. However, when aSea of Thievesupdate goes well, players have a (sometimes literal) blast with the harrowing experiences and bizarre items that are unlike anything else in the AAA online multiplayer space. Most imminent on thegame's roadmap is the Ships of Fortune update, which will introduce furry companions and much more to the high seas.

Related:Sea Of Thieves Is Headed To Steam Soon

The most-requested and long-awaited feature of the Ships of Fortune update is far and away a crew revival mechanic, which will at long last give players the opportunity to bring downed friends back from the brink before they push off to Davy Jones' Locker. In the below developer update video, executive producer Joe Neate admits that the long-absent feature was something that Rare has wanted to include since "really early on in the Unity prototype" ofSea of Thieves, noting his eagerness to finally see the "really cool social dynamics" revives will bring to the heat of battle. The developer brought inSea of ThievesYouTuber and streamer Hitbotc to summarize the mechanic's fine details, who explains:

"When you die, you no longer go directly to the Ferryman. Instead, you now have the opportunity to be revived by one of your cremates. However, the clock is ticking. In Adventure Mode, you will have 15 seconds to get to your crewmate before they're sent to the Ferryman, but if your crewmate does make it to you in time, they are now prompted with the option to revive you, which will take a total of 4 seconds, giving you 25 percent of your health back and getting you back into the action. In Arena Mode, you will have around 10 seconds longer to revive... You are now also going to be able to revive other crews in your alliance."

Unfortunately for solo players, revival may be little else besides a thorn in their solitary sides. However, Hitbotc reports that theirs and all in-game deaths will now be more palatable, as "time on the Ferry has been reduced by a few seconds." He also points out that revival can be a double-edged sword, as an outnumbered player can use crew revival attempts as an "opportunity for an easy kill." Other Ships of Fortune update changes include bans for excessive quitting in the Arena, a toggleable crew status option that helps players better keep up with crewmates, and the ability to find Tall Tale quests on the ship map. As for revival, Hitbotc isn't technically wrong when he says that it'll be "an absolute game-changer," but it's mildly astonishing that the multiplayer title is getting such a ubiquitous feature so far down the line.

Critics have long declared theSea of Thieves ship to have sailed ages ago, but the game's active playerbase and constant stream of updates have continued to shape the swashbuckling multiplayer experience into something greater than its origins as a pretty sailing simulator. Rare's cheeky tenacity coupled with recent record highXbox Live player countsis a good signal thatSea of Thieves won't be walking the plank anytime soon.

Next:Xbox Live Making Changes Due To Record Number Of Users

Source: Sea of Thieves

Sony Improves PlayStation 4 Repair For Fan With Free PS4 Game

Phillip Tinner is a member of the Screen Rant gaming news team, and he has written about all things film, TV, and gaming for the site since 2018. Phillip has a B.A. in History from Texas A&M University and is fascinated by the many areas where the virtual and real worlds meet. A Texas native, he's likely to be found enjoying a Shiner Bock or devouring Tex-Mex - often both at the same time! Mostly, though, he just plays and writes about video games.He hopes readers enjoy his content as much as he does researching and producing it. Publishers, creators, and readers alike can reach him anytime on Twitter @PhilKimTin, or they can do so in a slightly less fun capacity via LinkedIn.

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Sea of Thieves Is Finally Letting Crewmates Revive Each Other - Screen Rant

Oil price crash may not benefit India due to falling demand and full tanks – BusinessLine

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Mondays crude oil price collapse may not have much impact on Indian refiners or on pump prices at least till June but could spoil the prospects of oil giants such as Saudi Aramco pouring billions to buy stakes in local refineries such as Reliance Industries Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation or the planned mega refinery in Maharashtra.

In India, it doesnt have much impact simply because we are not going to buy much of crude, all our tanks are full throughout the country, said the director refinery of a state-run oil refining company.

So, immediately in May/June, we dont see any impact. The price crash will have an impact if we buy the crude and bring it to India, but bringing to India is not possible because tanks are full and oil tankers are not easy to come by because tankers are floating with oil on the high seas. So, nothing much is happening, he added.

The lower run rates of local refineries triggered by the coronavirus-induced demand compression will add to the woes.

Refineries are not going to see 100 per cent utilisation at least either till May if not till June also. So, over the next two months we dont benefit from the impact of rock bottom prices, said another executive at a state-run oil firm.

However, if we look at the larger picture, it will affect the overall pricing because the OPEC Plus cuts announced last week are not sufficient. We are having almost 30 per cent reduction in demand while the cut in production is 10 per cent. So, the 20 per cent reduction is still floating extra, he said.

The executive said that India is unable to take advantage of the price crash because its underground storage tanks in Mangalore, Padur and Vizag are full with no expansion coming on stream in the near future.

The price collapse will not reflect in a reduction in pump prices.

Pump prices are independent of this because a large portion of it is taxes. The government is also not realising the taxes because nobody is buying fuel, he said.

Oil producers would be forced to re-work their business plans due to the price plunge.

One of the casualties could be Saudi Aramcos plan to invest as much as $15 billion for a 20 per cent stake in the oil to chemicals business of Reliance Industries Ltd which was announced in August last year.

It could also spoil the plans of global oil giants to bid for the governments stake in BPCL which is being lined up for privatisation by the government.

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Oil price crash may not benefit India due to falling demand and full tanks - BusinessLine

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Recap: Out With The Old – Reality Tea

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Last night on Below Deck Sailing Yacht we lost one crew member and gained a new one. I stand by my stance that Parker McCown is appalling. He has no respect for authority, plus his over-confidence and arrogance is so typical white male privilege. Hes like Gordon Gekko of the high seas.

In a meeting with Captain Glenn Shephard and Paget Berry about whether or not he should be fired, Parker yells at the Captain, argues that hes being stressed out, then decides to flip this whole firing thing into him resigning because thats how positive people handle problems. Plus he doesnt like to be around people who dont love him. Parker does realize he was gonna be fired anyway, right?

Parkers real problem is that he doesnt want to work. He wants to blow all his tip money proposing to the ex-girlfriend, Kati, who dumped him a couple months ago because she wanted to sleep with other guys, then begged him back when she saw a free trip to Greece and the opportunity to be on TV.

While everyone else is prepping for the oncoming charter we get some lovely underwater footage of Parker proposing to Kati in scuba gear. It was ugh something youd find on the original Full House. Or a cheese Bachelor date. Apparently loving animals is their common denominator. So congrats!

Madison Stalker is the only person whose sad to see Parker go. Madison feels like her only remaining friend is Georgia Grobler and even that may be up for debate. Poor Madison is about to be the New Parker with everyone directing their irritation at her. Well, at least Adam Glick and Jenna MacGillivray. At every opportunity Georgia is sucking up to them, and trying to get in good while privately complaining to Madison. Madison seems unaware that Georiga is playing both sides. Not that its a bad idea

So enter new deckhand Chris Miller! Unlike Parker, Chris has tons of sailing experience and also experience working with people who arent his mom. Meaning Chris values having a j-o-b and isnt here to swim with the turtles then get a tattoo about what a moving experience it was. Chris also genuinely loves sailing. More importantly hes a fellow Brit who gets the gallows humor of boat culture and wont be tantruming over any your mom jokes. Just in caseByron Hissey warns Jenna against any breastfeeding jokes. Maybe Jenna should take her own advice to shut up

Seriously Jenna is officially beyond irritating. That night at the crew dinner she complains about Parker being too entitled and proclaims that if you want to survive on a yacht just shut your mouth. Wow salient leadership! Then Jenna and Adam go back to the boat to fuck in the master cabin. Did they ever get Captain Glenns approval on that? Ciara Duggan whisks Paget away for a little alone time, which involves putting on flannel PJs and climbing into bed with a peck after bickering about brushing their teeth. Did Paget really get his molars well enough? See, this is why Georgias just the tip jokes is getting Paget all in a frizzy. You can literally see him turning pink in her presence.

One person not living by Jennas golden rule to take it and shut up is Madison! The next day, after realizing that the master got all wet from somebody taking a shower, Madison makes a comment to Byron (within Adams earshot) that she wasnt aware they were allowed to use the master whenever they dont have guests I think Madison was trying to show off a bit in front of Chris. Or maybe shes reached her limit of dealing with Adam and Jennas hypocritical BS. Adam flips out and rips into Madison for starting drama as always and trying to come for her boss.

Adam snaps that Madison needs to talk to Jennaand stop trying to create problems when their aint one. Um, the problem is that Adam and Jenna feel they operate above the other staff, and have full discretion to do whatever they want while threatening people around the boat who dont play into their tyranny.

Also Adam is such an unprofessional asshole, and no amount of living in the dessert away from people has quelled his out of control temper. Adam is ALL THE RED FLAGS. The red flags are on fire.

Madison is mortified. Byron and Chris seem completely unsure of what even just happened. I think I might really like Jenna as a chief stew if it werent for the injection of Adam into the equation (see what I did there!). She has beautiful and classy table settings (far better than whatever Kate Chastain or Hannah Ferrier ever put out), the guests seem to really like her and leave consistently happy, service is excellent, and it does seem like she had the intentions to be a good leader. Unfortunately she is so focused on appeasing Adam shes blinded. No excuse, but its disappointing.

Later while making out with Jenna in the galley (cause mature! responsible! totally not hypocritical from the people who complained that Parker is immature), Adam reveals Madisons insubordination. Jenna, believing she sufficiently quelled any of Madisons rebellion by reporting her to Captain Glenn, now decides to enact some revenge by giving the sycophantic Georgia more service experience this charter and sticking Madison in the laundry. Considering how shitty these guests are Madison probably got off easier!

Oh the new charter guests Hailing from Orange County (the primary, Lindy, is a serious contender for Real Housewives Of Orange County) they are social media influencers and fashion vloggers. The sole reason theyre on this yacht trip is to provide content for their channels in the form of beautiful scenery as a backdrop for their vacation fashions. Its kind of hard to see what they even look like becasue their faces are just constantly obscured by a giant phone. Like they are literally squares framed by giant, day-glo blond extensions.

I also fail to see the so-called fashions, but they brought about 32,000 suitcases. Madison is wooed. She dreams of working in fashion and being an influencer. Shes only doing yachting to fund her future ambitions so as she unpacks the primarys clothes she oohs and aah over everything and imagines herself wearing them. Madison is so sweet. She can be very annoying and frazzled, but I think she has a sweet soul and an innocence that I appreciate. Georiga well, not that innocent! Right away Georgia starts flirting with Chris. Paget feels rejected and snaps that Georiga flirts with any many who has a penis. Im intrigued that Pagets putting himself in that category because I assumed he had a rigatoni in his pants?

Georgia is probably trying to make Paget jealous because she seems like the type of woman who would love to have two men pining over her. Its fodder for her music career, you guys! Or perhaps she realizes that Paget really isnt gonna give more than the tip

Right away the charter guests are all lusting after Adam. Sure, Adam is pretty to look at and he cooks mighty fine, but thats about all he has going for him! The female guests are literally trying to break into the galley though.Jenna is jealous and also protective. Oh goody another layer to add to the dysfunctional lasagna that is this preposterous relationship. Now Jenna is stonewalling the guests to save Adam!. Adam promises she has nothing to worry about because superficial isnt his style. No, subservient is.

Lindy, the primary, just wont quit. The crew arranges a beautiful dinner out on the bow so they can have the backdrop of the Corfu town with its twinkling lights. All to take pretty pictures, not to actually experience the situation. The table is gorgeous. Elegant and sophisticated.Adam is serving up a classy dinner with the first course being a champagne and cheese pairing. All. So. Perfect. To brag about living your best life on Instagram.

Unfortunately,Lindy is living her worst life. Shes trashed, and so openly rude and dismissive to her boyfriend, Jesse, its humiliating. She keeps making comments about how hot Adam is and how she needs some satisfaction. Its cringe-worthy. At one point, Jesse snaps at her to Lock it down, which prompts Lindy to launch a full on assault about how unfulfilled she is by Jesse. The other guests and Jenna are paralyzed by the awkwardness and intensity. This gorgeous backdrop spoiled by such an unpleasant scene of domestic discord. Jesse tries to placate Lindy, but she hisses that the fastest way to get her to lash out is by giving her orders. Ouch.

Im seriously shocked that Jenna didnt start jumping up and down, screaming, Hes my boyfriend you cant have him! Or straight up making out with Adam at the dinner table in front of the guests.

TELL US ARE ADAM AND JENNA OUT OF CONTROL? DID PARKER MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION TO LEAVE?

[Photo Credits: Bravo]

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht Recap: Out With The Old - Reality Tea