Teslas market cap is now bigger than Fords was at its peak – MarketWatch

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Tesla Inc. is as big as peak Ford Motor Co., with the Silicon Valley electric-car maker stock closing at a record on Wednesday.

Tesla TSLA, +2.49% shares rose 4.9% to end at a record $492.14 on Wednesday, the latest in a series of ever-climbing notches that stretch back to mid-December. The shares traded as high as $498.49.

Teslas market capitalization has zoomed above $88 billion, beating Fords at its valuation peak a market cap of $80.8 billion in 1999, the same year Teslas Chief Executive Elon Musk founded a couple of tech companies, including the one that would later become PayPal Holdings Inc. PYPL, -0.56% In todays dollars, Fords 1999 valuation would be the equivalent of about $124 billion.

Tesla has been the No. 1 U.S. auto maker in terms of market value off and on in the recent past, but it is the first time its market cap has topped Fords F, +0.54% at its highest valuation. Ford is currently valued at more than $36 billion, and General Motors Co. GM, +0.49% is valued at $50 billion.

Teslas stock rally got a boost last week when the company reported above-expectations fourth-quarter deliveries, its proxy for sales.

By Tuesday morning, Musk made meme-ready waves by pulling some dance moves while heralding a very exciting future for Tesla in China to the tune of More Than You Know by Axwell Ingrosso.

Tesla was showcasing the delivery of the first Model 3 sedans made at the companys plant in the Shanghai area.

Investors do not yet know the date of Teslas reporting fourth-quarter results, expected for late January or early February.

Analysts polled by FactSet expect the car maker to report an adjusted profit of $1.53 a share on sales of $6.9 billion. That would compare with fourth-quarter 2018 profit of $1.93 a share on sales of $7.2 billion.

On Tuesday, analyst Bill Selesky of Argus Research raised his price target on Tesla shares to $556, among the highest on Wall Street. Credit Suisse analysts also raised their price target on the stock this week, to $340 from $200.

Despite being under the current share price, the new price target gives Tesla credit in multiple ways, the analysts said. Even with all that Tesla stock appears rich, they said. The analysts, led by Dan Levy, kept the equivalent of a sell rating on the stock.

Tesla shares have gained 47% in the past 12 months, compared with advances of 26% and 21% for the S&P 500 index SPX, -0.15% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. DJIA, +0.11%

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Teslas market cap is now bigger than Fords was at its peak - MarketWatch

This Bonkers Electric Quad Is The Tesla Cyberquad On Steroids – InsideEVs

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Dubbed the Tesla Cyberquad on steroids, this electric off-roader goes 70 miles per hour, has a range of 60 miles and is powered by Nissan LEAF batteries. See it in action both on and off the road right here.

When Tesla debuted the Cybertruck, it rolled out the Cyberquad. Tesla CEO Elon Musk later confirmed that the Cyberquad would indeed be sold to the public. the Cyberquad is the inspiration behind this extreme 4-wheeler build.

This electric quad pumps out 32 kW (43 horsepower) of power and features LEAF batteries in a 72-volt, 60Ah, 450 amp setup.

Tesla didn't release any specs for its Cyberquad, but we're pretty sure that the electric quad featured here is just as capable as the Cyberquad will be, perhaps even more so.

In the video, you'll see the quad doing donuts with ease, flying through standing water, flinging mud, doing wheelies and even performing some smoky burnouts. It's clear to us that this is one killer electric machine.

Check it out and then let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Video description via Jalapi on YouTube:

This video demos the custom 32kW custom electric quad built by Daren Crigler. This quad is the first of it's kind boasting a whopping 32kW of fully electric power. With a top speed of 70mph and an average range of 60 miles per charge.

Build Specs:

- 2005 Yamaha YFZ 450 chassis

- ME1507 motor with RLS hall based sensor

- ASI 8000 controller from Electric Race Technologies

- 72v 60Ah 450a peak Nissan Leaf battery

- 32KW peak power

For more information about the build search "YFZ" in Facebook group: Electric Motorcycle Builds http://www.electricmotorcyclebuilds.com

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This Bonkers Electric Quad Is The Tesla Cyberquad On Steroids - InsideEVs

Tesla’s on a Tear: Top Takeaways From the Bank Earnings, Tesla’s Price Target Bumps – TheStreet

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It's earnings season!

Jim Cramer is at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference all week, so Jeff Marks, senior portfolio analyst with Action Alerts PLUS, is joining TheStreet's live show.

This morning, ahead of the opening bell, we got earnings from JPMorgan Chase(JPM) - Get Report, Wells Fargo(WFC) - Get Report and Citigroup(C) - Get Report.

JPMorgan reported earnings for the three months ending in December that came in at $2.57 per share, up 29.8% from the same period last year and well ahead of the Street consensus forecast of $2.35 per share. Group managed revenues, JPMorgan said, rose 9% to $29.2 billion, against topping analysts' forecasts of a $27.96 billion tally

And then Citigroup reported earnings of $4.98 billion, or $1.90 a share, in the fourth quarter, up from $4.31 billion, or $1.61 a share, from the same period last year. Analysts polled by FactSet had been expecting per-share earnings of $1.81 a share.

Finally, Wells Fargo reported earnings for that came in at 60 cents per share, including a 33 cents per share hit from litigation costs, a figure that fell shy of the Street consensus forecast of $1.12 per share. Group revenues also missed forecasts, falling 5.2% to $19.9 billion as net interest income fell 11.1% to $11.2 billion.

Tesla(TSLA) - Get Report is quickly heading towards $600 a share.

And, on Tuesday, Jefferies lifted its one-year price target on the electric vehicle company's stock price by 50% to $600 amid what it sees as a very favorable 2020 earnings outlook.

In a note to clients, Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois said cashing in based on current valuation would be a mistake, given the company is likely to turn profitable this year - something many analysts including Jefferies weren't calling for even 12 months ago.

On Monday,Oppenheimer analysts boosted their price target to a Wall Street high of $612 a share and called for Tesla's inclusion in U.S. equity benchmarks.

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Tesla's on a Tear: Top Takeaways From the Bank Earnings, Tesla's Price Target Bumps - TheStreet

Grappling between past and future: will Lebanon’s political economy reproduce itself? – Open Democracy

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The nature of the model and the corruption it bred made its survival hinge on capital inflows, remittances from the diaspora, and loans from western governments and international organizations. Through their affluent connections, the two Hariris were the guarantors of this unsustainable rentier economic structure. However, systemic cracks resulting from nefarious practices remained pervasive, regardless of multiple temporary bailouts namely Paris 1, 2, 3, and 4 (CEDRE).

Aid conferences and exceptional hikes in foreign investment, particularly between 2007 and 2010, delayed recurrent threats of collapse. In parallel, this capital inflow was inflating the banking sector (worth around 4 times the size of the national economy), allowing it to finance the governments massive fiscal deficit and invest in unproductive yet highly profitable sectors, particularly real estate.

As a result of failed investments, regional instability, and loss of trust in the economy, Lebanons balance of payments started exhibiting a persistent annual deficit as of 2011. This progressively depleted the Central Banks foreign reserves, which are needed to guarantee the Liras peg to the dollar and finance the import-dependent economy.

The Central Bank hence resorted to unorthodox financial engineering measures by offering commercial banks egregiously high interests on the dollars they deposited in its coffers. While this Ponzi-like scheme led to oddly high interest rates for depositors and record-high profits for banks, it paved the way for the current crisis in liquidities that essentially converted peoples savings into mere accounting entries.

While the 2019 October Revolution was triggered by an increasingly precarious socio-economic reality, opposition to Harirism actually has an often forgotten history. In fact, contestation began in the 1990s with campaigns against privatized reconstruction projects that stole public funds and appropriated peoples lands. The rise of Solidere, a Hariri-owned development company tasked with rebuilding downtown Beirut, captures that growing trend of prioritizing rent-creation at the expense of citizens social and economic rights.

Trade unions also strongly opposed regressive neoliberal policies during the mid-90s, until they got repressed and co-opted by the political establishment. Similarly, the agriculturalist movement in 1997, known as the Revolt of the Hungry, was also directly tied to policies that marginalized local productive sectors while deepening reliance on imports.

Ensuing years saw such infringements on social and economic justice continue, leading up to the 2015 garbage protests, which directly resulted from an inability to manage a reemerging waste crisis due to private economic interests inhibiting the overhaul of the sector.

While this reactionary movement did not lead to tangible changes, the 2019 October Revolution forced Harirism to face a grim reality one asking it to deal with its past decisions and compelling it to confront its potential downfall. With that in mind, what type of future awaits Lebanons political economy?

While going with Diab may seem like a move away from the longstanding economic norm embodied by Hariri, reality today is in fact more complicated. The Hezbollah-led camp, which brought Diab to power, may brandish populist slogans and a socialist rhetoric, but its track record and complicity in preserving Harirism suggests otherwise. Indeed, Hezbollah made its support for Hariris return as PM abundantly clear, yet his attachment to conditions opposed to their interests forced the Iranian-backed party to resort to an alternative strategy.

Originally posted here:

Grappling between past and future: will Lebanon's political economy reproduce itself? - Open Democracy

The ANC’s 108th birthday bash: A masked ball – Moneyweb.co.za

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Pretending has come to be a dominant feature in South Africa.

Citizens continue to vote against their own interest, as if pretending that those in power can actually deliver on their promises will make it come true.

In politics, all parties pretend acting as though they have no crises, no factions, no demagogic and power-hungry individuals. They put on masks and present false fronts, pretending that the internal problems dont exist.

If the ANCs 108th birthday celebration this past weekend and its associated speeches including President Cyril Ramaphosas delivery of the January 8 statementon Saturday (January 11) are anything go by, it seems the party has become a symbol of pretence and pretension.

Great pretender

We know the reality is difficult to face, but in choosing to again wear a mask, the ruling party has become a victim of the unfortunate reality that playing make-believe can come to hide the truth even from the pretender itself.

Only the ANC could say, with a straight face, that it has declared 2020 to be the year of unity, socio-economic renewal and nation building.

Only the ANC could fail to fear shame and embarrassment about claiming to prioritise job creation and economic growth when its actions, decisions and policies as the ruling party have been such that they achieve the opposite.

Pretending has become a coping mechanism, a tool for self-comfort, a way to save face but mostly an excuse for the party to continue to lie to itself that things are going well.

Introspection

Given the countrys past, and the current governments constant failure, a reflection on what is happening inside the ANC including its role in governing SA could have been more useful.

It could have shown that it is a party capable of public self-reflection.

This would also have given it an opportunity to refine its eight priorities including education, healthcare, land reform and growth instead of repeating them. Ramaphosas speech did not mention anything that we didnt already know to be his partys priorities, nor did it introduceanything new.

Believing that repeating a story will somehow make it true does not make it true.Trying to hide ones failures doesnt turn them into successes.

It is unsurprising that nothing very hopeful came out of the presidents speech, and it seems nothing hopeful is going to happen while the ruling party continues to believe the lie that it tells itself and the public.

The collapse of key institutions and state-owned enterprises, the plundering of state coffers, and the erosion of good governance in the public sector has not only reversed any progress, it has plunged the economy into a crushing rut.

Pretending to be a thriving democracy that is able to accomplish political and social growth does not make it so.

The morning after

When the sugar rush from the birthday celebrations wears off and the exhaustion from partying sets in, it may surprise the ANC and its alliance partners to see that much of what the festivities were trying to mask is still there.

The priorities the party set out for the new era are simply a collection of past plans that were never implemented or failed to lift off.

It can be said that, as the ruling party, the ANC has been riding the wave of an organisation that is forward-looking and in control of its own and the countrys future.

The reality is that it is set in its ways, has been plunged into organisational chaos and, as a government, is less clear about what it is doing than it would have its citizens believe.

The Eskom crisis is good evidence of a president at the helm of a government that is incapable of running things, let alone demonstrating a leadership that is in control.

Moreover, the corroding effect of state capture and corrupt practices is so deeply rooted that it has undermined many of the former good practices in the public sector. And the collective response from the powers that be? Go through the motions, set up commissions and inquiries, act as if action is being taken against those liable, and hope that this will keep the public appeased. In other words, present a false image of a party in control and hope that people will believe this image.

I am not moved by statements from a party that pretends to care about reducing poverty and inequality when in reality, through its actions, it extends them.

For many young people who are the most impacted by structural problems, the ruling partys birthday celebration means nothing. Many continue to be locked out of the economy and have no way of knowing how they are going to survive daily, let alone in the coming decade.

This past weekends birthday celebration was a splendid diversion used to cheer the masses, by keeping the pretence of Batho Pele (governments People First initiative) alive. But soon the lies will not hold anymore.

There was a time when the public and even its own members listened closely when the ANC spoke. This is particularly true of the January 8 statement. But the partys command for attention is diminishing.

And so too, unless things change, will its power over the people.

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The ANC's 108th birthday bash: A masked ball - Moneyweb.co.za

Burnt out and nowhere to go – The Hindu

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Sriram Bhupathiraju quit his well-paying corporate job in 2012, after having worked as a business analyst for 11 years, first in the United States and then in India. He would clock in around 18 hours for 15 to 20 days without an off, working according to time zones of global clients. His health suffered, he was disillusioned and began questioning the purpose of his work.

In the last eight years, his health has improved and he talks as though the weight is off his shoulders. Sriram runs half marathons, has backpacked to 11 countries, has visited every UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and now learns Kuchipudi from Bala Tripura Sundari.

He recently started working as a researcher with the Centre for Research in Infrastructure Development and Policy.

After quitting his IT job, he pursued masters in anthropology from the University of Hyderabad and an M.Phil from the IIT-Hyderabad. For his M Phil research topic, he didnt have to look far. What better than to look into your own backyard? he says, referring to his research on Burnout: An ethnographic study of occupational stress among mid career IT professionals in Hyderabad.

Though we do come across engineers who quit their jobs for creative pursuits writing, music, filmmaking, art, theatre Sriram says its only a small percentage that veers away. His research is about the majority that faces burnout and sees no escape route.

For his ethnographic study he spoke to mid-level IT professionals whove worked for more than five years. He conducted 34 interviews in all. The sample size might be small, but academic research of an ethnographic kind, he explains, is not about giving out a questionnaire. I didnt impose my ideas on them. I outlined the objective of my research and listened to their stories, in detail. Then I analysed the data, he says.

A joke among Telugus goes that one studies engineering and then thinks of what to do with life. Those who grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s can recall the craze to study engineering and land a job in the United States. Never mind if the students didnt have their hearts set on engineering. It was seen as a passport to a socio-economic transition. Sriram says things havent improved.

He also spoke to students at a leading engineering institute and observed that many of them had taken up engineering because they saw it as a natural choice or because everyone else is doing it. Sriram calls them reluctant engineers.

As for mid-level IT professionals, his research looks into several aspects of their life. Flexible timings, initially considered a boon to break away from the old school 9am to 5pm/10am to 6pm work schedule, morphed into a trap and employees worked overtime, to cater to clients in different time zones. The digital scenario made it impossible to switch off work after a time. Sriram terms this as collapse of time and space.

As the working from home concept grew, employees were expected to log in from anywhere. So work engages an employee 24/7. We straddle three clocks the [bodys] circadian rhythm, the local time and global time zones, he says.

To make things worse, Sriram points out that the IT sector doesnt look at itself as labour to address these issues. He mentions how corporate and labour lawyers scoff at the idea of addressing IT employee issues as labour issues since theres lucrative pay.

This pay package prevents employees from breaking free. You transcend a social class when you land a job, says Sriram. Socio-economic factors follow. The place of residence, type of residence (gated community? villa?), type of car, the school your child goes to (is it an international school?) are just a few factors that add to the stress.

Srirams research doesnt outline the solution: My research puts things out. There is no one single solution to the problems; if I had to look at them, it would involve a Ph.D, he laughs.

He has approached Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary IT, Telangana, with his research and requested if Nasscom and HYSEA (Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association) can look into it. Burnout has received scant attention. My research aims to address this gap, he sums up.

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Burnt out and nowhere to go - The Hindu

Russia’s Su-57 Stealth Fighter Has Become Deadly Thanks to the War in Syria – The National Interest Online

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Key point:To support the 2009 strategy, the Kremlin needed to acquire 1,000 new airplanes and helicopters by 2020.

The Russian air force deployed Su-57 stealth fighters to Syria a second time since first deploying them to the war-torn country in February 2018.

But that doesnt mean the twin-engine Su-57 is any closer to being ready for mass production, to say nothing of its readiness for full-scale warfare against a high-tech foe.

The Russian militarys chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov announced the deployment in mid-December 2019, according to TASS.

"The fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft is being tested, Gerasimov said. They were re-tested in Syria, during which all the planned tasks were successfully completed."

But its unclear what those tasks might have been. The Su-57s first deployment to Syria apparently did not involve any actual combat. Its possible the 2019 deployment didnt, either.

The two T-50s that took part in the 2018 deployment appeared in Syria along with a Russian air force A-50 radar plane, four Su-25 attack planes and four Su-35s fighters. The warplanes arrived in Syria following weeks of intensive airstrikes by Russian planes targeting areas controlled by anti-regime rebels in Idlib and East Ghouta.

U.S. and coalition forces monitoring the air space over Syria reacted with caution. The Su-57s presence certainly raises the level of complexity the crews have to deal with out there, Air Combat Command Commander Holmes said, according to a tweet from Aviation Week reporter Lara Seligman.

But the coalition also seemed to acknowledge the limited combat potential that just two warplanes represented, regardless of their stealth qualities. The presence of any new Russian aircraft in the region does not affect coalition operations, nor do we see this as a danger to coalition aircraft, a coalition spokesperson stated.

In deploying Su-57s, the Kremlin was outright gambling with precious prototypes and their pilots lives, according to Tom Cooper, an aviation expert and author. The Su-57 was then, and remains, a prototype fighter.

The Russian air force possesses just a dozen or so of the type, which flew for the first time in 2010 but has suffered from a dearth of funding and the collapse of a co-development deal with India.

As of early 2018, the Su-57 possessed inadequate and incomplete sensors, incomplete fire-control systems and self-protection suites, no operational integrated avionics and ... unreliable engines, Cooper noted.

The plane had conducted hardly any weapons-separation testing and lacked any other operational weapons beside its 30-millimeter internal cannon. Worse, the aircraft were flown by pilots who lack any kind of doctrine or tactics for the type and who cannot really depend upon the planes avionics and other systems, according to Cooper.

Shortly following the 2018 deployment, the Kremlin suspended production of the Su-57 after the 28th copy, effectively canceling the program. Russian president Vladimir Putin dramatically revived the program in mid-2019, announcing a plan to buy an additional 48 copies.

The Kremlin ordered its first dozen production-standard Su-57s in August 2018, hoping to form the first regular squadron some time in 2019.

Turkey later expressed interest in buying the type after its insistence on acquiring Russian-made air-defense systems got it kicked out of the American-led F-35 program. Moscow has touted the United Arab Emirates as another potential buyer. These possible sales obviously incentivize Russia to portray the Su-57 as an operational warplane.

But for all the drama of its de facto cancelation then restart and for all the talk of exports, the Su-57 program remains under-funded and under-developed. Its one thing for Russia to announce an order for 48 more of the fighters. Its another for the government actually to pay for the planes, and for Sukhoi actually to build them.

It's unclear how much the Su-57's development has cost so far, how much the program would need to complete development and how much each production-standard plane would set back Russian taxpayers. The U.S. military spent more than $60 billion acquiring around 180 F-22s and expects to spend $400 billion buying some 2,300 F-35s.

But the Su-57 undoubtedly is expensive. And time is running out for the Russian air force to integrate the type into its force structure. The "fifth-generation" stealth fighter began development in the early 2000s, but its fortunes are tied to the Kremlin's 2009 defense strategy, which aimed to reverse years of budget cuts and declining military readiness.

In May 2009, Dmitriy Medvedev, then Russia's president, announced a new national security strategy through the year 2020. The strategy praised former, and future, president Putin for leading Russia out of its "political and socio-economic systemic crisis" and anticipated that Russia would "consolidate its influence in the world arena" as a leading political and economic power.

"Unprecedented" new spending backed up the new strategy, according to the 2017 edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies' "The Military Balance" report. "The proportion of military spending increased when measured against GDP, placing Russia in a small group of nations spending over five percent of GDP on defense."

"After almost two decades of deterioration and neglect of the Russian military, Moscow began developing a more modern military force capable of power projection outside Russias borders," the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency reported in 2017.

The spending supported five fighter production lines -- one producing the Su-57, three making variants of the Su-27 including the Su-30, the Su-34 and the Su-35 and a fifth manufacturing versions of the MiG-29. Russian air arms received around 200 new and upgraded aircraft in 2017, another 100 in 2018 and around 130 in 2019. By comparison, the U.S. armed forces ordered more than 400 new aircraft in 2018 alone.

An economic downturn, which shaved nearly four percent off of GDP in 2015, forced Moscow to reconsider its priorities. "In preparing the 2016 budget, there was clear awareness that this level of spending could not be sustained," IISS reported.

A few years of higher spending had a dramatic effect on the Russian air force. "Substantial deliveries of new frontline aircraft, and their intensive use in Syria, have given the Russian air force an entirely new public face in a short period of time," analyst Keir Giles wrote in a 2017 report for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"Optimistic Russian commentators, comparing their airpower specifically with that of the United States, note approximate quantitative parity with the U.S. Air Force," Giles continued.

In fact, the DIA estimated in 2017 that Russian air arms maintained just 1,000 tactical aircraft. At the same time, the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps between them possessed more than 3,000 fighters, including hundreds of F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters.

To support the 2009 strategy, the Kremlin needed to acquire 1,000 new airplanes and helicopters by 2020, the DIA estimated. Deepening budget cuts could force the Russian armed forces to make do with far fewer new aircraft. The same cash-crunch could weigh on plans to buy scores of Su-57s, and bodes poorly for the types development into a fully combat-capable warplane.

In light of the difficulties the Su-57 program faces, the purported second Syria deployment likely achieved as much as the 2018 deployment did. Nothing much.

David Axe serves as Defense Editor of the National Interest. He is theauthor of the graphic novelsWar Fix,War Is BoringandMachete Squad.

Image: Wikipedia.

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Russia's Su-57 Stealth Fighter Has Become Deadly Thanks to the War in Syria - The National Interest Online

Business, consumers fear another gloomy year – The Zimbabwe Standard

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BY MTHANDAZO NYONI/FIDELITY MHLANGA

THE year 2020 has kicked off on a low note as the business sector and consumers continue to suffocate under a harsh economic environment, prompting them to call for urgent solutions, especially political dialogue.

Zimbabwe is reeling under economic hardships characterised by hyperinflation, low salaries, excessive power cuts, dire shortage of maize meal and low production of virtually everything among a plethora of other economic problems that have pushed citizens and businesses to the edge.

The southern African nation features among the worst economic performers, coming only second to Venezuela whose economy is envisaged to contract by 20,5%. Its gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to contract -12,9%, according to the Economist Intelligence latest report.

Industry players and consumers who spoke to Standardbusiness last week said the situation was now unsustainable, with businesses suffering a weakened domestic market base, and consumers enduring high prices.

The economy is facing stagnation characterised by negative growth, high rate of inflation, high levels of unemployment or under-employment, chronic forex shortages and power shortages, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland chapter chairperson Brighton Ncube, said.

Figures from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicate that year-on-year inflation accelerated to 481,05% in November last year from 440,18% in the previous month, a new post-dollarisation high.

Ncube said the fall in domestic demand had affected businesses in a number of ways as most of the businesses derive their working capital from short and long-term financing.

The drop in revenues means businesses are unable to repay loans and financiers are forced to foreclose on overdue debts. The recurrent expenditure is not met adequately and as a result businesses are failing to pay salaries and for utility services. Reduced demand also means suspension of further investments in business operations such as re-tooling. It means the financing for innovation is constrained, he said.

He said the signs of an impending drought this season were further dampening the little prospects of a bright 2020 outlook.

Our economy is mostly agro-driven and a drought strikes right at the core of any hopes for economic growth. We are optimistic though, going by what the bureaucrats are saying, that the rewards for the austerity measures implemented last year will begin to show this year, he said.

CEO Africa Roundtable director Kipson Gundani said as more and more individuals and entities charged hard currency for their goods and services, chances were high that the economy would redollarise in 2020.

Well, its a tricky question, but nothing much has changed from the close of the year in 2019. Energy issues, currency issues, inflationary pressures are persisting. The environment has not changed, meaning to say its Aluta continua. I believe that like every society, you cant continue to sink because once you do that you reach rock-bottom. There is a significant brewing for market forces to self-correct. For instance, everyone is openly selling goods in US$ or the rand. We are likely to see a continuous fight between the market forces and populist forces and market forces will win, said Gundani.

In 2020 we are likely to see the market self-correcting. A second redollarising is brewing. It will bring a borrowed stability like what we experienced in 2009 -2013.The greatest blow is the imminent drought. Its going to hit us hard and affect the bigger chunk of the economy. This will test our level of disaster preparedness. Gone are the days of relying on rain-fed water.

In its economic commentary, FBC Securities last week said challenges that rocked the economy that included high inflation, escalation in electricity load shedding, reduced aggregate demand across all sectors and distortions in local pricing of goods and serviceswould comtinue in 2020.

The challenges in the economic environment are expected to persist in the short to medium term as inflation and foreign currency volatility will constrain operations. The cumulative impact of the macroeconomic and political developments has reflected in a reduction in volumes for both local and exports markets.

This environment creates various challenges which at the same time also bring opportunities to the business community. Intensifying investments in sales and marketing initiatives to promote foreign demand is fundamental as the domestic market remains subdued, FBC Securities saidConfederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Henry Ruzvidzo said the current economic environment was challenging for business on a number of fronts.

These include policy changes, infrastructure challenges, a financial sector unable to support enterprise, a weakened domestic market base, low foreign direct investment and a high demand for forex relative.

The very real prospect of a drought will require that the countrys best minds apply themselves to mitigate the social and business impact. The projection for 2020 will hinge on further policy measures particularly on the monetary front and on energy supply, he said.

It is possible to have a policy mix that encourages growth as already signalled in the 2020 National Budget. Production for both the local and export markets is key to turning around the economy. Policies must be evaluated on whether they increase or decrease national production.

Whilst the prospects for the year ahead appear quite daunting, a single-minded drive towards the national vision complemented by appropriate policies should be sufficient to have the desired outcome, he said.

Association for Business in Zimbabwe CEO Victor Nyoni said the loss of consumer purchasing power was a serious challenge that we would want to see improving in 2020. Failure to do that, businesses are in trouble.

Some businesses are openly trading in foreign currency and nothing is being done to them. This points to policy inconsistency that we always talk about. There is need for commitment from all players, and government should create policies that suit the interests of businesses, he said.

Consumer Council of Zimbabwe Matabeleland regional manager Comfort Muchekeza said save for salaries, everything else had gone up.

Consumers are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet. They are in a difficult position. There is need for all parties to come together and have an honest discussion over these issues, he said.

National Consumer Rights Association coordinator Effie Ncube said all indicators were pointing towards the wrong direction and Zimbabweans should brace themselves for a fight or for extreme and unmitigated hardships.

It is auto-pilot into poverty and hunger. The economy is expected to contract by at least 15% or worse. Disposable incomes will collapse even further. The cost of living will skyrocket. Unemployment will rise even further, he said.

Business and consumer confidence will decline even more. The Zimbabwean dollar will tumble to catastrophic levels. The little left of the manufacturing industry will disappear. Balance of payments will go deeper into the negative. Protected corruption will worsen.

To avert a national catastrophe, Dube said there was need for an all-stakeholders dialogue wider than parties under the Political Actors Dialogue and as inclusive as all shades of opinion out there should be urgently convened.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been holding talks, without MDC, with leaders of fringe political parties that took part in last years elections to try to resolve the countrys political and socio-economic crisis, which continues to worsen.

Government must also find a way to instil business and consumer confidence in the worthless Zimbabwean dollar or ditch it for the rand, US dollar or a multi-currency setting. The status quo is unacceptable. Otherwise there is going to be massive civil instability, Dube said.

He said government needed to continue improving the environment for the ease of doing business, adding the policy interventions should encourage growth and attract foreign direct investment.

At present business feels there is over-regulation and it is stifling growth. Confidence must be instilled in the use of the local currency. There is need for business and general stakeholders to seriously start diverting to renewable sources of power as a means of long-term planning for the continued sustainable energy sources.

ZNCC Matabeleland chapter chairperson Brighton Ncube said energy was a key enabler to an economy especially in agriculture, manufacturing and mining which underpin the economic growth and well-being.

Corruption should be dealt with decisively as it is weighing down heavily on all the other efforts to turn the economy around, he said.

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Business, consumers fear another gloomy year - The Zimbabwe Standard

A brief report on the conference Stalin – 140 – www.MICEtimes.asia

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Last weekend in Moscow hosted the international scientific conference Stalin-140, organized by the Moscow Committee of the CPSU-EIF with the support of the Central Committee of the RKRP-CPSU. For the hypnotic mantras of acronyms hides a good job of specific people who were able to collect a decent list of participants for international events on such an embarrassing issue for the bourgeois government. The conference was attended by Belarusian, Belgian, Chinese and Korean comrades reports about Stalin and the situation in their own countries. Known in leftist circles individuals participated in the event, Boris Yulin Igor Pyhalov, representatives of EIF, Alexander Batov, Roman Osin, Ilya Farberow etc. Some of the invited foreign friends are unable to get to Moscow due to unavoidable circumstances.

The conference was held in two days. At the end of the first day the hosts and guests laid flowers on the grave of Stalin in red Square.

Lists of lists, and what about the content? As a direct witness of the first and second day of the conference I hasten to inform you that the event was held at the highest scientific level, except for one incident, but about it below. All reports of the participants differed in their specificity and elaboration on the selected topics. And the themes were: the Struggle for the image of Stalin in the public mind; the Contribution of Stalin to the development of Marxist theory; Stalin as the founder of political economy of socialism; the Myth of the death penalty for children; the Leninist-Stalinist proletarian principles of national democracy and their violation in the post-Stalin period of the Soviet society development became one of the causes of the destruction of the USSR.

Not to frighten readers, we hasten to warn that a reprint of the reports in this short report I will not deal, will only try to highlight the main directions in the speeches. A complete version of the conference viewers will be able to see, I hope, in the near future on YouTube channel of the red Front. The Communists, the most stubborn in the study of Marxist theory, the experience of the USSR and its generalization, will have to wait until March, when a special edition of the magazine Soviet Union, where will be published all papers presented at the conference.

So, on the first day were:

Victor Tyulkin in his speech advised the young Communists in discussions with the anti-Soviet, less justified, as in the USSR under Stalin far exceeds all of the bugs and kinks, and lies you can coin (and anti-Soviet invent still is) a cart. Another tip is not to blame for the collapse of the Soviet Union on a specific person or group of persons (the Trotskyists CIA agents). The tragedy of the late twentieth century was influenced by the amount of factors that are intertwined with each other, and then fused.

Aleksandr Batov, the report analyzed the most popular areas of anti-Stalinist propaganda in modern Russia. The first liberal movement that claims that Stalin is Hitler, a bloody tyrant, killer people eater and devil with a mustache. All touched Stalin, it is bad, but because he was a superhuman with hypnotic abilities, that kept the population under control, he was a hit list, he signed, he brought out the sentence. This idealistic view on thirty years of Soviet history, bordering on madness, is not perceived by the majority of the population, which according to the Levada Center, 70% supported Stalin.

The second direction of attack of the bourgeois-Patriotic. Patriots off Stalin from Lenin assigns Stalin the title of best Manager of the Soviet Union or red monarch, and the USSR the title of the red Empire. Patriots take the individual facts of the Stalin era (the return of epaulets in the Red army), do not stop the fabrications and forgeries (the flight of the Holy icon on the plane before the battle for Moscow, organized by Stalin himself), and the economic system under Stalin called state capitalism. Supporters of these ideas some of the elite and security forces.

The third area is Trotskyism. Good after Lenin came Stalin is bad and ruined everything. In the Soviet Union came the Thermidor, and true Leninists who tried to save the situation, Stalin put to the wall. As we know, only one survived, the most correct and ardent revolutionary, the founder of Trotskyism Trotsky, but the bloody hand of the executioner and to have reached the last true Leninist. Trotskyists, in the opinion of the Batova, are often intellectuals, who are quite simply afraid of their people, afraid to merge with the gray mass after the revolution, thats why prolonging it indefinitely.

Chewing Bossuyt from Belgium introduced the history of the books of his comrade Ludo Martens Another view of Stalin (1994), and told how things work in Communist party of Belgium. Supporters of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin, according to Bossuyt, coming hard ideological battles with his opponents in the party. The ideas of social Democrats and reformists are still the strongest in Europe, so Belgian Communists needed the support of friendly parties, including from Russia.

Now about the promised incident. Alone in the participants is the report of the historian Boris V. Yulina. Topic: the Problem of the sequence of changes of social-economic formations. Before the speech, Boris V. warned me that to broadcast from a tribune it will be anti-Marxism, to which your humble servant had a good laugh and its part warned Boris Vitalyevich, what the hall is equipped with a video camera, and the report will be published. In response made fun Yulin. But when the report was presented to the guests, the hall was not amused. For some 15 minutes historian Yulin cancelled historical materialism and one of the achievements of the classics of Marxism, which revealed a consistent alternation of socio-economic formations among all peoples on Earth (primitive communal, slave, feudal, capitalist and Communist). Yulin called this paticence is untenable, since a new array of historical facts it is not confirmed, and that in Soviet times came out of work with a similar idea, he just sounded, but the inventor of the Bicycle does not consider himself.

Everything else Boris V. twice publicly said that the class struggle does not exist, since fighting among themselves, not classes, and the bearers of class consciousness. But what was this bike, said.

Presenters and guests tried to mitigate the situation, in my opinion, the historical blunder Boris Vitalyevich, putting the historian that he mixed up some definitions of Marxism and, apparently, so the stated topic is not understood to the end. But to persuade Boris Mironov, as you know, only Boris V., but real friends can only throw no, not what a thought to throw concrete historical arguments to rectify, in my opinion, the historical blunder of the historian. At least you must wait for the videos Boris Mironov at the conference or printing of the report to speak on this subject on the merits.

Closed cohort speakers the first day, the representative of the EIF-CPSU Ilya Farberov. In General, the report was dedicated to the dialectical understanding of the processes in the society. Of course, not without critics. First got the magazine a Breakthrough for metaphysical beliefs. According to Berberova, to study Marxism-Leninism completely, and then proceed to practice, as advised by the magazine, is impossible, since Marxism-Leninism is a living knowledge that evolves with practice, and to understand completely only something frozen, has been completed. For example, Stalin was a real dialectician who applied Marxism-Leninism to changing conditions and therefore was able to move so far in the construction of communism. All slander Stalin, he did not build communism empty and baseless. If we consider the economic and political tendencies of development of the USSR under Stalin, its easy to see how weakened the capitalist trends and how trends have strengthened the Communist (lose their value the money, all the property of producing the product gradually became public, was destroyed by antagonistic classes and increasingly erased the boundaries between the collective farm peasantry and the working class by becoming the first state farm workers, etc.).

Second day:

Interesting and even exciting was the report of the comrades from South Korea (names are not called at the request of the guests). Basically, the report boiled down to an Outlook for the future unification of the two Koreas into one Federal state. 70 years after a bloody war imposed upon the Korean people by the American occupation, the country and the people can once again become a single entity, about negotiations between the leaders of the two Koreas. However, with all the bright prospects the soul of a Communist, was plagued by vague doubts whether this initiative is the right choice for North Korea and whether North Korea and its way of life affect the way of South Korea? Two systems and one, albeit Federal, the state today seems utopian creation. Lets not forget that behind capitalist South Korea are the American imperialists, and who stands behind North Korea, to support socialism? Capitalist China?

Leonid Schoolchildren from yet brotherly Belarus in its report laid emphasis on the national question in the Soviet Union, though was ingeniously solved in the 20-ies of Lenin, but since that time, theoretically and practically poorly developed. The years went by alternated heads and Leninist formula has remained unchanged and as it is suitable for all times. It is not surprising that the national question has become one of the key issues during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nurtured in the Soviet national republics elite have taken away the Soviet Union to pieces and was almost carried off of the RSFSR. Now in the post-Soviet space remains scattered Soviet people, the Soviet nation that could not emerge during the time of cohabitation on the same territory and a common economic space, since Czarist times, and later in the Soviet Union. Therefore, the Soviet Union must be restored, as there is a Soviet nation. The Communists must combine the revolutionary struggle in the republics with the national liberation struggle of the Soviet people then we will win.

Maxim Glebov reported on Stalins policy towards postwar Germany. As you know, after World war II, Germany was divided into allies into two States: the socialist GDR and the capitalist FRG. According to the historian, Stalin was ready to sacrifice the socialist GDR, to withdraw troops and create a neutral United Germany, but stumbled on to resist these plans are not just allies, but the first Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. The West is not without fear looked at the unification of Germany under the auspices of the USSR and were afraid of socialist sentiment. Weight United Germany could behave unpredictably if the occupation troops leave the GDR and the FRG. Stalins policy on the reunification of Germany after his death to continue wanted Beria, but lived little more than a leader. To the XX Congress of the Stalinist idea finally disappeared from the head of the collective leadership of the Communist party.

As we know from history, the unification of Germany happened in 1990, and the laurels of the combiner went to Mikhail Gorbachev, unfortunately, socialist at that time in the GDR and the USSR was little.

Of industrialization in the USSR in the light of contemporary indicators and calculations the guests of the conference could learn from the report of candidate of physico-mathematical Sciences Andrey Mikhailov. His report is probably the most difficult to convey in a short review, because it abounds with accurate figures, therefore, confine ourselves to a statement of fact that, as a scientific method we wouldnt be having the calculations of economic indicators of the USSR, they are still impressive, and the modern bourgeois Russia and not at all seem out of reach. Russia in many respects has not reached the level of RSFSR in 1989.

Historian Igor Pyhalov invited participants of the conference with him to dispel the myth about the executions of minors under Stalin. On the basis of the documents found in the archives Igor Pyhalov, and following the logic of the laws of the criminal code of the USSR, Stalins prosecution in the execution of juvenile offenders, homeless and just innocent children is nothing more than a fabrication of the liberals. A single document (secret circular letter) on which to build the myth of the liberals, has in archive the typewritten copy of the Khrushchev era (1962) and was never mentioned during the trials of the 30s. of Course, assumes Pyhalov, system could be errors may exceptional cases (the execution of 16-18 year old offenders) could take place during the so-called Stalinist repression (1937-1938), Igor V. calls them Yezhov. But in General, the punishment of juvenile offenders in the Stalin era was very soft, the highest measure possible, so under normal circumstances could not arise such a precedent.

To complete the story about the second day of the conference I would like not in order of presentation, and paying tribute to the foreign comrades who were able to participate in the conference and to the organizers who ensured their arrival.

The performance of the Chinese comrades today has a special significance and not only because China is today one of the flagships of the global economy. As you know, in the environment of the Russian Communists, the debate continues about whether to consider China a socialist country or a capitalist? The representatives of the left wing of the Chinese Communist party answered this question as follows: in China is not real socialism, the country is run by the nomenklatura, along with entrepreneurs, China is now integrated into the global market, and the Marxist-Leninist rhetoric of the ruling party is only a deception of the Chinese people. The country pursued Marxist circles, repressed activists, the power suppressed workers strikes. The vast majority of young people in China were not educated as agents of socialism. They were brought up in great love for the country and has grown chauvinists.

Mostly in recent years, especially with the gradual withdrawal of the state from regulation of the production and of the economy, the situation of workers and youth have deteriorated. Therefore, in China, the rise of left-wing sentiment, including in the CCP. But the left wing of the party is a mixture of trends (Trotskyism, Eurocommunism, Maoism, anarchism), which are unable to unite, because youre always bumping into the figure of Stalin.

Was the second day and other presentations, but your humble servant, have not found them already, because left the conference at lunchtime.

Another circumstance to be considered in this brief report that he made notes which he kept during the performance of the participants. Some foreign guests spoke through an interpreter, and some of them reported quite good Russian. But thanks to the format of the event and the patience of the organizers of the many unclear issues were clarified with speakers after their presentations, international visitors were surveyed in greater detail, including the author of these lines, so dramatic contradiction with the reports can not be, but only of errors and not quoting verbatim.

Academic conferences such as this really worthy of a visit, participants reports of intense study, discussion and, of course, constructive criticism. Thanks to the EIF-CPSU for the event, which 140-year anniversary of I. V. Stalin brought us to an even better understanding of history and reality.

K. Poles

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A brief report on the conference Stalin - 140 - http://www.MICEtimes.asia

‘I take full responsibility’: Former Nampa teacher sentenced to 17 years in prison in lewd conduct case – KTVB.com

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NAMPA, Idaho A former Nampa Spanish teacherwas sentenced Wednesday to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty in October to one count of lewd conduct with a child under 16.

Keith Odell Peterson, 71, was arrested in April on a $500,000 bond following an investigation by Nampa police. The victim in the case, who was not a student of Petersons, told officers Peterson inappropriately touched him on multiple occasions for nearly two years.

Initially, Peterson faced an additional count of sexual battery of a minor. But that charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement, which Peterson accepted Oct. 23, according to the Idaho online courts repository. He is eligible for parole after serving seven years in prison.

The victim and his parents spoke at Wednesdays Canyon County Courthouse hearing, where they explained the abuse and its impact on their family to District Judge Christopher S. Nye.

RELATED: Former Nampa teacher arrested for lewd conduct

The victims mother said she and her husband met Peterson who often went by his middle name, Odell through their church in the 1990s and forged a decades-long friendship between their two families.

She told the court Peterson evolved into a grandfather-like figure to her teenage son when her own father passed away. Peterson took the boy to sporting events at Boise State University, movies, shopping and dinner.

Peterson also helped with homework and allowed the victim to drive his truck without a license, according to the victim. There, the 71-year-old would grope the boys genitals as he drove sometimes with other people in the car.

Grandpas dont treat anyone the way you treated our son, the victims mother said through tears. Youve put our son and family through so much hell, heartache and sadness. I trusted you. I believed you were taking care of my son.

RELATED: 'Offenders dont just groom children': Boise victims' advocate says sex offenders also target families

The victim, now 17, said Peterson started inappropriately touching him when he was 15 years old. The abuse came after years of grooming and gifts.

He said Peterson apologized at first and told the boy it wouldnt happen again, but it did on several occasions. The victim said he didnt tell anyone because he was scared and ashamed.

I kept trying to tell him No, the victim said. Eventually, I gave up on saying No and just let it continue.

The victim said he even considered taking his own life as an escape from Peterson. He felt depressed and couldnt concentrate, causing his grades to drop significantly.

It was only after his parents recommended counseling that the abuse came to light after the victims first session, launching the investigation by Nampa police.

RELATED: 11 new child porn charges added against former Idaho budget director

In a recorded phone call with officers, the victim said he was able to get Peterson to admit to inappropriately touching and stalking him.

Im a survivor of sexual abuse, the youth said. You took two years of my life. It is finally time for you to be served justice and to be held accountable for the actions that you have done to me and all of your other victims.

After the family spoke, Peterson addressed them directly and apologized for his actions. He also apologized to his wife, who sat in tears directly behind him.

Peterson said he appreciated their friendship and hoped the family could forgive him one day.

I take full responsibility for what I have done. Im the adult, Peterson said. Im deeply sorry.

RELATED: Former Eagle High coach pleads guilty to sex with student

Peterson taught Spanish in the Nampa School District several years ago, and because of his past access to children, police at the time were concerned there may be more victims, according to an Idaho Press report from May. But Petersons attorney said no additional allegations have been made against his client in nearly 30 years.

Court records state Peterson was granted withheld judgement in a 1991 case where he had inappropriate sexual contact with a different victim, whose age wasnt specified in the criminal complaint.

At the time, Peterson was sentenced to 180 days suspended jail time and two years of probation, court records state. Since he successfully completed his probation and has fully complied with all terms and provisions, the battery charge was dismissed in 1998.

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'I take full responsibility': Former Nampa teacher sentenced to 17 years in prison in lewd conduct case - KTVB.com

Bail denied for man charged in connection with death of Baltimore businesswoman – WBAL TV Baltimore

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VIDEO PUTS HIM AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME. THE RELEASE OF SURVEILLANCE VIDEO AT 29-YEAR-OLD TERRANCE PETERSON TO TURN HIMSELF IN. IT IN COURT MONDAY, HIS DEFENSE ATTORNEY TOLD THE JUDGE HER CLIENT DID NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN A VIDEO BAIL REVIEW. THE JUDGE STILL DECIDED TO CONDUCT THE COURT HEARING. SEVERAL TIMES PETERSON ATTEMPTED TO SPEAK AND HIS ATTORNEY WARNED AGAINST IT SAYING THAT MIGHT IMPACT HIS CASE. PETERSON DID GET TO SAY HE IS A GRADUATE OF HAGERSTOWN COMMUNITY COLLEGE. ACCORDING TO A COURT CHARGING DOCUMENT, PETERSON IS CHARGED FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE MURDER OF 36-YEAR-OLD CARMEN RODRIGUEZ. POLICE ACCUSE HIM OF ENTERIN HER STORE. KIM, GROCERY AND DELI LOCATED ON KENWOOD AVENUE IN EAST BALTIMORE DECEMBER 22. BUYING SOME ITEMS AND THEN RETURNING TO THE CAR. POLICE SAY SURVEILLANCE VIDEO CAPTURED HIS MOVEMENTS AND THOSE OF A PASSENGER WHO WAS DRESSED IN A BLACK HOODIE ENTERED THE STORE AND WENT TO THE COUNTER WITH A HAND GUN. THAT SUSPECTS HELD THE VICTIM AT GUNPOINT WHILE THE CASH REGISTER WAS BEING EMPTIED. BEFORE LEAVING THE SUSPECT FIRED ONE SHOT, STRIKING RODRIGUEZ IN THE HEAD. THE SUSPECT THEN RETUNED TO THE GAS RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND FLED. POLICE SAY RODRIGUEZ WAS SHOT IN FRONT OF HER CHILDREN. AMONG THE CHARGES PETERSON IS FACING FIRST DEGREE MURDER ARM -- MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ARMED ROBBERY AND WEAPONS VIOLATIONS. HE WENT TO POLICE JANUARY 9 , AFTER INVESTIGATORS RELEASED VIDEO OF THE CRIME. HE TOLD POLICE HE WANTED TO TURN HIMSELF IN BECAUSE HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT AND WANTED TO CLEAR HIS NAME. HE ALSO SAID HE WAS ALL OVER THE VIDEO, BUT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH NOTHING. ALSO ACCORDING TO THE CHARGING DOCUMENT, INVESTIGATORS LINKED THE CAR TO PETERSON SAYING IT WAS LOANED TO HIM BY A DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO THE MURDER. BETWEEN 2014 AND 2019 FOR ASSAULT, ARMED ROBBERY AND ROBBERY. HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS FEBRUARY 4. POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE SECOND SUS

Bail denied for man charged in connection with death of Baltimore businesswoman

Updated: 5:44 PM EST Jan 13, 2020

Bail has been denied for the man who is implicated in the murder of an east Baltimore businesswoman.Terrance Peterson, 29, is charged in connection with the murder and robbery of Carmen Rodriguez inside her east Baltimore deli.The judge mentioned Peterson's serious past and called him a danger to the community. Peterson denied any involvement in the December murder, but police said surveillance video put him at the scene of the crime.The release of surveillance video led Peterson to turn himself in, but in court Monday, his defense attorney told the judge her client did not want to participate in a video bail review. The judge still decided to conduct the court hearing.Several times, Peterson attempted to speak, and his attorney warned against it, saying that might impact his case. Peterson did get to say he is a graduate of Hagerstown Community College.According to a court charging document, police accuse Peterson of entering Rodriguez's store, Kim Grocery and Deli located on Kenwood Avenue in east Baltimore on Dec. 22, buying some items and then returning to the car. Police said surveillance video captured his movements and those of a passenger, who was dressed in a black hoodie, entered the store and went to the counter with a handgun. According to the court document, that suspect held Rodriguez at gunpoint while the cash register was being emptied. Before leaving, the shooter fired one shot, striking Rodriguez in the head. The shooter then returned to the vehicle and fled.Police said Rodriguez was shot in front of her children. Among the charges Peterson is facing are first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and weapons violations. He went to police Thursday after investigators released video of the crime. Charging document shows Peterson told police "he wanted to turn himself in because he had nothing to do with it and wanted to clear his name." He also said, "He was all over the video, but had nothing to do with nothing."Also, according to the charging document, investigators linked the car to Peterson, saying it was loaned to him by a dealership prior to the murder. Peterson has three prior convictions from 2014 to 2019 for assault, armed robbery and robbery. Peterson's next court appearance is Feb. 4. Police are still looking for the second person of interest.

Bail has been denied for the man who is implicated in the murder of an east Baltimore businesswoman.

Terrance Peterson, 29, is charged in connection with the murder and robbery of Carmen Rodriguez inside her east Baltimore deli.

The judge mentioned Peterson's serious past and called him a danger to the community. Peterson denied any involvement in the December murder, but police said surveillance video put him at the scene of the crime.

The release of surveillance video led Peterson to turn himself in, but in court Monday, his defense attorney told the judge her client did not want to participate in a video bail review. The judge still decided to conduct the court hearing.

Several times, Peterson attempted to speak, and his attorney warned against it, saying that might impact his case. Peterson did get to say he is a graduate of Hagerstown Community College.

According to a court charging document, police accuse Peterson of entering Rodriguez's store, Kim Grocery and Deli located on Kenwood Avenue in east Baltimore on Dec. 22, buying some items and then returning to the car. Police said surveillance video captured his movements and those of a passenger, who was dressed in a black hoodie, entered the store and went to the counter with a handgun.

According to the court document, that suspect held Rodriguez at gunpoint while the cash register was being emptied. Before leaving, the shooter fired one shot, striking Rodriguez in the head. The shooter then returned to the vehicle and fled.

Police said Rodriguez was shot in front of her children.

Among the charges Peterson is facing are first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and weapons violations. He went to police Thursday after investigators released video of the crime.

Charging document shows Peterson told police "he wanted to turn himself in because he had nothing to do with it and wanted to clear his name." He also said, "He was all over the video, but had nothing to do with nothing."

Also, according to the charging document, investigators linked the car to Peterson, saying it was loaned to him by a dealership prior to the murder.

Peterson has three prior convictions from 2014 to 2019 for assault, armed robbery and robbery. Peterson's next court appearance is Feb. 4. Police are still looking for the second person of interest.

See the article here:

Bail denied for man charged in connection with death of Baltimore businesswoman - WBAL TV Baltimore

Miles adds to KU coaching staff – News – The Ottawa Herald

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Kansas head football coach Les Miles is rounding out his coaching staff for the 2020 season with two recent hirings.

Miles promoted Emmett Jones to passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach. His contract been extended through February 2022.

Jordan Peterson has been added to the staff as the safeties coach.

Miles said Jones has been an intregal part of his staff in his first year at KU.

Emmett has played a vital role in the development of our wide receivers and we look forward to their continued growth this season, Miles said. This promotion was well deserved and will be beneficial to our overall offensive scheme.

In his first season with the Jayhawks in 2019, the wide receiving unit saw significant growth under Jones, bringing in 235 receptions for 2,778 yards and 25 touchdowns. Jones influence helped the Kansas offense to its best season since 2009, averaging 377.3 yards per game.

Jones coached juniors Andrew Parchment and Stephon Robinson Jr. to breakout seasons, as the duo ranked in the top-20 in Kansas single-season receiving yards. The duos combined 1,558 receiving yards were the most since 2016, while Robinson Jr.s eight receiving touchdowns are tied for the fourth most in KU single-season history, and the most since 2009. Parchment and Robinson were also the first pair of KU wide receivers to combine for 15 touchdowns in a season since 2009.

Peterson comes to Kansas with 10 years experience and has coached in five bowl games.

He is an excellent teacher and has strong recruiting ties in Texas, an area that is vital to us, Miles said. A rising star in the coaching profession and a true family man, Jordan is a great fit for what we are looking for in our program.

Peterson served as the defensive coordinator/safeties coach at New Mexico in 2019, where he oversaw the entire defense and held all duties associated with mentoring the Lobos safeties. Peterson was hired to coach the New Mexico safeties in 2017, before being promoted to defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2019.

In his first two seasons at New Mexico, Peterson guided the safeties unit to lead the team in tackles, with Jake Rothschiller and Stanley Barnwell Jr. recording 76 tackles in 2018.

Before his time at New Mexico, Peterson coached at Fresno State for five seasons, from 2012-16, helping the Bulldogs to three consecutive bowl games and a 2014 Mountain West Championship game appearance and a 2013 Mountain West title. He served a variety of positions with Fresno State, coaching both the secondary and outside linebackers. He also has served as recruiting coordinator and a special teams coach.

Peterson was secondary coach at Fresno State during the 2012 when Fresno State went 9-4 and was ranked second nationally in pass defense and fourth in pass efficiency defense. He also mentored safety Phillip Thomas to Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2012.

Peterson got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant coach at Texas A&M in 2010 and 2011. That followed a four-year playing career with the Aggies, where he made 81 tackles and broke up 15 passes. He also forced two fumbles, recovered one fumble and picked off four passes. He returned one of those passes 48 yards for a touchdown against New Mexico. He was a two-time All-Big 12 Academic First Team selection, and he was a CoSIDA Academic All-Region selection in 2008.

Peterson received his bachelors degree in sport management from Texas A&M in 2009 along with his masters in education curriculum and instruction in 2010. He graduated from Lexington High School in Central Texas, where he earned first-team all-state honors as a defensive back and honorable mention honors as a quarterback his senior year. He was named Texas Prep Xtra Central Texas MVP.

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Miles adds to KU coaching staff - News - The Ottawa Herald

Permits for in-law flats and other ADUs are down but interest remains high – OregonLive

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Whats causing the dip in permits issued for a second, smaller home sharing a city lot with an existing house?

Longtime small housing advocate Kol Peterson studied data from the City of Portland and found permits for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) decreased in 2019.

He thinks the decline was the result of a flurry of interested homeowners applying for a permit, before the rules changed in 2018, to benefit from fee-waiver incentives with no restrictions on short-term rentals.

Some of permits were used to build in 2019, creating an artificial acceleration of ADU activity resulting in a boom of ADU permits, Peterson explains on AccessoryDwellings.org, an online resource that posts case studies and updates on ADUs, which is still a rare form of housing.

Portland ADU permits issued from 1995-2020 as reported by Kol Peterson

Seven ADU permits were issued by the city in 1995 followed by small increases until 2011 when the city approved 93 permits. That number more than doubled to 206 by 2014 then quadrupled to 376 in 2015.

By 2016, there were almost six times as many permits issued 545 before the total fell to 511 in 2017 and 488 in 2018.

Last year, issued permits dropped to 315.

Permits for self-contained, smaller second homes are down but interest remains high.

So far, about 2,487 legal ADUs have been built in Portland, with another 652 under inspection.

A Portland Homeowner Report released recently by Pro.com found that 84 percent of Portland homeowners who participated in the survey believe ADUs make homes more appealing to potential buyers.

In Portland, the most popular ADUs are living spaces for elderly relatives, adult children and family friends, and as income-producing apartments to rent (36 percent each), according to the Pro.com survey.

More developers are including a flexible living space with a separate entrance a home within a home that grants privacy to a member of a multi-genational family or tenant who helps pay the mortgage.

The gen suite was first popularized by the Lennar Corp., which introduced its NextGen floor plan in 2011 after the recession and foreclosure crisis, when extended families moved back in together to save on housing costs.

The Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) added a new search field that allows real estate agents, appraisers, buyers and sellers to quickly find Oregon residential properties with a second, separate dwelling.

Architects and designers are increasingly being hired to plan space- and energy-efficient guest homes and manufacturers are building prefabricated micro units to sit on foundations in backyards.

Homeowners add an apartment wing to an existing house, carve out space from underused rooms inside the residence or convert an unfinished basement or structurally sound garage into new living quarters.

Or they can erect a second story to the garage or standalone, stick-framed structure on the property.

These are not the DIY basement conversions of 20 years ago, but highly specialized projects, says Matt Williams, founder and CEO of Pro.com, which has a team of construction experts who work with architects, designers and engineers to build custom ADUs.

He says his clients are motivated to leverage their land to increase its value, use and enjoyment.

Population growth and thicker density also create a need and desire for separate living spaces and ADUs are one solution, Williams says, especially for people with a low mortgage or who like their location but need more space or want to rent out an apartment for added income.

Some owners plan to live in the small house and rent out the larger house to reduce expenses while staying in their neighborhood.

A rental dwelling allows them to fund their retirement and age in place, if the unit has been designed without steps and with universal features that aid people with limited mobility.

Williams company offers a free, detailed estimate and visualization services to let property owners see what an ADU project could look like inside and out. Clients can also order a customizable prefab structure to fit a space and Pro.com can construct it.

In Seattles Lake Washington area, Pro.com built a new, two-story ADU behind a house where there were two asphalt parking spaces. Construction costs were $140,000.

The Pro.com survey also found that 76 percent of respondents did not know Portlands laws governing ADUs.

Peterson is hoping to help. He has taught more than 2,000 people about the ADU development process in full-day workshops and has organized a half dozen Build Small, Live Large: Portlands Accessory Dwelling Unit Tours.

He says more municipalities on the West coast from Vancouver, BC, to every city in California allow homeowners to slice up urban lots to shelter family members or a caregiver, or draw in extra income.

Small, standalone new homes are expensive $210,000 on average for 800 square feet of living space, says Peterson but they can be models of efficiency with a compact footprint and high-performance insulation and heating and cooling systems.

ADUs are considered the least expensive type of housing that can be built in Portland if the land is already owned and if it qualifies for a waiver of the citys expensive system development fees, which can mount up to $22,500.

As of 2018, the waiver cannot be used by people who want to use the ADU as a short-term rental in the first 10 years.

Peterson says that an 800-square-foot second home rented longterm at $1,800 a month could bring in $21,600 a year and pay for itself in 10 years, then continue to generate income.

He encourages potential landlords to find out how their jurisdiction assesses ADUs for property tax evaluations. There will also be increases in utility costs, periodic vacancies and maintenance expenses.

Financial motivation is only part of the calculation, he says. There are also social benefits for the family.

An in-law suite could allow an aging parent to be close to family rather than spending what could be $72,000 a year for assisted living, says Peterson, who interviewed hundreds of sources for his book, Backdoor Revolution-The Definitive Guide to ADU Development.

Critics dont like ADUs added density and parking issues as well as the decrease in gardens, trees and creature habitats. Privacy can be intruded upon when single- or second-story windows look into the neighbors house or backyard.

Advocates say ADUs provide infill housing opportunities in neighborhoods with existing utilities and services like roads, sewers and schools near employment, retail centers and transit corridors.

Carlos Rafael

A detached, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the Foster-Powell neighborhood that Propel Studio Architecture was designed as a modern Airbnb. Carlos Rafael Carlos Rafael

To learn more, Peterson and Propel Studio Architecture are organizing a free Design Week Portland event, ADU Open Doors, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. on April 23-24, in which owners invite people to tour their ADU (register to showcase an ADU or attend at propelstudio.com/adu-open-doors-2020).

Peterson will also be holding a full-day ADU Academy workshop on April 24 ($359 or $319 by April 24, accessorydwellings.org/academy/)

--Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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In the comprehensive book "Backdoor Revolution: The Definitive Guide to ADU Development" ($25 print, $15 digital), author Kol Peterson offers design ideas he endorses after visiting well-planned small houses, talking with people who specialize in accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and reading books and websites about small-space planning, including books by Sarah Susanka.

Second, smaller homes sharing a city lot are the only housing form typically developed by homeowners, says Peterson, who has a master's degree in environmental planning from Harvard's Graduate School of Design.

Still, he cautions against DIY design for complex, ground-up construction.

Since these second dwellings infill a residential property, their design and placement need to be customized. Peterson says hes never seen two that look alike.

Legal, comfortable second homes, however, do have some features in common. Here are Petersons insights:

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Permits for in-law flats and other ADUs are down but interest remains high - OregonLive

Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson: Abortion ‘didn’t used to be a partisan issue’ – City Pages

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Last week, more than 200 members of Congress asked the Supreme Court of the United States to reconsider these two landmark cases in the form ofa brief organized by the anti-abortion group Americans United for Life.

This all came about ostensibly because of a restrictive 2014 Louisiana abortion law thats being held on ice until it can have its own day in court. That statute would require abortion providers to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of where they operate. If the Supreme Court allows it to take effect, providers say it would effectively shutter all but one clinic in the state.

Pro-choice advocates see this as an undue burden on reproductive health care providers, which is exactly the kind of thing Roe and Casey were trying to prevent. The brief filed Thursday respectfully suggests that in light of the Louisiana case, the court again take up the issue of whether Roe and Casey should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled.

Time took a look at the 207 names attached to the brief and reported that of the 39 senators and 168 House members who signed on, 97 percent are men. A few of those names should sound familiar to us in particular: U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer, Jim Hagedorn, Collin Peterson, and Pete Stauber.

The reps' support is no surprise if you know their backgrounds. Emmer is a former state rep and conservative talk radio host and has long been vocally against abortion rights. On his 2020 campaign website, Stauber has promised to support life from conception to natural death and always be a strong and constant voice for the right to life.

Hagedorn has bragged about co-sponsoring a number of anti-abortion bills, including the straightforward Defund Planned Parenthood Act and No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. (Neither Emmer, Stauber, nor Hagedorn responded to interview requests.)

Peterson distinguishes himself as one of two Democrats to sign onto the brief. (The other is House Rep. Dan Lipinski of Illinois). It wouldnt be the first time hes bucked party lines on split issues. Most recently, he got a lot of bafflement and heat from his own party for voting against impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

When asked for comment, Peterson sent City Pages a very brief statement:

What people dont seem to remember is that being pro-life didnt used to be a partisan issue, he said. I signed onto this amicus brief because I am pro-life.

As Time points out, the Pew Research Center found that 61 percent of Americans (and52 percent of Minnesotans,back in 2014)believe abortion should be legal in "all/most cases." But that hasnt stopped 2019 from being a banner year for laws designed to make it harder to get them. That includes six states that attempted to outright ban abortion as early as six weeks into the pregnancy before most people know theyre pregnant.

The Louisiana case will be the first major abortion case the Supreme Court will hear since Trump nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh were confirmed.

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Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson: Abortion 'didn't used to be a partisan issue' - City Pages

‘Ive got five, and Im going to hit:’ Man standing trial in deadly shooting in York – York Daily Record

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Edwin Joey Pacheco-Ruiz planned to spend time alone with his girlfriend on May 28, 2017.

Willie "Homer" Peterson III, 29, of York.(Photo: Submitted)

He had dropped his son off in a custody exchange, and the couple decided to go out for a drink. Thats when he saw a man in the street who was flagging him down. So Pacheco-Ruiz pulled over and let him into the backseat of his SUV, a Chevrolet Equinox LT.

That was a mistake. A huge mistake, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Dave Maisch said on Monday in the York County Judicial Center. And it cost Joey his life.

The man, referring to bullets, stated, Ive got five, and Im going to hit. Pacheco-Ruiz begged the person whom he referred to as Homer not to shoot. But it was to no avail, prosecutors said.

Pacheco-Ruiz fell into his girlfriends lap. She tried to steer the SUV from the front-passenger seat but lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a home on East Princess and Lexington streets in York.

Two days later, Pacheco-Ruiz died at York Hospital. He was 29.

More than 2 1/2 years later, Willie Homer Peterson III, 29, of York, is standing trial this week in the York County Court of Common Pleas on charges of first- and third-degree murder. Hes arguing that a key witness erroneously identified him.

RELATED: Homicides in York County: Here's who was killed in 2019, and how many remain unsolved

Common Pleas Judge Maria Musti Cook is presiding over the trial, which is set to continue on Tuesday. Peterson is being held without bail in York County Prison.

READ: York County murderer must pay more than $4 million to woman's estate, federal judge rules

In his opening statement, Maisch said Pacheco-Ruizs girlfriend told law enforcement that the shooter's namewas Homer. She later picked him out of an eight-person photo lineup.

Meanwhile, Peterson went on the lam for aboutthree months.

CHECK OUT: 'This defendant will never leave prison alive:' Man sentenced to life in prisonfor deadly stabbing in York

But Tom Kelley, Petersons attorney, said in his opening statement that the case was based on an improper and suggestive identification procedure.

No forensic evidence, he said, ties his client to the crime.

Lucille Bishop, Pacheco-Ruizs girlfriend, initially told police that the gunman's name was Omar. But that morphed into Homer after she spoke to LaCresha Cole-Carter, the mother of Pacheco-Ruizs child, Kelley said.

Cole-Carter showed Bishop a Facebook photo of Peterson before she identified him in the lineup.

Kelley said Cole-Carter "absolutely abhors" his client.

You have to pay attention to every single little detail about how this thing snowballed into an avalanche that sucked that man right into this courtroom, Kelley said. They have got the wrong guy.

Contact Dylan Segelbaum at 717-771-2102.

In this file photo from May 28, 2017, Edwin "Joey" Pacheco-Ruiz's SUV is seen after it crashed into a home on East Princess and Lexington streets in York. Willie "Homer" Peterson III is standing trial this week in the York County Court of Common Pleas on charges of first- and third-degree murder in Pacheco-Ruiz's death.(Photo: Gordon Rago, York Daily Record)

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'Ive got five, and Im going to hit:' Man standing trial in deadly shooting in York - York Daily Record

29-Year-Old Terrance Peterson Charged In The Fatal Shooting Of Baltimore Mother Carmen Rodriguez At Kims Deli – CBS Baltimore

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) Police have charged 29-year-old Terrance Peterson in relation to the fatal shooting of Carmen Rodriguez on Dec. 22 at her Patterson Park store, Kims Deli.

Peterson turned himself in to police Thursday. Police are still looking for another suspect in the case.

Terrance Peterson

Rodriguez, a 36-year-old mother of four including a 5-month-old baby, was shot in the head and killed in front of her children.

I dont want my wife to be another number. Thats the point. Something needs to be done, her husband Derrick Galan told WJZs Paul Gessler Thursday.

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Police released surveillance footage Thursday of a person of interest in Rodriguezs death. Commissioner Michael Harrison said Friday releasing the video did help police one of the suspects.

Person of Interest in Carmen Rodriguezs death

She gave them the money. Why would he shoot her? Thats what I dont understand. He saw the kids, said Galan.

Carmen Rodriguez

The couple was together for nine years and have owned the store for 15 years. It was the first time they were robbed.

The ATF offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

The store hasnt been reopened since the shooting. Instead, its turned into a memorial for Rodriguez.

Police did not say whether Peterson was the alleged shooter or alleged getaway driver.

A vigil to remember Rodriguez is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. on January 22, the one-month anniversary of her death. The vigil will begin in the public square by the Enoch Pratt Free Librarys Patterson Park branch; participants are set to then walk to City Hall with candles to call for healing and justice for those affected by violence.

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29-Year-Old Terrance Peterson Charged In The Fatal Shooting Of Baltimore Mother Carmen Rodriguez At Kims Deli - CBS Baltimore

Player of the Week: Nick Peterson – The Bridgton News

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As a senior, Nick Peterson knows what it takes to besuccessful in indoor track & field. And, he is willing to share thatknowledge to help his fellow Lakers find success.

Nick met the qualifying mark in the long jump and triplejump last year so we are confident he will be a strong performer this year,Lake Region Coach Mark Snow said. More rewardingly for us has been hisleadership and help at practice. He often looks out for what is needed for asuccessful practice and is supportive of his teammates.

In recognition of his strong work ethic, determination,commitment and good sportsmanship, Nick is this weeks Boosters and HancockLumber Player of the Week. Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized forhis/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability andacademic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed t-shirt,sponsored by Hancock Lumber.

Name: Nick Peterson

Year in School: Senior

Hometown: Naples

Parents: Kathie and Everett Peterson

Sports you play: Indoor track & field, baseball

School organizations: ASTRA, National Honor Society

School honors: National Honor Society

Q. Why did you choose to compete in indoor track &field? To be with friends and because I love competing.

Q. What is the most difficult part of track & field? Ifeel like the most difficult part for me is making sure not to think too much.

Q. What do you enjoy the most about the sport? I think whatdraws me to track the most is that youre competing against yourself more thananyone else. I only focus on beating my own personal records and times. Its alot of fun to just focus on improving yourself.

Q. What do you feel you need to work on and why? I need towork to continue improving every day.

Q. Why is teamwork important? Even though we competeseparately, its always important to help out your teammates whether it isholding their (starting) blocks or just giving advice.

Q. What is the biggest impact your coach(es) have had onyou? Coach Snow absolutely loves the sport and shows that by trying to watchand help out with everyones events. When I am competing in long jump, healways tries his best to watch all of my jumps and give me advice throughout.He showed me that just being there to support and have confidence in someonegoes a long way.

Q. How do you want people to view you as an athlete? I wantto be viewed as someone who always tries their best and enjoys what they do.Q. Ten years from now, when you look back onyour high school sports career, what do you think you will remember most? Iwill remember all the friendships that I formed

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Player of the Week: Nick Peterson - The Bridgton News

Jordan Peterson and the Cult of Genius – The Good Men Project

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Over the past year and a half, Peterson has gained notoriety through his open hostility toward trans rights and feminism as well as his characterization of universities as tools for indoctrinating students into what he terms neo-Marxism.

January 10, 2020 by Evidence Network Leave a Comment

By Jennifer Garrison

Like it or not, University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson is a cultural sensation. Over the past year and a half, Peterson has gained notoriety through his open hostility toward trans rights and feminism as well as his characterization of universities as tools for indoctrinating students into what he terms neo-Marxism.

He has throngs of online followers. A column in the New York Times noted hes been called the most influential public intellectual in the Western world, and academics regularly write columns seeking to discredit him.

I am an academic, but this is not one of those columns. Instead, I think we need to question our incessant need to talk about Peterson in the first place. Our obsession with Peterson reveals a larger cultural problem that threatens to cripple our universities: our adoration of the individual masculine genius.

This cult of genius comes at the expense of a vibrant intellectual life and thriving democracies in North America.

Petersons success is built on the fact that he was deemed to be a part of that special and highly nebulous category of genius a term (much like expert) that is almost exclusively reserved for men. In a recent interview, Petersons former colleague explains that Peterson was hired and promoted precisely on these grounds: he sometimes appeared to be in the thrall of his ideas and would not, or could not, constrain himself and self-monitor what he was saying. That was OK. He was eccentric.

In universities, we often take eccentric along with bad behaviour as a mark of genius: we ignore complaints about intolerance or sexual harassment because geniuses are above the rules. We really like geniuses. We hire and promote them and students want to study under them.

One problem with genius is that it is something one is rather than something one does. The concept implies that academic work is not, in fact, a form of work. When we only care if a university has its fair share of geniuses, we devalue and label as more feminine other forms of academic labour from teaching to administration to less trendy research.

In fact, the majority of teaching in North American universities is now done by contract faculty (the majority of whom tend to be women): PhD-holding subject experts who are paid per-course. If they are lucky enough to be teaching a full course load every semester, they might earn around $28,000 for working in excess of 40 hours a week.

Permanent faculty, on the other hand, are often overloaded with administrative work, such as curriculum planning and advising students. A recent study has shown that this work, too, falls largely to female faculty members keeping them from engaging in innovative teaching and ground-breaking research.

This emphasis on genius also threatens to destroy entire fields of study, particularly the softer disciplines in the Humanities (e.g., Art, English, History, etc.) since genius is typically reserved primarily for the more male-dominated STEM fields. Politicians, administrators, many members of the public, and Jordan Peterson himself regularly deride the Humanities as frivolous. (Ever heard a joke about an English major being a barista-in-training?)

On the contrary, the Humanities are vitally important in an increasingly polarized society because they help us to understand, analyze, and critique differences in human communication and culture. And (for the practical-minded) Humanities majors do get satisfying jobs. Their skills are in demand in the corporate world and they may actually have more career success than Business majors.

We need to reject this cult of the masculine genius. If we want a thriving intellectual culture, we need to start valuing all academic labor and forms of inquiry. Its not just better for universities themselves; its better for building a more tolerant and democratic society.

In order to shift this culture, we need to demand that politicians and administrators value and economically support a diversity of voices inside universities.

If we want a strong democracy and intellectual culture, lets forget genius. Instead, lets build stronger universities.

This post was previously published on Evidencenetwork.ca and is republished here under a Creative Commons license CC BY-ND 4.0.

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Lehi and the Fragrant Highway | Dan Peterson – Patheos

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Notes taken from, and/or inspired by, a reading ofGordon Darnell Newby,A History of the Jews of Arabia: From Ancient Times to Their Eclipse under Islam(Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 1988), 10-11:

The Via Odorifera (the Fragrant Highway) brought not only the Arabian aromatics; it was the conduit for trade goods from Asia and Africa. At times, as during the period of Hellenistic ascendancy, for example, these goods were borne on ships up the Red Sea, but that waterway is treacherous, as the numerous shipwrecks, both ancient and modern, will testify. The domestication of the camel (Camelus dromedarius) and the development of the North Arabian camel saddle meant that goods could be transported by ships of the desert.

The Fragrant Highway seems to be the route taken by Lehi and his party from Jerusalem through Arabia to the land of Bountiful, which was probably located in modern-day Oman. The domestication of camels in the region, incidentally, had occurred well before the time of Lehi.

The trade routes for the aromatics and eastern goods generally went around the perimeter of Arabia, skirting the empty desert areas, starting in the eastern part of the peninsula in modern Oman and proceeding along the southern edge to modern Yemen, picking up goods on the way, and then north along the western edge to end up in Syria or Egypt.

Lehis party, of course, would have gone the opposite direction, from Jerusalem (in Greater Syria) by Yemen to Oman.

The domestication of the camel also brought about a profound change in Arabian society. The camel became not only the pack animal of choice; it was also the main means of military transportation. There were few roads in the Arabian desert, and these would often become covered with sand. For the camels, this was ideal; it covered the stones that would hurt their tender feet. For wheeled vehicles, chariots and the like, it meant that the land was impassable. Camel cavalry was mobile and well adapted to the environment.

It was the difficult remoteness of Arabia that made it an excellent place of refuge and that may have encouraged Lehi to choose it. Besides, the Assyrians and Babylonians always came from the north to the west of Palestine was the sea, to its east was a forbidding desert, and their only realistic means of approaching from the south would have required them to first cross the Nafud Desert so it made sense for someone trying to get out of their way to go roughly southward.

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Lehi and the Fragrant Highway | Dan Peterson - Patheos

Analyst Expects Altcoins to Suffer With Launch of Bitcoin Options: Heres Why – newsBTC

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At long last, the CME one of the first regulated institutions to offer Bitcoin futures will be launching options for its BTC futures contracts. The launch will be taking place on January 13th (today, as of the time of publishing this).

Due to the fact that the CME has been one of the most influential companies on this nascent market over the past few years, analysts have already begun speculating on what effect the launch of the Bitcoin options will have on the broader crypto market.

Prominent cryptocurrency commentator and analyst Ceteris Paribus recently noted that the impending launch of the options could be bearish for altcoins: If it isnt obvious, the more we see products like this get offered the more bearish it is for the majority of alts, they wrote.

They elaborated on this point by noting that 99% of alts are basically quasi-derivatives of Bitcoin, meaning that the introduction of actual, regulated derivatives for traders may lead to an erosion in the volume figures for altcoins, likely driving price lower with time due to low liquidity and a lack of buying pressure.

Although the launch of these new derivative products from the CME may hurt altcoins, they may only help Bitcoins rise to become a mainstream financial asset.

Per previous reports from NewsBTC, JP Morgan managing director Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou recently observed that there is much anticipation for the options contracts soon to be released:

There has been a step increase in the activity of the underlying CME futures contract This unusually strong activity over the past few days likely reflects the high anticipation among market participants of the option contract.

Panigirtzoglou specifically looked to the fact that open interest in the Bitcoin futures contracts on the regulated exchange has increased 69% from year-end to now, with the number of large open-interest holders swelling.

This anticipation and interest from institutions in Bitcoin is bullish, analysts say. Derivative products introduce Bitcoin to a broader base of investors that hold vastly more wealth than individual or retail investors, as said by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. Also, as Changpeng CZ Zhao said in a recent interview with cryptocurrency research firm Global Coin Research:

We are also seeing an increasing amount of interest from institutional players which also indicates a more bullish market in 2020.

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Analyst Expects Altcoins to Suffer With Launch of Bitcoin Options: Heres Why - newsBTC