Daily Archives: May 9, 2017

Iceland plans to lift limit for offshore crown transfers | Reuters – Reuters

Posted: May 9, 2017 at 3:49 pm

STOCKHOLM Iceland has proposed a further easing of capital controls imposed during the global financial crisis by raising the amount of money individuals can transfer from locked offshore Icelandic crown accounts to nearly $1 million (773,080).

Around $2 billion in foreign money, most belonging to U.S.-based funds, is held in such accounts and under government proposals put forward last week depositors will be able to withdraw interest payments, indexations and dividends totalling 100 million Icelandic crowns (727,871) per year.

Iceland's coalition government is likely to get the proposal, which lifts the limit from the previous level of 1 million crowns, through with its slim majority.

The government said in mid-March that the remaining capital controls, imposed in 2008 to stop money from flooding out of the country, would be lifted, easing restrictions on businesses and households.

As part of the process, the central bank is currently buying back offshore crown assets from foreign funds.

(Reporting by Ragnhildur Sigurdardottir; writing by Johan Sennero; editing by Alexander Smith)

LONDON Early indicators on Sunday showed the euro topping $1.10 for the first time since the U.S. election results, according to data from trading platform EBS, on reports of polls showing Emmanuel Macron on course to win the French presidential election.

LONDON The euro topped $1.10 for the first time since the U.S. elections on Sunday and climbed to a one-year high against the safe-haven yen on relief that Emmanuel Macron had beaten the far-right Marine Le Pen to clinch the French presidency.

BEIJING China's foreign exchange reserves rose in April for a third straight month, beating market expectations, as capital controls and a pause in the dollar's rally helped staunch capital outflows.

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BP, Kosmos Energy Make Major Gas Discovery Offshore Senegal – OilPrice.com

Posted: at 3:49 pm

UKs oil major BP saidon Monday that together with its joint venture partner Kosmos, it had made a major gas discovery offshore Senegal off the West African coast.

BP and U.S.-based Kosmos Energy commissioned the drilling of Yakaar-1 exploration well in the Cayar Offshore Profond block. Kosmos Energy estimates Yakaar-1 discovered a gross P mean gas resource of around 15 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), in-line with pre-drill expectations, the Dallas-based company saidin its statement on the discovery.

According to BP Upsteam chief executive officer, Bernard Looney:

This discovery marks an important further step in building BPs new business in Mauritania and Senegal. We look forward to results from the additional exploration wells planned for 2017.

Both BP and Kosmos believe that the Yakaar discovery, coupled with the Teranga discovery made last year, have enough resources to support the creation of another LNG hub in the basin.

The gas discovery offshore Senegal adds to a crude oil discovery off the Senegalese coast made earlier this year by Australian exploration company FAR, which saidthat it had discovered more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude as a result of a 3D seismic study.

At the end of last year, BP said that it has signed agreements with Kosmos Energy to acquire a 62-percent working interest, including operatorship, of Kosmos exploration blocks in Mauritania and a 32.49-percent effective working interest in Kosmos Senegal exploration blocks. Back then, BP said it would invest nearly US$1 billion, mostly in the form of a multi-year exploration and development carry to buy offshore Blocks C-6, C-8, C-12 and C-13 in Mauritania and an effective interest in the Saint-Louis Profond and Cayar Profond blocks in Senegal.

Related:Saudi Oil Minister: OPEC Output Cut Could Extend Into 2018

In April, BP agreed to buy another 30 percent in the Saint-Louis Profond and Cayar Profond blocks offshore Senegal from Timis Corporation, subject to government approval. Upon completion of the deal, BP will hold participating and effective working interests close to 60 percent, Kosmos -30 percent, and Socit des Ptroles du Sngal (Petrosen) 10 percent.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Arlington Town Meeting passes sanctuary community measure – Wicked Local Arlington

Posted: at 3:48 pm

Bram Berkowitz bberkowitz@wickedlocal.com @BramBerkoWL

After more than four months of intense debate, Arlington is a sanctuary community.

Town Meeting members on Monday, May 8 overwhelmingly voted in favor of the non-binding Trust Act resolution, endorsing the Arlington Police Departments current community policing practices.

The measure passed, 173-19, after one person for and one person against the resolution were allowed 10 minutes each to speak.

With this vote, the town is making a statement that municipal officials will not detain undocumented immigrants for violating federal immigration law unless there is a legitimate law enforcement reason for detention besides a persons immigration status.

This resolution supports existing practices of the Arlington Police Department and represents a strong statement of federalism, said Selectmen Chairman Joseph Curro, speaking on behalf of those in favor of the resolution. Like it or not, we are taking part in a much broader national debate.

Trust Act resolution

The initial warrant article language for Article 59 included the term sanctuary town.

But in a fact sheet passed out to Town Meeting members on May 8, the Human Rights Commission, which co-sponsored the article with the Board of Selectmen, titled the article Trust Act resolution.

In our recommended language, the word 'sanctuary' does not appear at all, said Curro. This is intentional.

First, said Curro, there is no consistent legal definition for a sanctuary town.

Second, the town wants to distinguish this resolution from the sanctuary movement in the 1980s when communities provided material support for Central American refugees, he said.

Still, the fact sheet does describe the policies laid out in the Trust Act resolution as the same as those of sanctuary communities.

The debate

The passage of article 59, although receivinglarge support from Town Meeting members, ends a hotly contested argument over whattaking on sanctuary status would mean for the town.

Just a few days after selectman first discussed the idea at one of their meetings earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to crack down on communities that do not comply with federal immigration authorities by pulling federal funding.

This was of great concern by many because Arlington receives millions in federal funding every year, and has an extremely tight budget.

The threats seemed to subside after a federal judge in San Francisco recently blocked the Trump administrations order to withhold funding from communities that limit cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.

Opposition

But that didnt alleviate the fears of some in town opposed to the resolution.

Joseph Monju of Precinct 17, speaking on behalf of those against the resolution, presented three reasons for why Town Meeting members should vote down the resolution: Public safety, fiscal responsibility and public health.

Monju argued that passing this resolution would welcome more undocumented immigrants that are likely to commit more crimes like human and drug trafficking, which would take a toll on police.

Weve all pledged to vote in the best interest of the town and not in the best interest of those who seek refuge in Arlington, he said, adding that this question should really be voted on in a ballot referendum. You have freely taken an oath that does not afford you the luxury to vote in manner that feels good. Please do not violate your oath of office.

Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan previously told the public that over the past five years, only one of the 1,000 criminal arrests made by the department involved an immigration detention request, which federal officials chose not to act on.

In addition, when someone is arrested for a crime, they will still be entered into a computer system that checks for and notifies federal authorities about their immigration status, according to the fact sheet from the Human Rights Commission.

Monju also argued that more undocumented immigrants in town could lead to the spread of infectious diseases from other countries, as well as a number of burdens on the taxpayer including more school children into Arlingtons already bursting school system.

Arlington police already act as if Arlington is a sanctuary community so why the need to emphasize as such, he said.

But Curro, on the contrary, thought codifying the departments current actions, was crucial totheir continuing success.

If words and symbols contained no meaning, we would not stand and face the flag to begin each session [of Town Meeting] and sing the words of our national anthem, he said.

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Adventist Review Online | Nurses Honored on Special Sabbath – Adventist Review

Posted: at 3:48 pm

May 8, 2017

By: Kimberly Luste Maran, North American Division News

For the past 11 years Joan Payne, a nurse practitioner and member of the Westvale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Syracuse, New York, United States, has coordinated Nurses Sabbath, typically held on the first Saturday of May. The timing for the event, which celebrates nurses in the congregation and the local community, is intentional. National Nurses Week in the United States is held May 6 through May 12.

Almost 400 people attended this years special event on April 29, which many heard about through friends and family. Each year weve expanded, says Payne. This year two guest speakers delivered messages on Sabbath, followed by a fellowship dinner and a panel-type session in the afternoon for pastors, nurses, and others interested in the topic.

Faith Community Nursing

Angeline David, Health Ministries director for the North American Division church region, and Betsy Johnson, president of the Adventist Association of Faith Community Nursing and the faith community nurse employed by the Emmanuel Brinklow Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland, United States, spoke to attendees during the churchs morning services. Both highlighted the importance of health ministry outreach at the local church and shared information on faith community nursinga movement that seeks to integrate faith and nursing practices to create healthier communities.

Johnson believes that Adventists need a rejuvenation on how health ministries can partner with the spiritual ministry of our churches. She says, This is our mandate and I believe weve lost sight of that over the years. An event like this is very refreshing. And empowering.

David is excited to celebrate the nurses within the Adventist church and faith community. Nurses Sabbath is not only to honor the work that our nurses do within the church as members, but its also an outreach to the nurses in the community who attend this event, she says. This gives us another opportunity to bridge with them, to show that the Seventh-day Adventist Church cares for them, and values their profession.

For Payne, who has been a faith community nurse at Westvale for one year, Nurses Sabbath serves multiple purposes. Nurses work hard, says Payne. They have to be jacks-of-all-trades these days and grounded in many areas. This program honors them for their commitment. And its a great witnessing opportunitywe get people to our church who otherwise wouldnt come, but will come because it is a special Sabbath for nurses.

Consecrated for Service

Westvales pastor Seong Cho agrees. As Adventists, we have many professionals in the medical field, he says. The next step is to consecrate them for the work they are doing. What a great way to minister to peoplenot just physically, but spiritually.

Its a dynamic partnership that will be able to help meet the needs of the church and well as the community.

Cho sees incredible potential for ministry through faith community nursing in his own churchthrough their soon-to-be-revamped community service center, which works with the local food bank one day a month to help feed 27 families. It would be wonderful to have a faith community nurse there on that day to administer blood pressure checks and ask the people how they are doing health-wise, he says. It will be a time when well be connecting with the community face to face.

Cho explains that the Adventist Church cannot be exclusive. We are placedinthe community to make connectionwiththe community, to love them, says Cho. We are part of the life of the community; that means in every aspect in the community. Part of meeting those needs is to provide health advice and directions.

Cho believes Adventists can no longer be the back-seat driver when it comes to health messages in the world today. Other groups are taking the message and driving it home, says Cho. What are Adventists doing? We need to get back into the drivers seat and carry the health message to the world.

David is aware of the limitations the Church faces. One of them is that the Church is not on the ground in every community. Thats where our local churches come in, she says. They are the ones who can really impact the community. David explains how much they value that partnership with local churches, conferences, and broader church regions. Theyre the ones who can take resources and take the information and make it real, make it personal, and make it relevant to their community, she says.

And taking it to the community is the key, says Johnson. Faith community nursing is the ability to take the spirituality of our church and inoculate that into the community while taking the resources from the community and bringing that into our faith community as a church, she says. Its a dynamic partnership that will be able to help meet the needs of the church as well as the community.

Pieter Damsteegt contributed to this article.

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Spotlight on Dalton: Small town values, schools tie community together – Massillon Independent

Posted: at 3:48 pm

The Rev. Mark Hirst, of Living Water Church, offers a view of the community through his eyes.

DALTON Since 1999, the Rev. Mark Hirst, has served as pastor of Living Water Church in the village, and has seen its membership grow to around 700 parishioners and the church open a campus in Massillon.

Born and raised in Dalton, the 45-year-old went to Dalton High School before graduating from Central Christian High School in Kidron. He furthered his education out of town and became pastor of a church in Michigan for several years before returning to Dalton as pastor of Living Waters.

Hirst's community activism didn't stop with his ministry. He was elected to the Dalton Board of Education, a seat he held for four years before stepping down.

Hirst answers questions about what makes the Dalton community special.

Q: The Village of Dalton has earned a reputation as a great place to live and raise a family. Why is that?

A: People genuinely care for one another, you tend to know who your neighbors are and what's happening in their life. The schools are a major focus in that we have a great place to assist in raising our kids and so having strong values at the center of the school is really big and I would say ultimately the school is the center of the community. It is the one thing that everybody ties into. There are these really great small-town values. People wave to one another, know each other. You feel like you are part of something.

A great story that illustrates this: The first day my daughter was waiting to go to kindergarten, waiting for the bus at the end of the driveway. I had two different neighbors stop, roll down their window and say, "I hope you have a good first day of school." I think that typifies the kind of community that we all want to live in and that people participate in that. Dalton by no means is perfect but there is that sense of small town community that we pull together and pitch in if there is a probem. People here are very supportive of that.

We had a young man in a really bad accident last year and was in the hospital for about six months and just to see the community support him in that and when he came home people were lining the roads, just affirming him and welcoming him home.

Those are some of the pieces of living in a community like Dalton that is, just, it's good.

Q: Is this community feeling a function of the fact that Dalton is a smaller community or are there other factors that go into that atmosphere.

A: There are certain values that people carry that this is important to them, that sense of community pride. It also comes out of common shared values and the Christian faith. There are lots of people who don't go to church but there are a lot of people who do and who take it seriously enough to allow that to impact their actions and values. So it's a value statement. As you move in and you come here ... generally people who move here from larger places are looking for that. It has been really neat over the last 17 years for me to watch many new families move into the area and to embrace the value system and to really love being a part of a smaller community and a smaller school. So I think it is an intentional choice to say this is what we want to be a part of.

People who do a little research on Dalton will find that the schools are strong. If they look online and do different things and ask questions, they find that people have good things to say about the community. Some may know about it before hand but others start to look into the idea of moving a little more out of the city and looking to the country. I also think that with Dalton being on the edge of Stark County, it's a place you can move to and be a little more rural and still get to Canton and Akron more easily, so location may play a part in that, too.

Q: What responsibilities does the church have to the community?

A: We have the the responsibility of supporting the community and the things that are important to the community, being a part of creating a strong school system. I was on the board of education for four years and I think Living Water has the responsbility to influence people that they would walk with strong values, even if they're not a believer, that we would help perpetuate those values of community, of loving one another. So when bad things happen, we have the responsibility to care for people whether they're in the church or not. We have the responsibility to not just be a part of Dalton but to push out beyond that into other communities. We want to take the value system that we have and help spread that. What you believe needs to translate into how you act and treat people around you, whether you know them or not and whether they are a part of the church or not. There's a culture you can create by extending love, grace, fun, enthusiasm. I want all of the people who are a part of Living Water to coach and be a part of community groups as much as they possibly can.

Q: Is local government another positive in the list of things that make Dalton a place where folks may want to live and raise a family?

A: Whether it's village council or township trustees or the school board, I think people deeply care so they do their best to lead well or to make change they think will imact. When they do that, you have to remember that there are a bunch of people who are very interested and care what's going on. At times you'll find some stress and division over what's going on. Things will get heated at times but by the same token we all live in the same community and we want it to be as good as it can so what I see are people who passionately care about things and are willing to voice their thoughts and opinions about that. Ultimately what we all understand is that we live here together and we want to make it the best that we can. I appreciate the people who are involved in local politics and local leadership, who do it simply because they care about this community. There's not much money involved and you take a little more punishment and difficulty but you do that because you want to make the place a better community.

Q: What have you learned about the business community in Dalton and how it may compare with larger communities and towns?

A: The businesses I know there's a sense that business is a part of the whole community, that business furthers the community, the idea that we're all in this together. You don't see much corporate attitudes. You see the attitude of giving back. There are a lot of businesses who've given in a large way and don't even make it known. I see businesses that care about their employees and understand that they are a part of seeing that we have a healthy community. The business leaders who I have interacted with are all generous and are willing to give. Even the small businesses are willing to give to door prizes for fundraisers or school events. People are willing to give and see their success tied to the community as well. So they're not looking to make a dollar at the expense of people in the community or the community itself. They want to further what we've got. Dalton is not the place you'd think of moving your business to, so when people do that where they are a part of this, they understand how much it is tied to the community so it's part of a whole rather than just themselves making a dollar. So in that sense we have good business leaders here.

Q: Does the community embrace outsiders or people moving into the community? Is Dalton a closed community in any sense?

A: To be 100 percent honest about this, I think it is 50-50. Half the community is very excitied to see that. I love to see new people move in. I love to see new ideas come in, just new perspectives. The other half is more they're very conservative with that and don't embrace people as well. They like the familiarity. We are in this place where I wouldn't describe us as the most open community. We're certainly not closed but I think there's a 50-50 mix where half of the community is glad when something new comes into town, when a family moves in. Others here would rather stay the same and I think that's the tension in small towns. But overall if you want to move in and get involved, there's opportunity for you and I know most of the organizations, schools and churches welcome that and want people who will become involved. So there's opportunity there. Many people are excited for that. And then you've got small town and some folks more of, 'Well what does this mean for me?' and 'I really don't like to see change.'

That's the interesting thing about small towns: there's great traditional values but sometimes that can get you stuck in an old-school mentality.

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Century 21 North Shore Group and Led2Serve Join Forces – Broadway World

Posted: at 3:48 pm

Led2Serve, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, announces an innovative new partnership with Century 21 North Shore Group, New Englands leading real estate brokerage firm. This new alliance blends traditional real estate services with intentional community outreach resulting in a substantial impact not only locally, but spanning across the USA and Costa Rica. This effort will engage, create and supply agents with amazing opportunities to support local projects and make a life-changing impact in communities whose basic educational and housing needs are not met.

For decades, Century 21 NS Group has prided itself on giving buyers and sellers the highest level of service in the home buying and selling experience. Now, they have taken on a cutting edge role by providing customized service projects within those local communities. Were excited to give back to our local markets through purposeful service projects that will positively impact those in need. For us its not just about business, its also about making a real difference, shared Jim DAmico, President of Century 21 North Shore Group.

Century 21 North Shore Group has committed to donating a percentage of every real estate transaction to Led2Serve to support their current and future service projects. Led2Serve will lead their program facilitating the development, coordination, and implementation of local and global projects with a focus on the environment, education and housing.

When a company is committed to devoting a percentage of its profits toward the benefit of others, the impact on housing, education and the environment is astounding. Significant, good things happen when you take two great ideas and put them to work for one outstanding cause, stated Vanessa Puleo, Founder/Executive Director of Led2Serve. Partnering with such a forward-thinking organization will enable us to send more teams, make more community impact, and continue the development of longterm service projects.

Starting later this year, Century 21 North Shore agents, friends and family members will have the opportunity to travel on Service Journeys with Led2Serve to various parts of the United States and Costa Rica. They will utilize Led2Serves established business model which combines serving others with fun and adventure.

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Extended Space Travel Causes an Inescapable Decrease in Physical Fitness – Gizmodo

Posted: at 3:47 pm

Mark Watney, portrayed by Matt Damon, was probably more out of shape than we realized. (Image: The Martian)

Another day, another study showing how awful microgravity is to the human body. In the latest research, scientists have found that long term exposure to space inhibits the movement of oxygen through the body, reducing an astronauts ability to perform strenuous tasks.

New research from Kansas State University shows that prolonged exposure to space reduces an astronauts exercise capacity by 30 to 50 percent. Thats...a lot. As noted in the study, which you can check out at the Journal of Applied Physiology, this seems to be happening because our heart and small blood vessels suck at transporting oxygen to working muscles under microgravity conditions. Discouragingly, the effect still matters when astronauts try to maintain a high degree of fitness in space, by riding stationary bikes and running on treadmills.

For the study, a research team led by kinesiologist Carl Ade looked at NASA data collected for nine male and female astronauts who spent around six months aboard the International Space Station. Prior to embarking on their missions, each astronaut had various health measures taken to assess their physical fitness, including oxygen uptake, cardiac output, and hemoglobin concentration and saturation. (Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein responsible for transporting oxygen in your blood.) These measures show how effective a persons heart and blood vessels are at getting oxygen to muscle mitochondriathe so-called powerhouses of our cells.

While in space, each astronaut followed an aerobic and resistance training regimen designed by NASA. Moderate and high-intensity aerobic exercise on a bicycle or treadmill was prescribed for four to six days each week, while upper and lower-body resistance training was prescribed six days per week.

Two days after the astronauts returned to Earth, each of them were put through the same battery of physical tests they received prior to launch.

Armed with this before-and-after data, Ade was able to show a 30 to 50 percent decrease in maximal oxygen, which is the maximum rate of oxygen thats consumed during exercise, and a standard measure of cardiorespiratory health. After about 90 days, the astronauts level of fitness returned above 97 percent of what it was before. Their inability to get back to full fitness capacity is likely due to altered function of the lungs following prolonged exposure to microgravity.

It is a dramatic decrease, said Ade in a release. When your cardiovascular function decreases, your aerobic exercise capacity goes down. You cant perform physically challenging activities anymore. While earlier studies suggest that this happens because of changes in heart function, our data suggests that there are some things happening at the level of the heart, but also at the level of the microcirculation within capillaries.

The researchers suspect that microgravity is changing the way blood vessel capillaries interact with red blood cells, but more research is required to suss this out.

For would-be space travellers and Martian colonists, this news undoubtedly sucks. It means that astronauts, after several months of exposure to microgravity, can expect a fairly significant decrease in their ability to perform strenuous tasks. Once on Mars (or other celestial body of choice), an astronaut might be less capable of, say, performing manual labor on the surface. On the plus side, however, this finding alerts scientists to the problem, and they can now go about trying to figure out a solution.

This decrease is related to not only health, but performance, Ade said. If we can understand why maximal oxygen uptake is going down, that allows us to come up with targeted interventions, whether that be exercise or pharmacological interventions. This important new information can help these astronauts and prevent any adverse performance changes in their job.

We can now add reduced oxygen uptake to our ongoing list of crappy things that happen to our bodies when exposed to spaceproblems ranging from loss of bone density and muscle mass through to heart, vision, and back problems. Adapting humans to life beyond Earth, as were learning, is going to be tough.

[Journal of Applied Physiology]

George is a contributing editor at Gizmodo and io9.

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Prolonged Space Travel Affects Astronauts Eyes | Diagnostic Imaging – Diagnostic Imaging

Posted: at 3:47 pm

News | May 08, 2017 | MRI Magnetic resonance imaging shows evidence of changes in the orbital and ventricular fluid volumes among astronauts who participated in prolonged missions on the International Space Station (ISS), according to a study published in the journal Radiology.

Researchers from the University of Miami in Florida performed a retrospective study to determine the respective roles of vascular and cerebrospinal fluids in spaceflight-induced vision impairment in astronauts, known as the visual impairment and intracranial pressure (VIIP) syndrome.

Sixteen astronauts participated in the study, nine who flew on the space shuttle for a mean of 14.1 days and seven who flew on the ISS for a mean of 188 days. Their mean age during their mission was 46.1 years.

All participants underwent MR imaging before flight and again after their return to quantify pre- to post-flight changes in globe flattening and optic nerve protrusion. Automated quantitation was also used to measure pre- to post-flight changes in orbital and ventricular cerebrospinal fluid volumes and in brain tissue volumes. Relationships between individual measures and differences between cohorts were assessed by using correlation and unpaired t test, respectively.

The results showed the pre- to post-flight increases in globe flattening and nerve protrusion were significant only in the long-duration cohort (0.031 0.019 versus 0.001 0.006 and 0.025 0.013 vs 0.001 0.006, respectively). The increases in globe flattening and nerve protrusion were associated with significant increases in orbital and ventricular cerebrospinal fluid volumes. In contrast, brain tissue volumes do not change or correlate with globe flattening and optic nerve protrusion.

The researchers concluded these findings were evidence for a primary role for cerebrospinal fluid and a lesser role for brain volume changes in the formation of VIIP.

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California considers taxing space travel – AOL Finance – AOL Small Business

Posted: at 3:47 pm

Paying taxes on Earth is already a pain, but in California, you could one day be paying that extra fee in space. The state's franchise tax board wants the public to weigh in on the idea.

Its proposal would compute taxes on commercial space transportation companies. Basically, any company operating in California that makes half of their money from space transportation. They say it is any travel 62 miles above the surface of the Earth.

52 PHOTOS

How much Americans pay in taxes in every state

See Gallery

Alabama residents pay less in property taxes than residents in any other state due to low median home values and the second-lowest property tax rate. Alabama residents have 23.66 percent of income going toward taxes, with a median household income of $44,509.

Beware health insurance in the state, though. A GOBankingRates study ranked Alabama among the worst states for health insurance costs.

Although the average income tax paid by Alaska residents is higher than the national average, it's largely due to the state's high median income of $75,112. Residents also only pay federal income taxes there is no state income tax. Residents of this oil-producing state pay the least in gas taxes in the nation, at 31 cents per gallon. That helps make Alaska one of the least expensive states to own a car.

Arizona falls in the bottom half of states for total taxes paid by its residents, who see 24.58 percent of their income, on average, go toward taxes. Property taxes and gas taxes paid in this state are lower than the national average.

However, the 8.25 percent sales tax is noticeably higher than the national average of 6.47 percent. Meanwhile, the state was ranked among the worst states to start a business by a GOBankingRates study.

Arkansas has one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation, at 9.3 percent. However, residents pay less in income taxes and gas taxes than the national average. Plus, the average property tax bill in Arkansas is among the lowest in the nation due to low median home values and a low tax rate.

California residents pay more in taxes than residents of most other states. In fact, 31 percent of their income, on average, goes toward taxes. Considering that the cost of living in California also is high, it's no wonder it's one of the states where residents are most likely to live paycheck to paycheck, according to one GOBankingRates study.

Colorado residents pay more in taxes than the national average of $14,998.83 and pay a higher percentage of their income toward taxes, on average. The reason: high income and sales taxes. Gas and property taxes paid in Colorado, on th other hand, are lower than the national average.

Connecticut residents pay more in income taxes than any other state, in part due to a high median income of $72,889. Average property taxes paid in the state also are about double the national average of $2,118.08. In addition to high taxes, residents also are faced with a high cost of living in Connecticut.

Delaware is one of the most tax-friendly states, with residents paying just 21.99 percent of their income toward taxes. One of the key reasons the total tax bill is low here is because there is no sales tax. Plus, the average property tax paid is nearly half the national average.

Washington, D.C., residents pay more in property taxes, on average, than residents in most states due to a high median home value of $540,400. Residents also pay more in income taxes, on average, than any other state, with the exception of Connecticut.

On the plus side, the sales tax rate of 5.75 percent is below the national average. Residents also pay less than the national average to fill up their gas tanks.

Florida is one of seven states with no income tax, so the average income taxes paid here reflect only federal taxes paid. Lower-than-average property taxes also help keep the total taxes paid as a percentage of income to just 21.9 percent in Florida.

The total taxes paid in Georgia are lower than the national average of $14,998.83. However, taxes actually consume a higher percentage of residents' income than the national average because of a low median income of $50,768 in the state.

Hawaii residents have to pay a hefty tax bill to live in paradise. Total taxes paid are among the top 10 highest in the nation due, in large part, to high income taxes. Residents earning a median household income of $64,514 pay around $14,798.36 in income taxes.

On the plus side, property and sales taxes in Hawaii are lower than the national average.

Total taxes paid in Idaho $14,012.17 are slightly below the national average. However, residents pay a higher percentage of their income toward taxes than the national average due to the state's low median income.

Hefty property and sales taxes contribute to a high total tax bill in Illinois. In fact, the average property tax bill is more than 50 percent higher than the national average even though the median home value is below the national average. Overall, Illinois residents pay nearly 30 percent of their income, on average, toward taxes.

Indiana is a relatively tax-friendly state. The average total tax bill is lower than the national average because income and property taxes are lower in Indiana than in most other states.

Total taxes paid in Iowa are higher than the national average because residents pay more in income and sales taxes. Total tax paid as a proportion of income also is higher in Iowa 27.55 percent versus 26.08 percent. However, a 2015 GOBankingRates study found that Iowa is one of the cheapest states for raising a family.

Average property taxes paid in Kansas are relatively low due to a less-than-stellar median home value. Average income taxes paid also are below the national average because of the state's low median wage. However, Kansas residents are hit by a high sales tax, which is 8.62 percent versus the national average 6.47 percent.

Kentucky has the fourth-lowest average tax burden in this study. All taxes paid income, sales, property and gas are well below the national average. Income and property taxes paid are particularly low, on average, due to the state's low median income and property value.

Average property taxes paid in Louisiana are among the lowest in the nation, as are income taxes due to the state's low median income of $45,922. Further, Louisiana has a higher-than-average sales tax of 9.98 percent.

Total taxes paid in Maine are lower than the national average. But that doesn't mean residents don't face high taxes. Total taxes paid consume nearly 27 percent of residents' pay, on average, due to the state's low median income.

Maryland residents pay more in taxes than residents in all but three states. This is largely due to the high income taxes paid in this state, which has the third-highest median income in the nation.

Not only is Massachusetts one of the most expensive states to raise a family, more than 30 percent of what residents earn goes toward income, property, sales and gas taxes. That's a higher rate than all but four states: California, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.

Michigan's property tax rate is higher than the national average. However, a low median home value helps keep down the average property taxes paid in the state. Income and sales taxes paid also are lower than the national average.

On average, nearly 30 percent of what Minnesota residents earn goes toward income, property, sales and gas taxes. Average income taxes paid are particularly high, compared with other states.

Mississippi residents pay the lowest total tax bill in the nation. Income taxes paid here are the second lowest in the country due to the state's low median income of $40,037. Plus, property taxes paid are among the lowest in the nation as a result of a low tax rate and median home value.

The total tax bill in Missouri is only slightly higher than the national average of $14,998.83, due to income and sales taxes that are higher than the average paid nationwide. However, property and gas taxes in Missouri are well below the national average paid.

Montana is just one of four states with no sales tax. Property and income taxes also are lower than the national average. As a result, Montana residents see just 22.28 percent of their income, on average, go toward taxes.

The total tax bill in Nebraska is higher than the national average. In large part, it's because residents pay more in income taxes as a result of a higher-than-average median income. Nonetheless, residents pay, on average, an amount equal to about 28 percent of their income.

Nevada has no state income tax, which explains why the state's total tax bill is among the lowest in the nation. However, residents are hit with a 7.98 percent sales tax, which is among the highest in the nation. If you're looking to buy a home in Nevada, best sure to check out Reno. It is the best city to buy a house in Nevada.

New Hampshire has no sales tax. It also doesn't have a state income tax, but the average amount of federal income taxes paid by residents is high because the state has the highest median income in the nation. Residents also pay more in property taxes than the national average paid. In fact, New Hampshire has the second-highest property tax rate in the U.S., after New Jersey.

New Jersey residents pay the highest total tax bill in the nation. They also pay the highest percentage of income toward taxes 33.17 percent, on average. The biggest reason the tax burden is so high in New Jersey is the state's 2.13 percent property tax rate, which is more than twice as high as the national average rate.

Total taxes paid in New Mexico are among the lowest in the nation. Property and income taxes paid are well below the national average. This is due, in large part, to a low median income and a low median home value in the state.

Like their New Jersey neighbors, New York residents pay more than 30 percent of their income toward taxes. Residents pay a lot on the state's high sales tax of 8.49 percent and property tax of 1.38 percent.

The total tax bill in North Carolina is lower than the national average thanks to lower-than-average property and income taxes. However, residents pay more in gas taxes.

North Dakota residents have a lower total tax bill than the national average, paying around $13,381.61 every year. Gas and property taxes are lower than the national average, too.

Although the property tax rate in Ohio is higher than the national average, property taxes paid fall below the national average due to the state's low median home value of $125,300. Ohio residents also pay slightly less in income taxes overall, forking over just under $9,000 annually.

Oklahoma has one of the lowest total tax bills in the nation. Income and property taxes are well below the national average because median income and the median home value are among the lowest in the U.S. However, residents are hit by a high 8.86 percent state sales tax.

Oregon is just one of four states without a sales tax. Still, residents pay just over 28 percent of their income toward taxes. They face a high income tax bill.

At 77 cents per gallon, the gas tax in Pennsylvania is the highest in the nation. Property and income taxes in this state also are higher than the national average. If that wasn't bad enough, the state is also home to one of the worst cities in the U.S. for investment properties Pittsburgh.

Rhode Island residents pay over 29 percent of their income toward taxes. The big tax bite is due primarily to the state's high property tax rate of 1.51 percent. Income and sales taxes, on the other hand, are on par with the national average.

South Carolina's total tax bill is among the lowest in the nation. Residents pay below-average income, gas and property taxes. Its sales tax, however, is above average at 7.22 percent.

South Dakota has no income tax, which helps keep residents' total tax bill below the national average. Property and sales taxes paid also are slightly below the national average.

Tennessee has no state taxes on income, but it makes up for it with a high sales tax rate of 9.46 percent the second highest in this study. The average property taxes paid, on the other hand, are half the national average.

The total tax bill Texas residents pay is lower than the national average because residents don't pay state income tax. And they pay lower gas taxes than residents in most states. It's no surprise then that cities like Plano, Lubbock and Austin rank among the best cities to live in when you're saving money.

The overall tax bill in Utah is higher than the national average due to high income taxes paid by residents. However, the state does offer a high median household income of about $66,000. Meanwhile, the state's property tax rate is just 0.64 percent, compared to the national average of 1.02 percent.

Vermont residents pay more in property taxes than residents in most other states. As a result, total taxes paid in this state nearly top $18,000, far higher than the national average.

Virginia residents have a higher income tax bill than the national average, paying just over $12,600. But it's due, in part, to the state's median income, which is higher than the national average. Sales, gas and property taxes are all lower than national averages.

Washington has no income tax. However, residents are liable to pay a lot in income taxes thanks to the state's high median household income of $67,243. The state sales tax is also high, at 8.92 percent.

The total tax bill in West Virginia is the second lowest in the nation, after Mississippi. The typical property tax bill is also the second lowest in the nation, due to the state's low property tax rate of 0.53 percent and a low home value of $102,400.

Wisconsin residents pay a higher overall tax bill than the national average because of the state's high income and property taxes. In fact, Wisconsin is among the top 10 states that take the most out of your paycheck.

Residents of this tax-friendly state pay only about 20 percent of their income toward taxes the lowest percentage in the nation. Wyoming has no state income tax, and property and sales taxes in the state are well below national averages.

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Now, the reason the board created the rules is to let entrepreneurs know the state's tax code will be ready once business takes off. And, figuring out the amount of tax is actually pretty simple. The farther away from Earth you go means the less tax you pay. While the closer you are means more tax.

A public hearing on the rules is set for June 16th.

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Singularity University Launches Smart City Accelerator in Columbus, Ohio in Partnership with American Electric Power … – PR Newswire (press release)

Posted: at 3:46 pm

"The SU Smart City Accelerator will attract innovators from around the world and amplify the successes Columbus already has achieved in becoming recognized as a global center of technology and innovation," said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. "I view the SU Smart Cities Accelerator as a mutually supportive partner and participant of Smart Columbus, and I look forward to working with Singularity University on this transformative initiative."

"When Columbus won the U.S. Department of Transportation Smart City Challenge, Singularity University wanted to be part of and contribute to the innovation ecosystem here," said Singularity University Vice President of Corporate Innovation, Nick Davis. "One of the primary goals of Smart Columbus is to support the local entrepreneurial environment, expose local corporations and entrepreneurs to cutting-edge ideas from other cities, and provide the foundation for a sustainable link between Columbus and other innovation hubs across the world."

Startups, ranging from early-stage companies with a working prototype of their products to those beginning to grow their revenue, can learn more and apply online at su.org/sca. Singularity University Accelerators are differentiated in the market by their focus on exponential thinking and technologies, as well as by the commitment SU makes to supporting innovation over the long term.

"We are committed to giving the innovators and entrepreneurs who participate in this world-class accelerator program full access to our community as a living laboratory so that we can learn together what business models and technologies are going to make our cities better in the future for all people," said Alex Fischer, President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, representative of the region's business leadership and the entity co-leading Smart Columbus alongside the City of Columbus. "There is unprecedented investment and commitment by local and national industry leaders to demonstrate in Columbus what the future can be for mid-size cities, the most prevalent city size in the world. We are proud to have SU joining the team as we embark on this journey."

The SU Smart Cities Accelerator will choose 10 businesses focused on one or more of the following:

SU will provide help accessing Singularity University faculty and programs, identify mentors from large companies and startups across the globe to provide expertise on industry and technology, and assign mentors to the team for which their expertise will be most valuable. Other sponsors will facilitate web services, legal support, financial services, and tax planning for the ten businesses.

With Singularity University's support, Columbus will have the opportunity to integrate West Coast innovation concepts into its existing networks. Over the past decade, business accelerator programs tailored to the unique strengths of a given community have emerged as key engines for generating innovation, new businesses and new jobs.

"Bringing the Singularity University (SU) Smart City Accelerator to Columbus is a catalyst for innovation and technology in Columbus, and AEP is proud to be a part of it," said AEP CEO Nick Akins. "In fact we so believe in the benefits of SU's Smart City Accelerator that we are sending an AEP team through it. The vision of Smart Columbus is for this community to be a center of innovation and entrepreneurship, and the SU Smart City Accelerator represents a significant step toward the realization of that vision."

"This accelerator will empower entrepreneurs to leverage breakthroughs in technology, from autonomous vehicles to efficiencies made possible by object awareness, to enhance lives and improve standards of living," said Rich Langdale, Managing Partner, NCT Ventures. "The Smart Cities initiative is more than a challenge. Civilization is at a turning point and Columbus has the opportunity to promote innovation and pioneer what it means to live in a smart city of the future."

Organizations to Benefit from Supporting Smart Columbus Accelerator

Partners and sponsors of the SU Smart City Accelerator can also benefit from getting involved beyond raising awareness and linking their brands to thought leadership and innovation. Sponsoring companies can choose to develop new products outside their traditional - often slower - R&D processes and gain the help of outside experts and resources. They will also get a first look at the most cutting-edge startups as well as possible market disruptions these startups represent, helping them to formulate better strategies for their own futures. Sponsors and partners will gain full access to all accelerator classes and presentations from subject matter experts in all areas around smart city technologies and innovation. Companies outside Columbus will gain invaluable access to the city's existing corporate, industry and academic expertise, while local startups will benefit by forging critical relationships with entrepreneurs and thought leaders from across the country.

To learn more about how local businesses, organizations and individuals can get involved in the SU Smart Cities Accelerator as a sponsor, partner, mentor, or by investing resources, expertise or other in-kind support go to su.org/sca.

About Smart Columbus

As the sole winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Smart Cities Challenge, Columbus was awarded funding and designated America's Smart City; but more importantly it also won the coveted job as global teacher for cities around the world on how to "become Smart" by embracing the reinvention of transportation to accelerate human progress. Columbus received a total of $50 million in the form of two grants: $40 million from USDOT and $10 million from Vulcan, Inc., a Paul Allen company. These dollars provide the seed funding for Smart Columbus, a region-wide Smart City initiative co-led by the City of Columbus and Columbus Partnership. The City of Columbus, under the leadership of Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, is the lead recipient of the $50 million and will administer the deployment of these funds for the duration of the grant period, which concludes at the end of 2020. The Columbus Partnership, representing the Columbus Region's private sector, is the lead implementation partner for the grant program and is responsible for the initiative's Acceleration Fund, which is credited as a significant factor in Columbus' winning of the challenge. The Acceleration Fund, which started out as $90 million now totals more than $360 million and is composed of coordinated and aligned investments by the private sector to complement, scale, and sustain Smart Columbus projects and programs. This number will continue to increase as new partnerships are formed with companies like Singularity University to reach the goal of $1 billion by 2020.

About AEP

Headquartered in Columbus, American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. AEP owns the nation's largest electricity transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP also operates 224,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP ranks among the nation's largest generators of electricity, owning approximately 26,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP supplies 3,200 megawatts of renewable energy to customers.

About NCT Ventures

NCT Ventures is a Columbus-based venture capital firm dedicated to providing a platform for entrepreneurs to succeed in turning their ideas into profitable business models through hands-on operational support. Over the last 20 years, NCT has helped build many successful companies across a variety of industries. NCT empowers entrepreneurs to develop disruptive technologies that improve market efficiencies. For more information, visit http://www.nctventures.com/.

About Singularity University

Singularity University is a global learning and innovation community using exponential technologies to tackle the world's biggest challenges and build an abundant future for all. SU's collaborative platform empowers individuals and organizations across the globe to learn, connect, and innovate breakthrough solutions using accelerating technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital biology. SU was founded in 2008 by renowned innovators Ray Kurzweil and Peter H. Diamandis and is partnered with leading organizations including Google, Deloitte, Genentech, and UNICEF. To learn more, visit SU.org, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @SingularityU.

Media Contacts:Dan Williamson 614-593-9510 dwilliamson@paulwerth.com

Anna Roubos 774-232-2460 anna.roubos@ogilvy.com

Melissa McHenry 614-716-1120 mmchenry@aep.com

Calvin Cooper (614) 794-2732 calvin.cooper@nctventures.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/singularity-university-launches-smart-city-accelerator-in-columbus-ohio-in-partnership-with-american-electric-power-and-nct-ventures-to-support-entrepreneurship-300453027.html

SOURCE Singularity University

https://su.org

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Singularity University Launches Smart City Accelerator in Columbus, Ohio in Partnership with American Electric Power ... - PR Newswire (press release)

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