Category Archives: Rock on-Peace Out

As Rivals Stand Silent, One Health Insurer Protests G.O.P. Plan – The New York Times

In recent weeks, Dr. J. Mario Molina has anxiously approached lawmakers on Capitol Hill and governors across the country, warning them that the Republican efforts to overhaul the health care system could be devastating for insurers and patients alike.As head of the California company founded by his father, Dr. Molina has become one of the few insurance executives publicly criticizing the House bill, which he believes could strip away coverage for millions of their clients and cause considerable turmoil for the insurance industry. The major insurers have mostly stayed silent during the debate, supporting some of the Republicans’ provisions that promise near-term stability for the insurance exchanges and a repeal of a tax on health insurance.But while big insurers like UnitedHealth Group and Aetna have already largely abandoned the individual marketplaces, Molina Healthcare has been a mainstay of the current federal health care law, offering Medicaid plans in 12 states and Puerto Rico. It has signed up about one million customers in the state marketplaces, and more than doubled its revenue in the last three years to nearly $18 billion.But now Dr. Molina, a Democrat who took over Molina Healthcare in 1996 and runs it with his brother and sister, is warily watching the Republicans’ bill in the House as it comes to an expected vote on Thursday. Provisions that would cap federal funding for Medicaid to the states or cut subsidies for lower-income people threaten to upend some of the markets where Molina and other insurers have been trying to cement a baseline clientele.

Chuck Berry tributes pour in: ‘Greatest rock‘n’roll writer who ever lived’ | Music | The Guardian

 

Bruce Springsteen spoke of Berry’s unparalleled abilities as a songwriter. “Chuck Berry was rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock ‘n’ roll writer who ever lived,” he wrote.

Source: Chuck Berry tributes pour in: ‘Greatest rock‘n’roll writer who ever lived’ | Music | The Guardian

Jamaica activist arrested after posting names of alleged sexual predators | World news | The Guardian

The co-founder of a new organization that campaigns against gender-based violence in Jamaica has been arrested after posting the names of alleged sexual predators on social media.Latoya Nugent, a prominent LGBT activist and co-founder of the Tambourine Army, was arrested late on Monday and charged with three counts of breaching the country’s Cybercrimes Act.

Source: Jamaica activist arrested after posting names of alleged sexual predators | World news | The Guardian

German state of Saarland bans all political campaigning by foreign officials | News | DW.COM | 14.03.2017

The small western German of Saarland moved on Tuesday to ban all foreign politicians from campaigning in the state.While the move prohibits all foreign officials from holding campaign rallies, the policy immediately targets Turkish officials. Allies of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been rallying in European cities with large Turkish expatriate populations in a bid to harness the Turkish diaspora vote ahead of a controversial referendum vote next month that seeks to expand the President’s powers.”Internal Turkish conflicts have no place in Germany,” Saarland’s conservative State Premier Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who faces an election of her own next month, said in a statement. “Election appearances which put at risk domestic peace in our country must be banned.”

Source: German state of Saarland bans all political campaigning by foreign officials | News | DW.COM | 14.03.2017

Spanish Peaks Turn Tan : Image of the Day how we are connected – even if Trump wants to pretend that nature does not matter

Two days after it was lofted into the air over the Sahara Desert on February 20, dust blew north into Spain and Europe. As dust particles settled down en masse on the snow-covered peaks of Spain’s Sierra Nevadas, they left the mountains a very different color.From above, satellites captured images of the mountains before and after the dust settled. The European Space Agency’s Sentinel 2-A satellite captured an image of the snow on February 18, 2017, before the dust arrived. NASA’s Landsat 8 shows the same area on February 27. The ski trails in Pradollano, Spain (left side of the top image) stand out as white streaks amidst the tan dust. A wider view of the two images appears below.Ground-based photographers captured images of the dust discoloring the snow atop the Sierra Nevadas, near Granada, Spain. Climbers encountered the dust as they trekked over the mountains, and skiers faced dusty conditions.It is not uncommon for African dust to reach Spain, said Colin Seftor, an atmospheric scientist working for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “Sometimes you see the dust in Italy or all the way into Greece,” he said of analyzing satellite imagery. “You’ll see this weather pattern that looks like a storm, with that classic comma shape of clouds. The dust gets entrained and moves right along with the pressure system.”

Source: Spanish Peaks Turn Tan : Image of the Day

VDU’s blog: On Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and vaccine use…sleeping environment is the main risk, vaccines show no increased risk

On Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and vaccine use…sleeping environment is the main risk, vaccines show no increased riskThat quote comes from a new review of the current understanding of the risk factors for SIDS. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants aged 1 month to 1 year in the United States.While we don’t know everything about SIDS yet, this review tells us that we do know some major risk factors for infants include:prone and side sleepingsoft beddingbed sharinginappropriate sleep surfaces (including sofas)exposure to tobacco smokeprematurityProtective factors include breastfeeding, pacifier use, room sharing, and immunizations. In other words, vaccinating your child is not a cause of SIDS. Facts matter because life matters.

Source: VDU’s blog: On Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and vaccine use…sleeping environment is the main risk, vaccines show no increased risk

French ‘goanna girl’ scared of spiders evicts huge reptile from winery restaurant – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Before stunned diners, Samia Lila, a young waitress on a working holiday from France, grabbed the large reptile by the tail and dragged it out.The vineyard is surrounded by forests and features a popular restaurant where Ms Lila occasionally helps out.A few days after celebrating her 25th birthday she found herself ‘first responder’ when a large — and curious — goanna came out of the forest and onto the restaurant’s deck.Ms Lila was serving tables when a customer grabbed her hand and pointed outside.

Source: French ‘goanna girl’ scared of spiders evicts huge reptile from winery restaurant – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

How Nicole Kidman Puts Women First in Hollywood – The New York Times

 

“Not all big stars are as in the weeds as Nicole and Reese are on ‘Big Little Lies,’” he said. “It’s very unusual when you have a megastar who’s also a producer sitting around the table doing their homework. It’s meaningful when it comes from people who found the project, who put all the elements together and who are also going to put themselves on the line as actors.”The two women’s involvement included making decisions about locations and budgets, helping shape character arcs and taking part in script meetings. “We got to put loads of ideas on the table,” Ms. Kidman said. “As an actor, you don’t get to do that, but as a producer you have to be there.”