Senate Finance Committee (SFC) Chairman Orrin G. Hatch announced on April 4 that the SFC will hold a hearing to examine the 2018 tax filing season and future challenges at the IRS. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on April 12.The hearing is expected to pay particular focus to ensuring that the IRS is well staffed and has the IT systems in place it needs to serve taxpayers and reduce fraud, according to Hatch. Acting IRS Commissioner David Kautter is scheduled to testify.2018 Tax Filing Season“With the 2018 tax filing season in full swing, the IRS has a lot on its plate as it implements a modernized tax code that will help U.S. workers and improve America’s global competitiveness,” Hatch said in an April 4 press release. “Acting Commissioner Kautter will come before the Finance Committee to discuss the agency’s plans to address current challenges, as well as its efforts to ensure that the current tax season goes smoothly and efficiently.”Kautter, while speaking at an event in Washington, D.C. last week, said that the 2018 tax filing season has been “going well so far.” Additionally, Kautter reported that the IRS is already working to implement tax reform (TAXDAY, 2018/03/28, I.8). “Our top priority in this effort is to ensure everyone can navigate and understand these changes, and be able to file their returns in 2019 as quickly and easily as possible,” Kautter said according to his prepared remarks, which were provided to Wolters Kluwer by the IRS.Congress remains in recess for the week of April 2. Lawmakers are expected to return to Washington on April 9.By Jessica Jeane, Wolters Kluwer News StaffLogin to read more tax news on CCH® AnswerConnect or CCH® Intelliconnect®.Not a subscriber? Sign up for a free trial or contact us for a representative. read more

See the discussion with linked articles and notes.Even better – add your thoughts, inputs, and so forth to the discussionhttp://communities.intel.com/thread/1903

Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, right, defends Washington Wizards guard John Wall during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers had the last word on John Wall and visiting Washington after days of NBA trash talk, prevailing 102-99 in overtime Wednesday.Brandon Ingram scored 19 points, Larry Nance Jnr added 18 and each grabbed 10 rebounds while teen rookie guard Ball had six points, eight rebounds and 10 assists to spark the Lakers.ADVERTISEMENT Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. No more menthol cigarettes: New ban on tobacco, vape flavors LATEST STORIES Ethel Booba on hotel’s clarification that ‘kikiam’ is ‘chicken sausage’: ‘Kung di pa pansinin, baka isipin nila ok lang’ Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next The Wizards missed out on their first 4-0 season start since 1978.“We were a half-step slow all night,” said Wizards coach Scott Brooks. “The fourth quarter we were just standing around. They played better than us down the stretch. They made big shots. They deserved to win.”FEATURED STORIESSPORTSSEA Games: Biñan football stadium stands out in preparedness, completionSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSBoxers Pacquiao, Petecio torchbearers for SEA Games openingLavar Ball, Lonzo’s famously outspoken father, began the verbal fireworks after a Sunday loss to New Orleans, saying of the Wizards, “They better beware. Because Lonzo ain’t losing again. Not in the same week.”Wizards center Marcin Gortat tweeted in response that “JohnWall will torture (Ball) for 48 minutes.” Springer’s HR in 11th gives Astros 7-6 win, ties Series 1-1 Trump to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist groups Winter storm threatens to scramble Thanksgiving travel plans Hotel says PH coach apologized for ‘kikiam for breakfast’ claim Argentine bishop appears at court hearing on abuse charges Wall vowed “no mercy” to the Washington Post and added, “His dad has been talking… that makes me want to go out there and lead my team and play the best I can play.”It didn’t work out that way. Wall had 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting with nine assists, missed a tying 3-point attempt at the final buzzer and lost the ball out of bounds on a drive to the hoop late in overtime, his appeal for a foul unrewarded.“A lot of contact. I thought I got fouled,” Wall said. “We’ve got to learn how to close them out. We had the game in our hand.”LaVar Ball praised his son’s performance despite Wall producing more points.“When he goes off, people get stuck on them points,” the elder Ball said. “He does a lot more things than score points all the time to get the team to win. He’s versatile.”ADVERTISEMENT ‘A complete lie:’ Drilon refutes ‘blabbermouth’ Salo’s claims Palace: Robredo back to ‘groping with a blind vision’ MOST READ Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss PLAY LIST 02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games View comments read more

From tips on sustainable living to Buddhist meditation, we list four offbeat and interesting courses that are available onlineMaths in SportsThis one’s a must-choose for soccer and cricket fans. The course teaches you to use some mathematical tools that can help predict and analyse sporting performances and outcomes. It’s for,From tips on sustainable living to Buddhist meditation, we list four offbeat and interesting courses that are available onlineMaths in SportsThis one’s a must-choose for soccer and cricket fans. The course teaches you to use some mathematical tools that can help predict and analyse sporting performances and outcomes. It’s for everyone-coaches, players, and enthusiasts. COST Free DURATION 6 weeks of material www.edx.orgSustainability in Everyday LifeHow do you like a sustainable life? This course by Chalmers University of Technology will arm you with the information and skills required to make more sustainable choices everyday and decision-making skills that can be applied to issues and problems in everyday life. COST Free DURATION 6 weeks of material www.edx.orgThe Science of HappinessWant to learn how to be happy? Enroll for this course created by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center which explores the roots of a happy and meaningful life. Students will engage with some of the most provocative and practical lessons from this science, discovering how cutting-edge research can be applied to their own lives. COST Free DURATION 6 weeks of material www.edx.orgBuddhist Meditation and the Modern World This one teaches you Buddhist contemplative traditions in disciplines such as meditation, yoga, mindfulness and visualisation as well as how to adapt them in modern everyday life. COST Free DURATION 6 weeks of material. read more

MSSA: Campion are U-8 champions MSSA: Goalie Shayaan Parekh shines as Cathedral win 1-0 It’s going to be a contest between skills and strength as former champions Don Bosco (Matunga) and Bombay Scottish (Mahim) clash in the boys U-16 Div-I final of the MSSA inter-school football tournament at Cooperage ground today.” Leslie Machado, coach of Don Bosco, is wary of the Scottish outfit and pointed out that they have stronger built players. However, Machado believes that his boys who are skillful, will win the contest and ensure they regain the title after a one year gap.Related News Last year, Bosco lost to eventual champs St Mary’s SSC (Mazagon) in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Scottish coach Anthony Fernandes said: “We are a balanced side and the boys are determined to win the title, which we last won in 2014. We have chalked out our plans and it all depends how well the boys execute the strategies on field.” Sudhanshu Naik, 14, captain of the Scottish team mentioned that since they lost to Dominic Savio (Andheri) in the semi-finals last year, they are extra determined to emerge champions. “We are a strong team and can beat Bosco. We have learnt from last year’s mistakes and have trained hard. We know how to handle the pressure and come out winners,” Sudhanshu told mid-day yesterday. Don Bosco captain Shriharsh Palli, 15, sounded confident. “The entire team has been playing well and so far we have won all our five previous games (three in the group stage, quarter-final and semi-final) and that will boost our confidence to win this one final game. I am confident we will finish on top and once again win the title,” Shriharsh said. Scottish will start without stopper Ryan Davar, who fractured his arm in the last encounter. Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates St Mary’s ICSE (Mazagaon) make merry! read more

Nobody said it was going to be easy. There’s a reason no MLS team has ever won the Concacaf Champions League. The Houston Dynamo are a step closer after beating Guastatoya 2-1 Tuesday, but it also served as a taste of just how tough it can be in CCL play.The MLS side took the aggregate series 3-1, a convincing margin, yet the game and series were much tighter than the scoreline showed.”They did an incredible job,” forward Mauro Manotas said of the Guatemalan club. “You have to recognize that and congratulate them for the great job they did in the two games. I think they deserved a bit more, but unfortunately for them we were at home with our fans who were asking for a win and thankfully we were able to give it to them.” Article continues below Editors’ Picks Man Utd ready to spend big on Sancho and Haaland in January Who is Marcus Thuram? Lilian’s son who is top of the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach Brazil, beware! Messi and Argentina out for revenge after Copa controversy Best player in MLS? Zlatan wasn’t even the best player in LA! The club will now prepare for its MLS opener, but its attention may be drawn to Tuesday’s visit from Tigres.The Liga MX club advanced to the quarter-finals Tuesday by smashing Saprissa 5-1 to earn a 5-2 aggregate victory. To say their team is more talented and with a much deeper squad than that of Guastatoya’s is being kind to the Guatemalan champion.For a moment, Tuesday’s game could’ve been decided by penalty kicks. The visitors scored a decent goal in the 72nd minute with left-back Stefano Cincotta launching a ball over the top that was flicked on to Isaac Acuna. The Mexican played in Aaron Navarro who fired his effort past Joe Willis.An understrength Dynamo team hadn’t shown much danger to that point, and had it ended 1-1 the match would’ve been decided from 12 yards. But with star winger Alberth Elis in the match as a substitute, things changed.The Honduran charged down the left side five minutes after the goal, pushing it around Cincotta to get free and then putting in a cross for fellow substitute Manotas. The Colombian converted and tilted the series back in the MLS side’s favor.”We gave them life, and they scored a very good goal. Then, important for us, we made some subs and the guys came in with very good energy, mentality and goals,” Dynamo manager Wilmer Cabrera said. “They changed the game. In 15 minutes we changed the game in our favor. We could’ve scored two more goals.”The talent difference showed when Cabrera put on some of his top players, but those nervous moments experienced were a reminder of what can happen in this competition.Simply moving on past a Central American opponent is more than other MLS teams can say, so perhaps criticism is a bit harsh. Toronto FC was thoroughly embarrassed by Panamanian side Club Atletico Independiente. The Dynamo kept control of its tie, winning the away leg and eventually pulling through in the second leg as well.Things certainly won’t get any easier for the Dynamo in CCL play with the Liga MX giants coming to town in a week. The Dynamo have a problem to solve; wanting to put in a dignified performance in its MLS opener this weekend against Real Salt Lake but having to play one of the best teams in the Americas just three days after that contest. They already dealt with an unusual evening in the competition, with the start of Tuesday’s match delayed two-and-a-half hours because of lightning in the area.Cabrera won’t have the luxury of resting Elis or Manotas in the next leg. The Dynamo will need their best for all 180 minutes of the series to topple the Mexican side, not that the manager is expecting to need to do much motivating.”That’s the game any player would like to play – and for our players, they’re excited about it,” he said of the Tigres clash. “We’re going to respect the opponents, but we’re going to try to play the best game of our lives. Why? Because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play those guys here and then over there. We’re going to try to enjoy that. And enjoying is when you win. “But the beauty of this game is that on the field everyone is equal. Guastatoya today, they were equal and they almost… they got it to 1-0 after 72 minutes. So you have to play the games, and we’re excited about the possibility to represent MLS against Tigres.” read more

Liverpool continued their push towards the Premier League’s top four after Mohamed Salah scored two superb goals in a 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday and broke former striker Robbie Fowler’s club record.The result left Liverpool fifth on 22 points from 12 games, one behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and third-placed Manchester United who were at home to Newcastle later in the day.Juergen Klopp, who was taken to hospital after a health scare on Wednesday and returned to work on Thursday, was able to sit back with no jitters as a flawless Liverpool performance drew praise from their manager.”It was an open game, we had more chances before we scored,” Klopp told the BBC. “We need to be patient in a lively way.”The first goal, wow, I have nothing to do with the goal and the second was a fantastic pass and Mo Salah makes great runs. We could have scored more but it was a perfect day for us.”Salah became the first Liverpool player to score nine goals in his opening 12 league games, eclipsing Fowler’s tally of eight, after two strikes in the first half.The current #PL top scorer… ? pic.twitter.com/zns1R3t9Er- Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 18, 2017The Egypt forward capitalised when Southampton’s Dusan Tadic lost possession in a dangerous area and curled a delightful effort past visiting keeper Fraser Foster to fire the home side ahead in the 31st minute.Ten minutes later, Salah tucked the ball home with plenty of composure after Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who also enjoyed a fine afternoon at Anfield, released him with a defence-splitting pass.advertisementWith Southampton subdued, Coutinho made it 3-0 midway through the second half when he swept home a rebound after Foster parried a fierce Roberto Firmino shot into his path.69: Firmino forces a save from Forster and Coutinho drives in the rebound! ?And then he makes way for Can. Good work, Phil![3-0] pic.twitter.com/wy79iG6rr6- Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 18, 2017Liverpool, who maintained their unbeaten run at Anfield in all competitions this season, missed several chances to win by a bigger margin as Southampton dropped to 14th place on 13 points, four above the relegation zone. read more

Nova Scotians in the Truro area will have the opportunity to learn more about the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Representatives from the Ombudsman’s office will be available to talk about the role of the Ombudsman in Nova Scotia. There will be an opportunity for people to meet privately with a representative of the office. The meet and greet will be held between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the Seniors’ Centre, 841 Willow St., Millbrook, Colchester Co. The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent agency with a mission to promote the principles of fairness, integrity and good governance. Its services are provided free of charge. For more information on the information session call toll-free 1-800-670-1111, e-mail ombudsman@gov.ns.ca or see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/ombu . read more

Greater Noida: Gautam Buddh Nagar police arrested three persons with 745 grams of heroin worth Rs 80 lakhs from Badalpur area of Greater Noida on late Wednesday night. Police officials said that one of the accused is son of a Delhi police sub-inspector and is also a state level boxing player from Haryana.According to police, the arrested persons have been identified as Vikas Kumar Shah of Madhepura district in Bihar, Dharmaraj from District Badaun and Himanshu Balbariya of District Rewari in Haryana. Also Read – Kejriwal ‘denied political clearance’ to attend climate meet in DenmarkVineet Jaiswal, Superintendent of Police (rural), Gautam Buddh Nagar said that the accused got drugs from a drug supplier in Munger district of Bihar and were supposed to sell them to various vendors in Greater Noida. “Acting on a tip-off, the accused were arrested from near Sadullapur railway crossing in Badalpur, Greater Noida. Upon interrogating they told police that they got drugs from a drug supplier in Munger district who has been identified as Vashishta Kumar Shah. The accused persons brought drugs to sell in Greater Noida market but were nabbed by police. Meanwhile, we are making efforts to nab the mastermind of gang, who is also a cousin brother to one of the arrested persons,” said Jaiswal. Also Read – Bangla Sahib Gurudwara bans use of all types of plastic itemsMeanwhile, police are yet to identify the sources through which they were supposed to sell these drugs in Greater Noida. “The trio of accused arrested by police were agents who were instructed to sell the drugs in Greater Noida by the mastermind of their gang. It also came to light that they had not made any payment to purchase these drugs but were supposed to give the money after these drugs are sold. We are further investigating the source they would be using to sell these drugs in Greater Noida on nearby states,” added Jaiswal. The officer further said that accused Himanshu is a final year student of BA-LLB and is also a state level boxing player from Haryana. The other two accused work as labourers. read more

United National Party (UNP) Assistant Leader, Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake today slammed Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members and Government Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekera, Mahinda Amaraweera, John Seniviratne and S.B. Dissanayake.Speaking at an election propaganda meeting in Kotahena today, Karunanayake said that Dayasiri Jayasekera, Mahinda Amaraweera, John Seniviratne and S.B. Dissanayake had worked towards the defeat of President Maithripala Sirisena at the 2015 Presidential elections. He says it was the UNP which worked for Sirisena’s victory while people like Dayasiri Jayasekera, Mahinda Amaraweera, John Seniviratne and S.B. Dissanayake did the opposite. Karunanayake says there is an attempt being made to put the UNP-led Government in trouble but that attempt will be defeated.He also said that he will be making a special statement in Parliament tomorrow with regards to the treasury bond issue. (Colombo Gazette) However he says today those SLFP Ministers are speaking like they awoke from the dead. read more

The failure of the non-proliferation treaty review and the lack of results and progress on disarmament are weakening the system of legal norms and pose a threat to world peace and multilateralism, according to a new report by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the General Assembly.Therefore it is urgent for States “to renew their commitments to Treaty principles on non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the right of States to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” he says in a report regarding the work of the Advisory Board on Disarmament.This is particularly important because the July 2005 Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons failed to achieve consensus beforehand, he concludes.Near-term multilateral agreements on fuel cycle and fissile material control, as well as restrictions on the building of any further materials, should be voluntary, not mandatory, and countries that already have advanced nuclear programmes need to work actively to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons – whether they are party to the non-proliferation treaty or not, the report says.Recognizing that small arms and light weapons threaten human security and human rights, there was agreement by the Board on slowing and controlling the proliferation and illicit trade in arms by developing globally agreed-upon norms and guidelines.Cooperation among States on an international level are important in controlling the flow of light arms, especially in post-conflict situations, the report concludes, including cooperation “even between the General Assembly and the Security Council,” and the UN and the World Bank, in order to tackle the problem in “a comprehensive and integrated manner.” The report also calls for specialized, regional approaches to promote disarmament.“The issues of poverty, rivalries over resource control, governance and social and political justice should be addressed with urgency,” it says, because these conditions also lead to an increase in small arms and light weapons use. read more

Addressing the General Assembly’s main body dealing with social, humanitarian, and cultural issues (Third Committee), UN High Commissioners for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, said the world is currently facing “deepening turmoil” amid “biting constraints” of funding. The High Commissioner presented a report on the work of his Office (OHCHR) between August 2013 and July 2014, under his predecessor, Navi Pillay.“From the relentless slaughter in Syria and its spill-over to a new wave of barbarity in Iraq; from the deplorable conflict in Ukraine to the entirely avoidable bloodshed in South Sudan – and…the smouldering spread of Ebola – 2013-2014 was a year of devastating impact on human rights,” Mr. Zeid said. Moreover, a “toxic tide” of discrimination and xenophobia has undermined the rights of people in several States. The right to development has been threatened by austerity policies that disproportionately burden the poor. Migrants have continued to endure appalling suffering, with deadly events at sea. And women continue to be violently attacked in many countries. “If, despite all the power and authority at its disposal, the future of a Government hangs on a tweet, a street protest or a helpful report to an NGO [non-governmental organization] or UN agency, then that Government is in far deeper trouble than it believes. For it has forgotten the fundamental principle that the State is the servant of its people – not the other way round,” said Mr. Zeid. During the period covered by the report, OHCHR conducted three monitoring missions to Mali, in the midst of the crisis; rapidly deployed a comprehensive human rights monitoring mission to Ukraine; issued public reports on human rights developments in Mali, Ukraine and Iraq; deployed a team to the Philippines to provide advice on key human rights responses in the aftermath of the typhoon; and took part in the training, planning, review and reconfiguration of United Nations peace missions – most recently in the Central African Republic. In fact, OHCHR personnel were the first UN staff to arrive in conflict areas in Ukraine, in Mali and in Kyrgyzstan, as well as several remote areas of the Central African Republic following the outbreak of the current conflicts, Mr. Zeid said. As of July, the Office supported 68 human rights field presences, comprising 13 stand-alone country offices; 12 regional offices; human rights components in 14 United Nations peace missions; and 29 human rights advisers. As detailed in the report, OHCHR has provided technical assistance to dozens of countries on a very wide range of issues, spanning our six thematic and cross-cutting priorities – discrimination; the rule of law and ending impunity; poverty; violence; continuing efforts to improve international human rights mechanisms; and widening the democratic space – as well as a cross-cutting theme, migration.OHCHR’s work with the Human Rights Council has included assistance with panels and reports on issues such as privacy in the digital age; the use of armed drones; and sexual orientation. OHCHR has also supported the work of the Council’s Universal Periodic Review. “When I took up my mandate as High Commissioner for Human Rights last month, I was startled to discover that all the extensive work of this Office is achieved despite funding shortfalls that burden the Office with significant capacity deficits,” said the High-Commissioner. And the workload is only increasing, he added, underscoring the growing number of Special Procedures mandates, as well as the Commissions of Inquiry and fact-finding missions mandated by the Human Rights Council and the Security Council. At the end of July, there were 52 mandates and 73 mandate holders, including 38 thematic mandates and 14 country mandates. OHCHR was also assisting or conducting three Commissions of Inquiry or mandated investigations – on the Syrian Arab Republic, Central African Republic and Sri Lanka – with three more soon to become operational, on Eritrea, the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem, and Iraq.One of the UN pillars, human rights only receives only a fraction of the Organization’s resources. For the 2014-2015 biennium, $173.5 million was allocated to OHCHR – 87% less than the allocation to the peace and security pillar, and 84 per cent less than the allocation to development. “This is not sustainable,” Mr. Zeid said. “When human rights go wrong – when violations and abuses generate explosive crises and conflicts – the cost in bloodshed, in wrecked economies and humanitarian aid is titanic,” he added, urging the world to enable his Office not only with the capacity to detect and alert to violations, but to ensure that the “alarm bells” are followed by swift action. read more

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Nick Mayo hit a contested 3-pointer as time ran out to complete a comeback from a 23-point deficit and Eastern Kentucky edged High Point 70-69 on Saturday.High Point’s Brandonn Kamga made a free throw with nine seconds left but missed a second with the ball going out of bounds. After a lengthy review, the ball was given to EKU (4-4) and Mayo made his winning shot as he fell backward under heavy pressure. Until Mayo’s winning shot, the Pirates had not led in the second half, having trailed 42-19 in the first half.Mayo, who moved into No. 2 on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,785 points, finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds with his winning shot his only make in six tries from the arc. Jomaru Brown added 10 points.Kamga finished with a career-high 27 points and Jahaad Proctor added 24 for the Panthers (4-4).The Associated Press read more

Sophomore guard Cait Craft (13) looks for an open teammate during a game against Penn State Feb. 9 at the Schottenstein Center. OSU lost, 74-54.Credit: Ritika Shah / Asst. photo editorWith just four remaining regular season games on the schedule, the Ohio State women’s basketball team (14-14, 4-8) is attempting to salvage what is left of a disappointing season.The Buckeyes sit at .500 on the season and are set to play their fourth straight game against a ranked opponent while trying to end their four-game skid. OSU is 2-7 against opponents ranked by the AP this season.Coach Kevin McGuff said with the current losing streak, he wants to see more leadership from his players, something he said starts with his upperclassmen.“It is kind of a challenge to our seniors,” McGuff said. “They have to rise to the occasion here and make sure we practice well and make sure we are ready to go in these games.”With the season winding down, McGuff said he would like to send the seniors out on a high note.“They are really good kids and they try to do what they can to help their program be good,” McGuff said. “They have done everything we have asked them to do. I have enjoyed coaching them and hopefully we can find a way to put them in a position to be successful down the stretch.”OSU is scheduled to play the first of their final two home games of the season this week against No. 17 Nebraska (19-5, 9-3) Thursday. Sunday afternoon’s matchup against Northwestern (14-11, 4-8) is the Buckeyes’ home finale and Senior Day.With the only meeting against the Cornhuskers this regular season looming, McGuff said his team needs to come ready to play.“They are playing really well … they seem to be peaking at the right time,” McGuff said referencing Nebraska’s current six-game winning streak. “They score the ball really well and are very proficient on offense.”The Cornhuskers are currently third in the Big Ten in scoring offense as they average 75.3 points per game. Nebraska boasts the conference’s top-ranked scoring defense, allowing just 61.9 points per game, which does not bode well for the Buckeye offense which ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring.Echoing her coach, redshirt-junior guard Amy Scullion said Nebraska’s efficiency on offense will prove to be a challenge, but not an insurmountable one.“Nebraska is tough. They are really disciplined and they execute well,” Scullion said. “But it is a team that — if we defend well — we have a chance (to beat).”For the Buckeyes to be successful, they will need key contributions from role players such as junior guard Raven Ferguson, who said the Buckeyes feel confident against Nebraska’s man-to-man defense.“We enjoy when people play man, because we get a lot of one-on-one situations,” Ferguson said. “We feel like we can beat anybody.”Ferguson, who is OSU’s second-leading scorer with 10.9 points per game despite coming off the bench for most of the season, said one of the biggest challenges for the Buckeyes is their lack of depth.“Our numbers are really low and that affects us as far as subbing goes,” Ferguson said of OSU’s lack of available players. “I know we can still get through that. Those are things that you have to overcome when you play basketball.”Ferguson and senior center Ashley Adams have been the only two constant bench players to see action in recent weeks with junior guard Maleeka Kynard battling a nagging injury, although recently redshirt-freshman Lisa Blair has seen an increase in playing time. The Buckeyes have also been without redshirt-sophomore forward Kalpana Beach for the second straight season after she underwent a second knee surgery in April. Beach has not played since her freshman season in 2011-12, in which she started 30 games.The Buckeyes are scheduled to play Nebraska at the Schottenstein Center Thursday at 7 p.m., and the Senior Day action against Northwestern is slated for a tipoff of noon Sunday. read more

Supermarkets are today accused by campaigners of charging customers more for plastic-free items. Shoppers save as much as 20 per cent on cans of tuna and tins of baked beans if they bulk buy multipacks of four wrapped in plastic.Charities today call on the Britain’s next Prime Minister to intervene, and said major supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco to end the “scourge of pointless plastic”.It comes on the back of the Telegraph’s new zero-waste campaign that calls on the Government, local councils and private companies to do more to boost the country’s lacklustre recycling rates.Analysis by this newspaper found that in three of the UK’s largest supermarkets, it is significantly less expensive to purchase packs of four own-brand canned items wrapped in plastic than it is to buy four cans separately.In Tesco, one can of own-brand baked beans is 32 pence, but four wrapped in plastic is just £1. Those buying the multipack save 28 pence – almost the cost of another can of beans.Similarly, a can of own-brand tuna in brine is 98p whereas a plastic-wrapped selection of four is £3.25, meaning shoppers who choose the plastic version save 67 pence.In Sainsbury’s, one can of own-brand baked beans is 30 pence and four is £1, meaning those who choose the plastic-wrapped multipack save 26p. Want the best of The Telegraph direct to your email and WhatsApp? Sign up to our free twice-daily  Front Page newsletter and new  audio briefings. “The next Prime Minister must get drastic on plastic by supporting new legislation, currently before Parliament, to phase-out the use of all but the most essential plastic.”A previous Telegraph investigation found that the leading supermarkets were making it significantly less expensive to buy plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetables than they were to buy the loose product. The Environment select committee is currently holding a consultation into the plastic packaging used by supermarkets.A Tesco spokesperson said: “We work hard to offer our customers deals which are transparent and represent genuine value. “We always make sure that customers can see how much a single item costs, and how that price is reduced if they buy multiple products in a range.”This allows them to make an informed choice about what is right for them. Both prices are clearly displayed on product shelf edge labels.” Morrisons and Sainsbury’s were contacted for comment. When it comes to own-brand tuna, one can is £1.10, while four wrapped in plastic comes to £4 – a saving of 40 pence overall.Morrisons also charges less for cans wrapped in plastic; one can of own-brand baked beans is 30p, with the plastic-wrapped multipack coming to £1, meaning those who choose plastic save 26p.Louise Edge, head of Greenpeace UK’s ocean plastics campaign, said: “Sainsbury’s and other supermarkets often claim they’re doing their best on cutting plastics but this just isn’t true if they’re still charging less for plastic-wrapped multi-packs than they are for loose items.“Multi-packs are the worst of both worlds. Not only are they packed in plastic film – which tends to be unrecyclable, and ends up being incinerated, going to landfill or polluting our oceans; but they also encourage people to buy more than they need, which causes food waste.“If supermarkets are serious about tackling their plastic problem, plastic-wrapped multi-packs should be the first thing to go.”Friends of the Earth plastic campaigner Julian Kirby added: “Supermarkets charging customers more for choosing plastic-free products is ridiculous. It’s little wonder shops are failing to deal with the scourge of pointless plastic.“Politicians and businesses should listen to the huge public outcry over the impact of plastic pollution on our wildlife and environment and take tougher action. read more

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE across the United States have been making last minute preparations for an unusually bitter Arctic blast that could send temperatures plummeting to their coldest in 20 years.The northeastern United States and parts of Canada have endured heavy snow and deadly sub-zero conditions since the start of the year, but the deep freeze is now moving through the midwestern United States and threatening usually balmy areas further south like Tennessee and Alabama.The wind chill from the rare “polar vortex” could make it feel as cold as -60 Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius) in places, weather forecasters say, prompting authorities in several towns and cities to issue warnings that people should stay indoors and stock up on food.Exposed skin could suffer frostbite in as little as five minutes in such conditions, experts warn. The National Weather Service described the weather as “life-threatening.”“The coldest temperatures in almost two decades will spread into the northern and central US today behind an Arctic cold front,” it said.“Combined with gusty winds, these temperatures will result in life-threatening wind-chill values as low as 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) below zero. Also, heavy snow will develop from the eastern Plains to the Great Lakes today, with up to a foot of accumulation possible.”Authorities warning people that they could face issues like cars that won’t start and flooded roads that quickly ice over caused by water pipes that freeze and burst.Thousands of flights out of major airports like Chicago O’Hare International and New York’s John F. Kennedy were delayed or cancelled Sunday due to weather-related problems. At O’Hare, one of the country’s busiest airports, officials said that more than 1,300 flights were cancelled.The states of Minnesota and North Dakota were expected to experience the worst weather.Freezing NFL game Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) and strong safety Chris Banjo (32) pray before playing in freezing conditions Pic: AP Photo/Mike RoemerMinnesota Governor Mark Dayton announced that schools will be closed Monday “to protect all our children from the dangerously cold temperatures.”In Wisconsin, Sunday’s National Football League playoff showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers at the open-air Lambeau Field in Wisconsin was one of the coldest NFL games in history.The Packers helped fans battle the big freeze by handing out free coffee, hot chocolate and hand warmers. Fans were allowed to bring blankets and sleeping bags.Freezing rain is forecast to hit the south and east, affecting the New England region, New York and Washington, with the extreme weather expected to continue into the early part of the week in many places.“The heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures have combined to create hazardous conditions in many areas of the state,” said Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. “Residents should heed advisories and stay off the roads if at all possible.”Illinois Governor Pat Quinn described the storm as “one for the record books, and we want to make sure everyone stays safe and warm until it passes.”The Weather Channel said the country should be prepared for an imminent “blast of brutally cold air” that would buffet some states until Tuesday.Deaths blamed on the frigid weather include a worker crushed by a 100-foot (30-metre) pile of salt being prepared to treat roads in the Philadelphia area on Friday, and a 71-year-old woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who froze to death after getting lost in New York state, officials said.In Colorado, a small passenger plane burst into flames upon landing in a snow-blanketed airport near Aspen on Sunday, though it was unclear if the accident was weather related.- © AFP, 2014Read: Met Éireann warns of possible spot flooding as weather warning remains in place read more

Monday 8 Apr 2019, 6:24 PM The number of households renting in Dublin rose by 10.8% last year, and nearly 27% of all households are now in the private rented sector. This has led to strong rents and negligible vacancy – factors which are obviously attractive to investors.In frustrating news for renters, McCartney said the residential market is likely to remain under-supplied until at least 2022 and the report forecasts that rents will rise by more than 17% in that time.David and GoliathFianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Darragh O’Brien said the Government have allowed the large corporations to squeeze first time buyers out of the housing market. “Potential first time buyers are not even getting a look in for many properties. The Central Bank rules make it very difficult for young couples and individuals, and when they have to go up against these investors, it is really a David and Goliath situation,” he said. Large numbers of renters simply can not afford the already exorbitant rents, pushing many into financial hardship and in the most extreme cases into homelessness.The report also notes that an increased number of residential investment deals now take place before the homes are even built. The majority of investors are entering forward-purchase arrangements with developers to buy rental blocks once they are completed.Fergus O’Farrell, Director of Investments at Savills, said the increased activity of the corporate investors has been beneficial in helping to accelerate the supply of accommodation and is helping to create a more professionally managed rental stock. Apr 8th 2019, 6:24 PM 18,006 Views By Ceimin Burke Short URL https://jrnl.ie/4581972 Image: Sam Boal Image: Sam Boal Rent rises to continue as corporate investors spend record amounts on Irish property A new report forecasts that rents will rise by 17% in the next three years. These potential buyers then have to remain or go back into the rental sector thus pushing rents up again. It is a vicious cycle and it has to stop.The comments were echoed by Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin who said that the report’s findings are “deeply worrying”.“The most concerning aspect of the Savills report is the projection that rents will continue to rise by 17% over the next three years. Given that rents rose by 7% state-wide and 8% in Dublin last year this is really worrying,” he said. 82 Comments Share245 Tweet Email CORPORATE INVESTORS SPENT over €1.1 billion on nearly 3,000 residential properties in Ireland last year, smashing previous records and raising concerns about the effect the so-called ‘cuckoo funds’ are having on the housing market.The major funds hoovered up five times more housing units in 2018 than the previous year. The huge spike accounted for almost 30% of last year’s total property investment.The striking figures, which are revealed in a new report from Savills, have raised concerns that the corporations are squeezing first time buyers out of the housing market and making rents unaffordable.ShortageAs with previous years the vast majority of the property was purchased in Dublin however increased development activity has led to an even greater concentration on the capital, where 81% of homes bought by the institutional investors were located.Savills estimate that the number of homes built last year was three-fifths of what was required. This shortage meant the market continued to tighten and property prices continued to rise.House prices have risen faster than earnings growth in recent years and with mortgage lending becoming more strictly controlled since 2015 it can become increasingly difficult for people to buy homes.This has led to a swelling of the rental sector, with nearly 27% of households in the capital now renting.Dr John McCartney, Director of Research at Savills said these factors are driving very strong investor appetite for residential property in Dublin:“Rising house prices and tight mortgage lending have driven a big shift from owner-occupation to private renting. Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article read more

The top 10 most read stories on www.employeebenefits.co.uk between 26 July and 1 August 2018 were:Direct Line Group extends family-friendly benefits for 10,000 staffSilicon Valley bans Facebook from giving staff free foodSamuel Smith Old Brewery fined £27,990 for pensions non-complianceSupreme Court of California rules in favour of Starbucks employee in compensation caseThe Disneyland Resort awards two-year pay deal to 9,700 staffNew Zealand increases pay for 5,000 mental health employeesGoogle and Hallmark Cards rank among America’s best employers for women 2018TPR launches consultation on draft policy for master trust supervisionUniversity College Cork gains employee wellbeing accreditation2.2 million employees missing out on legal holiday entitlement read more

Share Photo via CNN’s TwitterSen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Bernie Sanders to debate tax reform tonight during a CNN town hallTexas Senator Ted Cruz and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders debated the Republican’s proposed overhaul of the tax codes during a CNN Town Hall meeting last night in Washington D.C..Sanders claims the cuts will transfer wealth from the middle class to the rich. “80-percent of the tax breaks in this proposal will go to the top one-percent,” he says. He compared the plan to a “Robin Hood” in reverse proposal, saying 30% of the middle class will pay more in taxes while 40% of tax benefits will go to the top one-tenth of one-percent of earners in the United States.Cruz disagrees. He told Sanders that he didn’t understand the story of Robin Hood. He said Robin Hood was stealing from the tax collectors. “It is the Democrats who are King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. And Robin Hood is saying, tax collectors stop hammering people who are struggling, who are laboring in the fields, who are working, stop taking it to the castle, to give out to your buddies,” Cruz said.Cruz went on to say he thinks everyone should pay less in taxes. Sanders says while he supports a tax break for the middle class, he does not want to lower taxes for the wealthiest individuals.The tax reform “framework” released last month indicates the plan would increase the child tax credit, double the standard deduction, and repeal the estate tax. The plan would also reduce the number of income tax brackets from seven to three and lower the corporate tax rate to 20%.Republicans and Democrats agree that in the short term, the next ten years, the cuts would raise the deficit. Before Congress can rewrite the tax code they must first pass a budget. read more

Forget Robot Chicken, Venture Bros., and, yes, even Rick & Morty. In our opinion the secret best ongoing Adult Swim series is Infomercials, comedy horror short films that air without context at 4 AM. It’s like the Twilight Zone for stoners. Previous Adult Swim Infomercials have skewered everything from misleading antidepressant ads to shady for-profit colleges. And who can forget Too Many Cooks, the 2014 Infomercial that filled our hearts with love and every cheesy sitcom intro cliche.Casper Kelly, the creator of Too Many Cooks, and Nick Gibbons just premiered a new Infomercial on Adult Swim last night: Final Deployment 4: Queen Battle Walkthrough. It’s basically Too Many Cooks but for video games, so it hits disturbingly close to home. Check it out, and keep those likes coming!Previous Adult Swim Infomercials were only about ten minutes in length. So imagine our surprise when that was only the halfway mark for this surreal takedown of Twitch/YouTuber livestreaming gaming culture. The gag was funny enough when it was just a dude perfectly named Blair Trigger glitching his way through a Gears of War-esque boss fight that slowly transitions into Gone Home walking simulator meets Spec Ops: The Line military criticism.But then things go full on Inception, nested gaming worlds within gaming worlds all eager to livestream themselves playing video games for those sweet subscribers and validation. Why else would anyone film themselves playing video games if not to fill that, uh, huge emptiness. And a wide variety of games get parodied too, from Minecraft to the Batman: Arkham series to ad-filled free-to-play mobile games.You should really watch this walkthrough all the way to the end though and experience its transcendent finale for yourself. It’ll make you think twice the next time you decide to fire up Fortnite and say “Hey guys” into a webcam while using a streaming device like the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus. Keep those likes coming!Let us know what you like about Geek by taking our survey. Stay on target ‘Rick and Morty’ Season 4 Returns This November’Space Ghost Coast to Coast’ Is Still Influential and Funny read more