Month: April 2019

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SIUE’s Chambers, Weber State’s Hingsberger Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Pitcher and Player of the Week

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – SIU Edwardsville’s Haley Chambers’ perfect game and Weber State’s Sara Hingsberger’s productivity at the plate earned those student-athletes 2015 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Pitcher and Player of the Week honors, respectively, for games played over March 16-22.

 

Chambers, a native of Coatesville, Ind., put on a masterful performance in her final outing of the week against Ohio Valley Conference foe Morehead State. The junior lefty twirled a near perfect, perfect game striking out 20 of a possible 21 batters in a 1-0 road win.

“It not only means a lot to me, but to the coaching staff, the team, and to the school,” Chambers said. “Not only do they know my name now, they know who SIUE is. It puts us on the map, which I think is the most important thing that comes out of this.”

Selected the OVC Pitcher of the Week, Chambers struck out the first 17 batters of the game and after a fly ball to end the sixth, she calmly sent the final three batter back to the dugout on her own. Her career-high strikeout performance was one shy of the Div. I seven-inning record set in 1991 by Michele Granger of California.

“It really didn’t sink in until coach told me I was the National Pitcher of the Week,” continued Chambers. “I really didn’t think a lot of it (perfect game) after it happened. I think it finally clicked that I did something that doesn’t usually happen. It’s almost like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of achievement.

For the week, Chambers was 3-0 with a 0.76 ERA, allowing two runs on 11 hits with 37 strikeouts and two walks in 18.1 innings of work. After picking up a win in relief against in-state foe Bradley (4.1 IP, 4K), she posted a complete game four-hitter with 13 strikeouts in a 5-1 win over Eastern Kentucky. It was her second perfect game and fourth no-hitter of her collegiate career.

“Obviously, it’s a great award for Haley,” said SIUE head coach Sandy Montgomery. “She has worked hard as a pitcher and has made a lot of strides this year from a command standpoint and her presence on the mound. I think this award is a direct reflection of that. What it means to our program is national recognition for a mid-major. I think that’s huge from a recruiting standpoint. I think it’s great for our kids and our institution to be on the national map in whatever capacity. What a better way to do it than for one of your players to get an honor even if it is just for a week.”

Montgomery on the perfect game – “I told Haley after the game that I have been involved in many perfect games in my lifetime as a player and as a coach and none was as mind-boggling as this one. To get 20 strikeouts in a game and be virtually unhittable shows the tremendous focus that she had at that moment in time. Everybody on the team knew what was going on. I think our team was extremely excited for her and certainly excited to be a part of it.”

Hingsberger was 10-for-14 (.714) at the plate with nine runs scored and seven RBI helping Weber State post a 5-0 week, including a three-game sweep in a Big Sky Conference-opening against North Dakota. The Eagle, Idaho native recorded four doubles and a home run, and scored the game-winning run in two of the Wildcats’ wins, which also catapulted her to a Big Sky Player of the Week honor.

“The biggest thing I focused on was trusting myself and having fun,” said Hingsberger. “Whenever I would start thinking too much about an at-bat or what the pitcher is throwing, I’d just stop and tell myself to have fun. “On Wednesday, before our games against UVU, Coach Amicone told me not to worry about mechanics and just have fun, and it really stuck. I couldn’t be happier with how our team has been performing. It’s a great feeling to know you have an entire team to back each other up.” 

Posting a .778 on base percentage, Hingsberger, who also walked three times and was plunked, reached base safely in 14-of-18 plate appearances and did not strike out. In addition, she slugged 1.214, scored twice in four games and recorded four multi-hit contests. The sophomore right fielder was a week-best 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in game two versus UND and closed out the week with two doubles and three RBI in the series finale. Her long ball came in the Wildcats’ first game of the week at Utah Valley State.

“Sara is a tremendous competitor,” commented Weber State head coach Mary Kay Amicone. “This week she really lit a fire under all of us. Her determination and athleticism are top notch. We are really proud of her.”

Player of the Week
March 24 – Sara Hingsberger (Weber State)
March 17 – Bianka Bell (LSU)
              – Shelby Pendley (Oklahoma)
March 10 – Kacie Burnett (Idaho State)
March 3 – A.J. Andrews (LSU)
Feb. 24 – Jenna Lilley (Oregon)
Feb. 17 – Lauren Haeger (Florida)
Feb. 10 – Lindsey Stephens (Texas)

 

Pitcher of the Week
March 24 – Haley Chambers (SIU Edwardsville)
March 17 – Ally Carda (UCLA)
March 10  – Ally Carda (UCLA)
March 3 – Delanie Gourley (Florida)
Feb. 24 – Cheridan Hawkins (Oregon)
Feb. 17 – Shelby Turnier (UCF)
Feb. 10 – Miranda Kramer (Western Kentucky)

Selected Top Performances

LSU’s Bianka Bell batted .700 (7-10) with a double, three home runs, nine RBI and a 1.700 slugging percentage to garner her second straight SEC Player of the Week recognition… UCF’s Shelby Turnier earned American Pitcher of the Week plaudits as she tossed a no-hitter and one-hit shutout with 27 strikeouts in two complete-game wins over league rival East Carolina… Louisiana-Lafayette’s Lexie Elkins batted .529 (9-17) with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, six runs and did not strikeout in 21 plate appearances to garner Sun Belt Player of the Week honors…James Madison Megan Good was 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 20 innings of work to grab CAA Freshman of the Week accolades…  Georgia’s Chelsea Wilkinson was tabbed SEC Pitcher of the Week with a perfect 3-0 record, 18 strikeouts and a 0.50 ERA, and was part of a combined no-hitter versus Georgia Tech… Louisville’s Kelsi Jones collected ACC Player of the Week recognition after batting .556 (10-18) with a double, home run, six RBI, six runs and a .692 OBP (8 walks)… In her lone start, LSU Carley Hoover limited the nation’s top hitting team, Oklahoma to just two hits and three total base runners to earn a complete-game shutout and SEC Freshman of the Week honors… Manhattan’s Elena Bowman smacked five home runs, knocked in 12, scored nine times and posted a .552 OBP to garner Metro Atlantic and ECAC Player of the Week honors… CAA Pitcher of the Week, Morgan Lashley of Hofstra, was 3-0, struck out 20 and did not allow a run in 20 innings… Western Kentucky’s Miranda Kramer, theConference USA Pitcher of the Week, was 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA, a two-hit shutout at then-No. 14 Tennessee, and 30 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a 0.95 batting average in 14 innings… Southern Illinois’ Merri Anne Patterson slugged two game-winning home runs and finished the week batting .462 (6-13) with three long balls, seven RBI and five runs scored on her way to Missouri Valley Player of the Week honors… Big South Pitcher of the Week, Kensley Loudermelk of Presbyterian, was 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two shutouts and 17 strikeouts in 16 innings of work… Arizona’s Katiyana Mauga batted .533 (8-15) with a double, four home runs, 10 RBI and five runs scored…Co-CAA Player of the Week, Lisa Stacevicz of Delaware, batted .611 (11-18) with seven doubles and seven RBI… Omaha’s Jaylee Hinrichs earned Summit League Pitcher of the Week honors after tossing two one-hit shutouts with 12 strikeouts in 11 innings of work… Big East Player of the Week, Kristen Boros of Butler, batted .556 (10-18) with a triple, three home runs, 10 RBI… MEAC Player of the Week, Emerie Germ of North Carolina Central, batted .562 (18-32) with four doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and 11 runs… Longwood’s Emily Murphy blasted five home runs, two multi-homer games, with nine runs and seven RBI to take home Big South Player of the Week honors… Marshall’s Shaelynn Braxton earned Conference USA Player of the Week recognition after batting .500 (6-12) with a grand slam and nine RBI.

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By Tncse

Pilot who hitched a ride in cockpit saved doomed Lion Air Boeing 737 Max day before it crashed

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

As the Lion Air crew fought to control their diving Boeing 737 Max 8, they got help from an unexpected source: an off-duty pilot who happened to be riding in the cockpit.

That extra pilot, who was seated in the cockpit jumpseat, correctly diagnosed the problem and told the crew how to disable a malfunctioning flight-control system and save the plane, two people familiar with Indonesia’s investigation told Bloomberg.

The next day, under command of a different crew facing what investigators said was an identical malfunction, the jetliner crashed into the Java Sea killing all 189 aboard.

The previously undisclosed detail on the earlier Lion Air flight represents a new clue in the mystery of how some 737 Max pilots faced with the malfunction have been able to avert disaster while the others lost control of their planes and crashed.

The presence of a third pilot in the cockpit wasn’t contained in Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee’s November 28 report on the crash and hasn’t previously been reported.

Airlines with Boeing 737 Max 8s in their fleet

The so-called dead-head pilot on the earlier flight from Bali to Jakarta told the crew to cut power to the motor driving the nose down, according to the people familiar, part of a checklist that all pilots are required to memorise.

“All the data and information that we have on the flight and the aircraft have been submitted to the Indonesian NTSC. We can’t provide additional comment at this stage due the ongoing investigation on the accident,” Lion Air spokesman Danang Prihantoro said.

The Indonesia safety committee report said the plane had had multiple failures on previous flights and hadn’t been properly repaired.

Representatives for Boeing and the Indonesian safety committee declined to comment on the earlier flight.

The safety system, designed to keep planes from climbing too steeply and stalling, has come under scrutiny by investigators of the crash as well as a subsequent one less than five months later in Ethiopia. A malfunctioning sensor is believed to have tricked the Lion Air plane’s computers into thinking it needed to automatically bring the nose down to avoid a stall.

Jakarta plane crash: Flight Lion Air JT610

Boeing’s 737 Max was grounded on March 13 by US regulatorsafter similarities to the Oct. 29 Lion Air crash emerged in the investigation of the March 10 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. In the wake of the two accidents, questions have emerged about how Boeing’s design of the new 737 model were approved.

The Transportation Department’s inspector general is conducting a review of how the plane was certified to fly and a grand jury under the US Justice Department is also seeking records in a possible criminal probe of the plane’s certification.

The FAA last week said it planned to mandate changes in the system to make it less likely to activate when there is no emergency. The agency and Boeing said they are also going to require additional training and references to it in flight manuals.

“We will fully cooperate in the review in the Department of Transportation’s audit,” Boeing spokesman Charles Bickers said. The company has declined to comment on the criminal probe.

After the Lion Air crash, two US pilots’ unions said the potential risks of the system, known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, hadn’t been sufficiently spelled out in their manuals or training. None of the documentation for the Max aircraft included an explanation, the union leaders said.

“We don’t like that we weren’t notified,’’ Jon Weaks, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, said in November. “It makes us question, ‘Is that everything, guys?’ I would hope there are no more surprises out there.’’

The Allied Pilots Association union at American Airlines Group Inc. also said details about the system weren’t included in the documentation about the plane.

Following the Lion Air crash, the FAA required Boeing to notify airlines about the system and Boeing sent a bulletin to all customers flying the Max reminding them how to disable it in an emergency.

Authorities have released few details about Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 other than it flew a “very similar” track as the Lion Air planes and then dove sharply into the ground. There have been no reports of maintenance issues with the Ethiopian Airlines plane before its crash.

If the same issue is also found to have helped bring down Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, one of the most vexing questions crash investigators and aviation safety consultants are asking is why the pilots on that flight didn’t perform the checklist that disables the system.

“After this horrific Lion Air accident, you’d think that everyone flying this airplane would know that’s how you turn this off,” said Steve Wallace, the former director of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s accident investigation branch.

The combination of factors required to bring down a plane in these circumstances suggests other issues may also have occurred in the Ethiopia crash, said Jeffrey Guzzetti, who also directed accident investigations at FAA and is now a consultant.

“It’s simply implausible that this MCAS deficiency by itself can down a modern jetliner with a trained crew,” Guzzetti said.

MCAS is driven by a single sensor near the nose that measures the so-called angle of attack, or whether air is flowing parallel to the length of the fuselage or at an angle. On the Lion Air flights, the angle-of-attack sensor had failed and was sending erroneous readings indicating the plane’s nose was pointed dangerously upward.

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By Tncse

Surrey, B.C. Has Second-Fastest Rising Home Prices In North America

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

Move over, Vancouver. Surrey has had the second-fastest rising home prices in North America over the past five years, suggests a study of 83 major North American cities that also sees five other Canadian cities make the top 10.

Between 2013 and 2018, Surrey home prices soared 88 per cent — which works out to an increase of $395,287 in Canadian dollars — according to Point2 Homes, an online real estate portal with millions of monthly visits.

The Point2 Homes team says population growth is a big factor supporting the rapid price appreciation Surrey is experiencing. Its relative affordability — at least compared to nearby Vancouver, where the benchmark price of a home is $1,019,600 — is also playing a part in creating demand.

“Employment, investments and average income are easily comparable to those in Vancouver. With more affordable pricing and demand growing, Surrey has been changing and people see the value in this market. Vancouverites are fleeing the crazy city prices and Surrey provides them affordability with its benchmark home price of almost $850,000,” reads an email statement attributed to analysts.

Point2 Homes mined the numbers in the study from a variety of sources, including the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the stateside National Association of Realtors (NAR).

There were five-year home price gains of more than 50 per cent in 18 of the markets Point2 Homes examined, with Canada laying claim to six.

“In markets like Manhattan or Vancouver, which already boast stratospheric home prices, even the smallest changes impact homebuyers’ pockets in a very big way,” reads the Point2 Homes blog post about the study.

Also on HuffPost:

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By Tncse

Canadian Clothing Company Thawrih Creates Activewear For Sikh And Muslim Athletes

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

A Canadian clothing company that makes activewear for Sikh and Muslim athletes is breaking down barriers both for the people who buy their gear and the Syrian refugees who make it.

Thawrih, founded last year by Sarah Abood, 23, and Sami Dabliz, 22, makes hijabs and turbans with bamboo and quick-dry materials that wick sweat away. Abood said the products also include a built-in headband so they stay in place while performing any physical activity, including swimming.

The religious headdress is usually made of either cotton or latex — materials that tend to hold in water and sweat and can potentially slip off easily, said Abood.

The Ottawa-based company currently sells five different products, including three different styles of sport hijabs, one sports turban that can be customized for multiple lengths and one sports patka, a Sikh head covering worn by children in preference to the larger turban. Thawrih will be releasing two more sports hijab designs using organic bamboo material in the coming weeks and one kids sports patka, said Abood.

She added that some Muslim people are uncomfortable showing skin, so they’re also coming out with culturally appropriate workout gear in the fall such as modest long-sleeve tops, leggings and swimming leggings, as well as men’s clothing.

While their materials are sourced from Montreal and all of the products are made locally in Ottawa, Abood told Huff Post Canada that they mainly sell internationally via e-commerce, with 70 per cent of sales coming from international markets, including California, the UK, Germany, the Middle East and Australia.

The company isn’t just a hit with athletes and parents. Abood said that they are testing out a new hijab design for Ottawa Police Service members who wear the religious headscarf, saying the police service reached out to them.

One of the barriers to integrating hijabs into the OPS has been a potential choking hazard if any headpiece were grabbed during conflict. The Thawrih prototype is affixed with magnets so it can be easily detached to avoid choking hazards, said Abood.

Last year, Police Chief Charles Bordeleau tweeted that he planned to draft a hijab policy for police officers in uniform. While the current stance is that hijabs are allowed, Bordeleau said he wanted the wording in the policy to be more explicit.

How it all began

Abood, who was born in Ottawa to Iraqi parents, said she played high-level soccer and every other sport recreationally, and while she doesn’t wear a hijab, many of her friends would come to her for workout advice. Those requests prompted her to become a personal trainer.

She said that as personal trainers, clients would often ask her and co-founder, Sami Dabliz, for home workouts because of their religious restrictions or discomfort wearing typical sportswear.

“As opposed to helping on a small scale and providing home workouts, we wanted to help on a bigger scale and provide a solution for the problems they were facing,” said Abood. “After I had torn my ACL, restricting my athletic ability, I wanted to create a purpose and use my knowledge to benefit others. My partner and I knew the athletic market, so we knew what materials would work best.”

Reflecting Canadian society

Thawrih’s team is made up of members of Sikh and Islamic communities, and the company’s clothing is entirely handmade in Ottawa by three Syrian refugees. Abood said they will be hiring seven more Syrian newcomers by the end of August. The company currently employs nine staffers, most of whom are students and recent graduates.

In 2015, Abood started a not-for-profit that successfully helped settle publicly sponsored Syrian newcomers to Ottawa, which inspired the desire to hire them.

“I learned a lot about their difficulties obtaining employment as they have transportation, language and cultural barriers,” said Abood. “As their (government-assisted) benefits are temporary, with no foreseeable employment in sight, I knew that this would take a toll on the Canadian economy.”

As a recently graduated economics student, Abood understood the degree to which this could become a social and economic problem. So, she decided to hire them.

“Every purchase empowers a newcomer by providing them with confidence and helping them overcome job-related obstacles they many face,” says the Thawrih website. “This initiative enables newcomers to enter the labor force, provide for their families, and also aids with the integration process of their families into local communities.”

As Thawrih grows, its production model is one Abood would like to see expanded globally. With the help of a regional coordinator on the ground, she said Thawrih could have newcomers in places such as Germany making hijabs and turbans for German customer orders.

Abood said they are working on processes that will enable them to hire newcomers across the world and have products made locally in various places by newcomers.

Sarbjit Kaur, a Sikh mother of two teenage girls, who lives west of Toronto, said she wished these products existed when she was growing up.

“This company clearly understand there’s a need and market for this type of sportswear,” said Kaur. “The fact that the items are made in Canada by newcomers is another fantastic angle that shows its not just about selling to a niche market and making money. There’s a bigger idea of promoting community and social cohesion here.”

Kaur said that her brothers used to play baseball when they were kids, wearing mini turbans (gutti). She recalls one day when a baseball ball hit her brother in the head and his gutti came undone.

“I could tell he was embarrassed. The coach, teammates and all the people watching (including myself) were waiting in awkward silence while he tied his top-knot back up,” said the mother of two children. “For kids especially, a product like this can make them feel more comfortable and confident so they don’t have to worry about things like that and can just focus on participating and performance.”

More on HuffPost:

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By Tncse

Marvel’s Loki TV Show Officially Announced for Disney Streaming Service

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

Disney has formally announced their plans for a streaming series focusing on Tom Hiddleston’s Marvel Cinematic Universe villain Loki.

Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger made the announcement Thursday during an earnings call with investors, during which time he also confirmed that their new streaming service will be called Disney+.

Our original report from September 18, 2018, on the Marvel streaming service shows follows.

Plans are reportedly underway for Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch to anchor their own TV shows on Disney’s subscription streaming platform (which is rumored to be called Disney Play), according to a new report from Variety.

In an effort to expand the the lucrative Marvel Cinematic Universe to the small screen, Variety reports that “other beloved superheroes who have yet to appear in their own standalone movies” could also headline their own series as part of the ambitious new strategy, but the shows would not feature top-tier Avengers who have already been the focus of film franchises, like Iron Man and Captain America. (Although you’d hope Thor might pop in to bully his brother once in a while.) Marvel and Disney declined to confirm Variety’s report. IGN has reached out for comment from Disney.

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Variety notes that plans for the rumored shows are still in early development, but that these would be the versions of the characters seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the actors who have been portraying the characters in the movies reprising their roles. There’s no word on the budget for each show should it go to series, but according to Variety, sources close to the production indicate “the budgets are expected to be hefty, rivaling those of a major studio production,” since we’re guessing that Hiddleston and Olsen wouldn’t come cheap.

Per Variety, “each series is expected to include six to eight episodes,” and the projects are being described as limited series, meaning that they theoretically wouldn’t extend past one season. (Of course, HBO initially said the same thing about Big Little Lies, and now Meryl Streep is starring in Season 2.)

The news would certainly help soothe some of the pain fans are still feeling after the body count of Avengers: Infinity War – although it remains to be seen whether the shows would be prequels or set in the current MCU continuity, since everything could change with Avengers 4. Given that Marvel is such a lucrative part of Disney’s already enviable portfolio, it makes sense that the upcoming streaming service would attempt to leverage some of the MCU’s blockbuster clout, especially since Marvel’s “street-level” heroes (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Punisher) are presumably tied up with Netflix for as long as the rival digital network wants to keep renewing them. And, unlike all of Marvel’s other TV shows to date, which are produced by Marvel Television and overseen by Jeph Loeb (including the Marvel-Netflix shows, ABC’s Agents of SHIELD, Freeform’s Cloak and Dagger, Hulu’s Runaways, Fox’s The Gifted, and FX’s Legion) these new shows would reportedly be produced by Marvel Studios under the eye of Kevin Feige, who is responsible for shepherding the MCU to big screen success.

We still don’t know much about Disney’s streaming service beyond the fact that it’s expected to launch in 2019. Below, check out all the projects Disney has confirmed for the platform so far – including a revival of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and a new big budget Star Wars series from Iron Man director Jon Favreau – and read our wishlist for the properties we want to see.

What do you think of a potential Loki or Scarlet Witch show, and which other supporting MCU characters would you like to see headlining their own series? Share your reactions in the comments!

Untitled Live-Action Star Wars Series\r\n
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\r\nPerhaps the single biggest draw for Disney\u0027s new service is the very first live-action Star Wars TV series. Director Jon Favreau is overseeing this ambitious project, which is said to have a budget of $100 million for its initial 10-episode run. Little is known about the plot or characters involved, though the series is reportedly set several years after the events of Return of the Jedi and the fall of the Empire. Rumors suggest that the series may center around the planet Mandalore as its citizens rebuild in the aftermath of Imperial occupation. This would make sense, as Favreau himself voiced the Mandalorian leader Pre Vizsla in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”,”height”:1080,”width”:1920,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/favreau-star-wars-1534177044999.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/favreau-star-wars-1534177044999_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”02″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7\r\n
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\r\nStar Wars fans were ecstatic to learn at Comic-Con that The Clone Wars is making a comeback. A 12-episode seventh season will be debuting on the service, helping to wrap up the various unfinished storylines left hanging when the series abruptly concluded on Cartoon Network in 2013. “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/clone-wars-1534177044992.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/clone-wars-1534177044992_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”03″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Star Wars Movies\r\n
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\r\nNaturally, existing Star Wars movies will be included on the streaming service, though not nearly as many as fans might be expecting. Because of various existing licensing deals with the likes of Netflix and Starz, no Star Wars movies made before 2019 are currently able to be included. In particular, Turner has the broadcasting rights to the original six films locked up until 2024. However, Disney is reportedly trying to buy back those rights, so it\u0027s possible the classic films will wind up being available when the streaming service goes live.”,”height”:834,”width”:1482,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/star-wars-1534177045034.jpeg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/star-wars-1534177045034_{size}.jpeg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”04″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Untitled Marvel TV Series\r\n
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\r\nWhile the heroes of the Marvel Universe can currently be seen on everything from ABC (Agents of SHIELD) to Fox (The Gifted) to Hulu (Runaways) to Freeform (Cloak & Dagger), Disney clearly feels there\u0027s still room for more Marvel-themed TV. A new live-action series is being planned for the streaming service, though it\u0027s unknown what characters it might focus on. Speculation involves everything from an Agent Carter revival to the Marvel\u0027s Most Wanted series that never got off the ground at ABC. “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/marvel-tv-1534177045015.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/marvel-tv-1534177045015_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”05″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”MCU Movies\r\n
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\r\nDisney\u0027s streaming service will obviously include as much existing MCU content as possible, though as with the Star Wars movies the actual selection will be limited by the various existing licensing deals in place. With Marvel\u0027s current arrangement with Netflix winding down, 2019\u0027s Captain Marvel will be the first new MCU movie to bypass Netflix and head to Disney\u0027s service instead. However, there is one corner of the MCU fans shouldn\u0027t expect to see make the jump to Disney\u0027s service. Netflix shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage will remain where they are for the foreseeable future. It\u0027s possible they could migrate to Disney\u0027s streaming service one day when Netflix stops making new shows with the Marvel characters, but given Disney\u0027s refusal to include R-rated content, they may be just as happy to let these darker, more adult-oriented shows stay at Netflix.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mcu-1534177045016.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mcu-1534177045016_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”06″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Don Quixote\r\n
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\r\nWhile Terry Gilliam\u0027s infamously troubled Man From La Mancha is finally seeing the light of day, that\u0027s not stopping Disney from taking a crack at the beloved Cervantes novel. The Hunger Games writer Billy Ray sold a Don Quixote adaptation to Disney in 2016, one that\u0027s reportedly similar in tone to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. “,”height”:718,”width”:1279,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/don-quixote-1534177044995.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/don-quixote-1534177044995_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”07″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Father of the Bride\r\n
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\r\nThe beloved 1991 comedy (itself a remake of the 1950 original) is being remade for Disney\u0027s streaming service. No cast, director or writer have been revealed.”,”height”:1011,”width”:1799,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/father-of-the-bride-1534177044998.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/father-of-the-bride-1534177044998_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”08″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Flora & Ulysses\r\n
\r\n
\r\nIn May 2018 it was revealed that Disney is adapting this popular children\u0027s book into a direct-to-streaming film. Flora & Ulysses follows the misadventures of a grumpy youngster and a super-powered squirrel. “,”height”:637,”width”:1132,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/flora–ulysses-1534177045001.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/flora–ulysses-1534177045001_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”09″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”High Fidelity\r\n
\r\n
\r\nLike About a Boy, this film adapted from a popular Nick Hornby novel is being re-imagined as a TV series. Scott Rosenberg is returning to write the series, which will reportedly feature a female lead this time.”,”height”:596,”width”:1059,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-fidelity-1534177045006.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-fidelity-1534177045006_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:10,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”High School Musical\r\n
\r\n
\r\nDisney is bringing back the successful High School Musical franchise, this time as a TV series rather than a film. It remains to be seen if the series will reboot the franchise or whether the original actors might return in some capacity. It\u0027s also unknown whether the series means the previously announced High School Musical 4 is dead in the water.”,”height”:899,”width”:1599,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-school-musical-1534177045008.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-school-musical-1534177045008_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:11,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Honey, I Shrunk the Kids\r\n
\r\n
\r\nAfter spawning two sequels and a TV spinoff, the original Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is being remade for Disney\u0027s streaming service. Most likely this will be a full reboot for the franchise, as star Rick Moranis has long since retired from acting.”,”height”:1078,”width”:1917,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/honey-i-shrunk-1534177045009.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/honey-i-shrunk-1534177045009_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:12,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Lady and the Tramp\r\n
\r\n
\r\nPractically every classic animated Disney movie is being remade in live-action nowadays, and Lady and the Tramp is no exception. This remake will be directed by Charlie Bean and written by Andrew Bujalski, with Tessa Thompson, Ashley Jensen and Justin Theroux among those providing voices for the canine characters. Filming is expected to begin in September 2018.”,”height”:879,”width”:1563,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/lady-and-the-tramp-1534177045012.jpeg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/lady-and-the-tramp-1534177045012_{size}.jpeg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:13,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Magic Camp\r\n
\r\n
\r\nAdam Devine, Gillian Jacobs and Jeffrey Tambor star in this movie about a struggling man who returns to the magic camp that shaped his youth. The film is directed by Mark Waters and written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. It was originally slated to hit theaters in April 2018 but was pulled from release and re-purposed for Disney\u0027s streaming service.”,”height”:798,”width”:1419,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/magic-camp-1534177045014.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/magic-camp-1534177045014_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:14,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”The Mighty Ducks\r\n
\r\n
\r\nThe Mighty Ducks franchise is returning as a TV series for Disney\u0027s streaming service. Original screenwriter Steven Brill is returning for the new series, which could suggest that it\u0027s meant to be a continuation of the original movies rather than a reboot. Perhaps some of the original Ducks will return to mentor a new generation of would-be hockey stars? “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mighty-ducks-1534177045018.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mighty-ducks-1534177045018_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:15,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Monsters Inc. Series\r\n
\r\n
\r\nDisney confirmed in November 2017 that they\u0027re developing a TV spinoff of Pixar\u0027s Monsters Inc. It\u0027s unknown whether the series will be a sequel to the original film or a prequel, a la Monsters University. For all we know, it may not even focus on Sully and Mike.”,”height”:900,”width”:1600,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/monsters-inc-1534177045020.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/monsters-inc-1534177045020_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:16,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Untitled Muppets Series\r\n
\r\n
\r\nThe Muppets didn\u0027t have an easy go of things when they returned to television for the short-lived 2015 ABC series, but that\u0027s not stopping Disney from having another go. This new series is separate from the Muppet Babies reboot that premiered on Disney Junior in March 2018.”,”height”:1157,”width”:2048,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/muppets-1534177045021.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/muppets-1534177045021_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:17,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Noelle\r\n
\r\n
\r\nLike Magic Camp, Noelle is a completed film originally scheduled for a 2018 theatrical release but eventually shifted to a streaming-only debut. Anna Kendrick stars as Santa Claus\u0027 daughter Noelle. The film is directed by Marc Lawrence and also stars Bill Hader, Billy Eichner and Shirley MacLaine.”,”height”:601,”width”:1068,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/noelle-1534177045025.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/noelle-1534177045025_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:18,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”The Paper Magician\r\n
\r\n
\r\nDisney acquired the film rights to author Charlie Holmberg\u0027s popular YA fantasy series in 2016, and it appears that an adaptation of the first book will be debuting on their streaming service. Presumably, more films will follow, though no cast or director have been revealed yet.”,”height”:927,”width”:1647,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/paper-magician-1534177045027.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/paper-magician-1534177045027_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:19,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”The Parent Trap\r\n
\r\n
\r\nDisney is remaking 1961\u0027s The Parent Trap for a second time, this time as a streaming exclusive. No cast or director ave been revealed yet.”,”height”:843,”width”:1499,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/parent-trap-1534177045028.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/parent-trap-1534177045028_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:20,”albumTotalCount”:29}]’
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Valdosta State Enters Fifth Straight Week at No. 1 in 2015 NFCA Division II Poll

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the fifth straight week,Valdosta State laid claim to the No. 1 ranking in the NFCA Division II Poll, announced by the Association on Wednesday.

 

The Blazers (44-4) received 14 out of a possible 16 first-place votes and 394 points after a light week that was shortened by weather. In its only games, Valdosta State swept Albany State in a mid-week non-conference twinbill. The Blazers’ Gulf South series was canceled due to weather that forced several postponements and cancellations around the country.

The second-ranked West Texas A&M Lady Buffs garnered the other two first-place votes and 385 points keeping it in second for the fifth straight week. The Lady Buffs (39-6) were only able to get a mid-week doubleheader in as well, blanking Oklahoma Christian by identical 5-0 scores. WT’s action against Texas Permian Basin was rescheduled.

As with the first two squads, Missouri-St. Louis has held its current ranking for five consecutive weeks. The Tritons (38-4) received a Division II record fourth career perfect game from Hannah Perryman, highlighting a 3-1 week. UMSL’s lone defeat came at the hands of No. 9 Indianapolis in a top-10 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) courtesy of a bottom of the seventh rally by the Greyhounds in game one. The Tritons bounced back in game two with a 6-1 win and the previous day swept a road twinbill at St. Joseph’s (8-0 / 6-4).

No. 4 Dixie State (38-7) was idle and No. 5 Cal State Monterey Bay swept a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) series from Cal State Stanislaus (9-0 / 9-1 / 6-1 / 11-2). The Otters (41-9) reached the 40-win plateau by outscoring the Warriors, 35-4 and extended their winning streak to 10 games.

By virtue of a 3-1 week and two losses by St. Mary’s, North Georgia earned its highest ranking of the season moving into the No. 6 spot. The Nighthawks (40-6) also reached the 40-win plateau with triumphs over Columbus State (3-0 / 5-4) and split with Armstrong State (5-0 / 3-4). 

The Rattlers (37-8) dropped a spot to No. 7 as it fell in a tightly contested Heartland Conference series at Oklahoma Christian (0-2 / 4-5 / 5-4). Georgia College stayed put at No. 8 picking up a Peach Belt sweep of Young Harris (7-1 / 7-3).

Highlighted by its win over No. 3 UMSL, Indianapolis inched up to No. 9, posting a 5-1 week with sweeps of Wheeling Jesuit (4-1 / 9-1) and Maryville (5-0 / 3-2), along with its split with the Tritons (3-2 / 1-6).

Rounding out the top 10 is Alabama-Huntsville, which made its return to the top-10 rankings after taking two of three from Union (5-0 / 0-1 / 3-2 in 8 inn.).

Returning to the rankings is West Virginia Wesleyan (26-6), which has won five straight and 13-of-14 heading into this week, at No. 22, while Adelphi joins the poll at No. 25 for the first time this season.

The NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the eight NCAA regions. 2015 records and previous week’s rankings are shown with first-place votes in parentheses.

NFCA Division II Softball Poll – April 22, 2015(Games Played April 13-19)

Rank

Team

2015 Record

Totals

Prev. Rank

1

Valdosta State (14)

44-4

394

1

2

West Texas A&M (2)

39-6

385

2

3

Missouri-St. Louis

38-4

369

3

4

Dixie State

38-7

352

4

5

Cal State Monterey Bay

41-9

329

5

6

North Georgia

40-6

321

7

7

St. Mary’s (TX)

37-8

294

6

8

Georgia College

41-7

286

8

9

Indianapolis

35-9

271

10

10

Alabama-Huntsville

34-10

250

11

11

Augustana (S.D.)

39-7

247

9

12

Humboldt State

38-12

199

12

13

Angelo State

32-11-1

198

14

14

North Alabama

31-8

191

13

15

Southern Indiana

33-5

183

16

16

California Baptist

37-9

166

15

17

Winona State

37-10

129

19

18

Caldwell

22-11

112

21

19

Metro State

32-10

89

23

20

Emporia State

31-15

73

17

21

Ashland

31-5

64

25

22

West Virginia Wesleyan

26-6

57

RV

23

Anderson

35-11

42

22

24

Southern New Hampshire

23-6

32

24

25

Adelphi

19-17

28

NR

Dropped Out: No. 18 California (Pa.), No. 19 Barry

New to Poll: No. 22 West Virginia Wesleyan, No. 25 Adelphi

Others Receiving Votes: 

Shorter (25), California (Pa.) (24), Carson Newman (21), Barry (20), Sonoma State (14), West Chester (14), Central Missouri (9), Missouri Western (3), Armstrong State (3), Cameron (3), Henderson State (2), LIU Post (1).

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Alberta Premier Rachel Notley Orders Oil Production Slashed To Fight Price Crisis

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is ordering a mandatory cut in oil production to deal with a storage glut and price crisis that is costing Canada an estimated $80 million a day.

“I want to be clear. This is a short-term measure,” Notley said on Sunday. “We are essentially giving our oil away for free … this is not sustainable.”

Notley said production of raw crude oil and bitumen will be reduced by 8.7 per cent — or 325,000 barrels per day — in January because of shipment problems that she blames on a lack of pipelines. That figure is expected to shrink as the glut of oil in storage is addressed.

Alberta produces 3.7 million barrels a day, but that’s 190,000 barrels more than can be shipped.

About 35 million barrels is sitting in storage, and the oversupply results in the province’s crude selling for around $10 a barrel, a fraction of what other world producers get. Canada has the world’s third-largest oil reserves and is the top source of foreign oil for the U.S.

The mandated cut ends on Dec. 31, 2019.

Notley says the action is necessary to reverse the widening price differential that she says could cause further harm to Alberta’s economy if not addressed immediately.

“Every Albertan owns the energy resources in the ground and we have a duty to defend those resources,” said Notley. “But right now they’re being sold for pennies on the dollar.

“We must act immediately.”

The announcement is expected to narrow the differential by at least $4 per barrel and add an estimated $1.1 billion to government revenues in 2019-2020.

Watch: Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s announcement. Story continues below.

The Opposition United Conservatives and the centrist Alberta Party had already called for the production cut. Notley thanked them both in her speech.

Opposition United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney said Notley made the right decision.

But he said Notley’s government has played a role in creating the problem by not pushing back as the federal government cancelled the Northern Gateway pipeline to B.C. and introduced legislation that industry leaders say will make it more difficult to get oil megaprojects approved.

“Many of these policies (were) supported either by acquiescence or actively by the NDP government,” said Kenney. “That’s one of the reasons why in the past week we’ve been giving away our oil.”

Alberta Party Leader Stephen Mandel said the government was warned in the spring that this crisis was coming, and should have acted sooner.

“They dragged their feet. They had an opportunity early to do something and they didn’t,” said Mandel.

“It’s frustrating to me to see so many people losing their jobs as a result of this incompetence.”

Industry feelings prior to the announcement had been mixed.

Cenovus Energy proposed the idea of a production cut last month. However, Imperial and Husky said Friday they remain opposed to involuntary production cuts.

With files from Associated Press

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By Tncse

Make Every Inch Of Your Tiny Condo Count For Maximum Style

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

If you’re like most of us who live in downtown Toronto, you probably moved to the city with dreams of making it big! What you probably didn’t expect is that dreaming big can also mean living small. Real small.

As we keep seeing in the headlines, it seems Toronto condos are shrinking faster and more steadily than breathing room on public transit. However, despite this increasing tendency, prices don’t appear to be going down anytime soon. So how are city dwellers able to live in Canada’s most expensive city?

Enter micro condos, a living space roughly between 275 and 400 square feet — roughly as big as two parking spots. These tiny living quarters appeal to professional millennials who want affordable housing without sacrificing their lifestyle. This concept, of course, isn’t unique to Toronto and is actually quite common in metropolises like New York City and San Francisco. With Toronto’s first micro condo already sold out, and similar units steadily on this rise in Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, we can only expect this trend to continue.

How can you turn a small apartment into a functional and cozy living space? Thankfully, I have a few tricks and tips that will help turn your tight quarters into an urban oasis.

All of the lights

From statement chandeliers, to vintage-style Edison bulbs, to metallic pendants and industrial lamps, lighting is truly having a moment in the spotlight. For those living in a 300-square-foot space, this could not have come at a better time. Any designer will tell you that the oldest trick in the book to making a space seem bigger is through the power of light.

The key is lighting up the corners where the walls meet, either at the ceiling or floor, so you create the illusion of depth and space. Make use of multiple light sources such as floor lamps or track lighting, and consider mounting lights to the wall so every part of the room is well-lit.

And don’t forget to make the most of vertical space, especially if you have high ceilings. Hang a long pendant from the ceiling to draw the eye up and down, emphasizing the room’s height rather than the floor space. With plenty of lighting options to choose from, I have no doubt your boutique-sized space will soon feel like a luxury-sized one.

Illusions aren’t just for magicians

Living small also means mirrors are your new go-to. These magical reflective accessories know no bounds, and they have the ability to make any space feel bigger. Whether it’s placing one behind a candle or beside a lamp, a mirror will maximize the light’s reach while creating a relaxing ambiance.

Looking to create the illusion of another window? Simply place a mirror across from a window so it reflects the natural light and outdoor views. Craving higher ceilings? Use a floor length mirror to produce the appearance of a taller apartment. Much like the strategic use of lighting, a well-placed mirror will transform your tiny downtown home into a lofty oasis.

There’s no better deal than a 2 for 1

You know what they say: great things come in small packages. But sometimes these great things also come in the form of multi-functional furniture. Rather than trying to work your space around furniture, focus on buying pieces that will work with your lifestyle.

A stylish dining table is a must-have when entertaining guests, and can be tucked against a wall to double as a desk when the party’s over. Instead of a traditional coffee table, consider a hollow ottoman that can also be used for storage. And, one of my favourites, nesting tables that you can easily tuck away or stack together to give you move space (also very on trend). At the end of the day, it’s important to select versatile pieces that fit well in your space, because every inch counts.

The sky’s the limit

If you’re working with minimal floor space, draw the attention up with colour. One of the best ways to do this also happens to be one of this year’s biggest trends in design — statement ceilings. Using paint, wallpaper, wood, tiles or whatever inspiration strikes you, transform your tiny space from top to bottom by adding some flair to the ceiling.

While you may have heard that white paint will make a small space feel larger, feel free to be as bold as you want with your colours. Just remember a few things: don’t paint over the edges of the ceiling, take the wall colour up over the crown molding and use glossy paint so light can reflect and make your ceiling appear higher than it is. This modern and chic design decision is sure to bring your micro condo to the next level.

It’s time to think outside the box

Let your creative side run wild, or at least as much as it can inside your petite pad. Start to think about your space differently and get crafty to maximize the layout. What was once just a blank wall used for artwork, can be an area for floor to ceiling shelving. The unused back of your doors and cabinets can be handy storage solutions.

And don’t be shy when it comes to the ceiling, as I mentioned above, it’s basically another wall. Simply attach a hook or two and, voila, you can hang everything from your pots and pans to your ultra-chic planters. Always remember, there are endless nooks and crannies that can help you save space – so be sure to make the most of them.

Have you been affected personally by this or another issue? Share your story on HuffPost Canada blogs. We feature the best of Canadian opinion and perspectives. Find out how to contribute here.

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By Tncse

Britain and EU at risk of Iranian terror attacks at home, US counter-terrorism chief warns

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

Britain and other European nations are at risk from Iranian terror attacks on home soil and must do more to deter the regime, America’s counter-terrorism coordinator has warned. 

Nathan Sales said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph that Iran has carried out a slew of assassination plots in Europe in recent years and could do so again. 

He praised the UK government for recently designating Hezbollah, the Shia Islamist group backed by Iran, as a terrorist organisation and urged other EU countries to match the move. 

Mr Sales also pointed the expulsion of Iranian ambassadors from European countries in the early 1990s after a bomb attack, saying that playbook could be “instructive” for dealing with today’s threat. 

“It is unacceptable that Iran would regard the European continent as fertile ground for its campaign of terrorism,” Mr Sales warned. 

At a glance | Key players in Tehran

He added: “If there are no costs, Iran is going to keep at it. So it’s incumbent on us to impose those costs so that we can deter future acts of terrorism.”

The comments reflect the hard line Donald Trump’s administration has taken on Iran in the two years since he took over the presidency. 

Mr Trump pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal struck by his predecessor Barack Obama, which limits Iran’s nuclear programme in return for the lifting of economic sanctions. 

The move triggered a clash with America’s European allies, who have remained committed to the deal alongside the other signatories of China, Russia and Iran. 

Speaking in London near the end of a European visit, Mr Sales expressed alarm at the growing number of terror plots allegedly carried out by Iran or its proxies in recent years in the region. 

He blamed Iran for a recent foiled bomb attack targeting a political opposition rally in Paris and an alleged plot to murder an exiled political leader in Denmark. 

Mr Sales also cited the 2012 bombing of a bus carrying Jewish tourists in Bulgaria and political assassinations in Holland which the Dutch government has blamed on Iran. 

Asked why Iran was allegedly carrying out the attacks, he said: “Because terrorism is fundamental to the Iranian regime’s raison d’etre. They regard the export of their revolution as absolutely fundamental and central to the regime’s identity.”

Mr Sales said Britain was not immune from the threat, warning: “I think the regime regards Europe as a whole, the UK included, as fertile ground for its operations.” 

One part of the stronger response Mr Sales is calling regards the designation of Hezbollah, which considers itself both a political party and a military group based in Lebanon.

Mr Sales expressed his gratitude to Britain for last month classifying the whole group, including its political arm, a terrorist organisation and urged other European countries to do the same. 

“Hezbollah is one organisation. Its leaders, its members, do not differentiate between their military terroristic activities on the one hand and their so-called political activities on the other,” he said. 

Mr Sales also hinted at other measures European nations could take to increase the pressure on Iran, noting the fallout from a 1992 bombing of a Berlin restaurant.

European countries expelled Iran ambassadors, recalled their own ambassadors from Iran and suspended dialogue with the regime after that attack. The result, Mr Sales said, was more than two decades of “calm and security” in terms of Iran attacks in Europe. 

He added: “What we need now is the same sort of robust, assertive response to signal to Tehran this is unacceptable and if you do it, we’re going to make you pay a price.”

Mr Sales acknowledged that unlike the US, EU countries remain committed to the Iran nuclear deal, but indicated they could still irregardless take steps to punish the regime over the terror plots. 

On a separate issue – what should happen to Isil foreign fighters captured in Syria – Mr Sales, who is involved in the talks, also delivered a firm line from America. 

He reiterated the Trump administration’s demand that Britain and other European allies take back people who fled their countries to join Isil and prosecute them in their own courts. Britain is refusing to do so, instead stripping the fighters of their UK citizenship when possible. 

Mr Sales, whose full title is US ambassador-at-large and coordinator for counter-terrorism, said: “There is no secret to how you do counter-terrorism in a law enforcement context. 

“In the United States but more broadly European and other advanced democracies, civilian courts have proven themselves to be entirely capable of meeting this challenge. 

“We [the US] can put people in jail for their terrorism-related crimes and ensure that they’re not re-engaging on the battlefield. And we’re asking our allies to do the same.”

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Marvel Comics Teases ‘The Marvel Universe Is Destroyed!’

April 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

A slew of teasers sent out by Marvel Comics proclaim “Marvel History Is Destroyed” with the date March 2019 at the bottom. The subject line of the email from Marvel PR said “The Marvel Universe Is Destroyed!”

Each teaser features a different superhero comic series and implies that a mystery character played a key role in its history. For example, the Amazing Spider-Man teaser asks “Who brought Spider-Man back after ‘Spider-Man: No More’?” while the Fantastic Four teaser asks “Who really gave the Fantastic Four their powers?”

Check them all out here:

Marvel Comics

The word “who” in all of the teasers is given a fiery yellow and orange stylization, which may be a hint towards the identity of the character (or group of characters). The Phoenix Force? Dormammu? The Spirit of Vengeance? The list of powerful flaming Marvel characters is pretty long, so it could be anyone.

The notion of the Marvel universe being destroyed is not a new one. In 2015 the Marvel universe was destroyed and replaced with the patchwork reality known as Battleworld as part of the Secret Wars event. The idea of game-changing secrets from heroes’ past coming to light is also a bit familiar, as that was the plot of 2014’s Original Sin event. We already know that Marvel’s big 2019 event is the Thor-centric War of the Realms, so perhaps these teasers aren’t setting up another event but something else entirely.

Stay tuned to IGN for more details as they emerge.

Joshua is Senior Editor of IGN Comics. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.

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By Tncse