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Small businesses band together to sue insurers over coronavirus damage


In many cases, the response from insurers has been: We don't cover viruses.




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Mars Hill: The rise and fall of a Seattle church and its charismatic leader


After 18 years of explosive growth, officials at Mars Hill Church in Seattle said that financial pressures are forcing staff cuts and elimination of some branches. The announcement follows Pastor Mark Driscoll's decision to step away from the pulpit for six weeks.




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Small tribes seal borders, push testing to keep out virus


PICURIS PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — On a dusty plaza in a Native American village that dates back nearly a millennium, a steady trickle of vehicles inched through a pop-up coronavirus testing site. From the bed of a pickup truck and backseats of cars, wide-eyed children stared from behind hand-sewn masks and then sobbed as testing […]




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Watchdog faults SBA on minority-owned and rural small business PPP lending


WASHINGTON — The Small Business Administration did not direct private lenders to prioritize minority and women-owned businesses as Congress intended when they started implementing a $669 billion loan program under the CARES Act, a federal watchdog concluded in a report released Friday. The findings from the SBA Office of the Inspector General add to growing […]




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Apple iPhone SE review: A superb smartphone for a humble price


For $399, this smartphone hits the high notes: speedy, a great camera and a nice screen. Took long enough, didn’t it?




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Small businesses band together to sue insurers over coronavirus damage


In many cases, the response from insurers has been: We don't cover viruses.




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Help us solve the mystery of this Suess & Smith masterwork 


THIS WEEK, WE present a puzzle. It centers on a national innovator in aesthetic glass that brightened downtown Seattle more than a century ago. The glitter of the Gold Rush lured members of two German families, named Suess and Smith, to Seattle from Chicago in the late 1890s. But physical gold was not their destiny. […]



  • Pacific NW Magazine

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Small tribes seal borders, push testing to keep out virus


PICURIS PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — On a dusty plaza in a Native American village that dates back nearly a millennium, a steady trickle of vehicles inched through a pop-up coronavirus testing site. From the bed of a pickup truck and backseats of cars, wide-eyed children stared from behind hand-sewn masks and then sobbed as testing […]




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Small-business boost: Don’t forsake LGBTQ community


Re: “King County Executive Dow Constantine proposes additional $57 million for coronavirus response” [April 23, Northwest]: While this proposal, expected to be voted on by the Metropolitan King County Council Tuesday, distributes $16 million among small businesses; tourism promotion; homeless-youth programs; and arts and culture groups, it designates no allocation for queer bars and nightclubs. […]




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Small-business boost: Don’t forsake LGBTQ community


Re: “King County Executive Dow Constantine proposes additional $57 million for coronavirus response” [April 23, Northwest]: While this proposal, expected to be voted on by the Metropolitan King County Council Tuesday, distributes $16 million among small businesses; tourism promotion; homeless-youth programs; and arts and culture groups, it designates no allocation for queer bars and nightclubs. […]




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New studies on transmission of coronavirus bolster case for keeping schools closed


Two new studies offer compelling evidence that children can transmit the virus. They are indeed less susceptible than adults, but while in school they have triple the human contact as adults and therefore triple the opportunity to become infected.




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Rant & Rave: Reader asks visitors to show respect for small towns


RANT to visitors who don’t clean up after themselves. It’s tulip time in Skagit Valley and while the numbers of tulip seekers are fewer than other years, there are still substantial numbers of people visiting the valley and the town of La Conner. There are about five restaurants and a couple of cafes open for takeout. Overflowing […]




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Small businesses cut jobs while waiting for government loans


NEW YORK (AP) — While thousands of small businesses waited for coronavirus relief money to arrive, they were shutting down and laying off workers. Two reports issued this week shed light on the crisis that business owners have been struggling through since the coronavirus hit. On Wednesday, payroll provider ADP said its small business customers […]




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Small businesses band together to sue insurers over coronavirus damage


In many cases, the response from insurers has been: We don't cover viruses.




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Sideline Chatter: And a smirking emoji text from Bill Belichick lands on Bruce Arians’ cellphone


Rob Gronkowski probably won’t be guest-speaking at a Tampa Bay Mensa meeting anytime soon. Not after the fun-loving tight end, traded to the Buccaneers on April 21, posted a picture of himself holding his new playbook — a team-issued Microsoft Surface tablet. “It’s still in the package and hoping it is all pictures and drawings,” […]




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Geen parade, geen patriottisme en geen Poetin: het Rode Plein blijft leeg

Het Rode Plein in Moskou blijft vandaag leeg. Geen trots marcherende militairen, geen voorbijtrekkende tanks of luchtafweersystemen, geen veteranen van de Grote Vaderlandse Oorlog. De coronacrisis heeft roet in het eten gegooid.

Het had het hoogtepunt moeten worden van Poetins regeerperiode die in 2000 begon: een grootschalige herdenking van de victorie op nazi-Duitsland, de 75ste Dag van de Overwinning. Maar de grootste militaire parade ooit is de president door de neus geboord.

Lijden en ongekende trots

9 mei is de belangrijkste feestdag in Rusland en dit jaar is een kroonjaar. Het is een dag van rouw om de ruim 20 miljoen doden die de toenmalige Sovjet-Unie aan het eind van de Tweede Wereldoorlog te betreuren had. Maar het is ook een dag van ongekende trots. Al dat lijden heeft immers geresulteerd in de verovering van Berlijn en de val van het nazi-regime in mei 1945. Zonder het bloed, het zweet en de tranen van het Rode Leger en de Sovjet-bevolking als geheel was dat nooit gelukt.

Hoe graag had Poetin niet op het bordes op het Rode Plein gestaan om de militaire parade af te nemen, geflankeerd door wereldleiders aan de ene kant en het handjevol veteranen dat nog leeft aan de andere kant. Bekeken en bewonderd door tientallen miljoenen televisiekijkers.

Een beetje zoals president Loekasjenko van buurland en voormalige Sovjetstaat Wit-Rusland wél deed. Hij vindt het virus een waanvoorstelling:

Politiek patriottisme

De emotie die de Dag van de Overwinning in Rusland oproept is echt, maar Poetin heeft er een element aan toegevoegd: politiek patriottisme. "We hebben geen ander samenbindend idee dan patriottisme," zei hij in 2016.

Een jaar later voegde hij daaraan toe dat het laten varen van patriottisme "heel gevaarlijk is, de eerste stap op weg naar een wereldramp". En tijdens zijn jaarlijkse grote persconferentie van 2019 zei hij: "Naar mijn mening is patriottisme de enig mogelijke ideologie in een moderne democratische samenleving."

De 75ste Dag van de Overwinning zou bij uitstek in het teken moeten staan van dat politieke patriottisme en Poetin zou er het boegbeeld van zijn.

Niet gegund

Poetin vindt dat Russen op zoek moeten naar wat hen bindt: de liefde voor hun vaderland. Het probleem is dat dat zo ongeveer de enige verbindende factor is in Rusland. Op tal van andere terreinen zijn de belangentegenstellingen levensgroot. Een ander probleem is dat Poetin zichzelf als de enig mogelijke leider van dat patriottische Rusland ziet.

Hoe dan ook, zijn finest hour is hem niet gegund. Massabijeenkomsten zijn een ernstig risico voor verdere verspreiding van het coronavirus en het gaat wat dat betreft toch al niet al te best in Rusland. Voor Poetin rest een bijrol die hem maar matig zal bevallen.

Hij legt een krans bij het graf van de onbekende soldaat, hij spreekt het volk toe, misschien zingt hij 's avonds mee als het de bedoeling is dat heel Rusland het beroemde lied Dag van de Overwinning aanheft. En dan rest hem niets meer dan vanuit zijn slaapkamerraam naar het ongetwijfeld majestueuze vuurwerk te kijken.




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Stock Alert: SmileDirectClub Shares Up 33% On SmileShop Patent News

Shares of SmileDirectClub Inc. (SDC) are surging over 33% in pre-market today, after the company announced that it has been granted a patent for its SmileShop intellectual property from the United States Patent & Trademark Office.




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Stock Alert: TherapeuticsMD Shares Up 17% In Premarket On Patent For Contraceptive ANNOVERA

Shares of TherapeuticsMD Inc. (TXMD) are soaring over 17% in pre-market today, after the company announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent that covers the labeled indication for ANNOVERA, the first and only long-lasting, patient-controlled, procedure-free, reversible prescription contraceptive option for women.




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U.S. Stocks Move Mostly Higher Amid Optimism About Economy Reopening

Stocks have shown a strong move to the upside in morning trading on Thursday following the mixed performance seen in the previous session. The major averages have all climbed firmly into positive territory after ending Wednesday's trading on opposite sides of the unchanged line.




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U.S. Stocks Turning In Lackluster Performance Following Dismal Jobs Data

Following the advance seen in the previous session, stocks have shown a lack of direction over the course of the trading day on Wednesday. The major averages have spent the day bouncing back and forth across the unchanged line.




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Traders Seem To View Dismal Jobs Data As Old News

The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a higher opening on Friday, with stocks likely to extend the strong upward move seen in the previous session.




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Optimism About Coronavirus Treatment May Generate Initial Buying Interest

The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a sharply higher opening on Friday, with stocks likely to add to the gains posted in the previous session.




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Optimism About States Reopening May Generate Buying Interest

The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a higher opening on Monday, with stocks likely to add to the gains posted in the previous session.




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Optimism About Economy Reopening May Generate Early Buying Interest

The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a higher opening on Thursday following the mixed performance seen in the previous session.




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European Shares Seen Higher On Trade Talk Optimism

European stocks are likely to open higher on Friday after a statement by the




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European Shares Edge Higher On Trade Talk Optimism

European stocks were moving higher on Friday after U.S. and Chinese trade representatives reportedly held a phone call and pledged to create favorable conditions for the implementation of the phase one trade deal signed in January.




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ZÁDOR, E.: Sinfonia Technica / Music for Clarinet and Strings / Trombone Concerto (Sólyomi, Fejér, Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV, Smolij) (8.574108)

The music of Eugene Zádor is both warmly expressive and colourful. The composer took great delight in writing for overlooked solo instruments, as his Trombone Concerto, garnished with elements of Hungarian folklore, clearly shows. The easy-going, gypsy-influenced Music for Clarinet and Strings is a beautifully proportioned quasi-concerto. The Sinfonia Technica, composed much earlier when he was living in Vienna, and something of a one-off, is an enchanting and exuberantly orchestrated example of ‘industrial music’.




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Cello and Piano Recital: Smith, Brinton Averil / Chen, Evelyn (Exiles in Paradise - Émigré Composers in Hollywood) (8.579055)

Political crises and rising antisemitism in Europe during the first half of the 20th century prompted many leading musicians to immigrate to America. An influx of refugees formed a flourishing artistic community centred within a few square miles near Hollywood and this exceptional gathering of composers transformed America’s musical landscape. This survey explores their diverse output through music for cello and piano, including arrangements by the composers and their fellow expatriate performers never before heard on the cello.




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SMITH, A.: Wealth of Nations (The) (Unabridged) (NA0407)

It was Adam Smith (1723–1790) who first established economics as a separate branch of knowledge, and many would say his work has never been surpassed. The Wealth of Nations, which appeared in 1776, is the definitive text for all who believe that economic decisions are best left to markets, not governments. At the heart of Smith’s doctrine is an optimistic view of the effects of self-interest. Though each individual seeks only personal gain, the collective result is increased prosperity, which benefits society as a whole.




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Violin Recital: Wohn, Dawn - ESMAIL, R. / ZWILICH, E.T. / KAPRÁLOVÁ, V. / KANG, Jung Sun / PRICE, F. / BOULANGER, L. / BEACH, A. (Perspectives) (DE3547)




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RASMUSSEN, K.A.: Four Seasons (The) (after A. Vivaldi) / Follia, follia… / RESPIGHI, O.: The Birds (arr. K.A. Rasmussen) (Fryklund, Mortensen) (8.226220)




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RASMUSSEN, S.: Andalag Nos. 5 and 7 / Fanfare lontane / Viola Sonata No. 1 (Lützen, Aldubáran) (8.226133)




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CLARKE, N.: Mysteries of the Horizon / Dial 'H' for Hitchcock / Swift Severn's Flood (Vanhoorne, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Thornton, Clarke, S.Smith) (8.574097)

Nigel Clarke has always been fascinated by virtuosity and timbre—it is the brass band genre that has lent itself most to his passion for musical athleticism. Dial ‘H’ for Hitchcock is an imaginary film score in the film noir vein, complete with classic and chilling sound effects, while the heroic, brooding and violent Swift Severn’s Flood was inspired by a line from Shakespeare. Cornet concerto Mysteries of the Horizon examines the atmosphere of paintings by René Magritte, and Earthrise celebrates one of the most iconic photographs in history and the drama of the Apollo 8 mission.




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Flute Music - CASTALDI, P. / COSMI, G. / DAVISMOON, S. / FANTICINI, F. / MORRICONE, E. / PROCK, S. / TACCANI, G.C. (Flute XXI) (Fabbriciani) (TC980090)




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Cello Quartet Recital: Kolophonistinnen (Die) - BRAMBÖCK, F. / STRAUSS I, J. / STRAUSS II, J. / SHOSTAKOVICH, D. / TANSMAN, A. (Heldinnenleben) (Gramola99218)




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Baby Chaos - Ape Confronts Cosmos




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Monks Road Social - Humanism




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Send SMF data directly to the IBM Db2 Analytics Accelerator

If you are already using IBM Db2 Analytics Accelerator and Tivoli Decision Support for z/OS (TDSz), you can now directly load data to Db2 Analytics Accelerator with the TDSz schema, without storing data in Db2 tables. With this feature, you can save CPU and space on expensive storage and also store and query data over a longer period at a more detailed level. This tutorial shows you how.




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Make your websites smarter with Schema.org, Part 2: The Schema.org syntaxes

The second part of this four-part series shows you how to translate the abstract information model for data in your web pages into one of the three formats supported by Schema.org: RDFa, Microdata, and JSON-LD




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Make your websites smarter with Schema.org, Part 1: Introduction to the Schema.org information model

Schema.org is an initiative originally created by search engine companies and experts to support web publishers by describing the things that web pages are actually about. This series, in which I explain the Schema.org core information model, helps you expand your web developer skills and get a head start on advances in search engine platforms and personal assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa.




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The Spark Guide To Life, Episode Eight: Smart Cities

A special on Smart Cities. It's a big buzzword these days, especially as cities are bigger and denser than ever before. But there are competing visions for what it should be, who should run it, and how to protect your privacy.




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How smart home tech could perpetuate discrimination and racial profiling

Amazon and Google have made a hard push into the home security market, but civilian surveillance could have real impacts on privacy and racial profiling.




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From racial profiling to #BlackLivesMatter: Technology, oppression and expression

One of the original uses of networking tech were attempts at racial profiling and predictive policing, author Charlton McIlwain says.




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Ellen Page expresses frustration with 'absolutely horrifying' environmental racism in N.S.

In a new doc, the Canadian actress takes a searing look at injustices in her home province.




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Apr 4: Testing for COVID-19, blood plasma clinical trials begin, vaccine development and more ...

COVID threatens mountain gorillas and these boots were made for running



  • Radio/Quirks & Quarks

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Apr 11: COVID-19 transmission, reliving Apollo 13 in real time and more...

Birds watch out for rhinos, toads outbreed in hard times, and sports in mesoamerica 3400 years ago.



  • Radio/Quirks & Quarks

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Gelber Prize winners blame 'politics of imitation' for extremism in Central Europe

Extreme leaders, inequality, and unhappy citizens: what happened to the promise of a new day in Eastern and Central Europe? From the fall of the Wall to this pandemic era, looking at the legacy of an ill-fitting “politics of imitation,” with 2020 Gelber Prize-winners Ivan Krastev and Stephen Holmes.




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Coronabesmettingen richting de 4 miljoen wereldwijd

(ABM FN-Dow Jones) Er zijn inmiddels ruim 3,95 miljoen besmettingen wereldwijd met het coronavirus bevestigd, waarbij het aantal in de Verenigde Staten nog altijd aardig oploopt. Dit blijkt zaterdag uit data verzameld door Johns Hopkins CSSE.




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Is being overweight a bigger risk factor than smoking?

On today's show: * What's the NSW schools report all about? * Queensland is reducing some restrictions. Why now? * People are volunteering to be exposed to coronavirus to help test the vaccine. Is that a good idea? * What is the role of obesity in serious outcomes from COVID-19? * Why do I need a flu shot to visit my father in an aged care home? * Are vegans and vegetarians the least affected by COVID-19?



  • Epidemics and Pandemics
  • Health

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Yasmin Levy - Libertad

A carefully crafted collection from the Israeli singer.