With a devoted fanbase, countless live recordings, and the will to tour the country year round, Ohio-based jammers The Werks have established themselves as a staple in the jam world over the last decade, and have recently announced a special late-night show on April 29th at Howlin Wolf in New Orleans during Jazz Fest. The group will perform in The Den at the Wolf before, during, and after sets from Break Science Live Band and The Russ Liquid Test, plus purchasing a ticket for Break Science lets you access both sides of the venue (get tickets here).With the recent release of their latest LP, Magic, The Werks have continued to evolve sonically and from a songwriting perspective. Drummer Rob Chafin discussed the band’s latest effort, saying, “This is a recording of the music that’s in our souls. . . . In a way, the past decade has been leading to this moment. We play and write together so seamlessly now. We’re able to channel the inspiration in our hearts out into our instruments and come at this from a pure place.”[courtesy of FunkItBlog]Break Science has deep roots in the rich musical culture of New York City, and Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee’s music mimics the city’s diversity as they blend elements of hip-hop, dub, jazz, and trip-hop effortlessly to create their unique sound. With Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff, Eric “Jesus” Coomes, Eric “Benny” Bloom, and Ryan Zoidis of Lettuce rounding out the live band lineup, Break Science’s music will be elevated to another level for this special late-night Jazz Fest performance.EXCLUSIVE: Adam Deitch on Break Science Live Band, Voltron-level Lettuce, His Jazz Quartet, DRKWAV, and the Next Generation of NOLA Drummers, and MoreWith the October release of the 80’s-infused electro/funk album 1984, The Russ Liquid Test continues their exploration of modern dance music, all the while keeping their New Orleans vibe alive and well. Russ Liquid teams up with producer and accomplished brass player Russell Scott, guitarist Andrew Block, and drummer Deven Trusclair to deliver a groove-oriented sound that evokes classic funk/soul/R&B stylings, but with its own futuristic spin.[courtesy of Davon Johnson]With Break Science, The Russ Liquid Test, and The Werks, their lineup is a guaranteed recipe for a serious late-night get-down. Together, these groups will bring the non-stop vibes to you on Saturday, April 29 at the Howlin’ Wolf. Tickets for this special late-night performance are currently on-sale here. For show updates and additional information, join the Facebook event page here.[cover photo courtesy of Greg Homolka Photography] read more

TOKYO (AP) — Calls for a cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics are mounting and pressure is building for the Japanese organizers and the International Olympic Committee to explain exactly how they plan to hold the games in the midst of a pandemic. The IOC and organizers have been vague for months. This opens the door to speculation about a cancellation or a postponement. Some in the Japanese medical community are also voicing alarm. They are fearful that hospitals will be overwhelmed when the Olympics open on July 23. Organizers are expected to roll out “Playbooks” next week that detail what athletes and others will have to do to enter Japan. read more

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduran authorities on Nov. 29 seized what they said appeared to be a 15- to 20-ton cache of cocaine on a farm north of the capital. The drugs were stashed in a 15-meter-long (49 foot) tunnel found on the farm in the department of Yoro, some 200 kilometers (124.3 miles) north of Tegucigalpa, said Elvis Guzmán, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office. “Everything appears to indicate it’s cocaine,” he said. Honduras, like other Central American countries, has become a key transit point for drugs moving from South America to the United States. At least 8 people were arrested in a series of raids that began over the weekend and resulted in the seizure of US$100 million in property. [AFP (Honduras), 29/11/2012; La Prensa (Honduras), 29/11/2012; El Heraldo (Honduras), 29/11/2012; La Prensa Gráfica (El Salvador), 29/11/2012] By Dialogo November 30, 2012 read more

Sen. Richard Shelby’s (R-Ala.) regulatory relief bill is scheduled to be marked up by the Senate Banking Committee today.The bill contains a number of credit union-friendly and credit union-specific regulatory relief provisions, many of which CUNA has testified and written in support of before the bill was introduced.“CUNA and the leagues are advocating for both sides to negotiate, even after the markup concludes, so that a bipartisan agreement can be reached ensuring much-needed regulatory relief will pass the Senate,” said Sam Whitfield, CUNA’s deputy chief advocacy officer, echoing a point CUNA and its partners made in a letter to the committee last week.Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), ranking member of the committee, proposed an alternate version of the bill this week. Brown’s version would provide qualified mortgage liability protection for portfolio loans that would meet certain conditions and limiting the size of the institution to under $10 billion in assets; streamline privacy notifications; and allow privately insured credit unions to join the Federal Home Loan Bank program.It is widely assumed that all 10 Democrats on the Banking Committee will vote in block for Brown’s alternative, while the Republicans on the panel support Shelby’s plan. continue reading » 4SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr read more

This year, we achieved 5 percent more tourist arrivals with a 9 percent increase in revenue “This year’s results are the best proof of the increase in the value of the Croatian tourism offer, in which we record an almost twice as high revenue growth rate compared to the growth rate of tourist traffic. Namely, this year we achieved 5 percent more tourist arrivals with an increase in revenue of 9 percent. Over the next year, with the introduction of the “Croatian Tourist Card” which estimates an increase in revenue by an additional 1,35 billion kuna, I am sure that we will lay the foundations for further increase in the value of our tourist offer and thus stand out even more in the global tourism market” pointed out Tourism Minister Gary Cappelli. In the third quarter, ie during July, August and September 2019, revenues from foreign tourists amounted to six billion and 638 million euros, which compared to the same period last year (six billion and 85 million euros) represents a growth of nine percent and 553 million. According to the Croatian National Bank (CNB), in the first nine months of 2019, revenues from foreign tourists amounted to nine billion and 447 million euros, which compared to the same period last year (eight billion and 678 million euros) represents a growth of nine percent , or 769 million euros.  read more

‘I’m so proud of you’Virgin was struggling before the onset of the coronavirus crisis, posting an underlying before-tax loss of Aus$71.2 million last year.Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin Group, which owns a 10-percent stake in the airline, tweeted a message in support of the Virgin Australia team.”I am so proud of you and everything we have achieved together,” he said. “This is not the end of Virgin Australia, but I believe a new beginning. I promise we will work day and night to turn this into reality.”Branson also joined a chorus of voices taking aim at Australia’s government for failing to bail out the airline, saying governments in most countries had “stepped up” to help their airlines during the “unprecedented crisis for aviation”.The news from Australia follows the collapse of Britain’s biggest domestic carrier FlyBe last month as the collapse in air travel sends several companies into crisis.The United States has set aside billions of dollars to support the country’s airlines including giants American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. There are concerns about what Virgin’s troubles could mean for Australians, who are heavily dependent on air travel in the vast nation, and for the future of a tourist industry already reeling from months-long bushfire and COVID crises.Australia has just two full-service airlines, Virgin and national flag carrier Qantas, which are complemented by their budget offshoots, Tigerair and Jetstar.Treasurer Josh Frydenberg insisted Virgin’s decision to enter voluntary administration was “not the end of the airline”, and the government would work with the administrators to get the best outcome. “Our objective is a market-led solution. Our objective is two commercially viable, major domestic airlines operating in Australia,” he said.The federal government had urged Virgin’s foreign investors who collectively owned 90 percent of the airline — including Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways, which each owned a 20 percent stake — to come to the rescue. Ratings agency Moody’s said unsecured creditors would have to take “a significant haircut” if the restructure was successful.”Nevertheless, such an outcome may remain preferable to putting the company into liquidation with uncertain recovery prospects,” it said.The airline had already made 1,000 workers redundant and stood down 8,000 of its 10,000 pilots, flight attendants and ground crew.Strawbridge said the administrators would “seek to preserve as many of those jobs as possible”.Virgin suspended all international routes and scrapped all but one of its domestic routes after Australia shut its borders to limit the spread of COVID-19 and imposed tough restrictions on movement.The airline more recently began operating limited domestic routes, as well as flights to bring Australians home from overseas, with financial support from the government. The airline was more than Aus$5 billion ($3.2 billion) in debt and had appealed for a Aus$1.4 billion loan to stay afloat, but the government refused to bail out the majority foreign-owned company.Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge, from accounting firm Deloitte, said more than 10 parties had expressed a “keen interest” in being part of the restructuring plans.”There has been an extraordinary amount of interest in the business and in the restructuring of Virgin Australia,” he told reporters in Sydney.”And so we are confident that this will result in a restructuring being achieved in a short period of time.” Cash-strapped Virgin Australia collapsed on Monday, making it the largest carrier to buckle under the strain of the coronavirus pandemic, which has ravaged the global airline industry.In an announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Virgin said it planned to keep operating flights despite handing over the keys to administrators.”Our decision today is about securing the future of the Virgin Australia Group and emerging on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis,” CEO Paul Scurrah said in the statement. “Australia needs a second airline and we are determined to keep flying.” Topics : read more

The Casino Henry Joint Venture, operating gas fields offshore Southern Australia has signed a new gas sales agreement with Origin Energy for supply from March 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018.Australian oil & gas company Cooper Energy holds a 50 percent interest and operatorship of the Casino Henry Joint Venture with Mitsui E&P Australia and AWE holding a 25 percent interest each.The Casino Henry JV produces gas from the Casino, Henry, and Netherby gas fields located in licenses VIC/L24 and VIC/L30 offshore Victoria in the Otway Basin. The joint venture parties also hold the adjoining VIC/P44 exploration permit as well as the VIC/RL11 and VIC/RL12 retention licenses.Cooper said on Thursday that the new agreement, at current market gas prices, replaced the existing supply agreement with EnergyAustralia which expires on February 28, 2018, and has been in operation since the Casino gas field began supply in February 2006.According to the conditions of the deal, Origin Energy will purchase 100 percent of the JV’s production which will be processed under a new agreement with Lochard Energy at the Iona Gas Plant for a matching period.Total production from the field for the financial year to date has averaged at around 36 terajoules per day. Increased output is expected following the completion of the workover of the Casino-5 well set for February 2018.Cooper Energy managing director David Maxwell said that the new gas sales agreement was the first step in a program of activities planned to lift production and revenue from the project over 2018 to 2020.“The new sales agreement aligns Casino Henry gas prices with current market rates and provides strong encouragement for the further development of the project’s reserves and exploration for new reserves.“We […] are advancing planning for drilling of a well in 2019 to bring undeveloped gas in the Henry field to market,” added Maxwell.Cooper said that the ten-month term of the new agreement was selected to align supply agreements with the calendar year contract window customary in the industry and to preserve optionality for optimal contracting at higher gas volumes from 2019. read more

William E. Lyons Jr., age 78 of Brookville, Indiana died Friday, February 19, 2016 at Shawneesprings Health Center in Harrison, Ohio.Born March 25, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio he was the son of the late William E. Lyons Sr., and Elizabeth (Hertsenberg) Lyons. On July 7, 1989 he was united in marriage to the former Jamie Lee Staggs, and she preceded him in death on October 9, 2013.Bill was employed at JTM Food Group in Harrison, Ohio for over 30 Years. He was a Kentucky Colonel, and had also been bestowed the honor of Kentucky Admiral. In his leisure time he enjoyed Woodworking, Harley Davidson Motorcycles, and was an avid gun & knife collector.Survivors include two daughters & sons-in-law, Debbie (Pete) Strawn of Nashville, Tennessee, Darlene (Stan) Harmon of Dry Ridge, Kentucky; a son & daughter-in-law, Larry (Jenny) Staggs of West Chester, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren, as well as his beloved canine companion, Sugar.In addition to his parents, and wife, Jamie, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Wright; two brothers Robert Lyons and Lenny Lyons, and his dog Squaw.Family & friends may visit from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.Bob Lyons and Joe Moss will officiate the Funeral Services at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home in Brookville. Burial will then follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Southwest Ohio. Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lyons family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com read more

South Ripley  4, Jac-Cen-Del  2SR- 4 Runs, 8 Hits, 0 ErrorsMady Tompkins- 2 for 4; Ellie Waldron- 2 for 4; Hailey Brown- 1 for 3 w/1 Run; Kaylee Werner- 1 for 3 w/1 Run and RBI.Pitching Win. Mady Tompkins- 7 IP, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 6 K, 1 BB“It was a great game for our defense tonight. We have struggled at various times in the field but made some adjustments and put together arguably our best defensive effort of the season. At the plate we didn’t hit the ball quite like we wanted to but we got the job done and stepped up when needed. It’s a great conference win over a rival and established program in Jac-Cen-Del.”Raiders Coach Rob Lafary.South Ripley is 11-3 and 5-2 in ORVC. Visit Milan on Wednesday night. read more

When Mata signed for United last January, the club were in the midst of a dreadful run of form that cost manager David Moyes his job. Despite the £37.5million arrival of the Spaniard, United could only finish seventh and Moyes was replaced by Van Gaal. Juan Mata thinks Manchester United will be challenging for silverware this year under Louis van Gaal. United fans will get a first glimpse of their new boss in the dugout on Wednesday night when the Red Devils take on the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Van Gaal has only been in his position for six days, but his arrival has injected optimism into a squad previously short on confidence and Mata is looking forward to a successful season ahead. United finished 22 points behind winners Manchester City last term, but Mata sees no reason why his team cannot challenge for the Barclays Premier League and other trophies under the vastly experienced Van Gaal. “It’s the start of a new era for the club, with a new manager and players coming in,” United’s club-record signing said. “I’m really happy with the manager’s style of football and hopefully at the end of the season we can celebrate something, which would be amazing for him and for us. “We’re focused on improving and trying to learn from the manager, to play at our best level during the season. The main idea is to play as a team and compete for titles.” Mata and his team-mates have been keen to impress Van Gaal during intense double-training sessions under the LA sun. And if they needed another reminder that they are playing for their futures, then it was duly delivered by Ed Woodward on Sunday when he told United fans to expect more incomings and outgoings over the next few weeks. Press Association While Mata understands the need for tough training, the Spaniard thinks it is important the players do not overdo it. “The most important thing is to get ready, step by step, and not too hard because injuries can happen,” the former Chelsea player told MUTV. “It’s important for us to prepare physically and mentally for the long season.” Like Mata, Chris Smalling will take part in the entire pre-season tour as England were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages. The centre-back is under pressure to establish himself as a first-team regular following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Smalling hopes the hard graft he and his team-mates are putting in during their stay in the US will be worthwhile. When asked what the toughest part of pre-season is, the former Fulham defender said: “The running. You usually do two or three sessions a day, two outside and one in the gym. “It’s quite hard on your lungs and your legs, but you know that come August you’ll be ready to last the distance for the season.” Van Gaal will speak for the first time on the tour on Tuesday at a press conference in the 92,542-capacity Rose Bowl stadium which will host the match. Striker Javier Hernandez will join up with the squad on the eve of the match but is unlikely to play. After the game against the Galaxy, United will head to Denver, where they play Roma in the International Champions Cup. Further matches against Inter Milan in Washington and versus Real Madrid in Michigan follow, as well as a potential final against City, Liverpool, Olympiacos or AC Milan in Miami should United top their group. read more