Climate change is killing Alpine skiing as we know it #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/travel/30380844?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Climate change is killing Alpine skiing as we know it

Jan 21. 2020

Snow covered jump seen in Olympic Stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. MUJST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Michaela Handrek-Rehle.

By Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · Catherine Bosley, Boris Groendahl

At the northern edge of the Alps, ski runs near the foot of Germany’s highest mountain snake down the greenish-brown slopes in narrow white ribbons of artificial snow.

Like other resorts at relatively low altitude, global warming has left its mark on Garmisch-Partenkirchen – the site of the 1936 Winter Olympics-putting the town’s identity and affluence at risk. It’s January, and there’s so little natural snow that anxiety is building whether upcoming ski races can go ahead.

A strip of artificial snow on a ski slope at the Alpine skiing resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on Jan. 8, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Michaela Handrek-Rehle.

In Garmisch and across the Alps, tourism is a key support for local economies. In neighboring Austria, it makes up just over 6% of economic output, while in the mountainous region of Tyrol the share is more like 18%. The ratio is similar for the Swiss canton of Graubünden, thanks to resorts like St. Moritz, Klosters and Davos.

Automobiles sit at an intersection near the town hall and Alpine mountain range in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on Jan. 8, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Michaela Handrek-Rehle.

In France’s Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, home to Courchevel and Val d’Isere, tourist spending totaled 21 billion euros ($23 billion) in 2018, generating nearly a 10th of gross domestic product and 171,000 jobs.

That source of income is under genuine threat. Climate change is expected to cost Austrian tourism 300 million euros a year, according to one of the country’s leading environmental protection organizations. In France, authorities in Tignes delayed the start of the ski season by several weeks, citing the effects of global warming on the Grande Motte glacier.

“If greenhouse-gas emissions continue at the same level, snow will almost disappear at lower levels by the end of the century,” said Marc Olefs, head of department for climate research at Vienna’s Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics.

At an elevation of 800 meters, Garmisch-known for its landmark ski jump-has little prospect of maintaining its status as a winter-sports mecca.

Among visitors, the changing conditions are accepted with quiet resignation.

Juergen Hilla, a school teacher from near Frankfurt, predicted that skiing and other winter sports may not be viable in Garmisch in the longer term and that he and his wife may have to consider alternatives for their ski vacation.

“Probably in 20 or 30 years, it won’t have the same role as it does now,” he added after a day on the slopes. The higher runs were in good shape but the lower ones needed cannons spraying artificial snow to keep them passable, Hilla said.

To make up for a lack of natural snowfall, resorts switch on the cannons, although they’re energy intensive and unpopular with environmentalists. Producing artificial snow will get harder as temperatures rise, Olefs predicted.

The practice didn’t start because of climate change originally-it was meant to make ski resorts less dependent on the whims of nature, according to Robert Steiger, an assistant professor at the University of Innsbruck. But it’s become unavoidable to cope with global warming.

“Some regions and areas will lose ski tourism by the mid of the century, or even earlier,” said Steiger, who has studied the impact of climate change on tourism. “Higher areas will survive, but they will have to invest more in snowmaking and to cope with the additional tourist inflow.”

Another option is snow farming, where mounds of the precious white flakes are collected in spring and covered with sawdust for use later in the year.

Areas most affected by warming are on the outskirts of the Alps-in Austria’s east, the foothills in France and Italy and in Germany. They were never as dependent on ski tourism as some regions in the central Alps, and are more attuned to welcoming guests around the year, Steiger said.

Already, the summer generates 60% of the tourism intake, according to Garmisch Mayor Sigrid Meierhofer. That’s a development seen elsewhere. In Switzerland, summer overnight hotel stays were a third higher than the winter of 2018-2019.

Summer bookings overtook winter in Austria as well a few years ago, even as revenue is still higher in the winter months because of equipment purchases and lift fees.

“Summer tourism growth is highest in the mountains,” according to Ulrike Proebstl-Haider, a professor at Vienna’s University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. “That’s also partly driven by climate change, for instance because it’s helped make the autumn more attractive.”

In Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Austria, ski runs are transformed into tracks for summer mountain bikers, and cable cars are remodeled to accommodate the muddy riders on their way up.

Swiss towns are picking up on the trend. Both Gstaad and Verbier host concerts of classical music in the summer, while Davos also offers summer conferences, expanding its schedule beyond January’s World Economic Forum.

At Garmisch City Hall, Meierhofer is putting on a brave face, citing the town’s brisk conference business.

“Of course, we have to come up with concepts to maintain the winter tourism that we still have,” she said. “You say it’s brown-I say the hiking paths are open.”

Couples invited to table by the pool for the ‘Season of Love’ #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/lifestyle/30380875?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Couples invited to table by the pool for the ‘Season of Love’

What’s on

Jan 21. 2020

By The Nation

Conrad Bangkok is inviting couples to celebrate the “Season of Love” in style with a sensational set menu that showcases some of the world’s most indulgent ingredients.

On Valentine’s Day, 14 February (Friday), couples can enjoy an enchanting private table for two overlooking the glistening waters of the hotel’s outdoor pool. Adorned with red roses, surrounded by candles and shaded by palm trees, this is a stunning setting to fan the flames of romance.

The chefs have crafted an outstanding eight-course menu that features many highly-prized delicacies from the land and sea. The night starts with “Oyster Champagne”, a premium David Hervé oyster served with Champagne jelly, watercress and caviar, accompanied by a complimentary glass of Champagne. To follow, “Hamachi Ceviche” combines hand-sliced amberjack fish with samphire, white sesame and ponzu sauce, before the “Alaska King Crab Gratin” treats diners to light yet warm and creamy dish, served with salmon roe, baby salad leaves and aioli sauce.

The chefs focus on the finest flavours from the earth, with a silky “Mushroom Tortelli” accompanied by foie gras sauce and black truffle. The first main course of “Ora King Salmon” is then served on pink salt with a spring vegetable garden, for a beautifully fresh and flavorful dish.

Following a refreshing, palate-cleansing “Caipirinha Sorbet”, the second main course of “Miyazaki Wagyu” combines a wonderfully tender cut of Japanese beef with red cabbage slaw, shiso leaves and a rich red wine sauce. The evening ends with “Chocolate Art”, a dramatic couple’s dessert that is served at the table.

The Valentine’s Day private set dinner at the City Terrace is priced at Bt6,900* per couple. Advance booking is required. For more information and reservations, please call +66 (0) 2690 9244 or email bkkci.info@conradhotels.com

* Prices are subject to 10 per cent service charge and 7 per cent government tax

Myths and misconceptions about botox #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/lifestyle/30380866?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Myths and misconceptions about botox

Health & Beauty

Jan 21. 2020

By Thanisorn Thamlikitkul
Special to The Nation

Cosmetic procedures are rising in popularity. In 2018 alone Thailand saw 140,123 procedures, according to the data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. That makes Thailand the fifth highest for cosmetic procedures in the world. Despite that, the stigma around the most popular cosmetic procedure like Botulinum Toxin injection, still remains. As a dermatologist, I’ve seen many people working hard to take care of their beauty but falling for some of the big myths about botox treatment. Let me share some of the most common:

One of the biggest myths about botulinum toxin is that it causes “frozen face”. It’s described as not being able to make facial expressions. The truth is the botulinum toxin has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration and is used in relaxing, not freezing, the muscles from contracting.

Wrinkles are formed by repetitive contraction of facial muscles. Injection of regulated quantities of botulinum toxin into specific overactive muscles causes muscle relaxation. This results in smoothing out frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet temporarily — for 4-6 months. Each treatment is customisable, by only injecting small doses of botulinum toxin into specific muscles. One can have a natural softening of unwanted wrinkles without compromising facial expressions. So you can have as much or as little movement as you want. With experience and precision targeting, though, a skilled dermatologist can maintain your facial expressiveness while still freshening your overall look with targeted injections to reduce wrinkles.

The most important advice from me is that botulinum toxin injection is a medical treatment. Therefore, you should find a qualified and experienced physician to perform it in a clinic or a hospital. Moreover, you need to be cautious when injectables are offered at bargain or reduced prices, because they may have been obtained through websites or offshore, they may be counterfeit and there’s no one to assure purity or content of the solution. Serious injury or personal harm may result when unknown substances are injected.

As with anything, know your facts before undergoing any beauty treatment or procedure. When it comes to beauty, knowledge is the power that allows you to weigh risk versus benefit.

Chronic inflammation is dangerous, and you may not even know you have it #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/lifestyle/30380857?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Chronic inflammation is dangerous, and you may not even know you have it

Health & Beauty

Jan 21. 2020

A medical diagnostic center. Experts believe chronic inflammation may damage DNA and lead to heart disease, cancer, other disorders. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Michael S. Williamson

By Special To The Washington Post · Marlene Cimons · HEALTH

Most of us think of inflammation as the redness and swelling that follow a wound, infection or injury, such as an ankle sprain, or from overdoing a sport, “tennis elbow,” for example. This is “acute” inflammation, a beneficial immune system response that encourages healing, and usually disappears once the injury improves.

But chronic inflammation is less obvious and often more insidious.

Chronic inflammation begins without an apparent cause – and doesn’t stop. The immune system becomes activated, but the inflammatory response isn’t intermittent, as it is during an acute injury or infection. Rather, it stays on all the time at a low level.

Experts think this may be the result of an infection that doesn’t resolve, an abnormal immune reaction or such lifestyle factors as obesity, poor sleep or exposure to environmental toxins. Over time, the condition can, among other things, damage DNA and lead to heart disease, cancer and other serious disorders.

“Unlike acute inflammation, which benefits health by promoting healing and recovery, chronic inflammation is characterized by persistent increases in inflammatory proteins all throughout the body and can damage health and promote several major diseases,” says George Slavich, associate professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, referring to small proteins called cytokines that the immune system releases at the site of an injury to promote recovery.

“People typically don’t know that they have chronic inflammation until it’s too late,” he says.

Individuals often learn they have chronic inflammation when they develop an autoimmune disease, such as Crohn’s disease, lupus or Type 1 diabetes, since inflammation is a hallmark of autoimmune disorders. But experts believe chronic inflammation also plays a role in developing heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive decline and mental health illnesses, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia.

Scientists are still learning about why chronic inflammation is so dangerous and how it contributes to disease. Meanwhile, they suggest actions people can take to reduce their risk, specifically by changing certain behaviors.

Numerous factors appear to raise the risk of chronic inflammation, among them social isolation, psychological stress, disturbed sleep, chronic infections, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity and exposure to air pollutants, hazardous waste products, industrial chemicals and tobacco smoke.

Experts believe individuals can reduce their risk by adopting lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy diet, improving sleep, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and finding ways to decrease stress and exposure to environmental pollutants.

“Diet is one of the key factors that influences inflammation in the body,” Slavich says. “Whereas fried foods, red meat, sodas, and white bread and pastries that have refined carbohydrates tend to increase inflammation, fruits, nuts, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes and olive oil tend to reduce inflammation. Therefore, while diet is not the only factor that can be targeted to improve immune health, it is an important one.”

Scientists think chronic inflammation causes oxidative stress in the body, which is an imbalance between the production of dangerous free radicals, molecules that harm healthy tissue in the body, and antioxidants, substances that clean up waste products and neutralize them. This can damage DNA as well as proteins and fatty tissue, which in turn accelerates biological aging.

“Chronic inflammation is involved in not just a few select disorders but a wide variety of very serious physical and mental health conditions,” says Slavich, senior author of a recent paper signed by scientists from 22 institutions urging greater prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of severe chronic inflammation. “Indeed, chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of death in the world today, with more than 50 percent of all deaths being attributable to inflammation-related diseases.”

Researchers still don’t understand the exact mechanisms of how certain behaviors influence chronic inflammation, although a few examples are clear. In heart disease, for example, cigarette smoking and air pollution irritate the arteries, which stimulates inflammation.

“The ‘damage accumulation’ theory is a possibility, but the reality is that we do not know whether inflammation is causing these health and functional problems, or whether it’s an indication that some other process is evolving that undermines health,” says Luigi Ferrucci, scientific director of the National Institute on Aging. “The evidence is clearer for cardiovascular disease, since it has been demonstrated that blocking inflammation with specific drugs prevents cardiovascular events. For the other outcomes, it’s still uncertain.”

Chronic inflammation can contribute to cognitive decline and mental health disorders by boosting age-related immune system deterioration, known as immunosenescence, and by promoting vascular and brain aging, which, in combination, degrade neural and cognitive function, experts say.

“Chronic inflammation can also cause threat sensitivity and hypervigilance, which gives rise to anxiety disorders and PTSD, as well as fatigue and social-behavioral withdrawal, which are key symptoms of depression,” Slavich says.

Scientists say more research is needed to identify biomarkers or other substances that suggest the presence of chronic inflammation.

There are probably hundreds of these potential diagnostic tools produced by the immune system, but they remain unidentified, Slavich says.

The most widely used test measures levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. CRP, a substance produced by the liver, rises when chronic inflammation is present, although the standard CRP test is nonspecific – that is, it indicates inflammation, but cannot pinpoint exactly where it is. A second, more sensitive test (hs-CRP) suggests a higher risk of heart attack, although it too can be imprecise.

Some doctors screen for CRP as part of routine physical exams and also among people at risk for heart disease and autoimmune conditions. Experts think wider screening could identify more patients. “This isn’t a bad idea,” Ferrucci says.

Another test – this one more specific to heart disease – screens for myeloperoxidase, or MPO, an enzyme released by white blood cells that kills harmful bacteria in inflamed blood vessels. Increases in MPO can be dangerous, causing further damage to arterial walls, which encourages the formation of clots. These, in turn, can block blood flow, leading to heart attack and stroke. MPO also reduces the effectiveness of HDL, the “good” cholesterol, and removes nitric oxide, which is important for the regulation of healthy blood flow.

The good news, however, is that people worried about developing chronic inflammation can take affirmative steps to prevent it.

“If we make people aware of these risk factors, our hope is that individuals will reduce the factors that apply to them,” Slavich says.

The Big Number: U.S. birthrate drops to all-time low of 1.73 #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/lifestyle/30380846?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

The Big Number: U.S. birthrate drops to all-time low of 1.73

Health & Beauty

Jan 21. 2020

By Special To The Washington Post · Linda Searing · HEALTH

Women in the United States are having fewer babies than ever before, creating a fertility rate of 1.73 births per mother, according to data from the National Vital Statistics System that was analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The fertility rate peaked in 1957 at 3.77 births per woman, declined to 1.84 births in 1980, increased slightly to 2.08 by 1990 and started declining again in 2007, reaching the record low by the end of 2018. The 1.73 number is below what is considered the replacement rate – producing as many births each year as deaths. That requires a fertility rate of 2.1 births per woman, according to the CDC.

The agency’s report did not address reasons the fertility rate has fallen. But other data in the report showed that women are having children later in life, with fewer births than in the past from the teen years to early 30s and more births than in the past from ages 35 to 44. The age at which women first become mothers also has increased. Today, U.S. women are, on average, 26.4 years old when they have their first child, according to a Pew Research Center study based on international data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

SAG Awards: 10 things to know, from Jennifer Aniston’s emotional speech to ‘Parasite’s’ big win #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/lifestyle/30380845?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

SAG Awards: 10 things to know, from Jennifer Aniston’s emotional speech to ‘Parasite’s’ big win

Entertainment

Jan 20. 2020

Actors honored the year’s best performances in film and television at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 19.

By The Washington Post · Bethonie Butler · ENTERTAINMENT, FILM, TV

Bong Joon-Ho’s “Parasite” made history Sunday at the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, becoming the first foreign-language film to win the ceremony’s top prize: best cast in a motion picture.

Despite its accolades, including several Oscar nominations, the thriller has found itself on several snub lists this award season as its actors have largely been overlooked for major awards. But “Parasite” was clearly a crowd favorite at this year’s SAG Awards – the cast received two standing ovations – and its victory (over heavily nominated contenders including “Bombshell” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) makes this year’s Oscars race that much tougher to predict.

Joaquin Phoenix won best actor in a leading role, for “Joker,” continuing a winning streak that has landed him a Golden Globe and a Critics’ Choice Award. Renée Zellweger, also a Golden Globe winner for her well-received portrayal of Judy Garland, triumphed over Scarlett Johansson in the leading actress category. The supporting actress trophy went, not at all surprisingly, to Laura Dern – in the midst of an awards season sweep for her turn as a powerhouse divorce attorney in “Marriage Story” – while Brad Pitt took best supporting actor, for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

“Fosse/Verdon” was a standout in the television categories, with leads Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams winning for their roles as Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, respectively, in the limited series/TV movie category. Jennifer Aniston, meanwhile, took the best actress in a TV drama award for “The Morning Show,” beating out “The Crown’s” Helena Bonham Carter and Jodie Comer, whose turn as a complicated villain on “Killing Eve” earned her an Emmy in September. Peter Dinklage won best actor in a TV drama, adding a note of victory to the swan song of HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” The top prizes for TV comedy went to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, for “Fleabag,” and Tony Shalhoub for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”

Here are 10 major moments from the two-hour show, which aired on TNT and TBS.

– “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” cast’s tribute to Brian Tarantina

When Shalhoub took the stage to accept his best actor in a TV comedy award, he dedicated his trophy to his late co-star, Brian Tarantina, who played Jackie, the emcee at the bar where Midge Maisel gets her start in stand-up. Tarantina died of an accidental overdose in November, just a month before the show’s third-season premiere.

“I share this Actor with my fellow ‘Maisel’ castmates,” Shalhoub said. “It is a joy to know you. It is a privilege to work alongside you. And so with your blessings, I will dedicate this to one of our family who we lost this year and who we miss terribly, the most marvelous Brian Tarantina, our brother. Here’s to you.”

Rachel Brosnahan, who plays the comedy’s title role, also paid tribute to Tarantina as the cast accepted the trophy for best ensemble in a TV comedy. “This ensemble extends far beyond those that you see on this stage. We are missing … one really, really important member of our ensemble tonight, Brian Tarantina,” Brosnahan said. “We had such an amazing time here with him last year, so thank you so, so much for this. This is dedicated to him.”

– Laura Dern’s sweet moment with her father, Bruce Dern

Before Dern made it to the stage to accept her best supporting actress award, she stopped to give a hug to her father, an Oscar-nominated actor who co-stars in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” “I’m emotional because I got to hug my dad,” she told the audience.

As she reflected on her years in the industry, Dern noted that she “literally, literally would not be here if not for actors,” thanking her dad – and mother (and “Enlightened” co-star) Diane Ladd.

“Thank you for raising me in the community of your friends, on your movies, doing your plays and getting to know the wealth of these extraordinary people,” she told her famous parents.

– Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s stateside farewell to “Fleabag”

Thanking her SAG colleagues for their stateside support of her quirky (and beloved) comedy, Waller-Bridge noted that the team behind the series would be heading back to the U.K. after the ceremony. And despite recent wins at the Emmys and Golden Globes, it appears that the actress-writer is still coming to grips with her success. “This whole thing really has been a dream,” she said. “And if I wake up tomorrow and discover it was just that, then thank you,” she said. “It’s been the most beautiful dream.”

– Michelle Williams’ sweet shout-out to her daughter

Williams has made several speeches this awards season, but her Emmy and Golden Globe speeches were notably more political than the acting-centered speech she made while accepting her best actress award for “Fosse/Verdon.” But there was one thing connecting all three speeches: Matilda, Williams’s 14-year-old daughter with the late Heath Ledger.

“Matilda, it’s one thing to be completely honest as an actor,” Williams said Sunday. “It’s another thing to be completely honest as a human being. And that’s who you are and how you live. You teach me just by being you.”

– Brad Pitt’s Tarantino joke

Pitt had one of the funniest speeches of the night. He began with yet another joke about his dating life. “I get to add this to my Tinder profile,” he quipped, looking at his trophy.

His speech was at times deprecating – at one point he joked about how on-the-nose his “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” role could be from certain perspectives. “It was a difficult part, a guy who gets high, takes his shirt off and doesn’t get on with his wife. It was a big stretch,” he joked – to laughter from the audience, which included his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston.

But Pitt saved the biggest zinger for director Quentin Tarantino, who has been known to have somewhat of a, well, foot fetish. “I’d like to thank my co-stars, Leo (DiCaprio), Margot Robbie, Margot Robbie’s feet, Margaret Qualley’s feet,” he joked before revealing the, um, kicker: “Quentin Tarantino has separated more women from their shoes than the TSA.”

Pitt’s speech wasn’t all jests though – he offered some wisdom gleaned from his three decades in the industry. “I’ve been banging away at this thing for thirty-some years,” he said. “I think the simple math is: Some projects work, some projects don’t and there is no reason to belabor either.”

“Enjoy the evening,” he added. “Because tomorrow it’s back to work.”

– Jennifer Aniston’s emotional speech

Aniston looked genuinely shocked – and teary eyed – as she took the stage to accept her trophy for Apple TV Plus’s “The Morning Show.” It was the actress’s first SAG win since 1996 when she shared best TV comedy ensemble with the cast of “Friends.”

“What?! Oh my gosh. This is so unbelievable,” Aniston said. She recalled listening to audiotapes of “Laverne & Shirley” and “Happy Days” episodes as a young girl, and thinking that she wanted to be an actor when she grew up. She eventually landed a Bob’s Big Boy commercial and the rest is history, as they say.

Aniston pivoted to the current project that had earned her the admiration of her colleagues. “Boy, did we get to dive deep into our own experiences and our own history and really be able to breathe life into these extraordinary characters,” she said, before joking: “Who knew that emotional breakdowns felt that good? It really was like, seven months of therapy covering about 20 years of work. So thank you for watching that.”

“I love you, girl. It took 20 years but we did it,” Aniston said to her co-star (and co-producer) Reese Witherspoon. And she offered another shout-out – to Adam Sandler, whose acclaimed work in “Uncut Gems” was left out of this year’s Oscar nominations. “Oh, Adam Sandler, your performance is extraordinary, your magic is real, buddy,” Aniston said. “I love you.”

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Aniston and her ex-husband did interact backstage, sending the internet into a tailspin.

– Robert De Niro’s subtly political speech

De Niro, recipient of this year’s Life Achievement award, is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, but his speech did not mention POTUS – at least not directly. After reflecting on his craft, De Niro first praised the actors’ union:

“I thank SAG-AFTRA for tirelessly fighting on our behalf for workplace and economic gains and respect. And that especially bears remembering these days when there’s so much hostility towards unions,” De Niro said.

“Political leaders who support unions are more likely to support Affordable Care Act, equitable taxes, humane immigration regulations, a safe environment, a diverse citizenry, reproductive rights, sensible gun control and fair wages and benefits,” the veteran actor continued. “We owe them our support and we owe them our vote.”

De Niro acknowledged that some of his colleagues may have wanted him to steer clear of politics in his speech. “But we’re in such a dire situation, so deeply concerning to me and to so many others, I have to say something,” he said, joking that his recent comments to Variety conveyed his feelings so well he would quote himself.

“There’s right and there’s wrong. And there’s common sense and there’s abuse of power. And as a citizen, I have as much right as anybody, an actor, an athlete, a musician, anybody else, to voice my opinion, and if I have a bigger voice because of my situation, I’m going to use it whenever I see a blatant abuse of power. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that tonight.”

– Joaquin Phoenix’s Heath Ledger tribute

Phoenix has been notably averse to many awards shows, even admitting on the SAG Awards stage that he “couldn’t fully appreciate” the ceremony several years ago. But he took the time onstage to honor his fellow nominees, addressing each of them directly as he praised their work. (He also recalled losing several roles to DiCaprio.) Phoenix ended his speech with a nod to another actor who portrayed the Joker: “I’m standing on the shoulders of my favorite actor, Heath Ledger,” he said.

– Bong Joon-Ho as a proud dad (er, director)

As the “Parasite” cast accepted its prestigious trophy, the filmmaker sat in the audience, recording the historic moment on a cellphone.

– Eugene and Dan Levy’s non-host banter

The father-son duo, both nominated for “Schitt’s Creek,” opened and closed the show with witty banter, but – as they reminded us several times – they were not the hosts of the ceremony. (Following the lead of several recent awards shows, the SAG Awards went hostless this year.)

Fittingly, the elder Levy kicked things off with a dad joke – involving a famous toilet paper commercial – that he worked into one of SAG’s trademark “I am an actor” profiles.

Taylor Mikesell, Shakira Austin turn back the clock to help Maryland beat Indiana #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30380869?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Taylor Mikesell, Shakira Austin turn back the clock to help Maryland beat Indiana

Jan 21. 2020

Shakira Austin finished with 22 points in Maryland’s 76-62 win over Indiana at Xfinity Center January 20, 2020 in College Park, MD. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Katherine Frey

By The Washington Post · Ava Wallace · SPORTS, BASKETBALL

As Taylor Mikesell darted downcourt late in the third quarter, pulled up around the left side of the arc and let rip, Monday night began to feel a bit like old times for the 20th-ranked Maryland women’s basketball team.

Not only did Mikesell pave the way in the Terrapins’ 76-63 win against No. 17 Indiana by setting up her teammates with smooth passing in her strongest game since taking over as the starting point guard in the new year, she showed she can still resemble the three-point-draining Mikesell of old. And just as it was last season, her sophomore classmate, center Shakira Austin, was right there with her.

Austin led four Terps in double figures with 22 points, and Mikesell had 16 points and eight assists in what looked like a flashback to the duo’s snappy freshman year, when they dazzled unprepared defenses with a one-two punch from under the basket and beyond the arc.

Mikesell and Austin, like Maryland (14-4, 5-2 Big Ten) in general, have struggled this year going up against Big Ten defenses that are better equipped to deal with their skill sets. Both players have had to adjust in their second seasons in College Park – Austin into a much more crucial part of the offense and Mikesell into a starting point guard after she primarily played shooting guard last year.

But against the scrappy Hoosiers (14-5, 4-3), who entered Monday coming off back-to-back losses last week to then-No. 22 Iowa and current No. 22 Northwestern, Austin and Mikesell both shined.

Austin shot 6 for 12 from the field and 10 for 13 from the free throw line, leading a Maryland team that shot 48 percent from the field to string together the team’s third strong offensive performance in a row.

Mikesell’s eight assists came with four turnovers, but she shot 6 for 7 from the field and 4 for 5 from three-point range.

Seniors Kaila Charles (12 points, nine rebounds) and Stephanie Jones (12 points) supported their younger teammates after getting Maryland off to a strong start. Following a shaky start to conference play, Coach Brenda Frese’s team has now notched three straight wins, including two against ranked opponents.

Maryland will face another ranked team Sunday – Northwestern – after a Thursday trip to Illinois.

The Terps opened Monday with an 8-0 run on baskets from Charles and Jones and two from senior guard Blair Watson, forcing Indiana into an early timeout. But Maryland let the strong start wither away with four turnovers in the final 2:05 of the first quarter. The Hoosiers stormed back to trail 16-15 heading into the second quarter and then briefly took the lead on Ali Patberg’s three-point play. But the Terps squeezed Indiana on defense, and this time their effort made a bigger difference.

Maryland went on a 12-0 run that gave the Terps their first commanding lead of the game. After Ashley Owusu tied the score with a layup, Jones added another layup after a turnover in the backcourt. Then Jones, Charles and Watson took over, feeding off three smart assists from Mikesell and capitalizing on three more Indiana turnovers in less than three minutes. The run earned Maryland a 28-18 edge, and after Mikesell’s second three-pointer of the night pushed the Terps ahead 34-21 with 5:18 to play in the half, Maryland maintained that 13-point advantage until halftime.

Back-to-back buckets from Austin and Owusu pushed the gap to 17 with 2:15 left in the third quarter. Mikesell made it a clean 20 with her third three of the game, tying her high for a conference game this season. The Terps pushed their lead to 24 midway through the fourth quarter.

Indiana never recovered from its poor second quarter, in which it was outscored 18-6. After hanging with the Terps in the first quarter, the Hoosiers were ultimately outrebounded 40-28. They shot 43.9 percent from the field and made just 1 of 8 threes.

Grace Berger led Indiana with 21 points and Patberg had 15, but they couldn’t prevent Maryland from earning its eighth straight win in the series.

Terps freshman Donta Scott shines on defense, and now his offense is heating up #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30380868?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Terps freshman Donta Scott shines on defense, and now his offense is heating up

Jan 21. 2020

Maryland’s Donta Scott scored a career-high 13 points against Purdue.in College Park, Maryland, on January 18, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Photo for The Washington Post by Will Newton

By The Washington Post · Emily Giambalvo · SPORTS, BASKETBALL

When Purdue visited College Park on Saturday afternoon, the Maryland men’s basketball team finally assembled a poised and promising start to a game, something that has been missing far too often this season. And as the Terrapins jumped to an unfamiliar double-digit lead early, their most productive scorer was a freshman from Philadelphia.

Three months into his college career, Donta Scott has become as integral of a player in Maryland’s rotation as the veterans who surround him. Heading into Tuesday night’s game at Northwestern, Scott has started every contest since mid-December, but his performance against Purdue rose above the others: He finished with 13 points, six rebounds, a block and no turnovers, with many of his contributions coming early.

“He kind of became the X-factor there in the first half,” Purdue Coach Matt Painter said.

And that first half was when Maryland (14-4, 4-3 Big Ten) built such a significant cushion that the Boilermakers couldn’t claw all the way back when the Terps’ shooting cooled. The opening minutes offered some needed reassurance after the typically slow-starting Terps had lost their previous two games, both on the road.

Through 12 minutes, Scott had hit four of his five shot attempts, including two three-pointers and a three-point play he converted on the Terps’ first possession. He reached double figures for the first time in his career when Maryland still had nearly 30 minutes to play.

“We all know defensively he’s going to give all he has,” sophomore guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We know offensively he’s going to give all he has when it comes to rebounding, making the right plays. But when he’s hitting those open shots, it makes him more of a threat, and it opens the court a little bit more for everybody else.”

Both Scott and fellow forward Jalen Smith have showcased their three-point shooting abilities this season. Smith has made 8 of 13 this month. The two combined for four makes in the first half against Purdue, which gives the Terps’ lineup options – and five players who have that ability.

“When we’re both hitting threes,” Scott said, “that’s a great day.”

Scott recently said he is “trying to figure out where I’m going to be most efficient” offensively. Sometimes that derives from his defense, when a block or steal could get the team going in transition, where Scott feels comfortable. Scott said he has never had a problem in those fast-paced situations because his high school team ran a lot and he has always been “the guy who was hyperactive, ready to go at all times.” Scott’s second three-pointer against Purdue came in transition off an assist from Anthony Cowan Jr., capping a four-minute spurt during which Scott scored all eight of Maryland’s points.

The 6-foot-7 freshman has attempted more threes than twos this month, even as his three-point shooting percentage has dipped a bit. A couple of times during Maryland’s disappointing loss last week at Wisconsin, Scott missed three-pointers early in the shot clock that quickly killed possessions. In that game, Scott finished 0 for 4, with all of his attempts coming from behind the arc. But then a few days later against the Boilermakers, Scott made multiple three-pointers for the first time in his career.

After Scott’s career-best outing, Coach Mark Turgeon pointed back to that Wisconsin performance, emphasizing how much his team needs Scott to hit shots. If Scott had done so against the Badgers, the Terps could have a 5-2 conference record instead of the 4-3 mark that positions Maryland closer to the middle of the congested Big Ten standings.

But as Scott’s offensive production has bounced between two and 13 points on his way to a 5.6-point average, the player who just turned 19 continues to show a mature commitment to defense.

“He guards every night,” Turgeon said. “He’s a terrific defender. He’s got toughness down there. [Purdue’s] Nojel Eastern was scoring on everybody, and all of a sudden Donta was on him [and] he couldn’t. You know what I’m saying? He has that in him.”

Scott doesn’t have the height to match some of his Big Ten counterparts at power forward, but his physicality helps. So does his mind-set. Turgeon said Scott can guard an opponent’s center if needed. When asked about defending someone with a size advantage, Scott said, “I basically just look at it as they bleed the way I bleed.”

That’s the confidence and toughness that oozes out of the freshman. With high-level high school and AAU basketball, players now arrive at college more prepared than before. Scott said he “always felt like I could step on the court with anybody.” And as Maryland continues through its Big Ten slate, one that’s packed with meaningful matchups, Scott will keep having opportunities to prove his un-freshman-like ability.

‘Young Ambassadors’ programme gives Thai golf a shot in the arm #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30380815?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

‘Young Ambassadors’ programme gives Thai golf a shot in the arm

Jan 20. 2020

By THE NATION

Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd in collaboration with IMG and the Sports Authority of Thailand, jointly hosted the second edition of the “Young Ambassadors Program” on Saturday (January 18) to provide extensive knowledge about golf and tournaments as well as to inspire a new generation of youths to get involved in the sport.

Participants will have an opportunity to be a part of the world tournament “Honda LPGA Thailand 2020” and be selected for an exclusive internship to work on a major golf tournament overseas. The seminar programme was held at Chalermprakeat Building 25 Floor, Sports Authority of Thailand.

Pitak Pruittisarikorn, chief operating officer of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd, said, “As part of the ‘Road to Honda LPGA Thailand’, the Young Ambassadors Programme was organised for the second time with the aim of developing golf in Thailand by supporting young Thai golfers and enthusiasts, leveraging the country’s golf potential, and to continuously elevate the sport to a world class level.

“The seminar-style programme encourages, empowers, and inspires youths and novice golfers to gain in-depth knowledge on several topics related to golf. We strongly believe that all participants will benefit from this programme and will utilise their newly gained knowledge to ensure that golf in Thailand will continue to go from strength to strength.”

The seminar featured workshops with famous guest speakers on various topics such as “The Future of a Career in the Golf Industry”, “The Importance of Digital Media”, “Creating your vision and goal”, and more.

The speakers included experts in their fields ranging from both government agencies to leading business organisations involved in golf. Their insights provided valuable knowledge and inspiration to the youths who attended the programme.

Thirty of the participants will be invited to serve as volunteers at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020, which will be held from February 20-23 at the Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Chonburi.

After the tournament, the contributions of these students will be reviewed, and the six most outstanding candidates will be offered an exclusive internship with the chance to join a major golf tournament both in Thailand and abroad.

For more information about the Honda LPGA Thailand 2020, please visit http://www.hondalpgathailand.com and http://www.facebook.com/lpgaThailand

Registration of electric vehicles rose by 380 per cent #ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย

Posted on January 21, 2020 by SoClaimon

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

https://www.nationthailand.com/auto/30380873?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Registration of electric vehicles rose by 380 per cent

Jan 21. 2020

By The Nation

There has been a sharp increase in the number of electric vehicles registered in 2019, according to the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT).

According to the statistics of the Department of Land Transport, as of December 31, 2019 there were 2,854 electric vehicles (EV) registrations, including 1,572 new cars, up 380 per cent over 2018 when only 325 vehicles were registered.

Meanwhile, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) reached a total of 153,184 vehicles.

“The growth rate of PHEV and EV is up more than 51 per cent from a year earlier,” Yossapong Laoonual, EVAT president, said. “The increase in electric vehicle registration will have an effect shortly as the need for charging stations will increase as well. Therefore, this year may see full model commercial charging stations, with the private sector playing an increasingly important role.”

The EVAT has the policy to promote and support the exchange of academic knowledge about technology and innovation for all types of electric vehicles including regulatory, standards and operations consultation in the development of electric vehicle technology in Thailand. There are more than 200 members from the private sector, educational institutions, state enterprises and individuals.