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The Future Is Here: Hybrid, Edge and Multicloud Operations in the Enterprise is Strategic and Real
contributed,sponsored,
Cloud Services / Sponsored / Contributed
8 Mar 2018 12:15pm, by Gou Rao
Gou Rao, Portworx
Gou Rao, Portworx co-founder and CTO, was previously CTO of Dell's Data Protection division and of Citrix Systems' ASG; co-founder and CTO of Ocarina Networks and of Net6; and a key architect at Intel and Lockheed Martin. He holds computer science bachelor's (Bangalore University) and master's (University of Pennsylvania) degrees.
Today Mesosphere announced DC/OS 1.11, the latest release of its flagship software used by some of the largest, most sophisticated organizations in the world. This release focuses on three themes: seamless hybrid, edge and multicloud operations, production-ready Kubernetes and improved security for mission-critical stateful applications.
All of these themes are near and dear to my heart because we are addressing these needs with our own customers. Many of these customers are also Mesosphere DC/OS users like NIO the self-driving car company and Beco, an innovative IoT provider revolutionizing commercial real estate. But the demand for secure, hybrid and multicloud operations managed by Kubernetes is something we hear from almost all Portworx customers. This is why I think that Mesosphere's latest release is so important. Hybrid, edge and multicloud operations aren't just desirable for the enterprise, they are strategic. A recent experience highlighted this for me.
Representatives from Portworx recently attended a Washington, D.C. summit of CIOs from across the U.S. federal government and government-related agencies organized by Mayfield Fund, one of the leading venture capital firms in the world. The Treasury Department, Homeland Security, CIA, International Monetary Fund, Brookings Institution, InQTel and others were in attendance and we had a wide-ranging discussion on AI and machine learning, how to build a culture of innovation across the government and private sector and the possibilities enabled by a mass move to the cloud. On this last topic, there was not universal agreement that cloud is the most desired end state for the government, but some CIOs at the event, especially from the intelligence agencies were arguing persuasively for the benefits of the cloud from a cost, operational efficiency and agility perspective.
Portworx is the leading provider of persistent storage for containers and is used in production by healthcare, global manufacturing, and telecom members of the Fortune Global 500 and other great companies. Learn about Portworx solutions for Kubernetes storage, DCOS storage & more at portworx.com.
As it became clear that a majority of government CIOs were supportive of the move to the cloud, an undercurrent of caution emerged. Government agencies are extremely concerned about being locked into a single cloud provider. These are not theoretical concerns when you are talking about multibillion-dollar IT budgets and petabytes of data.
When we asked the audience who is investigating containers in their organization, 90 percent of the hands went up in the room. When asked why the answers were consistent: more agility and application portability. Application portability is one reason why Mesosphere's latest release is so important.
Only if you can credibly run an application in multiple environments, will you truly have leverage with service providers. This is the point I made earlier that hybrid and multi-cloud operations aren't just desirable for the enterprise, they are strategic. Being able to burst to the cloud to access additional compute is desirable. Being able to failover applications between data centers is desirable. But the ability to take a workload and move it between environments is also strategic because it limits the lock-in that an organization faces from its cloud provider. Organizations will get better support, better pricing and ultimately have a better experience if the cloud provider is competing for their business.
We're proud to be a Mesosphere partner making hybrid, edge and multicloud operations of stateful services a reality for dozens of enterprises, not just tomorrow, but today. With Mesosphere DC/OS running Marathon or Kubernetes, customers can have true portability of applications between environments. For instance, with Mesosphere and Portworx:
Stateful applications like Cassandra, Kafka, ElasticSearch, HDFS and more can be deployed across fault-domains, ensuring that if a server, rack, datacenter or even region is down, an application can keep running or be rescheduled to another host with an up-to-date copy of the data available.
Big data, fast data, and machine learning workloads like TensorFlow can be burst to the cloud using Portworx CloudSnap feature which moves data between environments so that DC/OS can schedule compute jobs on demand.
DC/OS Kubernetes-as-a-service users can take advantage of Portworx's forced hyperconvergence of compute with data to ensure that their mission-critical, performance-sensitive data services always run with fast local storage, even when being rescheduled due to a server or network failure.
I'm excited about the latest DC/OS release and helping customers make hybrid and multicloud computing a reality. What about you?
Portworx sponsored this story. Mesosphere is a sponsor of The New Stack.
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At the Fence: What Style Do You Want In Your Home?
We all want to get the most out of our homes. After all, we all know how strange it is to walk into someone's house and just feel no personality whatsoever. Often it's like you've walked into a showroom rather than a home where someone actually lives. However, a lot of people really struggle to know how to make their homes feel like they have more personality. They want to bring a sense of style to their homes, but they don't know how to do it. For anyone who's struggling to do that, there's one important thing you have to do before you do anything else. You have to figure out what kind of style you want your home to have. This presents a challenge for a lot of people because a lot of the time they don't know what kinds of styles are out there, which means figuring out their personal style is that much harder. If you know the kinds of home design styles that there are, you have the chance to turn your home into somewhere that more accurately reflects your tastes and personality. With that in mind, here are some of the most popular home design styles that you might want to take some inspiration from.
While this might sound like a vague and nebulous kind of concept, there are a lot of signifiers for a traditionally appointed home. Generally speaking, it has a strong European influence to it. It's all about the classic styling, accessories and soft furnishings. Dark wood paired with light colors like white and blue are extremely typical of this style, with the brightness beautifully contrasted by the elegance and class that the dark, varnished furniture often brings with it. Imagine yourself sitting by the fire in the drawing room with a hot coffee, and you've got a pretty good idea of the kind of feeling that you get from a traditionally styled home.
A bohemian home goes in completely the opposite direction to a traditional one. Rather than building itself around elegance and class, a bohemian home is about expression and comfort. A lot of the time you'll find that bohemian homes are heavily influenced by Middle Eastern countries like Morocco. There will be a lot of bright colors and bold patterns. Everything should feel soft and sumptuous. Replacing your couch with large bean bags and a new footrest is the kind of thing that would fit perfectly in a bohemian home. Don't worry too much about things looking too neat. An abundance of decorations and different colors help to bring an extremely vibrant and exotic feeling to your home in a way that no other style can manage. Don't worry about the rules and just express your creative side.
A lot of people tend to lump rustic and bohemian styles together because they both emphasize a lack of clean lines and neatness. However, they're actually very different. Where bohemian styles are all about exotic patterns and colors, there's something rather vintage, and countryside influenced about a rustic home. With distressed furniture and vintage decorations everywhere making your home look more like a cozy cottage than anything else. A rustic home has a serious emphasis on natural styles, almost to the degree that the home looks like it practically grew up from the earth fully formed. Again, don't worry about keeping everything neat and symmetrical, lean into and embrace the natural style as much as possible. Trawling through vintage stores and yard sales is a great way to find things that will look perfect in this kind of home.
If you want something seriously modern and trendy, then industrial style is the thing for you. Picture a loft apartment in a city where the charm comes from the exposed brickwork and pipes, with huge amounts of open plan space where young, creative types hang out and come up with new ideas, and you know exactly the kind of style that industrial homes are going for. Of course, you don't need an inner city loft to create that feeling. It's all about combining industrial flavor with the comforts of home. Coffee tables made from reclaimed wood and metal girders, metal overhead light fixtures, large open spaces with high ceilings. Sure, this isn't always the easiest style to achieve, but if you've got the kind of property that can accommodate it, then this style is perfect for unleashing your inner hipster.
Who doesn't love to be beside the sea? There's a reason that thousands of people flock to the beach every summer to enjoy the sunshine, sea air, and wonderful atmosphere. So why not bring that home with you and enjoy it every single day? That's what a coastal or nautical theme tries to achieve. A nautical home involves bringing in as much natural light as possible and emphasizing it with light colored walls and simple decor. Light blues and creams are perfect for these kinds of home. You can bring some color into your home with some bold stripes that reflect that seaside feeling. Nautical accessories are a perfect way to decorate the walls, and white painted floorboards give a wonderful feeling of walking on driftwood by the sea. Sure, you might be in the middle of suburbia or living in a city, but there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to bring the beach home with you!
Look to the land down under if you want inspiration for this kind of style. Minimalism takes the kinds of styles and idea laid down by modern interiors and amplifies them even more! As the name would suggest, this is the opposite of rustic and bohemian styles in that the focus is very heavily on clean lines and symmetry. You don't want over the top bursts of color everywhere, instead focussing on more neutral spaces that make your home feel light and clean at all times. Make sure that you're getting as much into your home as possible and keep the lines in your home clean. Minimalism is highly influenced by Bauhaus design philosophies of function over form. The beauty of your home comes from how well it works rather than from endless amounts of decor and accessories. Sure, you might want to bring in a flash of color here and there, but don't go overboard with it. Muted or darker colors like maroon or navy blue work very well in this kind of style but you need to make sure your rooms have enough like that these colors don't become oppressive. It's also very important to keep things tidy since the clean elegance of minimalism can be tricky to maintain a lot of the time.
Of course, perhaps simplicity isn't really our style, and you want something just a little bit more ostentatious. Then why not bring a little bit of Hollywood glamor into your home instead? This is the kind of style that will allow you to really make a statement as well as putting a whole host of personality into your home. Hollywood design is, rather fittingly, all about drama! You need to focus on bold, vibrant color schemes like red and purple, as well as contrasting patterns that use clean lines but often set against one another in a way that you'd never find in a minimalist home. This kind of style also comes with a certain sense of luxury that few other styles can match. It's the kind of home where you can see yourself lounging on the couch into the afternoon, sipping on iced tea, hiding from your neighbors.
Or maybe you want something just a little bit more understated. If that's the case then why not take some Nordic inspiration. Simplicity is the name of the game here. With subtle colors and large amounts of open space to create a bright and airy feeling. Think of your home like a painting; it should be carefully composed with everything in its right place. Don't worry about color, the simplicity of your all white decor will reflect enough light that your home will always feel as bright as possible. Keep your lines simple and your furniture functional. You don't need any extra pieces of ostentation when you've got pure elegance and simplicity.
Remember, if you want to use these styles for your home then there's nothing wrong with that. However, if you want to make the personality in your home totally unique, then the best thing to do is to combine things that you like about these different styles into your own personal design aesthetic. Sure, you don't want things to clash or end up looking confused, but there's no reason why bohemian and industrial styles can't work together, or why you can't have a minimalist home with occasional bursts of Hollywood glamor here and there. After all, it's your home so why shouldn't you be in total control of the way that it looks. There's no reason why you shouldn't feel comfortable bringing your own personality into your home, whatever style you choose.


These classic-fitting round metal sunglasses feature stainless steel wire construction and Crap Eyewear's extra comfortable spring hinges.
Crap Eyewear is an independent sunglass brand designed and tested beach-side in Los Angeles, CA; born in reaction to an overpriced and overly serious sunglass market. Crap Eyewear is on a mission to create funky, premium quality eyewear at a price we can all afford.


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A Hard, but Joyful Journey
Posted May 9, 2011 by Wells Bring Hope Team
by Gil Garcetti
Two weeks ago I returned to the West African country of Niger—one of the three poorest countries in the world. I was there to take more photographs, gather more stories, and to accompany the father and 25-year-old brother of a remarkable 14-year-old girl, Kevin Kilroy. She had seen and read my book, WATER IS KEY that focuses on the issue of women, water, and wells. She read and saw the photos of the rural villagers who did not have safe water: the terrible health issues, the unnecessary deaths, and the absence of much hope. But she also saw what happens to a village when a bore hole well is drilled and brings the village clean, safe water: the general health of the villagers dramatically improves, women often become successful small entrepreneurs through micro credit loans that we give them, and girls go to school, sometimes for the first time in the history of the village.
Kevin was so moved that in a matter of a few months she was able to mobilize her school, parishioners at her church, and her family to raise enough money for four wells in four villages. This from a fourteen-year-old girl! Her father, Ken, and her brother, Ross, wanted to see for themselves what they had read about, seen in my book, and heard from me. The report I wrote below was for my family and friends. I have been urged to share it with you. It chronicles a roughly 20-hour period during our trip in Niger.
What a day! In about a 20-hour period we experienced a dust storm, 115+-degree heat, and 6 hours on washboard like dirt roads, followed by off road driving on rutted and gully filled sand and loose dirt, driving at night with monster size trucks greatly overloaded with "stuff" and Nigeriens riding on the very top, returning from Libya. I walked into my "hotel" room to discover there had been no maid service nor was there any water in the shower. Air conditioning? Yes, there was a unit and when you turned it on it did make a lot of noise, but no air. Three minutes later all power was lost for a few minutes. (Then 3 more times!) The restaurant was out of everything but skinny chicken, no beer or soft drinks. We wait nearly two hours to get served. I couldn't sleep it was so hot. I finally got some relief and a little sleep after I soaked a towel with the water from an outside water faucet and then draped it over my body. Indeed a memorable day and night! But I wouldn't give up that day for anything.
We left our compound before 6AM. After visiting one village, see below, we were eager to go to the village where a well funded by the effort of Kevin Kilroy, was going to be dedicated. The villagers were waiting for us when we arrived and you could sense an atmosphere of great anticipation. Before the well's hand pump could be used for the first time, the welcomes, greetings, and speeches needed to be completed. The village chief thanked all and emphasized how with the bore hole well the health of his village would dramatically improve, how women would have the opportunity to earn money, and how girls would now be going to school.
When Ross was telling the villagers about his sister, (in blistering heat!) he remembered he had a graduation picture of her in his wallet. He gave it to the chief and told him, "This is my sister Kevin. She is now trying to get 1,000 more girls in America to do what she has done here." It was a very emotional, joyous, proud, and memorable experience for all of us but especially for both Ken and Ross. Ross remarked to me," This has been the greatest day of my life!" (Ross, 25, is a former California state chess champion and rugby star at Berkeley).
Being present in a village at the moment a new well breaks through and clean, clear water gushes out is a unique opportunity and we were there to experience it. The villagers erupted with cheers and children ran near the gushing spray wanting to get drenched. The air was filled with their sounds of joy and excitement. The women too were vocally demonstrative and beamed with an understanding of what this well would mean to them individually, to their families, and the village as a whole. The men were there in number too and they eagerly shook our hands and thanked us.
I gave a short speech to villagers explaining how this well was possible because one man in the United States had seen my book about West Africa and wanted to help bring safe water to people like you and your fellow villagers in Niger. This is one of five wells that was made possible by Andrew Cherng, founder and Chairman of the Board of Panda Restaurant Group.
I engaged the women and girls separately, asking for a representative to come forward. A woman who I had already photographed, Zara, was pushed forward. In response to my questions, she told me she was about 40 (They really don't know since rural villagers never celebrate their birthday.) and that she never attended school because she had to walk about 12 km everyday to fetch water. She would leave the village about 6 AM and return around 1-2 PM. No longer having to walk hours to get water, she would now have time to make money for her family, maybe starting a small business by planting a garden and selling vegetables in the local market. And, of course, she was ecstatic that her daughters would now be going to school. This is what continues to drive and inspire me: giving girls the opportunity to go to school. It is life changing, not just for the girl and her family, but also for the entire village, giving them hope for their future. And it all begins with one well.
Though the trip back to our "hotel" was grueling, dusty, and very tiring, each of us was elated with what we had seen and experienced. Neither Kevin Kilroy nor Andrew Cherng was present, but they were with us nevertheless, and they will be with these villagers for generations to come.
Alphadi: Giving Niger the Chance to Create
Fadji Maina: A Nigerien NASA Scientist Fighting Water Scarcity
A Tradition of Giving
Build It for Ourselves: Interview with Magaajyia Silberfeld
Women in Niger Empowered to Initiate Divorce
Events/Awards
Outstanding Kids
Water Warriors
EIN #27-3123341
Water Circles
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5 of the best 'Cyberpunk' games (including 'the one' coming 2020)
Firstly, what is 'Cyberpunk'? It is a dark, rain-drenched, technology-warped future where despite technological advancement the planet is dying and people are disassociated from human decency or everyday reality?
Is it just Blade Runner, a 1980's movie that took a potent sci-fi book about empathy and mixed it with retro film noir detective stories?
The answer is it's both, and much more. It's anything where technology has affected how humans interact and exist 'in harmony' with nature. It's everything that's gone beyond this essential quality.
It's also William Gibson's book 'Neuromancer' where the first technologically-inspired 'cyberspace' 'Matrix' could suddenly be interfaced with, but which also happened to be breeding a god-like Artificial Intelligence. In this book, its characters live very close to the street, the 'punk' element where technology finds strange uses and evolves independently from the mainstream. It's where the 'street finds uses' for technology. That can also include worrying or negative and addictive qualities that plague our central characters.
the cult 1980's Ridley Scott film 'Blade Runner' set a cyberpunk milestone
Cyberpunk is almost humanity's love of technology and control turned rather wrong. It turned up the wrong, dark alleyway, if you like, and got stuck. We lost our way. With any luck though, at the end of a cyberpunk film or book, there can be some hope of escape or redemption, or else… a move deeper into dystopia.
So let's take a look at some top titles that explore cyberpunk ideas or moods….
From the creators of The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, this looks to be a ground-breaking game that could steal the whole title of the genre for some time. Set for release in April 2020, all we can do is read the alluring promo and 'ogle' at the good-looking previews.
Apparently, it's...
'an open-world, action-adventure story set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification. You play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality. You can customize your character's cyberware, skillset and playstyle, and explore a vast city where the choices you make shape the story and the world around you.'
With a city open-world to explore and a strong narrative, it looks like a GTA 5 mixed with Deux Ex (the next one on the list). There could be complex decisions and story-paths. But can the scale and story fuse together to create something fun and... affecting? Will there be some fluid and original design, or will there be aspects that are too complex or overblown?
Let's just hope that the developers create something that celebrates the scenario and even takes gaming to a new level of decision-making and involvement. It could also stand as some kind of warning about the future trend that mankind is on.
Finally, we don't often get 'sevens' in possible future dates, for some reason, so that's a good start.
The best in the series, it's pretty essential and not just for cyberpunks, combining top gameplay with atmospheric graphical detail. The narrative is a similar setup to Robocop: an injured ex-SWAT officer Adam Jensen wakes up augmented, and must go after the ones who injured him, and in the process get to the bottom of a corrupt conspiracy involving the very technology that saved him.
What's great is the quantity of options available to you when it comes to approaching a scenario. In Deus Ex, you can go in with all guns blazing, or deploy maximum stealth tactics. The choice is yours, and the best strategy may vary. Resource management is also vital, with equipment upgrades and implants to suit your gameplay style.
There is also versatility when it comes to communicating with characters and deciding on a direction to take in gaining answers to the story.
If you're looking for a rich and engrossing open-world, with a cyberpunk theme, then Watch Dogs 2 gives you that freedom and involvement. Set in the real world of the San Francisco Bay Area, this will be interestingly familiar to actual residents and visitors. However, in this time, everyone and everything is connected by a central operating system. Corruption is both rife and inherent. As young hacker Marcus Holloway, you'll become involved in the struggle against this, when accused of a crime you were of course innocent of. Time to join a hacking group and go up against the central OS.
So begins plenty of room for free-play opportunities either by vehicles or on foot. It's GTA 5 with a mix of Assassin's Creed, because you can also parkour about. Need a weapon? Marcus knows his stuff with varied options from 3D printed handguns and balls to bungee cords. Stealth tactics are usually worthwhile to adopt, but so also, of course, is hacking. In fact, it's such a central aspect that you can complete much of the game using hacking.
Plenty of side missions between the primary core objectives await, along with a huge world with its realistic districts to roam and explore.
A multiplayer, co-operative mode allows you to play with a friend, teaming up to play through tricky - and memorable - times together.
Neo Cab
Lina is 'the last human driver-for-hire searching for her friend in the neon streets of Los Ojos'. A driving game you'd suppose, but with actually little driving involved. It's a retro, interactive-story game. However, it's more than worth the ride thanks to its strong and intriguing cyberpunk theme that raises deep questions. The choices you make will not seem so simple.
Clearly inspired by Blade Runner, there's a real effort to explore what makes us human. Set in the city of Los Ojos, you'll need to ask your passengers questions, maintain your 'star rating' and be aware of what is affecting your mood. But perhaps you can guess: it won't be as simple as this…
You can play the demo on Steam.
This one stands out from many other cyberpunk games. Played from a top-down perspective, don't let that put you off. It's a fast and aggressive action shooter set in 2091, in the Rengkok metropolis. Your objective? Take back your kidnapped brother from a dangerous, ailing conglomerate exerting its powerful grip over the area. Simple and effective.
Why is Ruiner so much fun? It might be down to its pure pace of action. You'll need to react quickly to situations that develop suddenly. The atmosphere is dark and industrial, grimy and gritty. Adequate, in fact, to the concept it presents; that technology will one day overwhelm and annihilate humanity. With such a bleak and depressing (and yet not so irrelevant) theme, the electronic soundtrack and visual detail infuses the game with energy.
If you're worried the action might be repetitive, the game includes many abilities you can upgrade, allowing for an interesting progression.
And… looking for more?
Be sure to investigate the Steam website and try out some more present (and past) indie gems, as there's many more out there looking for fellow cyberpunk minds to experience their particular take on this - still highly relevant - genre. Or you could just stay tuned to the Gaming Impact blog, as we cover cyberpunk-themed games from time to time, besides offering our many free mini-games or free-to-play browser games. Browser games are great to play as we wait for the next big-budget gaming title to arrive.
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Glittering acoustic takes of their most memorable songs.
Something Else The Cranberries
Linger (Acoustic Version)
Dreams (Acoustic Version)
When You're Gone (Acoustic Version)
Zombie (Acoustic Version)
Ridiculous Thoughts (Acoustic Version)
Ode to My Family (Acoustic Version)
Free to Decide (Acoustic Version)
Just My Imagination (Acoustic Version)
Animal Instinct (Acoustic Version)
You & Me (Acoustic Version)
℗ 2017 The Cranberries under exclusive licence to BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited
Billahong , 01/16/2018
Timeless Songstress
Oddly enough as a music lover, I hardly ever write reviews on Itunes, but since the passing of Dolores yesterday...I felt it appropriate. The Cranberries helped shape the music of the 90's and became the theme of transitioning from adolesence to Adulthood for many of us. Even with her passing, their music will still echo and live on and continue to help make memories for us. RIP...you will be missed.
frossard9 , 05/02/2017
A Stellar Return!
The Cranberries have never sounded better on this album. This isn't just a 'lazy reworkings of old songs for profit' album. The new arrangements with the orchestra are carefully constructed and reimagined. Each song is treated with such attention to musical detail and emotional context. The vulnerability and power in Dolores's voice is stunning.
New songs "Why" and "The Glory" are amongst their best and sit comfortably next to the hits!
Mr.Glock , 03/17/2017
Acoustic. Sweet
Finally an album I can get behind. So much happened in my life during the initial release of this album. Brings back memories. And I love acoustic stuff. Granted I play acoustic guitar. Lol.
More By The Cranberries
Stars: The Best of the Cranberries 1992-2002
No Need to Argue
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (The Complete Sessions 1991-1993)
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Cranberries
Science Agrees
The Chemicals - Single
Silver Eye
Damage and Joy
Head Carrier


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'Incredible Summer' For Walt Disney World's Newest Summer Event At All Four Parks
California will not just be the only one getting the Disney·Pixar treatment for their upcoming Pixar Fest and Pixar Pier at the Disneyland Resort this summer. Announced today in which Florida will also get that Pixar treatment but, something totally different at the Disney Parks at Walt Disney World.
Starting this summer will be the resort's newest and limited only event called "Incredible Summer" at all four parks and starting up Memorial Day Weekend on May 25, 2018. These will be brand new experiences and forums of entertainment for this year from beloved Pixar films.
Here's what you can expect from all four parks at Walt Disney World for an "Incredible Summer".
The Incredibles Take Over Tomorrowland-
"Guests can party with Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and Frozone from Disney•Pixar's "The Incredibles" and the soon-to-be blockbuster "Incredibles 2." Edna Mode, the greatest superhero costume designer, will also make her debut appearance. Each evening, guests can enjoy a "SUPER" dance party on the Rocket Tower Stage."
The Guardians of the Galaxy Take the Stage-
"Star-Lord and Gamora from "Guardians of the Galaxy" will join an alien band, taking guests on a journey through the cosmos. The party will feature hits from Awesome Mixtapes 1 and 2 – fun and favorite tunes from the two movies' soundtracks – building the anticipation for a new Epcot Guardians of the Galaxy attraction."
"Explorers Meet UP! A Great Bird Adventure" & A "Dino-Tastic" Celebration for Donald Duck Will Debut-
"Two new can't-miss offerings will debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom in time for the park's 20th anniversary. First, guests can discover new bird species from around the world at the new show "Explorers Meet UP! A Great Bird Adventure," which will star Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug. The park will also launch a "dino-tastic" celebration, in which Donald Duck takes over Dinoland, U.S.A., in a new character celebration."
Toy Story Land-
"One major highlight of "Incredible Summer" will be the grand opening of Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This new 11-acre land will shrink guests to the size of a toy and allow them go explore the fun and adventure of Andy's backyard. There, guests can experience two new attractions: the family coaster Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers. Toy Story Land also will feature an existing guest-favorite attraction, Toy Story Mania!, which will expand to add a third track into the rotation. The land's Woody's Lunch Box will be a new quick-service restaurant that will offer up tasty meals and old-fashioned soda floats to Toy Story Land guests."
Artist Concept Only for Woody's Box Lunch featuring Babyel Cheese at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Source: (©Disney·Pixar)
Toy Story Land still hasn't been announced for an official opening date and is set to open up this summer at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The long-awaited "The Incredibles 2" opens up at theaters this coming June 15th, 2018 and playing at AMC Theaters at Disney Springs.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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Next Next post: New Updated Details For The DreamWorks Theater Coming Towards Universal Studios Hollywood


The smaller iPad Pro of old has since been given a size increase at WWDC. Now at 10.5 inches with new internals, here's a glimpse of what to expect.
If you still haven't decided on what Christmas presents to get.
We find out what's great about the iPad Pro, the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard.
Apple fans are getting a little ahead of themselves by thinking that the iPad Pro could replace their laptop. But it really doesn't.
There may be a bigger and better iPad on the horizon.


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Cubs, Pelicans strike deal through 2022 campaign
Posted by Wire Reports on Oct 31st, 2018 //
The Chicago Cubs today announced the organization has agreed on a two-year Player Development Contract extension with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans through the 2022 season.
"We could not be happier to extend our five affiliates through at least the next four seasons. The clubs have been wonderful partners for our players both on the field and in their respective communities," said Jason McLeod, the Cubs Senior Vice President, Scouting and Player Development. "Continuing these relationships with our affiliates is a testament to each club's leadership, first-class staff and facilities and loyal fan bases."
The Pelicans recently completed their 20th anniversary season after debuting at then-Coastal Federal Field (now TicketReturn.com Stadium) in 1999. The Pelicans previously served as Advanced Class A affiliates of the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers before joining forces with the Cubs in 2015.
"We are delighted to continue to be a part of the Cubs family and look forward to working with the City (of Myrtle Beach) and (Horry) County in the coming months to evaluate how to assure that TicketReturn.Com Field meets the needs of Major League Baseball and the Cubs for many years to come," stated Pelicans General Manager Ryan Moore.
The announcement also included extensions for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, and Single-A South Bend. Single-A Eugene signed a four-year extension through 2022, announced this past August. At least one Cubs minor league team has won a league championship in each of the last six seasons beginning in 2013, including the Pelicans in both 2015-16, Eugene in both 2016 and 2018 and the Arizona League Cubs in 2017.
– Photo courtesy of MB Pelicans
Volleyball: NMB stays hot; CF, MB reach third round
Week 11 Previews & Picks: Playoffs cloudy as weather


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Area Agency on Aging 11 to Relocate
NILES, Ohio – Change and growth highlighted 2018 for Area Agency on Aging 11, Inc., including the announcement to move its corporate offices from the Eastwood Mall in Trumbull County to the former ITT Tech building in Austintown.
The agency's lease will expire May 31. Renovations and construction plans are in the works, and phases of the move will begin sometime in May.
Area Agency on Aging 11 has expanded services, programming and staff and the new building at 1030 N. Meridian Road offers a larger space and the ability to expand technology capabilities to allow for growth.
"More than 25% of our business now deals with people under the age of 60 who have a disability," says CEO Joe Rossi. "Our expertise in case management and service coordination in long-term care has positioned us to diversify our business lines to secure private contracts."
Last year, more people were assessed for services and more are receiving services, allowing them to remain living safely in their homes, and the number of agencies providing services increased, Rossi says.
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Matthew Lehman, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, will assume the CEO role and will join the Prima board of directors. He will relocate from Germany to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Prima plans to concentrate its longer-term operational expansion.
Prima Chairman Lucy Turnbull said Mr Rogers had consolidated Prima's research activities to focus on development of CVac, brought together a strong management team and board of directors, and overseen the globalization of Prima's development activities with key operations in the USA and Germany.
The company also announced that Dr. Neil Frazer has stepped down from his position as an executive director on the board, but will continue his senior management role as Chief Medical Officer.
In other changes to senior management, Dr. Sharron Gargosky has been promoted to Chief Technical Officer. Dr. Gargosky, based on the West Coast of the US, is charged with leading the scientific and technical development of CVac globally. Marc Voigt has been promoted to General Manager of the German subsidiary and Chief Business Officer of the Company. Mr. Voigt will be globally responsible for coordinating investor relations and driving business development.


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Wellborn Road – Unfiltered Texas Metal
SHOW POSTER GALLERY
DECEMBER 30 @Come and Take It in Austin, TX
Established 2005 in College Station and calling Houston home, Wellborn Road has carved its name as one of the heavy weights in the Texas Hard Rock and Metal scene. Their debut album, "Home," proved to be a raw, uncompromising record. Furthermore, with the release of their second album, "Pain Hate Redemption," and their EP, "From Silence to Strength," the band established their identity both musically and with their live performance.
Wellborn Road is nothing short of in-your-face energy on stage, and has been playing the Texas circuit regularly building their fanbase, called the Brew Crew, across the state. The quartet has shared the stage with such acts as Drowning Pool, All Hail the Yeti, Skinlab, Pissing Razors, Shattered Sun, Buckcherry, Pop Evil, Taproot, Powerman 5000, Kill Devil Hill, and countless other Texas acts.
With the release of their fourth studio record, "Resiliency," Wellborn Road is ready to once again wave the Texas Metal flag with ferocity and power to show the world that they can weather any storm and come out stronger on the other side. "Resiliency" is the culmination of four musicians dedicated to their craft and poised to strike.
wellbornroad.wordpress.com


July CCRA breakfast turnout was awesome!
The July 23rd Contra Costa Repeater Association breakfast had an amazing turnout of 27 people in the middle of Summer! Information was shared on the upcoming Pacificon Convention, a guest speaker who will be at the Marin Amateur Radio Society and the connect the dot history of RADAR systems at the Winnemucca Air Force Station of the 1950's to modern day RADAR.
There were 27 HAMS in attendance at the July 23 Contra Costa Repeater Association breakfast in Concord, CA.


Crazy about hops? Beer contains many ingredients that are great for your skin. Hops are known to soothe skin and contain polyphenols which act as an antibacterial agent. Soap made with beer is very moisturizing and has an excellent lather. This ale bar is citrusy and refreshing and uses a blend of Blood Orange, Lemongrass, and Litsea Cubea essential oils. Wheat bran has been added for robust exfoliation. Ingredients: Olive Oil, Beer, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, blend of Blood Orange, Lemongrass, Palmarosa, and Litsea Cubeba essential oils, Wheat Bran. -FUN FACTS- NO LYE No. Lye is needed to make any form of handcrafted soap. The important thing to remember is that no lye remains in the final bar of soap. Just a pure, clean and long lasting bar of soap. LONG LASTING It depends entirely on you as the bath lover or shower taker. Handmade soap will last anywhere from several weeks to several months. The bar will lasts longer if not set directly in a shower stream or on a soap dish with the ability to dry between uses. Cure time makes a big difference. Longer cure time means longer lasting bar. ESSENTIAL OILS Essential oils are natural botanical extracts of various plants, flowers, herbs, spices and fruits. Fragrance oils are chemically manufactured and can be harmful to the skin. We embrace the natural way! NO PALM OIL The palm oil industry plays a large role in human induced climate change as palm oil plantations have cleared some of the worlds most precious, carbon capturing forests. Scientists predict that the fragile orangutan population could become extinct within our lifetime if we continue to destroy their home and natural habitats for palm oil plantations.


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GOP Faces Final Ballot Tests Before November
Delaware, New Hampshire Senate Contests Headline Last Round of Primary Balloting Today
By Steve Peoples
Posted September 13, 2010 at 7:13pm
Voters across the Northeast will head to the polls today in what amounts to the unofficial end to a wild primary season with the outcome of several ugly intraparty battles still very much in doubt.
Today's primaries also give the national tea party movement its latest, and perhaps last, major opportunity to shape a local race that could help decide the balance of power in the new Congress. In Senate Republican primaries in Delaware and New Hampshire in particular, the establishment-backed candidates face aggressive challenges from tea party favorites.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has waded into both races, as has Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). Fresh from an unexpected success in Alaska, the Tea Party Express has been on the ground in Delaware for the past week fighting against the wishes of the state and national GOP.
Finally, not to be lost among today's flurry of electoral action, embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) must survive a primary challenge from the son of a political rival under the most challenging circumstances of his 30-year political career.
Among the seven states hosting primaries today, none has drawn more attention from the tea party movement than the First State.
The Republican Senate primary pits conservative pundit Christine O'Donnell against longtime Rep. Mike Castle, who until recently was considered the heavy favorite in the November matchup against Democratic New Castle County Executive Chris Coons for the seat long held by Vice President Joseph Biden.
But Castle might not get to face Coons.
With a boost from the tea party and national exposure to the race, O'Donnell is making life difficult for the more moderate Castle, who must survive a primary open only to registered Republicans.
Most Republicans believe O'Donnell is not a viable nominee because she would have little appeal to independents and Democrats in a general election.
Likewise, on the eve of today's primary, National Democrats were nearly giddy at the prospect of an O'Donnell win and what it would mean for the overall playing field.
"The disarray in the Republican Senate primaries have given Democrats a competitive advantage in several key races," Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee National Press Secretary Deirdre Murphy said. "There are seven Republican establishment candidates who were unable to advance beyond their primaries and that has made the map much more favorable for Democrats."
Revitalized by its successful fight for Joe Miller in Alaska, the Tea Party Express sent roughly 10 staffers to Delaware last week to drive get-out-the-vote efforts. Already the group has hosted several rallies and a radio-thon. Members waved signs in Newark and Dover on Monday morning and hosted phone banks for much of the evening in three cities.
Polling released Sunday night by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling suggested that the race is a statistical tie.
O'Donnell led Castle 47 percent to 44 percent in the last poll before the primary.
Castle's popularity took a dramatic hit in August as the race began to draw more attention, according to the survey results.
"The biggest winner of the Delaware GOP primary may end up being Chris Coons," PPP President Dean Debnam wrote in the memo. "Running against O'Donnell or a wounded Castle will put him in his strongest position since he entered the race."
In a similar PPP poll taken in August, Castle enjoyed a 60 percent favorability rating. But this weekend, just 43 percent of likely primary voters said they viewed the longtime Congressman favorably. The net negative rating can be attributed to 55 percent of voters' belief that Castle is too liberal, the pollster explained in a memo.
Meanwhile, Castle's Senate bid presents Democrats with one of their best opportunities to pick up a House seat this year.
Former Lt. Gov. John Carney has all but sealed the Democratic nomination for the at-large seat, while the GOP contest is in flux. National Republicans have been excited about the candidacy of Michele Rollins, a well-known lawyer who has the ability to at least partially self-fund the race. But the PPP poll results showed real estate developer Glen Urquhart with a 50 percent to 38 percent lead over Rollins.
State Sen. Andy Harris' road to the GOP nomination this cycle has been less eventful than two years ago, when he defeated former Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in a nasty intraparty battle.
This time, Harris has had the full support of the state and national party as he seeks a rematch with Rep. Frank Kratovil (D), who is considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents of the cycle. In today's primary, Harris will have to defeat wealthy entrepreneur and Army veteran Rob Fisher (R), who has spent more than $550,000 of his own money on his campaign.
Fisher has tried to draw an insider vs. outsider contrast with the three-term state Senator.
"Certainly this race is a battle of two conservatives, but one of those conservatives happens to be a career politician and it doesn't seem that that's the best thing to be running on in this environment," Fisher spokesman Demetrios Karoutsos said Monday.
Although Fisher launched a television ad campaign in August and has focused his late efforts on a direct-mail and robocall effort, his campaign hasn't seemed to catch fire.
Harris has worked to ignore the relatively unknown challenger. In the final week of the primary, Harris was busy previewing his first general election commercial, which is set to air Wednesday.
Fisher earned a late primary endorsement from Gilchrest — who backed Kratovil in the 2008 general election and is expected to do so again in November — but it's probably too little too late.
The 10th district seat held by retiring Rep. Bill Delahunt (D) is the only competitive general election contest in the Bay State, a Democratic stronghold.
Republicans think they can flip this southeastern Massachusetts district, which now-Sen. Scott Brown won by 20 points in last year's special election. Publicly, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee laughs off that possibility, although it has reserved TV time in the Boston media market to protect the seat.
Democrats think that Norfolk District Attorney Bill Keating has the edge in the Democratic primary against state Sen. Rob O'Leary. And Keating may have helped his cause when he won some earned media by chasing down a purse thief Sunday morning at a local restaurant.
The Republican primary has been ugly at times.
Former state Treasurer Joe Malone has repeatedly attacked state Rep. Jeff Perry, a former police sergeant, for a subordinate's illegal strip searches of two teenage girls in the 1990s. And Malone has been bothered by news that more than $9 million was stolen by some of his aides during his stint as state treasurer.
Meanwhile, the 9th district offers an unlikely fight for Rep. Stephen Lynch (D).
Mac D'Alessandro won the endorsement of the Boston Globe in this suburban Boston district. And the Service Employees International Union has come out swinging for D'Alessandro, who previously served as the union's New England political director.
The union has spent at least $250,000 to help D'Alessandro, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.
The winner of the primary should cruise to victory in November. Neither the Republican nor independent challengers have raised more than $8,000 so far.
The Republican Senate primary will lead most of the headlines, but primaries in each of the Granite State's Congressional districts could be equally important in a state that the GOP hopes to sweep in November.
Much of the competition is focused on the GOP.
For the seat occupied by the retiring Sen. Judd Gregg (R), former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte has long been considered the frontrunner in a four-way Republican contest that has drawn its share of national attention from conservative pundits. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) backed Ayotte in mid-July, and despite a rash of negative responses from local conservatives, Palin went to bat for Ayotte again in recent days, recording a robocall that describes Ayotte as a "Granite Grizzly."
"Kelly's opponents have been falsely attacking her for weeks. And the Democrat is afraid to run against her," Palin said in the message.
The Senate contest turned negative in recent weeks as wealthy businessman Bill Binnie, who has loaned his campaign nearly $6 million so far, and Ayotte swapped attacks that centered on the former attorney general's alleged mishandling of various cases. Binnie also questioned Ayotte's credentials on abortion because of a legal settlement that she approved with Planned Parenthood.
Ayotte won the endorsements, however, of the Susan B. Anthony List and the National Right to Life Association.
The beneficiary of the infighting between Binnie and Ayotte has been businessman Ovide Lamontagne, a local tea party favorite who won DeMint's endorsement over the weekend and enjoys substantial momentum going into today, according to another PPP survey released Sunday.
Ayotte led with 37 percent to Lamontagne's 30 percent among likely Republican primary voters. Binnie garnered just 13 percent, while another conservative favorite, Jim Bender, finished with 12 percent.
"It looks like Kelly Ayotte will hang on, but the momentum has certainly been in Ovide Lamontagne's direction so an upset is not out of the question," PPP President Dean Debnam said.
The winner of the GOP race will face Rep. Paul Hodes in November. Ayotte, if she wins today, would be considered the early favorite in that matchup.
New Hampshire's two Congressional seats — both currently held by Democrats — are in play this November.
There is a crowded field of Republicans vying to oppose Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D) in the 1st district. The field includes Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta, defense contractor Rich Ashooh and former Republican National Committeeman Sean Mahoney.
Things are a little more interesting in the 2nd district, the seat being vacated by Hodes.
Former Congressional candidate Katrina Swett is battling attorney Ann McLane Kuster on the Democratic side in a contest that has been relatively expensive and nasty at times. On the Republican ballot, former Rep. Charlie Bass is largely expected to beat the more conservative Jennifer Horn, although a low turnout could benefit Horn, who has more appeal to the party's base.
Few primaries have been bloodier this cycle than in New York's 1st district, where a clash among four Republicans has drawn the interest of competing national pundits and rampant accusations of carpetbagging.
Many national Republicans initially stood behind businessman Randy Altschuler in the eastern end of Long Island, but some later rallied behind Chris Cox, a business consultant who happens to be the grandson of President Richard Nixon. Former Securities and Exchange Commission attorney George Demos complicated things last week when he drew the endorsement of Rush Limbaugh.
Limbaugh blasted Cox for being a "pro-choice, country-club blue blood." And all of the candidates have accused each other of not living in the district.
The infighting is likely to leave the eventual nominee pretty bruised for the November contest against Rep. Tim Bishop.
Also not helpful for Republicans is the fact that it's possible that one of the candidates who fails to win the primary could appear on the November ballot as a member of the Conservative Party. That would likely split the Republican vote, all but ensuring Bishop keeps his seat.
That's the same scenario that played out in New York's upstate 23rd district last fall, where Rep. Bill Owens took a seat that had belonged to the GOP since the 19th century.
There are indications that it could happen again.
Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman won the backing of the tea party last fall, but the Republican base ultimately split, giving Owens the victory. Hoffman is back again, this time against fellow Republican businessman Matt Doheny in the GOP primary.
Today's contest could again divide the Republican and Conservative tickets in the 23rd district, giving Owens' re-election prospects a boost this fall.
Of course, it's impossible to preview New York's primaries without looking at the 15th district race that features the 20-term Rep. Charlie Rangel.
The 80-year-old Congressman has repeatedly dismissed pressure from Washington Democrats and primary opponents to retire, despite swirling ethics charges that Republicans hope to use to pull down the entire party. A New York Times poll last week found that 70 percent of Manhattan voters think Rangel should resign or drop out of the race.
Still, he has shown no sign of doing so. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) recently taped a robocall backing him. And many political observers believe Rangel will win today's contest. Should he do so, he is all but assured to win the general election in his heavily Democratic district.
Rangel's chief opponent is state Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, son of the man Rangel unseated in 1970. If ever there was a year for an upset, this is it.
Also worth mentioning are New York's 13th and 14th districts.
Rep. Michael McMahon (D) has no primary challenger in the 13th, a swath of Staten Island and Brooklyn that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won in 2008. But Republicans Michael Grimm, a former FBI agent, and environmental policy expert Michael Allegretti are fighting for the opportunity to flip the seat in November. Both have been active fundraisers so far, and either could be competitive in the general election.
In the 14th district, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D) faces a tough primary against Reshma Saujani, a hedge fund attorney and political fundraiser. Each had spent more than $1.1 million as of Aug. 25.
Four credible candidates are vying in the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D) in this heavily Democratic district.
Civility reigned initially, but the race turned increasingly nasty in recent weeks, which is just what Republicans need to happen for this seat to be competitive in November.
Republican state Rep. John Loughlin — running against a token challenger today — has largely been silent as Democratic hopeful and political newcomer Anthony Gemma teed off against perceived frontrunner Providence Mayor David Cicilline.
A recent statewide Gemma radio spot highlights the capital city's high unemployment rates, empty buildings, failing infrastructure and foreclosures.
Political observers believe the attacks were likely too late to help Gemma but could hurt Cicilline in the general election, should he survive today's open primary.
While most of the contests are centered in the Northeast, there is one exception.
Republican Ron Johnson seems likely to coast past nominal challengers in the Senate GOP primary, and the wealthy businessman will face Sen. Russ Feingold (D) in the general election.
The state's most competitive House primary is in the race to oppose Rep. Steve Kagen (D). Three Republicans have the potential to win the primary. Reid Ribble is considered the nominal favorite and is already part of the National Republican Congressional Committee's Young Guns program, having been named to its lowest tier in October. Another contender, state Rep. Roger Roth, is the nephew of former Rep. Toby Roth, who represented this district from 1979 to 1997. Former state Rep. Terri McCormick, who lost the GOP primary in 2006, also has a shot at the nomination, but most observers see it as a race between Ribble and Roth.
Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board estimated in early September that turnout would set a record, beating the record of 27.9 percent in 1964. The open gubernatorial race and open races in the state Legislature are driving turnout.
John McArdle and Tricia Miller contributed to this report.


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NHS 'might make the wealthy PAY for care' in Scotland
NHS 'might make the wealthy PAY for care': Bosses in Scotland discuss highly controversial 'two-tier' service… but No10 insists it has 'NO plans' to charge patients
The idea was touted by NHS officials in Scotland according to leaked documents
Hospital bosses were debating how to maintain 'sustainability' of health service
Scotland's health secretary has shut down the idea, describing it as 'abhorrent'
And No10 has said it has no such plans to charge patients for the NHS in England
NHS bosses have touted the controversial idea of making wealthier people pay for care, it emerged today.
The prospect of a 'two-tier' health service was mentioned in the draft minutes of a meeting of NHS Scotland health board chief executives in September.
Any move to charge patients for care would spark huge backlash among the public because it goes against the founding principle of the NHS that treatment should be free for all.
Scottish health officials also raised the idea of stopping free prescriptions for some medications.
The minutes, leaked to the BBC, do not give any proposed threshold for income or wealth where Britons would be forced to pay for NHS care.
No10 and Scotland's own health secretary have both insisted they have no plans to introduce such a scheme.
However, the minutes also discuss a disconnect between ministers and the financial reality the NHS is facing.
The health leaders suggested the Government didn't understand the NHS could not afford to offer its entire range of services while both keeping the books balanced and patients safe.
It comes as Westminster officials have admitted that record NHS waiting times and a failure to hit ambulance arrival targets in England will continue for years to come.
Official figures show 7.1million people in England were in the queue for routine hospital treatment, such as hip and knee operations, by the end of September — the equivalent of one in eight people (red line). The figure includes more than 400,000 people who have been waiting, often in pain, for over one year (yellow bars)
Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has shut down suggestions from NHS officials that the country should consider charging the wealthy to access public health services as 'abhorrent'
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has said No10 had no intention of introducing charges for NHS services in England
Record waiting times for basic NHS services are set to continue for years to come, ministers have admitted.
Targets are unlikely to be met before the next election as the government seeks to scrap wait time goals altogether.
The number of ambulances reaching those with severe conditions including heart attacks within 18 minutes will stay well below targets until at least spring 2025, according to Whitehall briefings sent to the health service.
A&E services are also expected to improve 'year-on-year', but the expectation that ninety-five per cent of patients are seen within for hours has been left out of new ambitions, The Times reported.
That target has not been met since 2015.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is keen to cut all but a 'handful' of NHS targets.
Officials told the newspaper: 'It could be four, it could be five or six, but the point is at the moment it's hundreds and that needs to be rationalised.'
NHS Scotland bosses also touted other ideas on how to fix the long-term status of the ailing health service, including pausing funding for new drugs.
Another measure was that hospitals should have 'more appetite for risk' and send patients home quicker by setting a discharge target of 23 hours.
According to minutes, the officials were given the 'green light' to propose how NHS reform might look like by NHS Scotland's overall chief executive Caroline Lamb.
The minutes described this as including 'areas which were previously not viable options are now possibilities'.
Officials also 'noted' a concern that there was a lack of clinical input from medics on political decision making in Scotland which gave the impression some decisions from ministers were 'divorced from reality.
Reacting to the leak, Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has said any suggestion of charging patients to use the NHS was 'abhorrent'.
And No10 has also shut down any suggestion that they were considering such an idea.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick told TalkTV this morning: 'We certainly don't have any intention to introduce charges to the NHS.'
He added that the NHS was 'surprised' more people were not coming forward with health problems.
'There is an issue with people still not coming forward post-pandemic with conditions and the NHS has been surprised by people's reluctance to present themselves for a range of different conditions,' he said.
It comes as ministers have admitted that record waiting times for NHS services are set to continue for years to come.
The situation is so bad that the Government is seeking to scrap wait time goals altogether, The Times reported.
One target, that an ambulance should reach those with severe conditions like a heart attack or stroke within 18 minutes won't be met until spring 2025, according to Whitehall briefings sent to the NHS.
The latest NHS data recorded that the average ambulance wait time for these types of emergencies was one hour, one minute and 19 seconds in October.
Ambulance performance statistics for October show paramedics took longer to arrive to category one, two and three call outs since records began in 2017. Ambulances took an average of 1 hour, one minute and 19 seconds to respond to category two calls (red bars), such as burns, epilepsy and strokes. This is more than three times as long as the 18 minute target
Meanwhile, emergency care performance has deteriorated to fresh lows. More than 1,400 A&E attendees were forced to wait in more than 12 hours for care every day in October (yellow bars), while the lowest proportion ever recorded were seen within four hours — the NHS target (red line)
Cancer care plummeted in September. Just 60.5 per cent of patients started cancer treatment within two months of being referred for chemotherapy or radiotherapy (red line). The figure is down from 61.9 per cent one month earlier and is the lowest ever recorded in records going back to October 2009. The NHS states 85 patients should start treatment within this timeframe
While A&E waiting are expected to improve 'year-on-year' the goal for 95 per cent of patients to be seen within four hours has been cut.
The latest data shows only some 70 per cent of patients were seen in this timeframe for October.
Those figure, published earlier this month also unveiled that England had reached the grim milestone that a record 7.1million people are now waiting for routine NHS treatment like hip and knee operations as of September.
The figure includes more than 400,000 people who have been waiting, often in pain, for over one year.
Cancer care also approached worst-ever levels in September, with just six in 10 newly-diagnosed patients starting treatment within two months.
Top oncologists warned there is a 'real and frightening possibility' that Government won't provide sufficient investment needed to catch-up and more lives will be lost.
These figures across the NHS are also before the predicted busy winter period when historically pressure on the health service is even greater due to increased demand from seasonal illnesses.
Chancellor, and ex-health secretary, Jeremy Hunt is reported to keen to cut all but a 'handful' of NHS targets.
Health secretary Steve Barclay said yesterday the NHS must be 'ruthless' in slashing red tape to cut patient backlogs.
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Mr Barclay said patients 'rightly want this extra money [awarded in the Autumn Statement] to go into fixing the frustrations they face' – rather than funding bureaucrats.
'We must be ruthless in removing barriers that get in the way of what matters to patients – reducing the amount of time clinicians spend on time-sapping admin, drawing up more cost-effective standardised designs for NHS buildings and publishing online charts making management clear, so taxpayers can see where their money is going,' he said.
He added that he wanted to devolve decision-making to staff and give greater freedom to doctors and nurses to do their jobs.
Novel molecular imaging radiotracer can precisely diagnose multiple cancers
DirectTrust and EHNAC announce merger agreement


Despite the chatter, few recognize education by massive open online courses college credit-worthy and fewer still know the value of "badges," either how they are obtained or how they should be recognized. Though both have dominated higher education media as ways to bypass more traditional methods of learning AND the need for degrees, the value and importance of a college degree has never been greater. The College Board's 2013 report "Education Pays" is unambiguous in making the connection between levels of education and levels of income. Less than a high school diploma gets you, on average, a little over $20,000 a year. A bachelor's degree more than doubles this, to $56,500.
Credit Equivalency Determinations: We have known for decades that learning can and does occur outside of a classroom. What can be difficult is determining the equivalency of such "external" learning to college-level courses. The American Council on Education (ACE), working with faculty and subject matter experts from across the country, has perfected this process over four decades and now serves as the primary source for determining the college equivalency of most forms of military training. More than 1,800 institutions have agreed to consider ACE's credit recommendations. In addition, New York State's National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) provides similar assessments and recommendations for civilian employer training.
Independent Learning Assessments: Visual artists, writers, musicians, mechanics, project managers, chefs and many other types of professionals often accumulate knowledge from their work which may be relevant to the completion of a degree. Determining the amount and level of learning requires a formal process of assessment. With support from the Lumina and Gates foundations, and in cooperation with both ACE and New York's NCCRS, the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) has created a rigorous assessment process known as LEARNING COUNTS. It involves both coursework and assessments by university faculty. The number and level of credits recommended vary based on these assessments. Recommendations are converted to credit and transcripted by Excelsior College, one of America's oldest credit assessment and aggregation institutions.
Credit-By-Examination: While The College Board's College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and its Advance Placement (AP) exams are perhaps the best known of the credit-by-examination sources, Regents College (predecessor to Excelsior) was the pioneer, offering such an option in the early 1970's. Today, Excelsior, The College Board, and Educational Testing Services (ETS) all administer exams that can satisfy degree requirements upon successful completion. Excelsior has 60 such exams divided between the lower and upper divisions. These not only satisfy many degree requirements but also can be used to complete entire associate and bachelor degrees in business and the liberal arts. Exam performance is transcripted by Excelsior and assists in acceptance upon transfer.
This third point comes from research jointly conducted by CAEL and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). Those students receiving credit for prior learning were found to be two-and-a-half times more likely to complete their degree than those who did not receive such credit.
In 2012, Excelsior accepted more than 600,000 credits in transfer. These came from other academic institutions, ACE, NCCRS, CAEL, and credit from examinations. Had it been necessary for students to re-earn these credits through coursework, it would have cost them more than $230 million (at Excelsior's rates) in tuition alone.
Degrees still matter. So do the credits which go into them. We in higher education need to support the older, post-traditional students who bring experiences and prior learning to their degree completion work. With 93 million experienced adults already in the workforce without a degree of any kind, we have our work cut out for us.
John F. Ebersole is president of Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y., one of the oldest accredited, private, nonprofit distance education institutions in the country. In his 25-year career in higher education, Ebersole's personal experience as a post-traditional student has informed his approach to adult education. He has held teaching and management positions at John F. Kennedy University and Boston University as well as management positions at the University of California – Berkeley and Colorado State University. A retired Coast Guard commander and Vietnam veteran, Ebersole began his college education while in the military. In addition to being a graduate of the Naval War College, he earned a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University; an EdS from The George Washington University; and master's degrees in both business and public administration from John F. Kennedy University. He has served as a senior fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, where he conducted research into innovation in higher education.
Q: Should your college grant credit for prior learning?


Black Panther – something I'm looking forward to!
Yes, I'm a programmer and full stack developer, speaker, etc, but… at TAMU I minored in history. One of my focus areas was African history (the continent. Think 1000+ years of history.) Thus I'm really looking forward to watching Black Panther.
First – I've heard it is a GREAT movie.
Second – I'm hoping to learn more from what is hopefully a historically "aware" science fiction movie that will open minds to the richness and culture. We must learn from our origin.