Welcome fans of the pride of South Bend. I am a long-time Studebaker fan and Studebaker Driver's Club member, having owned a 1957 Silver Hawk in high school and a 1959 Lark Regal Hardtop in college. Since then, I have owned other Studes as hobby cars including a 1962 Champ Pickup, a 1964 Canadian Commander Special, a 1962 GT Hawk, a 1960 Lark Regal 4-door, and a 1957 Silver Hawk (not the same one I owned in high school -- that one I wrecked). I have sold my 1949 Champion Starlight Coupe so I'm currently looking for my next Stude. I will build this page as time allows. If you have any suggestions or comments, please send me a message. Both text and image contributions are welcome.
This rare 1947 Studebaker Commander Business Coupe belongs to Peter Crisitello of Rahway, New Jersey. According to available production figures, only 1,347 Commander Business Coupes were produced for the 1947 model year of which 1,046 were Regal Deluxe models and 301 were the plainer Deluxe model. This compares with 8,600 Champion Business Coupes produced that model year. Peter has owned this car since 1978 and he believes that it may be the only surviving post-war Commander Business Coupe in driving condition.
Peter's Commander has Regal Deluxe trim and is equipped with whitewall tires, overdrive, Climatizer heater and defroster, electric turn signals, interior day/night rear view mirror, fog lights, single backup light, stainless steel rear fender splash guards, and glass bottle windshield washer. The car was repainted by Max Corkins in the 1980's before it was placed on loan to the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend for 18 years. Here is a shot of the area behind the front seat.
Peter is a long time Studebaker fan who also owns several Avantis. Thanks to Peter for sending the pictures and information about his rare Studebaker.
If you own or once owned a Studebaker or related vehicle and would like to see your car as "Stude of the Month" or in the "Cool Studes" section, or if you have other pictures or material that you would like to contribute to this page, please e-mail me here. I can accept either electronic or hard copy images. The Main Page is issued every other month so the next edition will be April 2011.
This is the second round of August 2010 Bonnneville Speed Week pictures sent by Bill Junge. The first round appeared in the December 2010 edition of this page. Bonneville Speed week is sponsored by the Southern California Timing Association. The 2010 event was held August 14 through 20 and as usual a number of Studebakers were entered in several classes. As to class designation, the letters to the left of the slash designate engine size and the letters to the right of the slash indicate body type. An explanation of the Bonneville class system can be found here.
The white Starlight Coupe Number 9304 entered by Andre Moreau from Quebec, Canada ran 183.07 in class B/GALT. Engine class "B" is from 373 to 439 cubic inches. Andre's racer is Chrysler Hemi V8 powered. Here is a rear view of this car headed down the salt.
The 1953 Starlight Coupe Number 1012 with plexiglass covered streamlined headlights entered by Dennis Denham ran 205.124 in Class B/CGALT. The "CGALT" stands for "classic gas altered."
The 1953 Starlight Coupe Number 4594 entered by Greg Meyers ran a best speed of 133.538 in Class F/CGALT. Engine class "F" is 123 to 183 cubic inches, in this case a destroked Studebaker V8. The complete story of this car can be found here.
Bill Storr of Edmonton, Alberta sent in pictures of Studebakers he found in a compound in Ely, Nevada. The City of Ely is located in east central Nevada at the crossroads of U.S. Route 93 and U.S. Route 50. It is a tourism center, and is home of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum. Ely recieves an average of 8.5" of rainfall a year and the climate is considered to be semi-arid. That explains the relatively rust free condition of these graveyard Studes.
The vertical teeth in the grilles of both Starliners identify them as 1954 models. The pickup's three level grille identifies it as a 1949-53 2R model. The 2R Series and the 1953-54 Starliner were designed by Bob Bourke working for Raymond Loewy Associates. Here is a rear angle view of the white 1954 Starliner and here is a rear angle view of the 2R Series Pickup. The Champ truck appeared in 1960 using Lark fenders, hood, and doors to give a more modern look.
Bill Storr owns and operates Route 66 Appraisals located in Edmonton. Bill owns a 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk that was Stude of the Month on this page in August 2010 and a 1955 Packard 400 Hardtop that appeared on this page in December 2010. Thanks to Bill for sending in the pictures and information.
Jim Youngberg of Winona, Minnesota sent some pictures of a rare 1956 Studebaker Flight Hawk Hardtop that he recently purchased from its former Canadian owner. Flight Hawks used Studebaker's 185 cubic inch, 101 hp Champion six cylinder engine and were only made in 1956. This car is believed to be the only Flight Hawk Hardtop remaining in North America. A total of 4,389 Flight Hawk Coupes (with center pillar and flip-out rear windows) were produced for the 1956 model year. An additional 560 Flight Hawk Hardtops (with no center pillar and roll-down rear windows) were built for export and a small number of these were sold in Canada.
The maple leaf on the lower right corner of the dash of Jim's car indicates that it was assembled in Canada. The alternator visible under the hood is not original in that 1956 Studebakers were equipped with generators. Automotive alterators first appeared on Chrysler products in 1960 and were not used on Studebakers until the 1963 model year.
Jim says that he plans on making his Hawk into an "old-school street cruiser" with a modern V8 engine and transmission and a disc brake upgrade. Otherwise, he intends to keep the exterior and interior stock. Jim has been in the collision repair business for 38 years and he says he is ready to take on this project. Hopefully we will see the results of his efforts in a future edition of this page.
Here is a rear view of this rare bird. Thanks to Jim for sending the pictures and information.
Hot Wheels has issued a number of Studebaker based models over the years. The Treasure Hunts Avanti is the latest having only recently appeared as Number 55 in the 2011 standard issue collector number series. This casting was used previously in the Hot Wheels Classics Series but this is the first time it has appeared as a standard issue. However, since it is a Treasure Hunt model, it is relatively hard to find. Even harder to find is the Super Treasure Hunt version which is a darker color and has rubber tread "Real Riders" wheels.
Here is the standard issue Treasure Hunts Avanti on a U.S. long blister card and on an international short blister card.
Click here for information on ordering hard to find Studebaker toys made by manufacturers such as Johnny Lightning, Racing Champions, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Muscle Machines, Maisto, and EKO. For those who might be interested, I have a limited stock of the Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt Avanti new on the original blister card available for purchase.


We often wish to decorate our house properly, but eventually end up not able to provide our home with a dream look that we aim for. The availability or buying of quality equipments and fittings is necessary in this regard. Interior decoration is something that you could easily do on your own without any external help.
A little bit of imagination and creativity is enough to let your house get that glamorous look. It is important that you should try something new while embellishing your house with all necessary equipments, furniture and fittings. These things are necessary to lead a comfortable and dignified life. It is easy to avail these accessories at hefty discounts through Limeroad coupons.
1) Entrance: The entrance of the house should look awesome. An attractive color on the entry door invites more attention. You should also keep some quality furniture and fittings in the drawing room.
2) Bedroom: The bedroom is a place where we wish to relax, sleep and of course, enjoy some quality time with our family members. Electronic equipments including lights and the table lamp should be light yellowish or pink for the rosy glow during the night time.
3) Natural light: A framed mirror should be put on the contrary side of the window. This trick will ensure the presence of natural light throughout the room. You will also able to get the goodness of sunlight by doing so.
4) Dining Table: The artistry of your dining table matters a lot. It is the place where all members of a family unite to have lunch or dinner together. Hence, this piece of furniture must look beautiful, creative and elegant. It spreads positivity and keeps everyone in a joyful mood.
5) Bathroom: It is the only place where you want complete relaxation and comforts. Keep it clean, tidy and hygienic. Definitely it is only important to spend some quality time for your body and hygiene. These are precious too. Replacing your old curtains with a new stylish and printed one at frequent intervals keeps the bathroom look spectacular.
Where Can I Get All Items at a Single Place?
Buying furniture and fittings and other accessories for home decoration is definitely a difficult task. It is because a single error can hamper your interior decoration completely. It is also impossible to get all goods at a single shop and retail outlet. Hence, online shopping is the best way to grab your favorite furniture and fittings at a single place.
E-commerce is definitely helping a lot of people purchase their favorite accessories at convenient timings. The process is extremely simple. Even a person with no technical knowledge can purchase online. There are a lot of shopping websites that facilitate easy buying of goods over the internet.
You should visit one of these sites to choose and select the product on the screen. There will be a lot of products appearing on the screen, please select the one that you require. On selecting the product and clicking on its buy option, you will be asked to enter your name, address and debit or credit card details. Once you enter these details, then the order is booked successfully.
The shopping site ensures that you get the product safely on time. Fabfurnish Coupons, available at selected sites ensure that you buy the product at further discounts. However, you should not delay the deal. These coupons usually stay valid for 1-2 days only. Grab the offer now!


…I promise it won't happen again.
Posted April 2nd, 2016 .
Nothin' like having an active, loving doxie!
Look at that face!! Adorable.
The face is so expressive! Wish I could read the rest of the post though….
I noticed the nails first thing too. It hurts to walk when their nails are that long!


Awhile – adverb referencing time, stay awhile. A while – object of a preposition, note using "for" preceding "a while" for your tip-off.
Colosseum – the proper name of a specific structure in Rome. Coliseum – every other coliseum.
A piece references a part of something. This sentence is a piece of this blog. Apiece means each. If I sold the blogs I write I could get, maybe, 25 cents apiece.
Wet or Whet your appetite?
Beyond the Pale or Beyond the Pail?
Beyond the pale. Unless there is a pail involved and there is something beyond it, like a dog or someone trying to kicking it.
Sloe gin or Slow gin?
Dire straits or Dire straights?
Any time is two words.
Canon is a literary term referring to a collection of works. A cannon is a piece of artillery.
Capitol is a building. Capital is an uppercase letter.
Heroin is made from opium. A heroine saves you from a falling building.
Crevices are tiny, crevasses are large.
Afterwards relates to time. Afterwords are book notations.
Affluence – riches, wealth Effluence – something that flows out Best to not confuse the two.
If the words together before the noun modify it, hyphenation is usually necessary. I have a full-time job. My job is full time.
Ban is a verb. Band is a noun. Bands is also an outdated mechanic in MTG. Ban bands!
is an ad, not an add.
Advice is a noun. Advise is a verb. John advised Spot not to run, but Spot didn't take the advice.
Already is an adverb that means something that occurred in the past. All ready is a statement of completeness.
Mock – to make fun of, or to copy, something. Mach – a number that indicates the ration of speed of an object in comparison to the speed of sound.
Gild means to cover in gold. A guild is a professional organization.
Gaff is a hook. Gaffe is an embarrassing mistake.
Fowl is a bird. Foul means loathsome or offensive.
An ordinance is a law. Ordnance refers to weapons and ammunition.
Entomology is the study of insects. Etymology is the study of words.
Every time is two words.
Every time is two words. Every time, every time.
Digestive track or Digestive tract?
Aural relates to things you hear while oral relates to the things you say or generally relating to the mouth.
Ala mode or A la mode?
A la. As in, a la mode.
Commas, periods and question marks only.
Parts of speech – What is a prepositional phrase?
Parts of speech – What is an article?
An article is an adjective that modifies a noun. There are two articles in the English lexicon, the and a/an.
Web site is two words and Web is always capped. I went to his Web site.
I looked up this information on the Internet.
What is the matter with spell check on all Microsoft programs and most e-mail servers?
Alot isn't a word. A lot, is two words.
To = preposition, or first part of the infinitive form of a verb – They went to the lake to swim. Too = very, also – I was too tired to continue. I was hungry, too. Two = the number 2 – Two students scored below passing on the exam.
Their = possessive pronoun – They got their books. There = that place – My house is over there. They're = contraction for they are – They're making dinner.
Lead – noun referring to a dense metallic element: The X-ray technician wore a vest lined with lead. Led – past-tense and past-participle form of the verb to lead, meaning to guide or direct: The evidence led the jury to reach a unanimous decision.
Conscious -adjective meaning awake, perceiving: Despite a head injury, the patient remained conscious. Conscience – noun meaning the sense of obligation to be good: You wouldn't cheat because your conscience wouldn't let you.
Accept – verb meaning to receive or to agree. Except – preposition meaning all but, other than.
Who's is a contraction for who is or who has. Whose is a possessive form of who that's used as an adjective. Examples: Who's (who is) going to the concert? Who's (who has) been to this venue before? Whose car are we taking? I wonder whose coat this is.
Alright is never all right.
Alright is never all right. Alright is not a word. All right is two words.
Setup is a noun and is one word. They had a great setup at the conference. Set up is a verb and is two separate words. We are going to set up for the conference.
Afterall isn't a word. After all is two words. The latter is correct, the former is not.
In general, use into when movement, action or a transformation of state occur. In to indicates location or state that is generally more static and not transitional.
affect = verb meaning to influence: Will lack of sleep affect your work? effect = noun meaning result or consequence: Will lack of sleep have an effect on your work? effect = verb meaning to bring about, to accomplish: Our efforts have effected a major change in policy.
Discrete is an adjective meaning individually separate and distinct. Discreet is also an adjective but means to be careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, esp. to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage or to be intentionally unobtrusive.
No need to hyphenate ly words.
It's already a modifier. e.g. Technically feasible plan, not technically-feasible plan.


text:
Francesca Tripodi, Data & Society: "How we get information is very flawed"
Neal Romanek - June 10, 2018 March 8, 2019
Is online and algorithm-driven news distorting our ability to see the world accurately? Dr Francesca Tripodi researched it in the American south
Sociologist and media scholar Dr Francesca Tripodi has been studying how the current trends in online and algorithm-driven news are magnifying inequality and distorting our ability to accurately assess our world.
Tripodi is a postdoctoral scholar at Data & Society where she studies how partisan groups interact with media and the role that community plays in deciding what is 'real' news. Her Data & Society report, "Searching for Alternative Facts" was published in May and is available for download.
Data & Society is a non-profit think tank that studies how Big Data impacts society on many different levels. Based in New York, the organisation tries to make sense of the double-edge sword that is transformative digital technology.
FEED: Can you start by telling us about your work?
Dr Francesca Tripodi: I study inequality in participatory media spaces. My dissertation looked at some discrimination that was happening on Wikipedia ("Non-notable? Deletion, Devaluation, and Discrimination on Wikipedia", American Journal of Sociology) and also in a now defunct app called Yik Yak ("What Colleges Might Lose by Banning Yik Yak", The Chronicle of Higher Education).
After finishing my doctorate in sociology I was fortunate to receive a postdoctoral fellowship with Data & Society for the past year.
FEED: And what has been your role at Data & Society?
FT: I have been part of the Media Manipulation Initiative team. We're looking at a wide variety of questions – from something as urgent as concerted disinformation attacks to generally thinking about how we find information we can trust.
There are other researchers at Data & Society who are studying artificial intelligence or human rights or how technology affects the labour market. It's a robust institution looking at a wide variety of issues concerning data.
In the past year, under the very generous funding and overarching advice of Data & Society founder Danah Boyd, we crafted a research project on the connection between partisanship and how we access information.
FEED: And this resulted in your report "Searching for Alternative Facts". How did that come about?
FT: We initially thought about how I could put myself in a few different states in the US – say, a blue state, a red state and a 'purple' state. In the US, blue states are those that tend to go to the Democrats, red states go to the Republicans, and purple states are the swing states in between.
Unfortunately, ethnography takes a really long time, and only having one year, I had to home in on one specific area. The state of Virginia was having a very high profile governor's race, and Virginia is now considered a swing state, even though it was red for quite some time. So we decided to focus my research inside the state of Virginia.
I was able to gain access to some really amazing people inside a women's Republicans group and a college Republicans group who knew I was doing a research project and graciously allowed me to sit in on their monthly meetings and go with them to their events, in addition to allowing me to do observation at barbecues and fundraisers. I also went to the election night party and did in-depth interviews with people closely associated with them.
I wanted to get at a central research question, which was : how do you go about looking for news and information that you trust?
FEED: And what did you find?
FT: I was inside Republican organisations, but most of the people I spoke to identified as 'conservative' rather than Republican. The groups I was embedded with were in different cities, but there were similar rituals in all of the groups. And there was the influence of a Christian world view which, I think, does affect critical interrogation of media.
FEED: What kinds of sources did they use to get their news and information?
FT: They were actually looking at a wide variety of sources. Fox was obviously a very important one, and within Fox, Sean Hannity, Parker Carlson and Fox & Friends were the most commonly discussed. Online, there was the Daily Bell, which is a daily email news summary from the Heritage Foundation, and The Daily Signal, which is another Heritage Foundation outlet
There were also YouTube channels like Prager University or The Rubin Report, which tended to be watched by the younger people I spoke with, as well as podcasts from The Daily Wire. And in terms of major publications, there were The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal.
A lot of the young people I spoke with got their information from their phone. They subscribed to a variety of news alerts, either through Apple News or downloading various news apps, and they subscribed to a fairly wide variety. A lot of the younger university students said they regularly read The New York Times and liked its long-form journalism. Markedly not on the list were MSNBC or The Washington Post.
FEED: Did they get any news from any non-US sources?
FT: Interestingly, Russia Today (RT) and Al Jazeera were also sources they talked about.
FEED: We talk about finding news sources we can trust. But what does 'trust' mean in this context? When people are looking for sources they can trust, are they looking for new information or just looking to have their world view confirmed?
FT: The people I spoke to were telling me they were looking for just the facts. They said that the mainstream media has become too emotional, that it is favouring emotion over intelligence and feelings over facts.
But what I argue is that facts are not neutral, and there are ways you can present 'the facts' that can sway arguments. It's very complicated, but I think there are conservative media producers in the US who are promoting the story that the mainstream media is a bunch of emotion and not fact-based. Then these media producers are saying 'We just present the facts', but are very careful and very meticulous about the facts that they present.
It scares me how closed off we seem to be from any opinion that differs from our own
FEED: Your study was around American conservatism. But what is your understanding of how media tunnel vision happens in other parts of the political spectrum?
FT: Unfortunately, that was the limitation of just having a year-long project. I gained access to Republican groups straightaway and quickly realised that was all I was going to be able to actively observe and understand. But in future I want to continue to explore this idea of partisanship and trust in news and information more broadly.
I studied people who identify as US conservatives, but I don't think this is exclusive to conservatives: I don't think many of us understand the implications of how what we search on really matters and how the key words we put into Google might unintentionally reaffirm our existing beliefs – and in some cases, take those beliefs to a more extreme place.
FEED: Google has become the world's major portal for accessing information. What did your research reveal about its use for getting accurate news?
FT: What I argue in the section of my report called 'Googling for Truth' is that Google as a platform can be really great for finding the local pizza place or a historical date, but what worries me is people are turning to it to find information about who they should vote for and what news they should be paying the most attention to. They think that Google is a neutral purveyor of information, but users don't understand how what you put into Google dramatically alters what you get out.
For example, in the Virginia election for governor there was a campaign ad that accused the Democratic candidate Ralph Northam of squandering $1.4 million on a fake Chinese company. If you Googled 'Northam fake Chinese company', you got returns from The Washington Post, an editorial in the Richmond, Virginia newspaper, and FactCheck.org. But when you added '1.4 million', the returns were dramatically different – you got a link to Americans For Prosperity who funded the ad, and to the Republican Governors Association.
What this says is if you know your audience – and you know, for example, that conservatives are more concerned about fiscal responsibility – through search engine optimisation and tying that '1.4 million' to your site, you can shift those search results. Ideological beliefs can be tied to very simple changes in Google search terms.
I observed the same thing with the NFL protests. If you type 'NFL ratings up' or 'NFL ratings down', the results will reaffirm your ideological position.
What worries me is people have become so fed up with news that they don't trust it, so they are blindly turning to Google as a source of trusted information, without examining how Google is a corporate media company that also has a bottom line.
In a time when we're being taught to be very critical of media, we're not providing that same critical lens to sources like Google.
FEED: Are search algorithms leading us to more extreme content?
FT: I think there are a network of personalities in conservative media that dabble in content that is much more extreme. By having certain guests on your shows that, then, are guests on other – much more radical – shows, you are algorithmically connecting to those more radical points of view. On YouTube's 'Up Next' you are more likely to appear beside them. That can help create these rabbit holes where viewers are being exposed to more radicalising thinking.
In Safiya Noble's book, Algorithms of Oppression, there's a great conversation about (convicted mass murderer) Dylan Roof Googling 'black on white crime'. Google has now fixed it – if you Google 'black on white crime', you get links back explaining how it is not actually a real thing. But prior to Dylan Roof's murdering nine African-Americans in a place of worship, when you Googled 'black on white crime', the top link was the Council of Conservative Citizens, which was actually a cloaked white supremacist website. So what you search for and when you search for it can have unintended consequences. Or intended consequences – I'm not sure what Dylan Roof was really looking for when he searched that in the first place.
I observed in my research people turning to Google as a way of fact-checking, or as a way even to challenge their existing beliefs, but what they typed in might end up reaffirming what they already believe, even if they went in trying to push their boundaries.
FEED: Is there something inherent in the technology we now use to get our news and information that has a radicalising effect?
FT: There is a way of thinking about news broadcasts of the past as if it was a golden era of news and information. But historically if you look at under-represented groups, they've never been represented in the news. When you had missing black women, that never made the nightly news. Many of the great media historians have described how the gatekeepers of news kept out a lot of news that mattered to under-represented people. Even in the era of print news, when we had these vibrant newspapers, there was still a pretty intense gatekeeping process in terms of what stories got covered.
I think there has always been 'counter-news', trying to galvanise or reach people who don't feel represented by the mainstream narrative. And I think equally there are ways to try and manipulate those efforts into concerted disinformation. I'm sceptical that these are just brand-new problems. There have always been sections of the newspaper that people have pulled out and focused on and ignored the rest.
FEED: Are there healthier ways we could be consuming and delivering news? Ways we could be getting a broader and deeper perspective?
FT: I think the model the US media uses to operate is deeply problematic. When it's based on how many eyeballs you can get, you get things like the election of Donald Trump, because that's all they were covering all the time. People were reading it and they were getting the clicks. And that's what their bottom line is based on.
People could counter that and say, 'Well, during the Brexit vote, you had the BBC, so explain that'. But how we get information is very flawed.
One thing that does concern me is how polarised our news consumption is right now. That does seem unique to me.
I was really surprised, in doing this research, how many stories I read on conservative news sites that I never saw any mention of in mainstream media – and vice versa. Fox is mainstream media, but it is kind of a place on its own. When you watch some of these different outlets, it's an entirely different conversation happening with a completely different sets of facts. It's a completely different story. And, though their slant may be something I don't agree with, I don't think conservative new sites are selling untruthful stories.
What I wish would happen – what I think would be really incredible – is if we heard a little bit more from people we don't agree with and had a way to get information to people we don't agree with. It scares me how closed off we seem to be from any opinion that differs from our own.
This article first appeared in the June 2018 issue of FEED magazine
Tagged data, Google, news, politics, YouTube
Start-up: Binary Bubbles, USA, 2017
Unlocking hidden treasures with AI librarians

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Tony Watt signs new deal
Tributes paid to Christian Mbulu
Christian Mbulu
Our season ticket pledge to you
When Motherwell were the kings of Spain
Motherwell clinch third spot in Premiership
Club votes against SPFL EGM resolution
Watch and donate to our live event
A further update from the chairman
Four ways to help manage anxiety
Tony Watt has extended his stay at Motherwell Football Club.
The forward, who initially joined the club on a short-term deal in February, has signed a new contract for the 2020/21 season.
Watt, 26, scored two goals across 326 minutes in six appearances, before the 2019/20 campaign was ended.
"I'm really happy to be staying at Motherwell," said the player.
"The manager and the coaching staff have been outstanding with me since I came to the club.
"The manager gave me a real belief when I joined and helped me get my confidence. I'm ready to do anything to repay that and help the club.
"It's a place where I feel at home. I really feel I can make a mark and I can't wait to get started again."
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson added: "We're delighted Tony has agreed to sign for the season and we are looking forward to working with him.
"I believe he showed the quality he has when he came in earlier in the year. The fitter and stronger he gets, the bigger an asset he will be to us.
"I feel there is a lot more to come and he has shown me he really wants this. We will give him a platform to show his talent and give him a stage where he can be successful, with people who believe in him."
A full update on the squad for 2020/21 will be published on Sunday.
Motherwell players and staff, past and present, have paid tribute to Christian Mbulu.
The 23-year-old, who made six appearances with the club in the 2018/19 season, passed away on Tuesday.
As a club, we are deeply shocked and saddened by the news. Christian was an incredibly positive, hard working and humble young man who will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family.
"Christian was a gentleman. He always had a smile on his face playing the game he loved.
"This is a tragic loss for his family, his friends and all of the football community, and to us at Motherwell FC who had the opportunity to work with him.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very sad time."
Keith Lasley
"So shocked to hear this news. Had such a positive outlook and enthusiasm for both football and life in general. My thoughts go to his friends and family."
"I can't believe this. RIP brother. Nicest guy in the world. Gone way too soon."
Charles Dunne
"Took Mbulu under my wing when he came up to Scotland. It's not easy moving up alone. Became my brother! Always smiling always positive. Just took anything that came his way in his stride. R.I.P My Broo."
Gboly Ariyibi
"Still can't believe this, praying I had a bad dream. Honestly a great man and so genuine, nothing but good memories with you bro. Sending all my condolences to his family. RIP Chris."
Elliott Frear
"Can't believe this. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. Absolutely gutted. Thoughts are with his family. Rest in peace buddy."
Absolutely shocked, RIP Mbulu heart of gold❤ https://t.co/170Tmbs5mH
— David Turnbull (@10DavidTurnbull) May 26, 2020
RIP Christian. Thoughts with his family. ❤
— Mark Gillespie (@markjgillespie) May 26, 2020
Such sad news. RIP Mbulu ❤ https://t.co/HLZEiVusB4
— Liam Donnelly (@Liam_Donnelly5) May 26, 2020
We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Christian Mbulu, a former player at the club.
Christian was with us in the 2018/19 season, making six first team appearances and a further three for our Under 20s in the Challenge Cup.
Twenty-three years old, he left Fir Park in May 2019 and went on to play in England with Crewe Alexandra and then Morecambe.
"We are shocked to hear of the news of Christian's death," Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon said.
"He was such a friendly, pleasant and dedicated young man who we loved having around Fir Park.
"Our thoughts are with his family during this incredibly difficult time. We hope their privacy is respected by everyone as they try to come to terms with their loss."
We're pledging that everyone who buys a season ticket for 2020/21 will get the full value of their purchase.
Almost 1,800 of you have already got your tickets for the campaign, far surpassing sales figures at this stage in normal years.
We understand that there is still no clarity over when football will resume for us, nor any prediction over when supporters will be able to attend matches again.
With that in mind, we will guarantee everyone who purchases, or has already purchased, a season ticket for 2020/21 will get the chance to attend 19 home league matches, whenever that is possible.
If that is not possible in 2020/21, we will offer you the chance to claim the credit value of the missing games back. This can either be used against the value of your season ticket for 2021/22, or if you don't renew next year, you can claim the equivalent number of match tickets for games in 2021/22.
If matches are initially played behind closed doors, we pledge that you will not be adversely impacted.
For example, if five matches are played behind closed doors in 2020/21, you can choose to either have the value of those matches deducted from your season ticket cost for 2021/22, or we will give you the equivalent amount of match tickets for games in that season.
Everyone who buys a new season ticket will also be given free entry to our first UEFA Europa League match.
Our Early Bird discount period on 2020/21 season tickets is available until 7 June. Don't miss out.
To buy, please use our online purchasing service at tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk if you can. You can also call us between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, on 01698 333333.
"Fans have responded brilliantly to buy season tickets so far, despite there being uncertainty over when Fir Park will be open again to watch football," chief executive Alan Burrows said.
"Although that situation hasn't changed, we hope that this guarantee will encourage other supporters to now commit to buying for 2020/21, and help the club prepare for what lies ahead.
"If you can afford to do so, please buy your season ticket now."
* Concession pricing applies if you're aged 16-18, aged 60 or over, or you're a full-time student.
All the information you need
Spread the cost or pay now
Buy your season ticket now
Activating your online account
How to buy for more than one person
Read our brochure
There are many ways to pay for your season ticket.
If you can, you can pay in full now by visiting tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. If you've never logged in to the website before, follow this guide if you are an existing season ticket holder. If you're buying new, please create a new account.
Alternatively, you can buy over the phone by calling 01698 333333. Please be patient, as we have limited telephone sales capacity at this time.
You can also email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk and ask us to call you back.
Pay by standing order
You can pay for your season ticket in four instalments from May to August by using our standing order facility. Forms are available here, or you can call 01698 333333 and we will get you set up. If you're filling out a form, you can scan it and email it to tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk or post it to the club.
Please note that standing orders are only available on our full season ticket prices, and can not be used for our early bird rate.
Finance is available to spread your cost over 12 months at an interest rate of 19.5%.
To apply, please call us on 01698 333333.
It's easy to buy or renew your ticket online. First, just head to tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk.
I am renewing
To renew, you'll need your client number. If you don't know it, don't worry, it is written on your season card.
If you've never used our online platform before, head to tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk. Click sign in in the top right corner, and then enter your client number and then choose the option 'activate my account'. You'll then be able to set a password for yourself and update your details, before going on to either renew your existing seat or choose a new one from our stadium map.
If you're more familiar with our online ticketing site, login to your account now. Your current seat is reserved and you will see a notification, and you can renew it in a matter of clicks. Or you choose a new seat.
I didn't have a 2019/20 season ticket & I want to buy one
Again, it's easy to do this. Head to tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk and then press 'season tickets' from the top menu.
You'll then be given the option to choose where in the stadium you would like to sit. From there, you can create yourself an account, and then buy your season ticket for the 2020/21 campaign.
If you want help setting up your online profile, or would prefer to buy by phone instead, just call 01698 333333. You can also email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.
Buying for more than one person
If you have season tickets for your kids, or want to manage all your family's tickets through one account, it's easy to link them together. First, head to tickets.motherwellfc.co.uk.
If you've never set up an online account for the specific ticket holder you want to buy for, log out of your account and press sign in again. Then:
Click on the 'activate my account' link. Input the customer number on the season card, and then the surname, and click the 'find my account' button.
On the following page, check and update your details and create a password for use on the website. Please note that the address listed here is where your season card(s) will be sent to.
If you are doing this on behalf of a junior member of your family, please enter a unique email account. This is due to some functionality – like forgotten password – which will look at the email address, and may cause a conflict.
Once this form is complete, click on the 'save details' button at the bottom of the page. You will then be directed back to the home page where your registered name and number will appear in place of the 'my account' drop down at the top right hand corner – you are now ready to renew the season ticket.
Then, sign out and go back to your account you want to control all tickets from. For example, the account of the adult season ticket holder who wants to have control over buying kids tickets. Follow the initial steps, and then you'll be all linked up.
Next – or if an online account exists for the ticket holder in question, follow these steps:
Press sign in. Once you are logged in to your master account, simply click on 'my account' and choose network.
From here, you can search for someone by using their customer number and surname.
Once you've found them, just press 'add member' and you're done.
Then, to complete the purchase of the season ticket for another person:
Select the individual in the "your network" menu.
Select the "edit" button next to the person you wish to buy for.
On the next page, make sure you select the "manage" option and then press "send request".
Log off of the site.
This will send an email to the other person's email address. They need to open the email and select the link – which will force then to log into the site – to complete the action.
Then, you can sign out and then sign back into your main account, and you're good to go.
If you have family members who haven't received their code to renew, don't worry. Just get in touch by emailing tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk, sending us a direct message on Facebook or Twitter, or calling us on 01698 333333. We will be able to give you the rest of the codes you need straight away. And if you're having trouble linking your accounts, just get in touch as well.
Only one foreign team in the world has a Copa del Rey – the main domestic cup of Spain – in its trophy cabinet.
The story of how it came to be Motherwell who still give the prize pride of place today is a lesser-told tale in the club's history.
Runners up in the Scottish top flight in 1926/27, John Hunter's team headed to mainland Europe as the invited guests of the RFEF to take part in a post-season special edition of the competition. Swansea City were also in tow on the trip, heading to Madrid to take part.
Real Union were the winners of the 1927 Copa del Rey, but the Steelmen would eventually be pitted against the might of Real Madrid at their home Estadio Chamartín, albeit with some players from other Spanish sides thrown in as special guests to bolster the hosts' chances.
An all-British showdown first
With a special version of the trophy donated by King Alfonso XIII of Spain for the purposes of the competition, Motherwell and Swansea would face each other first for the right to be the foreign guests in the final.
It would also mark the first time two sides from the United Kingdom would face each other on Spanish soil, with the Scots running out 4-3 winners in what was described by the King in publications as being a "brilliant display of scientific football".
Lying in wait were Real Madrid, and some friends. Los Blancos were yet to register the first of their 33 La Liga titles by that time, with the national league not being formed until two years later, but had won five Copa del Rey trophies in what was still their early years.
The (unofficial) 1927 Copa del Rey final
Yes, the match between Motherwell and Real Madrid was for an unofficial version of the Copa del Rey, but it presented the unique opportunity to claim the trophy on foreign soil.
Two days after the win over Swansea City, 17 May 1927 saw the Steelmen face Los Merengues on their own turf and run out 3-1 winners. In doing so, they joined Dundee and Dundee United in being a Scottish club to win in Madrid in the 1920s. But only one returned with such prestigious silverware.
It wouldn't be the only trophy Motherwell would take home too. A trip to Barcelona followed a few days later and, after a 2-2 draw with the Catalan side, a 1-0 win over Swansea – again – also saw the club presented the Barcelona Cup.
We have finished third in the 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership.
Following the decision of SPFL clubs and the league board on Monday, the campaign has been brought to a halt without completing all scheduled fixtures.
With the final table being calculated on a points per game basis, Motherwell retain third spot in the league and record the club's highest league finish since coming second in 2014.
We have been nominated as one of Scotland's participants for the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League qualifying round.
"It is an incredible achievement to finish third in the Premiership," manager Stephen Robinson said.
"Regardless of how it came to an end, this squad have earned their place with their performances across the season.
"Our target every year is to stay in the division, although we always have aspirations to surpass that.
"But to come third given the parameters we work under, and the quality of the teams we have finished above, speaks volumes for the hard working, talented group of players and staff we have."
Motherwell completed 30 league games from a scheduled 38 in the 2019/20 season, accumulating 46 points, winning 14 matches and scoring 41 goals.
Applying the formula adopted by the SPFL, we averaged 1.5333 points per game, compared to 1.5 by Aberdeen in fourth, and 2.3103 by Rangers in second.
"The season may not have ended with a last-game finale, but our sense of achievement remains," chairman Jim McMahon said.
"We would have preferred to have played the season in full. But nevertheless, this is a great feat by Stephen, Keith, the coaching staff and the team. We are incredibly proud.
"During difficult times, we can reflect on the good moments the team brought us across the season in reaching third spot. Football is not the priority in these difficult times. But it gives us a common purpose from which we can draw some comfort.
"We can also look forward to playing European football again, whenever that may be.
"But most crucially, our club – and Scottish football as a whole – can now be focused fully on trying to get playing again at the earliest, safest opportunity.
"The support from all our fans throughout the season has been as outstanding as ever and has played a huge part in what we've done. I am certain we will show the same unity to help us come through the next challenges together."
Following the publication of an SPFL EGM vote on a resolution calling for an independent investigation, I set out below how Motherwell FC voted and why we came to that decision.
Firstly, and contrary to various reports in the press, the board did not reach a conclusion until the weekend. This came after we had spent the appropriate time reviewing all the documentation which was supplied to clubs.
As I have said before, the situation we are in has no precedent. So it is no surprise that we are all, from Government down to individuals, struggling to make sense of where we find ourselves and how best we get through. Good answers are not easy to find.
It is against that backdrop that we reviewed the evidence. The key decision the SPFL board took was to propose a resolution to "call" the leagues other than the Premiership, and giving itself the power to do the latter in due course. Their rationale was twofold.
1) It was extremely unlikely this season could be finished.
2) In those circumstances the most important aspect was to protect, as far as possible, next season.
As a club we felt that was the correct decision at the time and it has been confirmed over the past weeks. There are now no credible voices still arguing that the 2019/20 season can be completed.
Did the evidence produced meet the high threshold required to merit an independent review of that decision and indeed an open-ended and unlimited enquiry into the whole corporate governance of the SPFL? In our view it did not.
We also took into account two other factors in our decision not to support the resolution.
Is this the appropriate time to divert resource into an investigation? In our view, it is not and we are surprised by the amount of effort and energy devoted to this topic at a time when Scottish football faces an existential crisis.
Secondly, it is very likely that a large number of clubs will need significant help to get to the other side of this, which might in turn entail accessing money from external sources. The chance of getting that sort of funding is much reduced if we continue to fight in public. For that reason, can we not all come together as a group to try and get the best possible outcome?
If in due course, when we are through this crisis, clubs feel that there should be a review of how the structure and operation of the SPFL could be improved, then we would support that and would be happy to be involved.
Jim McMahon
Our event to raise funds for local causes on Saturday 9 May runs from 12pm to just past midnight.
We're streaming classic Motherwell moments throughout the day to raise money for Chris's House, the Motherwell FC Community Trust and The Well Society.
You can still donate to help us reach our target. Our virtual kiosk will be open all throughout the day, you can enter our signed shirt draw and also keep making donations if you can.
Please donate here.
To watch along, head to our Facebook page from 12pm on Saturday.
To encourage as much donations as possible, we will live stream to all who wish to watch.
We've been lucky enough to find rarely-seen footage from throughout our history, going back as far as 1921 Scottish Cup matches against Ayr United and Partick Thistle.
There are some real treats for Motherwell fans to enjoy throughout the day. You can follow our schedule to see what you want to see, or rewind and playback at any point.
Archive footage from the 1920s to 1950s
Including Scottish Cup matches from 1921 and the club's various Scottish Cup final and semi-final appearances
Highlights from the match and video from the celebrations back in Motherwell
Your highlights
The first batch of assorted highlights from down the years chosen by the fans, including a win in our last visit to Broomfield.
Rangers v Motherwell play-off first leg
The full 90 minutes plus behind-the-scenes footage from the 2015 match.
Every goal from 2019/20
Relive all the competitive goals from the season so far.
The second batch of assorted highlights from down the years, including Mitchell van der Gaag's stunner v Dunfermline.
Footage from all the matches on the run to winning the 1991 Scottish Cup, with interviews from the players and staff.
Match highlights from the era, including the 3-2 win over Celtic in 1976.
Motherwell v Rangers play-off second leg
The full 90 minutes, behind-the-scenes footage and the on-field celebrations from the 2015 match.
The third batch of assorted highlights from down the years, including the 2017/18 League Cup and Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Motherwell v Liverpool
The full match from 1986 as a full-strength Reds team travelled to mark our centenary.
Motherwell in Europe
Highlights from almost every game from the full 90 our first ever away trip to Katowice in 1991 through to highlights of the most-recent affairs.
Why we are doing this
We live in unprecedented times, with the spread of Covid-19 costing people their lives, causing many others to fall ill, putting strain on key workers and also creating difficult life conditions for the general population through uncertainty over employment, money and health, and also having a psychological impact due to the current social isolation guidelines.
We want to use our platform, our supporter base and our reach to the wider world to raise money to help those affected as a consequence of what is happening.
This fundraising initiative is operated on behalf of the Motherwell FC Community Trust. All donations will also be subject to Gift Aid, which will see us being able to reclaim tax to add a further 25p to our total for every £1 spent. It will not cost you any extra.
"The current situation is having a real and immediate impact on people's lives," Motherwell FC chief executive Alan Burrows said.
"We want to use our platform to raise money to try and offer support in the areas we've identified – namely Chris's House, who work tirelessly to help with the mental health issues which may come from current circumstances, and also our Community Trust, who amongst other things are continuing to ensure food is available for local children who may go without some meals while schools are off.
"We have set an initial target which we hope people will see as a challenge we can all get involved in to hit. All donations will go towards making a huge impact in the local community as we try and get through this together."
Chris's House
Primarily, this is why we have partnered with Chris's House. Chris's House stands for 'Centre of Help, Response and Intervention Surrounding Suicide' and has been set up to offer a safe environment where people in crisis may have a respite from their current unwellness, by finding refuge in Chris's House and involvement in an individually tailored programme to offer support and respite through their journey.
Their aims are to reduce the number of people dying as a result of mental health, to support those affected by suicide and raise awareness of it, to work in partnership with other agencies in Scotland that could help with their aims, and to reduce stigma and 'taboo' around suicide and mental health.
The current situation will be having an untold and profound impact on people's mental health, during a time where the majority of our time has to be spent indoors. We want to support Chris's House to help people who need their support and expertise.
Chris's House was founded by Anne Rowan, a Wishaw mum with a passionate vision for a crisis centre established in memory of her son Chris, whom she lost to suicide in 2011 at the age of 36. In the years following Chris's death, Anne experienced an overwhelming sense of guilt. Her hair fell out, she lost her balance and couldn't go out unaided.
She turned her attention to taking action – through the creation of Chris's House, a 'Centre for Help, Response and Intervention Surrounding Suicide'. It is the first 24 hour, non-medical crisis centre in Scotland offering integrated support. The cosy rooms have each been carefully designed to offer guests an environment they can feel comfortable in. The generosity of families that have been touched by the work Chris's House have accomplished have raised the funds or made donations to allow for the space offer calm and wellbeing.
Motherwell FC Community Trust
Our own Community Trust are also working hard to support local people during these difficult times. Primarily, through funding, they are helping to provide a range of food packages throughout the area, addressing holiday hunger for local school children.
There are 6,500 children near Fir Park who are entitled to free school meals.
Some don't get a meal when schools are closed for holidays.
For those times, we provide hot food and physical activity free of charge.https://t.co/iFrXW40bKt pic.twitter.com/sAshBT433V
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) December 18, 2019
As well as being a vital point of call for resources and support for the local population, they are also continuing to deliver coaching programmes to hundreds of children who normally train at Fir Park on a daily basis, with classes now being delivered online by our first team players.
The Well Society
Then, finally, The Well Society is the fan-ownership group which owns Motherwell Football Club. Any supporter can join to become a part-owner of their club, and we are raising money to help support them and, in turn, the club as it continues to plan for the future during the present uncertainty, as well as to offer assistance in the club's continued outreach in the area during these times.
Buy your "tickets" now and donate to our Motherwell v Covid-19 fundraising.
I wanted to provide you all with a further update on what we are doing as a club to manage through the crisis and to highlight the exceptional work in the local community our supporters have been carrying out.
Thanks to the sterling efforts of our Community Trust, and funding from key external partners, we were able to deliver over £5,000 worth of food to people who need it most in our local area. Our fans volunteered their time and effort, once again showing that we pull together and support each other in the moments of greatest need.
Our fundraising efforts for the Community Trust, as well as the vitally-important local suicide intervention charity Chris's House, also continue. You've donated close to £10,000 already in such a short space of time as we try and reach our target of £13,742 and I urge anyone who can make any contribution at all to do so to support very important causes.
Our season ticket sales continue to move apace. We are fast approaching 1,500 purchases after just over three weeks, with fans continuing to demonstrate their commitment to the club in uncertain times. This compares to the 327 season tickets that were sold after three weeks last year. Our message remains the same – please buy if you can afford to, but only if you can.
Unfortunately, we are still without the clarity we are all seeking on when we may resume playing football. Our view is that we have to plan for a long delay, but hope and be ready for a shorter one.
The board continues to work to best safeguard the club's finances and to plan for all potential scenarios. The vast majority of our staff and our playing squad are furloughed as we make use of the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and this makes a significant difference to our financial stability.
Some core staff have been retained to continue the club's ongoing operations and to help plan for what comes next.
All that is left is to wish you, your family and your friends continued good health during these unprecedented times. We all know how hard this is. And we all know that the only way we will get through it well is by staying strong and in touch with one another like this.
Our club is a family, like never before.
According to MIND Charity, one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week — with anxiety being one of the most common conditions faced.
So what does anxiety really feel like? How does it impact on daily life? And, with coronavirus currently dominating world news, how do we cope at a time of extreme uncertainty?
Here are four ways to help from our official health and wellbeing partner Paycare.
Eat Well & Stay Hydrated
Changes in our routine can impact our nutritional habits, and we're all certainly experiencing big changes in our way of life right now.
Making sure the body is well fuelled and hydrated is hugely important — it impacts on various aspects of our wellbeing, from our sleep and focus, to our motivation and ability to deal with emotions.
Eating a balanced and varied diet prevents the highs and lows of blood sugar too, which is shown to have a positive impact on reducing levels of anxiety.
Fruit juice, caffeine, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and alcohol are some of the top drinks you should avoid if you have anxiety, but if you do decide to have any of them just remember that it's all about moderation.
Dedicate time to making sure you eat well and regularly so that your blood sugar levels are kept at a stable level, and that you drink plenty of water too.
Maintain Your Health Needs
If you need to take medication, it's key to keep taking these, even though you may feel anxiety about leaving the house for this purpose.
Remember that you can usually reorder prescriptions by phone, online, or via drop-off points at your local pharmacy or doctors, so you don't need to come into contact with others. If you're a Paycare Policyholder, don't forget to check if you have access to their GP 24/7 service as part of your plan.
If before self-isolating you carried out things that made you feel like the best version of you — for example, if you found that meditation or yoga helped you to maintain a fresh mindset — it's important that you continue to put time aside for these feel-good activities.
Talk About Your Worries
It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious sometimes, but when it impacts on your daily life to the point where you have no focus, no motivation, and no desire to take care of your own needs, it's important to talk about how you're feeling.
When we can't see or be around our loved ones like before, we can feel even more isolated, but remember you're not alone and there is a network of support still available to help you through.
Make use of phone calls, email, online chats, social media, or texts to engage with someone you trust, or there are digital tools that could help such as the Hub of Hope app, created by the mental health charity Chasing the Stigma which provides a list of local mental health organisations.
If you'd prefer to open up confidentially, Anxiety UK, MIND, Samaritans, and SANE can help, as well as Employee Assistance Programmes. As a Paycare Policyholder, you can access their dedicated service if it's part of your plan — log in to your MyPaycare area.
If you think people you know may need support, simply check-in with them to see how they're doing — it might just be you that they want to open up to.
Focus on What You Can Control a Happy Environment
If you're not already used to working from home, you might find it tricky to balance the two in the same environment.
Depending on your own personal preferences, you might find that keeping a tidy home and workspace can help you feel more in control of the two areas of your life, and able to enjoy your surroundings a little more, which is especially important when we don't know how long we'll be at home.
While these are just four things that can I believe can help to manage anxiety effectively, remember that you know yourself best, so do trial and test things to see how you feel and whether they are helping you to feel more in control during this worrying time.
To see more useful tips for staying healthy mind, body and soul during the coronavirus pandemic, you can connect with Paycare on Twitter and Facebook.


Ken Buffin, Founder of the US-based Buffin Foundation, discusses the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the innovative ways actuaries can harness their skills to drive progress towards achieving them by 2030.
Governments at all levels should cooperate to promote sustainable development worldwide. This objective includes a commitment to the rule of law, human rights, transparency, participation, inclusion, and sound economic institutions that support the private, public and civil-society sectors in a productive and balanced manner.
Since the adoption of the goals, we have seen many interesting examples of SDG projects from within the ongoing work of the United Nations Social and Economic Council and the various UN Agencies, including the World Health Organization, International Labour Organization and International Social Security Association, World Meteorological Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the United Nations Committee on Trade and Development. For example the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been exploring how fiscal policy can be deployed to reduce inequality through spending on health, education, and social protection and ensuring the progressivity of tax systems. The IMF is also focusing on efforts to boost women's economic participation, especially through the design of tax and spending policies. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2018 details the progress that has been achieved against the goals. I encourage Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) members to explore these sources of UN SDG projects so as to expand their horizons in considering how actuarial skills may be relevant in relatively new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, workplace safety innovation, sustainable consumption, and other global challenges and opportunities.
Successful development and implementation of the SDGs will depend on expert input and guidance, including that which actuaries can provide. Actuaries can readily apply or adapt their technical skills and experience, such as risk assessment and risk mitigation, to support many of the SDGs. The SDGs cut across several issues that fall within the practice areas and experience of the actuarial profession, including social protection, financial stability, poverty alleviation, mortality reduction, healthcare provision, and capacity building for insurance and financial services. I encourage all actuaries to become more informed about the SDGs and to consider how they may become involved either through their individual activity or through helping their employers to support the SDGs. The IFoA has already published a number of examples of case studies which highlight the innovative ways in which actuaries are helping to achieve the goals. The examples span the design of innovative insurance products to address environmental risks in China, road traffic risks in India, and the impact of animal agriculture. These diverse case studies demonstrate how traditional areas of actuarial practice can be expanded to address the global issues facing our world today.
The IFoA's dedicated SDG campaign was launched in January 2018 with a view to stimulating discussion within the profession about the importance of SDGs and the role of actuaries in achieving them. Two forthcoming events will provide opportunities for members to learn more and become involved with the IFoA's campaign.
The Actuarial Society of South Africa and the IFoA will be hosting a joint-webinar on Friday 5 October 2018. The webinar will be chaired by Marjorie Ngwenya, Immediate Past-President of the IFoA. It will discuss the SDGs in more detail and consider the role actuaries can play in achieving them.
I will be chairing an IFoA SDG workshop in London on the evening of Monday 29 October 2018. The workshop will be interactive and will bring together experts from the actuarial profession, government, academia, think tanks, the third sector, and others engaged in financial services, to discuss how the core elements of the actuarial skillset can be applied in practice to achieve the UN SDGs.


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Teen able to steal answers by recording teacher's keystrokes
The Houston Chronicle reports that a sophomore at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, could go to jail because he plugged a keystroke logger into his teacher's computer in an effort to steal test answers. The teen said he had managed to extract answers to an upcoming test by using the recording device. Authorities said he was planning to sell the answers to the test. He has been charged with a Class B misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 180 days in jail. (Note: This site requires registration.)...


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Lawyer: Officer Who Shot Terence Crutcher Was Unaware She Had Backup
Posted at 12:00 pm on September 30, 2016 by Bob Owens
In the famous Omaha Beach landing scene from Saving Private Ryan, there is a moment where Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) crawls out of the water and takes what cover he can behind an anti-tank obstacle (called a hedgehog). He experiences a moment where time seems to slow down and the sounds of battle subside for him. He goes completely deaf, only for his senses to return to normal several minutes later.
Perceptual narrowing in moments of high stress is a heavily documented and relatively well-understood phenomena, from the apparent slowing down of time, to tunnel vision, to tunnelled hearing, better known as auditory exclusion. It affects military forces in combat, police officers in intense situations, and firefighters.
You're likely to hear a lot more about auditory exclusion in the news, now that the attorney for Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby says that she was so hyperfocused on the actions of a non-compliant suspected PCP abuser that she didn't know backup officers had arrived when she fired on PCP intoxication Terence Crutcher as he appeared to reach into his SUV after ignoring repeated orders by Shelby to get on the ground.
A lawyer for a white Oklahoma police officer charged in an unarmed black man's death said she was so hyper-focused on the situation that she didn't hear other officers arrive on the scene or even the deadly gunshot she fired.
Tulsa officer Betty Shelby, who is expected to plead not guilty to first-degree manslaughter at her arraignment on Friday, experienced what is commonly called "auditory exclusion," a condition in which people in high-stress situations often don't hear sounds around them, attorney Scott Wood said.
"She didn't hear the gunshot, didn't hear the sirens coming up behind her just prior to the shot," Wood said Thursday. "And it's not only a common phenomenon described in literature, but it's the No. 1 perceptual distortion by people I have represented who have been involved in shootings – diminished sound or complete auditory exclusion."
He said that while Shelby's defense won't hinge on whether she was aware of other officers when she shot 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16, it would be important for jurors to know.
"It's just one of the many facts that have happened, and I don't think our defense turns on whether or not she knew they were there," Wood said.
Auditory exclusion is commonly reported by officers who fire their weapons, said David Klinger, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Klinger, a former Los Angeles police officer who fatally shot a suspect just four months into the job, interviewed 80 law enforcement officers involved in 113 separate cases where they shot citizens. Diminished sound was officers' most commonly experienced perceptual distortion, reported in 82 percent of the cases either before or after the shooting, or in some cases both, his study shows.
"Other researchers have documented the phenomenon of muted sound or full auditory exclusion where you don't hear anything in a variety of circumstances outside of policing," Klinger said.
Other distortions include tunnel vision and altered perception of time, in which situations are experienced in slow motion.
Wood is stating that due to auditory exclusion, Officer Shelby was unaware that Officer Tyler Turnbough had arrived with a taser to provide backup and was standing behind her and to her left.
She was similarly unaware of the other officers who were rushing up to the scene, to arrive seconds after she fired.
She thought she was completely alone, with a suspect who refused to listen to her commands.
When Officer Shelby saw that Terence Crutcher had dropped his hands and was leaning forward and to the left as if reaching into the vehicle (whether or not he actually did is legally irrelevant), she focused on her front sight and pressed off a shot (at the moment above).
Nine seconds later, after two more officers ran up, Crutcher fell, bleeding profusely from the single mortal wound. Officers then helped Shelby away from the rear of Crutcher's vehicle, still apparently in this intensely focused state, and began processing the scene.
Prosecutor Steve Kunzweiler filed charges against Officer Shelby before the police investigation into her shooting of Terence Crutcher was complete, apparently under intense political pressure including Black Lives Matter agitators outside the Tulsa Police Department threatening to incite racial conflict.
Crutcher's death was a result of his apparent unwillingness or inability (if intoxicated on PCP, as he had been in the past) to follow instructions from Officer Shelby. When he returned to his vehicle and made a motion construed as an attempt to reach into the vehicle, Officer Shelby had to discharge her weapon.
The following video vividly drives that point home.
It was the only reasonable response to make under the circumstances created by the actions of a non-complaint Terence Crutcher.
We're not saying he was a bad person, but he made bad decisions that forced an officer to respond to her training.
In rushing to file charges without a completed investigation or a toxicology screen, I believe that Tulsa County District Attorney rushed to pander to the demands for "social justice" over the interests of real justice, as North Carolina prosecutor Mike Nifong did in prosecuting a case against Duke University lacrosse players unfairly accused of a rape that simply didn't happen.
Officer Shelby is pleading not guilty in a court in Tulsa today.
Soon enough she'll have the opportunity to make her case in front of a jury.
Tags: auditory exclusionBetty Shelbypolice shootingTerence CrutcherTulsa


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Steve Irwin's Kids Continue His Legacy by Saving More Than 90000 Animals, Many Are Victims of Destructive Australia Bushfires (View Pics)
Viral Team Latestly| Jan 07, 2020 09:16 AM IST
Steve Irwin's Family (Photo Credits: Instagram)
The late wildlife conservationist, Steve Irwin would have been satisfied today. His family announced through an Instagram post that they saved more than 90,000 animals in Australia, as the devastating bushfires continue to ravage the country and destroy its animals and nature. The family runs a wildlife hospital at the Australia Zoo in Queensland, and the vets treated over 90,000 patients including foxes and bats, many are victims of the fires. Steve Irwin's daughter, Bindi Irwin, however, noted that the number of patients is rising due to the flames and the veterinarian team is working round the clock to save as many animals as they can. Here's How You Can Donate and Help Those Affected by Destructive Australian Wildfires.
In an Instagram post, Irwin wrote, "With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much." She further added, "Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients. My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother. We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can." Steve Irwin's Son Robert Recreates 15-Year-Old Memory of The Crocodile Hunter and People Can't Stop Their Happy Tears.
Here's the Post:
With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much. I wanted to let you know that we are SAFE. There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties. Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients. My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother. We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can. 💙🙏🏼
A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on Jan 2, 2020 at 2:07am PST
The Irwin family's patients included, 'Blossom the Possum," which was admitted at the hospital after it was rescued from the bushfires. However, Blossom could not be saved, despite efforts from the hospital's veterinarian team. Australian Bushfires: These Kangaroo and Koala Rescue Pics and Videos Will Leave You in Tears.
RIP Blossom:
Blossom the possum was admitted to the #AustraliaZoo Wildlife Hospital after being caught in one of the bushfires burning in other parts of Queensland. We have such an incredible team who work day and night to protect gorgeous animals like Blossom. Devastatingly this beautiful girl didn't make it even after working so hard to save her life. I want to thank you for your kind words and support. This is the heart-wrenching truth, every day is a battle to stand up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Now more than ever we need to work together to make a difference and protect our Mother Earth. For more on how you can become a Wildlife Warrior visit www.wildlifewarriors.org 💙🙏🏼
A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on Jan 3, 2020 at 2:38pm PST
Blossom is one of the many animals who have been killed in Australia's raging fires. Reports note that the bushfires may have killed almost a third of koalas in Australia's New South Wales region.
Grey-Headed Bats Are Also Their Patients:
Our @AustraliaZoo Wildlife Hospital takes in animals from all over Australia. Hundreds of grey-headed flying foxes, a species listed as vulnerable, have been flown to Queensland after the rescue centre they were recovering in was at risk from fire and evacuated. Some of the orphans are now being cared for by the team at the hospital until they're big enough to go home, and there's no threat of fire. 🦇 In September, flying fox admissions to the hospital skyrocketed by over 750% due to drought conditions and lack of food. Flying foxes are now being drastically affected by wildfires and we're again seeing an influx of these beautiful animals from across the country. This week, we treated our 90,000th patient. To cope with so many animals being admitted to the hospital, in 2019 we opened a sea turtle rehabilitation centre, sea snake ward and are about to complete a new bird recovery area, but it's still not enough to keep up. We need to build a new ward for our patients. Wildlife Warriors from around the world are asking how they can help us save native wildlife, you can donate on our website www.wildlifewarriors.org , or support our fundraiser to start construction of our newest ward by visiting the link in my bio! 💚
The bushfires have been burning out of control. Australian authorities speculate that the fire is not going to end any sooner and that it might stay longer, creating more destruction. At least 24 people have died in the wildfires and at NSW region alone, above 1,300 houses were destroyed. The firefighters are battling hard to rescue as many as they can and take them safely to the evacuation centres.
Australia bushfire Australia Bushfire News Australia Bushfire Victims Australia Bushfires Australia Bushfires Photos Australia Bushfires Pictures Irwin Family Steve Irwin Steve Irwin daughter Steve Irwin Family Steve Irwin son
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