Clean Energy Could Save Hundreds Of Billions In Health Costs Every Year

If the U.S. moved to electric vehicles, there would be a substantial cut in air pollution – and health benefits to go with it. septim/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND

By Drew Shindell, Duke University

In Paris late last year, the countries of the world pledged to reduce emissions to keep global warming “well below a 2 degree Celsius” rise in global average temperatures compared with preindustrial levels.

As an advanced economy, the U.S. is expected to lead in making the required emissions reductions, which would be roughly 80 percent by midcentury compared with 2005. This would entail moving a large portion of U.S. power generation off fossil fuels and shifting the majority of our vehicles to electric power. That’s a tall order.

Most existing energy policies focus on the nearer term, and as yet there is no roadmap to achieve this 2°C limit – or even less aggressive targets for emissions cuts in the next 15 years.

TIGA Presents 'Changing The Game': A Collaboration With ITN Productions

CEO of the Independent Game Developers' Association (TIGA), Richard Wilson in an interview with UK national newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky regarding their partnership with ITN Productions and upcoming news programme called "Changing the Games". The aim of the programme is to share knowledge and heighten awareness among policy makers, politicians and the wider public about the significant role that the gaming sector plays in the strength of the UK economy. (PRNewsFoto/ITN Productions and TIGA)

In a unique communications partnership, The Independent Game Developers' Association (TIGA) and ITN Productions are producing a news and current affairs-style programme which will explore the future of the gaming industry. It will tell the story of a thriving industry that given the right support and encouragement at home, could see the UK reach its full potential on the global stage. ITN Productions will also be TIGA's official media partner for the prestigious 2016 TIGA Games Industry Awards.

Is The Bank Of England Independent When It Comes To Brexit?

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By David Cobham, Heriot-Watt University

The Bank of England has been attacked by Leave campaigners for articulating what they deem to be pro-government, pro-Remain views about Brexit, when it should supposedly be independent. Governor Mark Carney’s comment that leaving the EU is the “biggest domestic risk to financial stability” provoked the criticism that he is breaching the bank’s independence. But it seems more likely that this is a case of shooting the messenger in order to distract attention from the message.

Trump University Salesman Speaks Out: "With Donald Trump, You Always Have To Read The Fine Print"

Trump University Salesman Speaks Out In American Future Fund Ad: "With Donald Trump, You Always Have To Read The Fine Print"

A former Trump University salesman speaks out against the presidential candidate in a seven-figure Florida ad buy by American Future Fund (AFF), warning voters that, "with Donald Trump, you always have to read the fine print."

Cliff, the former salesman, explains that he is telling "the true story" about Trump's course, which is the subject of two class-action lawsuits and an action by the office of the New York State Attorney General, which labeled it a "bait-and-switch" scheme.

Cliff underscores that the course, which changed its name five years after the State Education Department sent a letter stating it could not use the term "university," was "D-rated on the Better Business Bureau" and speaks of "non-stop calls with complaints."

Is Britain Safer In Or Out Of The European Union? This One's A No Brainer

PA/Gareth Fuller

By Christopher J. Fuller, University of Southampton

Ever since the Islamic State assault on Paris in November 2015, Brexit campaigners have sought to draw a link between Britain’s partnership with Europe, and the vulnerability of its cities to similar attacks. In the days after the atrocities, prominent Leave proponent Richard Tice took direct aim at In campaigners when he said: “never again should they say the United Kingdom is safer in the European Union.”

Until Britain takes back control of its borders, argues UKIP’s Nigel Farage, it cannot be “isolated” from the threat posed by Islamic extremists. The use of the word “isolated” should not be overlooked – it holds a special place in history, and reveals the fantasy in the thinking of those advocating the UK’s exit.

The belief that, in an ever-more interconnected world, Britain’s geography could somehow allow its government to pull up the drawbridge, as if Britain is some sort of impenetrable fortress, is simplistic and old-fashioned.

Timefire VR Announces First Virtual Reality City

Hypatia - The First City in Virtual Reality created by Timefire www.timefirevr.com
(PRNewsFoto/TIMEFIRE VR)

Hypatia Revolutionizes Gaming Market With Focus on Immersive Social Environment

Timefire LLC, an Arizona tech company, announces the most advanced virtual reality city arriving this year, called Hypatia. This immersive social environment will focus on providing rich cultural and educational experiences, while also offering an entertaining setting where collaboration and creativity are the currency. On the more than 70 miles of streets in Hypatia its citizens will stroll among the tree lined canals, be able to take in a play or attend a concert, visit a museum, paint using 2D and 3D tools, explore, shop, or kick back and read a holographic book from their virtual smart phone.

Donald Trump's Grandfather Was An Illegal Migrant And 'Trojan Horse'

Beware Trojan horses. Gage Skidmore/flickr, CC BY-SA

By Stefan Manz, Aston University

During New Year celebrations in Cologne, there were more than 500 reported attacks against women, including robbery and sexual assault. Most of the suspects are of North African origin, and some are thought to have entered the country illegally or as asylum seekers.

The news was welcome campaign fodder for US presidential hopeful Donald Trump. Referring to German chancellor Angela Merkel’s open door policy on refugees from Syria, he commented in his usual rhetoric: “I don’t know what the hell she is thinking”.

Trump went on to say that he did not want to have “people coming in from migration from Syria (sic)” as these were aggressive young men who “look like they should be on the wrestling team”. More dangerously still, Trump believed such people could act as terrorist “Trojan horses”.

Toastmasters Honors Successful Women on International Women's Day

Shurooq AlBanna competes in Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking (PRNewsFoto/Toastmasters International)

In honor of International Women's Day on March 8, Toastmasters International salutes women around the world. More than half of the organization's 332,000-plus members are females who join Toastmasters to become more confident speakers and leaders.

During her tenure as Toastmasters' first female International President from 1985-86, the late Helen Blanchard, a former civilian Navy manager, encouraged women to "commit to excellence." The trailblazer, who broke barriers in Toastmasters and in the workplace at a time when few women were leaders, said she lived by that motto. "Committing to excellence is not about something you put on. It's about something you bring out. By doing the very best I could do in any situation, it always led to better opportunities," said Blanchard.

Golden Globe Nominee Caitriona Balfe Joins Cast of 'Trust No One'

Kassianides and Caitriona Balfe taken from Simon Kassianides' instagram. Caitriona is staring in Kassianides' new movie 'Trust No One'. (PRNewsFoto/Trust No One)

Caitriona Balfe, winner of a Saturn Award and and Golden Globe nomination for her role asClaire Beauchamp in Outlander, is joining a star cast of young actors making an action/thriller movie funded through Kickstarter.

Live And Let Die: Did Michel Foucault Predict Europe's Refugee Crisis?

Asylum seekers are held at the Macedonian border. EPA/Georgi Licovski

By Stephane J Baele, University of Exeter

In March 1976, philosopher Michel Foucault described the advent of a new logic of government, specific to Western liberal societies. He called it biopolitics. States were becoming obsessed with the health and wellbeing of their populations.

And sure enough, 40 years later, Western states rarely have been more busy promoting healthy food, banning tobacco, regulating alcohol, organising breast cancer checks, or churning out information on the risk probabilities of this or that disease.

Foucault never claimed this was a bad trend – it saves lives after all. But he did warn that paying so much attention to the health and wealth of one population necessitates the exclusion of those who are not entitled to – and are perceived to endanger – this health maximisation programme.

Biopolitics is therefore the politics of live and let die. The more a state focuses on its own population, the more it creates the conditions of possibility for others to die, “exposing people to death, increasing the risk of death for some people”.

Rarely has this paradox been more apparent than in the crisis that has seen hundreds of thousands of people seeking asylum in Europe over the past few years. It is striking to watch European societies investing so much in health at home and, at the same time, erecting ever more impermeable legal and material barriers to keep refugees at bay, actively contributing to human deaths.

The One:12 Collective Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice Wows Collectors

The new line of collector-grade, super articulated action figures from The One:12 Collective is a "game changer" according to collectors. (PRNewsFoto/Mezco Toyz)

During their annual Toy Fair Preview at their world headquarters in New York last week, Mezco revealed their latest additions to The One:12 Collective, Batman and Superman from the Dawn Of Justice.

Why Leonardo Da Vinci Would Have Aced The Internet Cat Craze

By Gabriele Neher, University of Nottingham

Leonardo da Vinci may have been ahead of the curve in aerodynamics, anatomy and mechanics, but he also possessed an incredible foresight for another modern staple: cat obsessions.