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Sam Stevenson

Data Poaching

Data Poaching

Facebook and Google hold an almost unfathomable amount of data—College News reveals how much of your personal information the tech giants store and how to delete it to avoid the ever-growing problem of data poaching.

It is almost 70 years since George Orwell’s prescient words, “Big Brother is watching you,” were first published in Nineteen Eighty-Four. In 2018, with our personal data so freely available, this fictitious maxim seems more relevant than ever.

Forget the Soviet Union, the Gestapo or the Spanish Inquisition. Google and Facebook know more about is than any state-sponsored organisation in history. Indeed, the information they possess would be the envy of even the most brazen surveillance states. Unconstrained by borders—accountable to many governments—the tech conglomerates seem almost untouchable.

But how sinister is the data-harvesting furore? Hw much of our data is out there? And should we be concerned? College News investigates.

What do they know?

First, we provide the lowdown on the information Google and Facebook store on you. (Be warned, this might freak you out.)

Your movements

 Google stores your location every time you switch on your cell phone. It’s been tracking where you’ve been from the very first day you started using Google Maps—it knows the time of day you were in a given location and how long it took you to travel there.

Everything you’ve ever searched—& deleted

It doesn’t matter if you delete your search or phone history on one device, Google may have stored data from other devices. This helps form your “digital footprint”—which targeted digital advertising campaigns can exploit.

Google also stores information on every app and extension you use. It knows how often you use them and who you use them to interact with.

Your advertisement profile

Your information, including gender, age, location, hobbies, careers and interests help Google to form an advertisement profile of you. This material becomes a valuable asset and can be flogged off to big data companies.

Data on all aspects of your “digital life”

Google has data on everything from the phones you’ve owned to how many steps you walk in a day, making data poaching easier than ever before. If you download all the data Google stores on you, you’ll find it includes bookmarks, emails, contacts, Google Drive files; photos you’ve taken on your phone and the products you’ve bought through Google.

Google also has data on the music you listen to, your calendar, the websites you’ve created, the Google books you’ve purchased, the phones you’ve owned, and the pages you’ve shared. Even files you’ve deleted are stored by Google.

To see your own data, go to google.com/takeout.

Facebook has stacks of data on you, too

If you were to download all your personal data from Facebook, you’d find it contained every message you’d ever sent or been sent; every file you’d ever sent or been sent; all the contacts in your phone; and all the audio messages you’d ever sent or been sent.

Facebook can access your webcam & microphone

When you agree to the Facebook’s terms of use, you (perhaps unwittingly) allow the social network to access your webcam, microphone and camera.

Facebook’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is even known to tape over his laptop webcam and microphone. And, when asked in 2016 if he covered his laptop’s webcam, former FBI director James Comey said: “Heck yeah, heck yeah; I put a piece of tape over the camera because I saw somebody smarter than I am had a piece of tape over their camera.”

If you are concerned, American digital rights group EFF sells webcam stickers, which it says people “purchase regularly.”

OK, they have this data—so what?

 Most people are probably aware when they sign up for a free service like Facebook—or benefit from the wealth of information free search engines provide—there must be a catch somewhere. After all, these companies are there to make money. Their fundamental business model, which revolves around advertising, requires retention of vast amounts of customer data.

What’s more, it’s unlikely people take the time to scroll through long and convoluted terms and conditions, or trawl through their privacy settings to ensure they are protected.

The crux of the issue lays in whether we are aware the extent to which our data is being harvested. And whether we give meaningful consent for its use. To understand this, we must make the critical distinction between information we willingly share, and information Facebook or Google take without our knowledge.

Put another way, are users of Facebook or Google aware of the stakes involved when signing up to use these services?

Digitizing democracy

Since the Observer blew the lid off Facebook’s relationship with data analysis firm Cambridge Analytica, people are beginning to scrutinize the tech multinationals, more broadly, to probe both the quantity and nature of data they hold.

In many ways, tech companies like Google and Facebook have democratized information. In the spirit of idealism upon which they were founded, these companies provide an abundance of knowledge and unparalleled connectivity—at the touch of a button. With this in mind, does the fact they hold so much data on us really matter?

When it comes to constitutional issues of democracy, it does. Of that, the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal was proof. The data mining, brokerage and analysis company accrued the personal data of 87 million Facebook users, some of which purportedly influenced the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election. When data influences politics, something’s got to give. And in April 2018, it did.

Following bi-partisan consensus, Mark Zuckerberg was invited to testify in Congress in an almost unprecedented event. During his testimony, Zuckerberg stated that his own data had been poached by the personality quiz, This is Your Digital Life, responsible for mass-scale misappropriation of personal data.

Importantly, when questioned by congresswoman Eshoo, Zuckerberg revealed he was not prepared to alter his business model, but admitted future regulation would be “inevitable.”

At last, it seems the tech giant is assuming responsibility and is prepared to take steps to protect its users’ privacy. Still, it’s unlikely Facebook can impede the threat our nation faces of election meddling and cyber warfare from our enemies to the east.

Orwell’s was a world of dystopian proportions—perhaps ours isn’t so different.

Avoid data poaching & delete your data—permanently

Facebook

If you want to live a Facebook-free life, it is important to understand the difference between “deletion” and “deactivation.”

  • Deactivating your account means some of your data will still be visible (like messages you’ve sent) and Facebook will store all your account information in case you reactivate.
  • Permanently deleting your Facebook account will, after a 90-day grace period, remove things you’ve posted like statuses, photos and other data stored in backup systems.
  • While they are deleting this information, Facebook say, “It is inaccessible to other people using Facebook.”
  • They add: “Keep in mind that you will not be able to reactivate your account or retrieve any of the content or information you have added.”
  • But even then, copies of some materials (like log records) may remain in Facebook’s database, but are “disassociated from personal identifiers,” according to the company.

In short, deactivating is a way to cool off for a while, whereas deleting is a permanent action to take.

Google
Google knows a lot about us. For many, this is just a fact of life. But, with the right know-how, it’s possible to control what it uses for advertising purposes.

  • Google stores all your search history. If you’d rather not have a list of (potentially embarrassing) search queries stored up, head to Google’s history page, click Menu (the three vertical dots) and then hit Advanced -> All Time -> Delete.
  • As we mentioned, Google has the (slightly creepy) habit of keeping tabs on your location. To disable this, when you visit the timeline page you can hit the settings cog in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and select delete all from there. There is also the option to pause location history by hitting the big button in bottom left-hand corner of the screen. But is one of the trickier things to get rid of entirely, because to stop it happening in future you’ll need to opt out of both location tracking and location reporting with your device—whether you are running Android or iOS.

Go ‘Off-Grid’—For good
If you’ve ever wanted to remove yourself (almost) entirely from the internet and avoid data poaching, Swedish website Deseat.me uses your Google account to help.

Using Google’s 0Auth protocol, which allows third-party users to access your other accounts without your password details, Deseat.me recalls all your online and social media accounts and allows you to delete yourself from them.

To go ‘off-grid’, visit Deseat.me and input your Gmail address. It will bring up all the online accounts linked to that address and give you the option to delete them all.

Further reading: Hundreds of YouTube Stars Paid to Urge Millions of Students to Cheat on their Assignments

Mummy inside sarcophagus

Who is Mystery Mummy Inside Ancient Sarcophagus?

Two weeks ago, the discovery by Egyptian construction workers of an ancient sarcophagus attracted international media attention. But who is likely—or unlikely—to be its owner?

The 30-ton sealed granite sarcophagus, believed to be more than 2,000 years old, has prompted speculation online about its occupant. It has also drawn plenty of (questionable) mummy jokes about the curse it may unleash were it to be opened.

Egyptian officials at the Ministry of Antiquities are being inundated with global press enquires regarding when and how the stone coffin will be unsealed. And so far they have (understandably) refused to speculate whom its occupant might be.

However, local archaeologists have been able to narrow down whom the coffin does not belong to.

The official report of the discovery, released in Egypt’s state-run newspaper Al Ahram, was unambiguous enough: A large stone sarcophagus—still sealed—was uncovered during a construction survey in the city of Alexandria on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. A worn alabaster head of a man, possibly the coffin’s occupant, was found nearby, and the burial site was believed to date from the Ptolemaic period (ca. 323-30 B.C.).

According to an official statement, the nearly nine-foot-long, five-foot-wide sarcophagus is the largest ancient coffin ever discovered in the city. This fact has sparked speculation that it may belong to a powerful or wealthy person—perhaps even Alexander the Great, who founded his namesake city in 331 B.C.

Two anonymous archaeologists, speaking to the National Geographic, suspect that the sarcophagus itself may date to an earlier pharaonic dynasty in Egypt’s long history, due in part to its unusually large proportions.

One of the archaeologists believes the burial of the sarcophagus may date back to the Roman period, which follows the Ptolemaic period, based on its “high” elevation (the sarcophagus was uncovered just 15 feet below the modern street surface).

This archaeologist further dispels rumors that Alexander the Great may be inside the coffin because the burial site is outside the boundaries of ancient Alexandria, making it highly unlikely an ancient Egyptian royal was buried there.

The other archaeologist believes that, since Alexandria wasn’t even founded until the fourth century B.C., the massive sarcophagus may have been brought to the city empty, from an earlier, dynastic-period site down the Nile—such as Memphis—and then re-used to bury someone in later years.

What, however, we do know is that opening the giant sarcophagus will be an impressive feat: the granite stone coffin is estimated to weigh some 30 tons.

In an interview with Egypt Today, Waad Abdul-Elar, head of the projects sector at the Ministry of Antiquities suggested two methods to extract the find. One involved surrounding the sarcophagus with protective fill dirt and then lifting the entire mass out of the pit via bulldozer; the other involved opening the coffin in place and then removing the lid and base separately via a hoist.

Much to the disappointment of the Twittersphere, there has been no news yet of plans to live stream the opening of the coffin on social media.

stalking behavior

Did You Know? You Might Be a Stalker

Stalking is sadly a very common problem. But have you ever considered you might be a stalker yourself? Well, perhaps you should—because a survey released yesterday (July 9) has revealed more of us are stalkers than we think.

A team at SafeHome.org interviewed 2,000 men and women and asked them to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. The results made for some intriguing reading.

For example, 30 percent of those interviewed have ‘jokingly’ been called a stalker; 25 percent of the interviewees admitted they’d hacked into someone’s email and 22 percent had driven by an ex’s house.

What is stalking?

Stalking is defined as a pattern of on-going and unwarranted attention, harassment, contact, or other behaviors directed at someone causing them to be reasonably fearful.

Simply poking your nose in someone else’s affairs (whether the person is love interest or a neighbor) isn’t technically stalking—unless the actions legitimately make the target afraid. In other words, exhibiting stalker-like behavior is one thing, criminal stalking is quite another.

The stalker in us all

The persona of the stalker is deep-rooted in the American psyche and entrenched in our popular culture. Take, for example, the immortal words of Sting, ‘Every step you take, every breath you take, every move you make, I’ll be watching you’; or the abundance of classic movies—from Psycho (1960) to Cape Fear (1962)—where the archetypal stalker is brought to the fore in cinematic terms.

In both the movies and chart-topping tunes, references to stalker-like behavior are both allusory and blatant, pervasive and resonant.

Is this, perhaps, because—whether we like it or not—we can all identify with stalker traits? Is there a stalker within us all? After digesting the results from the SafeHome.org survey, you’d be forgiven for thinking there was.

That’s right, more than a third of the people interviewed admitted they had watched someone else without them knowing about it. And a shocking 22 percent of people confessed they had created a fake social media account to keep track of someone. Creepy!

But it gets worse. 20 percent of people said they’d sent someone a gift and not signed their name on purpose and 20 percent admitted they’d broken or ruined something that belonged to someone else.

Meanwhile, 19 percent revealed an ex had told them to stop contacting them. And, astonishingly, 16 percent of interviewees disclosed they had persistently messaged, phoned or texted someone after they had been asked to stop.

However spooky this data may seem, as long as the people carrying out these behaviors are not doing so with the intent to threaten or scare another person, the behavior is not technically stalking.

info graphic about stalking
Image courtesy: SafeHome

Who is most likely to be your stalker?

The SafeHome survey also revealed who was most likely to be your stalker, and what relationship they were most likely to have with you.

Your ex is most likely to be your stalker, with 26 percent of the people interviewed having been stalked by an ex. Close behind, however, was a ‘significant other’, with 25 percent of those surveyed confessing this was the relationship they’d previously had with their stalker.

Co-workers were the least likely to be a stalker, with just 5 percent of people saying they were stalked by one.

The gender factor

According to the SafeHome survey, men and women have different ideas about what constitutes creepy behavior.

When it comes to sexes and exes, men are more creeped out than women by the thought of a former partner hacking into their online life or following them in the real world.

Meanwhile, impersonating someone in real life—or online—disturbed women more than men. Whereas both sexes equally agreed that going into an ex’s house without permission was definitely on the spooky-scale.

Image courtesy: SafeHome

The age of creepiness

SafeHome broke down stalking targets by age. The youngest group they surveyed (aged 18 – 24 years old) said they stalked their friends more than any other group. Non-romantic friendships are more important to college-aged adults as they strive to find their place in the wider community. This factor could explain why friendship groups are common targets of stalkerish behavior within this age demographic.

Among those aged 25 to 64 years old, significant others and exes were most likely to be sneakily investigated. For those aged 65 and older, it was friends.

Image courtesy: SafeHome

The state of stalking

Does where we live in the U.S. influence our tendency to stalk? SafeHome’s survey found it does.

Those living in the West were the least likely to obsessively pursue their exes by following them or driving by their homes, while those living in the South were the most likely to do so. East Central U.S. fell in the middle.

SafeHome’s findings are in line with traditional U.S. stereotypes about regional personality differences.

The West Coast is often characterized as relaxed and laid back, while we consider the American South as somewhat more aggressive or confrontational. Whether these stereotypes hold true is a matter of endless debate —although some studies have shown that personality differences are, in fact, regional.

Image courtesy: SafeHome

When can we expect privacy?

When does stalker-like behavior develop into a serious crime? In some cases, the answer is very straightforward. Trespassing on someone else’s property, or breaking into their home, is a criminal act. Period.

It is also a crime to harass someone—this can apply to a lot of stalkerish behaviors from hacking into an online account to sending unwanted gifts.

High-profile celebrity court cases demonstrate that, in every state, stalking is a serious crime, whether it’s carried out online otherwise.

Curiosity is all well and good, but if you end up making the object of your attention justifiably fearful, you could also end up in jail.

Information courtesy of safehome.org.

Xxxtentacion

Controversial Rapper XXXTentacion Shot Dead in Florida Aged 20

Chart-topping US rapper XXXTentacion was shot dead in South Florida on Monday, June 18.

The rapper’s latest album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, making it his second consecutive hit record.

The murder

XXXTentacion, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, was gunned down outside of a motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office announced.

He was taken to hospital soon after where he was pronounced dead.

XXXTentacion had been at RIVA Motorsports checking out inventory, the sheriff’s office said. He was in a black luxury vehicle and preparing to leave when two armed suspects approached him. At least one of them fired, and then both suspects fled the scene in a dark SUV.

Investigators say the attack may have been robbery, as a Louis Vuitton bag was taken from the back seat of the rapper’s car.

The controversy

Despite his huge popularity, XXXTentacion was often described as one of rap’s most controversial artists and was facing domestic violence, aggravated battery and false imprisonment charges stemming from 2016.

According to the Miami New Times, his ex-girlfriend Geneva Ayala’s depositions “detail a pattern of regular, torturous abuse that summer, with daily verbal attacks and physical incidents every three or four days.”

According to Ayala’s statement, he beat her at times, choked her, broke clothes hangers on her legs, threatened to chop off her hair or cut out her tongue, pressed knives or scissors to her face, and held her head underwater in their bathroom while threatening to drown her.

From tough upbringing to number one

XXXTentacion had a troubled upbringing and was expelled from middle school for fighting, but he channelled his energy and fury into music.

He quickly cemented himself as the most popular artist within the SoundCloud Rap genre, defined by its languid, hazy beats and wide-ranging influences.His surging popularity was noted by the music industry and, by October 2017, he had scored a distribution agreement reportedly worth $6 million.

But his career was already being overshadowed by his legal problems. Fans were apparently unswayed, sending his latest album to number one in the US.

The tributes

The rapper, who first found fame by uploading his music onto online music platform SoundCloud, has been hailed as a breakthrough talent as tributes pour in from hip-hop luminaries in the wake of his death.

Kanye West tweeted: “I never told you how much you inspired me when you were here thank you for existing.”

While rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs described XXXTentacion as “one of the most interesting people I have met.”

Among others, rapper J Cole’s tribute read: “Enormous talent and limitless potential. God bless his family, friends, and fans.”

Documentary maker Louis Theroux said: “Notwithstanding personal demons, he was a huge talent & bringing a beautiful new feel to hip hop. So sad.”

Playing College Sports: All You Need to Know

There is a wide range of college sports on offer at colleges all over the country, taking part in them is a great way to make friends while keeping fit and healthy in the process.

Opportunities to take up sports at college are plentiful and the US boasts some world-class sporting institutions. In fact, college is often the first stage on the career path of an elite athlete.

Read on to discover the benefits of playing sports at college and how to get involved.

Healthy body, healthy mind

A healthy body can lead to a healthy mind, helping you write essays without procrastinating. And the best way to achieve a healthy body is to take up a sport. Therefore, sports can help your academic performance.

Research published in the International Journal of the History of Sport found that juggling a sporting career with academic studies provides motivation for training and preparation, stimulating athletes intellectually and relieving stress.

But being active and playing sports at college won’t only have a positive impact academically; it will do wonders for your social life, too, because being part of a sports club at college will give you social skills and confidence.

Sports and social life

Sports teams and clubs at colleges often hold weekly social events where you can meet like-minded people and swap stories from the sports field. When you are part of team or club, you feel a sense of inclusion and belonging, which can really boost your self-esteem.

Once you join a sports club at college, you won’t look back. You will cherish the memories you create with your new teammates for the rest of your life. Plus, developing relationships with your teammates presents interesting networking opportunities. When you inevitably attend college reunions later in life, you will always have a good talking point to rekindle old friendships.

Employers like athletes

The skills gained from playing college sports—such as learning to focus, being part of a team and thinking on your feet—not only boost your academic performance but can also help you realise your career aspirations.

Employers look for people with the traits of an athlete: determination, drive and dedication—to name a few. For this reason, playing sports at college could help shape you into a more desirable candidate further down the line.

Always have the next step in mind. After all, you are only at college a limited length of time.

The variety of college sports

Most people imagine a roaring crowd at a football stadium when they picture college sports, but that’s only part of the story. College sports are diverse and cater for all ability levels, so don’t be put off!

Sports you can take up at college include bowling, golf, wrestling, tennis, swimming and even Frisbee. Each college is different, so be sure to check with yours, but all colleges are inclusive and encourage everyone to take part.

College sports: Key facts

Here are the main things you need to know about college sports:

  • Through various sports associations, colleges offer students the chance to compete at the varsity level
  • Some varsity athletes are eligible for sports scholarships
  • Varsity athletes must meet academic targets and requirements to retain their scholarships
  • Every student can take part in college sports—thanks to clubs and intramural leagues
  • All college athletes need strong time management skills to juggle classes and homework with practice and games

What is varsity?

In general, college varsity sports teams:

  • Represent their college
  • Play against teams from other colleges
  • Receive some funding from their athletic department

Sports associations

Several associations oversee varsity-level competition in various sports for men and women at different colleges. Among others, these include the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

The NCAA is the largest and most recognised college sports association. When you watch college sports on TV, you’re usually watching NCAA athletes.

Club and intramural sports

Students who don’t make the varsity teams at college, or those who don’t want the high-intensity of varsity-level, can join clubs and intramural leagues. As a result, millions of college students take part in these teams each year as a way to stay fit and have fun.

Club sports

Run by students, club teams compete against other club teams from different colleges. Students organise everything themselves from booking fixtures to arranging transport and getting uniforms. Teams can be involved in a regional conference and play for a national championship.

Intramural sports

The college sets up intramural leagues to give all students a chance to participate. Teams from the same college play each other.

The range of activities is diverse. You can take part in traditional sports, such as basketball, soccer and softball, but you can also try more unconventional sports like inner-tube water polo, dodgeball and video games.

Don Diablo

Don Diablo Announces Biggest Solo Show Ever

Don Diablo has announced his biggest solo show to date will take place on December 8, 2018.

FUTURE XL will be a one-night-only experience held at AFAS Live—the flagship concert venue in Don Diablo’s hometown of Amsterdam.

Hot off the heels of his sold-out Future tour in the US and his European Better Future tour, Don Diablo’s FUTURE XL promises to deliver a whole new level of mind-blowing production and showmanship.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, Diablo will play the longest set of his career, featuring hits Cutting Shapes, On My Mind and Chemicals, his remixes of artists such as Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Rihanna and Madonna, as well as premiering exclusive new tunes.

“FUTURE XL will be the biggest show I have done in my career. I will be doing a very special extra long set, showcasing all of my biggest hits from the last years and premiering lots of new music in a show setting that will be my personal vision of the future,” Don Diablo said.

“I look forward to creating a memorable night that will take things to the next level with all my Hexagonians from around the world. And… last but not least: where better to do this than in my city, Amsterdam?”

Having signed his first record deal when he was just 15, Don Diablo was ranked 11th in the Top 100 DJs by DJ Mag in 2016, he was also ranked the number one Future House Artist of the Year on Beatport in the same year.

Also known as Origin Unknown and 2Faced, Don Diablo founded his own record label and event brand, Sellout Sessions, in 2005, raising his profile in his native country, the Netherlands.

Don Diablo is also known for his philanthropy; he was made the first ambassador for Dance4Life, an international UN-backed action campaign to fight against HIV and AIDS.

And his 2018 tour has a major charitable aspect—all ticket proceeds will be donated to the Dutch Cancer Charity.

Don Diablo has won several major awards including EMPO’s Producer of the Year in 2016 and WDM’s Best Remix award in 2018.

Further reading: Martin Garrix and Loopers Release Game Over

Philadelphia Eagles

Trump Cancels Philadelphia Eagles’ Visit to the White House

President Donald Trump withdrew his invitation to welcome Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House Monday evening.

Several prominent team players—including safety Malcolm Jenkins and defensive end Chris Long—had announced they would not attend the meeting as a protest against Trump.

The news comes amid controversy over players standing for the National Anthem at NFL games.

“The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow,” Trump wrote in a statement.

“They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better.”

The President explained fans were “still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony”.

The ceremony, Trump wrote, would honor the USA, pay tribute to the heroes who fought to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem.

“I will be there at 3 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America,” he said.

It’s an unprecedented move by the President—the NBA champion, Golden State Warriors, declined an invitation from Trump to visit the White House after their 2017 championship win, but presidents usually honor their invitations to championship teams.

The debate centers on Long and Jenkins’ outspoken support of San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, who knelt during the National Anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality.

The NFL owners adopted a new policy on May 23 that will allow players who do not wish to stand for the National Anthem to remain in the tunnel. The NFL can also fine teams whose players do not stand and “show respect” during the anthem. Trump also said players who chose not to stand “shouldn’t be in the country”.

According to several reports, fewer than 10 players were intending to attend the White House event.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith wrote in a tweet: “There are a lot of people on the team that have plenty of different views. The men and women that wanted to go should’ve been able to go.

“It’s a cowardly act to cancel the celebration because the majority of the people don’t want to see you. To make it about the anthem is foolish.”

 

Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said he’s skipping the White House event, and instead invited the team to take a tour of the US Capitol.

“I’m proud of what the @Eagles accomplished this year. I’m skipping this political stunt at the White House and just invited the Eagles to Congress. @Eagles How about a tour of the Capitol?” he wrote on Twitter.

 

The team’s statement, released late Monday night, did not address Trump’s action directly:

“It has been incredibly thrilling to celebrate our first Super Bowl Championship. Watching the entire Eagles community come together has been an inspiration. We are truly grateful for all the support we have received and we are looking forward to continuing our preparations for the 2018 season.”

Further reading: Former Pittsburgh Linebacker James Harrison Announces Retirement

Lily Allen

Lily Allen Set for North American Tour

The influential British songwriter and social commentator Lily Allen will launch her latest North American tour on October 5 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA.

The North American tour, which the UK artist’s first in in four years, includes a show at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles (October 8) and a concert at New York City’s Terminal 5 (October 20).

Lily will also headline a number of UK and European festivals this summer.

Fans who pre-order Lily Allen’s upcoming album, No Shame, from her official store by midnight on June 4 will qualify for priority access to tickets for the fall tour via a pre-sale that launches on Wednesday, June 6.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 8.

Today, Lily Allen shared another song from the album, the poignant Lost My Mind, which fans will receive instantly upon pre-ordering No Shame—as well as Higher, Three and Trigger Bang.

No Shame, which will be released via Warner Bros. Records on June 8, is a frank and confessional album filled with songs that address the end of Lily Allen’s marriage, her feelings about being a mother, stories of partying too hard, making friends, losing friends, and, crucially, a sense of catharsis, that she’s coming out on the other side.

“There’s no shame in anything I’m saying,” she explains, of the candor that led to the title.

In a four-star review, NME said: “[No Shame] contains some of her most candid songwriting. It’s also consistently gripping and very affecting.”

MOJO also awarded the album four stars and observed: “Allen pulls off a high-stakes comeback with aplomb.”

And Office noted: “The new music feels like Lily Allen 2.0—refined, matured, and streamlined. It’s lo-fi and bass heavy…in an age where internet warriors are relentless in trying to tear down idiosyncrasy—to shame you into being tame—it’s a blessing that Lily Allen still finds a way to come out on top.”

Lily Allen was nominated for a GRAMMY® for “Best Alternative Album” for her full-length debut, Alright, Still which was certified Gold in the US.

She has had three UK number 1 singles, two number 1 albums and has sold more than five million albums worldwide. Lily Allen was recently featured on Cigarettes and Cush from Stormzy’s acclaimed Gang Signs and Prayer.

See below for full tour dates.

Tour Dates:

June

3 – London, UK @ Mighty Hoopla*

14 – Neuchâtel, Switzerland @ Festi’neuch*

16- Ruoms, FR @ Ardeche Aluna Festival*

July

27 – Oulu, Finland @ Qstock*

August

5 – Ronquieres, BE @ Ronquieres Festival

11 – Cornwall, UK @ Boardmasters

October

5 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory

6 – Oakland, CA @ The Fox Theatre

8 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre

10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee

12 – 14 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Music Festival

16 – New Orleans, CA @ House of Blues

17 – Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre

18 – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom

20 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5

21 – Washington, DC @ The Fillmore

23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

24 – Boston, MA @ Paradise

27 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre

28 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Theatre

30 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall

31 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre

November 

1 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre

3 – Denver, CO @ Venue TBD

4 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Complex (Grand Ballroom)

6 – Portland, OR @ Roseland

8 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox

9 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre

December 

2 – Milan, IT @ Fabrique

4 – Berlin, DE @ Astra

5 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique

6 – Cologne, DE @ Live Music Hall

8 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon

9 – Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Vredenburg Ronda Hall

11 – Dublin, IE @ Olympia Theatre

13 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland

14 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Institute

16 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall

17 – London, UK @ The Roundhouse

*Festival headline performance

Further reading: Ben Howard North America Tour Confirmed to Promote Noonday Dream

Girl studies for post-graduate degree with head in her books

Applying for a Post-Graduate Degree

When we get to the end of our studies, many of us are at a loss as to the next steps in our careers and our lives. At this stage, it can be tempting to apply for a post-graduate degree.

After all, more time spent at college seems like fun!

But it is vital to go into post-graduate study for the right reasons. It is important to make measured decisions and not act on impulse or whim. At the end of the day, you will be investing a lot of time and—more importantly—money in the program. And some may question if a college degree is worth the effort.

Read on for useful tips to bear in mind when contemplating to apply for post-graduate study.

Don’t rush into it

First of all, you should think about whether heading straight back into studying is the right option for you. Maybe you should take a year out to relax and earn some cash before embarking on your next challenge.

Contrary to what you might think, many employers look favorably upon those who have removed themselves from their comfort zone to work and travel abroad. It demonstrates a certain quality of independence most employers will value.

Also, don’t simply go into post-graduate study because you want to stall your entrance into the ‘real world’. You should think carefully about whether the course you intend to enrol in is going to help you with your career down the line.

Rather than undertake a post-graduate degree because you’re unsure of the next step to take, you should ask yourself: will it be worth my time and money? Where will this course get me?

On that note, if you haven’t already, make some goals and objectives.

What are your goals with a post-graduate degree?

Before making any major life decision, it is always a good idea to set out some targets and goals.

In this case, some questions to get you started could include: what are you trying to achieve from your move into post-graduate study? What do you hope to get out of it? How will this course further your career ambitions—if at all?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might want to consider why you are thinking about a post-graduate degree. You should also reflect on whether you could achieve your career goals via other means.

Of course, some professions require a master’s degree or higher level of academic qualification. But others—such as journalism, business, finance and marketing—offer industry-standard qualifications at a fraction of the cost of a post-graduate degree. For this reason, think about how you can get better value for money.

Earn while you learn

Making money while studying is, for most of us, the only feasible way to fund a post-graduate degree. Therefore, it is crucial to consider if your chosen mode of study is compatible with part-time work. If not, you may struggle financially, making your degree more stressful than it needs to be.

Many post-graduate degrees offer the option of part-time study. Opting for this route will ensure you get the most out of your degree without compromising your ability to make ends meet.

Why not take a job in a café, bar or restaurant? Hospitality work can be a fun way to make new friends. You could even meet influential figures who might help you out.

Weigh up the rewards of a post-graduate degree

Think about what this course is going to do for you.

Will it help you obtain skills in employability? Or do you already possess those skills? Is the cost of the degree going to be outweighed by potential future earnings? Will you be able to pay back your loans?

All the above questions are vital when you consider a post-graduate degree. Think about their answers sensibly to avoid disappointment or a difficult financial situation later on.

Remember: be realistic about what post-graduate study is; it’s not a golden ticket to employment!

Be ready for a challenge

After you have deliberated on all of the above, if you still think a post-graduate degree is right for you, be ready to embrace a challenge.

Post-graduate study is much harder than undergraduate.

You will be expected to do more reading and researching than ever before. If you think this workload will be too tough, perhaps post-graduate study is not for you.

Think carefully about whether you are willing to devote a whole new year of your life to intense study. Post-grads are expected to explore their subjects in comprehensive depth and detail. Be prepared for this and bring your A game!

So, before you fill out that application form, consider the above tips to ensure you make an informed decision.

 

Starbucks Coffee

Does Starbucks Coffee Give You Cancer?

A California judge has ruled companies selling coffee need to warn consumers that the drink—including Starbucks coffee—is carcinogenic, since it contains the chemical acrylamide.

In a new filing, coffee companies, including Starbucks, are fighting back against the ruling.

Elihu Berle, a Los Angeles superior court judge, accused coffee companies of failing to demonstrate the carcinogen posed no significant health risk.

“Defendants failed to satisfy their burden of proving by a preponderance of evidence that consumption of coffee confers a benefit to human health,” Berle wrote.

The Council for Education and Research on Toxics—the group behind the lawsuit—wanted to penalize businesses for not warning their customers that coffee contains a carcinogenic substance.

Companies may even have to pay fines if they don’t warn customers about the cancer risk posed by acrylamide.

But the coffee industry has claimed the chemical, which is produced in the roasting process, is present at harmless levels and should be exempt from the law because it occurs naturally in the process required to make the beans flavorful.

In a new filing, the coffee companies wrote: “Coffee consumption does not increase the risk of any chronic disease and is independently associated with a decreased risk of several major chronic diseases,” according to the Wall Street Journal.

In a statement, the National Coffee Association said: “Coffee has been shown, over and over again, to be a healthy beverage. This lawsuit has confused customers, and does nothing to improve public health.”

What is Acrylamide?

Acrylamide in large quantities could be dangerous, but it’s in many foods we consume and cannot be removed from coffee.

It naturally forms when plants and grains are cooked at high temperatures.

It’s created in the process where heat transforms sugars and amino acids in ways that change flavor and tend to brown food.

Officials at the European Food Safety Authority told Business Insider: “It is likely [acrylamide] has been present in food since cooking began.”

All baking, frying and roasting produces the chemical, but only in foods derived from plants, including grains, not necessarily in meat or fish.

There is evidence to suggest it poses a risk to humans, as industrial accidents when people have inhaled large quantities of it have shown.

But the quantity found in a cup of coffee is almost negligible in comparison.

Health Benefits of Coffee

Existing research shows regular coffee drinkers have a lower risk of cancer.

A least one major review of studies found the more coffee people drink, the lower their risk for liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Another review of more than 200 studies found people who drank three or four cups of coffee a day were 19 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

Other research shows those who drink more coffee are less likely to suffer from dementia.

However, most of these studies have been observational, meaning it is difficult to establish cause and effect. Therefore, coffee may not be responsible for the reductions in disease risk.

Further reading: “Avocado Hand” Injuries Are on the Rise