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COVID revealed the extent to which attacks on evidence-based politics are part and parcel of the right-wing populist challenge to constitutional democracy in the United States and elsewhere. Right-wing populism challenges constitutional commitments to rule of law and basic liberal freedoms, as such strongmen as Erdogan. Orban and Maduro seize control of courts and persecute dissidents. Populist responses to the pandemic in the United States raise equally important questions about the constitutional commitments to science that are as important to constitutional democracy as the rule of law.
Liberal constitutional democracy is a child of the Enlightenment. A central claim of Enlightenment thinkers was that truth was best pursued through reason and empirical investigation. Liberal constitutional democracy was grounded in beliefs that ordinary citizens had sufficient capacity to use reason and evidence to reach sound conclusions on public policy, particularly when the sense of the public was refined through representation. Liberal constitutional democracy as a child of the Enlightenment, in short, was committed to an evidence-based politics, in which political decisions were grounded in empirical investigation rather than faith, authority, partisanship, or wishful thinking.
The COVID pandemic hit the United States when Donald Trump was president and Republicans controlled the upper house of the national legislature. Trump before anyone became ill had already demonstrated an unprecedented disdain for facts and science, lying at rates never before achieved by a prominent American politician and denying uncontested evidence of climate change. That past become prologue as Americans fell sick. Trump repeatedly misrepresented the threat the virus presented to public life and disregarded the advice of leading public health officials. Abandoning liberal constitutional commitments to an evidence-based politics, Trump and the Republican party adopted policies and non-policies that left, as of this moment, more than 500,000 Americans dead.
The populist attack on evidence based-politics, the following paragraphs detail, resulted in a public policy too often based on ideology, partisanship and wishful thinking rather than on scientific consensus. Institutions that might blunt the populist challenge to evidence-based politics in the United States, are being captured. Most notably, while the Supreme Court initially placed more emphasis than the Trump administration on evidence-based public health concerns, ideology, partisanship and wishful thinking had a major say and increased influence on that tribunal after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and was replaced by Justice Amy Comey Barrett.
Polarization, Populism and the Political Attack on Evidence-Based Politics
American politics was polarized long before the COVID virus crossed the border. The Republican party captured by right-wing populists and Democrats who remained a more traditional center-left coalition, bitterly fought for control over the national government and the fifty state governments. Science was one prominent site of struggle. Democrats insisted that public policy reflect scientific consensus on such diverse matters as the human responsibility for climate change and the wide range of normal expressions of human sexuality. Republicans increasingly sought to deny evidence and expertise, preferring wishful thinking on climate change and conservative religious doctrine on human sexuality. Voting rights was a particular prominent site of struggle. Aided by the Supreme Court, Republicans in the states had adopted numerous policies ostensibly designed to prevent voting fraud, which empirical investigation revealed did not exist (except when engaged in by Republicans), that in practice disenfranchised poor persons and persons of color who typically voted for Democrats. Religion was a third site of struggle. The conservative majority on the Supreme Court had repeatedly insisted that religious organizations be given exemptions from basic civil rights laws and that excluding religious organizations from variations benefits was unconstitutional.
The collapse of Republican commitment to an evidence-based politics structured the American response to COVID. Supported by Republicans in the federal and state governments, Trump repeatedly belittled the expert consensus on the virus. He claimed the virus was easily containable, was no more deadly than the flu, that deaths would be few, that deaths had been overestimated, and that masking and other preventions were unnecessary. He even suggested bleach as a potential prophylactic measure, later claiming that he was only kidding. Trump’s supporters believed him. Republicans in the state delayed before implementing measures recommended by health law measures and abandoned those measures at any sign of recovery. Republican citizens flouted state mask mandates at every opportunity. Some Trump supporters even drank bleach. When public health experts in government questioned administration policies, they were fired or otherwise silenced. The result was a national government, a political party, and a consider portion of the public that has spent most of the pandemic in denial.
COVID and Voting
Unlike the COVID crisis, which was acute, voting rights struggles in the United States are chronic. Voting rights would have been front and center in American constitutional politics had every American citizen enjoyed perfect health during the Trump presidency. Nevertheless, the pandemic heightened the stakes in existing voting rights controversies and created new opportunities for voter suppression. The same misrepresentations that structured Republican public health policy quickly became part of an electoral strategy designed to reduce Democratic turnout.
During the twentieth-first century, Democrats and Republicans became more sharply divided on more issues than had occurred in American history, but Democrats crept ahead in popular support. The Democratic candidate for president in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2016 gained more popular votes than the Republican candidate. More voters supported Democratic candidates for Congress than Republican candidates for Congress. Republicans nevertheless managed to compete as at least equals from 1992 to 2020 because of both hardwired and (literally) gerrymandered Republican biases in the American electoral system. The Electoral College enabled Republicans George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016 to gain the presidency despite losing the popular vote. The constitutional commitment to state equality in Senate enabled low population Wyoming, which consistently elected Republicans, to enjoy the same representation in the upper house of Congress, as high population New York, which consistently elected Democrats. Gerrymandering in crucial states often enabled Republicans to win a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives, even when more Americans voted for the local Democratic candidate for Congress. Conventional wisdom in this environment regarded voting turnout as the key to the 2020 national election. The higher the voting turnout, particularly among younger voters and voters of color, the more likely a decisive victory for the Democratic candidate for president and Democrats running for Congress.
COVID, partisanship, and commitments to evidence-based politics intensified struggles over voting rights during the 2020 election cycle. Most states under Democratic control, or in which no threat existed to Republican control, took steps to prevent long lines on election day for both primary and general elections. They made absentee voting easier, in some cases, mailing ballots to all voters. They increased times and places for early voting. They recruited new poll workers for election day and took steps to make in-person voting safe. Other states, most notably, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas balked. In almost all cases, states that rejected evidence-based voting policies were those in which Trump had won the popular vote in 2016, had Republican controlled state legislatures, but were thought to be possible Democratic pick-ups in 2020.
Voting rights activists enjoyed some successes in state courts and lower federal courts when they challenged state failures to ensure persons could vote safely in the primary and national elections. With important exceptions, however, the Supreme Court often insisted abstractions were more important than evidenced-based politics. If, for obvious partisan reasons, state legislatures were not going to facilitate voting in national elections, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court maintained, federal courts should not intervene in ways that would enable people with the legal right to vote to be able in practice to cast a ballot. If, for example, an absentee ballot requested in August, arrived after the election in November, that was just tough luck.
Broad agreement among the justices and legal commentators existed that state legislatures had the right to adjust voting rules in light of the pandemic. When state legislatures extended the time for absentee voting, expanded early voting sites, or otherwise took steps to prevent long lines on election day, those measures were acknowledged to be fully constitutional. The Supreme Court, which under federal law has the almost complete discretion over its docket, did not bother reviewing any of these cases. No justice even hinted that a constitutional problem existed with state legislation expanding opportunities to vote during the pandemic.
The Supreme Court have the lower federal courts no similar leeway. The Supreme Court majority insisted that federal courts had no business changing the election rules shortly before an election. If the democratically elected state legislature did not think a rule change was necessary, federal courts should ordinarily abide by that decision. Justice Neil Gorsuch maintained
Last-minute changes to longstanding election rules . . . invit[e] confusion and chaos and erod[e] public confidence in electoral outcomes. No one doubts that conducting a national election amid a pandemic poses serious challenges. But none of that means individual judges may improvise with their own election rules in place of those the people’s representatives have adopted.
The four more liberal justices on the court sharply disagreed. In their view, the right to vote trumped concerns about rule changes, particularly when state failures to respond to a public health crisis had no basis in evidence on the ground. Justice Elena Kagan accused the conservative majority of “refus[ing] to engage with” the undisputed evidence that “a veritable tsunami (in the form of a pandemic) has hit Wisconsin’s election machinery and disrupted all its usual mail ballot operations.”
State courts were also given leeway, although by a more closely divided court. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in a series of decisions allowed absentee votes to be counted even if they arrived after election day. Whether by hook or crook, the U.S. Postal Service, under the leadership of a person whose only qualification for the position seemed to be significant donations to the Trump campaign, had not been delivering the mail as efficiently. Pennsylvania judges insisted that postal slowdowns should prevent otherwise legal votes from being counted. The Supreme Court refused to intervene when requested to do so by the Republican Party. The crucial vote was cast by Chief Justice Roberts, who in other opinions indicated that the ban on interfering with election rules immediately before an election was for federal courts, that state courts interpreting the state constitution were freer to change the rules. “[T]the Pennsylvania applications,” he wrote, “implicated the authority of state courts to apply their own constitutions to election regulations,” and did not “involve federal intrusion on state lawmaking processes. Roberts concluded, “[d]ifferent bodies of law and different precedents govern these two situations.”
The replacement of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Justice Amy Comey Barrett in 2020 has so far not changed this very delicate balance. Barrett during her rushed confirmation hearings refused to state whether and how she would rule on the election disputes that arose during the pandemic. When, however, Republicans sought to overturn the Pennsylvania election in court on the ground that the state court had unduly interfered with the state legislature, Barrett pointedly refused to join the more conservative justices on the Supreme Court who in dissent insisted that the court should adjudicate the matter.
COVID, Public Health, and Religious Freedom
Barrett made a substantial difference in the course of Supreme Court policymaking on religious freedom. During the pandemic, most states adopted rules and regulations sharply limiting public gatherings. These rules typically differentiated between different institutions. Grocery stores could remain open under certain conditions. Movie theaters can be open only on more stringent conditions. Religious services typically were placed somewhere in between. They faced more stringent limits than grocery stores, but less stringent limits than movie theaters. Some religious denominations accepted these limits. Others protested, claiming either that states could not bar religious services at all or that the rules discriminated against religious services.
The Supreme Court while Justice Ginsburg lived deferred to state legislatures. Such legislation, judicial opinions pointed out, was rooted in medical expertise. Grocery stores were not as much hotspots as churches in part because persons shopping for groceries tend to be spend limited ten inside part because grocery stores are not sites for the singing and chanting that routinely takes place in religious services. Evidence indicated that many outbreaks of COVID were strongly associated with attendance at religious services. The four most conservative justices dissenting. They insisted that the differences in stringency discriminated against religion.
Justice Barrett’s appointment converted a 5-4 majority in favor of deference into a 5-4 majority in favor of religious freedom, or religious freedom as defined by the most conservative members of the Supreme Court. A commitment to evidence-based politics was at the root of the difference. The conservatives in the majority speculated that some permitted activities might have been as risky as the religious activities that were prohibited. Justice Neil Gorsuch observed, “no one is barred from lingering in shopping malls, salons, or bus terminals” without asking whether people in fact linger in these places and whether such lingering is statistically associated with COVID outbreaks. Justice Kagan’s call for evidence rather than speculation fell on deaf ears, in an opinion which cited medical testimony explaining the particular treatment of religious institutions, she declared,
the Court displaces the judgments of experts about how to respond to a raging pandemic. The Court orders California to weaken its restrictions on public gatherings by making a special exception for worship services. The majority does so even though the State’s policies treat worship just as favorably as secular activities (including political assemblies) that, according to medical evidence, pose the same risk of COVID transmission.
The Past and Future of COVID and Evidence-Based Politics
The main event in the constitutional politics over the past year is the invasion of the Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021. The connections between that event and public health policy during the pandemic are unclear. On the one hand, Trump supporters have been frustrated by legislative regulations requiring wearing masks in public (most protestors flouted that regulation), limiting businesses and religious services. On the other hand, Trump is a notorious sore loser, who no doubt claimed cheating when he lost at card games as a toddler. So a fair case can be made that something like January 6th would have occurred in American politics even if COVID had never occurred. In this vein, one might note that COVID had surprising little impact on voting choices during the election. Voting choices tended to reflect preexisting partisanship rather than blame or credit for handling the pandemic.
The January 6 insurrection nevertheless highlighted the continued weakening of evidence-based politics that played a major role in the pandemic and American political affairs. Basic facts about the world have played less and less a role in American political life as the threats played by those facts have multiplied. Nearly twenty years ago, the United States invaded Iraq in part because of fears about missiles that turned out not to exist. Still, at least some evidence suggested that Iraq was developing a more dangerous nuclear stockpile than proved to be the case. The Trump administration in crucial matters discarded evidence altogether. Trump smashed the lie barrier for political officials, making false claims and claims made on no evidence at unprecedented rates. His administrated denied the climate changes that all environmentalists acknowledge are taking place, even is disagreements exist on the details. Trump claimed an election was stolen even as Republicans in office and on the courts could not find evidence of malfeasance. At least one aspect of Trump’s practice was evidence based. No evidence existed that Trump’s lies and disregard for basic facts was politically costly. The 45% of the people who supported him insisted that while Trump exaggerated, he was far more to be trusted than the so-called experts who insisted that climate change was real, immigrants posed no threat to the economy, and the election was not stolen.
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s triumph in the 2020 presidential election and the return of the Senate to (bare) Democratic control has increased the immediate impact of evidence-based politics on public policy in the United States, both with respect to COVID and other matters. Unlike the Trump Administration, the Biden Administration developed a plan for distributing the vaccine that was based on institutional capacity rather than wishful thinking and political advantage. Distribution appears to be taking place faster than expected. Divisions exist over the proper forms of relief, but the plans preferred by progressive Democrats, centrist Democrats and the most moderate of the very conservative Republicans are rooted in evidence about how the virus has affected individuals and the economy. To use a phrase coined to describe Hillary Clinton by never-Trumpers, if persons within the range from the democratic socialist Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Rob Portman of Ohio are wrong, they are wrong within the normal parameters of democratic politics.
Nevertheless, COVID has accelerated activities outside the parameters of normal democratic politics and evidence-based politics. Texas and Mississippi are ending mask mandates even though experts agree such policies will increase the spread of the virus and lead to more deaths. Republicans in state legislatures are busy finding ways of increasing minority control by further restricting voting and gerrymandering. The Trump family has vowed to return to politics, even as evidence continues to mount that they bear a greater resemblance to the crime families of motion pictures than the Bush and Kennedy dynasties. A superficial glimpse of COVID numbers and the Biden administration may suggest the clouds are clearing, but the better view may be the United States is in the eye of the storm.

domain: law


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Torrance, an engineer from the Ark ship, Tamerlaine, is stealing supplies and selling them on the black market right under the snout of an unlikely detective.
When he heard the footsteps, Torrance froze. Imagining everything undone. A security detail, all riot gear and nonlethal weapons. Or would they even bother to subdue him? The world was on fire, after all. Nations and corporations and individuals squabbling for every last resource. The end of days, God’s new wrath against his people. And, just as the first time, salvation lay within an ark ship.
But which one. Not all arks were created equally.
Sitting at the terminal, Torrance listened to the approaching steps. Their slow pace seemed to mock him. He’d shut down the most obvious applications, but anyone with training would be able to backtrack over his trail.
Then he heard the breathing, and a wave of relief washed over him. The heavy panting of an overweight man, and the asthmatic wheezing of the absurd companion he’d been saddled with. It wasn’t the inquisition. The senior crew hadn’t worked out what was happening. It was just the idiot nightwatchman making his rounds.
The man put his head around the bulkhead. Brody Lukasz was a slope-shouldered butt just looking for a joke to belong to, his cheeks unshaven and his hair receding. He had a wispy moustache and weak, watery eyes and the uniform alternately stretched and creased across his body. He'd been army once, Torrance had heard. He’d certainly let himself go, if so.
“All right there, Doctor T?” Brody asked, and then his partner came shuffling round the corner like an ill-timed punchline. Doris weighed more than Brody and carried most of it around her middle. She waddled on short legs that didn’t look as though they could carry all that swinging weight. She was the only member of the crew the uniform looked worse on than Brody, because in her case they’d literally dressed up a pig. The Awakened swine squinted at him, exhausted just by the effort of being there.
Past Torrance’s stern façade he was delighted. It wasn’t as though Brody Lukasz was going to come check his comms logs or uncover his trojan programs. “Why no, Mr. Lukasz,” he said. “I have some heat exchange equations here that I’m having difficulty balancing. Perhaps you could pass your expert eye over them?”
CONTINUE THE STORY
Edith, a brilliant engineer working on an impossible deadline, struggles to reconnect with her teenage daughter before time runs out.
Jurgen Barrendown, billionaire financier of the Fortunate Son, hosts a party for his wealthy friends on the eve of the ark ship’s impending launch… but not everyone will be celebrating.
Kendall's job as Chief Technician on the Abandoned Bride forces her to get creative in finding spare parts to keep the ship’s systems running.

domain: literature


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Duke has announced that it will open the 2019 football season against Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game will be played on Aug. 31 and represents a major upgrade in non-conference competition for the Blue Devils, who are currently battling to extend a streak of four straight bowl appearances. The game will mark the fifth time Duke and Alabama have played in football. The Crimson Tide has one the last three meetings, with the most recent coming in 2010. The Blue Devils’ only win in the series was a 29-26 victory in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 1945. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our program, and obviously an incredible challenge facing the University of Alabama,” Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. “The proud history between the two schools is well documented, as Duke and Alabama have an unparalleled common connection with Coach (Wallace) Wade, along with playing in the 1945 Sugar Bowl and Steve Sloan, who played quarterback under Coach Bryant and later served as the head coach here at Duke.” The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic averages more than 67,000 fans per game has an average payout of $4.7 million per team. Television viewership is also traditionally strong with more than 47 million viewers tuning in to the series since 2008. Tickets to the 2019 game are available at GoDuke.com/footballtix with prices ranging from $125.00 to $300.00. A non-refundable deposit of $75.00 per ticket is required. Tickets will be allocated and remaining balances charged after January 1, 2019.
For a moment, it looked like No. 4 Duke was going to pull out an improbable win in its showdown with No. 2 Virginia at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday. With 1:09 left and Virginia […]
Summer break is usually a time for college athletes to rest, recharge their batteries and begin preparing for the next season in the weight room. For 13 members of the Duke football team, however, it […]
As John Collins stepped to the line to add an exclamation point free throw to Wake Forest’s upset of Louisville on Wednesday, the crowd at Joel Coliseum celebrated by serenading the sophomore center with a […]

domain: news


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Chronologically advanced readers will recall that during the 1980s, I was known to submit an occasional “letter to the editor” to the New Albany Tribune.
To put it mildly.
One of these days, I’ll dip into the bulging banker’s box and unearth fragments of the archive, but for now, just one example will suffice to make the point.
After writing a letter to the Tribune in opposition to one or another of Ronald Reagan’s reactionary conservative excesses, I received a small envelope in the mail. There was no return address of any sort, only a New Albany postmark, and those being the days before one became accustomed to shaking suspicious envelopes for white powder or similar residue, I shrugged and opened it.
The crude, palsied, superannuated handwriting on a small rectangle of spiral notebook paper was brief and to the point:
Jesse the Revolutionary
Or Killer Kennedy
Who is your choice?
The note wasn’t signed.
And so it was that two decades before blogging, the first anonymous response arrived to brighten my day. It strengthened my belief – as it does today – that anonymity is a fundamentally malicious affliction undertaken by the chronically dysfunctional to exact vengeance on those who they envy for having the integrity to stand behind their words, thoughts and opinions.
Obviously, it was during those halcyon days that I first developed my severe allergy to the frequent abuses of anonymity, as manifested by the note I’ve described, but a feeling of disgust quite intensified by the Tribune’s willingness at the time to print anonymous missives.
Whatever small role I may have played in subsequently convincing the publisher to reverse the newspaper’s longstanding policy and to require the identities of writers to be revealed is a source of great personal satisfaction to me.
It’s worth remembering that the front office’s policy change came against the strenuous objections of then-editor Eddie LaDuke, himself the embodiment of the Peter Principle, who defended anonymity in much the same manner as some continue to do today (paraphrasing):
There are numerous times when adults seek to sacrifice personal integrity for the short-term satisfaction of venting of intemperance, and there are comparatively rare instances when legitimate concerns like whistle-blowing preclude disclosure of identity, and so the illegitimate former must somehow be tolerated to provide for the infrequency of the legitimate latter.
To put it bluntly, there’s nothing more patronizing than for an adult to be coddled in this manner by being informed, in effect, that he or she isn’t sufficiently sophisticated to understand the rights and responsibilities of free speech, and therefore should be permitted to spray anonymous attacks like diarrhea in the general direction of misunderstood ideas and detested real people.
It is pandering to an extreme degree, as it precludes the very real possibility that even set-in-their-ways adults can learn if provided with information and the tools of instruction, and while fears of reprisal are understood in the context of criminal informants and legitimate whistle-blowers, the vast majority of anonymous letter writers and today’s masked blog commentators have no such concern, and rather are exercising their desire to “speak out loud” without acknowledging the proper and responsible channels for doing so.
As the wag once said, we already have a Bill of Rights – now we need a Bill of Responsibilities. Free speech is a right, and it implies a responsibility, although sometime politics stands squarely in the way of understanding these points.


RAV4: 4 Things About the Fourth Generation
Although the RAV4 has plenty of heritage in the small crossover segment, competition has gotten a whole lot tougher, so Toyota has made significant changes to the fourth-generation model.
#Toyota #HP #Ford
In the words of Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Div., the RAV4 “has been a significant vehicle for Toyota since its inception in 1994 as the world’s first crossover SUV. We introduced RAV4 to the U.S. market in 1995, and since then, we’ve sold more than 1.7 million, with 80% percent still on the road today.”
Since the introduction, there have been, Fay went on to note, about 45 crossover-SUVs available on the market today. “As a matter of fact, with a few exceptions, like our 4Runner and FJ Cruiser, most compact or midsize SUVs today are crossovers.”
So that’s what the RAV4 started.
The first-generation RAV4 had its run from ‘94 to 2000. The second from 2000 to ’05. The third from ’05 to ’12. And now there’s gen 4.
Yoshikazu Saeki joined Toyota in 1987. His first job was working on the Toyota Land Cruiser. That’s the serious Toyota SUV (even though it is refined enough to be the basis of the Lexus LX570). He joined the Product Planning Dept. in ’91, where he worked on both the Camry and the first-generation Avalon. In ’97 Saeki moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to work at the Toyota Technical Center. There he worked on the Tacoma, Sienna and Avalon, U.S.-focused products. (“It was like getting a graduate degree in American car buyers, learning what mean most to them, especially safety and QDR.”) He moved to the RAV4 engineering team in 2003, when the third-generation model was in planning. And now he is the deputy chief engineer for the fourth-generation RAV4. He worked on the project in Japan.
But that is only part of the story. Because he spent a lot of time in the U.S. during the RAV4 4. He pursued the now-common genchi genbutsu, go-see, approach characteristic of the engineering development of Toyota vehicles. Which meant that Saeki visited people from New York to LA, from Miami to San Francisco. Some 250 people, in all. He wanted to know what they wanted.
“One thing they talked about was more emotion from RAV4’s styling, so we created a design that was aggressive looking and immediately recognizable as new and contemporary,” he said.
“Another important factor was a spacious interior. While they didn’t need a larger vehicle overall, they wanted an interior that fit both their active needs, and desire for a relaxed, comfortable drive.”
The terms used to characterize the 2013 include strength, agility, and dynamism. The SUV is to provide emotional appeal, have striking character, and feature a refined and unforgettable design.
Which pretty much is what can be said about the design of any new vehicle nowadays.
But one departure is that the rear-mounted spare tire is no longer fixtured to the side-swinging tailgate (realize how unwieldy it would be if the covered spare had to be lifted were that door top-hinged). The spare tire is now located under the cargo area and the liftgate is top hinged.
(In addition to which, the Limited model features a power liftgate with a memory function: the owner can set the height that the door opens so as to provide the ability to readily reach up and shut it.)
The front end is more raked and pulled back, providing something of an aggressive look (remember: this is an SUV, not a sports car). It is in keeping, as Bill Fay pointed out, with “Akio Toyoda’s direction for more emotionally engaging products.”
The 2013 model is lower than its predecessor (at 65.4 in. high, -0.9 in.) and has reduced ground clearance (6.3 in., down 1.2 in.). The roofline is tapered and it is resolved in the back with an integrated spoiler. The beltline kicks up at the back.
And then there are the little details, like “vortex generators” near the base of the A-pillars and molded into the rear taillight cases. There are undertrays beneath the vehicle and fender liners used for aero.
This helps reduce the coefficient of drag for the RAV4 4, bringing it to 0.329 from 0.334.
One of the big changes is on the inside. Calty Design Research, the Newport Beach, California-based Toyota studio, contributed to the new look.
Two big differences: (1) The “Color Block” concept. Here there are color and material changes within the vehicle, not only providing visual separation, but textural as well: Jeff Halsey of the University of Toyota, describes it as “separating the comfort from the functional areas.” Soft/hard, grippy/smooth, for example. (2) The instrument panel design. Yes, like all new vehicles, the dash is described as being “driver-centric.” But what’s notable about the design of the RAV4 interior is that whereas there is a tendency for the upper surface of an IP to resemble a set of French curves, this one is more horizontal in layout (there is a sculpted section in front of the passenger so as to provide more space), with the controls laid out in a rational arrangement.
Because this is a vehicle type that has “Utility” as its middle name, the vehicle has increased cargo capacity, with 38.4-ft3 behind the second row and 73.4-ft3 with the second row folded flat, which is said to be the largest in the competitive class. (One thing that is absent in the rear cargo area is a lever to fold the second row seats flat; this must be done from the second row. When asked why this is the case, Saeki said that when he asked people during his cross-country tour, they didn’t express an interest in having that capability.)
Following a pattern set by some other OEMs (e.g., Ford Escape; Honda CR-V—both, incidentally, the leaders in the segment where the RAV4 competes), the RAV4 is available with a four-cylinder engine. There is no six. Bill Fay says that for customers interested in the addition set of cylinders, there is the Highlander SUV.
The engine used is the 2AR-FE 2.5-liter DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i, the same engine used in the previous-generation RAV4. It produces, in this tuning, 176 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm. Unlike the previous generation this version has a six-speed automatic transmission, not a four.
Since “Sport” is its first name, there is an available “Sport” mode (it is standard on AWD models), that adjusts the throttle response, making it more linear and responsive; changes the transmission parameters for faster shifts; and reduces the assist of the electric power steering by 20%. Since Fuel Economy is the name of the game when it comes to reasons to buy SUVs or almost any other vehicle nowadays, there is an ECO mode that regulates the output of the air conditioner and decreases throttle response, both for purposes of fuel efficiency (the car uses 87 octane). The front-drive version provides an estimated 24 mpg city/31 mpg highway; the AWD version is EPA estimated at 22/29 mpg.
The RAV4 AWD has a Dynamic Torque Control system that adjusts torque predicated on sensor inputs describing the speed, steering angle and speed, throttle angle, and yaw rates; it can vary front-to-rear torque distribution from 100:0 to 50:50 through an electromagnetically controlled coupling that’s located in front of the rear differential.
When the vehicle is in Sport mode, the system performs functions like providing up to a 10% torque distribution to the rear wheels when entering a turn, so as to improve the steering response and stability during cornering.
The preponderance of the RAV4s are being built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Ontario. It is in good SUV company there, as the Lexus RX350 are produced at TMMC, as well.
As noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is an abiding concern for all vehicle manufacturers, this was addressed for the RAV4 through a variety of measures. Yes, there is a standard acoustic windshield (glass/polyvinyl butyral polymer/glass). Yes, there is an addition of various noise damping materials deployed in the dash panel, on the floor, and sound absorption material in the rear-door area.
But Jeff Halsey says that an important aspect of addressing NVH is an increase in the number of spot welds used in the assembly process, particularly around the doors and C-pillars. In addition to which, they’ve increased the amount of high-strength steels used in the build: roof, rocker sills, floor, engine compartment, door frames. While that contributes to improving safety, it also provides a more solid structure for the RAV4, which means a quieter, more solid vehicle.
By James Gaffney, Product Engineer, Precision Grinding and Patrick D. Redington, Manager, Precision Grinding Business Unit, Norton Company (Worcester, MA)
I'm not talking about a plastic Revell model of a '57 Chevy, but a real vehicle, one that rolls off an assembly line in 1999 with another 99,999 just like it right behind. Is it possible, or is this just a fantasy of the marketing department at Elmer's?
Although the term “continuous improvement” is generally associated with another company, Honda is certainly pursuing that approach, as is evidenced by the Accord, which is now in its ninth generation.


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Earlier this year, rapper E-40 announced that he was getting into the wine business. Looks like he’s made good on his promise: E-40 tweeted earlier today to let people know that wines from his California winery, Earl Stevens Selections, are now on sale, reports Complex Music.
Selections include a mango-flavored wine called Mangoscato for $19.99 (18% ABV), a 2011 Moscato for $13.99, and a 2011 Cabernet/Zinfandel blend for $14.99. That Mangoscato sure sounds nice. E-40 has been championing vino for years with songs like 1992’s “Carlos Rossi” and the Lonely Island collaboration “Santana DVX.” And the man has always been proud of the fact that he’s got grapes:
[via Complex Music]

domain: celebrity


New playthrough video from grindcore legends
Canadian grindcore legends FUCK THE FACTS has teamed up with GearGods.net to showcase their guitar playthrough for their track ‘The Path of Most Resistance’ off their upcoming album ‘Desire Will Rot’ due out on August 25th via their indie label Noise Salvation. The album is available for pre-order for only $4 here plus pre-order of 12” vinyl, CD, and Cassette available at http://www.fuckthefacts.com.
You can watch ‘The Path of Most Resistance’ playthrough at the following link: http://geargods.net/weekly-riff/fuck-the-facts-path-of-most-resistance/
‘Desire Will Rot’ was recorded and mixed by FTF guitarist Topon Das at his Apartment 2 recording studio in Ottawa, ON and is the band’s first full length since 2011’s ‘Die Miserable’ and follows the band’s recent split EP with Fistfuck along with 2014’s ‘Abandoned’ and 2013’s ‘Amer’ EPs.
For more info, please visit the following links:


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Hugh Jackman gave his Les co-star Amanda Seyfried a birthday to remember at a New York screening of their new film by serenading the actress and treating her to a lap dance.
The Mamma Mia! beauty turned 27 on Monday, and to mark the occasion Jackman - who plays the star's father in the upcoming movie musical - turned the spotlight on Seyfried.
The actor grabbed a microphone and told the crowd, "Tonight is a special night, and I am going to sing one song. And this is a song I am not going to sing alone, because it is the birthday of Amanda Seyfried."
Jackman then ordered his pal to sit down as he gyrated around her and joked, "I once gave Barbara Walters a lap dance and I promised her I would never do it again, but seeing as she is not here tonight..."
The X-Men star sang to Seyfried, and referenced their Les Miserables relationship, declaring, "Happy Birthday, Amanda - my daughter Cosette - Seyfried. Yes, it’s one of those father daughter relationships... Happy birthday to yooouuuu!"
According to Vulture.com, Seyfried was presented with a chocolate birthday cake, and she said, "I was just thinking that my 27th year is probably going to be best because it was brought in in such a way that my hero, Mr Hugh, got to stretch his (vocal) cords one more time for me."
tap here to see other videos from our team.

domain: artistic


Gold hits record high near 1,278 dollars
Free Wallpaper & Download Movie Online Movie Ticket
Gold hits record high near 1,278 dollars. LONDON: The price of gold struck an all-time high close to 1,278 dollars an ounce in trading here on Thursday.Gold hit a record 1,277.90 dollars an ounce at 12:30 pm (1130 GMT) on the London Bullion Market.
It had already reached an all-time high above of almost 1,275 dollars on Tuesday, breaking June’s record of 1,265 dollars, as investors sought safety amid an uncertain economic outlook.
Gold is seen as a safe haven investment and also a hedge against inflation.


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Holborn is known for its historical buildings and connections to historic law institutions, but did you know it’s also a brilliant location for your wedding? If you’re looking for grand halls, elegant restaurants, or traditional pubs, this district of London has a lot to offer. If you’re searching for wedding venues in Holborn, let us help you through this stressful process! We’ve got the best wedding venues in the area and useful tips to make the booking stress-free. Start browsing today and organise the wedding of your dreams in Holborn!
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When looking for wedding venues in Holborn, London, expect the costs to differ based on the type and size of space as well as the exact date and time of your event. Many venues offer minimum spend, which often stays within the £1,000 to £3,000 range. However, you can find some cosy and intimate minimum spend wedding venues for as little as £45 and large, exclusive spaces for over £11,500. If you’re searching for wedding packages in Holborn, you’ll find offers ranging anywhere from £45 up to £350 per person, while entire event packages usually average around £2,500. Some couples decide on venues with flat hire fees for their weddings; this pricing type is the best choice when you’re planning a DIY wedding or have a favourite external catering service you wish to hire. The rates in Holborn tend to vary between £300 and £7,000 per session and start around £40 per hour. (All data from Tagvenue.)
Holborn might not be the largest district of London, but it’s still filled with amazing wedding locations! You can start your search in the north-eastern part of the area, near Farringdon Street. That’s where you’ll find some amazing pubs and restaurants perfect for a laid-back wedding party or elegant dinner! The area around Chancery Lane Station, on the other hand, features a great mix of both historical and modern wedding venues. You’ll find amazing private rooms perfect for a small wedding along Chancery Lane and some traditional and unique venues near Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
The answer is yes! Organising a wedding in this part of London might be challenging and it’s always good to save some money, so bringing your own drinks is becoming more and more popular. Aside from the budget-friendly aspect, it also allows you to better curate the drinks to your own taste! You’ll find many amazing BYO options in the Grand Connaught Rooms near Holborn Station, but that’s not everything the district has to offer! You can choose the ‘BYO alcohol allowed’ filter on our website to view the full selection of BYOB wedding venues in Holborn. Just keep in mind that some of the spaces might charge you additional fees for that option: to avoid that, pick the ‘no corkage fee’ filter and you’ll be good to go!
When planning your wedding, you usually want to make sure everything is high-quality, starting from the venue! Thankfully, we have our guest ratings to help you choose a well-loved and appreciated wedding space in Holborn. Here are some of the favourites:
Found an amazing venue within 10 minutes of looking! Really happy :)
I came across Tag Venue completely by accident and Sarah was unbelievably helpful in saving me valuable time and conducting the search on my behalf. I would not hesitate to use Tag Venue again.
It was really easy to find a wide range of potential locations, and I could contact many different venues with ease. Tagvenue allowed me to be very dynamic when organising my event. Would definitely use again!

domain: geography


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The Converse Chuck Taylor Two Fold is a modern take on the classic Chuck silhouette. This hi-top sneaker features a canvas upper with a double fold-over design outfitted with a colorful contrast lining and iconic rubber toe-cap. A thick cushioning midsole and solid rubber outsole top off this modern pair of Chucks. Wt. 16.3 oz.
Average Customer Rating:
(1 Review) 1
Rating Breakdown1 review
1 out of 1(100%)reviewers would recommend this product.
Customer Reviews for Converse All Star Two Fold - Men's
Review 1 for Converse All Star Two Fold - Men's
exactly what my daughter wanted.
PostedJanuary 22, 2013
from rocky ford, co
Shipping was quick and they were what my daughter wanted. She really likes them. Thank you.

domain: design


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Joint Forces Command
Speaking at the DSEi conference today, the Defence Secretary outlined an ambitious and global vision for defence. He highlighted the UKs decisive contribution to the fight against Daesh and RFA Mounts Bays role providing critical humanitarian relief in response to Hurricane Dorian.
Following the announcement that the MOD will receive an extra 2.2-billion as part of the Spending Round last week, the Defence Secretary laid out his plan to invest in new capabilities across all five war fighting domains: land, sea, air, cyber and space.
In particular, the Defence Secretary announced the launch of a new competition to operate and maintain the UKs next-generation military satellite communications system, SKYNET 6.
Speaking at the DSEi conference today, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
Fifty years ago Britain put its first satellite, SKYNET1, in space. Today were having to deal with increasing threats to satellite-based navigation and the need for robust communications has never been more vital.
Thats why were developing SKYNET6 which will give our forces unparalleled capacity to talk to each other in any hostile environment.
50 years on from the launch of the first SKYNET satellite (SKYNET 1A) in November 1969 and following the success of subsequent SKYNET programmes, the MOD is upgrading its military satellite system providing secure, long-range communications to the armed forces and UK allies.
This upgraded system could be used to facilitate the transmission of secure communications from a ship at sea, support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations, allow fighter jet pilots to receive or upload operational data in real-time, or enable land forces to conduct missions in remote environments.
Satellite communication systems are vital to operating effectively in hostile environments in which secure communications are required or commercial communication systems may have been disabled or are insufficient.
This contract, named SKYNET 6 Service Delivery Wrap (SDW), covers the operation of the UKs constellation of satellites and ground stations, and the provision and management of ground terminal infrastructure.
Further contracts, covering other aspects of the SKYNET 6 programme, worth approximately 6-billion, will be announced in the coming months.
Julian Knight, Head of Networks at the MODs Information Systems and Services organisation (ISS) said:
We are about to enter a vital phase of the SKYNET programme. This competition is a significant opportunity for industry to work at the very heart of our programme delivering improved flight and ground operations.
We are seeking an innovative partner that will ensure effective and consistent Defence Satellite communications and will look to continually maximise performance and value for money.
The successful bidder will also negotiate the MODs access to commercial satellite services, as well as managing the UKs contribution and access to systems owned and operated by the UKs allies.
SKYNET 6 SDW will require many of the same highly-skilled jobs currently employed by SKYNET 5 programme and will continue to contribute to the de


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The tourist town of Clarens, nestled in the picturesque Eastern Free State, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first town in the province to effectively manage load shedding through a transition to load curtailment. For six months, Clarens has remained illuminated while the rest of the country grapples with the challenges of power cuts.
Transition to Load Curtailment
- Smart City with Smart Metering
- Residents’ Initiative
- Measures to Avoid Job Cuts
At the forefront of this groundbreaking initiative are the residents themselves, who have united to devise measures aimed at preventing job cuts and living in the dark. The adoption of a load curtailment concept not only reduces power demand but also sets the stage for the town to transform into a smart city with the implementation of smart metering technologies.
Residents and business owners, backed by the community, have actively contributed to the success of this innovative approach. The collaborative effort has not only shielded Clarens from the hardships of load shedding but has also laid the groundwork for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
Implementation and Impact
- Real-Time Data with Smart Meters
- Community-Wide Communication
- Financial and Social Benefits
One of the key elements of Clarens’ success in load curtailment is the installation of real meters providing real-time data. This data allows the community to respond promptly to Eskom’s requests for power reduction. Gert Kruger, director of Augos, explains the process: “What we’ve done is install a real meter that provides us with real-time data so when we need to curtail requested by Eskom to save and drop our reduction. We have real-time information that we work with and we distribute that information to the whole community either through digital channels or we even have loud hailers driving through the township informing people to save and getting to the targets.”
Businesses and residents alike have found success and pride in being the first town to overcome the challenges of load shedding. The implementation of load curtailment has not only saved businesses millions of rand but has also alleviated financial strain and stress on both business owners and their stock.
Lindsey Lotringer, owner of Clarens Brewery, shares the impact on their operations: “Obviously, as the rest of the country is affected by load shedding, we had to adapt very quickly and try not to close our doors. During load shedding, we ran a very big generator which cost us thousands a month and had a lot of financial strain on us in business and a lot of stress on our stock.”
Abel Motaung, another local businessman, echoes these sentiments: “Here in Clarens, you know that you can just do whatever you want to do on your own time.”
Community Response and Transformation
- Improved Quality of Life
- Tourism Boost
- Crime Reduction
Residents of Clarens highlight the positive changes brought about by the load curtailment initiative. Cooperation is seamless, driven by the shared understanding that load shedding is a collective nightmare. The absence of load shedding has not only attracted tourists regularly but has also had a profound impact on the local community’s quality of life.
Residents speak of the transformation:
- “Because we’ve got no load shedding even tourists come every weekend.”
- “People lost jobs during load shedding and businesses closing.”
- “This has changed our lives even crime is low now.”
- “Our lives have changed for the better and we will fully support the load curtailment.”
Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Future
Clarens’ successful transition to load curtailment not only marks a historic achievement for the town but also provides a glimpse into the future of energy management. The collaborative efforts of the community, coupled with the integration of smart technologies, showcase a sustainable and innovative approach to overcoming the challenges posed by load shedding. As Clarens continues to shine bright amid a sea of power cuts, the lessons learned and the technologies embraced may serve as an inspiration for other communities seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of energy efficiency and resilience.


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Search the name of a city:
Here you will find the location of Remnoy on a map.
To see how it currently looks like outside, below are some pictures of the area from online web cameras.
You can also find the distance to the main cities in the region and to cities in the rest of America.
Cities in America that are also found in other countries in the world.
Hanford: KIN--AT TH AVE.
Goshen › North: TUL__BETTY DRIVE.
Goshen › North: TUL--JNO RTE.
Webcams provided by webcams.travel
Where is Remnoy relative to other places?
Top 10 cities in California and distance from Remnoy.
Top 10 cities in America and distance from Remnoy.
Advice and information about traveling and security in America.
With a travel advise, tourists can be informed about security risks during traveling or vacation in a foreign country. Be informed about the risks of kidnapping, armed robbery, bombings, natural disasters or war. Know which areas are unsafe in Americao. Be vigilant, or avoid certain areas when on vacation in America.
Information on travel documents, visa applications and the cost of a visa.
Contact information of embassies in America.
Different types of travel insurance.
Statistics and Geographics
America is made up of 141988 cities in 58 regions.
The region California has 5436 cities.
Remnoy is number 4166 in the region California.
The city is number 17873 in America.
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Use a spray bottle to moisten the paper towels and then store the cushioned seeds between two plates, under a face-down bowl, or gently place them in a plastic bag. Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps
Lay one paper towel on top of a countertop, place a few seeds, and cover them with a second paper towel. Photo by: Gina Coleman/Weedmaps
The seeds should start sprouting in about two days, though older seeds can take up to a week to sprout. You can remove them from the water and place them in the soil at any point once they’ve sprouted. Once the roots are about five millimeters long, they need to be planted.
So, you’ve decided to grow your own cannabis plants. You purchased a pack of seeds, assembled cultivation materials, cleared a space in your garden, and are ready to grow your first cannabis crop . With everything in hand, it’s time to begin the very first step of cannabis cultivation : germinating seeds.
Whether you’re planning an indoor cultivation or outdoor grow, it’s best to germinate your seeds indoors. It’s easier to maintain proper temperature, light exposure, and moisture inside, and you can protect your seeds from the elements. Indoor germination, whether using soil or paper towels, will ensure your cannabis seeds have the best chance for survival.
Gently water the soil with a spray bottle and situate your pots under a fluorescent lamp. Keep seeds away from the windowsill, as the temperature is too volatile for germination. In general, you’ll want to keep the temperature in the range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
To employ water germination, fill a glass with tap water and let it sit until it reaches room temperature or around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Add two to three plant seeds per cup and allow them to sit, watching for any changes. Change the water to fresh tap water every two days, making sure it stays at room temperature.

domain: agronomy


Gotta eat fast! Popular hamburger chain in the United States “Jack in the Box” will soon be promoting the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie in 2020!
If you’ve been sleeping under a purple rock in Green Hill Zone, here’s an update for you: the latest trailer for the Sonic Movie is out, and it features a fully redesigned Sonic! On top of that, a long-held suspicion that a certain well-known artist in the Sonic community was involved has finally been confirmed!
Earlier today, Paramount Pictures uploaded the latest trailer for the Sonic Movie, complete with a newly cut trailer and a redesigned hedgehog! We all remember how… unique the first one was, but this new trailer features a few of the same shots! Check out some comparison shots below.
This is not a drill! According to Fandango’s Twitter account, the latest trailer for the Sonic Movie is on its way.
Stop the press! Or, start the press? Press start! We found yet another leaked image of the alleged new redesign of Sonic from the titular “Sonic Movie,” and it’s rather detailed, and wants you to #CatchSonic on social media!
It’s happening, everyone! An eagle-eyed patron has captured a photo of the alleged redesign for the Sonic Movie out in the wild open!
Apparently we may be seeing a second trailer for the upcoming Sonic movie fairly soon. Luisito Comunica, the voice of Sonic in Latin America, claims that the second trailer will be arriving sometime within the next few weeks. This is from a Spanish tweet by contriteorb4 and translated into English by TeamSonicESP.
As a reminder, we reported a supposed leak of what appears to be the new redesign of Sonic from the movie. We’ll likely soon finally find out if that leak was the real deal or not.
What are your expectations of the next trailer? Let us know in the comments below!
It would appear that Sega have more plans to produce new animated shorts in the vein of Sonic Mania Adventures and Team Sonic Racing: Overdrive. Continue reading More Animated Short-Form Content Planned for Future Sonic Games
Comicbook recently sat down with Yukio Kusumoto, producer of the Sonic Mania Adventures and Team Sonic Racing: Overdrive animated shorts. The interview, amongst a treasure trove of other facts, summarized how Sonic Mania came to be.
- The idea came about after the Sonic Boom TV show wrapped up.
- The team wanted to create a short-form companion piece for a game.
- Sonic Mania had recently released and the physical release was up-coming, so the short-form content was made for that.
- Mentions that there are 6 episodes of Sonic Mania Adventures “so far” and that its been a great success.
- Sonic Mania is a game all about nostalgia and they wanted to find a creator who’s all about Sonic. It wasn’t hard to find a fit for the project and eventually they found Tyson Hesse, who’s worked on some Sega projects on and off and was a storyboard artist at the time.
- They wanted to replicate the original world of Sonic, and realize it in the style of a 90’s Saturday morning cartoon. They decided to go with traditional hand-drawn animation.
- They wanted a style close to the game, but is also original and not too polished with a “for the fans, by the fans” feel.
- They worked for months designing the characters and worked closely with Takashi Iizuka, the head of product development.
[EDIT: Tyson Hesse also chimed in on the story via Twitter, also crediting Sonic Social Manager Aaron Webber for his part in the realisation of Sonic Mania Adventures:
He isn’t mentioned here, but the story of Mania Adventures can’t be told without mentioning Aaron Webber, tbh. Without his championing internally for the value of it there wouldn’t have been animation for Sonic social at all.”
Thanks to Aaron and the many unsung heroes of Sonic Mania and beyond! – AT]
He isn't mentioned here, but the story of Mania Adventures can't be told without mentioning Aaron Webber, tbh. Without his championing internally for the value of it there wouldn't have been animation for Sonic social at all. https://t.co/RCeQZIW4sV
— Tyson Hesse (@tyson_hesse) October 17, 2019
For the full interview, check out ComicBook.com.
Yesterday, a twitter user with the handle of BestInTheGalaxy, randomly tweeted two images of what appear to be photographs of the new redesign of Sonic in the upcoming live-action film.
For years, anyone wanting to own Sonic Boom on physical media have had to deal with piece-meal releases, whether it’s America’s two meager 8 episode volumes, or the UK’s more substantial 13 episode volumes. According to a new Amazon listing, it looks like those days might be finally coming to an end, with Sonic Boom Season 1, Volume 1, coming courtesy of NCircle Entertainment.
Slated for release on October 1, the two-disc volume comes in two packages: a $25 version bundled with Sonic & Eggman action figures made by TOMY, and a $15 version that just has the show. The first volume comes with 26 episodes, which covers half of the first season.
You can pre-order the DVD here. You can check out the included figures, DVD arc, and a list of included episodes in the images below:
The episodes are listed out of order on the back.
Currently, there’s no word of when (or if) the second volume is coming. Given that this isn’t the show’s first DVD release, it’s probably only a matter of time.
Sonic the Hedgehog movie producer Tim Miller has spoken out about his experience regarding the backlash of Sonic’s intial movie design, and hints at his opinion of the redesign via Variety.
It’s hard not to feel a little sorry for the Paramount Studios team behind the Sonic movie. Since the original trailer was released a month ago, fans have gone out of their way to re-imagine the CG Sonic model in image form. But one Sonic fan has gone beyond – by redoing the entire trailer with an animated re-interpretation of the blue blur. Continue reading Paramount’s Movie Trailer Remade With Animated Cartoon Sonic
The Sonic the Hedgehog live-action movie has just been delayed. The Paramount Studios-produced flick will now release on 14th February 2020. Continue reading Sonic Movie Delayed to 2020
A group of passionate art and animation professionals have launched a Patreon campaign to try and finish telling one of the greatest Sonic stories never told – that of Sonic the Hedgehog’s Saturday AM (SatAM) long lost third season. Continue reading Dedicated SatAM Fans Crowdfund ‘Season 3’ Production
Over the past week, the internet has been all a buzz over the first trailer for the upcoming Sonic movie. Well three people in particular have offered some words regarding the film, all of which Sonic fans should recognize.
It’s only been a day since the highly-anticipated Sonic movie trailer dropped, and already fans (including us!) have been scrambling to uncover any Easter Eggs they can find. But a keen-eyed reader seems to have found a pretty good one that throws back to not one, but TWO 1990s Sonic cartoons. Continue reading It Looks Like An Actor from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Stars in the Sonic Movie Trailer
Stop the presses! The first trailer for the Sonic the Hedgehog movie has finally been revealed to the public. With all the commotion surrounding the film – with trailer details published in advance by the press and Jim Carrey’s look as Eggman being leaked, curiosity and anticipation for what the ‘Real Life Sonic’ will look like has hit an all-time high. Check out the trailer below. Continue reading BREAKING: First Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Trailer and Poster Unveiled!
We may finally be getting our first look at the Sonic movie today! Earlier, SEGAbits posted an image of Jim Carrey’s Robotnik that is supposedly from the movie’s first trailer. SEGAbits also said that the trailer could hit as early as tomorrow. Continue reading UPDATED: Still of Sonic Movie’s Robotnik leaked, trailer incoming
SEGA released the second part of their Team Sonic Racing: Overdrive animated short series earlier today. Directed by Tyson Hesse and animated by Neko Productions, the short sees Team Sonic and Team Shadow battle for first place. Which team will prevail? Find out in the video below! Continue reading Sonic and Friends Battle it Out in Part 2 of Team Sonic Racing: Overdrive
Although we, the dwellers of the internet, are yet to see any footage from the up-and-coming Sonic the Hedgehog movie starring James Marsden and Jim Carrey, twitter has been buzzing with news coming from those attending the event and the two teaser-trailers shown there.
Here are the most important pieces of information we have learned from CinemaCon so far! Continue reading 7 Facts We Learned About the Sonic Movie From CinemaCon
Don’t blink! Don’t think! Just go-go, go-go, g-g-g-g-go-go down to your local video store on May 28 to pick up Sonic X: The complete series on Region 2 SD Blu-Ray! (God, that was corny.)
The good folks at Disctek Media are bringing all 78 english language episodes in one volume. (Sorry Japanese sub fans, you’ll have to stick with Hulu for now.) This includes the extras from the DVD version as well as the original pitch video where the world of Sonic X had a lot less humans.
During the SXSW Sonic panel today, there was a surprise bit of Sonic Boom news. No, not Season 3… rather, they announced that a second volume of Sonic Boom DVDs called “Go Team Sonic” will be arriving at store shelves on June 4th. Continue reading SXSW Sonic Boom DVD Volume 2 Announced
Sonic Mania Adventures is surely the gift that keeps on giving – as Jun Senoue has today unveiled a brand new retro-inspired remix to complement the awesome series of animated shorts. Continue reading Tee Lopes and Jun Senoue Remix ‘Theme of Knuckles’ for Sonic Mania Adventures
Fresh out of SXSW, SEGA has revealed that Team Sonic Racing will have a tie in animation featuring art by Tyson Hesse! Continue reading SXSW 2019: Two-part Team Sonic Racing Overdrive Animation revealed! UPDATE
The Sonic movie leaks just keep coming, with this latest one leaking some of the toy tie-ins being made by Jakks Pacific, the toy company SEGA signed a deal with last month. The toys themselves are not shown.
Four toys are listed, including a Performance Sonic figure, a Performance Robotnik figure, a 13-inch talking Sonic figure, and perhaps the strangest sounding of the lot, an 8.5 inch “Baby Sonic” plush. These are each listed for $14.99, $18.99, $24.99, and $12.99 respectively, and are all scheduled to ship in August. You can find the listings for all four toys here.
Will the Sonic movie have a baby Sonic? Are you ready for a figure of Jim Carrey dressed like Robotnik? Be sure to stay tuned to Sonic Stadium for more on the Sonic movie, including images of these toys.
In news that seems VERY conveniently-timed to keep everyone talking about the upcoming Sonic movie’s design, it appears that someone connected to the studio’s PR department has woken up and is assuring that what we’ve seen this week – both in internal presentations and network promotional material – is not the final look of the cinematic-universe blue blur. Continue reading Captain Obvious or Damage Control? Movie Source Claims Leaked Sonic Designs Aren’t Final
So, if you hadn’t noticed already, the design for the blue blur in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie has been leaked. Take a moment to look at it, absorb its detail. And then, let us know what you think… because the rest of the community sure did, on social media, and as you’d expect reactions have been… slightly… mixed? Continue reading ‘Just Give Him Gloves!’ The Sonic Community Reacts to the Sonic Movie Design
A series of images from a Sonic Movie style guide have been posted to the Resetera.com forum which appear to have originated from the website hcassociates.com which is a video game branding company. Continue reading The Sonic Movie Design Revealed!
Cartoonist and Sonic artist Milton Knight has been the victim of a vicious and senseless hate crime that has left him hospitalised. Continue reading Sonic Artist Milton Knight Attacked in Hate Crime
The list of big names working on the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, due for release this year, just got bigger!
Dutch musician Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL) is currently scoring the live action hybrid film.
The annual Golden Globes ceremony took place over the weekend in the US, and it was pretty meme-worthy for a number of reasons – largely because of the jokes fired out by hosts Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh. But we weren’t expecting one of the jokes to involve Jim Carrey and the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Continue reading Jim Carrey Name-Drops Sonic Movie As He’s Getting Kicked Out of the Golden Globes
What does a movie’s social media team do when the entire internet is lambasting their project to kingdom-come? Partake in the fun, apparently.The official twitter account for the Sonic movie, which has been lying dormant since last June, went live a few days ago. So far, the post embedded below is their only original tweet:
— Sonic The Hedgehog (@SonicMovie) December 18, 2018
Beyond this, they also retweeted 5 posts making fun of the movie’s posters. This one is my personal favorite:
— Jeroen Van Zwol(topia) (@Zwoltopia) December 10, 2018
Eventually, this account will probably become a source of information for the movie. Until then…well, we got some funny tweets, I guess.
Did you enjoy Sonic Mania Adventures? Do you want more? Well, SEGA’s got a heck of a gift for you: a surprise holiday special! This special, like the rest of the series, is written and directed by Tyson Hesse, with music from Tee Lopes and animation from Neko Productions.
The special is embedded below:
Less than 24 hours after the first teaser poster for the upcoming Sonic movie was released, a second posted was spotted at a movie theatre showing Sonic sat on top of the Golden Gate Bridge displaying his hairy legs and the graffiti ‘Sonic Wuz Here.’
Well, a second photo has emerged of this poster at another theatre putting to rest claims that it was in fact a hoax, it is very real, so behold Sonic’s hairy legs!
It IS real pic.twitter.com/ka3lGUVcJP
— Lorenzo Estrada (@Lozoescartoons) December 12, 2018
The Sonic movie releases in Winter 2019.
Hot off the heels of the teaser shown to Brazillian audiences over the weekend, IGN has posted the first look at the Sonic Movie poster which in turn shows the title of the movie and the design for Sonic! Continue reading Sonic Movie Design, Poster & Final Release Revealed!


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‣ The Oklahoma City Council voted to set a Dec. 12 citywide vote on a proposed 1% sales tax for six years to fund a new $900 million arena for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
‣ The Thunder’s ownership group, including Clay Bennett, will contribute $50 million (approximately 5.5%) towards the arena’s cost.
‣ The new arena is expected to open in time for the 2029-30 NBA season.
Press release from the City of Oklahoma City on the City Council voting today:
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles)
The Oklahoma City Council recently voted in favor of a citywide vote to implement a 1% sales tax for six years, with the goal of funding a new NBA arena. The estimated cost of the arena is set at a minimum of $900 million, and the council approved a letter of intent with the Thunder’s ownership group to contribute $50 million towards the project. The ownership group consists of seven members, including chairman Clay Bennett.
In a statement, Clay Bennett expressed his excitement for the opportunity to continue transforming Oklahoma City and reinforcing its status as a major city. He emphasized the importance of the new arena in securing the long-term future of the Thunder. The city council’s decision to proceed with the December 15 vote on the proposed sales tax is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The deal also includes $70 million in city funds from a previous sales tax that was approved in 2019. These funds will be used for upgrades to the current Paycom Center, the Thunder’s current arena. Mayor David Holt praised the council’s decision and the partnership with the Thunder, believing it to be a historic milestone for Oklahoma City.
While the details regarding the location of the new arena are still unknown, the plan is for it to open in time for the 2029-30 NBA season. However, not everyone is on board with the proposed plan. Council members Nikki Nice and JoBeth Hamon expressed their opposition to the sales tax and the letter of intent with the Thunder owners.
The $50 million contribution from the Thunder’s ownership group will only cover the minimum construction cost, and the seating capacity of the new arena is yet to be determined. The current Paycom Center has a maximum seating capacity of 18,203 and has been the Thunder’s home since the 2008-09 season. As the city moves forward with its plans for a new arena, basketball fans and the community eagerly await the outcome of the upcoming vote and the future of the Thunder in Oklahoma City.


Amazon Prime Day is always one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and 2021 is shaping up to be no different. And since it’s less than a week away now, Prime members best get prepared for thousands of deals and discounts across pretty much every last product type imaginable.
In fact, Amazon has already got the ball rolling in the form of a number of excellent price drops across TVs, wearables, smartphones and, of course, its own devices and services. Some are available exclusively to Prime members, which of course, is the whole point of Prime Day: persuading you to join the service. (Read our article on how to sign up for Amazon Prime to find out more.) But there’s also a few price drops out there which are open to everyone. We’ve listed the very best deals further below.
Prime Day (21st and 22nd June) is shaping up to be a couple of days filled to burst with exceptional deals. But it’s not only Amazon who will have discounts across the 48-hour period, with many other retailers likely to follow suit. So you’ll want to know where to find the best deals and how to check prices to make sure you’re getting a genuine bargain.
We’ve pulled together all the key information so that you know everything there is to know about Amazon Prime Day 2021. That includes when it’s happening, what to expect and how to get a good deal.
To find out more about the Amazon devices that could be discounted this Prime Day, read our Amazon Echo Dot review, Amazon Fire HD 10 review and the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review. Be sure to check out our best Amazon Echo deals to find the latest price cuts.
When is Amazon Prime Day 2021?
The date is now confirmed – Amazon Prime Day is happening on Monday 21st June and Tuesday 22nd June.
That’s right, Prime Day is, in fact, two days, as it has been for the last few years. Across this 48-hour period, you can expect a wealth of deals to appear online, some of which might only be around for a couple of hours. We’ll be keeping this page up to date with all the best deals we find during this time.
In 2020, Prime Day didn’t take place during the normal period – hardly surprising since nothing about 2020 you could legitimately describe as normal. Amazon Prime Day 2020 was a two-day event, and it happened on the 13th and 14th of October.
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day is an annual sales event that the retailer puts on for its Amazon Prime members.
Lots of big brands, including Apple, Samsung and Nintendo, discount their products, and you’ll make significant savings on nearly all Amazon devices. You can expect this to cover the likes of the Amazon Fire TV Stick and smart displays, including the new 2nd Generation Amazon Echo Show 5 and Amazon Echo Show 8.
To gain access to these exclusive offers, you need an Amazon Prime membership which costs £7.99 a month. For this, you get free premium delivery, the ability to watch TV shows and movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the chance to stream playlists via Prime Music. There is also a student Prime membership for just £3.99 a month.
However, Amazon also offers a 30-day free trial, allowing you to take advantage of the Prime Day deals. This is a great way of trying out the membership without committing. If you decide it’s not for you, just remember to cancel before the 30 days are up, or you will be charged.
Best early Prime Day deals
Although it’s still days away, there are already some excellent deals out there, available exclusively to Prime members. We’ve listed the best of them below.
Echo Buds |
£119.99 £49.99 (save £70 or 58%)
Leading the run of exciting early deals for Prime members is the offer on Amazon’s own audio devices, the Echo Buds. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Amazon has dropped the price of their earbuds, not since there’s a new second-generation set on the way very soon. But what is a surprise is that enormous 58% price drop, making these Alexa-compatible earbuds a real bargain – and one that hopefully signals many more red-hot deals come Prime Day. It’s worth checking out our best budget wireless earbuds list too, where we’ve got alternatives priced from £30.
- Echo Buds |
£119.99£49.99 (save £70 or 58%)
Ring Alarm 5-piece kit (second generation) |
£219 £129 (save £90 or 41%)
In another own-brand deal, Amazon has dropped the price of this Ring Alarm kit by £90, though you’ll find similarly exception discounts on the 10-piece and seven-piece kits too. This particular set includes a base station, keypad, one contact sensor, one motion detector and a range extender. This is a self-contained smart security system – but naturally, you’ll be able to pair it with your Echo and other Alexa compatible devices for hands-free control.
- Ring Alarm 5-piece kit (second generation) |
£219£129 (save £90 or 41%)
Audible membership |
£23.97 £0.99 for three months (save £22.98 or 95%)
Looking forward to some holiday reading this summer? Now might be the time to give some holiday listening a go if you’re a Prime member, as Amazon is currently offering the first three months of Audible for a mere 99p. Since Audible offers you one audiobook download per month, that’s three titles that you would be getting for a very low price indeed. Head to our how does Audible work page for more info on the service and the various benefits it offers. Keep in mind that after three months, your membership will be auto-renewed at the standard £7.99-per-month rate.
- Audible membership |
£23.97£0.99 for three months (save £22.98 or 95%)
Kindle Unlimited |
£23.97 £0 for three months (save £23.97 or 100%)
Even better than the Audible deal is Amazon’s offer on its Kindle Unlimited service: Prime members can enjoy three whole months for free. Since the service puts over a million different books at your fingertips in – as the name would suggest – unlimited supply, that’s a lot of cost-free reading being offered. Read our what is Kindle Unlimited article to find out more about the membership, which will cost £7.99 a month once that three-month period comes to an end.
- Kindle Unlimited |
£23.97£0 for three months (save £23.97 or 100%)
Best Amazon deals right now
Although Prime Day is yet to kick-off, there’s still a nice array of price drops to be found – and these are available to all shoppers, not just Prime members.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (ninth-generation) |
£179.99 £124.99 (save £55 or 31%)
You can be certain there’ll be plenty of great savings across Amazon’s own devices during Prime Day next week – with the incredible price drop on the Echo Buds we’ve listed above a sign of things to come. But right now, there’s also an excellent discount on the ninth-generation Fire HD 10 tablet. This is the model with the bigger 64GB storage, too. As you can read in our Amazon Fire HD 10 review, our experts loved the ease of use that this tablet offers and the way it doubles up as a Kindle and Echo Show too. They also called out the Fire HD 10’s terrific value for money – well, one 31% discount later, it’s an outright bargain.
- Amazon Fire HD 10 (ninth-generation) |
£179.99£124.99 (save £55 or 31%)
Samsung Galaxy S21, 128GB, (SIM-free) |
£769 £599.95 (£169.05 or 22%)
Amazon has slashed prices across every Samsung Galaxy S21 handset, but the strongest saving to be found is on the Phantom Pink version. Our experts have written extensively about Samsung’s flagship phone and the wider range and recommend it as an excellent choice of phone – and as you can read in our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 article, it trumps Apple’s flagship in terms of camera quality.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 (SIM-free) |
£769£599.95 (£169.05 or 22%)
LG 43-inch UN71006LB 4K HDR Smart TV with Alexa |
£479.99 £399.97 (save £80 or 17%)
We’ve also noticed a few TVs on sale at Amazon, ranging from budget to mid-range, but of all of them, this is the one we’re most excited about. Thanks to the Euro 2020 games, lots of people are currently in the process of upgrading their TV. So if you’re looking to bring 4K to your living room with a super-smooth smart platform for one of the industry’s leading brands, look no further. If you’re unsure if it’s the right size for your viewing space, read our what size TV should I buy guide.
- LG 43-inch UN71006LB 4K HDR Smart TV with Alexa |
£479.99£399.97 (save £80 or 17%)
Echo Show 5 (2019) | £
79.99 £64.99 (save £28 or 35%)
And, true to fashion, Amazon also one of its own devices on sale right now. We’re not surprised the first-generation Echo Show 5 is on sale since a second-generation model has just been released. Given that there’s only a £10 difference between the generations, we have a feeling the first-gen Echo Show 5 will drop further in price closer, or during, Prime Day. So naturally, we’ll keep this page updated with any new price drop. If you want to find out more about the newest version of this device, read our expert Amazon Echo Show 5 review.
- Echo Show 5 (2019) | £
79.99£64.99 (save £15 or 19%)
Apple Airpods with charging case |
£159 £123.98 (save £35.02 or 22%)
There’s even an Apple product on sale right now, which certainly isn’t something you see every day. Yes, it’s a minimal price drop, but as you can read in our Apple Airpods review, it is a piece of tech our experts rate highly. As you can read in our Airpods vs Airpods Pro explainer, they might not boast the noise-cancelling tech of the Airpods Pro but are still the superb tech you would expect from Apple. The question is: will they drop any further come Prime Day itself?
- Apple Airpods with charging case |
£159£123.98 (save £35.02 or 22%)
Fitbit Versa 3 |
£199.99 £169.00 (save £30.99 or 15%)
If you’re looking for a new wearable, our experts will tell you that the mid-range Fitbit Versa 3 is an excellent choice. As they explain in their review, the breadth of tracking features, excellent guided workouts, and easy-to-use UI sets this apart as a high-calibre fitness tracker. Right now, Amazon has it on sale for over £30 less – don’t miss out.
- Fitbit Versa 3 |
£199.99£169.00 (save £30.99 or 15%)
How to get a good deal on Amazon Prime Day
To take advantage of Amazon Prime Day, you need to be an Amazon Prime member. This can be done by signing up for the 30-day free trial or for £7.99 a month.
- While you’ll likely see products across Amazon drop in price, many retailers will also put on sales to draw you to their websites instead. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check prices at other retailers in case the product you’re after is being sold for an even lower price elsewhere.
- If there’s a particular pair of earbuds or smart speaker you’re after, it is also a good idea to keep an eye on prices in the run-up to Amazon Prime Day. This way, you’ll know how much of a saving you’re getting if they’re discounted during the event. CamelCamelCamel is a brilliant tool to help you do this as it tracks the price of any product sold on Amazon and can alert you of price drops.
- Many of the best Prime Day deals are lightning deals, too, meaning they’re only of limited quantity and for a set amount of time. If you’re looking for a specific product, we suggest regularly checking for new deals – the best ones usually sell out quickly, and new ones will appear throughout the day.
Our expert reviewers are constantly putting new devices to the test. So before you snap up a bargain, it’s also worth doing your research. Whether you’re after a new phone or a printer, read our round-ups before you start shopping:
- Which TV to buy
- Best streaming stick
- Best smartwatch
- Best budget smartwatch
- Best Samsung phones
- Best Huawei phones
- Best budget smartphones
- Best Motorola phones
- Best printers
- Best smart speaker
- Best Alexa speaker
Our Amazon device reviews:
- Amazon Echo Show 10 review
- Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review
- Amazon Echo Show 8 (1st Gen) review
- Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) review
- Amazon Echo Dot review
- Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite review
- Amazon Fire TV Stick review
- Amazon Fire TV Cube review
- Amazon Fire HD 10 review
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review
- Amazon Fire HD 8 review
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids review
Looking for a specific product? Find a full list of our deals pages below:
- Best Amazon Echo deals
- Best Google Home deals
- Best Amazon Fire TV Stick deals
- Best Audible deals
- Best smartwatch deals
- Best smart TV deals
- Best Samsung QLED TV deals
- Best printer deals
- Best broadband deals
- Best SIM-only deals
How to sign-up to Amazon Prime
There’s a monthly cost of £7.99 a month, or £3.99 if you’re a student. Once you enter your card details during sign-up, the amount will automatically be taken out of your bank account each month. And if you change your mind, there’s the option to cancel anytime.
However, if you just fancy trying it out, there is also a 30-day free trial. You can create an account the same way you would with the standard Amazon Prime membership and get all the same benefits (including Amazon Prime Day deals).
If you decide it’s not for you, just make sure you cancel your membership before the 30 days are up to avoid getting charged. Otherwise, the account will automatically renew to a standard paid Amazon Prime membership, and you can continue to reap the benefits.
What deals can you expect on Prime Day 2021?
During Prime Day, Amazon always puts (literally) thousands of products on sale across pretty much every last conceivable category. Whether it be tech devices, home and garden products, kitchen appliances or toys, you’ll find almost everything gets its price dropped during this manic 48-hour period.
As you would expect, Amazon’s own tech products always prove extremely popular. The retailer always slashes the prices of its own devices, making the sales event a great time to snatch up something from its Echo range, or perhaps one of its Kindle e-readers, its Fire tablets or Fire TV sticks.
This has been a trend for a number of years now, with the most purchased product of Amazon Prime Day 2019 being the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, which was followed by the third-generation Echo Dot, and the Echo Show 5.
It was a similar story in 2020, too, with Amazon’s Echo smart speakers selling fast yet again. Looking beyond the Amazon devices, we also saw great savings on brands including Apple, Nintendo, Google, Fitbit, Samsung and Roku. Much like with Black Friday, Apple AirPods proved to be extremely popular. Typically costing £159, the earbuds were on offer for less than £130.
Also among the most popular products was the Nintendo Switch Lite. Both the standard Nintendo Switch and Lite consoles were near impossible to find during parts of 2020, thanks to our eagerness for new entertainment in lockdown. This increased demand meant that we saw the Nintendo Switch Lite sell out in minutes on the first 24 hours of Amazon Prime Day.
Many of these products are also likely to be extremely popular for Amazon Prime Day 2021. Along with the Apple AirPods and Nintendo Switch consoles, we expect there to be good deals on Amazon’s Echo smart displays, especially the new Amazon Echo Show 10 and the latest Fitbit Sense.
Amazon Prime vs Black Friday: What’s the difference?
Amazon Prime Day isn’t the only major annual shopping event if you are hunting for tech deals and discounts, with the other notable sales period known as Black Friday/Cyber Monday – scheduled to kick off this year on 26th November.
While Prime Day price slashes are geared towards Prime members (although many businesses will attempt to match Amazon’s deals and capitalise on the branding), the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales generally include a wider variety of retailers, including Currys/PC World, Argos, Very, AO and John Lewis.
With so many retailers taking advantage of Black Friday, you are more likely to see a wider variety of products or services discounted and for longer.
Amazon Prime Day 2021 is limited to a two-day period: taking place this year on June 21 and June 22, as previously mentioned. Black Friday will last from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November, with Cyber Monday on Monday 29th.
Much like previous years, however, discounts are expected to actually start much sooner – with retailers marketing Black Friday deals throughout the entire month and launching sporadic price drops on everything from TVs to tumble dryers. Cyber Monday always takes place on the first Monday after Black Friday.
Both events will see major discounts on tech products, but Prime Day is likely to see especially great discounts on Amazon’s own devices and services – such as the Echo Show, Echo Buds, Fire TV sticks, Audible, and its Ring Doorbells.
Amazon markets 30-day free trials for anyone who wants to participate in Prime Day, while Black Friday is generally open to everyone in-store and online. Prime Day also offers Lightning Deals, which typically only last for a few hours.
Typically, the events are separated by months – leaving Prime Day to cover the summer period and Black Friday to capture those shopping for Christmas.
Last year was different due to disruptions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Prime Day being delayed to the 13th and 14th of October – pushing the two shopping events closer together. Historically, Prime Day took place around July.
For technology deals, however, both Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday offer fantastic price drops. Be sure to stay with RadioTimes.com for the highlights.