SOUTH AFRICA. The KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Consortium, in which MSC Cruises has a 70% stake, broke ground on the construction of a new cruise terminal in Durban this month in partnership with state-owned Transnet National Ports Authority.

Construction of Durbans new cruise terminal has just begun (shown here is an artists impression)

The 4,500sq m building will transform the port experience for cruise passengers with a contemporary feel, a retail offer, improved energy efficiency, as well as a flexible space for conferences and events. The first phase is expected to be operational by January 2021.

This multi-user terminal will make Durban an even more desirable destination for cruise ships from all over the world, said MSC Cruises South Africa Managing Director Ross Volk. It will substantially boost tourism numbers as well as help create local jobs and lead to local supplier development.

Tying in with the terminal development, MSC Cruises expects to deploy two ships in South Africa for next winters 2020-2021 cruise season. MSC Opera (Lirica Class) will homeport in Cape Town and MSC Musica (Musica Class) in Durban. This will mark the first time that two different classes of MSC Cruises ships will be deployed in South Africa simultaneously.

Volk commented: The deployment of two classes of ship to South Africa for the local 2020/2021 season will allow us to meet more fully the growth in demand we have experienced over the past few years. Together the ships will offer over 60 cruises next season serving alternate routes whose itineraries include stops in Mozambique and South Africa.

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Construction of new Durban cruise terminal will substantially boost tourism numbers - The Moodie Davitt Report - The Moodie Davitt Report

Phoenix Mills is one of Indias largest mall owners and operators and therefore, is a good proxy for the expected domestic consumption growth story, which is boosted by the burgeoning urban middle class. Analysts are getting attracted to this counter now because Phoenix was able to report decent numbers for the second quarter of 2019-20 despite the overall weakness in the consumption space. A 66% y-o-y jump in revenue from commercial portfolio helped Phoenix to achieve this.

With the completion of its mall construction getting nearer, Phoenix is expected to report better numbers in the coming quarters. As of now, Phoenix is constructing five retail properties in different cities including Lucknow, Pune, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. The Lucknow mall has already reached the fit-out level and the same is being handed over to the tenants for interior work. This mall is expected to be fully operational by February 2020. Around 75% of the space in Lucknow has already been leased out and since the demand is high, the remaining portion is also expected to be leased out soon.

Construction progress of the remaining four retail assets are also satisfactory. These are expected to be fully operational between 2020-21 and 2022-23 in a phased manner. Phoenix also has exposure to office space and hotel space. It has around 2 million sqft office space ready and the another 1 million sqft office space is in progress. Phoenix has already spent Rs 230 crore in the first half and is expected to spend around Rs 600 crore in the second half of 2019-20. If one considers its development plans, the total capex in the coming financial years will be to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. Since the net debt equity is now placed at a comfortable 1.08 times, these new capex plans will be funded using debt and equity.

Reasonable valuation, ie compared to other real estate players, is another factor that is attracting analysts to this counter. While retail and office rentals are showing stable growth now, the hotel space is facing some hiccups. That means, Phoenix will continue to report stable growth in coming years and the expected spurt in growth will come from the cyclical upturn in the hotels sector.

Analysts viewsBuy: 16

Selection MethodologyWe pick up the stock that has shown maximum increase in consensus analyst rating during the last one month. Consensus rating is arrived at by averaging all analyst recommendations after attributing weights to each of them (ie 5 for strong buy, 4 for buy, 3 for hold, 2 for sell and 1 for strong sell) and any improvement in consensus analyst rating indicates that the analysts are getting more bullish on the stock. To make sure that we pick only companies with decent analyst coverage, this search will be restricted to stocks with at least 10 analysts covering it.

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Stock pick of the week: Phoenix Mills is beating the odds, despite weakness in consumption space - Economic Times

TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Menkes Developments Ltd., in partnership with Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)and Sun Life Financial, is pleased to announce the new address of legendary comedy institution The Second City will be One York Street, its large-scale mixed-use complex at York and Harbour Streets. The iconic comedy company is set to occupy 28,700 square feet on the third floor of the retail podium and operate multiple comedy theatres for live performance, the Toronto branch of its world-leading improvisation-based arts school, and a games-driven bar and restaurant.

Connected to Toronto's comprehensive PATH network, the two million-square-foot complex was developed by Menkes and includes a 35-story Class AAA office tower, two 70- and 66-story condominium towers known as Harbour Plaza Residences, a four-story retail podium with 170,000 square feet of commercial retail space, and a four-level underground parking garage.

One York's central position in the South Core and its direct access to Toronto's PATH network have already made it an attractive destination for both Torontonians and visitors to the city. The addition of The Second City to complement One York Street's existing dining and retail offerings, along with its proximity to Union Station and the Scotiabank Arena, will further enhance the entertainment hub.

"We are proud to embark on this exciting partnership with Toronto's legendary comedy theatre," said Peter Menkes, President Commercial/Industrial. "The Second City will be the perfect addition to this mixed-use complex, adding entertainment to our exceptional list of retail tenants, and further solidifying One York Street's position as the ultimate, live, work, play environment."

"Since The Second City came to Toronto in 1973, this city has developed some of the finest names in comedy: Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Rader, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Martin Short, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Nia Vardalos...the list goes on. Our new home will allow us to continue the tradition of discovering new talent while affording us additional stages for diverse programming like She The People," said Andrew Alexander, CEO and Executive Producer of The Second City.

"The Second City is excited to break ground on three new state-of-the-art theatres, as well as provide increased classroom space for our ever-growing Second City Training Centre, which serves thousands of students of all ages every year," added D'Arcy Stuart, Chief Operating Officer of The Second City. "This is also a prime opportunity for us to add dynamic multi-use spaces to accommodate groups, meetings, celebrations, and events of all sizes. We are excited to be part of the Menkes vision for the South Core."

Set in the vibrant South Core district, the property is located in close proximity to some of the City's landmark entertainment venues, such as Scotiabank Arena, the Rogers Centre, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and the CN Tower.

The Second City is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2020.

About MenkesMenkes Developments Ltd. is an award-winning, fully integrated real estate company involved in the construction, ownership, and management of office, industrial, retail and residential properties. Founded in 1954, the company is one of the largest private developers in Canada, with a primary focus in the Greater Toronto Area. Menkes is known for its innovative, multi-disciplinary approach and particularly for its expertise in large-scale, mixed-use development. Past projects include the Empress Walk entertainment, shopping and residential complex in North York City Centre, and two landmark projects in Toronto's South Core district, 25 York (TELUS House) office tower and the two million square foot One York commercial retail complex. The company's latest project Sugar Wharf is a waterfront community on an 11.5-acre site in downtown Toronto, which will be anchored by a new two-acre park. For more information about Menkes, please visit menkes.comand follow us @MenkesLife.

About The Second CityThe Second City, a 100% Canadian-owned company, is the premier brand in improv-based sketch comedy. Dedicated to entertaining, inspiring, and transforming through courageous comedy, the company's resident stages in Toronto and Chicago, plus five Touring Companies and a booming Theatricals division, entertain an additional one million theatergoers a year around the globe, and alumni of The Second City include some of the most lauded names in comedy history. The Second City Training Centre, which includes the Harold Ramis Film School, is the largest school of improvisation on the planet, with locations in Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Second City Works, the B2B side of The Second City, focuses on hands-on learning, digital content, and consumer insights, while Second City Entertainment's foray into television and media produces new and classic content and programming, including two-time Emmy winner SCTV. For more information, please visit secondcity.com.

SOURCE Menkes Developments Ltd

For further information: Jamie Okorofsky, Menkes Developments, Jamie.okorofsky@menkes.com, 647-252-1952

Link:
Menkes welcomes The Second City to its new home at One York Street - Canada NewsWire

Advantages of Second Story Modular Additions

If you are building a second story modular addition, you are most likely doing it to create more living space rather than a separate living unit. The general contractor will turn your one-story into a two-story by removing the roof from your home and immediately setting the new modular second story with its own built-in roof on top.

The speed of modular construction is a tremendous benefit when building a second story addition, since the addition can be set in place within hours after the roof is removed from your existing home. Once the modular addition is in place, the inside of your home is protected from a sudden storm. A site builder cannot realistically protect your home as quickly. Another advantage is that the second story can be finished faster. This means your family can use the upstairs more quickly, even if it must wait to enjoy the downstairs until the remodeling is completed.

There are two conditions that must be met before you can build a second story modular addition. First, the exterior dimensions of the existing home must be compatible with one of the modular manufacturers production sizes. If your home is too wide, a modular will not easily work. If your home has multiple bump-outs, a modular might work, but it may be impractical and expensive. A home can be up to 3-feet narrower than a module, however, and adding a wider second floor can create an attractive, cantilevered garrison colonial look.

The second condition is having an existing home and foundation that are structurally capable of carrying the additional weight, which is substantial. You will need to hire a structural engineer to make this determination. He may give you specific instructions on fortifying the structure or the foundation, which might be unacceptable or too expensive. If you decide to carry out his instructions, the GC will complete them as part of his remodeling. Before the engineer completes his final written report, he will need to see plans of exactly what you are building and receive detailed information from the manufacturer.

When designing an addition, you must decide where the stairs to the second floor will be located. You must also determine a location for a chase from the basement to the second floor to carry the electrical wires, HVAC supply and return ducts or pipes, and plumbing pipes for second-floor bathrooms. If the GC is connecting to a forced-air system in the basement, the chase must be larger, since the ducts will take up more space than hot-water lines.

The design of the second story elevation must be coordinated with the first-story elevation. The window locations on the second story should be arranged in a pleasing fashion. This decision should be made early in the design process, since the location of the interior partition walls on the second story must be coordinated with the window locations (you cannot put a wall in the middle of a window). In addition, the window style and sizes should be matched as closely as possible to the existing home.

The exterior elevation of all four sides of the finished home must take into consideration any first-story bump-outs or structures. For example, the location of an existing bay window, porch, sunroom, portico, recessed entry, or garage can pose special design challenges. The second story must be planned so that it does not affect either the function or aesthetic appeal of these structures. In some cases, it might be necessary to remove a part of the bump-out or attached structure, such as a garage roof, before installing the second story. If the modular second story will be cantilevered, the overhang can pose additional problems with a first-floor bump-out, such as a bay window.

The exterior siding on the second story must fit with the siding on the first story. Otherwise, the siding on the first story will have to be replaced. If you currently have wood siding, you might need to repaint or restain it to create a color match. Similar coordination issues arise for shutters and other exterior trim details.

If you have a chimney on your existing one-story home, you will need to make it taller to reach above the roof of the second floor. In addition, all trees overhanging the first story will need to be removed.

The actual removal of the existing roof as well as any other materials you are replacing in your existing home, such as the siding or windows, will be a task unto itself. The cost of disposing of these materials will be appreciable.

Most importantly, when you are done building your second story modular addition, it will almost feel like you have just built a brand new home.

For more information about building second story modular additions, see Building a Modular Additionin my book The Modular Home.

More:
Second Story Modular Additions Are Fast & Affordable to build.

The end of the year always brings a stampede of new restaurants and bars in Las Vegas, hustling to open before a new year begins. December brings 12 highly anticipated openings, including new restaurants from David Chang and Michael Mina, a second location for Lotus of Siam, a chocolate cafe, a beer garden off the Strip, a new look for Emeril Lagasses steakhouse, and more. Heres a look at 12 of the most-anticipated openings coming in December.

Location: Palazzo

The Players: David Chang

Projected Opening: December

David Chang, the chef behind Momofuku at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas along with the Netflix series Ugly Delicious and more than a dozen restaurants spanning from New York to Los Angeles, plans to open a second restaurant in Las Vegas. Majordmo Meat & Fish, a restaurant that brings the DNA of his LA location thats fresh off a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist nomination for Restaurant of the Year, opens before New Years Eve at the Palazzo. Already Chang plans a smoked prime rib cart, Korean barbecue, and an off-shoot restaurant called Tastys serving sliders.

All Coverage of Majordmo Meat & Fish [ELV]

Location: MGM Grand

The Players: Michael Mina ad Ayesha Curry

Projected Opening: December

Michael Mina replaces Pub 1842 with an ode to smoke-infused dishes, a collaboration with Family Food Fight host Ayesha Curry. Wood-fired dishes meant for what Curry calls the adventurous eater to the one who doesnt stray from classics include smoked St. Louis cut pork ribs, a dish diners can spice with smokey mama sauce, Vietnamese lemongrass with Saigon streusel and Korean sesame-gochujang with toasted black sesame seeds; a shellfish platter heaped with charcoal-grilled oysters, shrimp, lobster, and crab are served hot and steamed table side with lemon grass tea; a cornbread from Curry served with Thai red curry butter; and more.

All Coverage of International Smoke [ELV]

Location: Bellagio

Projected Opening: New Years Eve

The Mayfair Supper Club, the Bellagios newest restaurant, plans to open in time for New Years Eve. The restaurant, which finds inspiration in supper clubs in London, combines dinner and a show in an evolving production that changes throughout the night. A menu of contemporary takes on American classics accompanies live entertainment performances nightly and a view of the Bellagio Fountains.

All Coverage of The Mayfair [ELV]

Location: Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Projected Opening: Before New Years Eve

The James Bond-inspired Vesper Bar, one of three cocktail venues to debut at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas when it opened back in 2010, closed in October for a major remodel of the 24-hour lounge located a few steps from the hotel lobby. Additions include new carpet, furniture, and bar top, plus a refreshed face of the bar.

All Coverage of Vesper Bar [ELV]

Location: Venetian

The Players: Emeril Lagasse

Projected Opening: Late December

Emeril Lagasses Delmonico Steakhouse celebrated 20 years at the Venetian back in May, and now the classic restaurant with a New Orleans twist plans to spruce up. The steakhouse along Restaurant Row at the Venetian closes to renovate, planning to reopen in mid- to late December. Delmonico filed paperwork to upgrade its main dining room, the Kitchen Table space, and main facade, filing for $743,000 in estimated construction work alone.

All Coverage of Delmonico Steakhouse [ELV]

Location: Ellis Island

Projected Opening: December 6

Ellis Island, the casino loved by locals and those who like a good deal on beer and barbecue, plans to finally debut The Front Yard, more than a year and a half after it originally estimated. The two-story outdoor dining, drinking, and entertainment venue plans to have a brewpub atmosphere, bar games, regular live entertainment, and views of the Las Vegas Strip. The space features room for 300 along Koval Avenue with decor such as wood fixtures, exposed steel, and low lighting, as well as interactive bar games such as cornhole, shuffleboard and beer pong. The second floor plans to feature an atrium view. Ellis Island Brewery will be incorporated in the design of The Front Yard with a window so patrons can see the copper tanks and brewing process from inside. Patrons will be able to taste some of the spirits Ellis Island plans to distill as well. A seasonally rotating stock of beers from the brewery as well as a full cocktail and wine menu will also be available at the bar.

All Coverage of The Front Yard [ELV]

Location: Venetian

Projected Opening: Early December

San Francisco-based Dandelion Chocolate and its single-origin bean-to-bar chocolates brings a chocolate cafe and retail shop inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. Dandelion Chocolate only uses cacao sourced from countries near the equator and sugar from Brazil. Each bar includes a story about the source of the cacao beans and the year they were harvested. Beans hail from farms in Belize, Vietnam, Ecuador, Tanzania, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Sierra Leone, Honduras, and more. Aside from a collection of single-origin 70-plus percent cacao bars for sale, the cafe plans to feature house-made pastries, hot chocolate, coffee drinks, confections, and gifts. That hot chocolate comes in three varieties: thick and rich European drinking chocolate, an American riff on house hot chocolate with marshmallows made in house, and Mission hot chocolate with its spicy kick.

All Coverage of Dandelion Chocolate [ELV]

Location: Commercial Center

Projected Opening: December 2

Fans of Saipin Chutimas northern Thai cuisine may soon be able to return to the original location in the Commercial Center. Lotus of Siam plans to reopen the restaurant more than two years after it closed following the collapse of its rain-soaked roof on East Sahara Avenue. Some of the new touches to the space include carpets, wallpaper, a waiting area for customers at the front, and a shuttle between the two restaurants.

All Coverage of Lotus of Siam [ELV]

Location: Mirage

Projected Opening: December 23

Fresh off opening Diablos Cantina at the Luxor last December, MGM Resorts plans to expand the Mexican restaurants footprint with a second location at the Mirage. Diablos takes over the LVB Burgers & Bar space at the resort. Diablos Cantina plans to be open for lunch and dinner with a menu of guacamole styles that can go from mild to spicy, as well as tostadas with chorizo bean pure, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, crema fresca, pickled onions, and cotija cheese with the choice of shredded beef or chicken or a platter of three tacos with choice of carne asada with marinated steak, abodo-marinated chicken thigh, or carnitas with slow-roasted pork served in corn tortillas topped with onion and cilantro. Other options include Mexican corn, a churro funnel cake, and, of course, margaritas, including the Vixen with blanco tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, hibiscus, and mint.

All Coverage of Diablos Cantina [ELV]

Location: The Linq Promenade

Projected Opening: December 4

Sprinkles Cupcakes & Ice Cream, the cupcake and ice cream emporium, already closed at The Linq Promenade with Icebar, a new project created by Noel Bowman of Minus5 Ice Experience, taking over the space next to the promenades fountain, filled with a frozen landscape and sporting a new feature, dynamic projection mapping. The decor features blue and green elements and signs on the exterior, as well as a 1,000-square-foot covered patio facing the promenades fountain. A warm space with a warm bar and lobby sits at the front entrance. The icy confines fill 1,200 square feet and feature more than 100 tons of hand-carved ice maintained at 32 degrees Fahrenheit by a refrigeration system. Visitors slip on parkas or faux fur coats before entering the ice lounge, which features immersive ice sculptures and educational features. Customers ages 21 and older can order from chilled cocktails, such as The Ice Man, frozen mojito, and fros, all served in glasses made entirely of ice. The attraction is also family friendly, offering icy mocktails.

All Coverage of Icebar [ELV]

Location: Shanghai Plaza

Projected Opening: Before New Years Eve

Cult-favorite Pepper Lunch confirms its sizzle-it-your-way dining experience is headed to Las Vegas, creating the third U.S. expansion for the Japan-based international chain. The restaurant heads to Chinatowns Shanghai Plaza on Spring Mountain Road with a menu of sizzling plates of beef, hamburger steak, chicken, pork tonkatsu, tofu, salmon, and Black Angus rib-eye, plus appetizers including calamari, shrimp, oyster, gyoza, and croquette potatoes.

All Coverage of Pepper Lunch [ELV]

Location: Shanghai Plaza

Projected Opening: Before New Years Eve

The Taiwanese 85C Bakery Cafe was founded in 2004, rapidly expending to more than 1,000 global outlets and debuting its first U.S. branch in Irvine, California, in 2008. Built on the philosophy of serving premium coffee, bread, and cake at affordable prices, the name is inspired by the best temperature to keep a coffees flavor. On the menu, sweet and savory breads, cream puffs, and egg tarts, slices of cakes, plus hot and cold coffees, teas, and boba drinks.

All Coverage of 85C Bakery Cafe [ELV]

Keeping Track of All the Restaurants and Bars Headed to Chinatown [ELV]

The Biggest Restaurant and Bar Openings in 2019 [ELV]

Disclosure: David Chang is producing shows for Hulu in partnership with Vox Media Studios, part of Eaters parent company, Vox Media. No Eater staff member is involved in the production of those shows, and this does not impact coverage on Eater.

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The biggest restaurant and bar openings in Las Vegas this December - Eater Vegas

(Graphic by K.J. Rigli/Bonneville Denver)

The Broncos played perhaps their worst game of the year on Sunday, falling to the Bills by a score of 20-3 in Week 12 at Buffalo. Their defense was run all over and their offense could not move the ball with effectiveness or efficiency.

Things seem to be falling apart with the current construct of this roster. Injuries, bad free-agent additions, bad draft picks and just plain old bad luck have put this Broncos team in no better shape than they were under the last coaching staff.

I like thinking about the future of this team. The main reason is because the present for the Broncos is pretty rough and Im hoping for better days in 2020 and beyond.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ even if its a little cold! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, lets take a ride through my thoughts.

***

Top-Five Twist

If the draft were to be today, the Broncos would have a top-five pick. That may change as we have more than a few weeks left of the regular season, but with a 3-8 record, a lot of fans are turning their attention to the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a great draft class at three different positions offensive tackle, wide receiver and quarterback.

The good news for the Broncos is that they have a big need at each one of those positions. The talent of this class lines up with some of the Broncos biggest needs. However, that is not the way they may go with their premium first-round pick.

There is some early buzz that the Broncos would go with a twist in the first round and select Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah.

Taking a cornerback is a direction that many fans will not want them to go. Most Broncos fans I talk to in person or on social media want nothing more than an upgrade at the left tackle position, while others want them to find a true franchise quarterback.

Going with a tall, physical corner like Okudah would mean the team is likely moving on from veteran corner Chris Harris Jr. I like the idea of trying to keep Harris around with a contract that makes him a Bronco for Life, but that is more wishful thinking than it is reality. The draft is after free agency, so we should have clarity on which direction the Broncos go in the first round at some point in mid-March.

***

Passers Remorse?

I couldnt help but think about what might have been all last week as the team prepared to face the Bills. Josh Allen is their starting quarterback and he was a player the Broncos spent a lot of time scouting before the 2018 NFL Draft.

Instead of taking Allen with the No. 5 overall pick, the Broncos chose to go in a different direction and chose linebacker Bradley Chubb instead. Chubb is a fine player and has the makings of a superstar pass-rusher in this league, but Allen is showing signs of being a real franchise quarterback.

DMac, Johnny Hart and I went to Laramie for Allens pro day before the 2018 NFL Draft. We had more people from The Fan at Allens pro day than the Broncos did, as only Gary Kubiak and one other scout were in attendance. Allen put on a great pro day, showing off his big arm, athleticism and touch throwing downfield. His performance wasnt enough to sway the Broncos, even though they coached him at the Senior Bowl that year and even went to a bowl game to scout him in person.

I wonder what it would have been like in year two of Allen starting for the Broncos. He is far from a finished product, but Allen has shown improvement in his game. Last year as a rookie, Allen was mostly a one-read guy who would take off to run at the first sign of trouble. This year, as we saw on Sunday against the Broncos, Allen will stay with his reads and can run as a last resort. The Bills do a good job of designing running plays for Allen, and hes seriously underrated as a scrambling quarterback.

The sky is the limit for Allen and Bills fans are over the moon they have a young quarterback who has led them to eight wins so far this year. Meanwhile, the Broncos still dont have a solid quarterback situation. Joe Flacco bombed as the starter, Brandon Allen has not been good and Drew Lock has yet to play. More on that in the next section!

***

No More Excuses

Its past time to see Drew Lock as the starting quarterback for the Broncos. Ive been quick to let Brandon Allen have his moment, even though there was a large portion of the fan base who wanted Lock in immediately after he began practicing again in an effort to be activated from the Injured Reserve list. That support for Allen, and patience for Lock, came to an end on Sunday.

Allen played bad football against the Bills and didnt even pass for 100 yards in Week 12. Hes done what he can as the starter and it is clear that Allen is nothing more than a spot starter or decent backup quarterback. Lock has a higher level of physical talent and I want to see him as the starter on Sunday against the Chargers.

We should find out Monday whether or not the Broncos plan to activate Lock. Fangio is going to have his press conference around noon and I hope he just says that Lock is going to be active and the team will see how he does during the week of practice. In fact, I would love it if Fangio just came out and said that Lock was their starter and they were going to give him a five-game audition to see whether or not he could be the quarterback of the future.

There is little chance I get my full wish. However, it is the best move for the Broncos to get Lock in there as the starter this week.

***

Who Watches The Watchmen?

I was excited when the news came out about HBO doing a series on the 1980s graphic novel The Watchmen. Simply put, The Watchmen is one of the greatest comic books stories ever told. Writer Alan Moore basically deconstructed the superhero genre in The Watchmen, and his story was one of the most gritty and realistic stories of what life would be like if superheroes existed in our reality.

After the first episode of The Watchmen, I was incredibly disappointed. Im not going to spoil the series here, but there were things about this universe that didnt make sense based on where we left these characters 30 years ago in the timeline. The second episode wasnt much better and I considered taking it off of my schedule of recorded shows on my DVR.

Im glad I gave the series another chance because the third and fourth episodes of The Watchmen were absolutely fantastic. I now find myself carving out time to watch the show live on Sunday nights even if that means I miss a bit of Sunday Night Football. Yes, blasphemy I know, but I watch every game twice each week anyway and my Sunday nights are usually late ones as I stay up to write and to further study football.

So, who out there watches this show? Do you like the direction of the series so far? Did you read the comic books (even the new Doomsday Clock comics)? Hit me up on social media to let me know if youre a big nerd like me!

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Mile High Monday: A top-five pick, passing on Josh Allen and more - 104.3 The Fan

Factoring in their expectations, the Philadelphia 76ers season hasnt exactly gone par for the course.

It hasnt all been bad; At 11-5, just two games back of the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the team is about where most expected them to be. That gap could be even smaller, had Joel Embiid not missed time to suspension and injury.

While they may not have played as efficiently as last season, Embiid and Ben Simmons have done their part to ensure success in Philadelphia, while offseason additions Al Horford and Josh Richardson have proved steady, production-wise, and versatile on the court. Tobias Harris, after some early struggles, has started to come around as well, as hes averaged 21.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and shot 51.6 percent from three in the teams last five games.

Barring serious injury, Philadelphia should continue to play among the best in the East.

Only, among wasnt exactly what they had in mind. The 2019-20 season was supposed to betheir year, the season the 76ers took control of the East in their quest to the NBA mountain top.

With their jumbo-sized roster, the defense was supposed to be airtight. Embiid was to come in better, faster and stronger, Simmons an expanded shooter. Tobias Harris was meant to look more like the star he was with the Los Angeles Clippers, rather than the role player he became upon his trade to Philadelphia, while the acquisitions of Horford and Richardson was managements way of doubling down on a roster they thought would be the best in the conference, if not the NBA.

But even the best-laid plans dont often go as planned, and to keep it frank, Philadelphia has only proven good where they thought they would be great.

Philadelphia just hasnt improved that much from a season ago. The team is on pace to win 53 games, just two better than their record a season ago. They rank just 13th in the NBA in offensive rating, 8th in defensive. Their net rating of 5.1 is good for eighth in the league, but is just fifth in the East.

Again,good but notgreat.

Following a hot 5-0 start, the team has limped to a near .500, 6-5 record since. And some big breaks have kept that record from looking worse; a Furkan Korkmaz buzzer-beater lifted them over an undermanned Portland Trail Blazers team: it took a 17-point comeback to beat the New York Knicks athome: a last-minute choke job by the Cleveland Cavaliers let them squeak out a win.

Of course, some things have gone against them. The Denver Nuggets barely beat them on a flukey buzzer-beater by Nikola Jokic. But, at the same time, the 76ers choked away a 19-point fourth-quarter lead.

So, is it time to panic? Probably not, but the results so far have left a lot to be desired.

The fit has been clunky, but the prevailing thought has been that, ultimately, talent would win out and everything would work out in the end. But, and heres a thought, what if it doesnt?

Embiid nor Simmons has taken much of a step from last season, despite summer gossip of the contrary. And, even worse, the two have continued to show that they arent a great fit together; both need to dominate the ball and require maximum spacing obviously, neither of them help the other much in this respect to be the best version of themselves.

The two are a dynamic duo on defense, but the clash on offense has kept themselves, and the team, from reaching their respective ceilings.

Now, to be fair, there have been plenty of great-but-clunky fits that just made it work. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade come to mind, as they faced similar issues when they joined forces back in 2010. The Miami HEAT overcame those issues by building the right roster around them. Philadelphia, in earnest, has tried their best to do the same, it just hasnt worked out as they hoped.

Lets start with Harris, who, given his offensive profile,should be a great fit for what the 76ers want to do. Only 27, Harris has proven a capable and reliable offensive threat throughout his career and has never had much trouble spacing the floor. He isnt particularly good on defense, but the team has the personnel to cover that up.

And yet, Harris has struggled to carve out his own space. The career 36.2 percent three-point shooter has yet to display that type of dominance in Philadelphia last season, Harris shot just 32.7 percent, a number that has dipped to 29.4 in 2019. Its proven a major issue, given that the 76ers two best players arent exactly fantastic shooters themselves.

Beyond that, Harris just hasnt had much impact; Philadelphia is only 1.1 points better when hes on the floor. Again, on paper, Harris should be a near-perfect fit. But, for reasons that arent entirely clear, hes just hasnt produced the way the team knows he can (or the way they paid him to).

As for Horford, another high-priced acquisition, its been more of the same.

Without getting too much into his Boston Celtics tenure, Horford was brought in to add some versatility to the offense and further fortify what was expected to be an elite defense. So far, hes been fine; his percentages have taken a hit, but Horfords scoring, rebound and assist numbers remained largely the same compared to his time in Boston.

The issue with Horford, really, has been that hes presented another awkward fit on the court, as he and Embiid have experienced their fair share of growing pains.

The two of them share a plus-1.9 net rating when they share the court together, which is positive but nowhere near as dominant as they nor the team envisioned. And, at 33-years-old, the issues with Horford may only get worse as his body breaks down and his mobility starts to fade.

Hes given the team good minutes, and has looked even better at the center spot when Embiid is on the bench, but you dont give as much money as the team gave Horford to play on a situational basis. Theres plenty of time left in the season for the two to mesh together but, if they cant manage to find common ground, the team may begin to regret their pact with the forward.

The poor play and awkward fit from Harris and Horford has stood in stark contrast to Josh Richardson, who has played some exceptional basketball this season. And, while many of his counting stats have regressed, that has more to do with his lesser role with the 76ers compared to what he saw with the HEAT.

At 11.7 points per 100 possessions, hes Philadelphias second-best in terms of net rating. Hes done exactly what the team has asked of him and should prove vital to their success for the rest of the season and postseason, but he can only do so much.

Another reason Philadelphia hasnt looked as dominant as many thought they would is completely out of their control. Relative to expectations, their Eastern Conference competition has proved better than expected.

The Toronto Raptors, thanks in part to the continued ascension of Pascal Siakam, have maintained their position near the top of the conference. The Celtics, despite the loss of Horford and Kyrie Irving, among others, have surged with Kemba Walker as their guide.

The HEAT arent exactly the most well-rounded roster in the NBA, but theyve played some extraordinary team basketball while Milwaukee, despite their offseason losses, has looked fantastic behind reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as well.

The 76ers opted to change the formula this summer, as they jettisoned Butler, J.J. Redick from the roster. It hasnt backfired, per se, but the loss of those players has been clearly felt, while the team hasnt seen the boost they and many others thought they would from their big-name, fairly expensive acquisitions.

Now is no time to panic; the season is young and theres still plenty of time to turn things around. But, if they continue along this path and the team cant or doesnt improve, the 76ers may have some hard truths to face.

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Are the Philadelphia 76ers in Trouble? - Basketball Insiders

It started with Kobe Bryant hoisting his fifth championship trophy, and it ends with LeBron James leading the Lakers back into contention. At least the bookends have been enjoyable for the Lakers.

When it comes to picking the all-decade team for the storied franchise, there is a temptation to just list the five players who carried the Lakers to title No. 16 in seven games over Boston. In 10 years, things have never been so good for the Lakers as they were that June 2010. That, however, would undermine the complex work that was done over the course of a mostly lost decade of strain and frustration the signings and trades that backfired, the long-awaited draft picks turned into young stars who were traded before they could reach their potential.

This was not a decade like the 60s, where the Lakers dominated but just came up painfully short. Or the 70s, when they finally broke through. Or the 80s, when they dominated. Or the 90s, when they patiently waited. Or the...

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The 2010s: Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers' team of an unfamiliar decade - The Athletic

In the midst of the big U.S.-China trade talks/tariff wars that are ongoing, it is worth noting some much smaller trade talks that have been taking place between New Zealand and China. The basic story is that New Zealand and China signed a trade deal in 2008, and have just now completed an "upgrade" to that deal. There are some differences in the nature of the U.S.-China talks and the New Zealand-China talks, but nevertheless, there may be some lessons to draw from the New Zealand-China situation.

The first thing to mention is that both sides consider the original deal to be a success. Here's how New Zealanddescribed it:

The New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been a success story. Since the FTA came into force in 2008, two-way trade (exports and imports of goods and services) has more than tripled from $9 billion to over $32 billion, and the FTA has been a catalyst for trade and economic cooperation between our countries.

Like most economists, I am skeptical that we can learn much from bilateral trade balances, but nevertheless, take a look at the evolution of theNew Zealand-China trade balanceafter the agreement was signed, after which New Zealand's deficit turned into a surplus:

So what are New Zealand and China selling to each other?

In the March 2019 year, the top exports to China were milk powder, butter, and cheese, reaching $4.5 billion and accounting for one-quarter of New Zealands exports to China.

Logs and wood were the second-largest export, worth $3.1 billion.

Travel was also a significant contributor to New Zealands overall surplus with China, worth $3.0 billion. Spending by holidaymakers and international students made up most of this.

...

In the March 2019 year, imports from China were valued at $13.1 billion. Top imports were electrical machinery and equipment (such as mobile phones), mechanical machinery and equipment (such as portable computers), and textiles and textile articles (such as clothing).

The upgrade to the FTA is not revolutionary, but rather just adds a bit of liberalization and updates a few provisions:

Trade rules and business practices have evolved significantly over the past decade. It is against this backdrop that New Zealand and China agreed in November 2016 to launch negotiations to upgrade the New Zealand-China FTA; to ensure the Agreement continues to reflect the modern realities of our dynamic trading relationship. Nine rounds of negotiations were held over three years in both New Zealand and Beijing. New Zealand and China announced the conclusion of the FTA upgrade negotiations on 4 November 2019 on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.

The upgrade will make the New Zealand-China FTA Chinas most modern and highest quality FTA.

Here are afew examplesof the new additions:

New Zealand has secured tariff elimination, over a 10 year implementation period, on 12 wood and paper products.

...

Further operational improvements cover procedures for handling perishable goods (introducing expedited six-hour clearance times, release of such goods outside normal business hours and appropriate storage) as well as an extension of the scope of advance rulings in the existing free trade agreement.

...

new chapters have been added on competition policy, e-commerce, government procurement and environment and trade.

...

The improvements include new market access in several service sectors, including:

The New Zealand-China FTA was a much simpler negotiation than the one the United States is currently conducting. New Zealand was mainly pushing for basic liberalization, rather than the wholesale changes to the structure of the Chinese economy that the Trump administration is said to be asking for (although the "phase one" deal being talked about now is pretty limited). This made the negotiation much easier. New Zealand had a handful of products and services it wanted to sell more of to the Chinese, and it was able to achieve that.

Despite these differences, I'm struck by the fact that an industrialized country was able to make a trade deal with China and was happy with the outcome, and thenwithout the use of tariffs!was able to open up the text and negotiate further liberalization. In my view, some key lessons here are that it is important to be realistic about what can be achieved, and to be willing to give something in return.

This article by Simon Lester first appeared at the Cato Institute.

Image: Reuters.

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Don't Look Now: China and New Zealand Just Signed A Historic Trade Deal - The National Interest Online

Smart Alerts when you leave something behind in a public place are Tiles latest attempt to stay ahead of Apples anticipated launch of its own item tracker, which may be named AirTag.

We exclusively reported back in April that Apple is working on its own competitor to Tile, integrating with the iOS Find My app. One of the expected features is automatic alerts when you leave behind a protected item, and thats something Tile is now adding to its own products

Tile has currently offered three forms of protection. First, if you simply misplace something in your own home, you can use the app to make it sound an audible alert. The Apple Watch offers similar functionality, making your iPhone ping so you can work out where you left it.

Second, you can define safe zones, like your home, and be automatically alerted when an item leaves that area.

Third, if you mark a Tile as lost, anyone running the app will automatically and anonymously alert you when they come into range.

Engadget reports that the company is now adding the ability to warn you whenever you leave any protected item behind anywhere.

The company is relaunching Smart Alerts in beta to automatically warn when youve left a tracked item behind if its been there for at least five minutes. If you rush out of the coffee shop without your bag, youll ideally get an alert before youve reached your car. Youll need a Premium subscription ($30 per year or $3 per month), but it might be a small price to pay if you cant bear the thought of leaving a valuable item alone for more than a few minutes. The beta will be available in December.

Tile offers a range of products to electronically tag your valuables, ranging from a waterproof sticker to a wallet-sized Slim tracker to the Pro, with a 400-foot range and loud audible alert.

We recently rounded up everything we know so far about Apples upcoming product. The key selling point will be that, if you lose something, anyones iOS device within range will be used to help track it down.

The true selling point of Apples item tracker will be its integration with iOS. It is believed that you will be able to access your item trackers via the Find My device on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Once the item trackers are available, there will be a new Items tab in the Find My application for all of the things you choose to track.

The item tracker itself will be paired to a users iCloud account by proximity to an iPhone, much like AirPods. Users will also be able to receive notifications when their iPhone gets too far away from the tag. For instance, your iPhone could alert you if you get too far away from your keys or wallet. Certain locations can be added to a list of ignored locations so that the item can be left at those locations without you receiving a notification.

Furthermore, youll be able to put Apples item tracker in Lost Mode which means the tag will store your contact information, allowing other Apple users to read that information. In such instances, youll receive a notification when your item has been found.

Its not yet known when Apple plans to launch AirTag, or what it will cost. Tile products can cost less than $12.50 each when bought in multipacks. Smart Alerts will launch in beta shortly.

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Tile matches expected feature of Apples AirTags item trackers, Smart Alerts - 9to5Mac