Hawaii, New Jersey and New York are suing the Trump administration over alleged "partisan meddling".
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Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Navalny and Russia’s arsenal of exotic poisons
Nerve agent was apparently used on Putin critic Alexei Navalny – and Russia has a history of poisonings.
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This Summer’s Market for Inflatable Paddling Goods Is, Ahem, Blowing Up
While COVID-19 cases continue to blow up in certain states, so, too, are sales for inflatable watercraft. Specifically, recreation buyers are also blowing up all and every type of paddle craft for much-needed outdoor R&R with responsible amounts of social distance.
Encompassing everything from standup paddleboards to rafts and inflatable kayaks (IKs), the rise mimics the last few months’ swell in bike, running shoe and camping gear sales, which caused supply chain shortages and wiped retailers’ shelves clean. The New York Times recently ran a story entitled “The New Panic Buys: Kayaks, Pools, Tents and Trampolines,” delving into those surging categories.
Add inflatable paddling goods to the list as well. Easy to rig, easy to store, blow-and-go boats and boards are selling through at astonishing rates as people pursue floating with the family as the perfect pandemic activity.
“Things went from a normal year to crickets in March, and then to full speed ahead,” says Clay Haller of inflatable kayak manufacturer Advanced Elements. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Dealers that normally would sell 25 kayaks in a year are selling six by noon on a Tuesday.”
The reason, he adds, is paddling’s user-friendliness, especially in an inflatable like the company’s new drop-stitched AirVolution, which it rolled out during the pandemic’s peak.
”It is one of the few ways that people can currently recreate,” says Haller. “I saw an article recently that read, ‘Toilet paper shortage? That’s so last month. Think bikes, kayaks and pools.’ For now, we’re just trying to keep up.”
While Advanced Elements specializes in one- and two-person crafts, larger inflatables with more carrying capacity are also flying off shelves. Rocky Mountain Rafts, a maker of rafts, catarafts and IKs, reports sales up significantly since last year, to the tune of about 40 percent overall.
“We saw sales really pick up in June and July, which were up 63 percent and a surprising 157 percent, respectively,” says president Denny Hugo, adding that July sales slowed but were still strong.
He adds that the company’s more affordable, small-boat market catering to IKs has been great, as well as bigger craft. “The new IK we just released sold out within weeks,” he says. “I wish we would’ve made more. But, all of our products are selling extremely well.”
“We’ve sold more rafts this year than we ever have before,” adds Peter Van de Carr, of Colorado retailer Backdoor Sports. “People are realizing that floating a river is the perfect way to get outside.”
Indeed, Hugo credits the pastime’s proximity and easy learning curve—at least for mild whitewater—as driving the boom. “People aren’t traveling to exotic places this summer, but they still want to get out of the house and do something,” he says. “Getting out on a river is safe and fun.”
Hugo adds that despite the high unemployment rate, a lot of people have spent some of their $1,200 stimulus check, or even unemployment funds, on ways to get outside. “Some of that money might well be going to that boat they always wanted,” he said.
Inflatable powerhouse NRS has also seen a surge of interest in paddling and rafting this summer. “We’re seeing an uptick in sales for all types of inflatable watercraft, from rafts to kayaks to SUPs,” says NRS Marketing Director Mark Deming. “We’ve seen higher demand across the board for inflatables, but specifically kayaks and SUPs.
“These smaller crafts present an inviting way to get started in the sport,” he adds. “They’re easy to transport and store, and fun to paddle regardless of experience level. And designs have come a long way, with the performance of higher-end models rivaling that of rigid hulls.”
The reason for the explosion is simple, Deming adds. “Paddling and rafting are tailor-made for social distancing,” he says. “Most Americans live within close distance of water where they can enjoy nature and fresh air. With many other recreational options shut down—such as large sporting events, concerts and festivals—more people are discovering the pleasures of playing outdoors. Being on the water is great therapy.”
The packraft category—lightweight, portable one-person craft opening up paddling to hike- and bike-to lakes and rivers—has also experienced a surge of sales as people have sought new ways to get outside away from the masses.
“We’ve been fortunate,” says Thor Tingey, president of Alpacka Rafts, based in Mancos, CO. “March and April were significantly down, but then sales really picked up. We’ve been running fairly long lead times with high demand all summer.” He adds that while they’re currently backed up in production with eight to 10 week’s lead time for delivery, “we feel incredibly fortunate that we’ve had such strong sales through this time.”
Tingey, who hopes the demand carries through to next spring, is also glad his company manufactures in-house. “Colorado has had excellent leadership during the pandemic and we haven’t had to face a second closure,” he says. “Our supply chain has also stayed strong, so we’ve been able to respond to the increased demand. Companies relying on overseas manufacturing have had more supply-chain disruption.”
Field Tested: Alpacka's Oryx Tandem Packraft Canoe
A committed, lifetime canoeist's take on Alpacka's new two-person packraft.
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SUPs
Standup paddleboarding has also been riding a wave of popularity—especially inflatables, which are stable, don’t get dinged-up on rocks, and roll up for easy storage back home. While their sales didn’t hit the ground running out the gate like bikes did, once the summer heat kicked in, they rose with the temperature.
“COVID hit us with a wave of order cancellations that broke our shipping cycle, so we got delayed by about two and a half months,” says Peter Hall, president of Colorado-based SUP maker Hala Gear. “But we saw the best demand cycle we’re ever seen. It’s the same reason everyone’s been buying bikes—people want to get outside and find their own island, and SUPs are perfect for that. They’re entry-level, but allow you to get out in the middle of nowhere pretty easily. A lot of people are looking for that kind of serenity right now.”
Hall touts models like Hala’s 10’10” Halarado, an all-around-meets-whitewater board, as a top seller, and emphasized the speed of the sell-out this year as amazing.
“We hit the inventory ceiling every year, but this year it came faster than ever,” says Hall, adding that online sales also went through the roof, “from zero when the pandemic hit to the highest we’ve ever seen.”
Hall also runs CKS Online, the state’s largest online dealer, where he says inflatables have also been popular this year. Hot items, he says, include the new AIRE Spud, a 7-foot-long, youth-sized IK that retails for only $419, and boats like the NRS Star Viper, a 9’6” IK with a rigid, drop-stitch floor that retails for $995.
“They’re easy to use, durable, portable and easy to store,” Hall says. “Plus, they have a very shallow learning curve.” Another benefit of inflatables, he adds, is that they can be entry level, “but also allow people to progress and get advanced with them.”
Hala isn’t alone in seeing its SUP sales surge.
“Our inflatable sales took off this year,” says Kevin Cook of Canadian paddling apparel and SUP manufacturer Level Six. “Once lockdown restrictions started to lift, the phone rang off the hook from retailers looking to get product. We are actually completely sold out, and have pre-sold everything we’ve been able to make.”
The drawback, he adds, is leaving money on the table.
“If we were able to predict this,” Cook says, “we could have sold hundreds more, but all production got put on hold and we didn’t expect this demand.”
Cook expects to see the momentum continue into next spring as well, and is planning accordingly—in particular when it comes to their lineup of inflatable boards. “Our inflatable sales have been growing year over year compared to epoxy hard boards, which have started to flatten out,” Cook says, echoing the refrain, praising the ease and versatility of the ever-advancing inflatable board.
Six exercises to prep you for the paddleboard
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5 Unique Runs in Death Valley National Park
Hot. Dry. Desolate. Intense. These are just a few of the words people use to describe Death Valley National Park. It’s a unique place to visit, not to mention run.
Come prepared, bring plenty of water, respect the desert, and run your heart out. There are some incredible adventures just waiting to be had in this wonderland.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Two miles east of the Stovepipe Wells Campground you’ll find 14 square miles of sand dunes to explore. It’s unique in that there isn’t a trail to follow—You have the freedom to find your own line and run where you please, logging as many miles as you desire.
The sand is super fine; dense and firm in some spots and loose and soft in others. The tallest dune in the area is about a mile from the parking lot, and the view is worth the climb.
Golden Canyon Trail
On this trail, it’s about 1.5 miles to Red Cathedral which is aptly named—the rock is red and with a little bit of imagination, does indeed resemble a cathedral. The trail is on a slight rise, but if you choose to go out and back, it makes the return an easy glide to your vehicle.
Although popular with day hikers, the trail is wide in most spots which makes passing easy. It’s also not too technical; there are, however, a few rock scrambles, which are easy enough that some runners might not have to slow down at all. If you’re looking to log more than 3 miles, tack on some additional miles by heading east towards Zabriskie Point which is one of the most picturesque places in the park.
Artists Drive
Artists Drive is a one-way road a few miles south of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. The main attraction along this drive is Artists Palette, a popular spot with tourists and a great halfway point for someone to meet you with support (water, food, a ride, etc.)
We recommend running against traffic and staying on the moderately hard-packed gravel that is the shoulder. You’ll climb, dip, turn and weave your way through some really scenic parts of the park. Along the way, the rock will rise around you and you’ll be surrounded by the most incredible greens, pinks, golds, and browns.
Badwater Basin
If you continue south past Artists Drive, you’ll eventually reach Badwater Basin. Welcome to the lowest point in North America. Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level and guess what, you can run on it.
From the parking lot, trot on out along the short walkway and find your footing along the uneven salt flats. It’s one of the most unique places to get in a run. It also serves as the starting location for what is considered by many to be the toughest race on the planet, the Badwater 135 ultramarathon.
Dante’s View
If you’ve had an incredible day of running but want to tack on a bit more and be in a great spot for sunset, head on up to Dante’s View. You can park at the first overflow/trailer parking lot along Dante’s View road that’s about 5.6 miles from the peak and run up. Or you can park at the second small parking lot that has a pit toilet, which is about 0.6 miles from the top.
If your legs are shot, continue driving to the top and then run the .25 mile dirt trail to the peak. The drop-off is steep and it’s often very windy up there so hold on to your hat and watch your footing. We promise it’s worth the effort.
What To Know Before You Go
Carry more water than you think you’ll need. You can find water at the Stovepipe Wells Campground, the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Panamint Springs and the Wildrose Campground.
Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. A breakdown in the desert can be deadly if you are unprepared. Though the main roads in the park are paved, there are several that are unpaved and some that require high clearance and four wheel drive. Make sure you have the right vehicle and driving skills to enter these places.
Cell service is spotty. Don’t rely on your phone as your primary source of navigation. Be sure to carry a detailed map and the proper navigational tools. The free park map that you get upon paying the entrance fee is not detailed enough for most adventures in the backcountry.
Protect yourself from the sun. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lightly-colored, moisture-wicking clothing is recommended.
Gaiters aren’t a bad idea, too. They’ll keep the grit out of your shoes. We would have worn them but our zippers got locked up from a previous run.
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अगले साल अपनी ऑटोबायोग्राफी लेकर आएंगे सैफ, बोले- बीती यादों की गलियों में जाना बड़ा मजेदार होगा
फिल्म उद्योग में दो दशक से अधिक समय बिताने के बाद, सैफ अली खान अगले साल अपनी ऑटोबायोग्राफी लाएंगे। इसके लिए उन्होंने हार्पर कॉलिन्स के साथ करार किया है। माना जा रहा है कि इसमें उनकी फिल्मों और पर्सनल जिंदगी से जुड़ी बातें होंगी। ये पहली बार होगा जब वो निजी जिंदगी को लेकर ओपन होंगे।
सैफ अपने विटी अंदाज में अपने घर, परिवार, सफलताओं, विफलताओं, उनके प्रभावों और प्रेरणाओं पर खुलासे करेंगे। इसकी पुष्टि उन्होंने खुद भी की है। सैफ अली खान कहते हैं, 'बहुत सारी चीजें बदल गई हैं और समय के साथ अगर हमने उन्हें दस्तावेजों में नहीं ढाला तो यादें, सफर, उतार-चढ़ाव से जुड़ी बातें गुम हो जाएंगी। इसी वजह से ऑटोबायोग्राफी लाने का फैसला किया है।'
'बीती यादों की गलियों में जाना बड़ा मजेदार होगा। इसे मैं खुदगर्ज प्रयास कह सकता हूं, जहां अपने बारे में अनकही, अनसुनी चीजों से वाकिफ करूंगा। मुझे उम्मीद है कि अन्य लोग भी निश्चित रूप से पुस्तक का आनंद लेंगे।'
हार्पर कॉलिंस इंडिया के कमिशनिंग एडिटर, बुशरा अहमद के शब्दों में, 'सैफ वैसे दुर्लभ सितारों में से एक हैं, जो मितभाषी, पढ़ने-लिखने के शौकीन और बहुश्रुत है। मेरे ख्याल से अपनी सितारों वाली बिरादरी से वो एकमात्र ऐसे हैं। मैं उनकी फिल्मों का फैन रहा हूं। यह किताब उनकी तरह ही चिंतनशील, चुटीली और मजेदार रहने वाली है।'
सैफ ने पचास से ज्यादा फिल्मों में अभिनय किया है और अपने काम के लिए कई पुरस्कार भी जीते हैं, जैसे कि राजीव गांधी पुरस्कार, पद्म श्री और राष्ट्रीय फिल्म पुरस्कार। उनके बारे में लोग यकीनन जानना चाहेंगे।
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Delhi records highest spike in Covid-19 cases in Aug, death toll 4,330
Delhi records highest spike in Covid-19 cases in Aug, death toll 4,330from India Today | Top Stories https://ift.tt/3aUVKfg
ICMR nod to first Indian Covid test kit
Soon, a simple finger-prick diagnostic test to detect Covid-19 antibodies in blood samples, will be widely available at nursing homes, hospitals and private laboratories. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved Delhi-based Oscar Medicare's indigenous point-of-care (POC) rapid test kits.from India News | Latest News Headlines & Live Updates from India - Times of India https://ift.tt/3aWn6BB
It’s not about a post, it’s about my country: Sibal
from India News | Latest News Headlines & Live Updates from India - Times of India https://ift.tt/2EBKpVe
Tharoor-led panel may be hit as Speaker shows rule book
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has written to all parliamentary panel heads not to discuss issues which are sub judice and also abide by the rules of not disclosing the agenda or deliberations until the report is presented in the House. This will have an immediate bearing on the standing committee on IT, headed by Shashi Tharoor who has convened a meeting of the committee on suspension of 4G services in J&K, an issue pending in SC.from India News | Latest News Headlines & Live Updates from India - Times of India https://ift.tt/3hpgOgm
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