Tim Sinclaire, Author at Rush Times

Chipotle E. coli outbreak now affects six states

November 21, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

c/o Robert Galbraith/Reuters

Over 40 people have been reported to have been stricken with E. coli after eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants, as the food poisoning outbreak has now reached six states.

According to the latest report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, E. coli cases have been reported in California, Ohio, New York, and Minnesota. This comes mere weeks after the popular restaurant chain was linked to E. coli outbreaks in Oregon and Washington state.

In the new report, the CDC said that 45 people fell ill from the E. coli O26 outbreak strain, with almost all (43) of them getting sick shortly after eating at Chipotle restaurants. A total of 16 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported so far. The latest reports of illness came from Turlock, California, Akron, Ohio, Amherst, New York, and Burnsville, Minnesota

E. coli was first associated with Chipotle in late October, with the outbreak initially reported in Seattle and Portland. The company closed all of its 43 restaurants in those two cities on Halloween, and after cooperating with authorities, deep-cleaning the restaurants, and ramping up safety measures, the units were eventually reopened last week. And in addition to the above measures, Chipotle has hired food safety consultants, and began testing food products and changing preparation procedures in the affected restaurants.

The ongoing E. coli outbreak has been damaging to Chipotle’s press relations. Considering its long-standing reputation for serving fresh and healthy food and its slogan “Food with Integrity,” Chipotle has suffered quite a lot after this new report, which marks the third time the restaurant has run afoul of the CDC. Chipotle shares have also suffered, slipping 12.3 percent to $536.19 at the close of Friday’s trading.

Cops arrest bomb threat suspects at Copenhagen airport

November 18, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

Danish law enforcement officials arrested two men at the Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen, after the airport was evacuated due to the suspects’ conversation about one of them having a bomb in his bag.

At about noontime local time Wednesday, Kastrup’s Terminal 3 was evacuated as police were notified of the two men’s discussion; a “suspicious” bag was later spotted by authorities. Bomb experts, police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks then made their way to the airport, while transportation going there was briefly put on hold. Check-ins were temporarily moved to Terminal 2 and passengers were notified of potential delays.

The terminal was eventually reopened a few hours afterwards. The suspects, however, denied having an actual bomb with them, according to statements from Copenhagen police. Reports also claim that the evacuation lasted about an hour.

“They said that they were only joking with each other,” said police spokesman Steen Hansen. “Apparently, they are friends, though one was going to Paris and the other was flying to Frankfurt.” Authorities did not disclose the names and nationalities of the suspects.

The incident comes on the heels of Danish police raising Denmark’s threat level by one notch to the second-highest. This was due to increased risk of terrorist attacks in the aftermath of Friday’s Paris terrorist attacks that had killed over one hundred people and injured many others.

Study – Couples Who Have Sex Once a Week Are Happier

November 18, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

Although most couples will agree that it’s important to have an active and healthy sex life, a new Canadian study suggests that those who keep their urges down six out of seven days in a week are the happiest.

According to a team of researchers from the University of Toronto Mississauga, there’s nothing wrong with partners having sex more frequently. Still, couples who make love only once a week are happiest, the study said, while having sex daily may take away from the oomph of lovemaking.

“Our research suggests that couples do not need to aim to engage in sex as frequently as possible but instead aim to maintain a connection with their partner,” said University of Toronto Mississauga postdoctoral fellow and lead author Amy Muise in a statement.

Muise’s team had based their findings on three studies involving a combined 30,000-plus people, and all of the studies agreed on one thing – sex is good, and couples generally feel that having regular sexual activity is more important than having lots of money. But none of those studies had directly set a threshold where more sex stops resulting in a progressively happier relationship between partners.

To answer this question, the researchers looked at a survey involving over 25,000 American adults aged 18 to 89, with the survey being conducted every other year between 1989 and 2012. Respondents were asked about the frequency of sexual activity (from none at all to four times or more per week) and the state of their well-being, meaning how happy they see themselves being. A second study involving only 335 people was also looked into, same with a third one polling married heterosexual couples for a 14-year period.

Analyzing the results, the researchers determined that there is a limit to a couple’s happiness in relation to sexual frequency. It was found that their well-being would level off after frequency would reach approximately once per week. “It wasn’t bad to engage in sex more frequently than once a week,” said Muise. “It just wasn’t associated with greater well-being on average.”

There was no variance spotted based on the respondents’ age, gender, or length of their current relationship, though interestingly, single people who weren’t in committed relationships didn’t feel happier with more frequent sex. Muise and her co-researchers believe that if there is a link between sex and happiness for single people, it all depends on how comfortable they are having sex outside of a relationship, or on the context of the relationship.

One thing the Toronto study didn’t determine was whether the frequency of sex has a direct effect on happiness, as the study wasn’t meant to have a cause-and-effect nature to it. But it was noted that couples tend to make love once a week on average anyway.

“Perhaps this is the average since it seems to maximize the benefits for well-being,” observed Muise. “It is likely that weekly sex is enough for the average couple to maintain their intimate connection and to feel like they have an active sex life, and this is why we see this as the leveling-off point.”

Monash University (Australia) professor Russell Smyth, who was not involved in the study, told CBS News that sexual frequency is just one of the many factors that affect a person’s happiness. Based on his own studies on sexuality, he had found that quality is more important than frequency. He had also observed that men enjoy the physical aspects of lovemaking, while women tend to be happier based on sex’s emotional aspects – a very common observation indeed.

Smyth also told CBS News that he acknowledged more sex isn’t necessarily better, making an analogy to eating ice cream. “You enjoy your first ice cream,” he explained. “You also enjoy your second ice cream, but by not as much. You might also get some enjoyment from your third one, but even less because you are fuller, concerned about calories and so on.”

The World Cup of Fraud – FIFA Officials Accused of Assorted Forms of Skulduggery

May 27, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

In no uncertain terms, U.S. officials said that their ongoing investigation of FIFA is just starting, and that it will be aggressively chasing organization officials accused of different forms of corruption.

“These individuals and organizations engaged in bribery to decide who would televise games, where the games would be held, and who would run the organization overseeing organized soccer worldwide,” said U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, speaking to reporters earlier today. She noted that several FIFA decisions were tainted by corruption, including 2010’s World Cup placement, 2011’s FIFA presidential elections, and a recent Brazilian national soccer team sponsorship that involved “a major U.S. sportswear company.”

“Around 2004, bidding began for the opportunity to host the 2010 World Cup, which was ultimately awarded to South Africa, the first time the tournament would be held on the African continent. But even for this historic event, FIFA executives and others corrupted the process by using bribes to influence the hosting decision,” explained Lynch, referring to the World Cup placement fiasco. This was, however, denied by the South African Football Association, who said that it was “men of high integrity” that brought the World Cup to the country, including former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. “The bidding process was never compromised,” added spokesman Dominic Chimhavi.

Multiple federal agencies are currently working with Lynch on the FIFA case, and some of the individuals looking into the probe definitely have clout. One of these federal officials, IRS Criminal Investigation division head Richard Weber, quipped that they are dealing with the “World Cup of fraud,” and that they hope to issue FIFA a “red card” once they get to the bottom of things. The FIFA officials in question are accused of taking bribes of over $150 million, providing kickbacks in exchange for “lucrative media and marketing rights” since the early ‘90s.

“The defendants fostered a culture of corruption and greed that created an uneven playing field for the biggest sport in the world,” said FBI Director James Comey, on a far more serious note than the aforementioned Weber. “Undisclosed and illegal payments, kickbacks and bribes became a way of doing business at FIFA.”

While current FIFA President Sepp Blatter was not named in the investigation, 14 other high-ranking officials are being charged by U.S. federal authorities. According to a New York Times report, the officials include Eduardo Li, Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo, Jack Warner, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin, and Nicolás Leoz. Officials believe Blatter’s chances of being reelected as president of the soccer governing organization would “depend on where the investigation goes from here.”

In a statement prepared and published on FIFA’s official website, Blatter said that corruption “has no place in football” and that the organization will “ensure that those who engage in it are put out of the game.” He added that FIFA will “continue to work with the relevant authorities and we will work vigorously within FIFA in order to root out any misconduct, to regain your trust and ensure that football worldwide is free from wrongdoing.”

Cavs’ James Jones and LeBron James Are First Since ‘60s to Make NBA Finals Five Straight Times

May 27, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

c/o Cleveland.com

One of these two Cleveland Cavaliers is undoubtedly a superstar, a former MVP winner and well on the road to becoming one of the greatest of all time. The other is strictly a role player, someone whose main purpose is to come off the bench and fire away from long range. The first player’s surname is the same as the second player’s first name, and by now you probably know whom we’re referring to – LeBron James and his backup, James Jones. And they’re in the news now as the first players since Bill Russell and several Boston Celtics teammates from the 1960s to qualify for five straight NBA Finals.

There’s no need to tell you about how “King” James played a huge role in the Eastern Conference Finals, as he averaged close to a triple-double, leading the Cavs to a 4-0 sweep of the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks. Jones, as usual, came off the bench to shoot three-pointers, and as we’ve seen from the 12-year NBA veteran, that skill of his is more evident in the postseason. Both men were part of the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014, as they qualified for the NBA Finals in all four seasons in that time span. But the operative word here is qualified – Jones, while part of the Heat’s roster for the 2010-11 season, did not play in the 2011 Finals.

“I am aware (that the feat is an important part of NBA history) but I just count myself blessed and lucky to be a part of great teams, great organizations with guys that sacrifice,” said Jones, speaking to Fox Sports. “One thing about all these teams, though…one thing we’ve always said is that we’re not looking back until it’s done.” Jones was signed as a free agent by the Cavaliers for the 2014-15 season, recommended by James as someone who could help the team as a reserve small forward. This season, he averaged only 11.7 minutes per game and scored just 4.4 points. But as a specialist, he shot 63-for-175 from the three-point line, with close to 90 percent of his field goal attempts in the regular season (201) coming from beyond the arc.

In a separate interview, James talked about how he hopes to lead Cleveland to this season’s NBA championship and attain the same success he achieved in the Finals with the Heat. This is important as Cleveland has not won a major sports championship since 1964, a good two decades before he was born. “I understood what these people were going through, the people here,” said James after Tuesday’s 118-88 drubbing of the Hawks. “Not only in Cleveland but Northeast Ohio and all over the world who love and bleed wine and gold. To be at this point tonight, it’s very emotional.”

All told, the five straight trips to the Finals are great for Jones and James, but none of that will matter unless the Cavaliers bring home the bacon for Cleveland and end a 51-year championship drought. The Cavs will be facing the winner of the Western Conference Finals, which the Golden State Warriors currently lead, 3-1, over the Houston Rockets.

Obama Celebrates First Memorial Day in 14 Years without Ground War

May 25, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

President Barack Obama celebrated a major milestone today, heralding the first Memorial Day in 14 years that didn’t coincide with a significant ground war.

Speaking at the Arlington National Cemetery, Obama honored U.S. military troops who had served in the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which ended with him as commander in chief, and also soldiers who had served in World War Two and the Vietnam War.

“For many of us, this Memorial Day is especially meaningful. It is the first since our war in Afghanistan came to an end,” said Obama at today’s ceremony. “Today is the first Memorial Day in 14 years that the United States is not engaged in a major ground war.”

Obama had been a staunch critic of the war against terrorism when he had ran against former President George W. Bush in the 2008 elections, and had recently shown hesitation to re-launch ground operations in Iraq, amid ongoing air campaigns in both Iraq and Syria.

“Today, fewer than 10,000 troops remain on a mission to train and assist Afghan forces. We’ll continue to bring them home and reduce our forces further, down to an embassy presence by the end of next year,” he continued. “But Afghanistan remains a very dangerous place. And as so many families know, our troops continue to risk their lives for us.”

No Kyrie Irving, No Problem – Cavs Take 2-0 Lead with LeBron James at Point Guard

May 23, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

c/o Getty Images

LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the best-passing forwards in the NBA, but with star point guard Kyrie Irving sidelined with tendinitis, James took over as a point guard of sorts for the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading the Cavs to a low-scoring, yet dominant 94-82 win Friday over the host Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

James was just one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with 30 points, nine boards, and 11 assists. And he was on top of his game Friday night, directing traffic in a point guard role, even if he remained the starting small forward. His first seven assists all led to three-pointers, while his eighth led to a Timofey Mozgov dunk. All in all, it was James’ crisp and often spectacular passing, the Cavs’ three-point shooting, and their tough defense that gave them the easy win; Cleveland went 12-for-30 from long distance, and limited the Hawks to 42 percent shooting from the field.

“I’ve got a good vocabulary, but I’m sort of running out of superlatives for that guy. I’m going to let you think of something. You’re the writer,” said Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt, waxing eloquent about his franchise player. “He’s just a great basketball player. Everything more that you would add to that is probably better than I can say it.”

With Cleveland having beaten Atlanta twice on the road to start off the series, the onus is now on the Hawks, who trail 2-0 as the series heads to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4 and hope to avoid losing the Eastern finals despite being the top seed in the conference. Teams that had lost their first two games in a best-of-seven series have only won 16 out of 268 times in NBA history.

Duggars Release Statements on Child Molestation Brouhaha

May 21, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

Reality television personalities Josh Duggar and his parents Jim Bob and Michelle released their own statements to People, clearing the air following reports that Josh, one of the Duggars’ 19 children on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting, had previously been accused of molesting five underage girls as a teen.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends,” read the statement prepared by 27-year-old Josh, who resigned from the Family Research Council following the reports. “I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life.”

In a statement, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar defended their eldest son, saying that Josh “made some very bad mistakes” as a young teen, and that the incidents “caused us to seek God like never before.”

“Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God,” the statement continued. “We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles everyday. It is one of the reasons we treasure our faith so much because God’s kindness and goodness and forgiveness are extended to us – even though we are so undeserving. We hope somehow the story of our journey – the good times and the difficult times – cause you to see the kindness of God and learn that He can bring you through anything.”

Josh’s wife Anna also released a statement to People, saying that she has always supported her husband, and that Josh had admitted his “past teenage mistakes” two years prior to proposing marriage. “I was surprised at his openness and humility and at the same time didn’t know why he was sharing it,” she said. “For Josh, he wanted not just me but my parents to know who he really was – even every difficult past mistakes.”

Meanwhile, a report from TMZ claims that police are preparing to destroy all details, including the names of Josh Duggar’s supposed victims, surrounding the molestation case. This came after one of the five “Jane Does” asked a judge that her identity be kept confidential. She expressed concern that an un-redacted copy of the official police report may get leaked out, and stressed that the court is obligated to destroy the report. TMZ also notes that a judge had signed the order earlier this afternoon.

At the time of the original investigation, Josh Duggar was only 17 years old, and was accused of sexual assault in the fourth degree. However, the charges were eventually dropped as Jim Hutchens, the Arkansas state trooper who took the report, was convicted of child pornography. The case eventually went cold as the statute of limitations had already passed at the time the case was to be reopened.

After Five Months, Bungie Releases New Destiny DLC House of Wolves

May 19, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

It’s been a long wait, but Bungie today released The House of Wolves, the second significant downloadable content package for Destiny since the original game’s release in September 2014.

Five months in between DLC is quite a while when it comes to major IP such as Destiny, but one should go back to the first DLC package, The Dark Below. That was released in the winter of 2014, but unfortunately, it didn’t get the best of reviews. That’s probably the reason why Bungie waited so long – simply wanting to make sure that it releases the best product possible when time comes to roll out the new DLC offering.

A review from Forbes explained the changes Bungie made on House of Wolves, and one of the most significant things the company did differently had nothing to do with the gameplay itself. That was the way Bungie promoted House of Wolves, as it had three live announcements featuring content from the DLC. And one of those separate reveals was centered on the new gear upgrading system, a big improvement from Dark Below and a common complaint gamers and reviewers alike had with that package.

Still, reviewer Paul Tassi of Forbes did stress that a lot of what Bungie did right didn’t relate in any way to House of Wolves’ gameplay. The company launched over the weekend a bounty-hunting Queen’s Wrath event that offered players encrypted engrams, giving them incentive to purchase House of Wolves as they turn them in starting today and access their item collections. Players also got a chance to win prizes for completing the bounty-hunting activities.

Relating his first-hand experience with the promotional engrams, Tassi talked about how he went to the Reef social space to turn in about 100 engrams across three characters – for his efforts, he got two legendary weapons and two new increased light armor pieces. “Turning in a literal truckload of engrams is probably one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done in Destiny, and even the chest farming that yielded that collection is patched (it probably should be), it was a hell of a weekend,” said Tassi. “But after decrypting and vaulting and dismantling, the real fun begins.”

Destiny has gotten a lot of flak for its storytelling, which Tassi believes “has only (gotten) worse in time.” However, he was pleased with how Bungie changed things around with House of Wolves’ storyline. Granted, storytelling was still a problem, but Tassi felt more satisfied by the new DLC’s story, where players can play five different missions, “almost none of which feel scarce in the least.” He didn’t like the fact that Bungie went with voiceover narration, but gave the thumbs-up to the company’s decision to use simple, more straightforward language instead of resorting to sci-fi jargon. The armor and weapon format was another strong point cited on the review.

So far, this is one of the very few reviews we’ve come across so far for Destiny‘s new House of Wolves DLC. But reports do seem encouraging, even for those who were critical of the original game.

Rapper Chinx Drugz Killed by Gunman, Companion Wounded in Shooting

May 17, 2015 By Tim Sinclaire

Queens-born rapper Lionel Pickens, known professionally as Chinx Drugz, was killed early Sunday morning when a yet-unidentified gunman opened fire on his Porsche Panamera. He was 31.

Police reports claim that the shooter was in a car that had pulled up beside Pickens’ car at around 4 a.m. earlier today, at 84^th Road. He was shot several times in the torso, and while his companion was also shot, he survived the attack, and is currently in critical condition. The gunman fired multiple rounds inside the Porsche, and remains at large as police investigate the matter.

Pickens was originally scheduled to appear at a party at Bensonhurst’s Club Red Wolf this evening, and had even posted a photo with friends on his official Instagram account. Pickens was a close associate of fellow rapper French Montana, and a member of his group, Coke Boys.