Tag: Daily Trends Hunter

People are aghast at this super long list of roommate requirements

“If you have to run to the toilet 15 times a day or every 15 minutes, don’t move in here.”

Image: Getty Images

2016%2f09%2f16%2fe7%2fhttpsd2mhye01h4nj2n.cloudfront.netmediazgkymde1lzex.0f9e7By Johnny Lieu

Most of us are just happy with a roommate who’s clean and pays rent on time.

Not this particular renter in London, whose fastidious list of demands for a future roommate has gone viral over the weekend. 

SEE ALSO: The pop culture that made us feel less ashamed

The requirements, posted by Twitter user @rxdazn, were originally sent to someone who wanted to check out the available room.

While some of the requests, like following a cleaning roster, are understandable, it’s fair to say most of the demands are asking quite a lot. 

Like the first requirement: You’ll have to be out of the house (yes, the one that you live in) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

“I work from home 5 days a week and I need the place to myself. If you have a proper job, this shouldn’t be a problem. Students who go to university on random days for a few hours or stay at home all day long and chill out unfortunately can’t live here,” the post reads.

Here are some other highlights:

  • No cooking before 8:30 a.m. and after 11 p.m. Although they’ll occasionally allow it, only for porridge or to use the microwave.

  • They “don’t want to hear noise coming from your room all the time.” That ranges from phone calls, to watching movies, to laughing past 11 p.m.

  • “If you have to run to the toilet 15 times a day or every 15 minutes, don’t move in here.” Excessive bathroom use is not cool.

  • “If all you eat is canned beans and cooked lentils and drink beer, you’re not my kind of flatmate. I need someone a little more sophisticated here.”

  • They don’t like someone who spends a lot of time cooking, and people who make elaborate meals or bake aren’t welcome.

  • Guests are only occasionally allowed to the house.

  • That it’s not a sociable house. No parties, no cooking together, no watching TV together because no one in the house has time to. Still, everyone is expected to be friendly with each other.

  • You’re not welcome if you’re the kind of person who spends a lot of time at home: “That’s why you definitely need a full-time job, and if you’re doing some interesting things with your life as well, that’s even better.”

Despite the requests, the renter describes themselves as being “quite easy-going.” The internet didn’t quite agree with that assessment.

This is my favourite part because he thinks the only reason people cook meals is because they don’t know how to make a sandwich

— Soph (@boxedwine_) November 24, 2018

There are no words 😅 It’s the amount of self-contradictions that get me. You gotta have friends and be really interesting… but you can’t actually talk to anyone and we only allow guests max 3 times a week and they have to be people I like etc. etc.

— AubameDan Twining (@GeetawrDan) November 24, 2018

One of the best things about this is that you kinda feel this person getting angrier and angrier the more she’s writing rules.

— Nuno Mendonca (@nuno_kinetic) November 23, 2018

So you can’t in effect make breakfast before 8.30am, but you must be out of the house by 9am?

This guy sounds a dream to live with.

— Lost in Music (@lostinmusicmcr) November 24, 2018

“Hi, I’m looking for someone to silently live in my flat in the evenings, give me money and help me clean and then fuck off for the entire day. If that sounds like your cup of tea, give me a ring.”

Could have saved herself a lot of typing…

— Progressive Snaz (@EmilioSnazz) November 24, 2018

Sounds like a dream house, TBH.

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Elon Musk dismisses claims that moving to Mars is an ‘escape hatch for rich people’

Elon Musk: “Your probability of dying on Mars is much higher than on Earth.”

Image: Mario Tama/Getty Images

2017%2f09%2f01%2fdc%2f1bw.3febfBy Shannon Connellan

Elon Musk has dismissed claims that humans moving to Mars is an “escape hatch for rich people.”

During an interview with Axios on HBO Sunday night, the SpaceX founder and CEO said he was “talking about moving there,” and that it’s 70 percent likely he’ll get there personally. Even though there’s a heightened risk of death.

SEE ALSO: NASA’s latest and greatest Mars lander will touch down on the red planet Monday

Musk’s big Mars plans are no secret. In Sept. 2017, the 47-year-old billionaire announced his ambitious intention to get to Mars by 2022 — before preparing for a human crew in 2024. 

Musk backed up this timeline on Sunday, telling Axios that human trips to Mars would be possible in seven years time. Unsurprisingly, tickets to Mars ain’t gonna be cheap, priced at “around a couple hundred thousand dollars.”

But Musk denied that trips to Mars could be an exit strategy for the wealthy on Earth, what Axios’ Mike Allen called an “escape hatch for rich people.”

“No. Your probability of dying on Mars is much higher than on Earth,” Musk replied. “It’s gonna be hard. There’s a good chance of death, going in a little can through deep space.”

Musk reiterated the fact that the trip won’t exactly be a joyride, with plenty of hard work waiting on the other side for passengers — someone has to build the new colony.

“Once you land successfully, you’ll be working nonstop to build the base. So, you know, not much time for leisure,” he said. “And once you get there, even after doing all this, it’s a very harsh environment. So, there’s a good chance you die there. 

“We think you can come back but we’re not sure. Now, does that sound like an escape hatch for rich people?”

SpaceX's BFR is now called Starship.

SpaceX’s BFR is now called Starship.

Image: SpaceX

In September, Musk said his company plans to reach the red planet with SpaceX’s BFR — short for Big Falcon Rocket or Big F*cking Rocket — now known as SpaceX’s Starship.

The interview aired the day before NASA’s InSight lander is scheduled to touch down on Mars. Set to land on Monday at 3 p.m. ET, the vessel is on a mission to observe Martian earthquakes and study the planet’s interior. 

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Are the Chargers the NFL’s Best Super Bowl Sleeper?

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers smiles on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Because they’re only the second-most popular and second-most talented team in their city and arguably the least popular and second-most talented team in their division, the Los Angeles Chargers continue to fly under the radar.

But the Super Bowl-contending Bolts look like the real deal, and it starts with Philip Rivers.

Of course, because it’s 2018, it almost always starts at quarterback. If you’ve got a good one, you usually have a chance.

The Chargers have a great one, and he’s playing the best football of his Hall of Fame-caliber career.

That alone gives the Bolts a shot as at least a second-tier Super Bowl contender. But when you consider the talent that surrounds Rivers, you’re liable to wonder why the Chargers aren’t emerging as one of the favorites.

Five teams had significantly better Super Bowl odds entering Sunday’s games, and the Chicago Bears also had stronger championship odds despite a considerable lack of experience with a second-year quarterback and a first-year head coach.

Is it that nobody trusts a team that has a reputation for shooting itself in the foot? If so, maybe Sunday’s dominant victory over the Arizona Cardinals will help.

Nobody expected the Chargers to lose to Arizona, but it was fair to fear a crash after they dropped to 7-3 with a disheartening Week 11 home loss to the inferior Denver Broncos. That marked the first time this season Los Angeles lost a game it was supposed to win.

Facing that adversity Sunday against Arizona, with defenders Denzel Perryman and Corey Liuget now on injured reserve and likely Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon hurting, the Chargers came back from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit to demolish the Cards 45-10.

Los Angeles Chargers @Chargers

Only the four QBs have thrown multiple touchdown passes in each of the first 11 games to start a season:

Johnny Unitas
Peyton Manning
Aaron Rodgers
PHILIP RIVERS https://t.co/4dRu0Gadlf

Rivers completed an NFL-record 25 consecutive passes to start the game and finished with the highest completion percentage in league history (96.6) among quarterbacks with more than 10 attempts. He also threw three touchdown passes in an interception-free performance.

He’s just the fourth player in NFL history to complete more than 90 percent of his passes for 250-plus yards in a game, and the Chargers became the sixth team this season to win a game by 35 or more points.

Indeed, this was about more than Rivers. The Chargers outgained the Cardinals 414-149 and became the first team in the AFC this season to register 30 or more first downs on offense while surrendering 10 or fewer first downs on defense in one game. An increasingly healthy Joey Bosa had a pair of sacks and brought plenty of pressure in his second game back from injury, defensive backs young (Derwin James) and old (Casey Hayward Jr.) shined, and Gordon averaged 6.1 yards per carry while scoring twice despite dealing with hamstring and knee injuries.

Bleacher Report NFL @BR_NFL

2nd game back from injury, 2nd sack of the day for Joey Bosa

(via @Chargers) https://t.co/LUCLTkNrSv

It was a reminder that the Chargers are loaded—Rivers, Gordon, wide receiver Keenan Allen, pass-catching back Austin Ekeler, supporting receivers Tyrell Williams and Mike Williams, Bosa, James, Hayward and Melvin Ingram III are all rolling. Although a fresh knee injury could cost Gordon some time, Ekeler is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. They’re built to survive his absence, just as they survived Bosa’s for the first 10 weeks of the season.

So if the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams (both 10-1), Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) and New England Patriots (8-3) are considered the top-tier faves to reach Super Bowl LIII, has this statement game earned the Chargers the title of “best of the rest”?

The only other teams within a game of 8-3 L.A. in the standings are the 8-3 Bears, the 7-3 Houston Texans and the 7-3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers. But Chicago and Houston don’t have established quarterbacks like Rivers, Houston has yet to convincingly beat a quality opponent and the Steelers are coming off back-to-back unimpressive performances against sub-.500 opponents.

The Bears and Texans have Bosa-like defensive leaders in Khalil Mack and J.J. Watt, respectively, but their quarterbacks both ranked out of the top 12 in terms of passer rating entering Sunday. Pittsburgh lacks a superstar defensive player, and its quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, has a lower rating than both Deshaun Watson and Mitchell Trubisky. Big Ben is more accomplished than Rivers and the aforementioned sophomores, but he also threw a game-icing interception in the end zone Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Rivers’ 115.7 passer rating ranks third in football, behind only perceived MVP front-runners Drew Brees of the Saints and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs. And he ranks in the top five in terms of completion percentage, yards per attempt and touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Bill Barnwell @billbarnwell

Philip Rivers is a replay review away from starting 25-of-25. This was his best throw of those 25. https://t.co/1S6n78vRPK

And yet the Chargers might continue to garner less hype than teams like Chicago, Houston and Pittsburgh, possibly because they have a limited fanbase while playing in a temporary home stadium following last year’s move from San Diego.

The fact that they’re the only fringe Super Bowl contender (aside from maybe the Minnesota Vikings) that isn’t leading its division might also be a factor, and it should be acknowledged that the Bolts haven’t defeated the AFC West-leading Chiefs in their last nine tries.

This was a statement win, but it wasn’t a signature win. The Chargers have played only two games that could have produced signature wins, and they lost both (to the Chiefs in Week 1 and the Rams in Week 3).

But that could be about to change. If they can beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh next Sunday night, they’ll likely be viewed across the board as the top AFC Super Bowl candidate outside of Kansas City and Foxborough. And if they can finally get the K.C. monkey off their back two weeks later on Thursday Night Football, we might have to consider the Chargers a prime title contender.

Because the Chargers have made fools of us many times before, you’re allowed to distrust this team unless or until it slays Pittsburgh and/or Kansas City. But right now, following their fourth beatdown performance in a seven-game span, it’s impossible to ignore what the “other team” in both Los Angeles and the AFC West is doing.

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon

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145 pilot whales die in mass stranding in New Zealand

A volunteer looks after a whale, part of a pod of stranded pilot whales, in New Zealand in February 2017 [Anthony Phelps/Reuters]
A volunteer looks after a whale, part of a pod of stranded pilot whales, in New Zealand in February 2017 [Anthony Phelps/Reuters]

As many as 145 pilot whales died in a mass stranding on a remote New Zealand island, authorities said on Monday.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) said two pods of pilot whales were stranded on a beach on Stewart Island, 30km off New Zealand’s South Island.

The whales were found by a hiker camping in the area who notified the authorities on Saturday night. Half the animals were already dead when they were found by conservation officers who decided to put the rest of the whales down because of their poor condition.

“Sadly, the likelihood of being able to successfully re-float the remaining whales was extremely low,” said DOC Rakiura Operations Manager Ren Leppens, adding putting the whales to sleep was the most humane thing to do.

“However, it’s always a heart-breaking decision to make.”

New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of whale strandings, although the precise cause for it is not known.

The DOC said it responds to an average of 85 incidents a year, mostly for single animals.

Sickness, navigational error, geographical features, a rapidly falling tide, being chased by a predator, or extreme weather are thought to be among the reasons for whale and dolphin strandings, DOC said.

Ten pygmy killer whales were also stranded on Sunday at 90 Mile Beach on the western coast of the country’s North Island. Two have since died and attempts were being made to re-float the rest.

The department said the two events were unlikely to be related.

About 300 whales died on a beach at the northwest tip of South Island last year in one of New Zealand’s largest recorded mass whale strandings.

SOURCE:
News agencies

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Packers vs. Vikings: Live Updates, Score and Highlights for Sunday Night Football

  1. Clock Iconless than a minute ago

    The Ringer @ringer

  2. Clock Icon5 minutes ago

    Rob Demovsky @RobDemovsky

    The rookies, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, are at corner. Tramon Williams and Kentrell Brice at safety to open in base. https://t.co/lC4Hyg4vsm

  3. Clock Icon10 minutes ago

    Ben Goessling @GoesslingStrib

    Vikings win the toss; they’ll receive, instead of their usual decision to defer. Kirk Cousins and company will have the ball first.

  4. Clock Icon12 minutes ago

    NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFL

    That’s a Packers tattoo … in his armpit 👀 https://t.co/gA4pv3XsF9

  6. Clock Icon17 minutes ago

    Green Bay Packers @packers

    It’s time! #GoPackGo #GBvsMIN https://t.co/DbTtbku96M

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    Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski

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    Ben Goessling @GoesslingStrib

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    The Daily Norseman, a Minnesota Vikings blog @DailyNorseman

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    Arif Hasan @ArifHasanNFL

    The purple lights create quite an effect https://t.co/HbAyMTFr03

  12. Clock Icon18 minutes ago

    via Bleacher Report

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    via ESPN.com

  14. Clock Icon3 minutes ago

    Ryan Wood @ByRyanWood

  16. Clock Icon3 minutes ago

    Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13

  17. Clock Icon3 minutes ago

    Chris Tomasson @christomasson

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    Minnesota Vikings @Vikings

    It’s a good weekend to be a Minnesota fan. #Skol #GBvsMIN https://t.co/LGEhYTUIqt

  19. Clock Icon28 minutes ago

    Minnesota Vikings @Vikings

    🎶 Starting things off on the right foot. #Skol #GBvsMIN https://t.co/QSQRo1jtY1

  21. Clock Icon35 minutes ago

    Green Bay Packers @packers

    #GoPackGo
    #GoPackGo
    #GoPackGo https://t.co/9L7XsFDWOD

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    Courtney Cronin @CourtneyRCronin

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    Minnesota Vikings @Vikings

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    Arif Hasan @ArifHasanNFL

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    B/R Kicks @brkicks

    .@stefondiggs with the Super Nintendo inspired cleats by @MACHE275 🎮 https://t.co/yZ7QMoC1y3

  27. Clock Iconabout 1 hour ago

    Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero

    A closeup look at #Packers TE Jimmy Graham’s broken left thumb. Heavy tape and splint visible under his glove. https://t.co/ErL7uJZZoL

  28. November 25, 2018

  29. Clock Icon11:57 pm

    Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

    Randall Cobb is down. Jimmy Graham, broken thumb and all, is up https://t.co/zc9NPxPMC6

  30. November 26, 2018

  31. Clock Icon4 minutes ago

    Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski

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    Packers coverage by Acme Packing Co. @acmepackingco

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    Andrew Krammer @Andrew_Krammer

  35. November 25, 2018

  36. Clock Icon11:55 pm

    Chris Tomasson @christomasson

    #Vikings LB Anthony Barr returns after missing three games with a hamstring injury plus all of the Vikings inactives. https://t.co/WlLPsYXdEq

  37. Clock Icon11:48 pm

    via ESPN.com

  39. Clock Icon11:47 pm

    Minnesota Vikings @Vikings

    Hungry for a W.

    #Skol https://t.co/Lpva0H6U0T

  40. November 26, 2018

  41. Clock Icon4 minutes ago

    Chris Tomasson @christomasson

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    The Daily Norseman, a Minnesota Vikings blog @DailyNorseman

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    Arif Hasan @ArifHasanNFL

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    Chris Tomasson @christomasson

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    Luke Braun @LukeBraunNFL

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    Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski

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    Ben Goessling @GoesslingStrib

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    Chad Graff @ChadGraff

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    Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13

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    Eric Edholm @Eric_Edholm

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    Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero

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    Ryan Wood @ByRyanWood

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    Chris Tomasson @christomasson

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    chipscoggins @chipscoggins

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    Sam Ekstrom @SamEkstrom

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    ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

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    Packers coverage by Acme Packing Co. @acmepackingco

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    Cream City Central @CreamCityCtral

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    Ben Goessling @GoesslingStrib

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    Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski

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    Andrew Krammer @Andrew_Krammer

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    Courtney Cronin @CourtneyRCronin

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    Arif Hasan @ArifHasanNFL

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    Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski

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    Sam Ekstrom @SamEkstrom

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    Chris Tomasson @christomasson

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    The Daily Norseman, a Minnesota Vikings blog @DailyNorseman

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    Ben Goessling @GoesslingStrib

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    Packer Report @PackerReport

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    Ryan Wood @ByRyanWood

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    Jeff Darlington @JeffDarlington

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Controversial rare earths plant in fight for survival in Malaysia

Kuantan, Malaysia – The Lynas rare earths processing plant on Malaysia’s east coast, a major producer of the elements vital for mobile phones and other gadgets, is facing a battle for survival as the country’s new government investigates the facility’s waste management policies and environmental impact.

The government that won the general election six months ago announced in September it would probe long-standing environmental concerns surrounding the six-year-old plant and how it handles the radioactive waste created during processing.

The previous government, which had ruled Malaysia since it gained independence from Britain in 1957, backed Lynas despite public opposition, and also granted the company a 12-year tax holiday.

The review committee will submit its report early next week, but the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change said there was no timeline for when the government would announce its decision.

A security barrier near the entrance of the controversial Australian-owned Lynas plant [Al Jazeera]

In recent weeks Lynas, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, has been on a publicity blitz, placing a series of advertorials in newspapers and online news outlets to defend its operations.

The processing facility runs on a philosophy of “zero harm” according to the advertorials, urging “fairness, objectivity and transparency” in the review.

The controversy 

Lynas’ plant in Malaysia was set up despite opposition from environmentalists, activists and local residents, some of whom went to court in an ultimately unsuccessful bid to stop Lynas’ operations.

Their fears were shaped partly by what had happened at an earlier rare earths refinery near the town of Bukit Merah in the central state of Perak.

Residents there blamed the facility, part-owned by Mitsubishi Chemical, for a high number of birth defects and leukaemia cases.

The plant was eventually shut in 1994 after more than 10 years, and Mitsubishi Chemical has so far spent an estimated $100m to clean up the site.

Lynas rejects comparisons with Bukit Merah, and insists its waste is far less harmful. The residue in Bukit Merah was more than 60 times more radioactive than the waste produced by Lynas, the company said.

Recycling vs disposal

The other major concern is the lack of a comprehensive long-term plan to deal with the plant’s radioactive waste. 

Residents and activists held mass protests against the construction of the Lynas plant, but the development still went ahead [Bazuki Muhammad/Reuters]

Lynas says it will turn the waste into a soil conditioner called CondiSoil, removing the need to build a permanent disposal facility.

It insists the plan is “in line with internationally accepted principles of residue management”.

CondiSoil has been tested by a Malaysian university and an agricultural institute in research funded by Lynas.

Fuziah Salleh, is a member of parliament from Kuantan, 30km from the plant. She has opposed Lynas from the start and says the studies have only looked at “CondiSoil’s effects on plants, but not on the people who eat the plants”.

Gavin Mudd, RMIT University Melbourne professor of environmental engineering, told Al Jazeera if Lynas was doing its processing in Australia it would be subject to “a greater degree of environmental assessment and have to go through much more stringent public consultation”.

‘Scientifically proven’

The plant employs about 600 Malaysians, some of whom turned up at a recent public hearing to show their support for the company.

“As a worker of course I’m concerned, but it’s scientifically proven that it’s safe,” Yasmin Hazlin, an engineer at the facility, told Al Jazeera. “And if anything were to happen, I’ll be one of the first to be affected.”

Shaharuddin Shamsudin, a community leader in Balok, the town nearest the site says he supports the government review, but ultimately believes Lynas has brought more good than harm.

“I want community development,” Shaharuddin said. “If there’s a good project, let it be.”

At the hearing, government agencies including the Department of Environment and Malaysia’s nuclear agency, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board gave glowing accounts of how Lynas had complied with all relevant rules and regulations.

Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze talks to Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh who has campaigned against the rare earths plant since the beginning [Florence Looi/Al Jazeera]

“The reason why each of the regulating bodies spoke positively is they are the ones who actually receive our measurement packs, our reports,” said Lynas’ CEO Amanda Lacaze. “They’re the ones who inspect what we do. They’re the ones who audit.”

Fuziah is sceptical.

“They [agency officials] have to defend the decision that they made in the previous administration,” she said. 

‘Guinea pigs’

Lynas has gone on a publicity offensive as Malaysia’s government reviews its operations. Here, a man and his child attend a Lynas-sponsored event at a local school [Florence Looi/Al Jazeera]

Whatever Malaysia’s government decides to do about Lynas, it’s likely to have geopolitical implications since there are so few rare earth producers.

China’s decision to limit domestic rare earths production in the second half of this year is likely to drive up prices, according to Adamas Intelligence, a research firm that tracks the industry.

The United States’ moves to exclude the elements from import tariffs in its continuing trade dispute with China only underlines their importance.

But those who have concerns about the Lynas plant say health and safety must come first.

As Nandakumaran Kathirvaloo, a retired school principal, told the government committee, “We don’t want to be guinea pigs. We don’t want you to say 20 years later, ‘Oops. Sorry, we made a mistake.’”

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‘We don’t want an Alabama’: Hyde-Smith has Republicans holding their breath


Mike Espy

Democrats acknowledge GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is likely to win, but argue her flubs have given Mike Espy a narrow opening if everything breaks his way. | Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo

Elections

Democrat Mike Espy claims momentum in the final days of the Mississippi special Senate election, but Donald Trump heads to the state Monday to blunt it.

Republicans think Cindy Hyde-Smith will ultimately pull out a win in Mississippi’s special Senate election on Tuesday. But they say the race has tightened — and after what happened in Alabama last year, they’re on edge.

A swirl of controversy surrounding the Republican senator — stirred up by her comment about attending a “public hanging” — has given Democrat Mike Espy momentum in the home stretch, officials from both parties say. Hyde-Smith has never trailed in polling, and Democrats acknowledge she’s likely to win, but they argue that her flubs have given Espy a very narrow opening if everything breaks his way.

Story Continued Below

Henry Barbour, the Republican National Committee committeeman and a longtime Mississippi operative, said base voters in both parties are energized, but gave a slight edge to Espy’s supporters. He said he expects Hyde-Smith to win on Tuesday, though he added that Republicans should be concerned about the potential for weak turnout.

“I think Espy supporters are probably a little more energized than Hyde-Smith,” Barbour said. “But I do think conservative voters realize this race is going to decide if we have a conservative or liberal representing us in Washington and that is very motivating to conservative voters.

“We don’t want to have an Alabama,” he added, referring to Republican Roy Moore’s 2017 loss to Democrat Doug Jones in a special Senate election in the deep-red state.

Republicans are sending the full force of the party to Mississippi to prevent that scenario — starting with Donald Trump. The president is holding two rallies for Hyde-Smith Monday, events that officials hope will spike interest and turnout among conservatives during an oddly-timed, holiday-season election.

“I will be in Gulfport and Tupelo, Mississippi, on Monday night doing two Rallies for Senator Hyde-Smith, who has a very important Election on Tuesday. She is an outstanding person who is strong on the Border, Crime, Military, our great Vets, Healthcare & the 2nd A. Needed in D.C.,” Trump wrote Sunday in one of a pair of tweets for the senator.

The RNC has more than 100 paid staff members on the ground as of this weekend, and has made more than 500,000 voter contacts since Nov. 6, a spokesman said. The RNC transferred $1 million to the National Republican Senatorial Committee earlier this month to help fund TV ads in Mississippi.

National Republican and White House officials, who’ve been reviewing polling over the last week, remain confident Hyde-Smith will prevail. They say surveys have consistently shown her with a lead ranging from the mid-single digits to the low double digits. A public poll conducted this past week by RRH Elections had Hyde-Smith up by 10 points.

Still, White House officials have long expressed unease about Hyde Smith and worry that she wasn’t ready for prime time. Earlier this year, two Trump aides implored Gov. Phil Bryant to appoint someone else to the seat following the retirement of longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochran. But they’re convinced that Hyde-Smith will pull out a win, even if it’s narrower than it should be.

One Republican working on the runoff who requested anonymity to discuss private polling said the race has tightened recently, but expressed confidence Hyde-Smith would be elected. “A win’s a win,” the Republican said.

Dan Eberhart, a Republican mega-donor who’s contributed heavily to GOP Senate campaigns this year, said Trump’s rallies should eliminate any lingering concerns about the race.

“Trump will carry her over the finish line,” Eberhart said.

Democrats acknowledge Hyde-Smith will receive a significant boost from the president’s campaign rallies on Monday. But they say the appearances will provide a spark to their voters, too.

“When he shows up, of course he’s going to fire up the Republican base,” said Bobby Moak, the state Democratic Party chairman. “But he also does the same thing with the Democratic base.”

Joe Trippi, a consultant working with Espy’s campaign, said the Democrat is probably losing by low single digits in the closing days of the race. Hyde-Smith outpaced Espy by about 8,400 votes, or just a single percentage point, on Nov. 6, while Republican Chris McDaniel took 17 percent. They are in a runoff because no candidate eclipsed 50 percent.

Democrats expect high turnout from their base, boosted in part by backlash to Hyde-Smith’s comments about being first in line to a public hanging if one of her supporters invited her, and a second remark about limiting liberals’ ability to vote. A Jackson, Misssissippi newspaper also reported Friday that she attended a segregation academy for high school.

Espy called the senator’s comments during the campaign a “black eye” for the state, and a recent TV ad by his campaign said she’s reinforced stereotypes the state has worked to overcome. Multiple national companies, including Walmart and Major League Baseball, have requested their donations to Hyde-Smith be refunded because of the comments.

Trippi advised Jones during his improbable win in Alabama last year, and emphasized that Jones won by only 23,000 votes despite facing a historically bad opponent who motivated Democratic voters and depressed GOP turnout.

“We do think we have a real shot,” Trippi said, comparing Tuesday’s election to the Alabama race. “But if we win it’s going to be the same thing” — by a very small margin.

Republicans, meanwhile, have gone on the attack against Espy, airing TV ads highlighting the $750,000 lobbying contract he received from an Ivory Coast dictator earlier this decade. They’re also airing ads simply linking him to national Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, hoping to prevent any crossover Republican support.

Alex Isenstadt contributed to this report.

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NFL Live: Steelers Trail Broncos in the 4th

  1. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  2. Steelers Lose on Brutal INT

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    Broncos defense humbled Big Ben

    (via @NFL) https://t.co/g8ifE1wpGM

  3. This Schedule Looks Do-Able 👀

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

    Denver beat Pittsburgh to go to 5-6 today.

    Broncos’ remaining schedule:

    *At Cincinnati
    *At San Francisco
    *Cleveland
    *At Oakland
    *Chargers

  4. Broncos Convert PIT Fumble to TD

    NFL @NFL

    .@I_CU_boy finds the end zone for a @broncos TD!

    📺: CBS #BroncosCountry https://t.co/2pyv2qrbw6

  5. Broncos Defense Seals Win Against Steelers

    via Bleacher Report

  6. Kyle Fredrickson @kylefredrickson

  7. Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

  8. NFL @NFL

  9. Broncos Force Conner to Fumble

    Denver Broncos @Broncos

    OKAY, @BradRoby_1‼

    #BeatTheSteelers https://t.co/lmLgO8kxgt

  10. Von 1st Step Is Next Level

    Will Brinson @WillBrinson

    Good gravy Von Miller is absurd https://t.co/HABKKFrcQg

  11. Sanders Comes Up Big

    FanSportsClips @FanSportsClips

    nickr83: Despite all the big plays going against them recently, the Broncos haven’t folded & are now tied with the Steelers!! #BroncosCountry #PITvsDEN CBS NFL Football: Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos https://t.co/5p5geXZm5l https://t.co/xFmFG9iGKD

  12. The Checkdown @thecheckdown

  13. Gerry Dulac @gerrydulac

  14. Zac Stevens @ZacStevensBSN

  15. Not a Bad Day for Chris Harris

    Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala

    Chris Harris just earned $200,000. That interception triggered an incentive that was added to his contract before the season. Three picks — $200K bump. Five picks – $500K bump.

  16. JuJu 97-Yd TD 😱

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    Ninety-seven yards with ease, @TeamJuJu

    (via @thecheckdown) https://t.co/EJWxfqOZ2U

  17. AB Sets Another Record

    Pittsburgh Steelers @steelers

    8⃣0⃣0⃣ for 🆎

    Antonio Brown has set a record for the fewest games (126) to 800 receptions in NFL history. (Harrison, 131) https://t.co/DdcYaHSzoP

  18. NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFL

  19. Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

  20. CBS Sports @CBSSports

  21. Steelers Fake FG for TD

    Yahoo Sports NFL @YahooSportsNFL

    🚨 TRICKERATION TD 🚨

    @WizardOfBoz09 threw a TD to Alejandro Villanueva! #HereWeGo

    (via @NFL)
    https://t.co/QB8GzuIRsG

  22. Lindsay Went for a Slide 😅

    The Checkdown @thecheckdown

    This might be the most graceful move ever performed on a football field. 😲 @I_CU_boy https://t.co/A5uoucMXV1

  23. Worst Rule in Football 🤦‍♂️

    The Checkdown @thecheckdown

    From TD to takeaway real quick 💪 @PhillyWill11 https://t.co/jWBJ348H8E

  24. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  25. Predominantly Orange @PredomOrange

  26. Eric Edholm @Eric_Edholm

  27. Tomlin Expects Tough Test from the Broncos

    via Steelers

  28. AB Couldn’t Drop It in the Bucket

    The Checkdown @thecheckdown

    We need to see more of @AB84’s arm 👀 https://t.co/pNaWPEQ9Z8

  29. Best Moments from Week 12

    via Bleacher Report

  30. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  31. Rich Eisen @richeisen

  32. Tom Krasovic @SDUTKrasovic

  33. Zac Stevens @ZacStevensBSN

  34. 9NEWS Sports Denver @9NEWSSports

  35. Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala

  36. #FreePhillipDorsett @ftbeard_17

  37. Steelers Depot @Steelersdepot

  38. Jimmy Kempski @JimmyKempski

  39. Pittsburgh Steelers @steelers

  40. Ed Werder @EdwerderRFA

  41. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  42. John McClain @McClain_on_NFL

  43. Ian St. Clair @IanStClair

  44. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  45. Vic Lombardi @VicLombardi

  46. Mike Klis @MikeKlis

  47. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  48. Joe Rowles @JoRo_NFL

  49. Dejan Kovacevic @Dejan_Kovacevic

  50. Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

  51. Mike Klis @MikeKlis

  52. Rich Eisen @richeisen

  53. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  54. Steelers Depot @Steelersdepot

  55. Dov Kleiman @NFL_DovKleiman

  56. Eric Edholm @Eric_Edholm

  57. Steelers Depot @Steelersdepot

  58. Sarah Spain @SarahSpain

  59. Ryan O’Halloran @ryanohalloran

  60. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

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NFL Live: Steelers Trail Broncos in the 4th

  1. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  2. Steelers Lose on Brutal INT

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    Broncos defense humbled Big Ben

    (via @NFL) https://t.co/g8ifE1wpGM

  3. This Schedule Looks Do-Able 👀

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

    Denver beat Pittsburgh to go to 5-6 today.

    Broncos’ remaining schedule:

    *At Cincinnati
    *At San Francisco
    *Cleveland
    *At Oakland
    *Chargers

  4. Broncos Convert PIT Fumble to TD

    NFL @NFL

    .@I_CU_boy finds the end zone for a @broncos TD!

    📺: CBS #BroncosCountry https://t.co/2pyv2qrbw6

  5. Broncos Defense Seals Win Against Steelers

    via Bleacher Report

  6. Kyle Fredrickson @kylefredrickson

  7. Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

  8. NFL @NFL

  9. Broncos Force Conner to Fumble

    Denver Broncos @Broncos

    OKAY, @BradRoby_1‼

    #BeatTheSteelers https://t.co/lmLgO8kxgt

  10. Von 1st Step Is Next Level

    Will Brinson @WillBrinson

    Good gravy Von Miller is absurd https://t.co/HABKKFrcQg

  11. Sanders Comes Up Big

    FanSportsClips @FanSportsClips

    nickr83: Despite all the big plays going against them recently, the Broncos haven’t folded & are now tied with the Steelers!! #BroncosCountry #PITvsDEN CBS NFL Football: Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos https://t.co/5p5geXZm5l https://t.co/xFmFG9iGKD

  12. The Checkdown @thecheckdown

  13. Gerry Dulac @gerrydulac

  14. Zac Stevens @ZacStevensBSN

  15. Not a Bad Day for Chris Harris

    Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala

    Chris Harris just earned $200,000. That interception triggered an incentive that was added to his contract before the season. Three picks — $200K bump. Five picks – $500K bump.

  16. JuJu 97-Yd TD 😱

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    Ninety-seven yards with ease, @TeamJuJu

    (via @thecheckdown) https://t.co/EJWxfqOZ2U

  17. AB Sets Another Record

    Pittsburgh Steelers @steelers

    8⃣0⃣0⃣ for 🆎

    Antonio Brown has set a record for the fewest games (126) to 800 receptions in NFL history. (Harrison, 131) https://t.co/DdcYaHSzoP

  18. NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFL

  19. Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

  20. CBS Sports @CBSSports

  21. Steelers Fake FG for TD

    Yahoo Sports NFL @YahooSportsNFL

    🚨 TRICKERATION TD 🚨

    @WizardOfBoz09 threw a TD to Alejandro Villanueva! #HereWeGo

    (via @NFL)
    https://t.co/QB8GzuIRsG

  22. Lindsay Went for a Slide 😅

    The Checkdown @thecheckdown

    This might be the most graceful move ever performed on a football field. 😲 @I_CU_boy https://t.co/A5uoucMXV1

  23. Worst Rule in Football 🤦‍♂️

    The Checkdown @thecheckdown

    From TD to takeaway real quick 💪 @PhillyWill11 https://t.co/jWBJ348H8E

  24. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  25. Predominantly Orange @PredomOrange

  26. Eric Edholm @Eric_Edholm

  27. Tomlin Expects Tough Test from the Broncos

    via Steelers

  28. AB Couldn’t Drop It in the Bucket

    The Checkdown @thecheckdown

    We need to see more of @AB84’s arm 👀 https://t.co/pNaWPEQ9Z8

  29. Best Moments from Week 12

    via Bleacher Report

  30. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  31. Rich Eisen @richeisen

  32. Tom Krasovic @SDUTKrasovic

  33. Zac Stevens @ZacStevensBSN

  34. 9NEWS Sports Denver @9NEWSSports

  35. Nicki Jhabvala @NickiJhabvala

  36. #FreePhillipDorsett @ftbeard_17

  37. Steelers Depot @Steelersdepot

  38. Jimmy Kempski @JimmyKempski

  39. Pittsburgh Steelers @steelers

  40. Ed Werder @EdwerderRFA

  41. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  42. John McClain @McClain_on_NFL

  43. Ian St. Clair @IanStClair

  44. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  45. Vic Lombardi @VicLombardi

  46. Mike Klis @MikeKlis

  47. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  48. Joe Rowles @JoRo_NFL

  49. Dejan Kovacevic @Dejan_Kovacevic

  50. Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

  51. Mike Klis @MikeKlis

  52. Rich Eisen @richeisen

  53. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

  54. Steelers Depot @Steelersdepot

  55. Dov Kleiman @NFL_DovKleiman

  56. Eric Edholm @Eric_Edholm

  57. Steelers Depot @Steelersdepot

  58. Sarah Spain @SarahSpain

  59. Ryan O’Halloran @ryanohalloran

  60. Blitzburgh 🎁🎄 @Steel_Curtain4

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NFL Live: Rivers Has Hit 25 Straight Passes 🔥

  1. Craig Grialou @CraigAZSports

  2. Philip Rivers Makes NFL History 🔥

    via Bleacher Report

  3. So Good to Have Bosa Back 💪

    Los Angeles Chargers @Chargers

    BOSA WANTS ALL SACKS https://t.co/ptfSIi0Vle

  4. Ref Hits Rosen with Flag 😂

    Dov Kleiman @NFL_DovKleiman

    Refs gotta stop throwing flags at players. Orlando Brown was blinded by something similar.

    https://t.co/NoCTkU7x0P

  5. Melvin Gordon Exits Game

    Eric Williams @eric_d_williams

    Chargers announce Melvin Gordon has a knee injury, his return is questionable.

  6. Joe Curley @vcsjoecurley

  7. Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

  8. Mike Sando, ESPN.com @SandoESPN

  9. Rivers Ties NFL Record for Consecutive Completions

    via Bleacher Report

  10. Rivers Is on Fire

    SB Nation @SBNation

    Philip Rivers is perfect at the half!

    19-19
    187 YDS
    2 TD https://t.co/0Okz3atsAR

  11. Mike Williams Toe Drag TD 👏

    Los Angeles Chargers @Chargers

    Have a half, @darealmike_dub! https://t.co/2sa6x1rnMY

  12. Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

  13. Field Yates @FieldYates

  14. #FreePhillipDorsett @ftbeard_17

  15. Melvin Gordon Is Dynamic

    uSTADIUM @uSTADIUM

    MG3!!! https://t.co/SXVIIIAfcY

  16. Joey Bosa Is Back 🙌

    uSTADIUM @uSTADIUM

    BOSA IS BACK https://t.co/QdrqmqWgKq

  17. Where Are the Chargers Fans?

    CJ Fogler @cjzero

    Still plenty of seats available for your LA Chargers https://t.co/pRhfLe9SDk

  18. Jess Root @senorjessroot

  19. Craig Grialou @CraigAZSports

  20. Ryan Michael 🏈 @theryanmichael

  21. Best Moments from Week 12

    via Bleacher Report

  22. Rosen Throws a Seed

    Ian Wharton @NFLFilmStudy

    Rosen with a bullet to Fitz for 6 https://t.co/nxI8zrv07f

  23. Ryan Kartje @Ryan_Kartje

  24. Sam Fortier @Sam4TR

  25. Bleacher Report NFL @BR_NFL

  26. Rich Eisen @richeisen

  27. Fernando Ramirez @RealFRamirez

  28. Los Angeles Chargers @Chargers

  29. Ricky Henne @ChargersRHenne

  30. Greg Beacham @gregbeacham

  31. Craig Grialou @CraigAZSports

  32. Hayley Elwood @ChargersHElwood

  33. Ricky Henne @ChargersRHenne

  34. Fernando Ramirez @RealFRamirez

  35. Darren Urban @Cardschatter

  36. Ricky Henne @ChargersRHenne

  37. Rich Eisen @richeisen

  38. Fernando Ramirez @RealFRamirez

  39. Los Angeles Chargers @Chargers

  40. Greg Beacham @gregbeacham

  41. Craig Grialou @CraigAZSports

  42. Craig Grialou @CraigAZSports

  43. Greg Beacham @gregbeacham

  44. Los Angeles Chargers @Chargers

  45. Fernando Ramirez @RealFRamirez

  46. Mike Jurecki @mikejurecki

  47. Josh Weinfuss @joshweinfuss

  48. Josh Weinfuss @joshweinfuss

  49. Ricky Henne @ChargersRHenne

  50. Los Angeles Chargers @Chargers

  51. David J. Chao, MD @ProFootballDoc

  52. Darren Urban @Cardschatter

  53. Josh Weinfuss @joshweinfuss

  54. SB Nation @SBNation

  55. Sam Farmer @LATimesfarmer

  56. Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

  57. Mike Sando, ESPN.com @SandoESPN

  58. Sam Farmer @LATimesfarmer

  59. Craig Grialou @CraigAZSports

  60. Michael Giardi @MikeGiardi

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