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Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account The company responded in its statement that it’s “clear and fair with its customers, including with the nearly 100 million Americans who filed their taxes free of charge with our products over the last 8 years - more than all other tax prep software companies combined.” Today, every state in the nation is holding Intuit accountable for scamming millions of taxpayers, and we’re putting millions of dollars back into the pockets of impacted Americans.” “For years, Intuit misled the most vulnerable among us to make a profit. ![]() “Intuit cheated millions of low-income Americans out of free tax filing services they were entitled to,” James wrote in a press release. James said the tactic targeted low-income consumers in particular.įilers who used TurboTax’s Free Edition for tax years 2016 through 2018 will be mailed a check for approximately $30 for each year they were charged when they should have been able to use free services. ![]() James’ office said its investigation came after a 2019 ProPublica report accused the company of steering eligible clients away from federally supported tax filing products by making them difficult to find in web searches - instead directing them toward the paid version of the company’s filing services. (INTU) said that it “admitted no wrongdoing” as part of the agreement and it expects “minimal impact to its business” from the changes demanded in the future. The settlement, announced Wednesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James, said about 4.4 million customers were “unfairly charged.” Intuit must also suspend its “free, free, free” ad campaign because it falsely lured customers with the promise of free tax preparation services, the statement added. “Intuit is pleased to have reached a resolution with the state attorneys general that will ensure the company can return our focus to providing vital services to American taxpayers today and in the future,” Kerry McLean, Intuit’s executive vice president and general counsel, said at the time.īRAZIL - 1: In this photo illustration, a silhouetted woman holds a smartphone with the TurboTax logo displayed on the screen.Intuit, the owner of tax filing software TurboTax, has agreed to pay $141 million in a settlement with all 50 states for allegedly steering millions of low-income Americans away from free tax-filing services. When contacted by The Associated Press on Friday, Inuit pointed to the company’s May 2022 statement following the settlement agreement. “The website lists Free, Free, Free and the customers are assuming their return will be free,” an internal company PowerPoint presentation said, per ProPublica. According to documents obtained by ProPublica, Intuit executives were aware of the impact of advertising free services that were actually not free for everyone. agreed to suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign. Under the terms of last year’s settlement, Intuit Inc. READ MORE: Expecting a tax refund? Here’s why it could be smaller than last year “Today we are righting that wrong and putting money back into the pockets of hardworking taxpayers who should have never paid to file their taxes.”Īt the time of the May 2022 settlement, James said her investigation into Intuit was sparked by a 2019 ProPublica report that found the company was using deceptive tactics to steer low-income tax filers away from the free, federal services they qualified for - and toward its own commercial products instead. “TurboTax’s predatory and deceptive marketing cheated millions of low-income Americans who were trying to fulfill their legal duties to file their taxes,” James said in a Thursday statement. ![]() The amount paid to each eligible consumer ranges from $29 to $85 - depending on the number of tax years they qualify for. They will be notified by an email from Rust Consulting, the settlement fund administrator, and receive a check automatically.Ĭhecks will be mailed starting next week, and continue through the month of May. ![]() READ MORE: FTC sues Intuit to stop misleading ‘free’ TurboTax filing adsĪll 50 states and the District of Columbia signed the May 2022 settlement, which was led by James.Ĭonsumers eligible for restitution payments do not need to file a claim, the New York Attorney’s General Office said Thursday. Those impacted were low-income consumers eligible for free, federally-supported tax services - but paid TurboTax to file their federal returns across the 2016, 20 tax years due to “predatory and deceptive marketing,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said. was ordered to pay $141 million to some 4.4 million people across the country. In a settlement last year, TurboTax’s owner Intuit Inc. WASHINGTON (AP) - Millions of Americans who qualified for free tax services - but were instead deceived into paying TurboTax for their returns - will soon get settlement checks in the mail. ![]() What are the parking limits and meter rates when using Park Mobile?.Can I move my vehicle to another area and use my current session, if the parking rate is the same?.Can I reserve a space using Park Mobile?.Where do I find the parking zone numbers?.Can I view my active parking session(s)?.Can I use the Zone number posted across the street?.Do I have to pay at spaces that do not have a meter?.Will I know when my parking session is about to end?.How will Enforcement Officers know that I’ve paid?.Sometimes a parking session cannot be extended. ![]() I parked using the wrong zone number, can I change it?.Can I use Park Mobile if I don’t have a smartphone?.Can I use the system if I have a temporary or dealer tag?.What if I accidentally pay for the incorrect license plate number?.How do I get started using Park Mobile?.What are the benefits of using Park Mobile?.Setting Up Your Parkmobile Wallet (It saves you money)! YOU CAN ALSO PAY BY USING THE PARKMOBILE TOLL FREE NUMBER 87 Register after you download and you are ready to park. You can also opt-in to receive notifications 15-minutes prior to your parking session expiring.ĭownload: Download the free app at Parkmobile or your device’s app store. If you’re driving a different car than the one you registered, you can quickly change the license plate number and activate your parking session. With Parkmobile’s mobile app, starting your parking transaction takes just a few seconds. Parkmobile provides a new and better way to pay for parking using your smartphone. Effective June 1, 2022, there will be a $0.10 fee increase, bringing the convenience fee to $0.45 per transaction. ![]() Unlike Puigdemont and his successor, Quim Torra, the incumbent president has opted to tone down the rhetoric. Sitting in a wood-panelled room, Aragonès chooses his words carefully. In the grand medieval surroundings of the Palau de Generalitat, the seat of the Catalan government, Aragonès defends his party’s decision to share the negotiating table with the socialist government of the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, despite repeated criticism from the other two pro-independence parties. ![]() In last year’s regional election, pro-independence parties won an overall majority of the popular vote for the first time – 51% – but the party that took the biggest share of the vote was the Catalan branch of the unionist Catalan Socialist party (PSC), led by the former Spanish health minister Salvador Illa.Īragonès eventually became president but with only grudging support from his Junts coalition partners. The three share the common goal of Catalan independence – but little else. ![]() Personality clashes and ever-widening splits on the best way forward have riven the Catalan government and the region’s three pro-independence parties: Aragonès’s Catalan Republican Left party (ERC) Puigdemont’s centre-right Together for Catalonia party (Junts) and the hard-left Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP). Others point out that almost a fifth of the region’s population is made up of immigrants who are not eligible to vote in regional or general elections, while in Barcelona those born abroad comprise nearly 25% of the population. There’s a part of the independence movement that doesn’t agree with this process of negotiation but I believe it’s necessary Pere Aragonès, president According to a survey conducted this summer by the same centre, 52% of Catalans now oppose independence, while 41% are in favour. At the height of the crisis in October 2017, a survey by the Catalan government’s Centre for Opinion Studies found that 48.7% of Catalans supported independence, while 43.6% did not. ![]() What they comprehensively and consistently failed to do, however, was listen to the majority of Catalans who oppose independence.Īs pro-independence Catalan MPs voted to proclaim independence on 27 October 2017, one centre-right local lawmaker turned to Puigdemont and asked: “How can you imagine you can impose independence like this without a majority in favour … and with this simulacrum of a referendum?”įive years on, the question of validity still hangs in the autumn air. To avoid arrest, Puigdemont fled to Belgium – where he remains to this day – while other pro-independence figures stayed behind to face the consequences, which, for nine of them, included prison.Īlthough Puigdemont and his lieutenants proved unable to deliver the new republic, they did succeed in attracting the world’s attention and forcing the issue to the top of Spain’s political agenda. Hence the fleeting joy 26 days later when secessionist Catalan MPs voted to establish an independent republic – fleeting because it prompted Rajoy’s government to sack Puigdemont and his cabinet, assume direct control of Catalonia and order a fresh regional election.įormer Catalan president Carles Puigdemont after a hearing at the justice court in Belgium, where he has been living in exile since 2017. The sole enemy back then was the Spanish state, as embodied by the conservative government of former prime minister Mariano Rajoy, which insisted the referendum would never take place, and by the thousands of Spanish police officers, whose heavy-handed and violent attempts to stop the vote ended up on newspaper front pages around the world the following day.įor longstanding independentistas, and indeed for many of the less convinced, the police’s raiding of polling stations, beating of voters and firing of rubber bullets was unequivocal proof of the need to break away. There were no such complaints on 1 October 2017, when Catalonia’s then president, Carles Puigdemont, defied Spain’s government and courts by staging the unilateral referendum. There’s no point negotiating with Madrid – we have to fight this ourselves and we will.” Montse Planas, who had come to the Diada from the village of Caldes de Montbui, an hour’s drive north of the Catalan capital, said she felt let down by politicians in Catalonia and Madrid. Aragonès was notably absent from the Diada march organised by the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), the powerful and influential grassroots group that has pushed relentlessly for independence in recent years. Much of the anger of hardcore independentistas is focused on the Catalan regional president, Pere Aragonès, for his willingness to find a negotiated solution to the political impasse. Spanish police clash with pro-independence supporters of Catalonia’s referendum in October 2017. ![]() This much sounds like common sense: if you say, "because I'm in a rush"-if you explain your need-people are willing to step aside.īut here's where the study gets interesting. May I use the Xerox machine, because I'm in a rush?" Ninety-four per cent said yes. ![]() Then she repeated the experiment on another group, except that she changed her request to "Excuse me, I have five pages. May I use the Xerox machine?" Sixty per cent said yes. She went up to a group of people waiting in line to use a library copying machine and said, "Excuse me, I have five pages. Langer examined the apparently common-sense idea that if you are trying to persuade someone to do something for you, you are always better off if you provide a reason. The Photocopier Effect proves, scientifically, why it's so important to emphasize the reasons behind your position. With this in mind, I came across an interesting phenomenon called the "Photocopier Effect" in a Malcolm Gladwell New Yorker article from a while back. ![]() People don't like things that don't make sense. The partner doesn't have to agree with your position, but you must explain the business logic behind it. Clip Studio Paint being the digital version and Manga Studio the physical version.I've written in the past that one of the secrets to negotiating with partners or potential partners is to always communicate the reasons behind your position. It's critical. (Unofficial) Clip Studio Discussions Discord Server - Another channel to hang out and chat.Ĭlip Studio Paint and Manga Studio is basically the same product. Works great in addition to Clip Studio Paint's stabilizers.Īdditional Online Discussion Boards for Clip Studio Products: If you have the shakes like me and need some handicap assistance to make great line art then this is the tool for you. As well exporting models as OBJ or FBX to import into Clip Studio Modeler. Excellent for creating references from scratch. If you really like them then feel free to shoot Scott a donation.ĭAZ Studio - Completely Free 3D Posing, Animating, Rendering and Figure morphing software. Scott Drummond's Clip Studio Paint Pens Pack - Free custom brush pack. Liquify Brush - Brush to morph various parts of your art piece. LeslieLu Marie: Clip Studio Paint Time Savers - Great tips for speeding up workflows. Scott Drummond: Create Custom Brushes in Clip Studio Paint - In depth guide to creating custom brushes This can also be used in Autodesk 3DStudio Max and Maya with additional plugin software.Īdditional Resources recommended by members:Ĭlip Studio Paint Official Tips & Tutorials QUMARION - USB Interface Doll used to assist in posing 3D models within the Clip Studio Product line. Plans to release them internationally is currently unknown.Ĭlip Studio Coordinate - Create Bones for your 3D Models.Ĭlip Studio Action - Animate your 3D Models. ![]() Post News, Questions or anything Clip Studio related.Ĭlip Studio Modeler - Create and Customize your own 3D Models.Ĭlip Studio Tabmate - Handheld device that can be used with pen tablets and tablet PCs so that you can more easily create your illustrations, comics, cartoons, and animations.Īll products below are for Japan. As Marla Shrike’s best friend, he has seen his share of adventure. It’s not easy being the best friend of the world’s savior…Įvon Desconse has spent most of his life at the vaunted Hero Academy. If not, the battle with the animaru will have to proceed with fewer heroes. Maybe the small group of heroes can pull off another victory against the dark forces challenging the world. The young priest knows that if something could overpower a goddess, he has little chance to defeat it, but he must make the attempt. ![]() The group of heroes splits up, Urun and his few companions heading toward where Osulin pointed him: the Mellafond, a dangerous and enigmatic swamp he had no desire to ever visit. But his friends, including the hero who was formerly known as Erent Caahs, pledge their support and accompany him while others of the group head off for other urgent missions. When he receives an urgent sending from the goddess, Urun immediately prepares to go unaided to help her. He’s had his share of attacks and close calls, but the worst of all his experiences is the lost communication with his goddess, Osulin. In the midst of the chaos and danger of the Time of Darkness, Urun Chinowa has been having a rough time. More info →ĭon’t mess with Mother Nature…or her priest! Get it now and be part of the action three thousand years in the making. Hero Dawning is the first of the Hero Academy books, a truly epic fantasy series that continues the story from the Song of Prophecy series. She’ll need every bit of skill and knowledge she’s gained from her instruction to survive it. This one action begins a tempest of events that will change not only everything Marla has ever known, but the entire world. One of the masters has been murdered on the Academy grounds, something that has never occurred. The indeterminate future isn’t on Marla’s mind, though, not with the Academy in turmoil. ![]() Marla Shrike is the star student in the famed Hero Academy, already having mastered more schools than anyone in history. To combat this evil, the Great Prophet Tsosin Ruus built the Hero Academy to train the Malatirsay, the hero who is the only means to defeat the darkness, prophesied to appear at the proper time. ![]() The Bhavisyaganant, the Song of Prophecy, foretells a time of darkness, of creatures from another world invading Dizhelim to destroy all life and light. There are prophecies and there is the Prophecy. ![]() Sometimes when a thermostat goes bad, it stays stuck open. It does this by allowing water to enter the engine when it is getting hot, and by keeping coolant from entering while the vehicle warms up. The job of your Escape’s thermostat is to regulate the temperature of the engine. Never touch the radiator cap unless the vehicle is ICE COLD. It should have separate lines to indicate “cool hot” and “cool cold”. The overflow reservoir will be connected to the radiator by a tube coming from the top (usually right by the radiator cap). You can verify this by checking the coolant level by taking a peek at the overflow reservoir. Is there isn’t enough line pressure, due to low coolant, then the heater core will not be able to get any coolant itself. While not having enough coolant may make your engine run hotter, it can also cause your Escape to not be able to create enough heat. Anytime you’re putting your hand around the radiator or fans in the engine assume that they are hot and that the fans can kick on at any time, even without your key in the ignition. The exception to that would be when you would have reason to believe that the hose going from the reservoir to the radiator is clogged. There is almost never a situation where you would need to take the radiator cap off of the radiator to add coolant. If the heater has stopped working in your Escape, this process has failed in one way or another.įord Escape Heater Not Working: DiagnosisĪ word of caution: If there is no coolant in your overflow, you can refill it by adding more to the overflow reservoir. At this point, the blower motor blows air across the it and the newly heated air blows on to the driver and passengers. If the heat is blowing, but blowing cold, it has something to do with the coolant getting to the heater core, or the heater core itself.Īt the simplest level possible, the heater works by passing hot coolant from the engine into a tiny radiator called the heater core. If it’s not coming on at all, it’s usually either the blower motor or some other wiring issue. Not having a functioning heater makes driving much less comfortable, and can be a sign of certain issues.Īt the simplest level, there are two main reasons why the heater is not working. One of the most common (and inconvenient) problems with the Ford Escape is when it has no heat coming from the heater. ![]() On day 560, a little more than eighteen months into the experiment, the population peaked at 2,200 mice and its growth ceased. Elsewhere, cannibalism, pansexualism, and violence became endemic. Other males, a group Calhoun termed “the beautiful ones,” never sought sex and never fought-they just ate, slept, and groomed, wrapped in narcissistic introspection. Lone females retreated to isolated nesting boxes on penthouse levels. Procreation slumped, infant abandonment and mortality soared. Left on their own in nests subject to invasion, nursing females attacked their own young. The victims of these random attacks became attackers. The failures and dropouts congregated in large groups in the middle of the enclosure, their listless withdrawal occasionally interrupted by spasms and waves of pointless violence. Normal social discourse within the mouse community broke down, and with it the ability of mice to form social bonds. ![]() With more and more peers to defend against, males found it difficult and stressful to defend their territory, so they abandoned the activity. Mice found themselves born into a world that was more crowded every day, and there were far more mice than meaningful social roles. More than six hundred mice now lived in Universe 25, constantly rubbing shoulders on their way up and down the stairwells to eat, drink, and sleep. So what exactly happened in Universe 25? Past day 315, population growth slowed. In Calhoun’s heaven, hell was other mice. The point was that crowding itself could destroy a society before famine even got a chance. This was, after all, “heaven”-a title Calhoun deliberately used with pitch-black irony. The only thing that was in short supply was space. But there was no scarcity of food and water in Calhoun’s universe. Vogt, Ehrlich, and the others were neo-Malthusians, arguing that population growth would cause our demise by exhausting our natural resources, leading to starvation and conflict. By 1972, the issue reached its mainstream peak with the report of the Rockefeller Commission on US Population, which recommended that population growth be slowed or even reversed.īut Calhoun’s work was different. After Ehrlich appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1970, his book became a phenomenal success. In 1968, Paul Ehrlich published The Population Bomb, an alarmist work suggesting that the overcrowded world was about to be swept by famine and resource wars. The issue made the cover of Time magazine in January 1960. Pioneering ecologists such as William Vogt and Fairfield Osborn were cautioning that the growing population was putting pressure on food and other natural resources as early as 1948, and both published bestsellers on the subject. They were a warning, made in a postwar society already rife with alarm over the soaring population of the United States and the world. He had been building utopian environments for rats and mice since the 1940s, with thoroughly consistent results. As the name Universe 25 suggests, it was not the first time Calhoun had built a world for rodents. But its downfall was already certain-not just stagnation, but total and inevitable destruction.Ĭalhoun’s concern was the problem of abundance: overpopulation. To its members, the mouse civilization of Universe 25 must have seemed prosperous indeed. Those were the good times, as the mice feasted on the fruited plain. In their fully catered paradise, the population increased exponentially, doubling every fifty-five days. After 104 days of upheaval as they familiarized themselves with their new world, they started to reproduce. Heaven.įour breeding pairs of mice were moved in on day one. There were no predators, the temperature was kept at a steady 68☏, and the mice were a disease-free elite selected from the National Institutes of Health’s breeding colony. The Universe was cleaned every four to eight weeks. There was abundant clean food, water, and nesting material. That means 256 boxes in total, each capable of housing fifteen mice. Four horizontal corridors opened off each stairwell, each leading to four nesting boxes. Each wall had sixteen vertical mesh tunnels-call them stairwells-soldered to it. The first 37 inches of wall was structured so the mice could climb up, but they were prevented from escaping by 17 inches of bare wall above. ![]() The Universe took the form of a tank, 101 inches square, enclosed by walls 54 inches high. Every aspect of Universe 25-as this particular model was called-was pitched to cater for the well-being of its rodent residents and increase their lifespan. Calhoun detailed the specifications of his Mortality-Inhibiting Environment for Mice: a practical utopia built in the laboratory. How do you design a utopia? In 1972, John B. Get Jewellery Design Software at lowest price.
While the 1640 Leather Lace Up Boots are one of Docs’ most iconic silhouettes, I decided to trust the 2976 WinterGrip Chelsea Boots, which retail at $160, based on how well the pair fit when I tried them on at the store. To the brand’s surprise, ska-, grunge- and punk-loving fans started rocking them everywhere, from work to concerts to skate parks. The two initially used discarded military materials to mass-produce their boots, eventually reaching an adoring overseas market. Using salvaged cobbler materials, he whipped up a therapeutic cushioned sole that fast-tracked the soldier's healing and then partnered up with a mechanical engineer to take his design to market. Klaus Maertens, a 25-year-old soldier, needed to fix a broken foot-stat. Martens, commonly dubbed "Doc Martens" or "Docs," may initially evoke images of 6-inch goth-looking combat boots, but its beginnings are a little more humble. Martens?ĭocs will forever remain the coolest thing in your closet-even after you've worn them down to their soles.ĭr. ![]() They feel incredibly lightweight and are made with water-resistant leather uppers and cushioned midsoles and toe springs for extra bounce and reduced fatigue. (If you haven’t read my previous review of my Blundstone boots, you’ll learn that fighting off the harsh Canadian elements is my part-time job). I opted for the Classic #558 boots because, after conducting some research, it made sense to spend an extra 10 bucks for the sturdier materials and better shock absorption found in the 550 line. From then on, “word of foot” spread, and Blundstone became a go-to boot for festival-goers, factory workers, and athletes around the world.Ĭurrently, its most popular pair is the Original #500 in stout brown, which goes for $199.95. It wasn’t until the early '90s that tourists seeking solid work boots discovered the brand's two-story, family-owned shop in Tasmania. While on the pricey side, Blundstone Chelsea boots provide unmatched value.īlundstones may have catapulted to popularity recently (we’re talking the last decade or so), but their history spans over 150 years. Martens, I’ve gained some wisdom to help you decide which pair is right for your feet this season. After spending hundreds of hours walking, living, and running around in boots by Blundstones and Dr. Not sure which Chelsea boot to add into your fall footwear rotation? I asked myself that same question six years ago when I began my quest for the perfect pair. They boast an equestrian-inspired unisex silhouette and have features that help make long days at the pumpkin patch or apple orchard a joy, from non-slip midsoles to helpful pull tabs. ![]() Not only are they super practical with their (often) weather-resistant materials and cushioned footbeds, but they pair well with nearly everything, from camel-hued trench coats to wide-leg corduroys and fall-friendly dresses. The boot, which originated in Chelsea, England’s chic mid-century fashion scene, shows no signs of leaving our wardrobes. From stylish rain boots to practical winter boots and beyond, these weather-ready styles protect you no matter the forecast.There’s one boot style we can collectively agree reigns supreme once the temperatures dip: Chelsea boots. Rain, sleet or snow, our selection of waterproof boots will keep you dry and warm as you confront Mother Nature’s bravest elements. Refresh your wardrobe with classic staples like ankle boots, chelsea boots and casual boots that pair equally as well with casual leggings than with work pants - the perfect comfy boots that don't compromise on style! If you're looking to add some extra edge to your look, opt for our assortment of military-inspired combat boots and chunky lug sole boots designed to make a statement. Spice it up even more with tall boots in varying heights like thigh high, knee-high and mid-calf, or different shapes like round toe, almond toe and square toe. Think high-heeled boots, block heels and stilettos. Women’s boots wouldn't be complete without an array of heel styles. ![]() Our boots collection comes in a variety of materials ranging from classic leather, nubuck, suede and even patent. From chic dress boots and trendy sock boots to wear-anywhere black boots, you'll find something for every style, shape and occasion. Nothing screams fall and winter better than a good pair of boots. |
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