The 74 Interview cognitive science The 74 Interview Content Guru Natalie Wexler Urges Us to Move ‘Beyond The Science of Reading’ New book recommends that educators broaden focus with history and science to help students go deeper and learn more. Greg T…

Arts & Culture, Books

Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Over the past few years, millions of educators have embraced the science of reading, in many cases radically transforming how the youngest students learn how to read.  But a new book argues that the current approach remains deeply flawed. Though…

Onyx Storm release: Where to find the much-anticipated book in metro Detroit

Arts & Culture, Books

The highly-anticipated third book in The Empyrean Series – “Onyx Storm” – was released on Tuesday morning. Author Rebecca Yarros announced in March 2023 that the book would be released on Jan. 21.The book also includes a deluxe edition with a design on the pages including dragons.Independent bookstores throughout metro Detroit have the book on sale now. Here’s where you can get it.Booksweet in Ann Arbor – The store did a midnight release party and the website shows the deluxe edition in-store.
Brooks Books in Wyandotte – The store said it will also have collector packs available for purchase when you pick up the book.
Eras Bookshop in Oxford – The store did a midnight release and has a limited amount of the deluxe version available.
Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor – The store’s website shows both the deluxe edition and standard edition available.Pages Bookshop in Detroit – Though the shop is closing on Jan. 31 as the owner retires, Onyx Storm is available for purchase.Sidetrack Bookstop in Royal Oak – The store’s website shows both the deluxe edition and standard edition available in-store.If your bookstore is selling Onyx Storm and would like to be included, please email [email protected] independent bookstores 27th Letter Books in Detroit – The store’s site does not show any availability in stock, but you can check for updates on their site.The Book Beat in Oak Park – You can check the store’s website and Instagram page for updates.

What is ‘Onyx Storm,’ the new book flying off shelves?

Arts & Culture, Books

The hotly anticipated follow-up to the bestselling books “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame” was released Tuesday, accompanied by midnight release parties and retailer website crashes.“Onyx Storm” is the third in the Empyrean Series by author Rebecca Yarros. It’s credited with creating a new genre dubbed “romantasy,” combining romance and fantasy themes.The books are set in the world of a war college for elite dragon riders, where characters fall in love while fighting to survive.The books are available at independent bookstores and big-box retailers, but a special deluxe edition of “Onyx Storm” was available as a Target exclusive.The exclusive edition features “sprayed edges with stenciled artwork, as well as exclusive special design features,” according to the item listing.Fans of the series reported that the Target website experienced outages overnight as readers rushed to order copies. The website Downdetector.com, which tracks online outages, received hundreds of reports between 1 and 4 a.m.Readers attended midnight release parties at Barnes and Noble stores in Eden Prairie and Edina, braving subzero temperatures for a chance to celebrate the beloved series.Stores offered trivia and other games ahead of the book’s release.

SMEs facing uncertain times as potential US tariffs loom: Corporate Traveller Canada survey

Travel

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – which make up 98% of all businesses and almost 90% of the private workforce in Canada — are facing uncertainty as potential US tariffs loom.
And according to a new survey by Corporate Traveller Canada – conducted by YouGov – 85% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would reduce cross-border travel for business if tariff or trade restrictions are imposed.*
This move could have widespread implications for Canada’s economy, disrupting business relationships, supply chains, and the broader tourism and hospitality industries.
On the other hand, not all SMEs are aligned, showing the divided nature of the current economic climate.
Key insights from the Corporate Traveller Canada survey found:
Divided Opinions
Nearly half (48%) of Canadian SME workers believe US-Canada trade tensions will cause significant or some disruptions to business operations over the next 12 months, while 47% expect minimal or no impact.  
Among Canadian SMEs with US operations or clients, 44% report increasing cross-border travel due to trade policy uncertainty, while 40% have reduced such travel. 
Shifting Travel Patterns
85% of SMEs anticipate reducing cross-border travel to the US, including 59% expecting significant or moderate disruptions. 
77% of SMEs are exploring alternative international markets, with this shift being more pronounced among small businesses (80%) than medium enterprises (73%). 
Tariff Concerns
65% of Canadian SME workers are concerned about the potential impact of US tariffs or restrictions, including 22% who are very concerned.  
Chris Lynes, Managing Director of Flight Centre Travel Group, including global travel management company, Corporate Traveller, observed that: “The conversations around potential US tariffs and trade restrictions often focus on rising costs, but their impact on business relationships and cross-border travel is just as critical.”
Lynes continued: “Our survey shows Canadian SMEs are not only cutting back on US travel but also exploring new markets. While these shifts could reshape the landscape of North American business short term, the Canada-US partnership remains strong and will endure.”
Signalling a potential realignment of business strategies, 77% of SMEs surveyed said they are considering increasing their corporate travel to alternative international markets.
Said Lynes: “As Canada’s businesses anticipate disruptions, many are already preparing by pivoting to global opportunities outside the US. This is not just a response to tariffs; it’s an opportunity for growth and diversification.”
Still, the ripple effects are concerning.
Reduced business travel to the US could significantly impact North American airlines, domestic and cross-border hospitality industries, and tourism services, as SMEs account for a substantial portion of these bookings.
Proper planning and robust travel management strategies will be critical for businesses responding to these shifts.
Go to www.corptraveller.com for more.
* A variety of sources have reported that following his inauguration, President Trump indicated that tariffs on Canada and Mexico could be imposed as soon as Feb. 1, 2025.

Spain’s new entry requirements for UK tourists: What to know for 2025 travel plans

Travel

British holidaymakers planning a Spanish getaway in 2025 should be prepared for significant changes to border control procedures. The EU’s new Entry/Exit System, which was postponed once again last November, is now anticipated to be implemented later this year. The innovative automated system will necessitate UK tourists to scan their passports at an automated self-service…

Al-Qaeda manuals available on eBay after Southport killer found in possession of sick book

Arts & Culture, Books

THE shocking terrorist manual owned by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana can still be purchased online, the Express can reveal.’Al Qaeda Training Manual: Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants’ can be bought on eBay for just £27.29.According to the site, there are ten copies of the book available and one has been bought.On Monday, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to owning a digital copy of the book, as well as to the murder of three little girls, and the attempted murder of eight other kids and two adults.He carried out his horrific attack as his victims were enjoying a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town.The book outlines methods of assassination, espionage, covert communications and how to avoid being captured by authorities.One chapter specifically instructs readers on how to create the deadly poisons ricin which was found at Rudakubana’s home.The Crown Prosecution Service said the terror training manual was “likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism”.It was previously also available at Waterstones, although it has since been removed from the site. Waterstones priced the hardback version of the book £31.99 and a paperback version at £19.95.A spokesman said: “Despite the best efforts of those who manage the catalogues and those who supply books, including ourselves, objectionable titles from time to time are listed.”With many millions of new titles published each year and the potential for malign intent of some participants, although very rarely, this does happen.”When we become aware of objectionable titles, we remove them from our catalogue while we investigate them and notify our cataloguing and trading partners.”We also examine our filters to improve these to limit as far as is possible [for] such instances in the future.”

New UK far-right group exposed as members secretly filmed saying migrants ‘should be shot’

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Shocking new footage filmed secretly has revealed the racist comments made by a far right group.Now Dame Sara Khan, a former Counter-Extremism Commissioner, is calling on the government to change the law to make extremist groups illegal even if they do not incite violence.She made the claims after watching the undercover footage obtained by the BBC which shows activists from the far-right group Patriotic Alternative making racist comments.The footage shows members of the group who campaign on behalf of “indigenous British people” calling for illegal immigrants to be shot and skinned alive.Dame Sarah argued that groups such as Patriotic Alternative should be made illegal to prevent them from normalising their extremism in society.She told the BBC: “They should absolutely not be allowed to operate with impunity, we’ve seen their recent activity and their contribution towards public disorder in the summer riots.“It’s incredibly urgent… unless something changes, I’m afraid we’re going to continue to see groups like PA radicalise our children and make us a weaker and less democratic society.”Criminal barrister Ramya Nagesh used the example of those given custodial sentences for inciteful language online during riots last year to make the case for a change in the law.She said: “After the Southport riots, we saw prosecutions of individuals who’d posted even just one or two messages on their social media platforms and those messages (recorded by the BBC) were arguably not as inflammatory.”The BBC recently went undercover with the group in Merthyr Tydfil where they protested against the housing of migrants in hotels.Whilst there, one demonstrator Roger Phillips told an undercover reporter that “35 to 40 of us were prepping, arming ourselves”He added: “I’m buying a pump action shotgun now.”Who do you think is going to fight these migrants? Us lot.”Mr Phillips later claimed that the information was false and that he was aware that he was speaking to an undercover reporter. Another member of the group was recorded telling the reporter that migrants should be shot.Aaron Watkins, who recently lost his job at HMRC after he was caught making racist comments, said: “The communities that are the most diverse are the people we want to get rid of, violently preferably.”Round them up into camps and if they refuse to leave, we shoot them. The people who come here are parasites.”In another shocking incident, an activist was filmed comparing African people to dogs and suggesting that slaves had been happy to work for white people.Blair Cottrell told group members: “An old lady was stabbed to death by a gang of African kids. When you look at the way things happen in Africa, the only language they understand is violence.”The only way to effectively respond to a crime that they’ve committed as heinous as what I described is to literally skin them.“You hang a few of their bodies up across some traffic lights or something. Just theoretically of course, I can’t condone it.”A Home Office spokesperson said: “We work closely with law enforcement, local communities and our international partners to tackle groups and individuals who sow division and hatred.”

Economist from the University of Louisiana at LaFayette to speak at Berry’s Business Outlook Luncheon

Business News

Tuesday, January 21, 2025–11:06 a.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Business Outlook Luncheon at Berry College returns later this month.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Gary Wagner.

“He is on sabbatical from his very fancy chair down at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, said Lauren Heller, Dean of the Campbell School of Business at Berry. He is a friend and he’ll be coming to Berry to spend the week in residence, and as part of that, he will be giving the Business Outlook luncheon. He’s very well-versed in local economic conditions. He’s a true data guy, and I think he’ll provide a really great take that businesses can really use.”

The luncheon is on January 29 in the Krannert Center Ballroom.

“We will welcome our business colleagues in the community at 11:30,” Heller said. “There will be some time for some informal networking so everybody can see each other and talk about business a little bit. Then at 12, we will have lunch where Dr. Wagner will be talking about this sort of local economic forecast for our area, both locally and nationally.”

Berry business students will be at every table.

“They will be in professional dress and are excited to talk to our business leaders,” Heller added.  “So, I would encourage you to attend the luncheon. I’d also encourage you to reach out to the business students with whom you’ll be interacting. I think you will be very impressed at our students and their engagement with the community.”

Tickets for the Business Outlook Luncheon are $30 each or $300 for a table. You can register via the Rome-Floyd Chamber of Commerce website at romega.com.

The original deadline for registration was Tuesday, but it has been extended so you will want to sign up as soon as possible.