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Tuesday May 3, 2016

// May 3rd, 2016 // Comments Off on Tuesday May 3, 2016 // Daily News

Higher output pushes oil lower on supply glut fears

Reuters

Oil fell on Tuesday, as rising output from the Middle East and North Sea renewed concerns about a global supply overhang.
Futures had risen by more than 1 percent earlier on Tuesday as the dollar slipped to an 18-month low against the yen, potentially spurring fuel demand.
Brent crude futures were down 25 cents at $45.58 per barrel at 7:23 a.m. ET (1123 GMT). U.S. crude futures were fell 39 cents to $44.39 a barrel.
Iraq said its oil shipments from southern fields averaged 3.364 million barrels per day (bpd) in April, up from 3.286 million in March.
Production from top exporter Saudi Arabia was 10.15 million bpd in April, but sources said it may return to near-records of 10.5 million bpd soon.
Iran is also raising output following an end to sanctions in January, having increased its exports to almost 2 million bpd from a little over 1 million bpd at the start of the year.
Daily supply of North Sea Brent crude oil, which contributes to the futures benchmark, will rise in June to its highest in four months, up 17 percent from May, according to monthly loading programs provided by trading sources.
“There are enough supply stories out there to slow or temper any gains,” Richard Mallinson, analyst at Energy Aspects said, though he added lower supply from the United States should be supportive to prices in the longer term.
The Ocean Princess oil platform, operated by Diamond Offshore Drilling, in the Port of Cromarty Firth in Cromarty, U.K.
Analyst: Sorry, but oil isn’t going to hit $50
U.S. production has slumped from a peak of around 9.6 million bpd in June 2015 to below 9 million bpd now, according to government data.
This helped lift crude by nearly 70 percent from decade lows hit in early 2016.
Demand worries also returned to the horizon after China’s factory activity shrank for a 14th straight month in April.
Barclays said China’s oil demand grew by 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the first quarter, smaller than in previous years.
“A key area to watch is the Chinese car industry,” the bank said.
China’s car sales have been strong, but many analysts expect growth to fizzle as a government incentive scheme to support sales ends by the end of 2016.

Today’s Inspiration

A Key to Effective Prayer

by Joyce Meyer – posted May 03, 2016

I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father.…
—John 15:15

One of the most important keys to effective prayer is approaching God as His friend. When we go to God believing that He sees us as His friends, new wonders are opened to us. We experience new freedom and boldness, which are both things to be extremely grateful for.

If we do not know God as a friend, we will be reluctant to be bold in asking for what we need. But if we go to Him as our friend, without losing our awe of Him, our prayers will stay fresh, exciting, and intimate.

A friendship involves loving and being loved. It means knowing that God is on your side, wanting to help you, cheering you on, and always keeping your best interest in mind. God loves you and desires your friendship!

Prayer of Thanks: Father, I am thankful that You have promised to be my friend. Help me to come to You in prayer, knowing that You love me and You are for me. Thank You, God, that I am never alone. You are my friend, and You are with me.

Wednesday April 20, 2016

// April 20th, 2016 // Comments Off on Wednesday April 20, 2016 // Daily News

This is how much opioid abuse is costing US companies

CNBC.com
Oxycodone pain pills prescribed for a patient with chronic pain lie on display on March 23, 2016 in Norwich, CT.
When it comes to the explosion of opioid abuse in the U.S., large employers are footing a big chunk of the bill.
Nearly one-third of painkiller prescriptions funded by employer plans are being abused, according to a new report from benefits firm Castlight.
Nearly one in twenty workers who have received an opioid prescription, on average 4.5 percent, have demonstrated a pattern of drug abuse, according to the firm’s research. Among baby boomers, the prevalence of abuse is even higher at nearly 7.5 percent.
“We looked at individuals who received more than a cumulative 90 days-worth supply of opioids, and received an opioid prescription from four or more providers over the five-year period,” said Kristin Torres Mowat, senior vice president of plan development and data operations at Castlight.
President Barack Obama answers questions from members of the audience during a community forum at the East End Family Resource Center in Charleston, W.Va., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Obama is in Charleston to lead a community discussion on prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic.
Obama wants $1.1B more to fight opioid epidemic
The findings in the new report titled “The Opioid Crisis in America’s Workforce” were based on de-identified data covering nearly one million workers who used Castlight’s benefit platform between 2011 and 2015.
Workers who abuse painkillers account for nearly half of all spending by employers on painkillers, and incur nearly twice as much in medical costs – on average $19,450 – as non-abusers, Mowat said.
Nationally, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, employers are losing $10 billion a year from absenteeism and lost productivity due to opioid abuse.

Today’s Inspiration

Go with the Flow

by Joyce Meyer – posted April 20, 2016

But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
—Psalm 37:11

We can learn to get along with people. It is especially important to learn to get along with our immediate family members and coworkers. There are many informative books about personality differences to help us understand why people feel and act the way they do. Understanding helps to smooth over strained relationships.

People make decisions differently. Some give an immediate answer, while others want time to think about things first. Try to understand the people you will see today. Ask God to show you ways to get along with them. He will give you favor as you trust in Him.