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Articles on Shaun Abrahams
Tom Moyane has been fired as South Africa’s tax boss on the recommendation of a commission of inquiry. Sunday Times/Masi Losi
Why removal of South Africa’s tax boss is key to Ramaphosa’s chances of success
Dirk Kotze, University of South Africa
Moyane's axing ends one of the last vestiges of Zuma's continued influence in the country's governance.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma has lost his grip on the country’s criminal justice system. GCIS
South Africa’s criminal justice system is on the mend. But it’s just the beginning
The axing of the prosecutions head follows sweeping changes to other king positions in the security cluster by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Former President Jacob Zuma: the Constitutional Court has ruled his appointment of the top prosecutor illegal. EPA-EFE/Jackie Clausen
Court fixes some of the flaws in South Africa’s prosecuting authority
Cathleen Powell, University of Cape Town
An effective, accountable National Prosecutions Authority needs at least two things: structural independence and competent personnel with expertise and integrity.
The appointment of South Africa’s national prosecutions head Shaun Abrahams has been declared invalid. EPA/Nic Bothma
Constitutional Court strikes a blow for South Africa’s criminal justice system
South Africa's Constitutional Court judgment shows concern that the independence of the country's prosecuting authority has been compromised.
Head of South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority, Shaun Abrahams. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Why it’s taken so long to prosecute state capture cases in South Africa
Penelope Andrews, University of Cape Town
Failure by South Africa's prosecuting authority to pursue those identified in the 'Gupta e-mails' points to dereliction of its duty.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the deputy president of South Africa and new president of the governing ANC, faces a dilemma in rooting out corruption. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Is the net about to close on Zuma and his Gupta patronage network?
Richard Calland, University of Cape Town and Mike Law, University of Cape Town
After doing nothing for a long time to bring the Gupta family to book in South Africa, the country's prosecuting authority has finally started to act.
The Supreme Court of Appeal judgment means that South Africa's president must be prosecuted - unless the national director of public prosecutions decides again to drop the charges against him.
Shaun Abrahams, Head of the South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
How South Africa can stop political interference in who gets prosecuted
Jameelah Omar, University of Cape Town
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority has failed to pursue members of the executive. But a separate prosecuting body assigned only political cases could be the answer.
Head of South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority, Shaun Abrahams, dropped a fraud charge against the finance minister Pravin Gordhan. Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
South Africans learn that the law can be a double-edged sword
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority charged the country’s finance minister Pravin Gordhan and two of his former colleagues at the tax authority, Ivan Pillay and Oupa Magashule, with fraud last…
A defiant student sits in the middle of a road after a crowd was dispersed during a protest over fees to parliament on the occasion of finance minister Pravin Gordhan presenting his medium-term budget. Nic Bothma/EPA
South Africa’s finance minister juggles both the books and the politics
David Everatt, University of the Witwatersrand
South African finance minister Pravin Gordhan's medium-term budget speech was a lot about balancing the politics of a divided ruling ANC.
South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan presenting the medium term budget. The country’s economy remains in the doldrums. Nic Bothma/EPA
Finance minister plugs some gaps, but South African economy is still precarious
Co-Pierre Georg, University of Cape Town
South Africa's 2016 medium term budget was awaited with bated breath amid rising political tensions, increasingly violent student protests and the threat of a credit downgrade.
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma (right) and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. The jury is out on whether Ramaphosa will break ranks. Mike Hutchings/Reuters
Prexit: as South Africa looks over the abyss who will blink?
Richard Calland, University of Cape Town
The stakes have not been higher since the heady days of the early 1990s when South Africa also looked over the brink. Now it is less about brink and more about who will blink
Pravin Gordhan
South African economy
The Guptas
Dirk Kotze
Professor in Political Science, University of South Africa
Richard Calland
Associate Professor in Public Law, University of Cape Town
Sabbatical Scholar, Columbia Law School; Dean of Law and Professor, University of Cape Town
Co-Pierre Georg
Associate Professor, UCT School of Economics; South African Reserve Bank Research Chair in Financial Stability Studies, University of Cape Town
David Everatt
Professor of Urban Governance, University of the Witwatersrand
Cathleen Powell
Jameelah Omar
Lecturer in Criminal Justice, Department of Public Law, University of Cape Town
Mike Law
Senior legal researcher in Public Law, University of Cape Town
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The Crisis Magazine
COVID-19 Vaccine and African Americans
For the last six years, vaccine scientist Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett has been working on the best and safest immune response for coronaviruses as part of a pandemic demonstration project at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Corbett’s work was based on the “what if” scenario of a real outbreak. Then, in late 2019, the “if” happened.
Corbett’s work was foundational to the development of one of two vaccines now approved for emergency use in the United States for SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 illness.
Corbett explained her work and the science behind the first vaccines available in the United States last month during a national NAACP call with other public health experts and policymakers. The conversation was moderated by journalist and veteran White House correspondent April Ryan, who is newly affiliated with TheGrio.TV. The call was part of this year’s UNMASKED: A COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall series of discussions focused on how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting African Americans. …
Honoring MLK: King Day celebration is incomplete without economic focus
by Deborah D. Douglas
Many Americans are reeling from the Capitol siege by homegrown terrorists in defiance of hard-won voting rights for African Americans. At the same time, the upcoming annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration begs one to wonder: Whose country is this anyway?
The U.S. stock market’s delayed embrace of the federal holiday celebrating the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one way to link King’s economic agenda to the capitol of capital. …
The Insurrection
by Sherri Williams
A mob of Trump supporters invaded the United States Capitol building on Jan. 6.
Moments after President Trump spoke at the “Save America” rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, and repeated lies about his legitimate presidential loss, he encouraged his supporters, including white supremacists, to walk to the nearby U.S. Capitol and put pressure on Republican lawmakers as they confirmed the 2020 presidential election results.
Trump’s supporters broke doors, shattered and crawled through windows, and invaded legislative offices. One even climbed over and dangled from the Senate balcony like a villain in a James Bond film. Others stormed into congressional chambers. Lawmakers dropped to the floor in fear. The session stopped. …
NAACP | Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is considered the formative figure in the modern fight for civil rights, and his legacy looms large in the work of all those who follow him in his cause.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s History
Dr. King was born in Atlanta, Ga., in 1929. During his time in Atlanta, King graduated at the top of his class from Morehouse College and moved on to Boston University where he earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology. In June 1953, King married Coretta Scott, and in 1954, followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a pastor for the Drexel Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. Dr. King went on to lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott, founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and became one of the national leaders of the growing civil rights movement. Read more.
Dr. King and the NAACP:
On December 1, 1955, barely a year after King’s arrival to Montgomery, AL, the secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP refused to move from her seat in the front of the bus. Rosa Parks was arrested and sent to jail, but her act of defiance inspired the burgeoning civil rights movement in Montgomery. The Montgomery Improvement Association was formed with the NAACP Executive Committee and officers of the Montgomery NAACP, which had at that point been banned in the state. The Association led a boycott of the bus system, and King, already a member of the NAACP’s executive committee, was chosen as its leader. …
The Crisis Celebrates 110 Years
W.E.B. Du Bois created The Crisis magazine as “a record of the darker races” with the first issue released in November 1910.
Go to this link and check out the latest issue of The Crisis which includes:
— A profile of vice president-elect Kamala Harris
— A story on Grief and African Americans
— Five Black women photographers capture the next generation of social justice activists
— President Barack Obama answers our questions about the current state of affairs
— Ambassador Andrew Young remembers his colleagues Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rev. C.T. Vivian and Rep. Joseph Lowery
Read it online now.
KAMALA AS VEEP: BLACKNESS AT THE TABLE
By SONYA ROSS
WASHINGTON _ Once upon a time, in an America that now seems so long ago, Toni Morrison mused about just how much Blackness America could tolerate in its presidents.
Then-President Bill Clinton, Morrison posited, carried a figurative Blackness about him that got him dogged and persecuted in a way that Black men, especially, know all too well. “… White skin notwithstanding, this is our first Black President. Blacker than any actual Black person who could ever be elected in our children’s lifetime,” Morrison wrote.
Of course, that was in the year of our Lord 1998 B.B. — before Barack. A decade later, when Barack Obama actually became the first Black president, bringing America’s first Black first lady Michelle Obama with him, the pressure was even higher for both of them to keep their Blackness in check. “Post-racial” was the order of the day. So even though Obama indulged his Blackness in myriad ways — singing a little soulful Al Green here and there, popping in on Omega Psi Phi’s centennial convention, singing Amazing Grace from the pulpit of Mother Emanuel AME Church [in Charleston, S.C.] at the funeral for its church’s murdered pastor — he also worked hard not to be a racial line-stepper, down to the details of his personal life. Burned so severely during his first campaign by controversy over the fiery sermons of his pastor back in Chicago, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama never did choose a church home in D.C. …
Veteran SNCC Activists Praise Today’s Young Social Justice Leaders on Participation in 2020 Presidential Election
“Black people did not vote to save American democracy. They voted to save their lives and the lives of their children.”
– Junebug Jabbo Jones, Nov. 4, 2020
The Black community voted in record numbers in the 2020 presidential election. It can be reasonably argued that their votes made the critical difference in the battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Many of the votes in the Black community came from today’s activists who became involved because of the murders of Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and . . . . . …
Divine Nine Organizations Mobilize with The NAACP During Election Season
By Maria Morales
Black Greek letter organizations
While the country is divided among red, blue and purple, those won’t be the only colors voters will see when they go to the polls on Nov. 3. Voters can also expect to see the black and gold, pink and green, blue and white, gold and purple, blue and yellow, red and white, and brown and yellow colors of the Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities also known as “the Divine Nine.”
With a combined total of 2.5 million members in the U.S. …
Published in The Crisis Magazine
The Black Church and The Ballot
by Dr. Amos C. Brown and Dr. Gina Stewart
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 2)
These words have been expressed from pulpits across this nation for decades. The Bible verse underlines the notion that beyond the plight and obstacles of the moment, we can desire and pursue the very best for a person or community. The church has traditionally been considered the nucleus and the place where these sentiments could be found in abundance. The Black church for many within our community has always symbolized more than just a house of worship. …
Read more in The Crisis Magazine · 4 min read
Charleston 9 Anniversary
Jennifer Pinckney is just beginning to grieve.
It’s been five years since white supremacist, Dylann Roof brutally murdered nine Black people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on the evening of June 17, 2015, during Bible study. Pinckney’s husband, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the church’s pastor, and a South Carolina State senator were one of the nine killed.
The coronavirus shelter-in-place order has given Pinckney time to think and reflect.
“Everything just kind of hit me,” says Pinckney, a librarian at a middle school in Columbia, S.C. “It just had time to all catch-up.”
Pinckney remembers how the day started off so ordinary, just “a regular day” — until it wasn’t. …
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Cloud Foundry Foundation 2021 Predictions: Cloud Native Meets the Edge, Pandemic After Effects and Pervasive Machine Learning
Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2021. Read them in this 13th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
Cloud Native Meets the Edge, Pandemic After Effects and Pervasive Machine Learning
By Chip Childers, Exec director, Cloud Foundry Foundation
The trends of digitization, consumerization of IT, adoption of both open source software and cloud have continued to grow year after year, but the global pandemic brought about an extraordinary surge in 2020. The global pandemic laid plain the need for organizations to be quick to respond to changing conditions. Those of us that were lucky enough to be able to work from home for months at a time struggled to keep our human connections going, leading to a surge in demand for video conferencing, virtual event platforms and work from home technologies. It has been quite a year of change, much of which will be with us for years to come.
With 2020 nearing an end, here are three predictions for the enterprise technology space in 2021 (and one prediction, just for fun, about technology for our new office... our home).
Cloud native moves to the edge
"Cloud Native" has become the dominant infrastructure style and application design trend for the last several years. The benefits of this style of computing are being experienced by a large number of organizations and individual technologists. A parallel trend has been the explosion of edge computing capabilities and platforms, aligned with the digitization of industrial systems from manufacturing to supply-chain management. While there are plenty of differences between cloud and edge computing, one critical similarity is that software is what makes the infrastructure useful.
The Cloud Native movement has evolved as a set of technologies and practices that help shorten software development cycles. Edge computing will start to see demand for these faster iterations, and therefore we will see the adaptation of cloud native technologies for edge computing scenarios accelerate beyond the early steps of 2020.
The Digitization of Business is Here to Stay
The global pandemic made it remarkably clear which industries and companies had already embraced digital engagement channels, and which had not. Unfortunately for some, the consumer demand for digital-first engagement, brought about by the global pandemic, left many scrambling to catch up. While it is unfortunate that some companies were not well positioned to respond to changing business conditions, there were many companies that actually thrived this year.
The pandemic has changed our world where digital engagement is now expected to be the primary method of engagement. In 2021, don't expect this shift to revert to pre-pandemic behaviors. Even after we get a handle on the pandemic itself, consumers have seen how convenient digital engagement is for them. Office-workers around the world have learned to work from home, or really from anywhere. While we all yearn for more human connections again, we will want these moments of connection to be meaningful and have much less patience for those old face-to-face interactions that were, frankly, a waste of time.
Machine Learning will Become More Approachable for Developers
Machine learning is coming into its own in 2020, as advancements in the core technologies and new "as a service" ML services are being launched by every major cloud provider. This technology will continue to be adopted in 2021, in large part through simplification for application developers. We will see a rush of new tooling that allows developers without deep knowledge of the underlying ML technologies to be productive while integrating the capability into their software. This will include pre-trained models, easier model training and API accessible services wrapping up ML tools.
As an example, the "typical" software developer hasn't developed a deep understanding of how to work with frameworks like Google's Tensorflow. Google Cloud has already built a suite of machine learning services, spanning infrastructure services optimized for building models as well as higher level capabilities like its Cloud Translation service. The other hyperscale cloud providers have similar suites of services. While the spectrum of offerings is good, that "typical" developer can only easily take advantage of the higher level offerings. I expect to see an explosion of those services, but also the evolution of the lower level options to be much more developer friendly.
Major Advancements of Internet of (Home) Things
While I usually focus on the enterprise and developer part of the technology industry, I'm both a user and an advocate for home automation. For a bit of fun, here's my prediction for the consumer IoT space.
The last several years have seen an explosion in IoT devices for home consumers, but internet connected doesn't usually equal "smart" in my experience. With so many people spending much more time at home in 2020, many of these products and platforms are seeing much more use than ever before. It has become glaringly obvious that the promise of a connected home that automatically responds to the needs of the residents isn't here yet. As one example, there's no easy way for most smart home systems to actually know who is at home. Sure, that's possible based on a phone's location being detected or motion sensing devices to sense motion. But, using the phone has problems like: What about the kids who are too young to own their own phone? What about visitors or guests? What if I dare to power my phone off for a couple of hours?
In 2021, expect suppliers of smart home devices to make a major push toward a connected home model, which some are referring to as "ambient home computing". We should see platforms and products start working together in more seamless and intelligent ways, not just being responsive to different automation triggers, but predictive of the needs of the user. The vendors will start getting "smart" about embedding presence sensors in all of their devices to increase coverage of the home and improve accuracy in determining if anyone is home. They should also start getting better at conditional logic, but not requiring the consumer to build that logic. A great example of this would be scenes, perhaps triggered by voice commands, being smart enough to adapt to where people are in the house. Imagine an "evening" scene that usually turns off the lights in rooms you don't use often in the evening, but is proactive enough to keep the kitchen lights on when someone is actually in that room.
We should see much more intelligent automation become friendly for consumers. This shift won't be completed in 2021, but it will start in earnest. How vendors will make this happen, while following the principle of "don't surprise the user", will be interesting to see.
Can we really predict what will happen in 2021?
As I said at the start, 2020 was a unique year (to say the least). The acceleration of existing technology trends was forced on everyone, due to both the urgency of necessity and the discovery of new opportunities that some were lucky enough to find unfolding. We will keep progressing rapidly as an industry next year, and many of the changes brought about in 2020 will be with us for years into the future.
There is a software release approach referred to as "rolling forward", where you never revert your production systems to an older version even if a regression or new bug is found. You fix the bug and release yet another new version. Rolling forward is a philosophy that puts a priority on getting features in the hands of the users. Our industry is behaving in much the same way ... we'll keep rolling forward, adjusting and reacting as new challenges arise. The trends are clear, but the unpredictable nature of our world makes it quite difficult to see what we have in store for us in the coming months. That said, 2021 should be yet another interesting year as we hopefully come out of the pandemic that has impacted all our lives so dramatically.
Chip has spent 20 years in large-scale computing and open source software. In 2020, he took over as Executive Director at Cloud Foundry Foundation, which he co-founded in 2015. He was the first VP of Apache Cloudstack, a platform he helped drive while leading Enterprise Cloud Services at SunGard and then as VP Product Strategy at Cumulogic. Prior to SunGard, he led the rebuild of mission-critical applications for organizations including IRS.gov, USMint.gov, Merrill Lynch and SEI Investments. Chip is an experienced speaker at events like OSCON, LinuxCon North America, LC Japan, LC EU, ApacheCon, O'Reilly Software Architecture Conference, and many more. In his free time, Chip loves trail hiking with his black lab, sailing catamarans and sunfish, and trying to keep up with his young daughter.
Published Monday, November 23, 2020 7:53 AM by David Marshall
Filed under: VMBlog Info, Cloud, Contributed, Edge Computing, Prediction 2021
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Report on Galeras (Colombia) — 30 September-6 October 2009
Smithsonian / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 September-6 October 2009
Global Volcanism Program, 2009. Report on Galeras (Colombia). In: Sennert, S K (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 September-6 October 2009. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Volcano Profile | Weekly Report (30 September-6 October 2009)
An explosive eruption from Galeras on 30 September prompted INGEOMINAS to raise the Alert Level to I (Red; "imminent eruption or in progress"). National Park personnel reported two explosions and incandescent material ejected from the area of the active cone. An ash plume rose to an approximate altitude of 12.3 km (40,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, then N. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was between 1,100 and 9,300 tons per day. Ash was deposited in Sandoná (15 km NW), and Ancuya, Linares, and Sotomayor (40 km NW). Seismicity decreased after the eruption. On 1 October, seismicity was low and the sulfur dioxide emission rate was 300 tons per day. The Alert Level was lowered to II (Orange; "probable eruption in term of days or weeks"), and then to III (Yellow; "changes in the behavior of volcanic activity") on 6 October.
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STATE FARM ARENA TO EXPAND EARLY-VOTING OPERATIONS FOR GENERAL ELECTION
Fulton County and the Atlanta Hawks will once again transform State Farm Arena into Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct for early voting for November’s General Election, beginning on Monday, Oct. 12 and concluding on Friday, Oct. 30. State Farm Arena will be open to registered Fulton County voters seven days a week to cast their ballot. Fulton County and the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena were the first professional sports team and local municipality to partner in making the team’s primary venue available as a polling precinct to adequately adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing guidelines and provide the opportunity for tens of thousands of residents to cast their ballot in a state-of-the-art, centrally located facility.
State Farm Arena was one of 20 early voting locations for the Georgia General Primary Runoff Election that took place from July 20 through Aug. 7. In addition, Fulton County Registration & Elections conducted other elections support operations at the site, including absentee ballot processing and more. For the upcoming early-voting period for the General Election, State Farm Arena has tripled the number of voting machines onsite from 100 to 300 and will double the number of available staff daily to approximately 300 to ensure a smooth process.
Additionally, the Atlanta Hawks announced that employees will be compensated for time spent voting and serving at the polls on Election Day 2020 on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Employees who choose to vote early in-person or drop off an absentee ballot will also receive payment for their time spent voting. More than 200 Hawks & State Farm Arena full-time employees have been deputized and trained to serve as official election workers by Fulton County to support the operations of the early voting at State Farm Arena with more than 300 team members participating overall. Each staffer working will be excused from their day-to-day responsibilities to assist with election operations.
“We are proud that the Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena and Fulton County were first movers in the effort to utilize our state-of-the-art arena for voting in this important election year. Our goal has been and continues to be to provide a safe, secure, socially-distanced voting process that allows for as many registered voters in Fulton County as possible to exercise their right to vote,” said Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena Principal Owner Tony Ressler.
“The partnership between Fulton County and the Atlanta Hawks is vital in encouraging our voters to get to the polls early,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “When the Hawks initially approached the county with the idea of becoming partners, it demonstrated the lengths this organization was willing to go in order to help us make the voting experience a positive one for our residents – something that we at the county are extremely grateful for.”
Earlier this year, State Farm Arena was named the Best New Concert Venue in the United States by Pollstar Magazine and was honored by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) with the 2019 Venue Excellence Award (VEA). For the second consecutive season, the Hawks finished with the NBA’s top ranking in overall in-game experience, a wide-ranging category made up of the following areas where the team rated highly: arena ushers, in-game entertainment, in-arena technology, in-arena retail, in-arena food experience and more. The Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, a government agency, is the owner of the property and leases the site to the Atlanta Hawks organization.
“Having the Atlanta Hawks to once again step up and serve as one of our premier early voting locations is truly appreciated,” said Registration and Elections Director Richard Barron. “The Atlanta Hawks have set an example that other organizations locally and around the country are following to help get people to the polls early. When voters enter the State Farm Arena, they will have every resource needed including top level customer service to successfully cast their ballot in a safe secure environment.”
The Hawks Foundation will provide complimentary parking to individuals accessing the venue to vote with more than 1,500 parking spots in close proximity to the arena available. MARTA will also provide direct access via the MBS / State Farm Arena / Georgia World Congress Center / CNN Center MARTA station. For more information, visit www.statefarmarena.com/vote.
# TrueToAtlanta #
October 7, 2020 fulton county atlanta hawks, fulton county voting, georgia voting, presidential election, state farm arena, truetoatlanta, voting
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26: Sport Issue
We’re Number One: Sport as the Liturgy of Empire
By Tim Suttle
Last year I returned to my alma mater, Kansas State University, for a football game. Manhattan, Kansas, floats on a sea of prairie grass at the junction of the Big Blue and Kansas Rivers, a good ten miles from the nearest interstate. K-State was the first land-grant institution west of the Mississippi. Under the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862 (signed by President Lincoln), the US Government gifted federal land, once part of the Kansa Indian reservation, to the state of Kansas. The state sold off the land to finance the building of a school. My wife and I drove our two boys around the campus, tailgated with family, and walked into the stadium just in time to witness a K-State pregame tradition called the Ceremony of Allegiance.
Fans were asked to stand and remove their hats, and then the public address announcer began the ceremony with a dramatic reading of lines from the preamble to the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence. A marching band underscored the sense of reverent patriotism by accompanying the man with iconic themes of Americana—“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful.” The reading culminated in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. I don’t mean that the announcer read the pledge; I mean that the entire stadium recited the pledge to flag and country in unison and with gusto, like a massive classroom of buzzed elementary kids. I remember wondering if I was the only one thinking, Why the hell are we reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at a football game? I suppose that if any descendants of the Kansa people were in attendance that day, they might have had a similar thought.
The music swelled and then faded to the staccato of a single snare. The crowd stood fixed in rapt attention. It struck me like something out of a war movie—the climatic drum roll before the drop of the gallows or the command to charge the enemy. Finally, the announcer broke his silence and invited us to join in singing the national anthem.
In case you didn’t catch my cynicism, I must confess that I’m somewhat conflicted about my American identity. It’s not that I don’t love my country. I do. But I don’t go in for the sentimental God-and-country shtick. I don’t sing the national anthem or say the pledge. I stand and take off my hat mostly to avoid being harassed, but I don’t put my hand over my heart. When my sons are next to me, I whisper, And now for a moment of forced patriotism. I’ve taught them to insert don’t after the word I in the pledge, although I’m pretty sure they ignore me. Patriotic rituals of this kind are my least favorite part of attending a game.
And yet there was something compelling about that moment. Over fifty thousand corn-fed red-state football fans, decked out from head to toe in purple and white, belted the national anthem in full voice. It was stunning. I turned my head to listen to the front and then behind. Everyone was singing.
As if on cue, when we reached the line about the rockets’ red glare, the colossal choir seamlessly shifted into two-part harmony, a good twenty thousand altos demonstrating this wasn’t their first visit to Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The sound brought tears to my eyes. It was aesthetically beautiful. It’s a rare treat to hear such a substantial choir singing with such passion. But it was also unnerving and ominous in a Leni-Riefenstahl-Triumph-of-the-Will kind of way.
The Ceremony of Allegiance, which concluded with the singing of the K-State “Alma Mater” and fight song, had all the elements of public worship: standing in reverence, removal of hats, reading from the sacred texts, recitations of liturgy, and hymns of praise. It was all there—a civic worship service meant to consecrate the game. The message of this worship was that we are exceptional. Our school is exceptional. Our state is exceptional. We are Americans, and America is exceptional.
Sport is the liturgy of empire.1
When the ancient Greeks held their Olympic games, the religious elements, including animal sacrifices and cultic prostitution, took up almost as much time as the games themselves. The emphasis on worship was so prominent that when Theodosius I forbade pagan worship within the Roman Empire, the ban included the Olympics.
In most respects the American superpower is not unlike ancient Rome, Babylon, or Egypt—if you’ve seen one empire, you’ve seen them all. And while American sports may be seen as entertainment to the casual observer, they function more like liturgies that proclaim and enact powerful cultural narratives of the US empire. A sport like football embodies our common life in microcosm, teaching us whom to celebrate, whom to despise, and the ideal to which we should all aspire.
The liturgies of sport teach us that America is a singular beacon in a world of hackneyed imposters. We’re exceptional, they tell us, so you’ll have to excuse us if we attempt to determine the fate of not only our nation but yours as well. It’s for your own good. We don’t really want to run the world, but we have to, because nobody else can be trusted to do it.
The myth of American exceptionalism helps make sense of a phenomenon like the Ceremony of Allegiance. The ceremony and the game embody the belief that this nation stands above all other nations as more powerful, virtuous, righteous, and more justified in our actions, even our most violent ones—especially our most violent ones—which may explain why football is the most popular sport in America.
In her book The Real Americans, Sally Jenkins notes that the game we know as American football was born just after the Civil War. With the war over and the Indians subjugated, how would the young men from Harvard and Yale prove their manhood? Amid growing concerns that Victorian men were “becoming soft and overcivilized, with nothing left to conquer and too much time spent in parlors,” football came to the rescue: “The rising popularity of football had closely followed the ebbing of the frontier war. It was as though America, at a loss for what to do with itself once the wilderness was subdued, had hit on football as an answer.”2
Instinctively, the young men at Harvard and Yale constructed a game that had at its heart two main goals: to prove one’s strength and to take possession of land (i.e., yards). Football began as a projection of manifest destiny—a simulated war, two teams scrapping over the same piece of real estate, trying to get their hands on the same ball, and time is always running out.
All empires rely on the use of this kind of violence, and all empires justify the use of violence by telling a story of scarcity: there’s not enough to go around. Life is a constant game of musical chairs, and you can’t be caught without a seat when the music stops, hence the guns and bombs. The American imagination thus sees the world as a football field. Foreign countries are opposing teams who want to invade our territory and dominate us. Team members can prove their strength and virility by defending their goal, taking possession of the ball, invading enemy territory, and winning on the field of battle. Forget the box of chocolates, Forrest, life is like a game of football, and Americans play to win.
Competition is a basic building block of nearly every aspect of culture. Take economics and government, which, we are told, rely on competitive markets and electoral contests. Or education, where admissions, scholarships, grants, and funding are decided competitively. We hold competitions for beauty and brilliance. We give awards for literature—Pulitzer Prizes and National Book Awards—and we celebrate Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, literature, medicine, economics, and peace. You get the picture.
Americans can make anything into a competition. We have Grammys for music, Emmys for television, Oscars for movies, Tonys for Broadway, and ESPYs for athletes. The ubiquitous presence of competition reinforces the assumption of scarcity and the notion that competition is a natural and desirable part of life, yet Stuart Brown, a psychiatrist who spent years researching and writing about the nature of play in human development, sees something different at work. Brown worked alongside Jane Goodall trying to understand how play works in nature. He says that in the animal kingdom games like chase and wrestling occur without the necessity of total domination. Nature doesn’t always want clear-cut winners and losers among members of the same species.
If two primates are playing chase, for example, and the bigger, stronger one catches the smaller, slower one, he might tackle and pin the slower primate to the ground. At this point, humans would yell, “I win” and do their touchdown dance, but in the animal kingdom, the bigger primate will let the smaller one up, smack him on the nose, turn around, and take off running, as if to say, “You’re it!” and the game will continue. Like parents playing with small children, animals will handicap themselves in order to keep the game going. The object is not to dominate. The object is to extend play.3
Not so in American football. In 1996 the NCAA adopted the “Kansas Plan,” and overtime was introduced to major college football. For the previous century, college football games could and often did end in a tie. The Kansas plan came from the Kansas State High School Athletics Association rules for high school football. The rules state that if a game is tied at the end of regulation, each team is allowed a chance to score from the opponent’s twenty-five yard line. Teams take an even number of turns until one team emerges victorious. The overtime period has been incredibly popular, and it makes for an exciting end to a close game. But more importantly, the overtime period reinforces the idea that life is really about winners and losers. Ties are seen as unnatural, like kissing your sibling. Winning, on the other hand, is as natural as natural selection.
Maybe not. Evolutionary biologists have long noted that natural selection is not, strictly speaking, the same as the kind of competition we see in American football. In 1975, the Harvard evolutionary biologist E. O. Wilson published Sociobiology, a book that became perhaps the greatest refinement of evolutionary thought since On the Origin of the Species.4 In that work, Wilson argued convincingly that for highly evolved species, part of the secret to their survival is altruism. Species whose members learn how to make personal sacrifices for the good of the group have a better chance of flourishing. Wilson’s view successfully controverted Darwin’s more brutal perspective on the necessity of competition for survival. In recent years, Wilson updated his research saying, “a group of altruists will beat a society of selfish individuals every time. Group selection favors biological traits like communication and cooperation that are needed for the group to remain cohesive.”5 In other words, nature rewards species that maintain the social structures necessary for cooperation. In the most advanced and robust social structures, altruism and cooperation play the major role over and against competition and the need for clear-cut winners.
So maybe competition isn’t completely natural, but it’s still the best way to promote achievement, right? This assumption, that human communities require competitive situations in order to be at their best, has reached canonical status. The strange thing, though, is that among the researchers who actually study human behavior and social systems, hardly anyone believes that this is true.
Take a crowd of people and split them into two groups. Ask one group to accomplish a task in a competitive environment and the other to accomplish the same task in a cooperative environment. The cooperative group will outperform the competitive group every time.
In his classic book No Contest: The Case against Competition, Alfie Kohn suggests that there exists a century’s worth of research to support the ironic notion that competition consistently loses to cooperative efforts. In one study, students were tested to see if they could solve anagrams faster working cooperatively or in competition—cooperation was faster. In another study, high school students were tested while playing a simple card game—again, competition trailed cooperation. In tasks ranging from learning math facts to manufacturing widgets, Kohn says, “Superior performance not only does not require competition; it usually seems to require its absence.”6 Indeed, many of the things we care most about in life seem to grow and thrive in the absence of competition. One can be a great mom without someone else needing to be a bad one. One can grill the perfect steak without someone else having to burn his or hers. Researchers have studied manufacturing, white-collar workers, airline pilots, scholars, educators, researchers, adults, and children, and the results are always the same: the more competitive the environment, the lower the overall
achievement.
Part of the reason for this is that competition makes us selfish. People
will often hoard resources. Workers will stockpile information that
might give them a competitive advantage, even
though its usefulness to everyone could help the
company. Salespeople hoard leads, managers
hoard talent, and executives hoard power and influence. Competitive environments that pit us against each other make us selfish. But when we cooperate with one another, we become unselfish, and this is always a better way.
Not only is competition less effective, it is also the source of many problems. A study of the field of journalism found that when competition for a story was fierce, reporters would distort their findings. Reporters became inaccurate, leaving out certain facts in order to hype a story, shifting the whole enterprise toward sensationalism. Researchers concluded that inaccuracy and distortions were greater when news outlets competed for a story than when they worked together to bring the news to the public.7 Competition tempts us to sacrifice human virtue for a win. It doesn’t always make us better, and it sometimes makes us worse.
Competition surpasses cooperation in only one way: its ability to produce anxiety. Studies show that competition increases anxiety and inhibits performance, whereas cooperation reduces anxiety and enhances performance. And yet the American imagination has been shaped by the liturgies of sport and competitive environments to believe that competition is both natural and the best way to get things done. This narrative is reinforced through the liturgies of competition and sports that have become a constant in our society.
In football, the game changes drastically as the clock winds down. When time becomes scarce, offenses shift into the two-minute drill. The playbook is pared down to only the plays that maximize the limited time left to score. Defenses shift into prevent-defense, tempting the offense to take easy but small gains that will waste valuable clock time, while hoping to prevent big scoring plays. Teams take more risks. They cut plays short to get out of bounds and stop the clock. They pass more often because an incomplete pass also stops the clock. Coaches and players are often criticized for poor time management.
Our culture values speed and efficiency. In the American ethos, time is viewed as a limitation or an obstacle. Time is the enemy that we cannot control, the enemy that always runs away. Time must be maximized and optimized. This frenetic relationship to time reinforces our sense of scarcity. If we are not scrounging for resources, we are stockpiling minutes and hours, competing with our day and our ever-escalating to-do lists.
Yet on that day at the K-State football game, time stood still for the Ceremony of Allegiance. Silence was observed. Reverence was displayed. Time stopped for a crowd of fifty thousand people, not for God, not for peace, not even for love, but for nation—or perhaps nationalism. In our fast-paced society, where time is a precious and scarce commodity, we can easily identify the things we hold most sacred because we will pause for them in reverence. Football was teaching its lessons that day, liturgizing its fans into a reality where the only thing we hold truly sacred is our allegiance to flag and country.
Perhaps this is why God commanded his people to take one day each week and cease their restlessness and worry. God delighted in the goodness of what he had made; he “blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Gen. 2:3 NIV) and then called his followers to observe this same holy practice. By giving us the Sabbath, God invited us into a rhythm that displaces the liturgy of empire, a counter-liturgy of rest and delight. The Sabbath, we learn, is God’s declaration that everyone should have enough, that the universe was created with more than enough to go around, that scarcity is not essential to the human condition.
Today, we often regard the Sabbath as arcane or impotent, but it possesses unimaginable power. In my congregation, for example, a chief rival for participation in Sunday morning worship is children’s sports. Soccer, baseball, and basketball games, tournaments, and practices are constantly scheduled on Sunday mornings. For most American families, when a conflict arises between sports and church, it is no contest: Christians submit themselves and their Christian identity to the liturgies of empire every weekend, bowing to the gods of sport and modeling this for their children. Then churches, embroiled in their own competition for market share, refuse to confront this behavior for fear of losing membership. Instead, they offer alternate service times, bending themselves around the will of empire.
If, instead, Christian parents refused to allow their children to play on Sunday mornings, I believe the practice of holding games during church would end in a matter of months. Coaches and leagues would simply have to find another way. In this way, Sabbath is a powerful act of resistance against the empire that wants to name and claim us for its own ends. Sabbath reinforces Christian identity over and against the will of the empire.
The opposing liturgies of competition and Sabbath lead human beings to draw very different conclusions about life and what it means to be human. Competition teaches us that resources are scarce, conflict is our natural state, and we must work seven days a week to get ahead. Sabbath teaches us that we live in a world of abundance, cooperation is the path to peace, and only slaves work seven days a week. Competition tells us that we are generating our lives and we can’t slow down. Sabbath tells us we are receiving our lives, so we can afford to stop and smell the roses now and then. Competition teaches us that we are exceptional because we win. Sabbath tells us that we are precious and deeply loved—win, lose, or draw.
Walter Brueggemann taught me to say this.
Jenkins, The Real Americans (New York, NY: Broadway Books, 2008), 5.
This comes from an interview Stuart Brown did with Krista Tippett that I highly recommend. Her show is called On Being, and the episode “Play, Spirit, and Character,” aired on July 2, 2009.
See Wilson, Sociobiology (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1975).
Pamela Weintraub, “E. O. Wilson’s Theory of Altruism Shakes Up Understanding of Evolution,” Discover 32, no. 1 (January/February 2011): 20–22.
Kohn, No Contest, 47.
Ibid., 54–55.
Tim Suttle
Tim Suttle is a writer, pastor, and musician from Kansas City, Missouri. He is the author of several books including Shrink: Faithful Ministry in a Church-Growth Culture (2014), An Evangelical Social Gospel? (2011), and Public Jesus (2012). Suttle writes for the Huffington Post and for his blog, Paperback Theology, and his work has appeared in Sojourners, On Faith, and elsewhere. Suttle was the frontman of the Christian band Satellite Soul, with whom he toured for nearly a decade. He has planted three churches over the past twelve years and is senior pastor of Redemption Church in Olathe, Kansas.
competitioncooperationEmpireFootballSabbathsports
The Leaving Is (Probably Not) the Hardest Part: An Interview with Drew Dyck
Chris Keller & Drew Dyck
February 13, 2011 / Praxis
An interview between TOJ Editor-in-Chief Chris Keller and the author of GENERATION EX-CHRISTIAN, Drew Dyck.
Joining the Communion of Saints and Writing the Unwritable Word
Jason Byassee
March 7, 2011 / Praxis
When strangers at a party or on an airplane find out you’re in divinity school, …
← La Pasión del Luchador y el Artista Gerald Lopez
Peacock →
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City of Culture bid
University of Warwick backs Coventry UK City of Culture bid
Warwick is backing the city of Coventry as it looks to make a bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021. A steering group of local figures from business and culture has recommended that the city should enter the running for the prestigious title that would bring a range of social, cultural and economic benefits to the city and the wider region.
The steering group includes Warwick’s Registrar and Chief Operating Officer Ken Sloan, who said:
The University of Warwick is delighted that the city of Coventry is gearing up to bid to be named UK City of Culture in 2021. This would be an extraordinary opportunity for the city and the wider area and the University will play an active part in helping to make this a reality. The engagement of universities has been an important feature of previous City of Culture bids and through our Warwick Arts Centre, our vibrant student body and our excellent academic departments we will offer every support to the bid team.
The city council believes the City of Culture award would help economic development and show the world what Coventry has to offer – from events such as the Godiva Festival to the history of the Cathedral and the growing calendar of events in the city centre.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Nigel Thrift added:
The University of Warwick makes a major contribution to the cultural life of the area. Earlier this year the University concluded a year-long Warwick Commission on the future of Cultural Value. The Commission canvassed the views of cultural leaders across the country and a number of events brought together arts organisations in the city and the region. Building on the city’s many success stories, including its two universities, the City of Culture represents a once in a life time opportunity to transform the image of Coventry and Warwickshire.”
The final submission would be delivered to the Departure for Culture, Media & Sport in 2017, who are likely to shortlist up to four top cities.
Page contact: Community Engagement Team
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Warwick Women
Bience Philomena Gawanas
I am Warwick
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Bience Gawanas
LLB Law, 1986
'I love being a woman and being myself and never wanted to be a man or act like a man. So be proud of who you are and always show the side of you that says no matter what I will, and I can. Do not give up on yourself because you are all you have.'
Special Adviser on Africa, United Nations
Tell us about your journey to working for the United Nations?
My relationship with the UN started while growing up under a system of apartheid in Namibia – a system that was ruled a crime against humanity. I became actively involved in the struggle for Namibia’s liberation at a young age. The link between Namibia and the UN is evident. It took direct responsibility of the country when South Africa’s occupation was declared illegal and the United Nations Council for Namibia was set up to administer the country until it achieved independence in 1990.
I left Namibia in 1977 and went into exile. During that time, I lived and taught in SWAPO refugee camps (South West African People's Organisation) in Zambia and Angola. Between 1979 and 1981, I lived in Cuba and taught Namibian exiled children in schools there. Subsequently, I had the chance to study at the University of Warwick and obtained my LLB honours. I enrolled at the School of Legal Education and got my Utter Barrister and did pupillage at Wellington Street Chambers.
I returned home as part of the UN repatriation process and took part in Namibia’s first election, which led to its independence on 21 March 1990. Since then, I've worked at a Human Rights NGO and joined government in 1991, serving in various official capacities as a Public Service Commissioner, Ombudswoman, Special Adviser to the Minister of Health and Minister of Poverty Eradication. I also engaged in part-time work as a lecturer in gender law, law reform, and as a member of the Board of the Central Bank amongst others.
I became the Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa in 2003. I was one of the first five women elected to the Commission and served for a total of nine years.
Somehow, I feel that working at the UN is like having completed a circle: from the liberation struggle to my service at a national, continental and now global level. From growing up as a young black girl in Apartheid Namibia to being the Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General. Every day when I walk through the corridors, I am reminded of the days when Namibians were lobbying UN Member States to support our freedom. I felt the same when I worked at the African Union which also supported our liberation.
Could you tell us about what you do?
The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) is the only office with a clear African mandate within the UN Secretariat. It was established in 2003 to generate support for Africa’s development and peace; to build synergies across the UN system in support of Africa’s priorities. It promotes the African voice through positive narratives and by fostering an understanding of the region’s experiences of peace and development.
In my work, I engage with member states, the Africa Group, international partners and civil society organisations. Every year we organise the Africa Dialogues Series to provide a platform for debate, interaction, and the sharing of experiences. It is my hope that we can also have a Forum for African and Diaspora Scholars to share research on emerging issues on the continent.
I am interested in providing a more active and prominent role for the youth and will continue to promote inter-generational dialogues to hear the perspectives of young people and their elders.
The African Union remains an important partner of the UN, and my nine years of experience of working at the African Union have been very helpful in further strengthening the partnership between the two organisations. One key concern is enhancing UN support for Africa in a more coherent and coordinated way.
What do you love about working at the UN?
Working at the UN reminds me of the struggle for our independence, when our leaders and supporters of the liberation struggle walked the corridors of the UN to lobby for support for Namibia.
I feel very honoured and privileged to work for the UN. I believe in multilateralism and view the UN as a primary global organisation with a convening power that brings together 193 countries to debate, agree and disagree on various issues. Multilateralism is more important now than ever because of the increasingly divided world. Whilst the UN started its focus on peace and security, today there is a greater recognition of the link between peace and development. Hence the UN is very much involved in development and humanitarian work.
Today we have the Sustainable Development Goals and AU 2063 agenda. Both crafted with the express intention to serve humanity so that people can live in dignity.
What is the biggest challenge you think women face today?
When I grew up, there were fewer black women role models and few opportunities for girls. We were brought up to go into roles that are considered traditionally female.
Today there are role models in various professions and at all levels and the choices are therefore wider. However, the challenge remains access to opportunities, and the still pervasive discrimination and violence against women. We continue to fight for gender equality and social inclusion. It is not enough for women to just get a job, it all depends on the level of that job and whether it is high paying, safe and secure.
Another challenge, especially to those from poor backgrounds, is the lack of power girls and young women have on deciding whether or when to become pregnant. This leads to unwanted pregnancies, teenage pregnancies and girls dropping out of school. We have women dying while giving life. There is a need for greater access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for men and women, boys and girls.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD means first and foremost that as women we must reaffirm ourselves as being strong, capable, caring and equal human beings.
We must commit ourselves to work towards a better and humane world in which women matter.
We commit to greater solidarity amongst us as women and promote generational equality.
We must keep the ladder which allowed us to climb in place so that other women can also climb up and join us.
What advice would you give to female students and alumnae?
I never gave up when I was advised at age 17 that my intelligence as a black child/girl was much lower than that of a white child and that I would not be able to study the law. I persevered and proved them wrong. I am now a qualified lawyer, and the first black woman to be admitted as an Advocate of the Namibian High Court. If I am not mistaken, I was the first black Namibian woman and refugee to grace the halls of Lincoln’s Inn, wearing the black gown and sitting down for the mandated dinners.
I love being a woman, being myself and never wanted to be a man or act like a man. So be proud of who you are and always show the side of you that says no matter what I will, and I can. Do not give up on yourself because you are all you have.
I also think it is important for girls and women to be empowered not to accept what is happening to them, but to challenge and confront those who perpetuate inequalities - even within family settings.
Is there a woman you look to for inspiration?
A woman who gives birth to 11 children and helps to feed, clothe and educate them should inspire everyone. That woman is my mum. She could drive when many women could not and change the tyre of a car. As I grew up, I realised there was nothing that my mum could not do and therefore I was not confined to so-called women's roles. My mum was a domestic worker; she never gave up on all her 11 children. Together with my dad they ensured that we were taken good care of and she remains my foremost inspiration.
Giving to Warwick
Warwick Knowledge Centre
General alumni queries:
Email: alumni at warwick dot ac dot uk
University House, Kirby Corner Road
Coventry CV4 8UW
Enquiries regarding donations:
Email: benefactors at warwick dot ac dot uk
Frequently asked questions Warwick Alumni on Facebook Warwick Alumni on Twitter Warwick Alumni on LinkedIn
Page contact: Alumni Team
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Amr El Sohagy: The First Quadriplegic PADI Open Water Diver in Egypt
6 days by What Women Want... Magazine Team
After a tragic car accident gave Amr El Sohagy Quadriplegia in 2010, he took up swimming and mastered it, getting qualified as a National Champion for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in 2017. Now, he is the first quadriplegic certified PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open Water Diver in Egypt and the region. We caught up with him to know all about it.
Amr underwater alongside fellow diver
Last Time we talked was in 2017, what have you been up to since?
4 months after I joined the Paralympic national team for swimming. The team and I took part in the play-offs for the Mexico 2017 world championship which took place in Berlin, this was my first international competition with the team.
I competed in the 6th row for the 50m breaststroke race and ended up getting first place and won a gold medal. That’s how I qualified for the world championship in Mexico.
I also participated in the national championship in 2019 and was awarded two medals in the 50m breaststroke and backstroke races. The last time I competed was in the play offs for the 2019 London world championship which took place in Glasgow. I won a bronze medal and qualified for the world championship.
Amr El Sohagy
What motivated you to pursue Diving after you became a national champion in Swimming?
Whenever the pool I trained in was deeper than 4 meters, I would feel scared. That’s why, I decided to face my fear and overcome it when I saw pictures of a friend of mine ‘Amena El Saie’ (The CEO of Helm) diving. I liked the idea and told her with only the need to overcome my fear of the depth in mind. She was very excited and helpful from the start. She’s been my diving buddy along with my trainer ever since. She’s also been a major source of motivation for me.
L-R: Amena El Saie, Amr El Sohagy, Ahmed El Bana, Mohamed Sobhy
What are the challenges you faced when you started your diving journey?
The first challenge I faced was getting the trainer to teach me the basic skills of putting together the diving kit because I can’t control my hands. Of course, this is necessary for diving and passing the PADI test. Thankfully, Captain Ahmed El Bana was able to teach me the instructions in a way suitable for my condition. He provided helpful tools so it would be easier for me.
The second challenge I faced was overcoming the difficulty in moving under water and going into and out of it. There are no accessibility mechanisms in Dahab. I had to be carried for everything. This was not only tiring, it increased my chances of getting injured.
The third challenge was managing the basic skills of diving under water. This requires having control over both hands at the same time. Thankfully, coach Bana and my diving buddy Amena helped a lot. Their particular concern of the psychological aspect and the safety measures helped me a lot. Not only did it make me feel secure underwater, but also helped me reach 18 meter depth in less 5 days.
Coach Ahmed El Bana and Amr El Sohagy
2020 was a difficult year for all of us. For you, however, it was the year you were supposed to compete in the Tokyo Paralympics of 2020. Due to the circumstances, it was postponed. What kept you going and motivated?
Although my participation in the 2020 Paralympics will be the first of my life, hopefully, it won’t be my last. That’s why I see this postponement as an opportunity to have more time to prepare myself and be stronger and hopefully make Egypt proud in Tokyo.
Amr El Sohagy, what are your plans in 2021?
I’ll be spending it preparing for Tokyo. I’ll also be training with Coach Bana and Amena to hopefully enter the Guinness World Record for the deepest dive a quadriplegic has ever done.
Amr deep underwater alongside fellow diver
Surely, the journey of Amr El Sohagy is far from over. His achievements are unsurmountable and he’s already a source of inspiration and pride for us all. The Tokyo Paralympics will take place in August 2021. Follow him on Instagram and @NomadDivers to stay updated on his news.
Tags: athlete, diver, diving, Egyptian Athlete, egyptian sports, egyptian swimmer, interview, men, olympic swimmer, paralympics, quadriplegia, sports, swimmer, what women want, what women want magazine
A Year in Review: Turning Points for Arab Women in 2020
The Sex Talk بالعربي : Your Guide to Sexual Health
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The PlayStation 3: A 12/12 Retrospective
Well, it's another 12-year anniversary today and that means it's time once again for a retrospective of one of the great consoles of recent gaming history. This time around we have the distinct pleasure of taking a look back at the somewhat-remarkable run of Sony's PlayStation 3. Though news of its release came with lofty expectations, a series of unfortunate decisions over its lifetime (particularly at the start) did keep it from becoming the console titan it was meant to be. Despite this however, an extremely solid and varied library, along with a couple of strategically competitive moves allowed it to still finish out the generation neck and neck with the competition.
Coming off of the runaway successes that were the PS1 and PS2, it seemed as though Sony could do no wrong. Regrettably for them however, this was not the case. In the years and months leading up to the launch, Sony made a series of blunders that all contributed to a less-than-stellar start. For starters, they let Microsoft beat them to launch with the Xbox 360, a full year before the PlayStation 3 would be released. This gave the 360 plenty of time to carve out a decent foothold in the market and prove itself worthy of gamers hard-earned dollars. In addition, Sony selected the uniquely designed Cell processor for their system, which, while theoretically capable of delivering better graphics than the Xbox's more traditional Xenon processor, didn't really do so in practice. Making matters worse was the fact that the Cell's unorthodox design initially caused many third-party developers to struggle to deliver games that looked even as good as the 360 versions.
As if those two shortcomings weren't bad enough, there were two arguably even bigger issues with Sony's system. At the time Sony announced the PS3 to the world, they were in the midst of a legal dispute over the vibration technology in their controllers. As a result, the PS3 ended up having to launch without it. At that point in time, vibration had already been an industry standard for nearly two generations and was utilized with both the PS1 and PS2. More importantly, the previous year's Xbox 360 had it (and even the upcoming Nintendo Wii was advertising it). Sony was eventually able to settle the dispute and release a vibration controller for their new system, but not until almost a year and a half after the PS3 had already been released.
Finally, the most egregious error Sony made was with the price. Whereas the 360 was competitively priced, the PlayStation 3 was anything but. Questionable design decisions, such as their risky gamble to go with their expensive new (and not yet industry standard at the time) proprietary Blu-ray disc format, as well as the inclusion of additional internal hardware to enable backward compatibility for PlayStation 2 games, drove production costs through the roof. This resulted in a significant price disparity between the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, to the tune of 125 to 200%, depending on which models you were comparing. This means that in some cases Sony was asking for twice as much money as the competition, for a system that, to many gamers, was an arguably inferior offering.
Thankfully, despite these regrettable decisions, Sony was eventually able to turn the system's fortunes around. Shortly before correcting their embarrassing lack of a basic vibration controller, Sony pursued an aggressive (and costly) campaign to ensure that their Blu-ray technology did in fact become the industry standard. Then, starting in 2007, Sony also began selling PS3s with revised hardware configurations (such as the lack of an ability to read PS2 discs) in order to bring costs down. All of these measures together, in addition to the ever-increasing strength of exclusives available for the console, managed to change the PlayStation 3's reputation from a largely unnecessary exercise in extravagance to a genuinely compelling and competitive entertainment machine.
That library, in particular, is what we're here to talk about. And while it was a bit difficult to limit this list to just these 12, it's hard to argue that they're not all fantastic titles. So without further ado, here are 12 of the very best reasons to have owned a PlayStation 3:
Resistance: Fall of Man (Insomniac, 2006)
When the PlayStation 3 first launched, it did so along several high profile games. The only problem with this is that most of these were also available on the Xbox 360. The few exclusives it did have were either uninspiring rehash sequels or ho-hum titles that didn't resonate well with fans or critics. Their was one exception, however. A lone bright spot that came from none other than longtime Sony collaborator, and purveyor of generally quality titles, Insomniac Games. For the launch of PS3, they introduced us to Resistance: Fall of Man, the first installment of a brand new and (what would go on to become) a fairly successful first-person shooter franchise about defending the planet from a hostile alien invasion during the 1950s. In addition to a solid and fun single-player campaign, the game also offered competitive multiplayer with up to 4 players via split-screen or a whopping 40 players online. With options like those, this little gem surely kept early adopters happily occupied during those early sparse months of the console's life.
Ratchet & Clank - Future: Tools of Destruction (Insomniac, 2007)
You might think Insomniac would have been content to rest on their laurels and enjoy the success of Resistance: Fall of Man for a little while. You'd be wrong if you did though. After single-handedly saving the PS3's release with their clutch launch game, Insomniac stepped up once again, the very next year, to deliver the must-have title of 2007, Ratchet & Clank - Future: Tools of Destruction. A continuation of their beloved PlayStation 2 trilogy, Tools of Destruction brought the space-faring duo into a brighter, better future with new weapons, new adventures and beautifully improved graphics. Its easy to see why the PS3 owes a lot of its early sales to Insomniac.
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds (Clap Hanz, 2008)
The Hot Shots series first appeared on the PlayStation 1 back in the late '90s, presumably as Sony's answer to Nintendo's popular Mario Golf franchise. Since its debut, every single entry has consistently delivered a thoroughly enjoyable round of golf, every bit as good as Nintendo's offerings (if not better). This is especially true for the PlayStation 3 installment, Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds. Not only did it offer better graphics and gameplay than ever before, but in 2012, developer Clap Hanz even added in support for playing with the PlayStation Move, Sony's late-entry, camera-tracked motion controller (four years after the game was originally released). If there was one sports game to buy for the PlayStation 3, this was that game.
LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule, 2008)
When Fable developer Lionhead Studios was acquired by Microsoft in 2005, several employees left to form their own studio. Three years later, they released their first game, a Sony-published physics-based puzzle-platformer with a unique craft aesthetic. LittleBigPlanet charmed gamers and critics alike with its endlessly entertaining gameplay and it's adorable star character, Sackboy. The inclusion of both local and online multiplayer options, as well as the ability to create and share your own levels was just the (felt) icing on the (cardboard) cake. LittleBigPlanet was a wholly unique reason to pick up a PS3 and it's popularity is well-deserved.
MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (Evolution Studios, 2008)
When you think racing games on the PlayStation, you probably think of Gran Turismo before all others. You'd be forgiven for doing so as that was one of the key franchises that helped put Sony's consoles on the map. It also set the bar for quasi-realistic racing on consoles. Sadly though, when Microsoft's Forza Motorsport series showed up, it quickly and decisively dethroned Gran Turismo and the series hasn't quite been the same since. That isn't to say that the Gran Turismo games aren't still good. There were actually two separate installments that appeared on the PlayStation 3, and both were great additions to the lineup. But they weren't what you might consider to be obligatory purchases. MotorStorm: Pacific Rift however, was exactly that.
The original MotorStorm debuted on the PS3 in 2007. The crazy, over the top off-road desert racing made a pretty big impact when it first arrived. Yet it wasn't perfect. The somewhat dull environment, repetitive tracks, and limited options made the game feel a bit lacking. The following year though, developer Evolution Studios got everything right. MotorStorm: Pacific Rift had the same fantastic feel of the first game, but with more options (like the split-screen mode that the first game omitted for some reason), greater variety, and a much wilder Pacific island setting. If you could only buy one racing title for the PS3, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift was your best bet.
Valkyria Chronicles (SEGA, 2008)
Valkyria Chronicles was something of a uniquely welcome surprise. A tactical RPG from the once legendary developer and publisher, Sega, the game is set in a fictional time and place that is strongly reminiscent of World War II Europe. It features interesting gameplay, a great story, a wonderful musical score, and a beautiful watercolor paint aesthetic. While the game did eventually make the jump to the PC and then other consoles, for many years you could only play it on PlayStation 3. And Sega's inspiring creation was truly one of the very best reasons to get one.
Killzone 2 (Guerrilla, 2009)
Leading up to the release of the first Killzone on the PlayStation 2, the game was being heavily touted as a supposed "Halo killer". In November of 2004 went it was released up against Halo 2 (which itself turned out to be one of the single greatest and most successful video games of all time) it was made all the more glaringly apparent that it was anything but. While Halo 2 was winning numerous gaming awards and breaking sales records, Killzone 1 was utterly failing to resonate with the gaming public. It did however sell well enough to warrant a sequel (no doubt thanks to those spectacularly gross prerelease exaggerations).
Thankfully, Killzone 2 was a vast improvement over the original. With gorgeous visuals, solid gameplay, and plenty of glorious first-person shooter action, the second one turned out to be the critical hit that the first one was supposed to be. It's still debatable whether or not you could consider it to be as good as the Halo series, but it came about as close as possible.
Demon's Souls (From Software, 2009)
By now the gaming public is very well familiar with From Software's outstanding Dark Souls franchise. Even after three very solid releases, it seems like fans and critics still can't get enough of the punishing brand of gameplay the series is famous for. But before those excellent multi-platform games conquered our collective hearts, there was Demon's Souls, From Software's PS3-exclusive Dark Souls progenitor. Demon's Souls was the title that started this whole Souls craze and it was every bit as good as the ones that followed it. In fact, as it was the original, some might say it will always be the best. And the PS3 has always been the only place to experience it.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog, 2009)
In 2007, Sony developer Naughty Dog released Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. A thrilling, treasure-hunting action-adventure title in the same vein as Tomb Raider or a modern Indiana Jones story. The game was pretty fantastic and would have made this list all by itself had the developer not seen fit to release a mind-blowing sequel in 2009. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves upped the ante with an even more thrilling campaign, more realistic graphics, and the addition of both competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes. The game was so incredibly well-received that it claimed mulitple game-of-the-year awards. It might just be the best PS3 game ever made.
God of War III (Sony Santa Monica, 2010)
The first two God of War games were a pair of the biggest highlights of the PlayStation 2 console. If (or when) we ever get around to writing a PS2 retrospective, you can pretty much bet one of them will be on there. But Sony Santa Monica wasn't satisfied with keeping the hit series limited to the previous generation. After the release of the second God of War, they pretty much immediately set about working on the next installment. Utilizing the greatly-increased power of the PlayStation 3 hardware, the developer was able to create a rampaging odyssey of unparalleled scale, with greatly improved visuals, and the same fantastic gameplay as the originals. On the PlayStation 3, God of War III reigned supreme as the king of all action titles.
The Last of Us (Naughty Dog, 2013)
Like Insomniac, Naughty Dog has the unique distinction of appearing twice on this list. After wowing gamers with not just two entries, but an entire trilogy of unbelievably great Uncharted games, the Sony developer then decided to focus their incomparable skills on the creation of another new franchise, The Last of Us. A survival horror adventure about a man and a teenage girl's harrowing trek across America following a zombie-esque apocalypse. Some of the highlights of the game include the same exceptional attention to graphical detail and brilliant storytelling that made their Uncharted series such a sterling success. Add to that the impeccable sound design and a highly entertaining multiplayer mode and it's no surprise why The Last of Us remains one of the most lauded games ever to grace the PlayStation 3. It was also one of the system's last big hits before the arrival of it's successor, the PlayStation 4.
Yakuza 5 (SEGA, 2015)
By December of 2015, the PlayStation 4 had already been out for over two years and the number of new PS3 releases were beginning to dwindle considerably. Then entered Sega (also for the second time on this list, for those keeping track) with the last great exclusive the console would ever see, Yakuza 5. Although it wasn't the first series entry to appear on the system, Sega clearly decided to save the best for last. With a brand new game engine and double the development time as previous releases, Sega made sure that Yakuza 5 was bigger and better than any that had come before (it even managed to take the #4 spot on our list of the 12 best games of 2015). Better still, the inclusion of actual arcade games within the game (like legendary Sega classic Virtua Fighter 2) helped to make the game endlessly entertaining whilst bringing the series even closer than ever before to its spiritual forebear, Shenmue. Yakuza 5 was the perfect swan song for the PlayStation 3. And for a system with such a great selection of games, there's nothing better than ending on a high note.
Despite coming off of two entire generations of stunning success, Sony somehow managed to seriously hamstring the launch of their PlayStation 3 system. With bungles of everything from the initial lackluster controller and the choice of processor to the overpriced internal hardware and highly questionable strategic decisions, things weren't looking too optimistic at the outset. Fortunately, by making both compromises and some pretty significant investments in their vision, they were eventually able to correct course and give their system a fighting chance.
In fairly short order, the PlayStation 3 managed to evolve from a symbol of excess and hubris that likely made many fans seriously question their brand loyalty, to a legitimately valid option of considerable value. By giving it a much more sensible price, fixing the inadequate controller, and dumping a pile of cash to make their disc format the industry standard, Sony quickly transformed their system into a proposition that could no longer be easily ignored. While it may have lost the ability to play PS2 games, even without the extra internal hardware, it did still retain the ability to play PlayStation 1 games (in fact, some people aren't even aware of the fact that every iteration of the PS3 could during the entire lifetime of the system). And with the future of Blu-ray no longer in doubt, the PlayStation 3 suddenly had significantly more appeal as a one-stop gaming and high-definition-movie-watching device.
Sales of the system increased steadily until they eventually rivaled those of the competition. By the end of the generation, the gaming division of Sony was back in (the) black, and in a prime position to launch their follow-up console, the PlayStation 4. By learning from past mistakes, Sony was able to set up a flawless reveal and system launch, and actually managed to turn the tables on Microsoft (who ironically fell victim to their own misguided hubris) and retake their throne as the industry king.
[Images: Insomniac, Clap Hanz, Media Molecule, Evolution Studios, SEGA, Guerrilla, From Software, Naughty Dog, Sony]
[AJ Amideo]
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Archangelo Power secures treble Court Martial success
In a series of three separate cases, counsel secured the acquittal of three separate defendants, ranging from sexual assault, indecent exposure, disgraceful conduct, downloading sexual images and battery.
In the first matter, Cpl A, was alleged by the Service Prosecuting Authority [“SPA”] to have sexually assaulted a female soldier in the presence of her colleagues, in which the SPA further averred, that Cpl A, was witnessed by a number of independent witnesses to have been committing a sexual assault. It was further alleged by the SPA that on a separate date, Cpl A, then intentionally exposed his genitalia, to the same victim and her colleague, so as to cause them alarm and/or distress. The prosecution further alleged, that on a third and final occasion, Cpl A, whilst on a stag patrol, proceeded to masturbate himself, in the same soldier’s presence, in which he was said to have been no more than 30 centimeters from her.
Following a four day trial at Colchester, Cpl A was unanimously acquitted of three, out of the four charges he faced, and so was able to keep his rank, in addition to seeking a judicial apportionment as to his costs.
In the second matter, L/Cpl P, faced one count of battery, in respect of a historic matter, pertaining to an incident in a married quarter, in which he is said to have assaulted a fellow JNCO in the presence of his wife. Following independent evidence presented to the SPA by the defence [in addition to written representations from defence counsel] the matter was formally reviewed and a verdict of not guilty recorded by the Judge Advocate General.
In the third and final case, SAC T, was also found not guilty of downloading indecent images of children. These images were found in an ‘unallocated’ area of his computer in which he was said to be the sole user. That matter was wholly disputed by the defence and following the service of our own computer experts’ forensic report and other material relied upon by the defence thus showing that SAC T was not culpable of what the SPA alleged, the SPA formally reviewed the matter, before subsequently offering no evidence.
Category: Cases | Date: October 2016
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Terrorist and Security report - Asia
China/North Korea – China has released a list of goods that are banned for export to North Korea on the 25 Jan 17 including items and technologies that can be used to build weapons of mass destruction, according to the Ministry of Commerce(MOC) website. Expert said that it shows China's resolution to comply with the UN sanctions and serves as a warning to North Korea not to conduct a nuclear test during the Chinese New Year as it did in 2016. The list contains detailed items and technologies with possible civilian and military use. The items include materials and equipment to develop nuclear missiles and chemical weapons, software related to rockets or drones, high-speed video cameras, submarines, sensors, telecommunications devices and lasers. The list was jointly released by the MOC, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence, the China Atomic Energy Authority and the General Administration of Customers. The list was meant to comply with the requirements of UN sanctions imposed in November in response to North Korea's fifth and largest nuclear test in September. The list was put into effect on the 25 Jan 17. "[This] shows China's attitude on the North Korea nuclear issue. And it is also a warning for the North Korean side not to conduct another round of nuclear testing during China's Spring Festival this year," Jin Qiangyi, director of Asia Research Centre, Yanbian University, told the Global Times. North Korea launched an Unha-type rocket southward on the 7 Feb 16. China's Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin summoned North Korean ambassador to lodge a formal protest over the launch, the People's Daily reported. Jin said that the list may strike a blow to North Korea's military industry, which mainly depend on imports, but to what extent it would push the North Korean government to give up nuclear tests remains unknown. "Our purpose is to persuade the North Korean side to go back to the negotiation table or take measures to reform. And we should also pay attention to the livelihood of the North Korean people," said Jin. In response to Pyongyang's fifth and largest nuclear test in September, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted in its Resolution 2321 "the toughest and most comprehensive sanctions" to slash North Korea's coal exports by 60 percent with an annual sales cap of $400.9 million, or 7.5 million metric tons, beginning January 1, 2017. According to Reuters, US officials said last week they had seen indications that North Korea may be preparing for a new missile test-launch. A launch could be an early test of the administration of President Trump, who was sworn in on the 20 Jan 17. Trump's defence secretary, James Mattis, planned to visit Japan and South Korea choosing the two US allies for his debut trip abroad as Pentagon chief. Jin said that China's efforts to deal with the North Korean nuclear issue would help dispel some concerns in South Korea, bringing some possibilities for its decisions on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile system.
India/Maoists – Two women and a 15-year-old girl were killed in an IED (Improvised Explosives Device) blast in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh on the night of the 18 Jan 17. Four other women also suffered injuries in the explosion allegedly planted by the Maoists near Tumanar village under Narayanpur police station limits of restive Bastar region of the State. “Two women from Tumnar village under Narayanpur police station limits and one minor girl have been killed. Four women from the same village were injured in a pressure IED blast in Narayanpur district. The Maoists had planted the IED to target security forces deployed to facilitate ongoing road construction on that axis,” said Bastar range Inspector General of Police Shiv Ram Prasad Kalluri in a statement. “Let us all unite to condemn these serial killings and senseless violence by the Maoists. Let us warn the Maoists and their frontal organisations, NGOs, over ground sympathizers, legal aid groups, Fact Finding teams and so called human rights activists that Bastar shall no longer tolerate murder and massacre on the pretext of fighting for Adivasis. The Maoists and these organisations are killing Adivasis for extorting terror money from Bastar,” Mr.Kalluri claimed.
Pakistan – Pakistan seems to be increasingly teetering on the verge of a split once again it was reported on the 21 Jan 17. After the Balochistan and Sindh, the Islamic republic is now seeing another armed group being set up in the North West frontier province of the country. The region, vastly inhabited by Pashtuns, has demanded that they be set free from Pakistan so as to set up their own country 'Pashtunistan'. Pakistan has long contested the issue of citizenship of Pashtuns with the neighbouring country of Afghanistan. Pashtuns remain divided between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, Pakistan has long claimed them in their entirety even contesting the Durand line that divides the two countries. The line, cuts the Pashtun-inhabited areas between the two countries, something that is unacceptable to Pakistan. The province that remains part of Pakistan, however, is woefully developed, without even the very basic of necessitates. A hotbed of extremist activities, the region has been constantly targeted by Pakistani and foreign attacks. Residents, however claim that Pakistan is purposefully using the region to cultivate terrorists and are demanding to be freed from the clutches of the failing state. In a bid to do so, the province has launched the 'Pashtunistan Liberation Army', an armed struggle along the lines of the Balochistan Liberation Front and Sindhudesh Liberation Army. Speaking to the agency ANI, a Pashtun activist requested that global powers, including India, help the liberation of the region. The Pashtun activist, Umar Khattak, further elaborated, "Pakistan has kept hundreds of Pashtun girls in Lahore as sex slaves, kidnapped girls from SWAT & Waziristan. Pakistan Army has bulldozed several of our houses, looted markets and raped women. It's a catastrophe. According to UNHCR about 5 lakh people from the area have fled to Afghanistan to escape atrocities of Pak Army." Adding that Pakistan was not a country, he said, "Pakistan has misled Pashtuns enough, now we won't be fooled. Pakistan wants to use the area for terror camps hence wants to evict us. We are forming a Pashtunistan liberation army; we will launch an armed struggle against Pakistan. This Pashtunistan liberation army will put an end to terror. We appeal to the global community to support us. Pakistan is not a country it’s a project of the western imperialists, destroyed identity of local ethnicities. Pakistan can use nuclear weapons against us. It's a nuclear black market selling such weapons to rogue nations." While India has supported the liberation of Balochistan, it remains to be seen whether it will support the Pashtun cause.
Philippines/Piracy – A surge in piracy to the west of the Philippines is forcing ship owners to divert vessels through other waters, stoking their costs and extending the time it takes to transport goods such as Australian iron ore to key Asian destinations it was reported on the 20 Jan 17. There have been 16 attacks since Mar 16 on ships in the Sulu and Celebes Seas, through which about $40 billion worth of cargo passes each year, according to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). That government-backed anti-piracy organisation says over a dozen crew are currently being held hostage by Filipino Abu Sayyaf militants, all from ships sailing through the Sulu and Celebes Seas. "The Sulu/Celebes area is the world's fastest growing piracy hotspot, with violent attacks on commercial vessels and their crews, and an increasingly successful kidnap and ransom business model," said Gerry Northwood, chief operating officer at armed guard company Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST). The International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur has also warned of the rising threat of armed pirates in these waters, with shipping companies starting to shy away. "Increasing piracy particularly in the Sulu Sea has been a rising concern for us," said Benedikt Brueggermann, chartering manager at shipper Oskar Wehr Asia in Singapore. "We are doing our best to avoid the area both on empty and laden voyages. We'd rather do that than put the ship and crew's lives at risk. It's very sad to see this happening in this region." Shipping data in Thomson Reuters Eikon shows several large vessels carrying iron ore from Australia to northern Asia, which used to take the route through the Sulu Sea, are now sailing east of the Philippines, through the open Pacific Ocean. At least six shipping companies are diverting vessels via this route, according to shipping executives. One is U-Ming Marine Transport, Taiwan's largest dry-cargo ship-owner, which said 10 of its large capesize-class ships have taken this detour since the end of 2016. "All our ships sailing from Australia to China and North Asia are now sailing via east of Philippines - it is a proactive action to prevent pirate attacks," said U-Ming's president, Ong Choo Kiat. Other firms avoiding the Sulu and Celebes seas are Eastern Pacific Shipping, Diana Shipping, and Anglo-Eastern Ship Management. Sailing east to avoid the Sulu Sea adds about half-a-day to a 14-day voyage from Port Hedland, Western Australia's main iron ore export terminal, to northern Asia. Shippers said that while the extra costs of around $300 per day for fuel on each journey were not huge, the added costs would mount up over time - another blow to an industry already grappling with a period of extremely low profit margins.
.Russia/Europe – Russia is seeking to influence the outcome of several key elections in European countries this year with fake news, a special task force set up by the European Union has warned, it was reported on the 24 Jan 17. The EU is reportedly allocating more funds to its East StratCom task force to counter the disinformation, amid fears Russia will target elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands. “There is an enormous, far-reaching, at least partly organized, disinformation campaign against the EU, its politicians and its principles,” a source close to the task force told Germany’s Spiegel magazine. It is “highly likely” Russia will try to influence European elections “as it did in the US”, the source said. The number one target is Angela Merkel, who has been subjected to a “bombardment” of fake news over her refugee policy and support for economic sanctions against Russia. Disinformation is “part of state policy” and a “military tool” for the Kremlin”. A report by US intelligence agencies earlier this month found that Vladimir Putin personally “ordered an influence campaign aimed at the presidential election”. German intelligence warned last year that Russian hackers may seek to influence the country’s elections in Sep 16. But fears are now growing over the effect of fake news, after a completely false story spread claiming that Germany’s oldest church had been burnt down by 1,000 Muslims chanting Allahu Akbar. East StratCom, set up by the EU in 2015 to counter Russian propaganda and disinformation, says it has already found evidence of a massive fake news campaign targeting European countries. The unit’s experts found more than 2,500 examples of “stories directly contradicting public facts” in 18 different languages over just 15 months. The stories were repeated on a daily basis and reproduced in multiple languages. Fake news stories uncovered by the task force range from conspiracy theories over who shot down Flight MH17 over Ukraine to claims the EU is planning to ban snowmen as “racist”. They also include a fake terror video threatening attacks in the Netherlands if the country supported an EU association agreement with Ukraine. “There is no doubt that the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign is an orchestrated strategy,” the task force, which is part of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic service, says on its website. “The aim of this disinformation campaign is to weaken and destabilise the West, by exploiting existing divisions or creating artificial new ones. “Often, outright lies are deployed, aimed at denigrating a particular person, political group or government. “Another strategy is to spread as many conflicting messages as possible, in order to persuade the audience that there are so many versions of events that it is impossible to find the truth.” The Czech counter intelligence service said in a 2015 report the goal of Kremlin disinformation is to “weaken society's will for resistance or confrontation”. Most Russian disinformation in the EU is spread by "domestic actors" who independently repeat talking points that first appear on Russian state news outlets because it suits them ideologically, said Jakub Janda, a deputy director of the European Values think tank in Prague, which monitors suspected Russian disinformation efforts and works closely with the EU task force. He singled out Milos Zeman, the Eurosceptic president of the Czech Republic, as an example of a high-ranking European politician who “copy pastes Russian messaging and helps Russian foreign policy by repeating its talking points on Syria and Ukraine”. The EEAS is reportedly reallocating funds to East StratCom to counter the threat from within its existing budget, after member states rejected a proposal to boost its funding by €800,000 (£689,000) last year. A spokesman for the EEAS said the funding was part of a “general reorganisation of the budget”.
The five types of fake news:
Stories classified as fake news can generally be put into five categories, as experts try to develop a way of warning readers what they may be encountering.
1. Intentionally deceptive
These are news stories created entirely to deceive readers. The 2016 US election was rife with examples claiming that “x celebrity has endorsed Donald Trump”, when that was not the case.
2. Jokes taken at face value
Humour sites such as the Onion or Daily Mash present fake news stories in order to satirise the media. Issues can arise when readers see the story out of context and share it with others.
3. Large-scale hoaxes
Deceptions that are then reported in good faith by reputable news sources. A recent example would be the story that the founder of Corona beer made everyone in his home village a millionaire in his will.
4. Slanted reporting of real facts
Selectively-chosen but truthful elements of a story put together to serve an agenda. One of the most prevalent examples of this is the PR-driven science or nutrition story, such as 'x thing you thought was unhealthy is actually good for you'.
5. Stories where the ‘truth’ is contentious
On issues where ideologies or opinions clash - for example, territorial conflicts - there is sometimes no established baseline for truth. Reporters may be unconsciously partisan, or perceived as such.
Turkey/Night Club Attack/Follow-on Report – The suspected gunman behind the new year’s eve Istanbul club attack, Abdulkadir Masharipov, was arrested in Iran before heading to Turkey, Turkish daily Milliyet said in its 17 Jan 17 edition. The newspaper added that Masharipov was then able to escape Iran and enter Turkey through the borders at Agri. Turkish and Iranian media did not report on why he was arrested in Iran or how he escaped from custody or where he was being detained. He confessed that he had cooperated with ISIS and had received military training in Afghanistan. Some Turkish media outlets only reported that Masharipov sneaked through the eastern borders into Turkey and stayed in Konya with his wife and children and then headed to Istanbul on the 16 Dec 16. Masharipov, who was arrested in Istanbul on the night of the 16 Jan 17 admitted to carrying out the attack that left 39 people dead. He said he is an Uzbek national and confessed that he had cooperated with ISIS and had received military training in Afghanistan. He is believed to speak several languages, including Arabic, Russian, Persian, Chinese and Uzbek, according to Turkish media reports.
Turkey – An assailant opened fire on a police car on the 20 Jan 17 in Istanbul, just hours after two other attacks against the police and Turkey's ruling party offices, media reports said. The series of assaults, which authorities suggested were the work of ultra-leftists, come as the nation is reeling from an unprecedented series of attacks and bombings. The shooter opened fire on officers in a car in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul, the Dogan news agency said. The assailant left a hand grenade before running away when officers shot back. No injuries were reported. The attack came in the same area where the gunman blamed for the New Year shooting on an elite nightclub in Istanbul was arrested. Saturday's gunfire came less than 12 hours after two rocket attacks in the city on a police headquarters and the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party's Istanbul offices late on the 20 Jan 17. No one was killed or injured in any of the three attacks, local media said. Images in Turkish media showed an unexploded rocket which had become stuck in a framed text of the Turkish national anthem inside the AKP offices. No group claimed responsibility for the attacks but authorities suggested the outlawed ultra-leftist Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) could be to blame. Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said there was speculation that a "leftist terror group" was the culprit but said it was not clear which one, referring to the DHKP-C and another. In recent years, there have been sporadic attacks by radicals from the DHKP-C, which seeks a Marxist revolution in Turkey and espouses a fiercely anti-Western agenda. The attacks happened as the Turkish parliament in Ankara was voting on a draft bill to expand President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers, which was approved in the early hours of the 21 Jan 17. EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik said on Twitter such attacks target people and security services, but they also target "politics and tr(y) to influence decision making mechanisms". After multiple bombings in 2016 blamed on jihadists and Kurdish militants, the New Year began with the bloody attack on Istanbul's Reina club which killed 39 people.
It was later claimed by the Islamic State group.
Ukraine/Iran – Ukraine has announced that it has seized an airplane destined for Iran loaded with arms at Kiev’s Zhulyany Airport. The plane was reported on the 29 Jan 17 carrying Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles. The Russian agency Interfax confirmed that the weapons were discovered by Ukraine’s border police in Kiev’s airport following a search of 17 containers that were not registered in the flight’s cargo manifesto. A spokesman said that three containers were found to be storing the missiles, which are light weight, infrared guided anti-tank missiles, while the remaining storage boxes contained airplane spare parts. During an investigation, the airliner’s crew members, whose origin of either Iranian or Ukrainian has yet to be confirmed, denied knowledge of the weapons shipment. The shipment was later confiscated by Ukrainian authorities for violating international law governing the transport of goods and weapons. Most UN sanctions on Iran were lifted a year ago under a deal Iran made with Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, the United States and the European Union to curb its nuclear program. But Iran is still subject to an arms embargo and other restrictions, which are not technically part of the nuclear agreement.
Al Nusrah Front
Al-Nusrah Front
AMISOM
Ansar Al Sharia
Ansar Al-Sharia
Anti-Semitic
AQIM
Arab-spring
Asymmetrical Warfare
Car Bomb
Central-african-republic
Gas-attacks
Gaza-strip
Golan-heights
Guantanamo-bay
Haqqani-network
Hezballah
Islamic-revolutionary-guard
Islamist
Jihadist
Mortar-attack
Muslim-brotherhood
Northan Ireland
Pij
Pipe-bomb
Plfi
Presidential-elections
Quds-force-brigade
Rocket-attack
Sahrawi-republic
Salafist
Senkaku
Sierra-leone
Small Arms Proliferation
South-sudan
Strategic Defense
United-nations
Uvied
Vbied
Vehicle-borne-ied
West-bank
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Colin Kaepernick not throwing in Tuesday's team walk-through
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Colin Kaepernick not throwing in Tuesday’s team walk-through
Aug 16, 2016 at 10:54 AM • --
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been dealing with soreness in his shoulder. The discomfort was enough to keep the quarterback from taking part in team drills on Thursday and Friday. It also sidelined Kaepernick during the team's exhibition opener against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
While he is there with his teammates, Kaepernick is not throwing during today's scheduled walk-through inside Levi's Stadium, per Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat. At the time of this writing, the quarterbacks were warming up. Blaine Gabbert and Jeff Driskel are the only quarterbacks throwing. Not throwing in individual drills is a strong indication that Kaepernick will once again be limited today. The last time he fully participated in a team practice was last Wednesday during the 49ers' open practice at Kezar Stadium.
Colin Kaepernick is not throwing today.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 16, 2016
There has been much speculation regarding the severity of the injury. 49ers head coach Chip Kelly said the injury was day-to-day and hoped that Kaepernick would return to practice this week and be available for the team's second preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday. "It's nothing that's a long-term thing," said Kelly. "It's just a day-to-day thing. He says he feels better as we go, but we're not going to push him so that we can make a proper evaluation of him."
Adam Schefter of ESPN went as far as saying that the quarterback suffered from "dead arm," a sensory reduction or loss in the arm as the result of a shoulder dislocation or subluxation. Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area was very skeptical of the ESPN report and questioned its validity since there has been nothing to indicate an injury that severe had a chance to occur.
#49ers QBs warming up; Colin Kaepernick has not thrown any passes. Gabbert, Driskel only QBs throwing.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 16, 2016
Gabbert started the game against the Texans on Sunday. His performance was described as "up and down" by both himself and his head coach. Gabbert would finish the game 5 of 11 for 66 yards passing and a touchdown. He would also have 18 yards rushing on three carries.
The 49ers lost one of their backup quarterbacks, Thad Lewis, for the season due to a torn ACL suffered on Sunday against the Texans.
Last week, Kelly was asked if he believes that each quarterback would get equal reps with the first-team throughout preseason. "Yes, no question," Kelly answered. "That's the only way to evaluate them." Earlier this month, Kelly said that preseason would be huge for evaluating both Gabbert and Kaepernick. "To make a fair evaluation, they have to both get reps with the ones," he said.
Colin Kaepernick hasn't thrown a pass since Wednesday, a day before his "scheduled rest day." #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) August 16, 2016
Kaepernick started the 2015 season as the 49ers' starting quarterback. He tore a ligament in his throwing hand's thumb during an October 22 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. During his next game, a November 1 matchup against the then-St. Louis Rams, Kaepernick said that he suffered a bone bruise and cracked cartilage. That game would be his last of the season before being benched in favor of Gabbert and eventually being placed on injured reserve.
Gabbert, who was signed by the 49ers prior to the 2014 season, went on to win three of his eight starts as the team finished with a 5-11 record. While Kaepernick recovered from offseason surgeries, Gabbert received the majority of the reps at quarterback during the 49ers' offseason program.
49ers announce 2020 team award winners, including Fred Warner winning the Len Eshmont Award
The San Francisco 49ers announced team award winners for the 2020 season on Monday morning. Among the winners is Fred Warner, who earned the prestigious Len Eshmont Award. Past award winners can be found here. The following award descriptions are courtesy of the 49ers Communications staff. Len Eshmont Award LB Fred Warner The Len Eshmont Award is voted on by the players and is given to the 49er who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team. Eshmont, who coached at Navy and Virginia following his career in San Francisco, died in 1957. The award was established that year. Bill
49ers GM John Lynch says team will do everything it can to keep FB Kyle Juszczyk
It's possible that fullback Kyle Juszczyk has played his final game in a San Francisco 49ers uniform, but if that proves to be the case, chances are the team will put up a fight before letting it happen. The pending free agent status of Juszczyk was one of many topics discussed during the 49ers' year-end media sessions on Monday, with both Juszczyk and general manager John Lynch issuing comments on the subject. Juszczyk was visibly and audibly emotional when talking about the possibility of his time coming to an end, saying, "It hits a little bit harder when it's reality and it's right here in your face. It's definitely hit me a little bit different this week." The 49ers face a tough reality this
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk earns spot on PFF's 2020 NFL All-Rookie Team
It looks like the San Francisco 49ers struck gold at wide receiver for the second consecutive year. It was Deebo Samuel in 2019, and in 2020, the Bay Area team landed another versatile wideout via the draft in Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk finished the season with 60 receptions for 748 yards with five touchdowns. He added six carries for 77 rushing yards and another two scores on the ground. The superb first year was enough to land Aiyuk on Pro Football Focus' 2020 NFL All-Rookie Team. "The 49ers struck again," wrote Ben Linsey. "Aiyuk is in the same mold as the George Kittles and the Deebo Samuelses added to San
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Murder charge dropped in 3-year-old’s death
by: Eryn Taylor, AP
Cortez Wilkerson (SCSO)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The first-degree murder charge against a father in his three-year-old son’s death has been dropped.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office confirmed in an email Judge Karen Massey dismissed the charge against Cortez Wilkerson due to a lack of evidence. However, she reportedly found probable cause for reckless homicide.
The 25-year-old is still being charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, felony weapon possession and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities rushed his son, Kash Sharp, to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. He later died from his injuries.
Wilkerson has maintained his innocence. His attorney, Blake Ballin, has said Wilkerson is “completely heartbroken” over the death of his son, but the medical examiner said he’s the only person who could have fired the weapon that killed the little boy.
In the police report, investigators even noted that “the physical evidence on the scene did not match the account of events given by Cortez Wilkerson.” They even noted Wilkerson’s story changed several times.
Drug paraphernalia, a .40-caliber pistol and 16 live rounds were found during a search of the address, investigators said.
Trademark and Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Looking back on films in the #metoo era
What #MeToo Means for the Future of Sexual Assault
Harry Westergaard, Arts Editor
As with anyone else, artists can be creeps. You still have to hold them accountable for their actions. Right off the bat, these allegations made it much less acceptable to praise the work of Woody Allen or Roman Polanski. Both directors have been allowed to work in the shadow of sexual offense charges for decades. Polanski even fled the country. This shouldn’t have been a hard thing to face head on, but at least recent events have led to lower tolerance for their behavior.
This shouldn’t have been a hard thing to face head on, but at least recent events have led to lower tolerance for their behavior.”
— Harry Westergaard
But what about others, those who have, for the whole duration of their career, appeared to be clean? Once more, with Allen and Polanski, you always got that vibe from their work, but in more naive times, you were able to suppress it. But others, such as Dustin Hoffman and Kevin Spacey, have been lauded for decades without any knowledge of such actions. Does this mean we must be done with all of these tainted films, unable to view them in any context due to the misdemeanors of major players? Yes and no.
Obviously, there’s not a simple answer. Films are markedly different than books, which are usually the work of one individual, sprung almost entirely from that person’s mind and indicative of their experiences alone. It’s much more simple to write off a book that was produced by a sex offender. But a film is a group effort; hundreds of actors, crew members and others all play a part in bringing the director’s vision to life. This is one of the main pieces of evidence in the case for continuing to watch these films. You have to consider that, at least that we know of, the cinematographer didn’t do anything wrong, nor did the screenwriter or the gaffer. But because many times the offender in question is an actor, we have to reconsider.
The actor plays a special part in films. Most of the time (unless they are also serving as writer-director) it isn’t their story we are seeing, at least from a narrative perspective. You can read the screenplays with anyone in mind before seeing a film. But once an actor gets into a role, once they become one with it, it can become near impossible for the viewer to separate them from the character/writing. Just as the director or writer imparted more than a little of their experience into the artistry of producing the screenplay, so too does the actor once they get into the role.
Still of Dustin Hoffman, one of the many actors accused of sexual misconduct in “The Graduate.” ~Embassy Pictures
So in the unique way that the film works, the actors, especially the leads, take on a role that becomes just as significant as the director in understanding the story and worldview of the work. In other words, they are harder to shake off and ignore when viewing a film. You usually have to root for them, like them and relate to them. With good reason, one does not want to associate with characters played by sexual offenders in this way.
Films, as with many components of popular culture, are products of the past. Some have aged gracefully, others, not so much. This is just a given when one is seriously studying or dissecting films. Similar laws apply when it comes to viewing these tainted films that star sexual offenders. We can’t just get rid of the films and ignore the problem. That makes things worse. It’s ugly, but it’s something we must face when studying the eras these films came from. These incidents give a whole ghostly new layer of understanding to the cultural climate of the Hollywood system at the time. It’s easy to look at the past with rose-tinted glasses. But these films should be studied with a newfound critical lens and close scrutiny. We must accept the difficult truth that sometimes artists we admire turn out to be sick, deplorable humans. When we discover this crack in the facade, it is more constructive, if not more difficult, to continue to view their work. Not with admiration, but with cold, unbiased observation.
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Guatemala Suspends Deportations From U.S. After 70 Test Positive For Coronavirus
Published April 17, 2020 at 4:20 PM EDT
More than 70 people who were deported from the U.S. to Guatemala in the past month have tested positive for coronavirus. The Trump administration has sent a team from the CDC to review those tests, and Guatemala says it has suspended indefinitely deportations from the United States. Joining us now is Molly O'Toole. She reports on immigration for the Los Angeles Times. Molly, welcome back to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
MOLLY O'TOOLE: Thanks very much.
KELLY: OK, so 70-some cases on two flights from the U.S. - what other details do we have about these flights and how this happened?
O'TOOLE: Well, one flight - the first one was from March - on March 26 from Mesa, Ariz. It had about 41 Guatemalans, including about 10 kids. And so far, they believe about 75% of that flight ended up testing positive for coronavirus. And then the second flight was just on Monday, and officials told the Associated Press that about 60% of that flight, about 44 people out of 76 - and that came from Brownsville, Texas - have tested positive for coronavirus. And the Guatemalan government for some time has been afraid of this exact scenario - that the U,S. could be potentially exporting coronavirus to Guatemala, which has been relatively unaffected so far. There's about 215 confirmed cases, which means that between these two flights alone, I mean, that's about 35% of the confirmed cases in the entire country.
KELLY: Wow. Yeah. So the CDC team that has been dispatched, what exactly are they going to do?
O'TOOLE: So the interesting thing is that ICE has established health protocol for these deportation flights and actually sort of stepped up that health protocol because the Guatemalans have sort of stopped and started flights a few times, accepting deportations from the U.S. because of these health concerns. But all that they do is screen for obvious symptoms and take people's temperatures. They do not test for coronavirus as opposed to the Guatemalans who've been testing people when they get back. So it's very interesting that the U.S. has decided to send the CDC team to test the results that the Guatemalans are seeing given that the U.S. itself is not testing deportees before it sends them to Guatemala.
KELLY: Before putting them on a plane, yeah.
O'TOOLE: But the Guatemalans have also welcomed this because they essentially want to show the U.S. officials, look; this is how bad it is, and potentially consider, you know, potentially stopping the flights altogether.
KELLY: Well, now this prompts the question of, how many detained immigrants who are here in the U.S. might be sick? ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, says there are 105 - 1-0-5 - confirmed cases of COVID-19 among detained immigrants. That's throughout the U.S. If Guatemala is saying there were more than 70 on these two flights alone, how do we square those two numbers?
O'TOOLE: Well, that's the concern because also, ICE is not doing widespread testing in immigration custody. There's about 32,000 migrants in ICE custody right now, which is actually just about the lowest level under the Trump administration. But they're not doing widespread testing, so these reports coming out of Guatemala about deportees not only indicate a far higher number in Guatemala than the government has acknowledged but a far higher number in immigration detention in the United States because this testing isn't occurring. So they only have 100 confirmed cases, but they're not doing widespread testing, so the number could be much higher.
KELLY: Right - one of many, many questions surrounding testing these days in the United States and beyond. That is Molly O'Toole, a reporter with The LA Times. Thank you very much for your reporting.
O'TOOLE: Thank you.
(SOUNDBITE OF TOM MISCH'S "THE JOURNEY") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Biography / Drama / Music / Romance
The story of 1970s musician and activist Helen Reddy.
Unjoo Moon
Danielle Macdonald as Lilian Roxon
Evan Peters as Ricky Hobbs
Matty Cardarople as Roy Meyer
Reviewed by ozjosh03 4 / 10 / 10
A not-quite-feminist fable
I Am Woman is based on Helen Reddy's autobiography and co-produced by her son, Jordan Sommers, so one presumes it's the version of her life she wants everyone to buy as "the official story". It's a shame then that so much of it is disingenuous and implausible. The film starts with Reddy arriving in New York in 1966, the winner of an Australian TV talent competition. Tilda Cobham-Hervey plays Reddy as a wide-eyed ingenue, as naive and innocent as they come. It doesn't quite square with Reddy already being a seasoned performer in Australia, or having the steely determination to drag her three-year-old on her journey to make it big in the USA. But this is the kind of cognitive dissonance I Am Woman just loves to generate, scene after scene. Reddy's romance and marriage to Jeff Wald is a prime example. Wald is a brash hustler from the Brox, initially imbued with a wafer-thin veneer of charm by Evan Peters. But there's really nothing to explain why Reddy hitches her wagon to such a cold-blooded operator, at least not beside his promises to make her a star. As their partnership evolves the film depicts Reddy literally not noticing Wald snorting cocaine in her presence. (She thought he just had the sniffles for several years?!). And later, when he's lost all their money and landed them in serious debt, we're again supposed to believe Reddy didn't notice anything until it all comes crashing down around her. Once again, she's the innocent ingenue, too naive for her own good. So much for "I am strong, I am invincible". Which brings us to The Song. In the movie Reddy has a moment of inspiration, writes the song and it's off to the Grammies. There's no mention of Ray Burton, the man who wrote the music and who also apparently shaped and refined the lyrics from Reddy's notes. The omission seems emblematic of the dilemma the runs through I Am Woman. On the one hand, Reddy is at the mercy of devious, self-serving men who refuse to give her a chance. On the other hand, she has to do it all alone. I Am Woman wants to have it both ways, even when it's clear that neither version makes any sense. In the one of film's silliest scenes the male executives of Mercury Records tell Reddy that male bands are now the thing and nobody is interested in solo female singers. Mercury Records, just so you know, was a label that established itself with hits by Patti Page, and whose 60s artists included Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington. In fact, the 60s was actually a pretty good time to be a female singer, even one from as far off as Australia (Lana Cantrell, Judith Durham and Olivia Newton-John were all well on their way to solid careers by 66). So that burst of misogyny at Mercury makes little to no sense. We can be fairly sure they were as happy to exploit solo women as they were bands of man. It's far more likely that they just didn't see Reddy as a potential star or they couldn't stomach the obnoxious Wald. Then, and throughout, I Am Woman would have done better to tell a story we could actually believe.
Reviewed by granttaylor-813-198495 5 / 10 / 10
Would now like the real story.
Her career even though great was not a one woman show, she co wrote I Am Woman but this gives no indication of that, This is more about the woman's movement than the WOMAN. In the hands of another director there was so much more to be told.
Reviewed by andrewrye-06535 5 / 10 / 10
Good, not great, and it should have been GREAT
I was a youngster living in Australia when Helen Reddy hit the scene and although she was kicking it in America she was proudly Australian and Australia was certainly proud to own her. I know her politics caused a huge stir and she was either loved or hated because of her politics. Either way she had presence and was a power house singer. Watch any you tube video and she commanded respect. None of this came across. I don't know Tilda's work but this felt far too big for her. Her build was tiny and lithe where as Helen Reddy was a strong looking solid woman. Check out her abs and broad shoulders on her performance 'I am Woman' on the Midnight special 1971. I wish I'd had abs like that and I'm a male! Also, Helen Reddy was a confident in your face singer and stared directly into the camera, often closing her eyes as she hit the soul part of the song. Tilda looked like she was timid and about to run off the stage, particularly when she sang in front of the crowd at the monument. So, nope. Her voice fell short too, reedy and lacking the force Helen Reddy was famous for. An unconvincing performance in my view. Helen Reddy did so much more than this movie showed and it's a shame her parts in movies and TV specials was left out. It only touched lightly on her politics so we never got to see her fierce avocation for women's rights. It was as if all she did was the songs and it wasn't. This should have been a 2 or 3 part mini series or at least touched on other work on stage and screen. I felt a little cheated and to be honest, the story felt sanitised. No disrespect to to Tilda Cobham-Hervey who did her best. Unjoo Moon said she didn't know her before doing the movie, it showed.
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Women's eNews (https://womensenews.org/2011/01/grief-hope-seizes-us-other-news-roundup/)
Grief, Hope Seizes U.S.; Other News Roundup
By: WeNews Staff | January 15, 2011
More on Arts & Culture
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To our readers: Deepest apologies. A computer glitch prevented The Women’s eNews Web site from delivering the week’s Cheers and Jeers as scheduled. Here it is, unfortunately stripped of its graphics and links, but here nevertheless. The editors.
WOMENSENEWS)–Grief. Hope. Despair. Coming together.
This week emotions swept the nation after the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Ariz., that left six dead, 12 others wounded and "Gabby," as she is known, fighting for her life.
Grief not only for the lives lost, but for the level of political and personal violence and fear in the nation, as well as the reawakened sadness over the murders since 1963 of so many leaders who sought change on behalf of women, African Americans, the undocumented and the poor.
Hope that Gabby will live and return to Congress to represent the people of her district. Hope that perhaps changes will come to the level of violence and the ease with which these murders are accomplished; from the laws that regulate the sale of guns and ammunition to the acceptance of violence and the threats of violence in our every day experiences.
Despair as we witness the funerals, especially of 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, so full of the qualities needed for leadership for change and born on a day that symbolizes for many across the globe the need for alternatives to political violence.
Coming together. Gabby opened her eyes for the first time when her three female friends from Congress visited her for the first time: Nancy Pelosi, Kirsten Gillibrand and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. President Obama mustered the emotional power that got him elected to appeal to the nation to live up to the expectations of Christina and many said they would.
–Rita Henley Jensen
News to Cheer This Week:
The World Economic Forum said Jan. 12 it has introduced a quota for female executives from major sponsors at its Davos summit, requiring at least one of five delegates sent to be a woman, reported the Wall Street Journal Jan. 13.
A Washington County Circuit Court judge who had previously ruled that a woman could not adopt the last name of her same-sex partner has reversed himself, holding that the name change could go forward, reported an ACLU press release Jan. 13.
After taking office on Jan. 1 and naming nine female ministers, a record in Brazil, the country’s first female president, Dilma Rousseff, announced that her main social goal is to eradicate extreme poverty, reported Inter Press Service Jan. 12.
Lawmakers in Mississippi–the state with the nation’s highest teen pregnancy rate– have been pressed to pass a comprehensive sex education law that goes beyond just teaching about abstinence in schools, reported the Associated Press Jan. 12.
The Arizona State Legislature passed legislation to ban protestors from coming within 300 feet of the funeral services of the victims of the Tucson, Ariz., shootings to prevent Westboro Baptist Church’s plan to picket the funeral of 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green because she was Catholic, reported Ms. Magazine Jan. 12.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged Arab nations at a town hall meeting in Oman to promote women’s empowerment if they want to succeed in the 21st century, reported the Associated Press Jan. 12.
Alaska Attorney General John Burns has found unconstitutional a proposed ballot initiative that was essentially seeking to outlaw abortion in Alaska, reported the Miami Herald Jan. 12.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour suspended Jamie and Gladys Scott’s life sentences–given after a conviction of planning and participating in an armed robbery in which only $11 was stolen and no one was injured–on the condition that Gladys donates a kidney to her sister, reported Ms. Magazine Jan. 11.
News to Jeer This Week:
Luis Munuzuri-Harris, an accused rapist acting as his own defense attorney, cross examined the woman he’s accused of raping for more than two hours about the night of the alleged crime, reported ABC News Jan. 12.
There has been "less than adequate progress" toward eliminating most health care disparities, according to a new federal report that calls for more data on the subject, reported The Hill Jan. 13. The report also failed to look at health disparities in maternal mortality rates in the country.
An ABC News 20/20 investigation reports that more than 1,000 young American women have been raped or sexually assaulted in the last decade while serving as Peace Corps volunteers in foreign countries.
Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., has introduced the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act in the House to prevent organizations that perform abortion from receiving family planning grants, reported Ms. Magazine Jan. 13.
For the 1 in 4 U.S. families that are single mother families, joblessness has increased and access to welfare has decreased significantly since 2000, according to a report by Legal Momentum.
Susana Chavez, 36, a poet who led protests against the unsolved killings of women in the violent border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, has herself become the victim of a bizarre slaying, her body found strangled and her left hand severed, reported the Associated Press Jan. 12.
Bills have been proposed in Florida and Nebraska that, if passed, would ban abortion coverage in insurance policies sold in state health insurance exchanges, reported Ms. Magazine Jan. 10.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian Human Rights lawyer, received an 11 year prison sentence for allegedly acting against state security, assembling and collusion with intent to disrupt national security for her work with humanitarian groups, reported Ms. Magazine Jan. 10.
Noted:
Nikki Haley was sworn into office Jan. 12 as governor of South Carolina, making history as both the state’s first woman and first minority governor, reported NPR.
An Soon Kim, a woman suspected of involvement in a human-trafficking ring operating on the East Coast, was arrested while gambling at a casino in Connecticut, reported the New York Times Jan. 10.
The long-term decline in the U.S. abortion rate stalled as the recession took hold, according to the Guttmacher Institute, reported the Washington Post Jan. 11.
Abortion numbers are rising in China where Chinese media and experts say many, if not most, of the abortion seekers are young, single women, reported the Washington Post Jan. 9.
Pope Benedict said sex and civic education in schools in Europe that discusses homosexuality, divorce and abortion is an "attack" on religious freedom, reported Agence France-Presse Jan. 10.
In the wake of the Tucson, Ariz., shooting, the country mourns the loss of the six that lost their lives. The youngest, 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green, was an elementary school politician and budding feminist who dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player.
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http://www.womensenews.org/story/cheers-and-jeers/110114/grief-hope-seizes-us-other-news-roundup
Tunisian Women Look Ahead; Uganda’s Kato Killed
(WOMENSENEWS)–
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Cheers and Jeers
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Happy anniversary Coley
John Coleman will celebrate his one-year anniversary back at the helm at Accrington tomorrow and admits it's been a happy return.
Coleman, alongside assistant Jimmy Bell, originally spent from 1999-2012 with the Reds taking them from non-league football into the Football League after a 44-year absence.
He left to join Rochdale in January 2012 but replaced James Beattie as manager last September.
"I was quite shocked when I found out it had been a year," said Coleman. "When you are immersed in something time does fly.
"For me it's a pleasure to manager in the Football League and I enjoy it all."
Coleman picked out as one of his highlights the first game back at Northampton where the Reds won 5-4 while a disappointment was missing out on the FA Cup clash with Manchester United, after losing to Yeovil in a replay.
"That first game against Northampton was a definite highlight as was taking pre-season again after missing a couple of years," said the Stanley boss.
"Building a squad from more-or-less scratch has also been a highlight, we kept the ones that fitted in from last season and added to them and I enjoy seeing them gel together.
"The frustrations have been missing out on the game with Manchester United, losing some players in the summer and I am always annoyed when we lose games we could have won.
"I prefer though to focus on the pluses and the positives."
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Life And Luxury
Sweat it for the planet in fishing-net leggings
Sustainability might an overused fashion buzzword, but when it comes to activewear, the reality is fast catching up to the hype.
Melinda O’Rourke of MORE Body. Activewear accounted for 24 per cent of all apparel purchases worldwide last year. Supplied
Lauren SamsFashion editor
Jul 19, 2019 – 9.03am
Leggings made of seaweed. A sports bra made of PET bottles. Sneakers made of reclaimed fishing nets. Sustainable activewear is here – though of course, much of it has been here before, in another form. And that’s exactly the point.
If you’ve never given any thought to what your yoga leggings or sports bra are made of, consider this: most activewear is made of either virgin, non-biodegradable polyester, a fibre produced through a chemical reaction involving both coal and petroleum, or nylon (like Lycra), a plastic which cannot be recycled. Now, consider this: last year, activewear accounted for 24 per cent of all apparel purchases worldwide. That’s a lot of polyester and nylon, which will never break down and can never be made into anything else.
Each pair of Nimble leggings is made with six recycled bottles. Supplied
Barely a day goes by without a headline about sustainable fashion, but given our appetite for activewear – in large part literally made of plastic – it’s clear there is a genuine, growing need for performance wear made with fibres and techniques that have minimal impact on the planet.
But making activewear in this way is tricky – unlike a T-shirt or dress, for example, which have no function except to clothe you comfortably, performance wear must, as the name suggests, perform. Pants have to stay up, bras need to constrain movement, fabric needs to remain cool and wick away sweat. Polyester and nylon are very good at performing these jobs; sustainable fabrics are not – until recently. The change is coming from a new wave of Australian sustainable activewear brands, spearheaded by women who loved their leggings but realised there had to be a more eco-friendly way to make them.
As a company we are not truly sustainable. But we have goals. And ideas. And that’s a start.
— Vera Yan, Nimble Activewear
One such brand is Nimble Activewear, founded by Sydneysiders and best friends Katia Santilli and Vera Yan. “The idea came out of knowing that the apparel industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world,” says Santilli. “We wanted to make sure we weren't contributing to that.”
Launched in 2013, in 2017 Nimble began working with its Taiwanese factory to incorporate recycled PET bottles into its leggings and bras. The process is simple to describe, with incredibly complicated science behind it: the PET bottles are melted down and then forced through a “shower hose-like mechanism”, before being made into a yarn that is knitted together with Lycra. Each pair of Nimble leggings is made with six recycled bottles, and so far, in just 18 months, the company has saved 500,000 bottles from landfill.
In 18 months, Nimble saved 500,000 bottles from landfill. Supplied
While Santilli and Yan were initially worried that their products wouldn’t function as activewear with the new material, they were pleasantly surprised to find that it was breathable, durable and robust.
“When you think about it, polyester is a manmade yarn, and what we use is manmade, too,” says Yan. “Sustainability is important to us, of course, but first and foremost we are a performance brand. Our clothing has to do its job and make people feel good when they’re going for a run or going to the gym. We’ve found that sweet spot.”
So too has Running Bare, the veteran Australian activewear brand that this year celebrates its 36th birthday.
Director of Running Bare, Yolanda Powell. Supplied
Yolanda Powell, creative director of Running Bare and daughter of company founders Brian and Corin Powell, pioneered the use of seaweed in activewear in Australia. Like Nimble, Running Bare has long used recycled PET bottles in its products, but in 2018 the company began using RB Seacell, a fibre made with 70 per cent recycled polyester (from PET bottles), 24 per cent seacell (a fibre derived from seaweed harvested in Iceland) and 6 per cent elastane.
“Our factory in Taiwan told me about the seaweed yarn,” says Powell. “I was immediately like, ‘show me, show me!’ They hadn’t used it in activewear, but I thought we have to try. It’s great because there are a lot of rules about harvesting the seaweed and using it; you can only cut it at a certain time, every three or four years, and at a certain point in the plant, so it can regenerate, and then when it’s dried out, they don’t use any chemicals.
“We decided to make it even more complicated by combining it with recycled polyester because I always think we can make things better and more sustainable. The leggings feel beautiful and they’ve been really popular.”
First introduced in Running Bare’s 2018 collection, they’re now a core part of the range.
Traditionally activewear is pretty bad for the environment,” says Powell. “There are plenty of easy, cheap alternatives you can use, like Lycra. Most activewear is polyester-based and that uses a lot of oil, water and dyes.”
Running Bare – which produces 70 per cent of its wares in Sydney – is “all about the fabric", she says. “If you don’t get that right from the beginning there’s not much point in doing anything else.”
The newest player in the sustainable activewear game is MORE Body, founded by Melinda O’Rourke, who has spent her career working in luxury fashion for the likes of Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Prada. A Pilates devotee and qualified teacher, O’Rourke noticed a gap in the market for high-performing, luxury Pilates and yoga wear made of sustainable materials.
MORE Body’s range is made largely of Econyl and bamboo. Econyl is a stretchy fabric – perfect for activewear – that is manufactured with recycled nylon from reclaimed fishing nets and carpet tufting. You might already wear it – it’s the same fabric Nike uses to create its signature Flyknit sneakers. Bamboo, as with like cotton, is soft and moisture-wicking, but uses far less water during production.
O’Rourke hopes her range, which will be stocked online, at David Jones and Mode Sportif in Sydney, will educate customers about the importance of buying well.
MORE Body's range is made largely of Econyl and bamboo. Supplied
“My experience in luxury fashion has shown me that people will pay for beauty,” she says. “And if they like it that first time, they’ll come back for it.” She plans not to discount, as it “goes against my ethos of sustainability. If I’m really true about sustainability, I don’t want to be pushing things out to people every day.”
O’Rourke also has an end-of-life strategy for the clothes. “I’ve asked my factory to keep all the fabric offcuts, and I’m working on a product that will incorporate them,” she says.
Customers will also be encouraged to send back old or damaged clothing, which O’Rourke hopes to transform into patchwork-style bags. As well as Econyl, O’Rourke is looking into sustainable materials made with corn and hemp. Though these raw materials are “like, double” the cost, she remains committed to them. It’s a different kind of luxury, she says, to be able to use materials that are sustainable and better for the planet.
Another Sydney brand, Bella Eco, produces underwear and singlets for yoga and Pilates from the world’s first sustainable nylon, Amni Soul Eco, which breaks down in just five years (as opposed to 200), decomposing into biomass and biogas in the same way cotton does. It too, is far more expensive than traditional nylon, but for founder Michel Schuhmacher, it’s well worth the cost.
Bella Eco produces underwear and singlets for yoga and Pilates. Supplied
“The material is high-performing, comfy and best of all, doesn't slip," says Schuhmacher. "They’re perfect for being active and they’re good for the planet. Why wouldn’t I pay that little bit more?”
For these brands, packaging is another issue. Most online retailers ship their clothes in plastic, which is not an option for eco-minded suppliers. Nimble’s products arrive in biodegradable packaging while Bella Eco’s come in chic cardboard envelopes. MORE Body products are shipped in recycled tissue, with a sticker made of biodegradable resin, packed in a compostable cornstarch bag (if you don’t have a compost bin, just throw it on your garden and watch it break down).
Of course, the fashion industry, which is often called out for its destructive effect on the planet, will never truly be “sustainable” – and that’s something each of these business owners is aware of. After all, as Schuhmacher says, “The only way to be truly pure is to grow your own cotton, and nobody’s doing that.”
It’s a feeling echoed at Nimble. “As a company we are not truly sustainable,” says Yan. “We have a long way to go. But we have goals. And ideas. And that’s a start.”
Lauren SamsFashion editorLauren Sams is the fashion editor, based in Sydney. She edits the quarterly glossy LUXURY and writes about lifestyle including the arts, entertainment, fashion and travel. Lauren has worked as a features editor and fashion journalist for ELLE, marie claire and more. Email Lauren at lauren.sams@afr.com
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Home » U.S. solar market breaks record for new electricity generation
U.S. solar market breaks record for new electricity generation
WASHINGTON, March 2, 2016 - Solar surpassed natural gas capacity additions for the first time in 2015, with solar installing 7.3 gigawatts (GW) and supplying 29.5 percent of all new electric generating capacity in the U.S., according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The findings will be published March 9 in U.S. Solar Market Insight report.
Led by California, North Carolina, Nevada, Massachusetts and New York, the U.S. solar market experienced a year-over-year growth rate of 17 percent. The market continues to diversify geographically, with 13 states installing more than 100 megawatts (MW) each in 2015. States that made major solar advancements include Utah, which jumped in ranking from 23rd to 7th place, and Georgia, which moved from 16th to 8th, according to the report.
The residential solar market grew 66 percent year-over-year and, for the first time, surpassed two gigawatts (GW). The residential solar segment now represents 29 percent of the entire U.S. solar market, its largest share since 2009.
For the fourth year in a row, the non-residential market broke the 1 GW mark, but remained roughly flat year-over-year.
The utility-scale sector, the mainstay of the U.S. solar market, grew 6 percent year-over-year and represented more than half of all solar PV installed in 2015.
Cumulative U.S. solar PV installations have now surpassed 25 GW, up from just 2 GW in 2010.
“Without a doubt, 2015 was a monumental year for the U.S. solar industry, and perhaps what’s most amazing is that we’re only getting started,” says SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch. “Over the next few years, we’re going to see solar continue to reach unprecedented heights as our nation makes a shift toward a carbon-free source of energy that also serves as an economic and job-creating engine.”
“The U.S. solar market remains concentrated in key states, with the top 10 states accounting for 87 percent of installed capacity in 2015,” says Shayle Kann, senior vice president of GTM Research. “But growth has been widespread, and 24 of the 35 states that we track individually saw market growth in 2015.”
Here are some key findings from the report:
Renewable electricity generation is steadily increasing
New study reveals drivers for low priced solar energy systems
Renewable energy investments set a new world record
· The U.S. installed 7,286 megawatts of direct current (MWdc) of solar photovoltaics (PV) in 2015, the largest total ever and 17 percent above 2014.
· The 7.3 gigawatts (GW) installed in 2015 is 8.6 times the capacity installed five years earlier in 2010.
· Residential was the fastest growing sector, installing over 2 gigawatts of direct current (GWdc) for the first time and growing 66 percent over 2014.
· Utility solar PV also had a record year with over 4 GW installed, up 6 percent over 2014.
· Non-residential solar was essentially flat for the third year in a row, installing just over 1 GWdc.
· Cumulative solar PV installations reached more than 25 GWdc by the end of the year, up from just 2 GW at the end of 2010.
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Anti-occupation Iraqi group forms
A pan-Iraqi group has been formed to oppose the occupation of Iraq and has immediately called for a meeting with UN envoy al-Akhdar al-Ibrahimi in a direct challenge to the country’s US-appointed leadership.
Al-Dhari has rejected the IGC calling it a US-imposed group
About 500 Iraqis met in Baghdad on Saturday to set up a national political force free of US influence to push for a handover of sovereignty under the auspices of the United Nations.
The United Iraqi Scholars Group – which appointed a 16-strong leadership panel – has vowed to boycott any political group set up by the US and called for a stronger army than the small force envisioned by the US-led coalition.
After a five-hour conference, the group said its agenda was based on “legitimate resistance to end the occupation” and keep Iraq united.
The group of moderate Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as Kurds also demanded the US-appointed Governing Council should be sidelined.
US has final say
The Governing Council is the Iraqi leadership operating within the US-led occupying authority. But power firmly remains with the US which holds the purse strings and controls the military.
“In previous talks we
told Mr Brahimi about
our desire to politically take part in the transfer of power but on one condition, that it
should not be done
under the shadow of
Shaikh Jawad al-Khalisi,
Shia cleric
Shaikh Jawad al-Khalisi, a senior Shia cleric who will head the group, said it wanted the handover of power to Iraqis on 30 June “done under the umbrella of the United Nations and not the CPA”, the US-led occupying authority since last March’s invasion.
“In previous talks we told Mr Brahimi about our desire to politically take part in the transfer of power but on one condition, that it should not be done under the shadow of the occupation,” said Khalisi.
The demands came as UN special envoy al-Ibrahimi struck a conciliatory note with the Governing Council during a meeting in Baghdad, saying he wanted to work with them before the 30 June shift of power.
IGC members nervous
The Governing Council’s Shia members in particular object to the UN’s direct involvement in planning the country’s next government, and disagree with al-Ibrahimi’s belief that a post-30 June interim government should be comprised of technocrats.
Al-Ibrahimi has said Governing Council members should concentrate on fighting for power in elections, scheduled for January next year.
The UN’s al-Ibrahimi (L) is under US pressure to alter his position
The UN’s al-Ibrahimi (L) is under
US pressure to alter his position
Dr Muthana Harith al-Dhari, spokesman of the Association of Muslim Scholars, said: “We will inform Mr Brahimi about our total rejection of the Governing Council which we consider as being designed by the occupation.”
The United Iraqi Scholars Group was formed after eight months of planning, and the meeting in Baghdad included representatives of 35 parties.
But the Bush administration is pressing al-Ibrahimi to change his proposal for a transitional Iraqi government once self-rule is returned, The New York Times reported on Saturday.
Citing unnamed Iraqi and US officials, the newspaper said instead of a government that was non-political, the US administration was pushing al-Ibrahimi for one that gave prominent roles to people with ties to political parties.
According to The Times, leading Shia and Kurdish political figures have pressed for the change because of their interest in retaining power after the Iraqi Governing Council is dissolved on 30 June.
In particular, the administration is said to be wedded to a large role for Adnan Pachachi, the former foreign minister who has guided the process of writing Iraq’s transitional constitution, and to figures tied to political groups loyal to Grand Ayat Allah Ali al-Sistani, the paper said.
“The government is going to have both technocrats and people of political stature,” The Times quotes a senior administration official as saying. “It’s important to have both sides in the government.”
Source : Al Jazeera, News Agencies
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On Patriotism /
On Patriotism
* For its 125th anniversary issue, The Nation asked writers and activists to explain their interpretation of patriotism. Jesse Jackson contributed the following thoughts.One afternoon in Greenville, South Carolina, when I was 9 years old, my father was raking leaves. The man came outside to offer us a drink of water, and when he left I asked, Why does that man speak differently from us? "He's German," said my father, and he stopped and leaned on his rake. "He's German. I fought in Europe so they could have freedom. I'm proud to be a veteran of that war." His eyes clouded over. "But now he's here, and he can vote, and I cannot. I helped free his people, now I'm raking his leaves."It is a paradox of the human spirit that even after such brutal oppression and disregard for human rights, we are still so patriotic and love our country so much. It is our land; we cultivated it and helped to build it. But it is not our government. Indeed, fighting for a better government is the patriotic thing to do.America at its best guarantees opportunity, and so fighting to expand the horizons of oppressed people is an act of patriotism. Yet too often, those who dare expand our nation's democracy and make it true to its principles are victims of naked aggression, aggression led not by street fighters but by the White House, Congress and the courts. The founding writers of the Constitution envisioned a nation in which people of African descent were three-fifths human, in which their own mothers and daughters and sisters had no right to vote, in which Native Americans had no right to live. Thomas Jefferson expressed the American dilemma when he wrote:For in a warm climate no man will labour for himself who can make another labour for him. This is so true, that of the proprietors of slaves a very small proportion indeed are ever seen to labour. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just....Through patriotism we have made America better. We have gained the right to vote. Women and African-Americans have changed the course and character of the nation. And my father's faith in his country has been sustained in the lifetime commitment of his family to make America better. Yet those who have fought for the highest and best principles of our country, the true patriots, have been vilified and crucified. The true patriots invariably disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed, and are persecuted in their lifetimes even as their accomplishments are applauded after their deaths.Today, politicians are proud to pronounce that we have abolished slavery. But in its time, slavery was the political center, and abolitionists were punished for their moral strength. Today, politicians hold up the gains of women. Yet in its time, denial of the vote to women was the political center; the women's suffrage movement sought the moral center, and was punished for its patriotism. Those who fight for civil rights, open housing, environmental laws, peace and international cooperation, and veterans of domestic wars--the real patriots--receive no parades.We must never relinquish our sense of justice for a false sense of nation al pride. "My country right or wrong" is neither moral nor intelligent. Patriotism is support for the highest ideals of the nation, not for whoever happens to be in the White House. As citizens we must continue to fight for justice and equality so that we might make a better nation and a better world. We must give credence to our invitation: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," for the character of our nation is rooted in the affirmation of these ideals for all of our people.
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Meet the RNC's New, Racist Adviser /
Meet the RNC's New, Racist Adviser
Evidently Michael Steele has been miffed that he didn't get enough credit for the GOPs sweeping takeover of American politics in the November elections (well, except for the congressional seats which all went to Democrats)so he forced out the RNC spokesman for some reason. But the spokesman has been replaced by a heavyweight:
The Republican National Committee has hired Alex Castellanos, a long-time political strategist and GOP consultant, as an adviser.
Castellanos has been described (according to his National Media biography) as the "father of the attack ad." He's best known for a racially-charged ad he made in 1990 for racist former Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.). The ad, called "Hands," featured a pair of white hands crumbling a job-rejection while the narrator said, "You needed that job. You were the best qualified. But they had to give it to a minority, because of a racial quota. Is that really fair?" More recently, Castellanos has taken the lead in crafting an anti-health care reform message for congressional Republicans.
But that doesn't really do him justice. He's had so more "successes." I'm sure you'll recall this one:
During the heated 2000 U.S. presidential campaign season, Castellanos produced an ad for the Republican National Committee attempting to discredit the prescription drug plan policy offered by U.S. Democratic Party presidential nominee and then-Vice President Al Gore.[4] Alongside images of Gore, the ad showed the word "RATS" for a split second, before the complete word "bureaucrats" appeared on-screen.
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Does the First Amendment Justify Corruption? /
Does the First Amendment Justify Corruption?
Brent Ferguson
A decade ago, if a politician had argued before the Supreme Court that he had a First Amendment right to trade political favors for a Rolex watch, his lawyers may have feared for their professional reputations. But that argument is one basis for ex-Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s appeal of his eleven-count corruption conviction in McDonnell v. United States, which the Court hears in oral arguments on Wednesday.
The case demonstrates how the First Amendment has begun to evolve from a tool to protect Americans with unpopular beliefs into a shield used by corporations and political donors to justify rules-free policymaking and electioneering.
The McDonnell case turns on a question vital for the future of our democracy: Should the First Amendment be read as a blunt instrument that protects the buying of government access, or as a safeguard to ensure that Americans may speak freely and effectively oversee their elected representatives? In recent years, the Court has often decided such questions on a 5-4 vote. Now evenly divided in the wake of Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, the Court may deadlock on this and similar issues in the near term. But the Court’s eventual answer will profoundly impact whether American voters have a meaningful say in the actions of their elected officials.
McDonnell’s bribery charge centered on his receipt of about $175,000 in cash and gifts from businessman Jonnie Williams. Aside from the Rolex, Williams gave McDonnell and his wife several large loans, payments for their daughters’ weddings, and a shopping trip to Bergdorf Goodman. The jury found that in exchange, McDonnell tried to help Williams and his company, Star Scientific, promote a dietary supplement called Anatabloc. Williams had wanted Virginia’s public universities to perform costly studies on Anatabloc that could lead to its approval by the FDA. The governor and his wife directed staff to set up meetings between Williams and state employees, and hosted the launch of Anatabloc at the Governor’s Mansion. At one point, McDonnell had even pulled a bottle of Anatabloc from his pocket and pitched it to the state’s secretary of administration, who controlled the state employee health plans.
At trial, McDonnell claimed that his support for Anatabloc was unrelated to Williams’s gifts. But the jury disagreed. Among other pieces of evidence, jury members learned that six minutes after e-mailing Williams about the status of a $50,000 loan, McDonnell had texted an aide about the proposed Anatabloc studies. The jury heard testimony that Maureen McDonnell told Williams, “The governor says it’s okay for me to help you … but I need you to help me.” The jury convicted McDonnell under several federal laws that punish the exchange of money for official government acts.
McDonnell and his supporters argue that even if he did help with Anatabloc in exchange for Williams’s gifts, the First Amendment protects his conduct—Williams’s gifts were simply buying access to the government, letting him make his case for a project that did not ultimately succeed. McDonnell points to the Supreme Court majority’s holdings in two recent campaign-finance cases—Citizens United v. FEC and McCutcheon v. FEC—that narrowed the definition of corruption. In McCutcheon, the Court identified “only one legitimate governmental interest for restricting campaign finances: corruption.” In both McCutcheon and in Citizens United, which invalidated limits on political spending, the Court concluded that “ingratiation and access … are not corruption.”
McDonnell’s free-speech argument shows how thoroughly the First Amendment has been reinterpreted in recent years. In the mid-20th century, the amendment often protected dissidents and religious minorities from government persecution. Now, it’s frequently invoked by business interests to accomplish goals such as establishing the right of corporations to spend unlimited amounts in elections, or preventing the government from requiring graphic warning labels on cigarette packaging. Indeed, a 2015 paper by Harvard Law professor John Coates argued that “corporations have begun to displace individuals as the direct beneficiaries of the First Amendment.”
In his appeal, McDonnell asks the Court to continue and build on this trend by holding that his exchange with Williams was protected by the First Amendment. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward formula that dictates how the Court should respond to cases like this, because the First Amendment is not absolute. No serious litigant would argue that the prohibition of laws “abridging the freedom of speech” prevents all government limits on speech or writing. Verbal threats may be punished by the government, even if they are not accompanied by physical action. Likewise, American courts set a page limit on court papers, which applies to a criminal defendant even if he has the means to pay his lawyers to write briefs twice as long as the prosecutors’.
Thus, the Court must decide whether punishing Williams’s gifts to McDonnell serves an interest that overrides any infringement on his free-speech rights. In Citizens United and McCutcheon, the Court has seemed to conclude that that limits on political spending impermissibly infringe on the freedom of speech unless they prevent quid pro quo corruption, by which the Court may simply mean bribery. The Roberts Court has decided that most political spending does not create a threat of bribery, and has promoted the value of completely unencumbered political messaging.
McDonnell’s lawyers hope the Court will further narrow this already myopic view of the First Amendment’s purpose; they argue that the amendment protects an individual’s unfettered right to disseminate a message no matter the means or the consequences. Yet that view ignores the First Amendment’s greater purpose, which is to guarantee a democracy in which elected officials respond to the words and desires of their constituents.
If certain speakers dominate the political debate, and oft re-elected incumbents respond principally to the speech of those few people, the First Amendment cannot do its job of amplifying the voice of average Americans. In other words, McDonnell’s interpretation puts the supremacy of an instrumental right before the edifice it was meant to preserve. If the First Amendment protects a businessman who buys a direct line to the governor that no other Virginian has, is it protecting a democracy in which the people, as a whole, have ultimate control over their collective decision-making?
This trees-versus-forest interpretation of the First Amendment crops up in several cases that examine how our government works, and the outcome will have profound effects on the country’s future. For example, corporations and others seeking to further deregulate campaign financing have claimed a First Amendment right to spend money anonymously for political causes. Plaintiffs in California who supported Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage in the state, sought to avoid disclosing their spending in support of the initiative, claiming fears of reprisal by the public, such as boycotts of their businesses. In making this argument, they relied on a 1958 case in which the Supreme Court held that the NAACP did not have to disclose its members to the state of Alabama, citing the members’ fear of threats and hostility. Courts hearing such cases must decide whether to conceive of the First Amendment narrowly, to protect only campaign spenders, or more broadly, to foster the disclosure of information that helps voters accurately assess candidates and ballot questions.
The Court’s decision in McDonnell will decide whether one man goes to prison. But more importantly, it may tell us whether the Court views the First Amendment principally as a means for the powerful to sidestep legal obstacles, or as a fundamental protector of the people’s right to govern themselves.
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Yakubu Gets Second Term as Senate Confirms Nomination
The Senate yesterday confirmed the reappointment of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu by President Muhammadu Buhari, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term of five years.
The president has also sought the approval of the Senate to appoint two commissioners for the commission.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomed Yakubu’s confirmation, saying that although the country’s electoral processes are not perfect, marked improvements have been recorded in a series of recent elections conducted by INEC.
Yakubu, who was confirmed after the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on INEC during plenary, received the support of all senators, including those of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Chairman of the INEC Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya, while presenting the report, said the committee did not receive any petition or incriminating reports against the nominee.
According to him, the nominee possessed the requisite educational qualification for the position of chairman; and is a person of integrity who is not affiliated to any political party.
Speaking on the character of the nominee, Senator Sandy Onor (PDP – Cross River North) said: “Today, as a Senate, we are recognising the fact that there is a square peg in a square hole.
“This professor sitting in INEC has demonstrated competence and has shown indeed that he is an unbiased umpire. Today, politicians don’t go into elections scared of whether they’ll be oppressed or not. That is the reality.
“If you are with your people and doing the needful, you can trust that you will go to the field and win your elections. That is the kind of situation we have always asked for. I do believe that going by his performance in the first term, that he would do even better in his second term.”
Also, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP – Delta North), said: “Mr. President, two days ago, I read in the papers that PDP senators were opposed to the nomination of the nominee, and that today was going to be hot.
“But I’m very happy that the majority of the people who have spoken on the floor today are PDP senators supporting this nomination. That is to show that the belief or what people thought was going to happen, did not happen. We have disappointed those who thought we are going to oppose this nomination.
“Many of us have tried to see if we can link him to any political party, or any political association, and we have not found anything to the contrary. That shows that he is an unbiased umpire that is good and qualified.”
Senator Gabriel Suswam described Yakubu as a person of sound character and integrity.
“As other colleagues have said, the nominee has shown competence; he has shown integrity and an unbiased nature because in the past, most INEC chairmen have had to go through criticisms, especially from opposing parties.
“There is no person in the opposing party (PDP) who will oppose the nomination and confirmation of this man today because he has shown credibility in the process,” he stated.
The Senate also yesterday received a request from Buhari for the confirmation of two commissioners for the INEC.
The request was contained in a letter dated 27th November 2020, and read at plenary by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan.
The nominees are Professor Sani Muhammad Adam, Commissioner (North-central); and Dr. Baba Bila, Commissioner (North-east).
According to the president, the request was made pursuant to Paragraph 14 of Part I (F) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
However, reacting to Yakubu’s confirmation, the APC, in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, said the country’s electoral processes are not perfect.
It, however, added that marked improvements have been recorded in elections conducted in recent times.
The party congratulated Yakubu on his reappointment.
It stated: “The task before Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the election management body he leads is to strive further in being unbiased and apolitical.”
The APC added that technological innovations recently introduced and deployed by INEC have improved the credibility and efficiency of the country’s electoral processes.
It stressed the need to continue to support and invest in these innovations and for INEC to remain apolitical.
In Historic Move, Buhari Nominates Yakubu for Second Term
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BREAKING: Senate confirms all 43 ministerial nominees
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ARCHITETTO PISCITELLI ASSOCIATed S.R.L.
Company among professionals
New single regional North marche hospital
215.000 mq
Sup. Territoriale
The project to build the new Marche Nord United Hospitals is part of the more general program to modernize and rationalize the Marche hospital network launched with the Regional Health Plans 2010-2012 and 2012-2014. In the province of Pesaro / Urbino, the new design of the hospital network envisages the integration between the two historic hospitals of Pesaro and Fano with the objective of creating a single coastal hospital with a primary catchment area of over 200,000 inhabitants and a secondary basin (high specialties) up to 500,000 inhabitants. The new complex, commissioned by the company INSO S.p.A. Italian leader in the health care sector, it will be designed for a total of 512 beds organized in homogeneous care areas and divided into three different areas Surgical Area, Medical Area, Emergencies. The project was developed according to a "citizen-centric conception", that is oriented to the satisfaction of the needs and needs of the person, understood both as a patient but also as an operator and visitor. But, being a complex structure, all the objectives of effectiveness and efficiency will be achieved: to obtain tangible results in this sense it was considered important to plan the design according to a model that no longer reflected the individual specialties but that considered the processes or paths of diagnosis and therapy, to allow the patient to be assisted in an adequate and integrated manner.
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United Kingdom - English (United Kingdom)
Pink Floyd Merchandise : Jumpers
Select View All Items View All Categories Sale Items T-Shirts Womens T-Shirts Mugs Baseball Caps Hoodies Beanies Baseball Shirts T-Shirts Varsity Jackets Snapbacks Sweatshirts Tote Bags Aprons Jersey Tank Dress Jumpers Ladies Tunic Vests Scarves Slipmats Snapback Caps Coffee Tumblers Flasks
Dark Side Of The Moon (Knitted Jumper)
See also David Gilmour merchandise – click here
See also Roger Waters merchandise – click here
Pink Floyd, Rock Band * Born: 1965 * Birthplace: United Kingdom * Best Known As: They did Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd was a U.K. psychedelic rock band made up of Syd Barrett (6 January 1946, Cambridge), guitar and vocals; David Gilmour (6 March 1944, Cambridge), guitar; Roger Waters (6 September 1944, Cambridge), vocals and bass; Nick Mason (27 January 1945, Birmingham), drums; and Richard Wright (28 July 1945, London), keyboards. Waters, Mason and Wright played together in the Architectural Abdabs before being joined in 1965 by Barrett, who changed the band name to the Pink Floyd Sound. Their sound was attributed to Barrett, who had trouble coping (some say because of LSD, some say mental illness) and was ultimately replaced by Gilmour in 1968. Their early albums were spacey and experimental and they were among the first rock groups to use light shows during their concerts. Their 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon took them from the fringes of psychedelic rock and put them on the top of the charts. The album went on to become one of the best selling records of all time, spending more than 25 years on Billboard"s Top 200 chart. They had further success with Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977) and The Wall (1979), but by the "80s the band drifted apart. In 1987 Gilmour, Mason and Wright reunited and recorded A Momentary Lapse of Reason. One of the top-selling rock groups in history, Pink Floyd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett (January 6, 1946 – July 7, 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist and artist. Best remembered as one of the founding members of the group Pink Floyd, Barrett was active as a rock musician for only about seven years before he went into seclusion. His creative legacy and quintessentially English vocal delivery have since proven remarkably influential.
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As a combat Marine, Bill Andresevic fought house to house in Korea. He became an officer and later a jet fighter pilot flying classified missions. He flew outsized cargo planes worldwide before retiring to fly rescue helicopters for Northwest hospitals. There he was involved in one of the greatest civilian air rescues in American history: Mt. St. Helens. But to purposely get involved with the CIA in a secret war in a southeast country most people never heard of before may be difficult to understand. Yes, there was the sheer excitement and adventure, but there was much more. For the first time, this soldier of fortune tells his story, revealing an incredible career that was mostly shrouded in secrecy.
Above the Thunder DVD
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Public Libraries of California
Cities A-L
There's a lot of categories here: buildings which predated the Carnegie program and were replaced; buildings contemporaneous with the Carnegie buildings; buildings which replaced the Carnegie libraries, often those with earthquake damage; and new buildings.
Built 1906: replaced in 1968 from damage that I suspect was caused by an earthquake.
Curt Teich 'C.T. American Art' card, mailed in 1927.
Beale Memorial Library
(L) The card was mailed in 1906, with the comment to Cora,
'Just to let you know I am still with the living.'
(R) Edward H. Mitchell card, mailed in 1911.
Built in 1900 in memory of General Edward Fitzgerald Beale. The library building (not the clock tower) was destroyed in a 1952 earthquake, and not replaced until 1957.
Kern County Free Library
This is the replacement 1957 library, in turn replaced in 1988. At the time the card was printed--sometime between 1957 and 1961--its circulation lay between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 books per year, according to the publisher.
In the background are a bookdrop and a lot of school buses.
Carmel by the Sea (Harrison Memorial Library)
Photo post card, likely from 1926-1940s.
1928 building. The Library seems to have improved a great deal since my previous site went online, as now they are a Library Journal star library.
The Library is now part of the County of Los Angeles Library System. At the minimum, this building has been replaced.
The postcard came from Columbia Wholesale Supply.
Apparently miscaptioned as San Diego. Close, but no cigar: it's across the San Diego Bay from the city.
Founded in 1890 and funded privately at first. Its next home was in the Hotel Del Coronado, whose owner, John D. Spreckles, donated the building shown. Like Waukesha's Carnegie building, it serves as a Reading Room in a larger public library.
Eno & Matteson post card.
This either preceded or replaced a Carnegie library. The card style is definitely pre-WWI; the cars mid-to-late 1920s, and the postmark, 1938.
See what I mean? If this were only a Curt Teich card, the number would date it to 1923, when the Carnegie building was moved and later expanded. Alas, its a Theo.Sohmer card, printed by Western Publishing.
Fate unknown.
County Library and Statue of Chief Solano, Fairfield, Cal.
The county is Solano, and the Library building is replaced. But the Chief is more properly known as Sem-Yeto, Chief of the Suisunes.
Branch of the San Diego County Library.
Card by Design Elements.
Information from a 2010 Hanford Sentinel article.
This must be one of California's oldest extant library buildings (1904). Strangely, it was built of stucco and wood, designed by the McDougall Bros., who also designed Hanford's Carnegie Library. It was renovated in 2003.
The photo postcard doesn't show it at its best. There appears to be a motel cabin at left, and the yard is unkempt, to say the least.
At first glance, I thought this was the Carnegie library, of which I have many postcards, but it's an earlier, dual-purpose building housing City Hall and the Library.
It didn't try to pack in a fire station, like several Wisconsin towns did. The fire tower is at left.
M. Rieder postcard, postmarked 1907.
Los Angeles has its own page.
HOME Carnegie Libraries NEXT
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Carnegie Libraries of Iowa
Cities P-S
1905 grant.
According to the card, built in 1907. Replaced in 2000; additions in 1957 and 1977. No one could argue the necessity.
Now used as City Hall storage.
KRUXO photo card with message and address, but never mailed.
(L) Early E.C. Kropp card, mailed in 1911.
(R) This rather abused card was mailed in 1910.
The 1903 building houses a museum and special collections. The new library was built in 1993. Its architects were Brown, Healey, Stone and Sauer of Cedar Rapids.
(L) Hamilton Photo Co. card, mailed in 1955.
(R) L.L. Cook photo postcard.
(L) Bedraggled card, probably a Curt Teich product.
(R) L.L. Cook photo card.
Late 1906 grant.
Beautiful Tudor-style building, still in use.
Still in use, but with a huge addition. This was built after a 1916 grant, in a style typical for the day. What's completely atypical was the signage under the entry arch.
The producer of this card is unknown, and it was never mailed.
Rockwell City
Sac City
Replaced, and now used as a combo police station and Chamber of Commerce.
(L) Octochrome brand card.
(R) Card was mailed in 1952, but looks a lot older/cruder. However, the trees in front look mature enough that the card might have been contemporaneous.
Built in 1911; heavily remodeled in 1964, including a children's library.
Still in use.
Sterling Quality photocard by L.L. Cook is postmarked 1916. Interestingly, L.L. Cook was located in Lake Mills, Wisconsin at the time.
E.J. Brown card copyright 1909,
showing six people on the front steps.
L.L. Cook postcard (Milwaukee)
mailed in 1948.
Nice, sharp photo.
'Litho-Chrome brand card.
Built 1906, replaced 1969. Currently in use as a museum, according to the State Library of Iowa site.
(L) Photo postcard, never mailed.
(R) RPPC, probably from the 1940s. The license plate is not quite clear enough to read its date.
Built 1903, addition built 1950. It was supposed to have been replaced in 2004, but in 2015, the web site shows the old building, with a 2012 addition.
(L) Possibly by Co-Mo Foto, precursor to L.L. Cook.
(R) By Cook-Montgomery, also a precursor.
The Library was funded in 1917, renovated in 1985, and thoroughly spruced up in 2009. It's still in use.
Sigourney
(L) This is a Dexter Press card, which I cannot date. Given that the maples look to be 30 to 40 years old, I'll give an estimate of just post-WWII.
(R) Photo postcard, never mailed.
Built 1913. Resembled the Fremont, Nebraska Carnegie building, now demolished.
This building was supposed to have been replaced in 2001, but was not until 2008 or 2009. Today it appears to be available to rent as a 50 person meeting room.
A Curt Teich card, mailed in 1914, features a strangely large traffic cop and at least one added auto.
The 1913 building, from a 1911 grant, was designed by Edward L. Tilton. Just when I decided that it had to have been demolished, I checked Google Maps using the address given on CLIP, and lo and behold, it's still standing, albeit a touch forlorn.
(L) Probably a Massure Co. postcard. There are many cards of this style of midwest libraries, and often, it's all that can be found.
(R) Photo postcard also includes a long building in the background.
Spencer is the library with the famous resident cat, Dewey. He roamed a new building, however. This was demolished in 1970.
1903 grant. Reminiscent of the Harvey, Illinois and the Adrian, Michigan Carnegie buildings.
Its hunh? retirement occupation, since the 1960s, is as Santa's Castle.
In contrast, the current library building is a little nondescript.
(L) Dated 1926 in red felt-tip pen. Why would someone do such a desecration?
(R) Believed to be a C.U. Williams postcard.
Built in 1908 from a 1906 grant; still in use.
(L) Rexall card, printed in Germany.
(R) Lithochrome brand card.
HOME Public libraries, I - Z NEXT
Built 1908. Ground was broken for the replacement library in 2007.
Pictures of the move are also on the library site, as are pictures of the new building, opened in 2008.
Good news, everybody! As of March 2010, Carnegie Antiques & Gifts occupies (occupied?) the Carnegie building.
A late 2015 search doesn't find any newer reference to this business, however.
This is the only colored RP in my Iowa collection. It bore a 1 cent stamp, but the postmark does not bear a year.
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World Rugby chief Brett Gosper to switch to NFL role
World Rugby chief Brett Gosper is to step down in January to take up a new role as head of the NFL in Europe and the UK, it was announced on Wednesday.
During Gosper's nine-year spell at the sport's global governing body, sevens became part of the Olympic programme and the World Cup was staged in Asia for the first time.
Chief operating officer Alan Gilpin will perform the role of interim CEO until Gosper's replacement is appointed.
"It's been a fantastic nine years," said Gosper, a former Australian under-21 international who played club rugby in France.
"It has been an absolute privilege to have worked with so many talented and dedicated rugby people around the world.
"Rugby is a wonderful sport and World Rugby is a fantastic organisation, and therefore it was a very difficult decision to leave.
"But with a new ambitious strategic plan set to launch and the strong foundations in place to drive the sport forward beyond the pandemic, the time is right for me to begin a new challenge."
Christopher Halpin, NFL executive vice president and chief strategy and growth officer, praised Gosper's "exceptional skills and experience".
"The UK has been a core market of investment and growth for the NFL over the last decade, and we believe broader Europe presents a number of similar attractive opportunities to expand the game and our fan base," he said.
"Brett's exceptional skills and experience make him the ideal leader to build on our momentum and grow the NFL."
Record number of Portuguese go for early presidential poll
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chizobachibuzo
The British Royal Family is undoubtedly one of the most famous royal clan in the world. The Royal Family officially comprises of the ruling monarch and all of their close relatives. Despite now serving a largely ceremonial roles, the British Royal Family is still as popular as ever. The entire British royal family are public figures and members of the royal family have belonged either by birth or by marriage to the House of Windsor (royal house). Here are some fascinating facts about the Royal Family.
1. The Queen never travels alone. Along with her royal doctor, the Queen travels with 34 people including a private secretary, a hair dresser, press officers and most importantly, she travels with supplies of her own blood.
2. It's tradition for British monarchs to celebrate two birthdays. So the Queen has 2 birthdays. She has an official birthday that is celebrated on a range of dates in the different countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. The second is her actual birthday the 21st of April, the day she was born in 1926. The Queen prefers to celebrate her actual birthday privately in family circle but the official one is a national day marked by a parade and mass celebrations.
3. Queen Elizabeth II sets the tone for all meetings. In case you are opportuned to have dinner with the Queen, you have to know that as soon as the Queen finishes her meal, everyone must put down their silverware and stop eating. This rule applies to all members of the Royal Family.
4. Members of the Royal Family are not allowed to touch common people. They are also not allowed to have selfies or sign autographs. So if you are lucky enough to meet a royal, you should not offer your hand to them to shake. Sometimes, these rules are violated during meetings with celebrities and other famous people.
5. Nobody walks with the Queen! Even the Queen's husband can't walk beside the Queen, his husband has to walk a few steps behind. Tradition says that the Queen is more important and has to lead the way! President Donald Trump became the first man to break the protocol when he walked in front of the Queen in July 2018, causing social media frenzy.
6. You must never turn your back to the Queen. It's a serious offence if you meet the monarch, but then turn away to chat with someone else. Once again, the monarch is more important and it's up to her to decide when the conversation is over and leave you to do as you like.
7. The Royal Family always travels with black cloths in their suitcases in case of someone dying. When King George V died in 1952, the then Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya and she didn't have an all-black outfit handy to signify her mourning. A dress had to be delivered to her plane on her arrival to UK before she could step out of the plane.
8. The Queen is the only person in UK who's allowed to travel anywhere in the world without a passport and also drive around United Kingdom without a drivers' license.
9. Since the reign of Charles II, it's become tradition that 6 ravens live at the tower of London. Why? Because Charles II once said that if the ravens leave the tower, then the kingdom will fall. So if you miraculously enter the palace, leave the Tower of London's ravens alone!
10. The Royal Family works hard to preserve their lineage. The royals never allow two royal heirs travel on the same aircraft so that in case of a fatal accident, the lineage would be protected.
Mind-blowing Facts About North Korea and Kim Jong-un
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These Retro Camper Trailers Are Just the Freaking Cutest
On sale in the U.K. right now, they'll be available in America next year.
Ed TahaneyWriter
If retro camping in an Airstream appeals to you, you're gonna love Barefoot Caravans. These super cool, egg-like pods hail from the U.K. and are expected to go on sale in the U.S. in 2020 via trailer and camper builder nuCamp RV. They've been available since 2015 and feature a fiberglass monocoque body on a steel chassis, and they include features such as a full bathroom with a shower, a kitchen, solid oak countertops, a fridge with freezer, and an audio system.
The windows feature screens to keep out pesky flies, and there's also a ventilated roof light, a heating and hot water system, an onboard water tank, LED lighting, and U-shaped vinyl seating that converts into a six-by-six-foot bed. Overall, the campers measure roughly 93 inches tall, 76 inches wide, and 200 inches long.
The 13-inch wheels have retro dish hubcaps—including a spare—and standard colors are Pale Gray, Cotswold Cream, and Duck Egg Blue, although any hue can be specified for a fee. The kitchen units, seating, and even the window treatments are all customizable. No pricing has been announced for U.S. models at this time but the campers start at £25,500 in the U.K., or about $33,321 at today's exchange rates. Our only question: How soon until we can take one on a trip?
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Aspen Times writer
Eagles singer-drummer Don Henley has been booked to replace John Mellencamp as a headliner at next month’s Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival. Mellencamp, who was scheduled to make his Jazz Aspen debut Sunday, Sept. 3, canceled due to “unspecified personal reasons,” according to Jazz Aspen.The 12th annual Labor Day Festival is set for Sept. 1-4 in Snowmass Town Park.Henley, a former part-time Aspen area resident, co-founded the Eagles in the early ’70s in Los Angeles. The band played some of its first concerts in Aspen, and went on to become one of the best-selling bands in music history. Henley’s solo albums include 1989’s “The End of the Innocence” and 2000’s “Inside Job.” Opening acts for Henley are Del Castillo and Los Lonely Boys, as previously scheduled.Additional headliners for the festival are country singer LeAnn Rimes, hip-hopper Kanye West and Hasidic reggae singer Matisyahu. Additional opening acts include Keller Williams, Susan Tedeschi and Robert Randolph & the Family Band.Jazz Aspen has also announced artists for its JAS After Dark Snowmass Village Block Party, featuring late-night concerts after the main stage acts, Sept. 1-3. Artists include New Monsoon, Seventh Hour, Oteil Burbridge, Elemenopee and Gnappy. Participating venues are the Blue Door, Mountain Dragon, the Silvertree Cabaret Room and Il Poggio.For tickets and further information on the Labor Day Festival and JAS After Dark, go to http://www.jazzaspen.com.
Aspen Community Theatre will present a free workshop, The Art, Craft & Business of Acting for Camera and the Stage, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19-20. The workshop, at the Black Box Theatre in Aspen High School, will be led by actor Richard Hatch.Hatch is best known for his TV roles in “All My Children,” “The Streets of San Francisco” and “Battlestar Galactica.” He is currently featured in the new “Battlestar Galactica” series on the Sci-Fi Channel and NBC.The class meets 6-10 p.m. each day. Registration is required. To register or for further information, call Beth Odén at 925-3677, or e-mail beth@northernstarproductions.com.
The Valley Jazz Concert Series will present a straight-ahead jazz performance Aug. 23 by Walt Smith & the Valley Jazz All Stars. The concert is set for 7 p.m. at the Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale.Smith has been a pianist in the Roaring Fork Valley area since the mid-’50s, and has had regular gigs at Aspen Highlands, the Tippler and the Sopris Restaurant.Tickets are available at Sounds Easy in Carbondale, Glenwood Music or at the door.
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Marshallese Radio
Anthropological Photos - Landscape Series - 1975-1977
© Glenn Alcalay
Double-click on an image to activate the Slideshow
Anthropological Photos - Portrait Series - 1975-1977
This website is designed to give voice to the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands [RMI] who have firsthand knowledge - in their bodies and DNA, in their memories and permanently in their atolls - of thermonuclear weapons and their destruction, having been at the receiving end of the United States' "foreign policy."
AtomicAtolls.org's primary mission is to provide a repository of the unfiltered history of the relationship between the U.S. and RMI through an archive of audio interviews [in both Marshallese and English*] on SoundCloud (previously unavailable to the public) and photographs of downwind Marshall Islanders who were caught in the radioactive fallout from the 67 atomic & hydrogen thermonuclear bombs detonated at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls between 1946-58.
In addition to these rare and powerful interviews conducted between 1981 and 2002 [by Glenn Alcalay & Kai Erikson], numerous unclassified U.S. government documents, U.N. testimonies, NGO reports, and other educational materials regarding nuclear testing issues in the Marshall Islands will also be made available to the public. Lastly, a large archive of videos and documentary films about the Nuclear Age, from the Manhattan Project to Weapons in Space will be made available.
Our website is dedicated to aolep dri-Majol, people of the Marshall Islands - especially the youth - and all of the glorious people who reside on our dear Mother Earth. If there is a theme or a meme that truly captures the character of this website, it is this: America nuked the Gentle People.
Glenn Alcalay
Peace Corps Volunteer, Utrok Atoll 1975-1977
Jeramman wot!
Glenn Alcalay & Andrew Fuchs
www.AtomicAtolls.org
Nuclear Testing Chronology
Modern History of the RMI
Ejema with finished handicraft basket
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A Racial Cleansing in America
Autor: Patrick Phillips
Sprecher: Patrick Phillips
Kategorien: Geschichte, Nord-, Mittel- & Südamerika
A gripping tale of racial cleansing in Forsyth County, Georgia, and a harrowing testament to the deep roots of racial violence in America.
Forsyth County, Georgia, at the turn of the 20th century was home to a large African American community that included ministers and teachers, farmers and field hands, tradesmen, servants, and children. Many black residents were poor sharecroppers, but others owned their own farms and the land on which they'd founded the county's thriving black churches.
But then in September of 1912, three young black laborers were accused of raping and murdering a white girl. One man was dragged from a jail cell and lynched on the town square, two teenagers were hung after a one-day trial, and soon bands of white "night riders" launched a coordinated campaign of arson and terror, driving all 1,098 black citizens out of the county. In the wake of the expulsions, whites harvested the crops and took over the livestock of their former neighbors and quietly laid claim to "abandoned" land. The charred ruins of homes and churches disappeared into the weeds, until the people and places of black Forsyth were forgotten.
National Book Award finalist Patrick Phillips tells Forsyth's tragic story in vivid detail and traces its long history of racial violence all the way back to antebellum Georgia. Recalling his own childhood in the 1970s and '80s, Phillips sheds light on the communal crimes of his hometown and the violent means by which locals kept Forsyth "all white" well into the 1990s.
Blood at the Root is a sweeping American tale that spans the Cherokee removals of the 1830s, the hope and promise of Reconstruction, and the crushing injustice of Forsyth's racial cleansing. With bold storytelling and lyrical prose, Phillips breaks a century-long silence and uncovers a history of racial terrorism that continues to shape America in the 21st century.
©2016 Patrick Philips (P)2016 Random House Audio
Das sagen andere Hörer zu Blood at the Root
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Duran Duran's John Taylor: A Wild Boy's Road to Redemption
"I was spiritually dead, so I’ve been brought back." - Duran Duran bassist John Taylor
John Taylor, founding member and bassist of the 80s mega British group Duran Duran, came to the end road, it was time to slay his demons.
Fame, drug use, and women aplenty, only catapulted this once shy kid from Birmingham, England towards destruction. Flashing career credentials wouldn’t be an answer, as the band swept Generation X females off their feet with their boyish good looks and fashion. “Planet Earth”, “Rio”, “Hungry Like the Wolf”, “The Reflex”, rocked the charts in both Europe, Japan and on American soil. Selling millions of albums followed while money poured like champagne, but this, too, brought little comfort.
Being a wild boy took its toll.
The only child born of Jack and Jean, Nigel John Taylor, needed to switch gears from self-destruction. It meant staying sober, maturing, and eventually revealing who he really was. In his new memoir, In the Pleasure Groove: Love Death & Duran Duran, Taylor digs into the rawness of his fame, cocaine abuse and finally making peace with his God.
Taylor, 52, is articulate, warm and conversational, not reticent.
“I am definitely of the generation of over sharing. I guess at some point I’ve sort of become comfortable with sharing so much of myself. Having said that, you don’t know what’s not in the book,” Taylor laughs. “In one hand, one has to come to an understanding with oneself. “OK, where am I going go? How far am I willing to go?” I wanted there to be a lot of light in the book. And I feel for the light to be appreciated that there had to be a lot darks.”
“I was born again by sobriety. And I wanted that in there too, [book]. It’s a slow walk up a hill. But it’s better than the alternative. I was going downhill fast.”
After moving to Los Angeles in the early 90s with his first wife actress Amanda de Cadenet and a newborn baby, therapy was his saving grace as Taylor was clinging to solid ground. He asked his therapist to find a therapist in London as he was still with the band. The first therapist he saw spent 10 minutes with him and referred him to another professional in North London. About 15 minutes later, the therapist said "You need to get sober, because if you get sober, you could really be somebody. If you get sober, I can treat you."
Those were magic words.
“I signed up for the cuckoo's nest. And there’s been no looking back for me. There’s not been a day where I’ve been sober where I’ve regretted it.”
Along with a rebirth and rejuvenation of life, making peace with God also came into play. The God that Taylor discovered through sobriety was rooting for him. Taylor was raised Catholic and attended mass every day until he went to Catholic school. But he never felt a deep spiritual connection.
“I never was quite able to wrap my head around to be Catholic, the dogma. In sobriety, I was invited to create a God of my own understanding. I don’t know if I used this analogy in the book… You know that place Build-A-Bear where you can take kids to? And they can kind of build their own bear. Having been raised with a very specific idea, somebody else’s very particular idea what God should be like," he said before his book was launched in the US.
"One of the innovations of the 12-Step Program is that they teach that there’s a greater power. The higher power is the God of our understanding. I quite like the idea that why shouldn’t my God be this? Why shouldn’t my God be that? Once I kind of got this idea about what my God was. Then it was something I could pump air into and float it. Once it’s afloat, I can have faith in it and pray to it. And my whole concept of prayer and spiritually is very vague. I’m like coming back, coming back from the dead as it were. I was spiritually dead, so I’ve been brought back. It wasn’t the first thing I wanted to do, to get on my knees and start praying again. That part has come back to me quite slowly, but now it’s there. I turn my life over to a power greater than myself every day, sometimes more than once a day.”
Publishing a memoir made sense to the father of three and husband of Juicy Couture co-founder Gela Nash-Taylor. Taylor is the most stable he’s ever been, feeling he can reveal a past without hesitation as time allowed objectivity. It also became apparent that penning the autobiography was about honoring his father, who was a POW during the Second World War, an “occupant of the Stalag-344”, a German army prisoner of war camp.
“I lost my dad coming up on three years and when he went, we sold the house that I’d grown up in. I drove away from the old neighborhood never to return. Right away, I remember thinking that I had to memorialize him and them.”
With age comes maturing and the group are even more knitted together, says Taylor who hopes to hit the recording studio with his mates next spring after the band’s hiatus.
It has been a needed respite after the three year “All You Need is Now Tour.”
“I think we are supportive of each other. We rely on each other. I think as we gotten older we’ve come to appreciate each other, much, much, more. Because we realize what we have, how special it is. You can’t make another band member do something he doesn’t want to do. Even if it’s like the three of us feel emphatically that we need to do something and one person is holding out. We don’t make that other person do it because it’s going to bite you in the ***. It’s a constant dialog. It’s a constant negotiation and it’s a constant growing process. As we get older we tend to calcify, we tend to get stuck in our ways when you need to be more malleable.”
For his fans that have been following him for some time, Taylor says the book shouldn’t come as a complete surprise as he desires to have an authentic voice out there, beyond the scope of Duran.
“I think maybe because I’m not the lyricist and I don’t get to express myself in song. My energy is there of course in the structure and the arrangements of the music… Essentially the lyrical presentations of our songs are not representative of my head. I think that after a few years I’ve gotten a little frustrated with that and I wanted to put more of myself out there.”
Are our wild boy celebrities vulnerable? They’re like the rest of us, searching for authenticity, healing and finding a true voice.
John is no different.
How to Make Long Distance Relationships Work For You
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The Da Vinci Code's Shaky Foundation: Gnostic Texts
Gnosticism is now in vogue. But people who treat the Gnostic gospels as history are buying into liberal revisionism.
Reprinted from the Arlington Catholic Herald with permission.
This has been "the summer of Mary Magdalene," according to Time magazine. One of the things that made it so is a best-selling novel called The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown, which makes the biblical story into a thriller in which Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married, she was a rich woman who financed his ministry, and the Apostles conspired to suppress the truth in order to maintain male dominance. Brown's fantasy is not entirely without foundation, since some of it is taken from some early books called the Gnostic Gospels, which in many ways are at odds with the four gospels of the New Testament. There was a debate over these documents in the early centuries, and the Church defined the canon of the Bible partly for the purpose of excluding those other "gospels." Gnosticism was older and wider than Christianity, affecting Judaism and other religions. It was a "dualism," in which reality is thought to be composed of two irreconcilable principles - light and darkness, spirit and matter. The heresy was its belief that the universe is not ruled by one God, but that there are two warring kingdoms which ultimately will be completely separated from one another. "Gnostic" is a Greek word for knowledge. The Gnostics claimed to possess secret knowledge which their followers used to free themselves from the world of darkness. Whereas orthodox Christianity preaches salvation as available to all who accept it, Gnostics thought that only an elite could know the hidden truth.
There are things in Gnosticism that the modern mind finds repellent - elitism, weird stories, peculiar rituals, above all its rejection of the flesh. If orthodox Christianity is criticized for not cherishing the body, Gnosticism rejected it entirely. Gnosticism is now enjoying a vogue, however, partly because it was a religion in which women held leadership roles. This was consistent with its rejection of the flesh, which made sexual identity unimportant. The Gnostics did not accept the Incarnation of Jesus and treated doctrinal orthodoxy as being too literal-minded. The gospels were not to be taken at face value but as stories with hidden symbolic meanings. Thus it was possible to write new "gospels," since the Gnostics were not bound by what may or may not have happened while Jesus was on earth. Mary Magdalene could become Jesus' intimate, and the New Testament could be dismissed as essentially false. (Modern people like Dan Brown, who treat the Gnostic gospels as history, miss the point - to the Gnostics themselves it was irrelevant what actually happened when Jesus was on earth, if he ever was.) For l50 years people have been calling the historical reliability of the New Testament into question. But now the Gnostic gospels, which were written later and were never taken as historical documents, are treated as at last giving us a true picture of the early Church. For example, Elaine Pagels, a scholar of Gnosticism, theorizes that Thomas is presented as a doubter in the New Testament in order to discredit the spurious Gospel of Thomas, a theory which is guesswork at best, not scholarship.
Brown's thriller has had some impact even within Catholic circles. I have heard of a pastor who found it necessary to warn against it from the pulpit, because it was being studied by some of his parishioners. Those intrigued by the book perhaps do not realize how much is being demanded of them. This is not merely another liberal "revision." It is nothing less than the claim that Christianity has been a deliberate fraud almost from its beginning, that the true story of Jesus was suppressed, and that only now are we finally learning what it was all about. Pagels explains her attraction to Gnosticism because it teaches that "spirituality is essentially within oneself." She calls herself a Christian because Christianity "offers hints and glimpses of spiritual possibility."
This is about as weak an act of faith as it is possible to make and, if such an understanding had triumphed two millennia ago, Christianity today would be nothing but a footnote in books written by historians like Pagels.
6 Prayers For Your Big Day
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Discrete Mathematics With ApplicationsThe congruence modulo 3 relation, T, is defined from Z to Z as follows: For all integers m and n, ?? ? ?? ? ?? ???3|? ?? - ?? Is 10 T 1? Is 2,2 ?? ?? ? 8,1 ? ?? ? b. List five integers n such that n T0. List five integers n such that n T 1. List five integers n such that n T 2. Make and prove a conjecture about which integers are related by T to 0, which integers are related by T to 1, and which integers are related by T to 2.
The congruence modulo 3 relation, T, is defined from Z to Z as follows: For all integers m and n, ?? ? ?? ? ?? ???3|? ?? - ?? Is 10 T 1? Is 2,2 ?? ?? ? 8,1 ? ?? ? b. List five integers n such that n T0. List five integers n such that n T 1. List five integers n such that n T 2. Make and prove a conjecture about which integers are related by T to 0, which integers are related by T to 1, and which integers are related by T to 2.
8.1 Relations On Sets8.2 Reflexivity, Symmetry, And Transitivity8.3 Equivalence Relations8.4 Modular Arithmetic With Applications To Cryptography8.5 Partial Order Relations
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Ch. 8.1 - If R is a relation from A to B, xA , and yB , the...Ch. 8.1 - If R is a relation from A to B, xA and yB , the...Ch. 8.1 - If R is a relation from A to B, xA , and yB , then...Ch. 8.1 - A relation on a set A is a realtion _______to...Ch. 8.1 - If R is a relation on a set A, the directed graph...Ch. 8.1 - As in Example 8.1.2, the congruence modulo 2...Ch. 8.1 - Prove that for all integers m and n,m-n is even...Ch. 8.1 - The congruence modulo 3 relation, T, is defined...Ch. 8.1 - Define a relation P on Z as follows: For every...Ch. 8.1 - Let X={a,b,c} . Recall that P(X) is the power set...
Ch. 8.1 - Let X={a,b,c}. Define a relation J on P(X) as...Ch. 8.1 - Define a relation R on Z as follows: For all...Ch. 8.1 - Let A be the set of all string of a’s and b’s of...Ch. 8.1 - Let A be the set of all strings of 0’s, 1’s, and...Ch. 8.1 - Let A={3,4,5} and B={4,5,6} and let R be the “less...Ch. 8.1 - Let A={3,4,5} and B={4,5,6} and let S be the...Ch. 8.1 - Suppose a function F:XY is one-to-one but not...Ch. 8.1 - Draw the directed graphs of the relations defined...Ch. 8.1 - Draw the directed graphs of the relations defined...Ch. 8.1 - Draw the directed graphs of the relations defined...Ch. 8.1 - Draw the directed graphs of the relations defined...Ch. 8.1 - Draw the directed graphs of the relations defined...Ch. 8.1 - Draw the directed graphs of the relations defined...Ch. 8.1 - Exercises 19-20 refer to unions and intersections...Ch. 8.1 - Exercises 19—20 refer to unions and intersections...Ch. 8.1 - Define relation R and S on R as follows:...Ch. 8.1 - Define relations R and S on R as follows:...Ch. 8.1 - Define relations R and S on R as follows:...Ch. 8.1 - In Example 8.17 consider the query SELECT...Ch. 8.2 - For a relation R on a set A to be reflexive means...Ch. 8.2 - For a relation R on a set A to be symmetric means...Ch. 8.2 - For a relation R on a set A to be transitive means...Ch. 8.2 - To show that a relation R on an infinite set A is...Ch. 8.2 - To show that a relation R on an infinite set A is...Ch. 8.2 - To show that a relation R on an infinite set A is...Ch. 8.2 - To show that a relation R on a set A is not...Ch. 8.2 - To show that a relation R on a set not symmentric,...Ch. 8.2 - To show that a relation R on a set A is not...Ch. 8.2 - Given a relation R on a set A, the transitive...Ch. 8.2 - In 1-8, a number of relations are defined on the...Ch. 8.2 - In 1-8, a number of relations are defined on the...Ch. 8.2 - In 1-8, a number of relations are defined on the...Ch. 8.2 - In 1-8, a number of relations are defined on the...Ch. 8.2 - In 1-8, a number of relations are defined on the...Ch. 8.2 - 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Define a relation R on A as follows:...Ch. 8.3 - The following argument claims to prove that the...Ch. 8.3 - Let R be a relation on a set A and suppose R is...Ch. 8.3 - Refer to the quote at the beginning of this...Ch. 8.4 - When letters of the alphabet are encrypted using...Ch. 8.4 - If a,b, and n are integers with n1 , all of the...Ch. 8.4 - If a, b. c, d, m, and n arc integers with n1 and...Ch. 8.4 - If a, n, and k are positive integers with n1 , an...Ch. 8.4 - To express a greatest common divisor of two...Ch. 8.4 - To find an inverse for a positive integer a modulo...Ch. 8.4 - TO encrypt a message M using RSA cryptography with...Ch. 8.4 - Euclid’s lemma says that for all integers a, b,...Ch. 8.4 - Fermat’s little theorem says that if p is any...Ch. 8.4 - The crux of the proof that the RSA cipher words is...Ch. 8.4 - Use the Caesar cipher to encrypt the message WHERE...Ch. 8.4 - Use the Caesar cipher to encrypt the message AN...Ch. 8.4 - Let a=25,b=19, and n=3. Verify that 3(2519) ....Ch. 8.4 - Let a=68, b=33, and n=7. Verify that 7|(68-33)....Ch. 8.4 - Prove the transitivity of modular congruence. That...Ch. 8.4 - Prove that the distinct equivalence classes of the...Ch. 8.4 - Verify the following statements. 128=2(mod7) and...Ch. 8.4 - Verify the following statements. 45=3 (mod 6) and...Ch. 8.4 - In 9-11, prove each of the given statements,...Ch. 8.4 - In 9-11, prove each of the given statements,...Ch. 8.4 - In 9-11, prove each of the given statements,...Ch. 8.4 - Prove that for every integer n0,10n=1(mod9) . Use...Ch. 8.4 - a. Prove that for every integer n1 ,...Ch. 8.4 - Use the technique of Example 8.4.4 to find...Ch. 8.4 - Use the result of exercise 14 an d the technique...Ch. 8.4 - In 16-18, use the techniques of Example 8.4.4 and...Ch. 8.4 - In 16-18, use the techniques of Example 8.4.4 and...Ch. 8.4 - In 16-18, use the techniques of Example 8.4.4 and...Ch. 8.4 - In 19-24, use the RSA cipher from Examples 8.4.9...Ch. 8.4 - In 19-24, use the RSA cipher from Examples 8.4.9...Ch. 8.4 - In 19-24, use the RSA cipher from Examples 8.4.9...Ch. 8.4 - In 19-24, use the RSA cipher from Examples 8.4.9...Ch. 8.4 - In 19-24, use the RSA cipher from Examples 8.4.9...Ch. 8.4 - In 19-24, use the RSA cipher from Examples 8.4.9...Ch. 8.4 - Use Theorem 5.2.2 to prove that if a and n are...Ch. 8.4 - In 26 and 27, use the extended Euclidean algorithm...Ch. 8.4 - In 26 and 27, use the extended Euclidean algorithm...Ch. 8.4 - In 28 and 29, for the given values of A and B,...Ch. 8.4 - In 28 and 29, for the given values of A and B,...Ch. 8.4 - Finish the proof of Theorem 8.4.5 by proving that...Ch. 8.4 - Find an inverse for 210 modulo 13. Find appositive...Ch. 8.4 - Find an inverse for 41 modulo 660. Find the least...Ch. 8.4 - Use Theorem 8.4.5to prove that for all integers a,...Ch. 8.4 - Give a counterexample to show that the statement...Ch. 8.4 - Corollary 8.4.7 guarantees the existence of an...Ch. 8.4 - In 36,37,39 and 40, use the RSA cipher with public...Ch. 8.4 - In 36,37,39 and 40, use the RSA cipher with public...Ch. 8.4 - Find the least positive inverse for 43 modulo 660.Ch. 8.4 - In 36,37,39 and 40, use the RSA cipher with public...Ch. 8.4 - In 36,37,39 and 40, use the RSA cipher with public...Ch. 8.4 - a. Use mathematical induction and Euclid’s lemma...Ch. 8.4 - According to Fermat’s little theorem, if p is a...Ch. 8.4 - Fermat’s little theorem can be used to show that a...Ch. 8.5 - For a relation R on a set A on a set to be...Ch. 8.5 - To show that a relation R on an infinite set A is...Ch. 8.5 - To show that a relation R on a set A is not...Ch. 8.5 - To construct a Hasse diagram for a partial order...Ch. 8.5 - If A is a set that is partially odereed with...Ch. 8.5 - A relation on a set A is a total order if, and...Ch. 8.5 - If A a set that is partially ordered with respect...Ch. 8.5 - Let A be a set that is partially order with...Ch. 8.5 - Given a set A that is partially ordered with...Ch. 8.5 - PERT and CPM are used to produces efficient_____Ch. 8.5 - Each of the following is a relation on {0,1,2,3}...Ch. 8.5 - Let P be the set of all people in the world and...Ch. 8.5 - Let S be the set of all strings of a’s and b’s....Ch. 8.5 - Let R be the “less than” relation on R, the set of...Ch. 8.5 - Let R be the set of all real numbers and define a...Ch. 8.5 - Let P be the set of all people who have ever lived...Ch. 8.5 - Define a relation R on Z, the set of all integers...Ch. 8.5 - Define a relation R on Z, the set of all integers...Ch. 8.5 - Define a relation R on R, the set of all real...Ch. 8.5 - Suppose R and S are antisymmetric relations on a...Ch. 8.5 - Let A={a,b}, and supposeAhas the partial order...Ch. 8.5 - Prove Theorem 8.5.1Ch. 8.5 - Let A={a,b} . Describe all partial order relations...Ch. 8.5 - Let A={a,b,c}. 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Use...Ch. 8.5 - Prove that a nonempty, finite, partially ordered...Ch. 8.5 - Prove that a finite, partially ordered set has At...Ch. 8.5 - Draw a Hasse diagram for a partially ordered set...Ch. 8.5 - Draw a Hasse diagram for a partially ordered set...Ch. 8.5 - Use the algorithm given in the text find a...Ch. 8.5 - Use the algorithm given in the text to find a...Ch. 8.5 - Use the algorithm given in the text to find a...Ch. 8.5 - Use the algorithm given in the text to find a...Ch. 8.5 - Use the algorithm given in the text to find a...Ch. 8.5 - Refer to the prerequisite structure show in Figure...Ch. 8.5 - A set S of jobs can be ordered by writing x_y to...Ch. 8.5 - Suppose the tasks described in Example 8.5.12...
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Prostitution - Does Your State Regulate It?
Throughout history, prostitution has always been a part of human existence. Modern humans, in particular, are highly affected by the way we view and deal with sex. In today's world, the world economy has made the issue of illegal prostitution a serious concern. Prostitution and the related issues are viewed as a serious problem by most people.
In most parts of the world, brothel owners, pimps, and prostitutes are not held accountable for their actions. These organizations operate under the guise of being "voluntary". "Voluntary" implies that the victims are not forced to go to these places, but rather freely choose to work in them, and when they are arrested or find out that they have been deceived, the law does not apply to them.
But these brothels are not legal prostitution. The law does not apply to them, yet the perpetrators of these crimes are not held accountable.
Many countries today are considering or have already passed legislation to amend their country's laws concerning prostitution and to provide redress for the victims of exploitation. The United Nations estimates that there are some ninety-five million women and girls living in situations of prostitution.
Find Brothels Wick EX14
To address the problems that occur in the sex industry, in particular, many communities have implemented alternatives to prostitution, including legal brothels. Some states have legalized "normal" prostitution, which is described as sex between two consenting adults for money. Other states, such as Canada, legalizes "prostitution by invitation", which means that the client or patron solicits an adult woman or girl, and may not be a client or patron of the brothel.
"Normal" prostitution is commonly referred to as "soliciting"exploitation", because the person soliciting the sex is considered a trafficker. This is one reason why many countries that legalize "normal" prostitution do not criminalize trafficking, although they do prosecute those who engage in it. It would seem that the law is not designed to protect the women who are exploited by human traffickers, but rather, to protect the business of prostitution.
When it comes to legal brothels, there are a few different variations on the overall theme. One of the differences between legal brothels is the degree of regulation. A brothel that is licensed by the government to engage in prostitution can legally operate within its area.
When a brothel is operated legally and not through the permission of the government, the owner is not obligated to keep a record of the number of women that work in his or her brothel. Brothels that are operated by the government and licensed to operate within its jurisdiction are required to keep records of the number of women in the brothel. If these women are not paid, they have the right to sue the government.
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Many men who work as prostitutes choose to have their earnings deposited into a trust fund, which they maintain in a separate account until their dependents are cared for, and then the rest of the money go into a separate account that they use as their own. They do not have to show their dependents how much money is left. While some states prohibit their citizens from putting their earnings into a trust fund, all states permit it.
While most of the states that have legalized brothels do not have particularly high numbers of abuse cases, many other states do have very high levels of reports. These reports are mostly from women who are survivors of sexual abuse in brothels. These women are able to speak out against the abuse that was done to them, and report the crime to the proper authorities.
For many women, prostitution was a means of escape from a bad situation in their life. Women who choose to engage in prostitution will tell you that when they arrive at a brothel, they feel like they are in a prison. Yet, many have had difficult or traumatic pasts in their lives, and they also understand that many of the clients in brothels are violent people, and some of them are even dangerous.
Therefore, local law enforcement has to take action to ensure that these places are safe. It will take time to change the world of prostitution, but for now, many brothels are regulated and monitored by law enforcement.
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Former Texas deputy sheriff pleads guilty to sexually exploiting young girl
Posted: May 14, 2020 / 02:38 PM CDT / Updated: May 14, 2020 / 02:38 PM CDT
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A former deputy sheriff from Texas has pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a young girl from Massachusetts he met while playing an online game, starting when she was 12 years old.
Masslive.com reports that 26-year-old Pasquale Salas pleaded guilty Thursday via video conference in federal court in Worcester to cyberstalking and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Prosecutors say the former deputy sheriff with the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office met the Worcester County girl in 2014 while playing the video game Minecraft.
Prosecutors say he coerced her into sending him sexually explicit videos and images of herself.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 3.
by Dan Booth / Jan 17, 2021
ABILENE. Texas (KTAB/KRBC)- January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and with help from the Governor's Office one Abilene non-profit held a week of prayer to help put an end to human trafficking. The weeklong prayer concluded on Sunday outside the Taylor County Courthouse.
"Many victims don't know how, or what to say to reach out. Somebody has got to give them a voice," said human trafficking survivor Sabra Campbell.
Governor Abbott's GRACE Initiative, or otherwise known as the Governor's Response Against Child Exploitation, Gave Beyond Trafficking the opportunity to host this event.
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Recordati and Novartis' Isturisa Approved for Cushing's Disease
Published: Mar 09, 2020 By Mark Terry
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Italian firm Recordati and Novartis’ Isturisa (osilodrostat) the greenlight for adults with Cushing’s disease who either can’t have pituitary gland surgery or who have had the surgery but still have the disease. Cushing’s disease is a rare illness where the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone cortisol. Recordati acquired the drug from Novartis in June 2019.
Isturisa is the first drug approved that blocks an enzyme called 11-beta-hydroxylase, preventing synthesis of cortisol. The disease is caused by a pituitary tumor that releases excess amounts of a hormone called adrenocorticotropin. This stimulates the adrenal gland to produce higher amounts of cortisol.
“We are pleased with the FDA’s recognition of Isturisa as an effective and safe treatment for patients with Cushing’s disease,” said Andrea Recordati, chief executive officer of Recordati. “We extend our deepest gratitude to the patients who participated in the clinical trials and their families and caregivers who supported them. We also appreciate the hard work of the investigators, clinicians and study staff to bring this therapy to patients in need. Recordati Rare Diseases is committed to working to ensure everyone who needs access to this therapy will receive it.”
Cushing’s disease affects women three times more than men and is most often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. It can result in high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes, blood clots in the legs and lungs, bone loss and fractures, a weakened immune system and depression. Patients are often noted to have thin arms and legs, a round red full face, increased fat around the neck, bruise easily, have purple stretch marks and weak muscles.
“The FDA supports the development of safe and effective treatments for rare diseases, and this new therapy can help people with Cushing’s disease, a rare condition where excessive cortisol production puts them at risk for other medical issues,” said Mary Thanh Hai, acting director of the Office of Drug Evaluation II in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “By helping patients achieve normal cortisol levels, this medication is an important treatment option for adults with Cushing’s disease.”
The approval was built on the Phase III LINC-3 clinical trial of 137 adults, about 75% of who were women, with a mean age of 41 years. The majority either had pituitary surgery that didn’t cure the disease or who were not candidates for the surgery. In the 24-week, single-arm, open-label period, all patients received a starting dose of 2 milligrams of Isturisa twice a day that could be increased every two weeks up to 30 mg twice a day. At the end of the 24-week period, approximately half of patients had normal cortisol levels. At that time, 71 patients who did not need dose increases and tolerated the drug for at least 12 weeks joined an eight-week, double-blind, randomized withdrawal trial where they were given either Isturisa or a placebo. At the end of this withdrawal period, 86% of patients receiving the drug maintained cortisol levels with normal limits compared to 30% of placebo patients.
Isturisa was granted Orphan Drug Designation. The most common side effects observed were adrenal insufficiency, headache, vomiting, nausea, fatigue and swelling caused by fluid retention. Some patients reported low cortisol levels, QTc prolongation, a heart rhythm condition, and increased levels of adrenal hormone precursor and androgens.
The drug was approved for Cushing’s disease in January by the European Commission.
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Skechers Digital Strategy Focuses on Re-Platforming, D2C, Loyalty
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The footwear brand has seen continued growth and now wants to utilize e-commerce channels to become a leading D2C retailer.
After upgrading POS systems and overhauling its online store, Skechers saw massive growth in 2019, reporting a 23.1% increase in sales in Q4 alone.
CFO John Vandermore says this is only the beginning for Skechers’ e-commerce business, with plans to re-platform and relaunch loyalty.
The mega footwear brand plans to expand its online offerings worldwide and become a major direct-to-consumer presence.
After a record year in 2019, Skechers is just getting started in the push to modernize its business and become an e-commerce giant.
Starting with an updated retail experience and expanding into an enhanced e-commerce site, the footwear brand has shared that these improvements are just the beginning of a digital overhaul.
After tripling the number of retail stores in the past five years, Skechers realized the need to digitize with more omnichannel solutions for their customers.
By switching to Aptos, a merchandising, commerce, customer and order management solutions system, Skechers was able to “improve the infrastructure and efficiency of our direct-to-consumer operations.”
The new POS provides a single view of customers, products, and orders, which is designed to help the Skechers team offer informed customer service, faster checkouts and personalized customer experiences.
Additionally, Skechers has overhauled its online store and announced plans to re-platform from one online vendor to another. By switching to a new online sales platform, Skechers plans to improve its omnichannel experience, which includes re-launching a beta version of its loyalty program and further improving its POS system. These announcements all came on a recent earnings call.
Skechers CFO John Vandermore affirms that this is only the beginning. “It’s very early stages for us in the e-commerce business. The economics are still very attractive to us. They look very good to us relative to our overall retail performance,” he said in a recent earnings call.
In 2019, Skechers reported $5.22 billion in sales, and Q4 alone reported an improvement of 23.1% from the year prior. And the online, direct-to-consumer business can be credited for a 60.3% increase in U.S. sales.
With these strong growth metrics, Skechers will be taking learnings from US upgrades and expanding worldwide.
“We have invested a lot of money over the past couple of years and are re-platforming and getting things ready for a new major launch, including our lead program,” says COO David Weinburg. “On top of that, we are going to use that as a prototype to take around the world. We don’t have direct-to-consumer online e-commerce in every subsidiary in the world, but we plan on it in the next year to be online and direct-to-consumer in every country in the world.”
Not saying goodbye to brick-and-mortar just yet, Skechers is also planning to open 75 to 85 new stores in its warehouse format by the end of 2020.
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Elizabeth Reviews: Toads & Diamonds
Toads and Diamonds
by Heather Tomlinson
Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Adaptation, Young Adult Fiction
Before Diribani could put down the jar to assist, claw hands closed over Diribani’s elbows, and the old woman pulled herself upright. Either the coughing or the abrupt upward movement must have cleared an obstruction from her throat. Strangely, the crone’s voice emerged as sweet as a flute’s. “Such kindness merits a gift. What is your soul’s desire, my daughter?”
The French fairy tale which inspired Heather Tomlinson's Toads and Diamonds is not one of the more commonly known ones these days, likely due to it never having been adapted for film. If you'd like more information about the original tale, I give a brief introduction to it and provide more sources (including a link to the full text from Perrault's collection) here.
I will dive into more of the questions regarding the plot of the novel in my discussion with Mary later this month (where we will each answer the six questions we address for every Enchanted Garden book club pick). For now, I'd like to focus on the impact of the setting choices Tomlinson made in crafting this retelling.
While the setting of Tomlinson's adaptation of this tale is fully fictional, it is very strongly inspired by the Mughal (or Mogul) Empire. A key component of the setting, and the plot, involves conflict between two cultures and their associated religions; these religions, while certainly fictional, nevertheless very strongly resemble (and are very clearly inspired by) the actual religions of Islam and Hinduism. This is somewhat reminiscent of what Novik did with our last Enchanted Garden book pick, Spinning Silver: take a classic fairy tale from one cultural tradition (in that case, a combined French and German origin for Rumpelstiltskin) and lend a greater depth to the retelling by transplanting it into a fictionalized adaptation of a different culture during a particular historic period (Lithvas is a fantasy, but it is inspired by medieval north-eastern Europe). However, there is a very key difference here: in crafting the setting and the people of Spinning Silver, Novik drew on her own personal family history and experience. Novik's paternal family were Lithuanian Jews, and her maternal family were Polish Catholics; both backgrounds come into play within the fictionalized country of Lithvas and the people depicted within it.
While it is clear that Tomlinson did research the region, history, and cultures that served as her inspiration for her 'Hundred Kingdoms' setting, Tomlinson herself has no apparent personal connection to the region or cultures which she is using to weave her tale (her bio indicates she is a white American who has lived in France and studied French literature). Given this, Toads and Diamonds raises the concern of cultural authenticity in literature. This concern is far from unique to Toads and Diamonds, and also far from new. I'm not going to claim to be an expert on the subject (I'll leave that to Kathy G. Short and Dana L. Fox, the authors of the book Stories Matter, which provides an in-depth, scholarly look at the topic), but I do think that it's a very important one which deserves serious consideration.
As I read Toads and Diamonds, I was reminded of a book which I read as a child: Shabanu by Suzanne Fisher Staples (first published in 1989). Shabanu is also a book written by an American white woman which makes use of a particular historical period and place in central Asia for its setting and characters (the titular protagonist is a young girl who lives in the Cholistan desert on the border of Pakistan and India). Even though Staples did live in Asia for twelve years before she wrote Shabanu, and her writing does demonstrate that she did significant research for the book and its sequels, she is still a foreigner to the culture she selected to portray. Although Shabanu won many prestigious awards (including the Newbery Honor in 1990), it has also been highly criticized by those whose culture and society actually are being represented within it (as Margaret Smith Crocco discovered in her own research into the subject, described in her article, "Caught Between Invisibility and Stereotyping: Teaching the Novel Shabanu"). When, as a child, I read Shabanu, I took it as an interesting way to be introduced to a culture and a place which were foreign to me; it is troublesome to now know, as an adult, that what I had taken at face value as an accurate depiction was actually one which many insiders to the culture find to be not only wrong, but offensive.
In drawing a parallel between Shabanu and Toads and Diamonds, I am not saying that I think Toads and Diamonds is offensive to the cultures or religions which inspire its setting. What I am saying, however, is that I am not qualified, as an outsider myself to those cultures and religions, to say whether it might be. It's great to see more diversity in setting, and exploring a classic French fairy tale within the context of a different cultural background certainly feels interesting and promising. I find myself wishing, however, that a writer with a personal background within the culture being depicted had written Toads and Diamonds.
I attempted to find reviews of Toads and Diamonds from people with a relevant background (Indian, Hindu, Muslim), but didn't have any success (I'll readily admit I may have missed some in my searching; if you find any, please do let me know in the comments below!). I also attempted to find out more about Tomlinson's research for this book (in particular, I wanted to know whether she'd had any insiders to the cultures she drew on for inspiration consult for her).
I couldn't find anything beyond her Author's Note at the end of the work which states she was inspired by Morna Livingston's book Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India, and a tantalizing hint at a link to more information about the research phase for the book which, despite the book having been first published ten years ago, remains 'under construction.'
arrow added by me; page last accessed Dec. 1, 2020
My feelings on Toads and Diamonds are pretty complicated, and I feel as though I'm still sorting through them. This book has brought to mind concerns about diversity and the authenticity of cultural depictions within literature, and those concerns are difficult to tackle. Although there were points where I felt that the plot let me down a bit, I did enjoy reading the book; I found it to be well-written and entertaining, and I did enjoy seeing how Tomlinson expanded upon and played with the elements of the original fairy tale. However, I kept coming back to the nagging concern: am I only enjoying this because I, too, am an outsider to the society and cultures being depicted? How accurate a depiction is it, really? Does the fictionalization of the setting go far enough to separate it from reality to justify any inaccuracies, whether intentional or otherwise?
I don't have any real answers to those questions, but I do think that asking and considering them is important. If you haven't read Toads and Diamonds, and are thinking of doing so, I'd certainly recommend that you keep the concerns and issues I've discussed here in mind as you read. I'd also note that, although this book is certainly suitable for young adults, there are some content warnings I'd give: the book contains depictions of sexual assault, religious persecution, kidnapping, and enslavement. These depictions are not particularly graphic, but if any of those things are triggers for you, you may wish to avoid it.
Mary Jensen
Great review and excellent questions for thought. I did find myself looking up aspects of the culture (particularly the temple dance mentioned as a form of defense), only to find out after that they were fictionalized.
Elizabeth Wilcox. Writer, Avid Role-Player, Amateur Mixologist. Survivor.
Dressing Up Drinks
Enchanted Garden Book Club
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Gruffalo illustrator's free book teaches children about coronavirus
The book is available to download for free and is aimed at primary school children
Sophie Grubb
The front cover of the Coronavirus: A Book for Children publication (Image: Nosy Crow/ Axel Scheffler)
As the novelty of not having school wears off and the end of lockdown fades into the distance, many children will still have questions about coronavirus.
It can be tricky for parents to explain the situation without causing panic or being patronising - but a new book from the illustrator behind The Gruffalo could help.
Publishers at Nosy Crow have published Coronavirus: A Book for Children online, featuring drawings by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.
The book is free to download and is designed for children aged between five and nine, using simple language to address common questions from curious youngsters.
KFC re-opens 11 stores for deliveries after nationwide closure - and says they will be followed by more
Kate Wilson, managing director of Nosy Crow, said: "We were very aware that many parents and carers are struggling to explain the current extraordinary situation to children, many of whom are frightened and confused.
"We thought that the best thing we could do would be to use our skills to produce a free book to explain and, where possible, reassure children.
"We hope it helps answer difficult questions in difficult times."
The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child (pictured) were illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Infectious disease expert Graham Medley, three London headteachers and a child psychologist helped to make sure the book was as informative as possible and well-suited to the target audience.
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The book follows a question and answer format and includes information about why lots of places are closed, and why children are not able to see their relatives if they do not live with them.
It finishes on a positive note - "One day, this strange time will be over," reads the reassuring last line.
Axel Scheffler said: "I think it is extremely important for children and families to have access to good and reliable information in this unprecedented crisis.
"I hope that the popularity of the books I’ve done with Julia Donaldson will ensure that this digital book will reach many children who are now slightly older, but might still remember our picture books."
Bristol cases to continue rising for at least two weeks
The book can be accessed via nosycrow.com.
Famous children's books including The Gruffalo, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Mr Scheffler, have also released revised drawings in response to the pandemic.
We hope you enjoy these reimagined images and verses from #JuliaDonaldson and #AxelScheffler most-loved books and characters in light of the current times we all find ourselves in #inthistogether #rhymesforthetimes pic.twitter.com/xCj6kZ9poJ
— The Gruffalo (@TheRealGruffalo) April 4, 2020
In one, The Gruffalo follows mouse through the forest at a safe distance of two metres., teaching children about the importance of social distancing.
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Mira Miller
Here are some of the additional lockdown restrictions that could be coming to Toronto
Toronto has been in some form of lockdown since the end of November thanks to rising case numbers and the subsequent strain on the healthcare system, and yet COVID-19 indicators have yet to show signs of improvement.
On Monday, Jan. 11, for example, Ontario confirmed 3,338 cases new cases of the virus province-wide, with 931 of those infections in Toronto.
Ontario is reporting 3,338 cases of #COVID19 and over 46,400 tests completed. Locally, there are 931 new cases in Toronto, 531 in Peel, 241 in York Region, 168 in Niagara and 165 in Waterloo.
— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) January 11, 2021
As a result, the province is currently working on a plan to introduce even more public health measures in addition to those already included in the province-wide shutdown.
Those measures are expected to be considered by the Ford cabinet at a meeting tonight, followed by an official announcement tomorrow.
There has been much speculation about what these new measures could entail and whether or not Ontario will follow Quebec's lead in introducing a curfew, but senior government sources confirmed to multiple outlets Monday that Tuesday's announcement would not include a curfew for the province.
Toronto Mayor John Tory had previously expressed some support for a curfew prior to this confirmation, though he also mentioned a number of other restrictions he'd like to see put in place during an interview with CP24 Monday morning.
"If you said to me that short of a curfew you had to put more hours of restrictions on when you could get food, I would be perfectly comfortable with that," said Tory.
In addition to potential new restrictions on food purchasing, Tory said there are a number of businesses currently permitted to operate amid the shutdown that he believes could and should be shut down, including big box stores.
"Number one are big box stores," he said. "I never understood for the life of me that if we were going to close down small retail, and say you couldn't go in those stores and they couldn't be open except for curbside pickup, and thank heavens for at least that, I never understood that. If we're going to say retail is closed, then it is closed."
Tory also said banks could also easily be shuttered and residents could instead use online banking.
"I think we need to go through a period where pretty much everything is closed like the spring," said Tory. "I wasn't happy but we got through it and it worked because people stayed home because everything was closed."
But whatever the province decides to do, Tory said they should do it fast.
"Every day puts more strain on the healthcare system," he said, "and frankly gets more people sick."
Hector Vasquez
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Blue Avenue Entertainment
Style: Contemporary, Top 40, Classics, Acoustic
Size: Solo
View Song List Submit a booking enquiry now!
Becky is a professional vocalist who performs frequently with various bands, shows and other musical outfits. Originally from Brisbane, she has a Bachelor of Music (Voice) from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and has been working as a performer and musician for over ten years.
Becky’s versatility in vocal styles, including pop, rock, classical, jazz and musical theatre, along with her impressive vocal range and rock belt has given her a variety of performance experiences.
She has appeared in featured roles in musical theatre productions such as Miss Saigon, High Fidelity (Australian Premiere), and Fiddler on the Roof. Highlights of her career include performing at the Sydney Opera House and the opening of Suncorp Stadium, singing on Live TV and radio and having the opportunity to perform and tour all throughout Australia and even to America.
About Blue Avenue
Blue Avenue Entertainment is a boutique agency dedicated to providing Melbourne's most impressive bands to create a real entertainment experience for … Read more...
anthony@blueavenue.com.au
© Copyright 2020 Blue Avenue Entertainment Agency · All Rights Reserved
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Did BMW do enough with the BMW M3 “30 years of M3” Edition?
Home » Models » BMW M3 » Did BMW do enough with the BMW M3 “30 years of M3” Edition?
Back in 1985, BMW created an icon, a legend, a car that would be revered and copied for decades to come, with the E30-generation BMW M3. Created for homologation purposes so the Bavarians could go racing, the E30 M3 became an absolute legend in the eyes of car enthusiasts across the globe, thanks to its brilliant high-revving engine, perfect steering and superb chassis balance. It is largely considered to be the best BMW of all time.
To honor such a legendary car, and the M3 lineage as a whole, BMW has decided to create a “30 Years of M3” Jahre Edition of the current F82 BMW M3. BMW did the same thing with the M5 a few years back, with the BMW M5 30 Jahre. However, many BMW fans are claiming that this BMW M3 30 Jahre doesn’t live up to the BMW M5 30 Jahre’s standards.
The BMW M5 30 Jahre was incredibly impressive when it was first debuted and was an instant modern favorite among BMW fans. Not only did the BMW M5 30 Jahre come with the Competition Package, but its power was bumped up to 600 hp, making it the most powerful and fastest BMW ever made at the time. A fitting tribute to one of the brand’s most famous namesakes.
However, with this year’s BMW M3 30 Jahre, the current-gen M3 only gets its power bumped to 450 hp, only 25 up from the standard M3’s power. This relatively disappointing for BMW fans who were hoping for something more along the lines of the 493 hp that’s available in the M4 GTS. Especially when we’ve seen how great the latter car is and fantastic potential for the BMW M3’s engine.
Aside from the small power bump, the BMW M3 30 Jahre gets the Competition Package, which includes a comprehensive suspension tweak that increases performance, tweaks to the M Differential which are said to make the M3 sharper, an exclusive Macao Blue metallic paint color, some exclusive interior options and some “30 Jahre” badges. Overall, BMW fans are underwhelmed and that’s genuinely unfortunate.
If you’re a BMW fan, the BMW M3 is likely to be your favorite model line in the brand’s storied history, regardless of generation. The M3, since its inception back in the ’80s, has always been the fan-favorite steed in the Bavarian’s stable and is easily the most famous BMW model of all time. So to “honor” it with a slightly underwhelming special edition makes many BMW fans feel a bit cheated. What’s most disappointing is that we all saw how great the BMW M5 30 Jahre was, so this M3 30 Jahre feels undercooked.
It seems as if BMW could have given it the engine and water-injection technology from the M4 GTS, to provide nearly 500 hp, as well as some of that car’s carbon fiber bits. The M3 30 Jahre seems as if it needs more power and a more impressive look than what it received.
Admittedly, the BMW M3 Competition Package helps increase the M3’s performance as it is and makes the car feel more special. So any extra additions on top of that will make the M3 30 Jahre more exciting than the standard car and all 500 examples of it will likely be sold out before I finish typing this. So, it’s not as if the BMW M3 30 Jahre will be bad or even unworthy of its extra cost. However, it is worth asking if BMW could have done more, as we’ve seen how good BMW can make its engine and chassis, thanks to the M4 GTS, and after we’ve seen how special the BMW M5 30 Jahre was. This seems like a slightly underwhelming honoring of BMW’s most iconic nameplate.
BMW M3 "30 Years of M3" Edition
BMW M5 30 Jahre
BMW X5 vs BMW X7 — Which to Luxury SUV to Buy?
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AlphaFlow Announces $10 Million Series A Funding Round Led by Saluda Grade Ventures
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AlphaFlow, the leading institutional platform for investing online in real estate debt, today announced a $10 million Series A funding round led by Saluda Grade Ventures.
Ryan Craft, founder & CEO of Saluda Grade, led the investment and will take a seat on AlphaFlow’s board. Additionally, Y Combinator, 10X Capital, Resolute Ventures, Upside Partnership, Vishal Garg (CEO of Better Mortgage), Gokul Rajaram, and other notable investors participated in the round. Previous funding also included Social Capital, Clocktower Ventures, and Point72 Ventures.
“The need for AlphaFlow today is clear,” said Ryan Craft. “The capital markets are starving for yield and the U.S. housing market is desperately in need of more inventory. AlphaFlow’s platform connects these industries and brings together two of the largest markets on the planet. Saluda Grade is excited to bring our capital markets expertise to help accelerate AlphaFlow’s growth.”
AlphaFlow was launched to bring technology and innovation to the massive but fragmented private lending market. The Company’s platform empowers local real estate lenders to accelerate decision-making and to grow their businesses by selling their loans to AlphaFlow. By leading with technology, it is the first company to make the $75 billion fix-and-flip industry available to institutional investors at scale and quality.
“We believe local private lenders are the lifeblood of residential real estate investing,” said co-founder and CEO, Ray Sturm. “These lenders are where real estate developers go to fund their projects, and over the last decade, their role in the U.S. real estate industry has exploded. This round of funding will help us further execute on being the best partner possible to lenders, and Saluda Grade’s world class capital markets expertise is going to be critical in scaling our platform.”
The Series A follows two years of strong growth in which the company established itself as the top platform for institutional investors. AlphaFlow’s management team includes top real estate and portfolio management veterans, but the key to its success lies in its technology platform.
“Lenders understand the need for innovation, but they can’t do it alone,” said co-founder and Head of Product Development, Nathan Scharfe. “AlphaFlow’s software makes it incredibly easy to work with us, and more importantly, is empowering lenders to give their borrowers a simple, fast, and reliable experience.”
About AlphaFlow
AlphaFlow is a technology-driven investment manager that provides professionally managed portfolios of real estate loans to institutional investors. The company partners with local private real estate lenders around the country and buys their loans. We use software to streamline and automate today’s manual workflow and strive for simple and elegant solutions at every step. AlphaFlow’s clients include some of the largest institutional investors in the world.
David Evie
press@alphaflow.com
#alphaflow
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AlphaFlow on LinkedIn
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Judi Dench Says Kevin Spacey Shouldn't Be Cut From Old Films
“I can’t approve, in any way, of the fact that — whatever he has done — that you then start to cut him out of the films,” said the Skyfall actor.
By Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones BuzzFeed News Reporter
Posted on September 25, 2018, at 2:58 p.m. ET
Sion Touhig / Getty Images
Dench and Spacey in 2002.
Judi Dench said Tuesday that Kevin Spacey remains a "good friend" of hers despite the actor being accused of sexual harassment or assault by some 15 men.
Speaking at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain, the British dame added that Spacey "is, and was, a most wonderful actor" and shouldn't be edited out of films.
"I can’t approve, in any way, of the fact that — whatever he has done — that you then start to cut him out of the films," she said, according to Variety.
Spacey was replaced by Christopher Plummer in the 2017 film All the Money in the World, after BuzzFeed News first reported Spacey had made a sexual advance toward actor Anthony Rapp in the 1980s when Spacey was 26 and Rapp was 14.
Those reshoots were done prior to the film's release in a bid to try to salvage the movie from Spacey's involvement, but Dench seemed to suggest she believed people were campaigning to have Spacey edited out from past films.
“Are we to do what happened when he was replaced with Christopher Plummer? Are we to do that throughout history?"
"Are we to go back throughout history and anyone who has misbehaved in any way, or who has broken the law, or who has committed some kind of offense, are they always going to be cut out? Are we going to extrude them from our history? I don’t know…”
Ander Gillenea / AFP / Getty Images, Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
According to Variety, Dench made the comments in response to a reporter's questions about her costar from The Shipping News (2002).
Earlier in the press conference, she had first brought up Spacey by recalling how he had been an "inestimable comfort" during filming after her husband had died.
"He cheered me up and kept me going," she said.
Dench finished her defense of Spacey by saying, “I don’t know about the conditions of it, but nevertheless he is, and was, a most wonderful actor."
"I can’t imagine what he is doing now,” she said, pausing to add, “And a good friend.”
Marcus Jones is an entertainment reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in Los Angeles.
Contact Marcus Jones at marcus.jones@buzzfeed.com.
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What happens to NRL coaches once they’re sacked?
For so long rugby league was their obsession, their lives dedicated to victory and success in the NRL. Then the axe falls and life as they know it changes.
by David Riccio
Former Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan spent more than 20 years selling the game of rugby league. Now he's in Newcastle, selling houses. Just over 12 months after being sacked by the Titans, Brennan has resurfaced as a real estate agent. "I love the game and if the right job came along be it in junior development or the lower grades again, I'd love it,'' Brennan said.
"But I've got bills to pay, a young family to provide for, so I can't wait around.
"Property investment and real estate has always been a big passion of mine, so I'm having a big crack at it.''
Mark Murray, the former Queensland State of Origin, Roosters and Melbourne coach, is also in the property game, selling $1 million waterfront houses in Brisbane.
Famous for falling agonisingly short of winning the 2001 premiership with Parramatta, Brian Smith is a coach no more. Lately, he has been working on winning ratings as an Uber driver.
Arthur Kitinas is still running the Marrickville tyre shop he's manned since he left Souths in 2004 and remember Brian 'Bluey' McLennan, the Warriors coach from 2012?
He's also working with cars, repairing transmissions, outside of Auckland.
Phil Economidis, the 67-year-old former coach of the 1997 Gold Coast Chargers, continues to coach in Belgrade, while former Manly coach Geoff Toovey catches the bus to the city each day for his job as a chartered accountant.
Garth Brennan training the Titans. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Welcome to the afterlife for an NRL coach - a place where our favourite mentors and master tacticians learn to start again.
Cold, callous and cutthroat, the pressure on coaches from fans and football club boards has resulted already this season in Dean Pay (Canterbury), Stephen Kearney (Warriors), Paul Green (North Queensland) and Paul McGregor (St George Illawarra) leaving their clubs.
If the Broncos part ways with the heavily-scrutinised Anthony Seibold, it will be the most coaches let go during a season in 22 years.
So what becomes of our once-revered leaders?
Arthur Kitinis while coaching the Rabbitohs in 2004.
Where do they go, what do they do and how do they feel when they read about another one of their brethren being shown the door?
Despite his brief stint in the top job at the Titans, where he won 12 of 40 games, Brennan while shattered to have his career crushed, didn't waste time wallowing in his sudden exit.
He dusted himself off and secured work at the NRL earlier this year, reviewing the performance of referees, before he fell victim of the COVID-19 crisis that led to job cuts at League Central.
The 48-year-old has since returned to his home of Newcastle where he's a budding real estate agent and property investor.
"I enjoyed that," Brennan said of his role with the NRL. "My priority wasn't to get back into it (NRL coaching). It was to get my family back home and life settled.
"I always like a challenge, so I said 'what's next' and real estate is a really good challenge.
"It's (real estate) always been something I've been passionate about. I've always been into investment properties and it's a challenge I'm enjoying.
"They're a young and enthusiastic firm (Creative Property Co) and I'm learning the ropes with them.
Garth Brennan is forging ahead in his new career in Newcastle. Pic Sue Graham
"I'm seeing all these coaches getting sacked and so I'm grateful at the moment.''
The loneliness and uncertainty that coaches feel after being axed is why former Raiders, Cowboys and Titans coach Neil Henry is passionate about setting-up rugby league's first-ever coaches association, both to provide support and a collective voice for the game's leading mentors.
Kitinas was smart enough to realise that NRL coaching doesn't last forever.
He had his tyre shop to fall back on when he left the Rabbitohs while another coach, former Cronulla mentor Stuart Raper made the timely decision to buy a formal wear business only a few weeks before his sacking from the Sharks in 2006.
"Most coaches are ex-players, who have only ever been in rugby league, so they really don't have anything to fall back on when that time comes,'' Raper said.
"Others make a bit of money out of their careers, while there's others like me, who wasn't at that great height for a long time, so to have the formal hire business was very fortunate.
"With that going, I was able to do some work with Fox Sports, the Men of League and now the NSWRL (referee high performance manager) for the past three years, so I'm one of the lucky ones who has been able to stay involved with the game.''
Stuart Raper had the foresight to buy a business outside of the rugby league world.
Both Kitinas and Raper agreed that with their exit from elite level coaching unfolding more than 15 years ago, the pressure on results today, had gone to a new level.
"It's the nature of the beast. You're hired to be fired,'' Raper said.
"As (former coach) Warren Ryan would say, 'Coaches should rent, not buy'
"It's hard to have longevity in the game, you have to be exceptionally good. You've got to have a good squad, you have to have a good organisation.
"A prime example of that is the Roosters, from top to bottom, they recruit well and support their coaches by putting support around them."
On the phone from his Marrickville work shop, Kitinas added: "You feel for them (sacked coaches), for different reasons.
"The thing is with all of them is that sometimes there's things that are out of their control that lead to that failure.
"Recruitment can make or break a coach and influences around the club can make it very difficult to do your job.
"So just because they're sacked, doesn't mean they're necessarily a bad coach.''
GARTH BRENNAN
Gold Coast (2018-19)
Win record: 30%
Axed after 12 wins from 40 games following a review by Gold Coast head of performance and culture Mal Meninga. Brennan dusted himself off to secure work at the NRL, reviewing the performance of referees at the beginning of this year before he was a victim of the COVID-19 crisis that led to job cuts. The 48-year-old returned home to Newcastle where he's a budding real estate agent and property investor.
Brian Smith with Nathan Hindmarsh during his tenure at the Eels.
Illawarra (1984-87), St George (1991-95), Parramatta (1997-2006), Newcastle (2007-09), Roosters (2010-12)
Win record: 52.7%
Sacked with a year remaining on his contract at the end of 2012 by the Roosters, Smith spent 36 years in the game as a coach. He was general manager of the Warriors for two years, with the 66-year-old let go last November. He has been working in his spare-time as an Uber driver in Brisbane.
ANTHONY GRIFFIN
Brisbane (2011-14), Penrith (2016-18)
Controversially sacked at Penrith just four weeks out from the 2018 finals. The 53-year-old remains hungry to succeed in the NRL and the Cowboys are believed to be impressed with his interview last week as he jostles to take over from Paul Green. Offers mentoring and one-on-one coaching to business leaders, also a member of 2GB's Continuous Call Team.
IVAN HENJAK
Brisbane (2009-10)
'Where's Wally' is easier to find than the former Broncos coach. Not even senior members of Brisbane management have heard from Henjak in years. The 57-year-old was axed three weeks before the start of the 2011 season. From the glamour of coaching one of Australia's biggest clubs, Henjak filled his time laying artificial turf, selling beds and coaching the Sunshine Coast Falcons in 2014 - only to quit 10 games into the season.
Geoff Toovey is now working as an accountant.
GEOFF TOOVEY
Manly (2012-15)
Has made no secret of his desire to continue NRL coaching, having applied for the Warriors job this year. 'Tooves" is an astute judge of football having coached Manly to the 2013 grand final and regular appearances on Fox League. Every other day, he catches the bus from Sydney's Northern Beaches into the city to work as a chartered accountant.
Canberra (2002-06), Penrith (2007-11), Warriors (2013-14)
Mentored world surfing champion Mick Fanning while coaching in the NRL and it's in the area of mental focus, health and wellbeing that Elliott continues to apply his skill set. Alongside former NRL players Anthony Minichiello and Mark Hughes, Elliott works for The Change Room, which delivers live webinars for participants to manage their health and wellbeing remotely. He is also a member of the commentary team for ABC Grandstand.
Matthew Elliott is a commentator for ABC Grandstand. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
BRIAN 'BLUEY' McCLENNAN
Warriors (2012)
McClennan coached the Hibiscus Raiders in Auckland's Fox Memorial premiership last year but, following his elderly father Mike's disappearance and death last year, decided he would retire from coaching. Together with his family, 'Bluey' devotes much of his time to supporting Dementia Auckland. He also runs Kaspa Transmissions, a transmissions repair business, outside of Auckland.
Canterbury (2009-11)
Cut by the Bulldogs midway through the 2011 season, Moore teamed-up with brother-in-law and former Canterbury coach Chris Anderson to create a recruitment company, Anderson Recruitment and Training. As the company's business development manager, Moore is focused on job placement, recruitment and labour hire for companies Australia-wide.
NEIL HENRY
Canberra (2007-08), North Queensland (2009-13), Gold Coast (2014-17)
Current head coach of Junior Kangaroos. Outside of coaching the best under-23 players in the country, Henry is a consultant to the NRL, focusing on player development, while he also sits on the board of the newly-formed coaches union, the Rugby League Coaches Association (RLCA).
Former Gold Coast Chargers coach Phil Economidis on the golf course. Picture: Gerard Walsh (Warwick Daily News)
PHIL ECONOMIDIS
He famously led the ragtag Gold Coast Chargers to the 1997 ARL finals, a remarkable achievement given the side was quickly assembled from discards from rival clubs. In March, Economidis, 67, was set to be appointed as head coach of Red Star Belgrade, a Serbian footy club seeking entry into the English Super League's Challenge Cup, until COVID-19 forced the pause of the competition.
STUART RAPER
Cronulla (2004-06)
Raper and wife Cathy bought a formal wear hire company, Formal Wear 2 Suit U, only a month before he was let go by Cronulla. The company is thriving today. Raper's main line of work is for the NSWRL as referee high performance manager, overseeing grade and junior representative squads.
Royce Simmons as coach of Penrith alongside John Cartwritght back in 1994.
ROYCE SIMMONS
Penrith (1994-2001)
Living proof that your character will always be your greatest selling-point. Simmons has worked with the Panthers sponsorship and corporate hospitality team since he finished coaching in 2012. He can host up to 60 events a year for Penrith's major sponsors. However, the numbers of events have declined this year due to COVID - giving his liver much-needed respite.
Roosters (1991-94), Melbourne (2001-02)
A qualified teacher, the former Queensland State of Origin, Roosters and Melbourne coach is now in his sixth year as a real estate agent. Murray spends his weekend's selling $1m homes for Waterfront Properties Redcliffe, in Brisbane.
PETER SHARP
Manly (1999), Northern Eagles (2000-02), Manly (2003), Cronulla (2013-14)
The former Manly and Northern Eagles head coach, and 2014 Cronulla interim coach joined Parramatta later that year, where he had worked as an assistant coach on three separate occasions, joined the Eels in 2014 as their list manager. He remains in the role, commuting from his home in the Shire most days
Jason Taylor had stints at the Rabbitohs and the Tigers.
JASON TAYLOR
Parramatta (2006), South Sydney (2007-09), Wests Tigers (2015-17)
From his acrimonious departure at the Tigers, 'JT' secured an assistant role at the Roosters in 2017, before taking over as head coach of NSW Cup feeder club North Sydney in 2018.
He's contracted to the Bears until the end of 2021, but also works one-on-one with the Roosters' goalkickers, including Kyle Flanagan.
ARTHUR KITINAS
South Sydney (2004)
One of the smarter ones who knew from the day he was appointed head coach, it was another day closer to being fired. Took over his father's tyre shop in Marrickville after leaving Souths, where he works today. Kitinas remains an influence in the game as a development coach for the Roosters' Harold Matthews and SG Ball sides.
Paul Langmack had a brief stint as coach of the Rabbitohs. Picture: Stephen Cooper
PAUL LANGMACK
South Sydney (2003-04)
Sacked in his second season at a tough time for Souths, in round 12, 2004, and replaced by Kitinas, Langmack's infectious personality made certain that he wasn't lost to the game. After a stint with Sportsbet as state sales manager, the 55-year-old has been with the NSWRL since 2012, as corporate events manager, offering Blues' sponsors the VIP treatment at State of Origin time.
DAVID WAITE
Newcastle (1991-94), St George (1996-98), St George-Illawarra (1999-2000)
The 1996 Dally M coach of the year took St George to the 1996 grand final and the merged St George Illawarra to the 1999 grand final. Waite was then controversially replaced by Andrew Farrar halfway through the 2000 season. Had stints with the Great Britain rugby league team as coaching director from 2001-03, as the head coach of Catalans for five games in 2006, before returning as an assistant in 2014. These days, he's providing tutelage to junior rugby league coaches at Runaway Bay in Queensland.
John Lang won a premiership at the Panthers and also coached at the Sharks and Rabbitohs.
Warriors (2001-04), Parramatta (2009-10)
Grand final appearances with Parramatta and the Warriors before winning a premiership with St Helens in the UK. He coached the Kiwi Test team before overseeing the NRL's referees for just under 12 months in 2012. A move back to the Eels in 2013 as their GM of football would prove tumultuous, resulting in a two-year ban from the game for his role in the Eels' salary cap scandal in 2016. Now works as head of recruitment at the Roosters.
JOHN LANG
Cronulla (1994-2001), Penrith (2002-06), South Sydney (2010-11)
Came down to Cronulla from Brisbane and had a major impact on the Sharks' consistent finals appearances, including the 1997 Super League grand final. The last coach to lead Penrith to a premiership in 2003. Happily retired, the 69-year-old lives on the Gold Coast, where he keeps fit body surfing, bike riding and swimming laps across the canal where he lives.
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Originally published as What happens to NRL coaches once they're sacked
Brennan is now a real estate agent. Picture: Sue Graham
Arthur Kitinis at Marrickville tyres. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Anthony Griffin is in the running for the Cowvboys job. Picture: Tim Hunter
Ivan Henjak had a short stint at the Sunshine Coast Eagles. Picture: Andrew Seymour
Brian McClennan retired from coaching last year. Picture: Annette Dew
Kevin Moore with Brett Kimmorley at the Bulldogs.
David Waite had five years at the Dragons.
Daniel Anderson coached Parramatta to a grand final.
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Warning over 'dangerous', popular, Aldi cleaning hack
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NETGEAR Announces Technology Collaboration with SamKnows for FCC’s National Broadband Speed Test
WNR3500L Open Source Linux Router to be FCC’s "Test My ISP" Speed Sensor for the voluntary consumer measurement plan announced today
SAN JOSE, Calif. — June 1, 2010 — NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced that SamKnows, an Internet technology leader in traffic sensor applications, has selected NETGEAR’s RangeMax® Wireless-N Gigabit Router with USB (WNR3500L) as part of its national broadband speed test measurement project announced by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski (http://www.fcc.gov/). The FCC’s goal is to collect objective data to build an accurate picture of broadband Internet performance nationwide. Consumers wishing to participate in the program can volunteer to have their broadband connections tested by the sensors during idle periods with known, safe servers. This testing method addresses the variability of results from current Internet-based self-service speed tests by eliminating or minimizing inaccuracies caused by computer processing performance as well as premise network impairments such as motor noise, microwave oven interference, low WiFi signal levels or IP traffic congestion in the LAN.
No personal data is detected or reported such as logins and passwords, IP or MAC addresses, URLs visited, VoIP phone numbers called or data sent and received. Only the results of the performance tests are reported anonymously for aggregation and analysis by SamKnows and the FCC. In addition, people who volunteer for the project are given access to their own data so that they can track the performance of their own broadband connection.
“We welcome SamKnows as the newest applications developer to use NETGEAR Open Source Linux Routers to provide accurate and timely results to the FCC,” said Patrick Lo, Chairman & CEO of NETGEAR. “As a US-based networking company, NETGEAR commends the FCC on its Broadband Initiative.”
Alex Salter, CEO of SamKnows, added: “Service Providers worldwide across all network technologies referred us to NETGEAR for this application, and NETGEAR has an excellent reputation amongst the ISP’s we work with and polled about this project. SamKnows looks forward to working with NETGEAR and the FCC to help American internet consumers measure their broadband service.”
SamKnows has previously deployed similar sensor projects for both national governments and service providers. The principal application of the project results has been to enable ISP’s to add backbone Internet capacity in advance of network congestion to serve their customers’ growing demand as reported by SamKnows sensors.
Photos and other product information can be found here and here (http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/WirelessNRoutersandGateways/WNR3500L.aspxand http://www.myopenrouter.com/).
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) designs innovative, branded technology solutions that address the specific networking, storage, and security needs of Small- to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and home users. The company offers an end-to-end networking product portfolio to enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, multimedia content, and applications among multiple computers and other Internet-enabled devices. Products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in over 26,000 retail locations around the globe, and via more than 39,000 value-added resellers. The company’s headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. More information is available at http://www.netgear.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at http://twitter.com/NETGEAR and http://www.facebook.com/netgear.
©2010 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and RangeMax are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.DOCSIS is a trademark of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
Note: Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput will vary from maximum signal rates stipulated. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR’s business and test results and methods are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR’s products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR’s products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled "Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 32 through 47, in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 2010. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
U.S. Media Contact: Allyson Stinchfield, (415)593-1400, allyson@atomicpr.com
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Daily reading: 6 January
King over all the world.
Something to read
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
- Matthew 2:1-2 from full reading Matthew 2:1-12.
This feast of Epiphany commemorates an event in the story of Jesus that came to have great symbolic meaning.
The word 'Magi' comes from Persia, and was often used of the scholars or sages of the chief religion of the Persian Empire. At the time of Jesus, that empire covered a vast area from western India all the way to Armenia, and so the Magi might have come from anywhere within that area.
This visit of homage by distant foreigners was seen by the church as the first sign - the first revelation to foreigners - of Jesus becoming King over all the world, over every tribe and language and people and nation (Rev. 5:9). The story is written to bring out the contrast with the earthly kingdom of Herod. The search for the one born 'King of the Jews', and the reference to the words from the prophet Micah about ‘a ruler’ whose ‘origins are from eternity’ (Micah 5:2), all point to a divinely royal birth.
These strangers came looking for the Messiah because the Messiah is the Good King; the King who upholds the good and destroys evil; the King who protects the weak and the innocent, and who writes good laws and enacts them; the King who never takes a bribe and never allows evil to prosper; the King who vindicates the righteous and prosecutes the guilty; the King who is gracious. He is the just King of peace. As Dr S M Lockridge says, “That’s my King; do you know him?”
Something to do
Watch Dr S M Lockridge: “That’s my King; do you know him?”
Something to pray
Let us pray that we might know him, and own him, and submit to him; let us be his worthy subjects.
Today’s reading was provided by the Reverend Jeremy Bevan, a minister of the Church in Wales.
Themes – Areas of work
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Government of St. Kitts & Nevis
Citizenship By Investment Program
Escrow Agents
Blacklisted Companies
60 Day Accelerated Process
PM HARRIS: MULTI-LAYERED DUE DILIGENCE ENSURES THE CREDIBILITY OF CBI APPLICANTS AND THE LEGITIMACY OF THEIR FUNDS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 12TH, 2017 (PRESS SEC) – At his monthly press conference on Wednesday, May 10th, 2017, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris spoke of the multiple layers of due diligence that go into ensuring the credibility of applicants – as well as the source and legitimacy of their funds – received through the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program.
“We have always said and we continue to reiterate that our CBI under the Team Unity Government is only open to legitimate persons to participate. For us, it is an honour and a privilege for anyone to be able to become a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis and we want the most worthy of personalities from around the world to come and help us build a greater St. Kitts and Nevis than we now have,” Prime Minister Harris said.
“Clearly, those who are tainted in any way, as a result of criminal activities, cannot be part of that forward thrust of making our program the platinum standard,” the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis added.
The Honourable Prime Minister noted that IPSA International, a regulatory risk mitigation company, has completed a comprehensive overhaul of the Citizenship by Investment Program, transforming the modus operandi that prevailed under the previous Douglas administration.
“That mode of operation created a FinCEN advisory in May 2014, about which we are still dealing,” Prime Minister Harris said, adding: “The FinCEN [the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network] did say in their report that ‘illicit actors’ were participating in the program under the Denzil Douglas administration, and so that evidence was with them. We [the Team Unity Government] said that we were determined to bring a new order.”
The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis said this new order has resulted in:
improvement in the controls of the program.
a “look back” of applicants who were approved for citizenship over the last eight years, as well as in subsequent remedial action where “some of them have turned out to be bad,” Prime Minister Harris said, noting that in those instances steps were taken “to ensure that they no longer could use our passport.”
new management, to include a new head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) in the person of Mr. Les Khan. Khan, the CEO of the CIU, was IPSA International’s Project Team Leader for St. Kitts and Nevis who led the restructuring of the unit during the consultancy.
additional members of staff at the CIU who have high-level expertise in administration, anti-money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) preventive measures, immigration, international banking and marketing.
the introduction of a 24/7 case management system that allows for round-the-clock, real-time monitoring of the status of CBI applications.
the employment of additional due diligence providers with specialist knowledge of particular countries and regions.
increased international partnerships with friendly governments, such as the United States of America, and agencies, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Coming out of the Article IV Mission to St. Kitts and Nevis held between April 18th and May 3rd, 2017, the IMF observed that, “They [the St. Kitts-Nevis authorities] have strengthened the due diligence process with dedicated resources and global collaboration…”
increased collaboration with CARICOM’s Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and one of its sub-agencies called the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC).
“We are ensuring [collaboration with] the JRCC and other regional bodies that relate with INTERPOL, that relate with the CIA [and] that relate with all the law enforcement bodies, so that we bring to bear a body of information in the analysis beyond what would normally be available to the commercial providers of due diligence support,” Prime Minister Harris said at Wednesday’s press conference.
“We have then a multi-layered program of due diligence that makes it one of the most robust within the region, and we hope by so doing to be able to contain – if not avoid – instances of the past from reoccurring,” Dr. Harris also said.
The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis further stated that this multi-layered program of due diligence looks at a number of variables, including whether an applicant is from a high-risk country, for example, a country that has been described as a state sponsor of terrorism.
“We do a broad check of media and of criminal databases, sanctions lists and so on and so on, and make a determination whether there are serious or pending legal, regulatory or political matters that would require consideration,” Prime Minister Harris said.
The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis also said: “It is a broad list…and then, depending on where persons fit, another set of questions may have to be answered for that person to move on in the process. So it is a very involved process, and basically the risk matrix would help to determine what one does in relation to this matter.”
Dr. Harris continued: “To be sure, we have been very satisfied about the extent of our due diligence process…It is an ongoing exercise of review. It is an ongoing exercise of collaboration. It is an ongoing exercise of ensuring that we are aware of best practices.”
View all articles by Tamara O'Flaherty
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We call on the EU to show leadership & create a new era for protein
We welcome a new report by the leading policy think-tank Chatham House, published on 19 February 2019, which stresses the need for the EU to prepare for the future of the meat industry. The EU will need to change the eating habits of Europeans in order to address major issues related to climate change, resource depletion, and human health. Meat analogues, such as plant-based ‘meats’ and slaughter-free meats, can be part of the solution.
The report, titled “Meat Analogues: Considerations for the EU” looks into the latest technology that can replace conventional meat. It concludes that the EU needs to promote a clear, transparent and inclusive regulatory environment and needs to invest in research, development and commercialisation of these products.
Earlier this month, on 5 February, Research Fellow at Chatham House Laura Wellesley presented their report in the European Parliament. It was organised by Compassion in World Farming and Humane Society International/Europe.
Philip Lymbery, Chief Executive of Compassion in World Farming and author of “Farmageddon” and “Dead Zone,” says: “We are very pleased to have supported this research. With every passing day, more evidence mounts of the need to rethink our food if we are to save the planet for future generations. We need to reduce meat consumption in favour of more plants, exciting new meat alternatives, and non-factory farmed meat, milk and eggs. It’s time to embrace a new era for protein – an era that doesn’t rely on animals being confined, bred and killed for meat. With the climate and environmental odds stacking up daily against humanity, urgent action is needed. We welcome this call from Chatham House for the EU to take action and show leadership.”
The report was presented in the European Parliament on 5 February at a roundtable discussion co-hosted by MEPs Eleonora Evi (Italy, EFDD), Sirpa Pietikäinen (Finland, EPP), John Flack (UK, ECR), Rupert Matthews (UK, ECR), Anja Hazekamp (Netherlands, GUE/NGL) and Florent Marcellesi (Spain, Greens/EFA). Participants shared their thoughts and positions on meat analogues, concluding that the development of meat analogues can help us create a resilient and ethical food system.
MEP Eleonora Evi (EFD2, Italy), host of the launch event in the European Parliament, says: “Our food system is not only leading us to an environmental and climate catastrophe, it is also exposing animals to cruelty and brutal abuses. It is a great progress that now you can finally buy a burger with a much smaller environmental footprint, for which no animals have been mistreated or killed. Products like this can help us create a truly sustainable, resilient and ethical food system!”
Olga Kikou, Head of Compassion in World Farming EU, says: “At present, there are 9 billion land animals raised for food in Europe every year. Most of them are crowded in factory farms, where these sentient beings suffer because they cannot perform almost any natural behaviour. A rising movement is demanding a change of the course of history of animal agriculture. Foods that recreate the sensory pleasures of meat can serve as the means to this change, and as the catalyst for making factory farming obsolete.”
For more information, please read our position paper on meat analogues.
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Favorite FAQ
“What does your father do all day long as a game inventor?”
People have asked me different versions of this question all my life. Everyone who has ever used a rolling pin more or less knows how a baker works, and you don’t need to have a green thumb to know how the workday of a gardener might look like. But in the case of a game inventor this seems to be different. I can actually relate to that – after all, a man doesn’t invent board games all day long.
And that’s why, over the years, people have asked me a certain type of questions time and again. Not that this would bother me. And as we all know, there isn’t such a thing as a stupid question. But there are questions you were asked so many times that it makes you either yawn or laugh.
Yawning might occur when I give my “normal” answer, i.e., the correct answer – which, of course, is the answer I mostly choose, because I want to provide information. But when I offer version 2 of the answer, people are often amused. Since I usually convey the message rather drily, it sometimes takes a few seconds before the uncomprehending frown gives way to an understanding smile.
Well, now you are better prepared for this, dear reader. Below you can find both versions of my answers to my “Favorite FAQ.”
FAQ 1: How does your father work – does he sit at the desk all day long, mulling over new ideas?
The yawn-provoker:
No – he also does a lot of back office work, such as making phone calls, writing e-mails, crafting prototypes, going on business trips, etc. Sometimes I think that he’d rather dedicate more time to the creative part of his work, but the other things also need to be taken care of.
The smile-provoker:
That’s exactly the way it is. He gets up at 8 a. m. in the morning and sits down at his desk. There he rests his head in his hand and simply ponders all day long. On one occasion, I briefly thought, “It’s happening – he just became one with the desk.” But it was only because of some glue that had leaked out of a tube.
FAQ 2: As a child, were you forced to test new games?
Informative:
No, that wouldn’t have made sense. Even when sitting down for a test game, you should be in the mood for it, much the same as when you’re sitting down to play a regular game. There were neither fixed “game days” at home, nor did we have the obligation to join the game. If you didn’t feel like it, you just didn’t participate.
Sometimes I say, as drily as I can:
Yes, on a regular basis. There was a so-called “game laboratory” in the cellar, where we were locked in every day for 6 hours to test new games, without being able to see the sunlight. Naturally, that was a real pleasure. We examined the logical structure and entertainment value of the games, using a check list. I believe that this substantially contributed to the games’ success.
Game test: Benjamin, Klaus, and Guido Teuber
FAQ 3: Do you also like to play other games, or can it only be games made by Teuber?
A Ferrari among the yawn-provokers:
I think that the family of a writer doesn’t only read his books either. Our family loves to play other games, and we always try to at least get to know the novelties of the year. It’s more a question of how much time is available for that.
On a less serious note, I say:
Are you joking? As soon as my friends arrive at the entrance door of our house, my parents search their pockets for non-Teuber games. Finds go directly to the recycling bag, no exceptions made. At the age of 16, I once got caught playing a round of “Risk” – result: pocket money canceled for the time being!
FAQ 4: You surely have invented a game yourself, haven’t you? Do you want to follow in the footsteps of you father?
Run-of-the-mill answer:
You never know what might happen. At some point, I made a couple of attempts, but they somehow fizzled out – it either comes to you or it doesn’t; you can’t push it.
With a touch of irony:
Sure! Everyone knows that game inventing is something you inherit, so what choice do I have?
However, there also are questions I still like to answer in exactly the same way, even after the 1,000th time. Sometimes there’s just no alternative.
FAQ 5: When you were a child, how was it like to have a game inventor as a father?
Great! All the time, we had new games on the shelf, more than we could ever play. Most of the time, there was also someone to test them. A child could hardly wish his father had a better job!
Phillip (04/30/2014 - 05:40)
I have been playing Catan with the frenemies senario. I like the game a lot but still have questions... When you play a token does it automatically go back in with the unused tokens or is it removed from game play??? When you connect networks, does this allow you to build a settlement on the new network of a different color?? Please respond...thanks!!
Dr. Reiner Düren (05/20/2014 - 21:01)
@Phillip: When you redeem favor tokens, you return them face up to the matching guild hall on the guild hall board. When you connect networks you may indeed build settlements into the network of a different color according to the normal rules - when the adjacent intersections are free.
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Home > Featured > Elphin priest appointed to role at Irish College in Rome
Elphin priest appointed to role at Irish College in Rome
By Sarah Mac Donald - 20 December, 2016
Appointment is a way of saying the Diocese of Elphin believes in the future of the priesthood. “We hope that, in the coming years, we will be able to send seminarians both to the Irish College and to Maynooth” – Bishop Kevin Doran.
Fr John Coughlan
A young curate from the diocese of Elphin has been appointed as Director of Formation at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome.
Thirty-six-year-old Fr John Coughlan will take up his new role next summer.
Between now and then, he will remain in St Joseph’s Parish in Boyle, Co Roscommon.
A native of Riverstown Parish in Elphin Diocese, Fr Coughlan was ordained to the priesthood in 2008 following seven years of formation at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
He has previously served as chaplain at Sligo IT and as a curate in Athlone and he is currently a member of the Elphin Diocesan Vocations Team.
He completed his License in Theology (a third-level teaching qualification) with First Class Honours in 2015.
According to a statement issued by the Catholic Communications Office in Maynooth, the trustees of the Pontifical Irish College asked Bishop Kevin Doran to release Fr Coughlan for his new mission earlier this month.
His new role will see him take a share in the responsibility of helping young men from all over Ireland to prepare themselves for the priesthood.
The Congregation for the Clergy – the Vatican Department responsible for seminaries – has just published The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, a new set of guidelines for the formation of priests.
Announcing the appointment on Monday, Bishop Doran said “The Pontifical Irish College has played a very significant role in the history of the Irish Church, and has provided priests for Ireland for almost four hundred years.
“Fr Coughlan’s appointment is our way of saying that the Diocese of Elphin believes in the future of the priesthood. We hope that, in the coming years, we will be able to send seminarians both to the Irish College and to Maynooth.
“I will be happy to meet any single man from the age of eighteen upwards who is on a journey of faith and who is open to considering the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood in the Diocese of Elphin. It is a decision I made myself almost fifty years ago and one which I have never regretted.”
Many Elphin priests have studied at the Irish College over the years. Bishop Dominic Conway was rector of the College in the 1960s and Bishop Doran served as spiritual director there from 1990 to 1995.
Founded in 1628, the Pontifical Irish College in Rome is home to three communities: an Irish seminarian community, an American seminarian community and an international postgraduate community. In total there are 60 residents at the Irish College.
Four Irish diocesan priests make up the staff of the College: Mgr Ciaran O’Carroll, who is rector; Fr Paul Finnerty, who is vice-rector; Fr Tom Norris, who is spiritual director; and Fr Hugh Clifford, who is currently director of formation.
Follow us on Twitter @catholicireland
Tags: chaplain, Congregation for the Clergy, Diocese of Elphin, Formation, formation of priests, Irish College in Rome, License in Theology, Maynooth, Seminarians, Sligo IT, St Patrick’s College, The Gift of the Priestly Vocation, Vocations
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Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop > News > PJ Lhuillier Group wins big in 2017 International Business Awards, Golden Bridge Awards
PJ Lhuillier Group wins big in 2017 International Business Awards, Golden Bridge Awards
The PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies brought home a Grand Stevie Trophy during the 2017 International Business Awards held in Barcelona, Spain recently. The organization is behind the country’s largest micro-financial institution, Cebuana Lhuillier.
The company received the Grand Stevie Award for placing 8th over-all after bagging 18 awards, including five gold, four silver, eight bronze, and a People’s Choice trophy.
PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier won Gold Stevie awards for Executive of the Year for Insurance and Executive of the Year for Diversified Services. He also won Bronze Stevie awards for Executive of the Year for Conglomerates, Executive of the Year for Financial Services, Maverick of the Year, and Innovator of the Year.
“Winning these prestigious global awards brings us much pride and honor as we have always reveled in the quality of our products and the programs we implement. These awards will continue to motivate us to further introduce innovative products and services towards achieving our ultimate goal of financial inclusion for the country,” Lhuillier said.
PJ Lhuillier also brought home Gold Stevie awards for Company of the Year for Diversified Services and Most Innovative Company of the Year and Bronze Stevie awards for Company of the Year for Financial Services and Company of the Year for Insurance.
The company’s Disaster Resilience advocacy program was also awarded with Silver Stevie awards for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and PR Campaign of the Year for Consumer Services.
The Cebuana Lhuillier Legacy Book won a Gold Stevie for Company History Publication while the Cebuana Lhuillier Ninong Ceb Facebook Group for employees and the Cebuana Lhuillier Financial Inclusion campaign won Silver Stevie awards for Best Facebook Group and PR Campaign of the Year for Public Service, respectively.
The Cebuana Lhuillier Website and Cebuana Lhuillier Isang Bangka campaign also won Bronze Stevie awards for Website Awards Financial Services and PR Campaign/Program of the Year for Internal Communications, respectively.
PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies also bagged 8 trophies in the 2017 Golden Bridge Awards, including a Grand Trophy for placing 4th overall in the competition. Representing the only Asian country among the winners, the company won two gold trophies for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and Milestone of the Year, and five bronze trophies for Executive of the Year, Company of the Year, Business Expansion of the Year, Company Growth of the Year, and Best Apps.
In 2017, the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies won a total of 59 awards from various international and local award-giving bodies, including eight Anvil Awards, two Philippine Quill Awards and four CEO World Awards, among others.
The International Business Awards is the world’s premier business awards created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. Golden Bridge Awards, on the other hand, is an annual industry and peers recognition program honoring Best Companies of all types and sizes from all over the world.
Source: businessmirror.com.ph
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Published By Arnold & Smith PLLC
Khloe and Lamar example of how a divorce is only final when it’s final
Published on: November 17, 2015 | Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.
Charlotte Divorce Attorney Matthew R. Arnold of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question ” I’m not getting along with my husband. We’ve been married two weeks and it was a mistake. Can’t I just get an annulment?”
As an example of how a divorce is only final when it’s final, Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom have decided to withdraw the petition for dissolution of their marriage. The withdrawal comes after Khloe has spent weeks by Lamar’s side after Lamar was found unresponsive in a Nevada brothel last month.
Khloe and Lamar were originally married back in 2009 after meeting only one month earlier. The two endured a rocky relationship, with accusations of infidelity and drug abuse making headlines at regular intervals. Finally, the two split up in December of 2013, with Khloe moving forward with filing for divorce.
Initially, Lamar refused to cooperate, failing to even hire an attorney to represent him in the hearings. Khloe, as a result, was forced to move forward with the divorce on her own, attempting to get a default judgment. Eventually Lamar began to participate and Khloe began dragging her feet. In April of this year, the family court judge overseeing the case threatened to dismiss the divorce petition if Khloe did not complete the paperwork necessary to finalize the divorce in the coming months. Khloe took action and did as she was required. Finally, in July of this year, the two signed the divorce settlement agreement, marking the official end of their marriage. Or so it seemed.
Although the divorce settlement agreement was signed by both parties and officially filed with the family court, the divorce remained in limbo for the past several months. The reason? The judge was simply overwhelmed with other cases and had not yet had time to review and sign the divorce decree. Because a judge had not yet processed the paperwork, the two were still not legally divorced.
Because the judge had not yet signed the paperwork, there was still time to withdraw the petition. Khloe’s attorney has now confirmed that the reality TV star would be withdrawing the divorce filing this week. Khloe has previously said that despite Lamar’s problems, she would always love him and would never been in a hurry to divorce, instead letting the process take its course. Whether the two are in it for the long haul or only reconsidering while Lamar recovers remains to be seen.
The case raises an interesting question about how to go about withdrawing a divorce petition here in North Carolina. If you and your spouse have had second thoughts and are no longer eager to move forward with your divorce, you will need to draft a motion for voluntary dismissal explaining that you have decided to withdraw the divorce action. The voluntary dismissal petition will need to be filed with the same court where the divorce case is pending. Assuming both parties agree, the court will dismiss the entire divorce action. If the dismissal is only from one party, only the petitioner’s petition will be dismissed, any cross-petition will remain until separately dismissed. Finally, once the case is officially withdrawn, you will have one year to think it over and, should things not improve, re-file.
If you find yourself facing a complicated family law matter, then you need the help of experienced family-law attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina who can help guide you through the often confusing process of divorce. Please contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today at (704) 370-2828 or find additional resources here.
Matthew Arnold is a Managing Member of Arnold & Smith, PLLC, where he focuses on the areas of family law, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony and equitable distribution.
Mr. Arnold was raised in Charlotte, where he graduated from Providence Senior High School. He attended Belmont Abbey College, where he graduated cum laude, before attending law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full academic scholarship.
A certified Family-Law Specialist, Mr. Arnold is admitted to practice in all state and administrative courts in North Carolina, before the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, and before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.
In his free time, Mr. Arnold enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and three children.
“Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom Call Off Divorce,” by Antoinette Bueno, published at ETOnline.com.
http://www.etonline.com/news/174429_khloe_kardashian_and_lamar_odom_call_off_divorce/
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Khloe_Kardashian_2009.jpg
By Toglenn (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC?feature=watch
See Our Related Blog Posts:
New study claims that having a child before marriage no longer raises divorce odds
No pre-nup leads to costly divorce for celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis
Matthew R. Arnold, Esq.
Posted in: Divorce
Tagged: Charlotte Divorce Attorney, default judgment, dissolution of marriage, Divorce, divorce decree, divorce lawyer, divorce settlement agreement, family court judge, filing for divorce, finalizing divorce, Khloe Kardashian, Lamar Odom, when is a divorce final and withdrawing divorce
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The Harold Berkman Memorial Fund Showcases the Industry’s Generosity
Published: 2020, January 21
When it comes to philanthropy, our industry has so much to be proud of: Whether it’s helping to make a sick child’s wish a reality, collecting canned goods for a local food bank, organizing a companywide team to raise money for a walk-a-thon, or quietly donating money and/or time to help out an industry friend or colleague in need after a natural disaster—not to mention association fundraisers such as golf tournaments—the benevolent efforts of chauffeured transportation operators and vendors are impressive. Above all else, this highly collaborative industry remembers to take care of those who need assistance the most.
Giving back has always been an integral component of Chauffeur Driven’s fall shows since our inception. So, upon partnering with the NLA to co-produce an event in Las Vegas this February 23-26 at Mandalay Bay Resort, we were thrilled to become a part of one of the association’s—and, really, the industry’s—most enduring and storied charitable endeavors, the Harold Berkman Memorial Fund. When operators and industry supporters join us for the Awards Dinner & Charity Auction at the CD/NLA Show this February, they can be rest assured that their donations will be allocated to some pretty terrific causes.
The Story Behind the Fund
The Fund has a distinguished history that dates back to 1996. Originally launched as the NLA Charity Fund, it was renamed a year later to celebrate the life of Music Express founder Harold Berkman, who passed away in October 1997. Berkman, in addition to running his successful family-owned operation, was a founding member of the NLA and served both as its president and on the board.
The friendly and cooperative nature of chauffeured transportation is the accepted norm today, but operators like Berkman were living in volatile times during the ’80s and ’90s when nascent standards were being placed on the industry for everything from vehicle safety regulations to minimum insurance requirements. Berkman recognized that a unified front was stronger than a disjointed one, and he made it one of his top missions as a leader in the industry’s national association. Not surprisingly, Berkman was also an early adopter of the affiliate model.
"Dad always believed in giving back; it was very important to him to be generous to others. To have his name attached to something that is so meaningful to so many is just a gift to our family and his legacy." Cheryl Berkman, CEO of Music Express
But Berkman was more than just a business leader and a devoted family man: He was a pioneer in chauffeured transportation. Perhaps equally important as Berkman’s passion for the industry was his philanthropic streak. His NLA colleagues recognized his efforts and unanimously voted to rename the 501(c)(3) organization in his honor.
Berkman’s daughter Cheryl, now CEO of Music Express, told CD in 2014: “Dad always believed in giving back; it was very important to him to be generous to others. To have his name attached to something that is so meaningful to so many is just a gift to our family and his legacy. This company was the apple of his eye.”
Continuing the Legacy
More than two decades later, the Fund that bears Berkman’s name still stands strong as the charitable arm of the association. The Fund—through the efforts of the NLA Board and Charity Fundraising Committee, generous operators and vendors, and NLA staff—has collected and distributed more than $1M to charities such as the American Cancer Society, City of Hope, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Philabundance. The Charity Fundraising Committee, chaired by Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide, Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth Worldwide, and Sarah McKee of Chosen Payments, proposes some worthy causes and the matching charities are fastidiously screened by NLA staff.
“We try to support a wide variety of interests, whether it’s veterans’ issues, charities that help children, or organizations that provide funding for medical research for any number of diseases,” says NLA Associate Executive Director Sarah Mercer. “The Committee will suggest some charities and we do the behind-the-scenes work to ensure that the money goes primarily toward the cause instead of overhead and administrative fees. They take the whole selection process very seriously. It’s an open and frank discussion where everyone has a lot of input, and from there, the Committee recommends several charities to the Board for final approval.”
“It’s important to the Committee and the NLA that we’re contributing to organizations that use at least 85 percent of donated funds toward the cause as opposed to administrative and marketing costs,” adds NLA Executive Director Kyle Hammerschmidt.
Benevolence in Vegas
Although the Fund accepts donations year-round, its primary fundraising event will take place at the CD/NLA Show on February 25. The elegant dinner event will be held in conjunction with the Driven By Excellence Awards, where we will recognize industry peers in such categories as Chauffeur of the Year, Pinnacle of Safety, and NextGen/Emerging Leader, the elegant dinner event will include a 50/50 raffle as well as a chance for one lucky winner to donate $10,000 to their charity or charities of choice with the purchase of a $100 ticket.
“We’re excited about the show, especially the Charity Dinner,” says Mercer. “It’s using the strengths of two organizations—the NLA and CD—that are dedicated to raising money for important causes, so combined I think this will be an amazing event.” Mercer has been working closely with CD Director of Events Jess Pavlow to make this event possible.
"It’s important to the Committee and the NLA that we’re contributing to organizations that use at least 85 percent of donated funds toward the cause as opposed to administrative and marketing costs." Kyle Hammerschmidt, NLA Executive Director
The dinner and auction will also include representatives from the charities that the Committee has chosen for the evening’s endowment so you’ll have a tangible look at how your generosity is being used for good. The NLA isn’t quite ready to announce their selected charities just yet, but they think you’ll be quite touched when they are announced and presented with donations at the show.
“It makes you feel good to give to the cause, but to actually see and hear where the money goes and how it’s used ... it’s a moving experience,” says Hammerschmidt.
Tickets for the evening, which includes dinner, the charity auction, and awards, are available for $50 per person at cdnlashow.com. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 25, from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. Dress attire is recommended. [CD0120]
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Home › Cases › Serious concern for absconding teenager whose mother died
Serious concern for absconding teenager whose mother died
A judge expressed serious concerns about the safety of a teenage boy who was absconding from the residential unit where he was staying and was engaging in high risk behaviour. The district court in a rural town was considering an application for an extension of an Interim Care Order and the solicitor for the Child and Family Agency (CFA) told the judge the boy was on a waiting list for a place in a special care unit. Everyone, she said, was aware that it was a very complex case. There had been some improvement in his behaviour but the risk of his absconding again was very high.
The child’s social worker said he was coming to terms with the recent death of his mother. He had been absconding from the residential unit on a regular basis and usually went to the town where his family resided where he had engaged in high risk behaviour with other youths. One of the options being considered was placement in a special care unit if he continued with his behaviour.
“I feel we are just buying time….you’re not dealing with the problem,” the judge said. “What might happen to him is very worrying. He is still very young and the longer it goes on the more worrisome it becomes.”
The CFA solicitor said it was a question of waiting for a bed in a special care unit. The judge noted the teenager was not attending school and said he needed intervention of a serious nature. “If he doesn’t get it, you can contain it until he is 18 and then he is on the street,” the judge said. “Access that special care. If he does a runner again and ends up under a bus or in a car with others …. he has had a taste of the good life and that’s what worries me.”
CFA solicitor: “He is in another court soon on other matters.”
Judge: “That’s what concerns me.”
The judge said the situation had the potential to spiral out of control. “You don’t want to get a call from the guards to come and identify him. I don’t want to be dramatic but that’s what we could be facing.”
The social worker said the teenager would benefit from therapeutic supports but there was no bed available for him at present in a special care unit. There were seven or eight children on the waiting list and the allocation of beds was made on the basis of the child’s immediate risks. He met the criteria but there might not be any available beds.
An out of state placement was under consideration but the judge said that putting the child with strangers might be a disaster.
The guardian ad litem (GAL) said the child was in a very dangerous situation and required special care. If a special care placement came available in England before Ireland it would provide safety and the plan would be to go for a specified time and then return to Ireland. “In terms of his security, safety and therapeutic needs, I would favour that,” he said.
It would be unfamiliar territory but on balance his need for security and safety outweighed the disadvantages. There were a number of options in England and Scotland and some of them had met with a lot of success in turning people away from risky behaviour in Ireland. There had been reports of the boy being found in dangerous situations and there was an urgency about it.
The judge agreed that the likelihood of a bed being available outside of the jurisdiction had to be explored but he was concerned at the effect it would have on the child. “It would be terribly important for him that he knows the CFA continues to care for him,” he said.
The GAL said if that option were to be utilised, it would be on a short term basis. “My preference would be that he would be accommodated in special care here.”
The judge extended the Interim Care Order with the consent of the father.
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Hands on with Xbox Lips #1 Hits
When I walked into the Xbox 360 Lips #1 Hits event, I knew it was my kind of party. Located in a basement karaoke bar hidden away on a NYC side street, it was all about a Chinese food buffet, blaring music, and amateur karaoke stars singing along to new favorites and old standards. At a normal karaoke bar, you choose some mainstream song and sing along with the bootleg instrumental version of it. With Xbox Lips, it’s a totally different experience. Lips plays the real version of your favorite songs with the main singer’s voice turned down but still audible. It makes you sound better, and it makes it easier to sing along and actually sound good. Besides Lips’ playlist of songs, you can connect your music player to the console and do karaoke to your favorite songs. The lyrics won’t show up, but it will be just as fun!
Xbox Lips #1 Hits is the follow-up to the original Lips game that was released last year.This time two wireless microphones are included that light up and a playlist that ranges from the new songs from Rihanna and Maroon 5 and old favorites from the likes of Johnny Cash and Queen. Once you grab a microphone the goal of the game is to sing along and match the song’s pitch and vowel annunciation, but apparently it’s not that hard to get good scores compared to other karaoke games. This makes Lips a great party game, because even the worst singers can get in on the fun and not have to restart the game because they got horrible scores. There is also an option for non-singers to participate by using the controller to activate “noisemakers” (like a cowbell), instead of singing or you can shake the microphone and use it as a tamborine. The microphone is also sensitive to movement that will be reflected on the screen. This is cool because it kind of forces you to get off the couch and to shake your groove thing – always a good thing.
The other thing that makes the game great is the ability to download new music from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace to keep the party going. For $53.99 at Amazon, this is a game you won’t really get tired of, especially if you continually download music or plug in your personal music collection.
Images courtesy of Getemgirls.com
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CMAJ November 08, 2011 183 (16) 1811;
SSRIs and antiplatelet therapy
Image courtesy of Philip Wong MD MSc, McGill University Health Centre
People taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) together with antiplatelet therapy following acute myocardial infarction were at increased risk of bleeding. This is the finding of a retrospective analysis of linked data from administrative databases covering 27 058 patients discharged from hospital who were followed for up to nine years. Clinicians must weigh the benefits of SSRI therapy against the associated risk of bleeding when prescribing for their patients with major depression following myocardial infarction, say the authors. See Research, page 1835
The risks of therapy with antidepressants and antiplatelets may outweigh the benefits for some patients, particularly those who experience a hemorrhage. See Commentary, page 1819
Statins in people at low cardiovascular risk
Both low- and high-potency statins helped prevent death and cardiovascular-related morbidity in people at low risk of cardiovascular events (whose 10-year risk of cardiovascular-related death or nonfatal myocardial infarction is less than 20%). Tonelli and colleagues identified 29 trials involving more than 80 000 patients for their systematic review of the effect of statins on all-cause mortality and several cardiovascular outcomes in low-risk people. Although reductions in relative risk were similar to those seen in higher risk patients, the number of people needed to be treated to prevent one adverse outcome was relatively high for any statin, say the authors. See Research, page E1189
Statins’ cost-effectiveness in low-risk groups
Image courtesy of © 2011 Thinkstock
The incremental cost-effectiveness of managing people who are at low cardiovascular risk (10-year risk of cardiovascular-related death or nonfatal myocardial infarction < 20%) was $21 300 per quality-adjusted life-year gained with the use of high-potency statins (v. no statins). This finding comes from a Markov model cost-utility analysis from a Canadian perspective. Although extending preventive statin treatment to lower risk groups appears to be economically attractive, the overall expenditure on statins would be substantial, say the authors. See Research, page E1180
Multiple sclerosis and venous blood flow
Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) — a term used to describe ultrasound abnormalities in the anatomy and flow of intra- and extracerebral veins — is seen more frequently in people with multiple sclerosis. This is the finding of a systematic review of eight case–control studies. However, poor reporting of the success of blinding and marked heterogeneity among the studies precluded definitive conclusions, say the authors. See Research, page E1203
A theory of a vascular cause for multiple sclerosis has been reinvigorated recently with the description of CCSVI and the associated “liberation procedure.” However, the impact of this new intervention requires further investigation before it can be embraced fully. See Commentary, page 1824
Prescribing trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole
Over 40 years of use have provided ample opportunity to identify many adverse effects linked to the use of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Although this drug is an effective antimicrobial, Ho and Juurlink caution that there are important interactions with commonly used medications and other toxicities, some with fatal outcomes. See Review, page 1851
Alcohol consumption and cancer risk
Guidelines for sensible drinking do not take the dose–response relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk into consideration. According to Latino-Martel and colleagues, the amount of evidence for the link between alcohol consumption and cancer has recently increased. On the whole, alcohol is considered an avoidable risk factor for cancer. Current guidelines for sensible drinking are not adequate for the prevention of cancer, and new guidelines based on scientific evidence are needed. See Analysis, page 1861
Breast mass in a man
A 56-year-old man found a lump in his right breast. Common causes of breast masses in men include gynecomastia, malignancy and benign fibrocystic changes; however, the cause of the breast mass in this man was something quite different. See Practice, page 1875
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1
RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 1
Honorable Colleen Hanabusa
President of the Senate
Twenty-Fourth State Legislature
Third Special Session of 2007
Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 1, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:
Intermediate Court of Appeals, Associate Judge, KATHERINE G. LEONARD
G.M. No. 1
Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Intermediate Court of Appeals, Associate Judge, KATHERINE G. LEONARD, Gubernatorial Nominee, for a term of ten years,
begs leave to report as follows:
Upon review of the background information submitted by the nominee, Katherine G. Leonard, your Committee finds that Ms. Leonard is currently an attorney with the law firm of Carlsmith Ball, LLP, and has been with the firm since 1992.
While with Carlsmith Ball, LLP, Ms. Leonard's practice has included working on issues and matters related to the termination of the Damon Estate and the Campbell Estate. She has also represented banks and other lenders in commercial loan matters and some defense matters.
Prior to joining Carlsmith Ball, LLP, Ms. Leonard was a law clerk at the First Circuit Court for six months and a law clerk with the Hawaii Supreme Court for six months.
Ms. Leonard is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii where she served as the Editor-in-Chief of the law school's law review and received numerous awards and accolades.
Before attending law school, Ms. Leonard, who received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Parkside, with degrees in biology and chemistry, worked for HR Nursery in Waimanalo, helping to clone orchids.
Testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Leonard was submitted by the Attorney General; the Hawai‘i Women Lawyers; the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; the ILWU, Local 142; and eighty-five individuals, many of whom are affiliated with the Carlsmith Ball firm.
The Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA) found Ms. Leonard to be qualified for the position of an Associate Judge on the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Seven members of the Board of the HSBA voted that Ms. Leonard was highly qualified; eight voted that she was qualified; and two voted that she was not qualified.
Your Committee finds that the testimony submitted was all in support of Ms. Leonard's nomination to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Many testifiers supported Ms. Leonard for her intellect, hard work, and dedication and testified that the Intermediate Court of Appeals and the people of the State of Hawaii would benefit greatly from Ms. Leonard being placed on the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Your Committee notes it does have concerns with Ms. Leonard's lack of judicial experience. Your Committee believes that it is not unreasonable for the Senate to want to see the Governor choose an Intermediate Court of Appeals nominee with judicial experience. While judicial experience is not a requirement, your Committee finds that it is still a significant factor because none of the current members of the Intermediate Court of Appeals had previous judicial experience and a nominee with suitable and varied judicial experience would provide a broader perspective to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate consent to the nomination.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,
BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair
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Indy 500 sans fans as COVID wallop on in US
Article by Coliseum, published August 11, 2020
Image: wheels.ca
For the first time in its history, the Indy 500 will be hosted behind closed doors this month as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in US backtracked on plans to admit fans, while Major League Baseball (MLB) has also postponed its inaugural ‘Field of Dreams’ event due to COVID-19 which has left the United States devastated.
This is the latest announcement to be made by the IMS. Last month, IMS officials stated that attendance for the 104th Indianapolis 500 on August 23 would be approximately 25 percent of capacity, and face coverings was a must for all attendees.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an automobile racing circuit located in Speedway, Indiana, in the United States. It is the home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, and formerly the home of the United States Grand Prix.
Indy 500 is an annual automobile race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. The event is traditionally held over Memorial Day weekend in late May.
IMS can accommodate around 350,000 fans in the grandstands, suites and infield, and officials in June said 50 percent capacity would be admitted for this year’s motorsport spectacle, which has been rescheduled from its usual May date.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest outdoor sporting venue and the original plan would have allowed for up to 175,000 fans. The revised plan halved this to around 87,500, but was still set to make the Indy 500 the biggest sporting event since the pandemic began.
However, IMS announced on Tuesday that the Indy 500 will take place without fans following “careful consideration and extensive consultation” with State and City leadership.
A statement read, “As dedicated as we were to running the race this year with 25 percent attendance at our large outdoor facility, even with meaningful and careful precautions implemented by the City and State, the COVID-19 trends in Marion County and Indiana have worsened.”
“Since our June 26 announcement, the number of cases in Marion County has tripled while the positivity rate has doubled. We said from the beginning of the pandemic we would put the health and safety of our community first, and while hosting spectators at a limited capacity with our robust plan in place was appropriate in late June, it is not the right path forward based on the current environment,” the statement further read.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway last month launched a number of new features, including 5G connectivity and a huge new Pagoda Plaza Media Wall. Plans for the upgrades were first announced back in February, a month after Penske Corporation completed its acquisition of the IMS and the IndyCar series.
The statement added, “Penske Corporation made a long-term investment to be the steward of this legendary facility. While we were very excited to showcase the investments and enhancements we have made in the guest experience, we know we have reached the right decision. Our commitment to the Speedway is unwavering, and we will continue to invest in the Racing Capital of the World.”
“Our commitment to the Speedway is unwavering, and we will continue to invest in the Racing Capital of the World. We encourage everyone to watch this year’s race on NBC, and we look forward to welcoming our loyal fans back to ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ on May 30th of 2021,” the statement concluded.
Individuals who still have tickets to this year’s Indy 500 will be credited for the 2021 event and will retain their seniority and their seats originally assigned to them.
“What I hope people recognize is that we’ve done everything possible to be able to do it with fans,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles told mediapersons.
“This plan will go down as the model for how to do a mass gathering under these circumstances if it were possible. We’ve said all along that we had to hang in there and see if the public health situation would allow us to do it, and we’re at least as disappointed as all the fans that we can’t have them there this year,” Miles added.
Meanwhile, MLB has announced that its debut Field of Dreams event, which was set to see the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals face off at a temporary ballpark on August 13, has been put off due to coronavirus which is continuing with its onslaught.
Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.
Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business Center including the ‘Get in touch’ business development support tool and the global ‘new projects’ database.
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Trends in painting styles and why you should aim to be different
We have all seen it, the way some artists tend to paint similar things when they’re hot and the buying public are snapping them up. The ‘Rangitoto and toi toi’ paintings common on trademe.co.nz, or the piles of stones after Michael Smither originally did them.
It’s nothing new to start or follow a trend but its hard to prove if you were the first and many of the art buying public don’t really care, they just want a version on their wall that they can change later on when they change their curtains or lounge suite. I myself will often use colour schemes that are the ‘in shades or hues’ if painting décor art and I know many artists who paint the afore-mentioned Rangitoto and Toi-toi artworks, one or two even make a killing out of it. It’s a shame though when an artist does really well with a style only to have it replicated by so many others, saturating the market and either making their work look mass produced or forcing them to change their style to something else to remain original.
How to pick your own style
With picking a style to do you don’t have to stick with that forever, its not like learning to be a Dentist and then having to do that for the rest of your life, like changing your career, you can also change your art style if the one you are working with is no longer your thing and you have lost passion for it. it’s a good thing as an artist to evolve and develop in different ways. Often you will see artists who have more than one subject or style, so you too can work with two or three and swap between them. I find that works for me and means when I’m bored with one particular style I can work in another and so on, unless of course I have commissions in a style that means I have to continue in that one in the meantime. The best bit is when you return to a different one it seems fresh and exciting again.
Often you will find that your look translates to your other styles anyway and your buying public will instantly recognise your work anyway, so it doesn’t mean you will look like you have a split personality either! It is important to some degree to keep something similar between styles as that’s why galleries like to deal with artists who have an identifiable style. It's that 'thing' that makes someone able to look at a painting and say "That's a Picasso or whomever painting". It makes an artist's work collectible and shows you're able to work to a consistent standard. If you're looking to get gallery representation, or to sell your art in one way or another, you need to have a body of work of around 20 or 30 works minimum in a style, medium, colours, and subject matter that distinguish you from every other artist in some way. Don’t be fooled into thinking that some particular style like ‘Rangitoto and Toi tois’ sells well and you could do that, be yourself, be distinctive, be original, its what people really want and its what can make you that next big thing rather than one of the masses of average artists who are selling décor work at décor prices.
Posted: Tuesday 29 June 2010
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Updated FDA advice for women on eating fish
Judith M. Orvos, ELS
a BELS-certified medical writer and editor, and an editorial consultant for Contemporary OB/GYN
The FDA suggests that American women are not eating enough fish, though consumers still need to be mindful of which fish to avoid.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new information for women on eating fish. The document updates advice issued jointly by FDA and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2017.
The advice categorizing fish based on their mercury levels has not changed but the update further promotes science-based recommendations in Dietary Guidelines for Americans on the importance of fish in healthy eating patterns. FDA/EPA advice has been expanded and fish and shellfish now are referred to collectively as “fish” in text and a chart that highlight:
The nutritional value of fish;
The potential health benefits of eating fish; and
Recommendations from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
According to the Guidelines, people in the United States aged 2 years and older and adults should eat at least 8 oz of seafood (less for young children) each week based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should eat between 8 and 12 oz of lower-mercury fish per week. FDA notes that fish consumption in the United States is far less than these amounts.
FDA’s “Advice about Eating Fish” includes a chart of best and good fish choices, and choices to avoid. Among the “best” choices are canned light tuna, flounder, and shrimp, whereas fish that should be avoided include orange roughy and bigeye tuna.
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Kimbolton woman Eva Moon sentenced to prison for meth trafficking
Eva Moon received an aggregate term of three years minimum, mandatory, and maximum 4.5 years in prison
Leonard L. Hayhurst
Eva Moon was sentenced on drug trafficking charges Monday in Coshocton County Common Pleas Court.
She received a minimum prison sentence of 3 years, mandatory, and maximum of 4.5 years.
Moon and Gregory Mize were subjects of a drug raid where meth, a firearm, money and other items were recovered.
Moon apologized for her actions in court and said she would make herself a better person.
COSHOCTON - A Kimbolton woman was sentenced Monday in Coshocton County Common Pleas Court by Judge Robert Batchelor for trafficking in methamphetamine.
Eva Michelle Moon, 26, of 16615 Ohio 93, Kimbolton, was indicted in May with six counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, second-degree felonies, and one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a first-degree felony, for incidents in March relating to methamphetamine. The first-degree felony carried a specification to forfeit $48 in cash and a .32 caliber revolver. She entered guilty pleas to all charges on Sept. 11.
She received a mandatory minimum prison sentence of two years in prison and maximum sentence of three years for each of the second-degree felony counts and a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years and maximum of 4.5 years for the first-degree felony charge. All time will be served concurrently for an aggregate prison term of three years minimum, which is mandatory, and 4.5 years maximum.
She was granted three days of credit for local incarceration and will serve a mandatory five years of post release control. The hearing was conducted by online video conferencing via Zoom.
Moon and her husband, Gregory A. Mize, were part of a drug raid on April 1 by the Coshocton County Sheriff's Office at their home in the 16000 block of Ohio 93. Confiscated were a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, a firearm, cash and drug-related items.
Mize was sentenced in December to an aggregate term of a minimum of 11 years mandatory and maximum term of 16.5 years in prison on the same charges.
Moon's sentence was a joint recommendation of counsel and Batchelor noted Moon's willingness to serve as a witness against Mize if needed. Moon's attorney, Zachaury Meranda, also said Moon had a minimal criminal history.
Meranda said Moon was taking full responsibility for her actions and understood the severe nature of the charges. Moon apologized to the community, her friends and family for her actions.
"I do take full responsibility for my actions and I'm prepared to face the consequences for it. I'm going to make myself a better person after this is all said and done," Moon said.
llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com
@llhayhurst
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Well-known former Derby city centre pub is put up for sale
The owners Greene King had hoped to reopen the venue this year with a new operator
Robin JohnsonBusiness Editor
A well-known former pub in Derby city centre which closed down at the end of last year is up for sale with an asking price of almost half a million pounds.
The Wardwick Tavern - also known as The Wick - shut its doors just before Christmas. The Ghost Bar, an outdoor area that formed part of the venue, also shut.
The Grade II-listed building is currently owned by pub company Greene King. At the time when it confirmed its closure, the firm said that it hoped to reopen The Wardwick Tavern “sometime in 2018” with a new operator at the helm.
But, nine months on, the venue, which dates back to the 18th century, remains closed and has since been put up for sale with an asking price of £495,000.
The Wardwick Tavern and Ghost Bar have been closed since December (Image: Google)
The agent appointed to sell the property is Fleurets. In its particulars, it describes The Wardwick Tavern as a “charming character building within the vibrant Cathedral Quarter”.
It states: “The Wardwick, which in recent times has also incorporated the Ghost Bar, is an attractive 18th century mid-terrace building of three-storey brick built construction.
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“The property abuts the pavement and has a central entrance and distinctive sash windows to its frontage.
“The property extends quite notably to the rear (making the building L-shaped) and there is also a large enclosed courtyard with its own servery and seating areas.
The Ghost Bar is being sold along with the pub (Image: Derby Telegraph)
“The property holds an excellent position in Derby city centre's Cathedral Quarter. Lying just to the west of the city’s core, this is a vibrant area known for its historic buildings, high quality shopping, offices and bustling leisure circuit, which includes Turtle Bay two doors away, Revolucion de Cuba directly opposite, Fever Bars and numerous others nearby.”
There is an outdoor drinking area to the rear of the property (Image: Derby Telegraph)
The closure of the venue, one of Greene King’s tenanted and leased sites, came just a year after it was re-launched as The Wick. It went on to host club nights, live music performances and northern soul nights.
The building itself is steeped in history. Built in 1708 for the Alsop family, there was once a brewery at the rear of the property, which is in Wardwick.
Back in 2008 the pub turfed the bar area to mark the World Cup (Image: Derby Telegraph)
The brewery buildings were demolished in the 1930s to make way for the Telephone Exchange, which was replaced 40 years’ later.
The premises were used as brewery offices up until the late 1960s. Then, in 1969, Allied Breweries opened its redundant offices as a pub.
All the latest news from Derby city centre
Update on former Bridge Inn
Regen scheme set for go ahead
Buildings to make way for defences
Revamp for Walkabout
Today, an iron plaque remains fixed to the front of the Wardwick Tavern that marks the level flood waters reached on April 1, 1842.
The flood was caused by Markeaton Brook bursting its banks in the days when it flowed on the surface through the town centre.
The Wardwick is being sold by the Birmingham office of Fleurets.
To download the Android app click here.
NHSAnother 27 deaths recorded across Derby and Derbyshire in latest coronavirus figuresThe latest figures have been released
Film, TV, music, sports and talented stars who are from Derbyshire
EMSEODerby and the wider county has produced quality actors, authors, musicians, chefs and athletes
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Transfer rumours: Middlesbrough reject £11m bid from Premier League club, Wolves poised to break transfer record
The latest transfer news and gossip from in and around the Sky Bet Championship
Middlesbrough have reportedly rejected an £11m bid from Burnley for defender Ben Gibson.
According to the Northern Echo , Boro face a battle to keep hold of their club captain but have not received a second offer for Gibson after rejecting the Clarets’ initial bid.
The report also states that Everton, who have just offloaded Ashley Williams to Stoke City, are looking at Gibson along with Newcastle United centre-back Jamel Lascelles.
Gibson started his career at the Riverside, and has gone on to make 203 appearances for the club since making his debut back in 2011.
Derby County live - Lampard's message, Vydra latest, Reading build-up plus more transfer news
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly poised to break their transfer record with the signing of Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore.
According to The Telegraph , the newly-promoted Premier League side are set to pay £18m for the former Barcelona youngster, having already had a £12m offer rejected by Tony Pulis’ side.
A number of clubs have been credited with an interest in the Spain Under-21 international, most notably European giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Since his move to the Riverside from Aston Villa in 2016, Traore has made 70 appearances for Boro and has scored five goals.
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Gwen Stefani Will Marry Blake Shelton Even if an Annulment Is Not Granted by Catholic Church. Gwen Stefani is finally ready to take the next step with Blake Shelton. For the past year, the songstress has been desperately trying to have her marriage to ex-husband Gavin Rossdale annulled so she can marry the country singer in a Catholic church. But because the lengthy process is delaying their plans, sources exclusively reveal in the new issue of Us Weekly that the devout Catholic has decided she'll marry Shelton -- with or without the pope's blessing. "She very much wants the marriage to be recognized by the church," says a source, but she also understands that Shelton's been restless. Unfortunately, the process has caused "tense moments" between them, adds a second insider. As Us previously reported in March 2019, the couple of four years "began the formal process" because "Gwen's religion has always been extremely important to her." Now Stefani, 50, and Shelton, 43, are getting serious about the future. The second insider says the pair are looking to have a church ceremony in Beverly Hills and a big party at Shelton's Oklahoma ranch. Babies are also on the brain. The mom of Kingston, 13, Zuma, 11, and Apollo, 5 (whom she shares with 54-year-old Rossdale), would love another child, says another source, but "if it doesn't happen, Blake's content with her three kids." For more on Stefani and Shelton's future wedding plans, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now. (UsMagazine)
Jessica Simpson Details Childhood Sexual Abuse, Battle With Alcohol and Pills In New Memoir. Jessica Simpson is sharing her truth. Several years back, the superstar was asked to write a motivational book about how she lives her best life. Alas, it was an opportunity she simply could not agree to do. "I didn't feel comfortable talking about myself in a way that wasn't honest," she says in the latest issue of People magazine. "I'm a horrible liar." Instead, she took a more authentic approach. In her upcoming memoir Open Book, the 39-year-old shares for the first time that she was sexually abused. At just 6 years old, "when I shared a bed with the daughter of a family friend," she writes, according to the outlet. "It would start with tickling my back and then go into things that were extremely uncomfortable...I was the victim but somehow I felt in the wrong." Nearly six years later, she told her parents Tina Simpson and Joe Simpson about the attack. While Tina slapped Joe's arm, "dad kept his eye on the road and said nothing," she recalls. "We need stayed at my parents' friends house again but we also didn't talk about what I had said." To cope with the traumatizing experience, the fashion designer later began self-medicating, writing, "I was killing myself with all the drinking and the pills." Rock bottom came in late 2017 after she hosted a Halloween party. It was then that the mom of Maxwell Drew, 7, Ace Knute, 6, and Birdie Mae, 10 months, turned to her friends. "When I finally said I needed help, it was like I was that little girl that found her calling in life again," the singer, wed to Eric Johnson, says. "I found direction and that was to walk straight ahead with no fear." Now, she's proudly been sober since November 2017. "Giving up the alcohol was easy," she admits to the outlet. "I was mad at that bottle. At how it allowed me to stay complacent and numb." Therapy, however, was a bigger challenge. "With work," she adds. "I allowed myself to feel the traumas I'd been through." Today, she hopes her book helps others find their way. "It's been a long hard deep emotional journey, one that I've come through the other side with pure happiness and fulfillment and acceptance of myself," she says. "I've used my pain and turned it into something that can be beautiful and hopefully inspiring to people." The latest issue of People, which includes an excerpt from her memoir, hits newsstands on January 24. Open Book is on shelves beginning February 4. (Eonline)
Henry Winkler wants his rumored feud with Tom Hanks to be buried in the same graveyard the dog from "Turner & Hooch" is in, 'cause it just ain't true ... despite his own words. We ran into the "Barry" star Tuesday in L.A. and asked about the bad blood between Tom and him, which allegedly dates back to '89. That's when Henry got fired from directing "Turner & Hooch" -- and the story goes it was due to his beef with the lead star. The human one. Naturally, the Fonz played it super cool, telling us there's nothing to the rumors -- which is all fine and dandy now!!! Fact is, he was singing a different tune back in October on "Watch What Happens Live" -- when Henry strongly hinted there really was some kinda issue with Tom. In the clip, we called him out for so obviously fueling the rumors. Henry had an explanation, and it's hard not to believe him ... he's so freakin' nice. Just to squash it once and for all, Henry told us there's photo proof out there somewhere he and Tom are on good terms. He says the moment went down at a Bruno Mars concert, but we haven't seen it to confirm. Now, Tom did make a "Happy Days" cameo with Henry -- but that was pre "Turner & Hooch." Still cool to see it. Either way, it sounds like Henry's buried the hatchet ... and says he'd even get on camera again with TH if the opportunity presents itself. Hear that Hollywood? Let's make this happen! (TMZ)
Olympian Lolo Jones Regrets Being Honest About Her Virginity: 'That Killed All My Dates'. Truth hurts? Lolo Jones admitted that being honest about her virginity wasn't beneficial to her dating life. During an appearance on Kevin Hart's Cold as Balls series, the 40-year-old comedian asked the Olympic hurdler and bobsledder about how she's been "vocal about the virgin side" of her life. Jones, 37, candidly admitted that she regretted being so brutally honest about her virginity in the past. "That was a mistake," she said on Tuesday, January 21. "That killed all my dates after that, like, didn't even have a chance. Like, before, at least I had a chance. Before, I'd tiptoe. Like, 'OK, when is a good time to tell him? Like, do I wait until he sees my personality a little bit or do I just drop the bomb?'" Hart then asked Jones about her reasons for remaining abstinent until marriage. "This is definitely not from my mom," she responded. "I mean, my mom never was married. So, five kids, you trust she's having fun." Jones also believes being a virgin has allowed her to "have a higher level of intensity" as an athlete. Jones, who competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, talked about the challenges of being a virgin during a segment of HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel in 2012. "I want to wait until I'm married to have sex," she said. "My mom, she was with my dad for 20 years. [They] never got married and they're not together anymore. So, I just want to have that solid bond. It's just a gift I want to give to my husband." Jones also regarded keeping her virginity intact as "the hardest thing" she's ever done and argued that it's been "harder than training for the Olympics" and "graduating college." She also said that she's been "tempted" and had "plenty of opportunities" to engage in sex. The Dancing With the Stars alum is currently training for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which is set to take place in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9. This past October, the Iowa native admitted how "tough" her Olympic training has been. "We talk a lot about my age. I am competing against girls that are 10 years younger than me. I'm feeling the aches and pains of basically all the times I've crashed in a bobsled at 90 miles an hour, every hurdle hit I've had," she told Fan-sided at the time. "So, it's built up, but what's great about it is the fact that I'm super strong and determined to finish out my goals." (UsMagazine)
Lori Loughlin's daughters could be 'star witnesses' at college admissions trial. Lori Loughlin's daughters could serve as prosecutors' "star witnesses" against her and husband Mossimo Giannulli in their upcoming trial for their roles in the far-reaching college admissions scandal, a report said Tuesday. The former "Fuller House" actress has been told that federal prosecutors in Massachusetts will use 21-year-old Isabella Rose and 20-year-old Olivia Jade Giannulli "as star witnesses in hopes of securing a conviction," a source told Us Weekly. Loughlin, 55, asked if there was anything that could be done to keep the girls from testifying -- but was told the only solution would be to change her plea to guilty, the source told the gossip magazine. Both she and her 56-year-old fashion designer husband have pleaded not guilty to allegations they forked over a $500,000 bribe to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as bogus rowing recruits. The alleged scheme included having the girls pose for "action" pictures on rowing machines, which were submitted to the school alongside phony athletic profiles, prosecutors have alleged. "Prosecutors plan on asking Bella about the photo she took on a rowing machine prior to being admitted," the source told the magazine, adding: "Bella did so at the direction of her parents." The sisters could invoke the Fifth Amendment "if their lawyers advise it" and refuse to testify, the source said. "They don't want to be in the crosshairs of this mess more than they already are." Neither prosecutors nor Loughlin's attorney immediately responded to a request for comment from The Post late Tuesday. If convicted, Loughlin and Giannulli could each face up to 20 years in prison. Their trials are expected to begin this year. (PageSix)
Lori Harvey pleaded not guilty in her hit-and-run case this week. An attorney for Steve Harvey's 23-year-old stepdaughter entered the plea in court on Tuesday in Los Angeles, People reported. She is due back in court on Feb. 28. Lori was arrested in October after allegedly crashing her car into a parked vehicle in Beverly Hills, Calif. Lori was issued misdemeanor citations for a hit and run and delaying, hindering or resisting an officer. No injuries were reported in the accident. She was formally charged earlier this month. Meanwhile, she recently celebrated her birthday in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with her boyfriend, Future, and friends. (Page Six)
Lawyer Jose Baez suing former client Rose McGowan for saying he was 'bought off' by Harvey Weinstein. A top legal eagle, Jose Baez, is suing Rose McGowan for suggesting that he was "bought off" by Harvey Weinstein. Baez was retained by McGowan in a 2017 case in Virginia, and later served on the legal defense team of Weinstein, whom McGowan has accused of sexual abuse. Baez claims McGowan -- who was charged in 2017, and last year pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance -- defamed him in comments on Twitter and in the Daily Beast, the New York Times and on CNN. Last year, McGowan told the Daily Beast of Baez being on her legal team and then Weinstein's: "This is a major conflict of interest, but I knew there was shadiness going on behind the scenes ... This is why my case didn't go to trial -- my instinct was my lawyers had been bought off." She told the Times, "Baez did nothing for my case and now I know why. A truly terrible human and a disgrace of a lawyer." In court papers, Baez claims his firm never handled McGowan's plea negotiations and was just on hand if the case went to trial. He says his firm prepped Weinstein "after McGowan's criminal case ended," and he "obtained an opinion from an ethics attorney" before repping Weinstein. The suit, filed in Illinois, alleges: "McGowan knew that her criminal conviction harmed her reputation and her ability to sell her new book, 'Brave.' As a result, McGowan and her attorneys ... concocted a malicious scheme to salvage McGowan's reputation at the expense of the reputation of Baez." The suit claims, "Defendants ... have gone so far as to astonishingly contend that Weinstein somehow planted the ... cocaine in McGowan's wallet ... and that McGowan should thus never have [pleaded] guilty." Baez is being prepped by fellow power lawyer Joe Tacopina. Julie B. Porter of Salvatore Prescott & Porter, which was named in the case, told us on Tuesday, "Not having seen the entire complaint, we decline to comment at this time." A rep for McGowan could not be immediately reached. (PageSix)
Terry Jones -- beloved comedy icon and founding member of the "Monty Python" comedy troupe -- has died after battling dementia. Jones died Tuesday with his wife, Anna Soderstrom, by his side, according to his family. He'd been diagnosed in recent years with primary progressive aphasia -- a rare form of dementia that left him unable to speak. Terry's family says, "Over the past few days his wife, children, extended family and many close friends have been constantly with Terry as he gently slipped away at his home in North London." "We have all lost a kind, funny, warm, creative and truly loving man whose uncompromising individuality, relentless intellect and extraordinary humor has given pleasure to countless millions across six decades." Jones is known for playing a variety of roles for "Monty Python," including female characters often with hilarious falsetto voices. Terry's the one who screamed the iconic line in 1979's 'Life of Brian' ... "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy," while playing the mother of the title character. The line was twice voted the funniest in film history in the UK. Along with starring in Monty Python -- though rarely receiving the same acclaim as the other members -- he also directed the famous movies "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" with Terry Gilliam and 'The Meaning of Life' and 'Life of Brian' on his own. He was regarded in the comedy group as its passionate heart ... who drove the early innovation on its BBC show that led to stardom -- "Monty Python's Flying Circus." After his Monty Python success, Jones also became a prolific children's author who published 20 fiction novels, including "Fairy Tales" and "The Saga of Erik the Viking." He continued to write for the big screen, as well, famously penning the family comedy, "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" -- which he costarred in with Steve Coogan and his Python pals Eric Idle and John Cleese -- and the David Bowie movie, "Labyrinth." His most recent work included the 2012 film, "A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman" which was co-directed by his son, Bill, and the sci-fi comedy "Absolutely Anything" in 2014 ... which featured all the living MP members and Robin Williams in his final movie role. Terry was 77. RIP. (TMZ)
TV/STREAMING . . .
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ON THIS DAY 1-30-20
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THE FIVE BEST WAYS TO AVOID THE FLU
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WEIRD THINGS THAT MAKE YOU LOOK OLDER
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FIVE ACCESSORIES EVERY MAN SHOULD CARRY
BETTER SLEEP, HEALTHIER HEART
DAILY HABITS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
ROMANTIC VALENTINE'S DAY SONGS
SAVINGS TRICKS THAT WORK
YOUR TOTALLY NECESSARY GUIDE TO CANCELING THINGS
WHEN YOU ARE THE ZOMBIE
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Tombstone Vigilante Days
Tubac Festival of the Arts
C4! Cochise College Comic Con
Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase
Cirque Mechanics
Kyudo: Traditional Japanese Archery Ceremony
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Guided History Hike: Fairbank Historic Townsite
Zoppe Family Circus
Brain STEM Air Power Show
Chinese New Year: Year the Rat Celebration
Cave Fest 2020
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Europe in the eyes of the world : perceptions and expectations with regard to the European Union in large regions of the global space and to the emerging countries
Geopolitics of Europe
"Geopolitics of Europe" offers a dynamic program on both tensions and issues within the European Union, as well as its interactions with the rest of the world. Through maps, iconography, videos, computer graphics and role playing, the Mooc renders the main geopolitical issues appropriate to Europe while focusing on its representations around the world. Definitely multi-disciplinary, this Mooc offers the learners a real tool box built up through a combination of History, Geopolitics, Economics, Political science, Geography and Law. Format : The pedagogical program is both progressive and modular. It is composed of seven thematic blocks. Each block has a different scale and view point. Even though the main issue exploration in each block is thought as free navigation, each block remains marked out by specific steps : a mapping situation scenario, the study of a documentary corpus, a focus on the national perceptions, as well as an emphasis on the news. Please notice that some very limited content will only be available in French. The knowledge acquired in the first four blocks can then be assessed through a quiz and put into practice through the final serious game : a European scenario, a mission, and decisions to make...! Block number seven offers new analysis that will enable you to understand the latest events of the year 2016.
This is an awesome course. And the presentation was good and informative. The course help us to learn more about EU. Thank you so much providing such a wonderful course.
The course is really interesting.\n\nSome content were not available in English and some links were not more in use but I really liked the course !
Week 6 : Europe in the eyes of the world : perceptions and expectations with regard to the European Union in large regions of the global space and to the emerging countries
Within this session we'll discover Europe seen through non-Europeans' eyes
Europe in the eyes of the world : perceptions and expectations with regard to the European Union in large regions of the global space and to the emerging countries13:05
Sylvain KAHN
Thomas RAINEAU
Philippe PERCHOC
-In order to characterize Europe's position in the world such as it has been evolving in the last few years, we highlighted some underlying trends. An evolution of the world's order towards a multipolar system. Then, a redistribution of power from Northern industrialized countries towards Southern countries, notably Asia. Finally, an increasing interdependency between the different poles of the global system. In this context, we can no longer talk of eurocentrism, an analysis of international relations only seen through European values, thinking patterns and interests. Current evolutions, discussions about Europe's supposed or relative decline invite us to take a look at the vision that other states, populations and organizations have of Europe. Yet, trying to know the perceptions of Europe by non-Europeans and their possible expectations, can bring method difficulties. How should the perception of citizens and social groups be understood? Are they different from the states' and governments'? How and why should subjective perceptions be represented or mapped ? Until World War 2, Europe thought of itself as the center of a world where everything that was not European was considered peripheral. Are these two notions still valid to interpret today's perceptions of Europe by the new poles of the global system? We will see if Europe is today perceived as a periphery by the emerging poles of the global system, and to which extent it remains attractive to its own periphery. Then, we will try to understand if, by its unique political structure and achievements, the European Union represents a model, a laboratory for other regional organization forms. For the poles of the new or old global system, Europe, as we mentioned, remains an important actor, by its weight in global economics or the age of responsibilities exercised by today's moderate powers, such as France and the United Kingdom. Since 2008's crisis, Europe may be seen as the sick man of global economics. Is it a declining power? Looking at the Chinese economic actor, Europe remains an essential economic and commercial partner. It is not negligible that Chinese investors made financial investments at the peak of the economic and financial crisis. Thus, an agreement was signed in November 2008 for the recovery of the concession of the Greek port of Piraeus by the China Ocean Shipping Company, for 3.4 billion euros. In 2010, the Geely Group purchased the Swedish automobile group Volvo. In 2001, the industrial group Wanhua purchased the Hungarian Chemical Group Borsodchem. Relatively modest compared to the European investments in China, these investments demonstrated China's trust in the future of European economy. Concerning the economy based on knowledge and innovation, China is counting on Europe technology transfers to support the modernization of its economy. Therefore, there are more and more Chinese students in Europe, which remains the most attractive destination. European Union countries attract 40% of the 4 million migrant students in the world, almost 2 million of which are Asian. If the crisis did not really affect Chinese attraction towards Europe, it was not exactly similar for the other increasingly emerging Asian country: India. Qualitative studies undertaken before and after the crisis into Indian economic elites showed that the crisis had revealed unexpected weaknesses and, to a certain extent, shaken the trust Indians put in Europe's economic potential. Is Europe a minor strategic actor? For a formerly industrialized power like the United States, Europe remains a central part of the economy. However, in geopolitical terms and since the end of the Cold War, the European area became less and less strategic for the United States. Lately, they confirmed they were now prioritizing the Asia-Pacific axis. Nevertheless, Washington did not stop to soliciting Europeans' support for its external operations led in Afghanistan or in Iraq, or still nowadays against the Islamic State in the Levant. Besides, after the serious events that occurred in Ukraine in the last year, we cannot exclude a revision of the American's disengagement policy in Europe. For the countries in its close periphery, Europe, especially in the Middle-East and Africa, remains an attractive pole for the following reasons. Firstly, because of its wealth and job opportunities. Secondly, for its training system and, notably, its universities. Also thanks to its reputation in terms of refugee reception, even if the reception policy became more restrictive in the last years. Finally, for the economic assistance it provided to those countries. The migration pressure at the European borders is in constant augmentation. In the recent years, shortly after the "Arab Spring" revolutions that unsettled the society and states of several Mediterranean countries, such as Egypt, Libya and Syria. As reception conditions become increasingly restrictive, more and more migrants try to reach Europe and take enormous risks of drowning or being sold as slaves, to pay off smugglers. They are exposed to situations of great precariousness once they arrive on the Continent. An European immigration policy has progressively been constituted as the states realized the inanity of strictly national policies in a zone of free movement of persons. This policy has sometimes been called "Fortress Europe" and is often blamed because of its human cost, as the number of deaths at the European borders increases each year. Is Europe a commercial fortress? Actually, since the beginning, community Europe is a trade unit with discriminatory methods as it is funded on a unique commercial tariff, agricultural support and the principle of community preference. These methods are common in most big economic units, especially the USA. A lot of emerged and emerging countries contest these methods because they penalize their economy, especially the agricultural sector. Since the 1960s, Europe has tried to alleviate its impact by signing trade agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific states, often former European colonies. Numerous emerged countries like Thailand, or totally industrialized like Brazil or South Korea contest this model by starting proceedings against the EU before the World Trade Organization, or by trying to finalize free trade agreements with the European Union. Today, the European Union is the most advanced regional organization in terms of economic and political integration. The European model, with its successes and failures, represents for the world an experience source of inspiration and an exploitable configuration. The European experience is sometimes seen as a laboratory and even a model from which states or regional organizations have taken some characteristics or practices in linguistic coexistence, for instance, in political construction or regional development. If we look at India, a state-continent gathering a great number of political and linguistic regions, the European model may have inspired the 1990s' renovation of the Indian Federalism. When the Dominion of India abandoned the planned economy, the single market experience and European regional policies inspired the Indian reforms. An other example, we tend to display the European Union as a pilot scheme, from which other state groups take their inspiration when they want to implement regional cooperation and integration. But the actual division of sovereignty based on the European model is rare. Other regional organizations take the rhetoric of community concepts. Thus ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has based, since 2004, its organization on a three-pillar model, inspired by the Maastricht Treaty. Also, since 2007, ASEAN's economic integration is based on the four liberties principle: trade, services, skilled labor and capital. Another example, Mercosur is today's most advanced form of regionalism in the world, after the EU. It would seem that the customs union, specific to the EU, is the only element actually transferable to the Mercosur. We can see elements of institutional convergence, as shown by the creation of the Mercosur Parliament in 2007. But the European model of a union based on law, has yet to be achieved in Latin America. On the contrary, some global actors see in the Union's specific nature, the division of powers and the necessity for compromise between Member States and the Union, an exploitable opportunity to maximize their interests. European division is in China's best interest so it can have a bigger margin for maneuver in trades, for example, since Member States still largely reason nationwide in the matter. It is also in China's best interest that Europe reinforces its integration notably for fiscal matters. It is a major potential investor for future euro-obligations if a European debt market were to come to existence. Finally, in China's interest, Europe's policies should be consolidated. The advantage of Europe is that it does not infringe upon China's sphere of influence and contributes to the stability of global order with its contractualist model. Two major axes for Beijing's foreign policy. The former center/periphery model of the old eurocentrism has been over for a long time, without being completely overthrown. On the one hand, Europe, thanks to the world's order multipolarity has kept a strong attractiveness for its near periphery. On the other hand, the increasing interdependency between the poles contributed to intensify the expectations, otherwise negligible, for Europe, notably in Asia. Thus, a team of geographers tried to represent the diversity of Europe's strategic relations with other regions of the world, taking into account factors like trade, migration or air traffic flows. We can distinguish four types of strategic relations that we can put on a map on which we note that it overlaps and completes the cartography of Europe's influence we mentioned earlier. First element, Europe has an "integration" relationship with its immediate adjacent and near periphery countries. The high intensity of trade interactions or freight flows comes from old cultural and historic relations with these regions. Second element, Europe maintains "responsibility" relations with Sub-Saharan Africa. Europe polarizes asymmetrical relations with the states it had once colonized. Today's strategy to limit migration flows or economic investments tends to impair Europe's influence in this region in which other global actors invest: China, the United States, or Brazil. Third element, we talk about a "partnership" relation with countries located a bit further from Europe, but with which it shares a common language or history and communication. With Northern countries like the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and great emerging countries like South Africa, India or Latin America. Finally, fourth element, from the Persian Gulf to Eastern Asia is where spreads out the "challenge axis" of Europe in countries where it has a minor influence, based on these criteria. Trade asymmetry is to Europe's disadvantage even if it makes big investments in the economy. From a geographic and geostrategic point of view, Europe is a minor actor of this area dominated by the increasing competition between the American and Asian poles, dominated by China.
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Jack Charlton dead: Tributes paid to England World Cup winner and legendary manager
He will be remembered by many as the Republic of Ireland football team manager
Enda Mullen
Jack Charlton, the former Leeds and England defender who won a World Cup winner’s medal in 1966, has died at the age of 85.
Despite his success as a player at the highest international level, Charlton will perhaps best be remembered as the manager of the Republic of Ireland football team.
He took charge of the team in February 1986 and led them to their first ever World Cup in 1990, where they reached the quarter-finals.
He also led the nation to successful qualification to Euro 1988 and the 1994 World Cup, where they famously beat Italy in their opening game.
Charlton had been diagnosed with lymphoma in the last year and was also battling dementia.
He spent his entire 21-year playing career at Leeds, making a joint club record 773 appearances, before retiring as a player in 1973 and going on to enjoy a successful and colourful career as a manager.
1966 World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. (Image: Mirrorpix)
One of English football’s most popular and larger-than-life characters, he had spells in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and Newcastle before taking on the Republic of Ireland managerial job.
A family statement read: “Jack died peacefully on Friday, July 10 at the age of 85. He was at home in Northumberland, with his family by his side.
“As well as a friend to many, he was a much-adored husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“We cannot express how proud we are of the extraordinary life he led and the pleasure he brought to so many people in different countries and from all walks of life.
“He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people.
“His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories.”
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Charlton’s granddaughter, journalist Emma Wilkinson, tweeted: “Beyond sad to have to say goodbye to my beloved Grandad, Jack Charlton. He enriched so many lives through football, friendship and family. He was a kind, funny and thoroughly genuine man and our family will miss him enormously.”
Leeds United tweeted that the club was “deeply saddened to learn club legend Jack Charlton passed away last night at the age of 85”.
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust tweeted: “Another massively sad day for the fans and club as we lose another legend. RIP Big Jack. If there was ever a more prominent year for us to go up it’s now, let’s do it for Jack, Norman and Trevor.”
The Football Association of Ireland tweeted: "The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jack Charlton, the manager who changed Irish football forever. Our thoughts are with Pat and the family at this sad time."
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Alcovy
Peachtree Academy
College Football Corner
From Covington to London
Olympic Torch carriers reflect on 1996 Games, look forward to 2012
As the 2012 Olympic Games officially kick off today, many in Covington will tune in to the event, taking place around 4,200 miles away.
However, for several local residents, the Games seem much closer and have a personal connection achieved by very few throughout the Olympiad movement.
In 1996, the International Olympic Committee brought the Olympic Games to Atlanta, on the doorstep of Covington and Newton County. Prior to the 1996 Games, the worldwide event not only came to the doorstep of Covington, but also had a direct tie to the area thanks to the Olympic Torch Relay.
On its way to Atlanta's Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Torch made its way through Griffin, McDonough and into Porterdale. From there, it was handed off to four Covington residents who exemplified being a part of the community and brought it through the square.
Along the way, celebrations were held in Porterdale and Covington with estimated tens of thousands of people coming out to see the Olympic Flame being passed along its way to the torch ultimately lit by Muhamad Ali.
The sight of the torch lit the Olympic fire in many who saw it march through the square and were part of helping bring the Olympics to the Atlanta area. Those who didn't follow the Olympic Games prior to the torch's arrival had a reason to pay interest to the events in Atlanta, and those since held in Athens, Sydney, Beijing and, now, London.
"I seem to be more tuned in and interested in it," said Willie Davis, a 1996 Covington Olympic Torch carrier. "I pretty much keep up with all of the games."
Another Covington torch carrier followed the Olympics before its arrival to the southern United States, but has since kept a stronger link with it. Brian Kumm has crossed paths with Olympic coaches and athletes while working at the University of Georgia Aquatic Center and has more in common with them than just the red and black.
"I have a personal repoire with some of these athletes," Kumm said. "It made me that much more interested in pulling for them, rooting for them and really supporting them."
Along with the Games themselves, Kumm has also paid more attention to the Torch Relay as the flame progresses to London.
Now that he has seen the prestige associated with the Olympic Flame, he looks back on his time as a 21-year-old resident selected by his peers with more honor.
"I don't know if at the time if I really appreciated what an honor it was," Kumm said. "In hindsight, it's a high point of my life that I'm very proud of. Seeing the Olympic coverage heightens my pride."
As of press time Thursday night, it was still unknown who will light London's Olympic cauldron after David Beckham brings it into the stadium, but it's a line of succession, nonetheless, that torch carriers such as Kumm and Davis are proud to be a part of. After Kumm, Davis, Gary Butler and Steve Biggers brought the torch through Covington it went on its way to Atlanta, being carried by the likes of Evander Holyfield, Janet Evans and then Ali. Despite the latter three having reached worldwide notoriety, they now have a connection with Kumm, Davis, Butler and Biggers.
"That was very touching to see him go up and actually take the flame and light the torch," Davis said. "That was a touching feeling to see somebody legendary like that and somebody who you watch over the years and follow the careers and follow boxing and all his successes. You say to yourself, ‘You know that you were in the same esteemed company as Muhammad Ali.'
"I carried the torch and to know I was one of the 10,000 people who actually carried the Olympic Flame, that is a humbling experience; a gratifying experience."
Following Ali officially kicking off the Atlanta Games, they brought such moments as Kerri Strug lifting the U.S. gymnastics team to gold with one good ankle, Michel Johnson winning two gold medals and the United States winning the first ever women's soccer gold medal. Other events brought dominating performances by the U.S. basketball team, Jamaica's Usain Bolt and the U.S.'s Michael Phelps. All athletes and competitions that Davis, Kumm and other Covington residents have witnessed thanks to the torch's arrival 16 years ago.
"I loved when the torch came through the square...everyone was there...it was a great street party," said Perri Walden on The Covington News' Facebook page. "It was an exciting summer."
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Opioid Crisis in the Bronx Claims Tiny Victim: 1-Year-Old
Darwin Santana-Gonzalez died after ingesting a deadly mixture of fentanyl and heroin. His mother was charged with murder.
Darwin Santana-Gonzalez was found to have acetylfentanyl, a variant of fentanyl, in his system.
By Sharon Otterman and Annie Correal
Two days after Christmas, Darwin Santana-Gonzalez, a curly-haired 1-year-old, was toddling around a Bronx apartment where, the police said, a potent mixture of heroin and fentanyl was being prepared, stamped and packed for sale.
The powerful opioids had been placed in packages, the authorities said, along with a related drug, acetylfentanyl, creating the sort of deadly cocktail that has led to a surge of overdose deaths in the Bronx and beyond. Somehow, some of the mix also ended up in Darwin.
By 10 a.m. that morning, the police said, the little boy had stopped breathing and was dead.
Darwin’s parents, who had flagged down police as they attempted to rush him to the hospital, were charged in January with multiple counts of drug possession, but his father fled the country. On Wednesday, the police announced that his mother, Daira Santana-Gonzalez, who was in custody, had been charged with murder in her son’s death.
Darwin’s death is a reminder of the pitiless power of fentanyl, a drug that can kill children even just by coming in extended contact with their skin. It is not known how Darwin ingested the drugs.
Fentanyl variants can be 50 times stronger than heroin and have appeared in New York mixed into a number of drugs, including those sold as pure heroin, cocaine and prescription pills.
“The amount of fentanyl it would take to kill you or me would fit on the tip of your baby finger, and a small child would be much more susceptible,” said Bridget Brennan, the city’s special narcotics prosecutor.
Just two days before Darwin died, two parents in Michigan were charged with murder in the death of their 18-month-old daughter, Ava Floyd, who had ingested fentanyl. The authorities discovered evidence of drug manufacturing and distribution inside their home, news reports said.
In all, the opioid crisis in the United States claimed the lives of almost 9,000 children from 1999 to 2016, researchers from Yale University reported in a study in December. While most of the deaths were ruled accidental, some were ruled homicides. About 7 percent of the children who died from overdoses, the researchers found, were younger than 5 years old.
Ms. Santana-Gonzalez’s lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.
In March, Ms. Santana-Gonzalez told The Daily News in a tearful interview on Rikers Island that she was not aware of any drug activity in her home. She said her husband had been abusive, and that he had fled shortly after Darwin’s death.
“Everyone knows I loved Darwin,” she said. “I would never do anything to hurt my son. l loved my son.”
Frances Gomez, 25, who lives in the building, said he was smoking in the lobby on the morning of Dec. 27 when he saw Darwin’s father, Modesto Antonio Gonzalez, rush outside with his son’s lifeless body in his arms.
“The father was crying and saying, ‘I can’t believe it. My baby, my baby, oh my God,’” Mr. Gomez said in an interview on Wednesday. Mr. Gomez said he had held Darwin in his arms briefly while his parents scrambled from the apartment to a car. The image of the infant, blue and foaming at the mouth, haunted him for weeks.
In recent years, the Bronx has become the center of New York’s opioid crisis.
Daira Gonzalez-Santana, Darwin’s mother, has claimed that the baby’s father, Modesto Antonio Gonzalez, had been abusive toward her.
In 2017, the Bronx overtook Staten Island as the borough with the most fatal drug overdoses, with 363 of the city’s record 1,487 fatal overdoses. About 60 percent of victims were Hispanic, mirroring the overall demographics of the borough, according to a Columbia University study of the opioid crisis in the Bronx.
Prompted by the overall increase in city drug deaths, in 2017 Mayor Bill de Blasio launched HealingNYC, a plan to spend $60 million to combat the problem. Outreach workers have widely distributed naloxone, the overdose antidote; the city has also printed posters that warn New Yorkers about the dangers of fentanyl.
But while these efforts have helped tamp down the number of fatal overdoses in most parts of the city, deaths have continued to climb in the Bronx. In 2017, the overdose death rate per capita in the South Bronx was higher than any place in the nation other than West Virginia, according to city health officials.
Fentanyl typically arrives in the United States by mail from China, and is smuggled into the Bronx by mules working for Mexican cartels, according to the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for New York, which seized more than 500 pounds of fentanyl in the city in 2018. The vast majority of it was found in the Bronx.
The drugs are prepared and packaged not only for Bronx users but for distribution throughout the city and region. Distributors include large-scale traffickers but also small, household operations.
Darwin, the police said, lived with his parents in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, in an apartment that the police said appeared to house that sort of operation.
Roberto Guillen, the building’s superintendent, said in an interview on Wednesday that he had been in the apartment a week before Darwin’s death to make a repair in the kitchen and did not see evidence of drugs.
“Everything was normal there,” he said. “I feel bad because she was a nice lady.”
Two other people, Jose Furman Gonzalez and Chayenne Mendez Rodriguez, suspected with helping to prepare drugs in the apartment, were also charged with drug possession. They are believed to have fled to the Dominican Republic, along with Mr. Gonzalez, investigators said.
Laura Dimon and Ashley Southall contributed reporting. Sheelagh McNeill contributed research.
Sharon Otterman has been a reporter at The Times since 2008, primarily covering education and religion for Metro. She won a Polk Award for Justice Reporting in 2013 for her role in exposing a pattern of wrongful convictions in Brooklyn. @sharonNYT
Annie Correal is a reporter covering New York for the Metro section. Since joining The Times in 2013, she has covered breaking news and reported on immigration and social issues from homelessness to the opioid crisis. @anniecorreal
Published By: NYTIMES.COM
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Role: Associate
Site: CDL-Oxford
Stream: Artificial Intelligence
Arndt Roller
Partners and Managing Director, Bcg Digital Ventures GmbH
Arndt Roller is a Managing Director and Partner at BCG Digital Ventures based in Berlin. Early on in his career he made it into the founding team of BOL.com, a multinational E-commerce startup that became the Amazon of the Netherlands, but failed everywhere else. He then joined online dating service Parship.com as CEO when it was still very small, and turned it into a company that is now worth north of 800m€ (owned by TV network P7S1). Following his exit at Parship, he built several startups from scratch, centered around B2C and subscription models. After a brief stint as CEO of later stage travel startup Dreamlines, he joined the Boston Consulting Group´s “Digital Ventures” to build and scale impactful companies, combining the strengths of large corporates and smart startup teams.
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Catalog > Photo & Video > Outdoor > Night Photography Fundamentals > Photo Challenge And Critique
Night Photography Fundamentals
Photo Challenge and Critique
Welcome back to the Night Photography Week here at CreativeLive, I'm Gabriel. And I'm Matt. And together, we are the founding fathers of the National Parks at Night. How did this come together, Matt? Well, it kinda started when we both went to National Parks and we happened to shoot at night, and I came back from one, I went to Arches, and I just came back raving. M-hmm (affirmative) I said I had such an amazing experience that not only did I wanna do more of that, but I wanted to be able to share the enthusiasm I had for it. And then you said... Let's make this whole, let's really share it with people. A lot of people, we love the National Parks, and Matt and I, we've been shooting together for how many years, like ten years? I think we just celebrated our ten-year anniversary. (both laugh) And we definitely were bonded early on with photographing and photographing at night and we taught workshops at historic locations in New York, like cemeteries and all these other reall...
y super-fun locations, but we also have a passion to get to those dark places, those dark skies, which, the National Parks, so many of them, give us that opportunity, and we started doing it on our own, but then we started taking road trips together. Right. And I think one thing that both Matt and I love, we love doing this, we love night photography, and we love the challenge of it, and we love sharing it, and we also love again, sharing it with other people and helping other people what do you call it, level-up-- Level up. Their night photography and really get to understand it and learn it better. So that's how the National Parks kinda came together, the idea of it, and then we shared it with a few more of our night friends and it just grew, and right now, there's five of us that lead these workshops, and here's the key thing, folks, we're going to, every night, we're going to hit every National Park, but we're only gonna do it once, so it's a one-and-done thing. In the United States alone, there's over 50 National Parks, and if we average five to seven a year, that's gonna take us ten years. And plus, there's National Parks in other countries. That's exciting too, so that's how National Parks came together, but let's also talk about the benefits of photographing together, whether it's the day or the night. And so many people are taking pictures more so than ever before, but how can you elevate your photography? And oftentimes, both Matt and I in our travels, the free time that we have, we work during the day, so in the beginning, it was, night was often the only time we could shoot. And the night, just again, offers more opportunity to reinterpret the place. And so we were doing these again, on our own, but then when we started working together, it's a wonderful thing to share a spot for safety, and just for sharing that whole comraderieship and experience together, but we're also, there's a challenge to it and we don't wanna come home with the same pictures. Yeah, the beautiful image that El Capitan might be right there and yes, you've gotta take a picture of that, but there's so many other ways that we can reinterpret that place and capture, but even better, create-- M-hmm (affirmative) A more richer, fuller, and unique capture of that place. So there's a challenge that, and while Matt and I were shooting a lot, we would hardly ever cross our tripods and stand next to each other. Oftentimes, I'd see him and be like, "Okay, he's getting that shot, "so let me look for another shot." Or, "He's using that lens," and that would either inspire me to be like, "Hmm," I was thinking, "Why is he using the telephoto lens? "How is he seeing things?" Right? And I think you would often look at me and be like, "What are you doing over there? "What's over there?" (both laugh) So you can play off of each other in the field. It's gonna force you to see the whole place and then come back and share a richer interpretation of that place, as well, and then here's another thing, is giving each other feedback, which again, we're giving each other that little bit of that subtle challenge or critique in the field. Oftentimes, we can look at the back of the screen, but then afterwards, and I gotta hand it to you, Matt, you're always posting them way before I do. Tell us about that, what's your--? I like making decisions. (Gabriel laughs) So when I go to bed, I often don't want to wait. I'm impatient, and I need to see what the images were, and that keeps me up, so I'm just like, "Ya know what? I'm gonna ingest," and then I'm like, "Eh, I might as well process now." So I might as well process, and I'm like, "It's only one more step to post about it," so I spit 'em out and I go post 'em on Instagram and Facebook and Twitter and all the good places. And I wake up to so many likes and hits, it just, it makes me feel good, and I might have a couple more hours' sleep, 'cause we're not getting home, oftentimes, until, if we're lucky, 1:00 in the morning, but a lot of times it's 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, and this guy's staying up, and I understand that excitement. I don't know, I a lot of times, sometimes, have that A, that post-phobia or that edit-phobia 'cause I'll know exactly-- I know I'm gonna spend a dedicated time and I wanna make sure that I'm in the right space to do it, and dedicate that time to do it. But then oftentimes, if we keep moving, we keep going to these locations, boy, I'm not going back to that work, so I gotta take a page outta your book and do a little bit better job of editing and posting my images. I think you're fine just the way you are. It's just that I have that start-up mentality where I just wanna ship it and move on. All right. It's just what I do. What do you guys do? Do you mull about it, do you take your time? Does it take you over an hour to craft an image? Or are you wanna get it our there and you have your presets and you have your vision for it, and you're getting it out the door and shipped ASAP? The important thing of putting it out there is getting that feedback, and whether it is feedback in the field or feedback from Facebook or all the other social avenues, that's really, really important, 'cause you can't be the only critic of your image. As much as we understand the craft, we need that feedback, and sharing with friends is more important than ever. And I understand a lot of the social things, it's all about the thumbs up and the hearts, so really taking that feedback and leveling that up. Right. And sharing that with friends, meetups, sharing a portfolio, getting a portfolio review, getting a critique in class or something like that, or taking a workshop and getting that really one-on-one, direct feedback, that's super important and that'll just make you a more productive and better photographer. Can I add something to that? Go for it. I think that when, just like when you teach something in addition to doing something, you get better, because you have be able to articulate it to somebody else. The same thing goes for feedback. When you have to say, "I'm gonna look at this "in a critical way, and provide somebody "with something constructive that can help them "see something they didn't see before," that helps you also, look at your own images the same way. It's a gift that gives back to you. Yup, you gotta keep open. Yup. I love teaching our workshops, I learn something new from the students almost every workshop. Exactly. Ya know, they're seeing it in a different way than I'm seeing it and that you're seeing it, and it's funny, we were talking about creativity in a lunchroom with, what was the gentleman's name? That guy. That guy, well, we were talking about creativity in the lunchroom and one of the guys said, "What's your take on creativity? Right. Right? "And how do you keep pushing it?" And oftentimes we reach a plateau, we're working, we're striving, we try to be-- We have that foundation of knowledge, but we wanna keep pushing and pushing and pushing, and then once we kind of control, we have a good sense and we're comfortable with our creativity, it's a happy moment, but it's also a very scary moment, 'cause now what's next? We climb up this mountain, now we gotta explore the next range, I guess. It's time to level up. It's time to level up, it is. So keep on pushing, don't be comfortable with your shots and keep on pushing that creativity along and once you get-- Get comfortable, but get uncomfortable really quick. So, we were just in Crater Lake doing our workshop. And it was really funny, and this is, again, Matt and I can be at the same location and we get totally different interpretations of this place. So we're along Crater Lake and Matt, why don't you show us your interpretation? Sure. And walk us through it, what were you thinking? What did you see? Well, I'm one of the last guys to stand up in front of the camera and do that flashlight in the sky thing. M-hmm (affirmative) It's very popular right now. Yup. I also made it really easy, and there's a lot of interest in the Milky Way, and I can understand why, it's gorgeous, right? There's something wonderful about the scale of a human being and the Milky Way next to each other. And when you hold that lantern up the sky, whatever it might be, it can say a lot of things, on a metaphorical level, it can say it on a personal level, it could say, "Hey look at me" level. M-hmm (affirmative) It works in lots of ways, and I wanted to work with all of these lines that we're working with, so there's a windswept tree that was growing not straight up the Milky Way, it wasn't straight through the scene, there's that little bit of fire and smoke from the forest fire over there too. (Gabriel laughs) And, I said, "Ya know what? "I just wanna see how far the beam of my flashlight goes." That was a what-if moment, ya know? So I said, "All right, let's do this." And I deliberately aimed it so it was parallel to where the Milky Way was, so that I could, just for kicks, see how far it went. And that was just a curiosity, and I wanted to see what could I do to do my interpretation of the "Hey, look at me, I'm holding "a flashlight in the sky" moment, so-- Yup. That's what happened. Man versus Milky Way, right? Yes. And I think, I really love this shot, this is a great interpretation. A little bit, sometimes people shine the beam on the Milky Way to reveal it, you're going sort of, "Hey, this is my light, "and this is the universe," right? And I love that you shot vertical. With this, obviously, it plays to it, and I love your composition on that. That glow really does make it that really wonderful, rich, and complementing color really kinda separates and shows us that foreground of the rim. And you did a little light painting on that tree, as well, I believe, right? Actually that was you. Oh, that was me, that's why I remember it, exactly. So working together. Yeah. Right? Working together. Collaboration. Collaboration to create. Yeah. That's good. So at this same location, I walked on the other side of this tree about 20 or 30 feet along. I said, "Ya know, Matt's got this shot, and it's "a great shot, but I wanna look for what I can see." And oftentimes when I go into a scene, I won't set up my tripod at all. I don't wanna go, "I know the Milky Way is right there," and you can be like, "Okay, throw it on the tripod, "Milky Way's there, shoot vertical, done, check." However, take your time, be open to it, and really walk around the scene and see how everything is playing together. And when I saw the Milky Way, I said, "I don't think I can capture this in one shot." I was like, "It's just too big." And it wasn't doing the perfect arch, I was not able to get to a location safely and get the whole arch of it, but what I did do was I did a 10-shot panorama and got this shot. So I went up high and I saw as high as the Milky Way was arching, and I actually coulda gone a little higher. My one self critique on this is, when you're really wanting to do the arch shots, the Milky Way arch shots, you really gotta make sure that arch is at the most, going through the middle of your shot, so I could've literally leveled up a little bit more on this one, but I like showing, again, a different and more, for me, a fuller interpretation. Crater Lake, it's all about that volcano, the caldera, and I could show more of that rim by shooting, and I shot vertically, and I think this was about 10 shots, so I went five shots across and then I shot five shots down to include the foreground, 'cause again, like you said, playing that space against the night sky. One type of astrophotography is all about just shooting all the stars in the sky and no reference, but I think you and I, the type of night-sky photography that we really like is really interplaying it against the world we live in. And whether it's the National Parks or whether it's manmade topography. Right. It really plays up against that, so that's what I was hoping to achieve with this one, as sort of a big picture. I saw how big you were going, so I had to level up. Well done, well done. I'll tell you some other things that I like, where I didn't choose to creep up on the edge of the caldera, because I wanted to show that tree. Yeah. I couldn't show Lizard Island, I couldn't show the lake that's in the caldera. You found a really great vantage to show that, and you got a wonderful reflection off of it, which is the Milky Way, right? And a little bit of south rim down there. Having that reference there, you have the curve of the Milky Way on the bottom, you got the curve of the lake on the bottom, there's a nice echo of reversed imagery there. I like it a lot. You didn't give me any criticism on my photo. Thank you very much, (Gabriel laughs) but I'm gonna provide a little bit-- Okay. Of criticism on yours. I agree with you about getting a little bit more on top on the Milky Way, and there's a little bit of tree on the right side that normally you'd crop out. Ooh. Ooh, yeah. I did, I did give 'em the final. You threw me a softball. I gave you a softball on that one. Yeah. You gotta do that border patrol. Yeah, border patrol. Yeah, exactly, border patrol's to crop that out. The distracting edge right there. And that's... Yeah... Yeah. Otherwise, that is an amazing stitch, well done, sir. Thank you, thank you, so, we were telling CreativeLive about just the interplay that we have, the comraderieship and these sort of, how we always challenge ourselves in the field, and they say, "Well, why don't you up your challenge, "and let's do something in the field?" So last night, when we were out and it's a very-- We were out at Mount Rainier, but we couldn't see anything at all. It was this overcast, cloudy night. For most of the night, we decided to give ourselves a challenge, because really, we had an empty canvas, so what can we do? So why don't we take you out and you can see how our challenges worked out in the field. Okay, so welcome to the night photography challenge part of the episode. So Matt and I, and this goes for anyone, you go out shooting together, and you go to the same location, and yes, there might be that National Park, that epic thing, the Milky Way right in front of you, and yet, you've gotta capture that, but you've also gotta challenge yourself to create. And when you set up side-by-side with someone, yeah, again, that shot might be there, but then look around or try a different lens, but you've gotta always, you don't wanna come away always with the same pictures, right? As the person next to you, you wanna challenge yourself to interpret the place in a new way or step up or, as Matt likes to say, level up your creativity. So we're gonna do a challenge here to inspire you guys to challenge yourselves at home as well. So, Matt, I've got a challenge for you. Uh-oh. So my challenge to you is called "The Picasso Challenge." Now, you remember that sort of... It was one of the first light writing images ever, and there was a picture of Picasso making a bull, so he made his art with a penlight, I believe it was, and then they flashed 'em and froze 'em. Okay, so what I'd like you to do, and what the audience, I think you already know, Matt is a very talented cut paper art, but now I want you to make the art with light and be in there as a self portrait. Boom. Boom. Challenge accepted. All right. I have a challenge for you. Wait, I thought it was just me giving you a challenge? No, fair is fair. (Gabriel sighs) Yes. All right. My challenge for you-- Yes? Is to create a portrait-- Okay? Of your hat. What? (laughs) That also shows a distinct passage of time. I think I can do that. What are the parameters here? All right, so ten minutes, has to be done in camera. Hmm. All right? You're on. Let's do this. All right, let's rock. Okay, so my challenge is to make a light painting with light writing in the style of my cut paper art, thank you, Gabe, and I've decided to use the following tools, my Coast flashlight with the red gel on it, I'm gonna set up a Profoto B over there and I'll put a grid on it, 'cause I remember this Picasso picture, it's engraved into my brain, and I'm gonna set that up, I'm gonna use that fade on my camera, ISO 100, 'cause I like quality, and I know that that's perfect for my flashlight pointing into the lens, it's not gonna be too bright. So I'm gonna make a red painting, and I'm gonna have that flash fire on me at a critical moment, and I'm going to use the wireless trigger to make that happen. My flashlight doesn't turn on and off really quickly, so I'm going to end up just covering it when I wanna end a shape. Here we go, I'm gonna set up the flash first. I'm gonna grab my Profoto B1 out of the bag, here. Clock's ticking. All right, I got a grid here someplace. There it is, all right, this is a five degree. Excellent, I want it tight. Now we're going to turn it on, now we're going to turn on the modeling light, perfect. I want this angled right down the curve and only at my face, and I'm about that tall. Let's test it. And we'll turn the modeling light off. There we go, all right, the flash is set up. Oh gosh, I have very little time left, so let me set the camera. Okay, first things first, bulb, F8, 100, looks like I'm already there. I was shooting something good last time. Enter velometer, I'm just gonna use the manual slider on the back here, where I can press up and lock it like that. It's gonna beep the whole time, until I come back and shut it off. It won't matter, 'cause it's gonna be pitch black here. So, I think I'm ready to take my first shot. Let's do this, could we cut the lights? All right, are you ready, camera? I'm ready, okay, let's do this. All right. Shape, shape, shape, shape, shape. (equipment beeping) Survey says? Portrait. Oh man! (Matt laughs) Okay, so Matt's challenge to me was to take a portrait of my hat showing the passage of time. All right, so this is now-- I immediately thought, we just sit here and do a six-hour exposure and just see what happened to my hat against the ledge there, see it slowly cripple up or whatever, but we don't have that kinda time. 10 minutes, we said, all right, so what I'm gonna do is I'm going to do a triple exposure in a single exposure, whereby using flash to arrest the image. Now, this is taking a little something out of Matt's book. We're gonna do portrait with flash at night. So, I thought that would be a cool thing. And I'm gonna use these tools. I have a flash connected to a battery pack. You're gonna use the battery pack because I wanna have-- I wanna show a burst of three flashes. One, wait for it, I don't wanna wait for the recycle time of the flash, I wanna get the better recycle time of the battery pack. So we're gonna have these, and Matt, if you don't mind, can you run this for me? Because I don't wanna have a whatever, I don't have the triggers for it and I like to move, so if you don't mind being my trigger? That'd be great. Absolutely. Here ya go, now I also have set up here, I've got the D750, I'm going with a tighter shot, this is a portrait, so I'm using a portrait lens, I've got the 70 to 200, I've already got my focus checked. I took a model in there and did test for the distance, so I've auto-focused on that, then I put it to manual focus. So I'm ready to go, I've got my spot marked. And now, you think, what's the exposure on something like this? Well, this is light painting to a certain degree, that we're adding in our own light. There's no other light out here that we have, so the exposure, I have it set for bulb, okay? And I have it set for a two-minute exposure right now. But basically, the exposure's gonna be done when we're finished putting the flash, flashing it and freezing me three times with the hat in the scene. After that's done, I'll walk out of the scene, we'll stop the exposure, and see what we get. All right, so Matt, if you could take your position? I'm gonna trigger the remote, camera on. Wait for it, it's on. Okay, here's my position, all right, Matt, hit me. And everyone's always wondered what's under my hat. Go to the second position. Matt, hit me. Okay, and we're gonna go to the third position. All right, Matt. All right, let's see what we got. Take the exposure off, and there we have it. One, two, three, and we see the hat and me. Sorry, I had to throw me in there too. I couldn't resist, but we're showing time. And let's just check the focus. Well, I'm in focus each time. What do you think, Matt? I love it. You like it? Good interpretation. Almost like monkey see, monkey do, money hear. (Gabriel laughs) Exactly. All right, so we've done the challenge. Let's see what you have? I really enjoyed giving Matt this challenge. I thought it was perfect, I couldn't resist, I had to get a sneak peek out of it in the field, but here we can see his, Matt's Picasso. Picasso self portrait out in the field, and I thought this would be perfect for you when we said we were gonna do this photo challenge, I was thinking, "What can I do to challenge you?" 'Cause you're always asking, "What if?" Ya know, and "What can we do with it?" So I was like, "What hasn't Matt done?" Ya know? And I know you love your cut paper art, but I was like, let's see what we can do now with drawing with light, which is something that we both love doing and a good artist, you get a good artist to draw with light, you're gonna get a lot better images than my squiggles every now and again. But let's talk about this image, I really like it and one of the challenges when doing an image like this is knowing your boundaries of your shot and I think you did a pretty good job of staying within those boundaries, it's so hard to write with light, and you gotta remember where everything is and purposely cross over, and you got a lot going on here, and I can't believe it, I mean, look at that arch there, of the three arches on the left-hand side. It's not touching that other piece. You used a Profoto light to give yourself a little self portrait. I would like to see you a little bit more in it. Maybe a stunt more of light, but I know it's a delicate balance between blowing out what you're drawing and making it subtle or soft, but when I look at it, and when we look at it closely, we see ya, but I just wanna see a little bit more of you in it, and I wonder what it would look like-- Nope, forget it, that's the only way you could do it. My wonder is, I answered my own wonder, but ya know, where you place yourself, and that's a tricky thing, of course, to remember, so where you place yourself and how you light it and how you reveal it, interplaying with that. If I had a second chance to do this, I would've deliberately left a dark area for my face. Right. Marked that in my mind and returned to it and then fired the flash in that space-- Yup. If I remember correctly, Picasso drew a bull-- Yup. In the air with a single completed stroke. Yup. And he started and ended in the same place. My work is a little bit more complicated with multiple shapes, so I had to remember lots of coordinates, which, for a first time, I'm pretty proud of what I did. First time. (Gabriel laughs) The second one, I woulda done exactly what you did, and I have the same self criticism. All right, so it's interesting, when we draw-- If I remember the Picasso image as well, is you gotta draw, he was drawing around him, so you can either draw around you, you drew, you used the whole space as a canvas and then threw yourself in there, so again-- You only gave me 10 minutes. I only gave you 10 minutes and one shot, that was it, one and done, end camera. Right. All right, so what was your challenge to me? My challenge to you was to make a portrait of your hat. It was another one, not this one. Oh, right. That showed the passage of time. All right. Let's see what happened. Let's see what happens. When I gave you this challenge, I had an idea of how I woulda done it, and you surprised the heck outta me. (Gabriel laughs) So, yeah, I like this. I like the comedy here, because, I think I said on set that it looks like the-- Right, see no evil-- Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil, it sorta looks like that, except it's like... I don't know what the variation is, but I like it. I was thinking that you might actually put your hat on a stand. So that's what you would've thought of-- Yeah. So first off, I was thinking, "Oh, he wants a portrait "of just my hat." M-hmm (affirmative) And I just was like, ya know a hat on the bench or something like that, and then obviously either move it or crush it or crumple it to show the passage of time, either with a long exposure or with flash, but then once I said flash, I'm like, "Wait a minute, "I can move the hat throughout the scene." Yup. And, ya know, the best, easiest way to move the hat throughout the scene is to do it with your own two hands, I guess. Truth. So again, I sorta blocked out the area I needed it to be in. M-hmm (affirmative) And then did my monkey see, monkey do. You nailed that one. You totally nailed that one. And you get to see what's finally under Gabe's hat. That's right, surprise! Another hat. It's like one of the dolls, you keep opening, there's another one-- Russian nesting hats? Nesting hats, exactly. Guess what? Now, it's your turn. All right, so we want you guys to go buddy up with someone and challenge yourselves to reinterpret the scene or, again, if you're working with someone and if you know what type of photography they're comfortable within, flip the coin, give 'em a real challenge. Thank you very much. I hope I've laid a solid foundation to help you explore your night visions, whatever they might be. If you wanna follow me, my website is ruinism.com. I'm also on Facebook under Gabriel Biderman, Twitter @GabeBandH, or Instagram @ruinism. Or if you haven't got my book on night photography, this is a book I wrote with Tim Cooper, "From Snapshots to Great Shots," you can find it at any bookstore, and then also, if you want to learn more with us in the field, come follow us at nationalparksatnight.com. If you sign up for our mailing list, we give you a free e-book on 20 tips of night photography, so you wanna sign up for our mailing list at nationalparksatnight.com, follow us on Facebook at National Parks at Night, as well as on Twitter, and then also on Instagram. Give us a follow and we hope to see you and seize the night.
There’s more to night photography than stars and hikes. The vibrance of color can be found in capturing the stars, a city skyline at twilight, or even car trails amidst a forest. Gabriel Biderman is a self taught photographer who enjoys the process of taking an image. In Night Photography 101, he’ll cover how to get started taking photos in the dark.
You’ll learn:
What gear you’ll need and the fundamentals of using it safely in the night
How to capture stars for dynamic landscapes
How to capture the sky and urban settings at night
How to photograph car light trails to create more motion in your night photos
Gear Basics Pt. 1: Cameras, Flashlights, Flash
Gear Basics Pt. 2: Lenses, Tripods & Heads, Accessories & Apps
Fundamentals of Night Photography
Testing Gear
The Color of Night
Defining Your Style of Night Photography
Shooting with Friends
Capturing Car Trails
Levels of Twilight
Light Writing
Christiane Menelas
This class was perfect in preparation for my trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon next week. I can't wait to put all this great information to good use! Very easy to understand, and fun to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
user-56b1ca
This class was super helpful in what to buy and then how to get the pictures you want. Loved all the other stuff that I knew nothing about. I knew very little about light painting. Thanks for sharing this class with us. This class was one of the best I have seen.
Berus
This course is fairly comprehensive, and offers a good intermediate/advanced intermediate examination of night photography (NOT just astrophotography, which is only one form of night photography.) I don't necessarily agree with everything he's saying here, but that doesn't make it wrong - it's just a matter of preference. He is fairly equipment-centric, but getting into many forms of night photography DOES require some specific equipment. There's a lot of useful information contained here, and I can see myself consulting this course in the future to help solve and understand certain situations and problems that are unique to night photography. Recommended.
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Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Professional Certification Board
By Jeffrey Tenenbaum and Andrew E. Bigart
This article was originally published on Lexology.com.
A recent decision from the federal appeals court for the D.C. Circuit highlights some of the legal challenges for trade and professional associations that sponsor certification and accreditation programs, as well as enforceable codes of ethics for their members, certificants and accreditants, and even association membership requirements generally (collectively, “certification programs”). In Camarda v. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., No. 15-7080 (filed on Oct. 4, 2016), the plaintiffs — two certified financial planners — filed breach of contract and implied duty of good faith claims against the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (“Board”), a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that certifies financial planners. Although the court granted summary judgment to the Board, the case is an example of the risks faced by associations that sponsor certification programs. In many cases, the costs, burdens and distractions of mounting a defense to litigation can overwhelm an association. As discussed below, however, there are steps that an association can take to minimize these legal risks.
Why Do Certification and Accreditation Programs, Enforceable Codes of Ethics and Membership Criteria Present Legal Risk to Associations?
It is well-established that association certification programs confer an array of valuable benefits for industry, government and the general public. Similarly, membership criteria and codes of ethics often serve a legitimate purpose by helping the association function effectively and focusing its efforts on benefiting an industry or profession with common interests. While certification programs and membership standards provide many benefits, they occasionally are subject to legal challenge under the antitrust laws, common law theories of negligence (for certification programs), due process and defamation, among others.
In Camarda, for example, the plaintiffs, who had been certified by the Board, filed suit when the Board decided to issue a public letter of admonition for the plaintiffs’ alleged failure to comply with certain Board policies. The plaintiffs’ breach of contract and implied duty of good faith and fair dealing claims were based on the allegation that the Board failed to follow its internal disciplinary process rules; the plaintiff also filed an unfair competition claim. These types of claims are common against associations, particularly with respect to certification programs and membership requirements or restrictions. Many associations, for example, limit membership, or condition certification, on satisfying certain standards. Those who are denied membership or certification may claim they were denied the ability to effectively compete in the market or that their due process rights were violated.
In most cases, these claims fail, usually with the court siding with the association at the summary judgment stage. That was the case in Camarda, where the court rejected each of the plaintiffs’ claims. According to the court, the Board followed its internal disciplinary process and did not engage in any arbitrary or capricious action in deciding to discipline the plaintiffs. Moreover, the Board noted there was no evidence that even a “perfect” process would have led to a different outcome.
Steps to Minimize Legal Risk to Associations
Although the Board in Camarda prevailed, there is no doubt that disgruntled plaintiffs will continue to file complaints against associations that sponsor certification programs, as well as in connection with association membership requirements and restrictions. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that an association can take to manage such programs to minimize litigation risks.
Developing Standards – Any certification standards adopted by an association should be clear and unambiguous, reasonable, fair and objectively grounded. These standards should be no more stringent or rigid than necessary to ensure the minimum competency or quality levels of those certified. Specific commercial or economic considerations should play no role in an association’s development of the standards. This applies to certification and accreditation standards, as well as to association membership criteria and member codes of ethics.
Availability of Certification – Certification programs should be open to association members and nonmembers on the same terms and conditions. The association should widely publicize the availability of the certification program and permit application by all who choose to apply. The fees for certification should be reasonable, but higher fees may be charged to nonmembers for certification to account for any association membership dues or assessments that contribute to funding the program.
Update Standards – Periodically review and update all certification, accreditation and membership standards to ensure they are current and reflect new legal, technological and other developments. Provide appropriate opportunities for industry notice and comment whenever standards are modified, and carefully consider such comments in the revision process. In addition, document any and all complaints or concerns about the standards and revise the standards accordingly if appropriate.
Due Process – Due process should be built into the program. This requires associations to provide notice of a potential adverse decision to a current or prospective certificant, accreditant or member; an opportunity for the affected individual/entity to respond and defend himself/herself/itself; and an opportunity to appeal any adverse decision. While nothing prevents a certification program from publicizing the names of, and information about, those who are certified, accredited or members of the association, care should be taken to avoid any explicit or implicit disparagement of those who are not certified, accredited or association members (the underlying issue in Camarda). As a general best practice, an association should maintain strict confidentiality of all adverse allegations, complaints, actions and proceedings that arise in connection with the certification, accreditation, code of ethics or membership program. While it is acceptable, for instance, for a certifying association to verify that an individual or entity is not currently certified, no further details should be provided.
Insurance – Maintain sufficient insurance to cover the liability risks of the program. Some association directors and officers liability insurance (D&O) policies provide coverage for certain claims arising from certification, accreditation and enforceable code of ethics programs as part of the basic policy, although there sometimes are coverage sublimits. Other D&O policies will not cover such programs without an endorsement to the policy. Importantly, D&O policies do not cover bodily injury or property damage claims arising from these programs, nor do they cover breach of contract claims (one of the claims alleged in Camarda). Specialized, stand-alone insurance policies are available and sometimes necessary to insure against these risks. Adequate insurance should be a prerequisite to the operation of any association certification or accreditation program or enforceable member code of ethics.
Jeffrey Tenenbaum chairs Venable’s Nonprofit Organizations Practice Group. He is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit attorneys, and also is a highly accomplished author, lecturer and commentator on nonprofit legal matters.
Andrew E. Bigart is an associate at Venable. His practice focuses on antitrust and consumer protection law, anti-money laundering and economic sanctions, and business counseling.
Back to Basics: I.C.E. Releases Updated Terminology Guide
With the help of the Terminology Task Force, I.C.E. recently released the I.C.E. Basic Guide to Credentialing...
Stronger Together: A Credentialing Organization’s Story of Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In May of 2020, a global call to action in the fight against systemic racism, discrimination and inequality...
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GUEST COLUMN: A tribute to Gov. DeSantis
Jerry Robertson and Sandra Atkinson, Guest Columnists
Jerry Robertson and Sandra Atkinson say Gov. Ron DeSantis has handled the pandemic situation exactly the way he should have.
This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Please support local journalism by subscribing to the Northwest Florida Daily News or the Panama City News Herald .
Unlike some other governors, the chief executive of the state of Florida has taken the correct attitude of cooperation with President Trump in the coronavirus crisis.
One of the greatest tragedies of modern times is the loss of respect millions of citizens now have for the office of president of the United States (POTUS). You may not like the man, but all of us should respect the office.
Our Florida governor has shown the attitude we all should have for the POTUS. An attitude that attracted the popular Fox News TV show: Life, Liberty, and Levin wherein Mr. Levin interviewed Gov DeSantis for half of the one hour show on April 12.
WRITE  TO  US! Send a letter to the editor to the Daily News by following this link or the News Herald by following this link .
So, what are the specific “things” our Gov. has done? Consider the following specific examples:
He has correctly directed local authorities, e.g, the county management, to do the local tasks. He has not used his eventual authority thereby becoming bureaucratic and overriding local authority.
He has used and/or recommended local law enforcement to handle problems that they are most capable of solving. One outstanding example involves enforcement of local beach access regulations.
He provided direct assistance on moving malaria type drugs to the proper place for analysis that may allow these drugs to be used to fight the coronavirus.
He has become directly involved in affairs to help the elderly, and very large, population in Florida. He specifically is helping with the Alzheimer’s advisory in Florida.
He has played a leading role in the outstanding achievement that the State of Florida is in second place in the entire country for testing people to detect the coronavirus. Over 100,000 people have been tested, second only to New York.
He has properly and wholeheartedly publicly praised those brave people who are dealing, on a daily basis, with the deadly virus: the medical staffs of hospitals, clinics, and special needs facilities.
He has worked with the US Army Core of Engineers on special construction projects that resulted in emergency facilities to handle virus victims.
This is a governor who has proven his outstanding capability to function as a Chief Executive Officer. The role of a CEO embodies a person who knows how to get and stay expertly organized; how to prioritize, how to define the real source of major problems, how to delegate responsibility properly, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: how to motivate his staff to get their work done correctly and on time according to schedule.
The smart CEO understands the old proven statement: “busy people are happy people.” Our current governor has shown he has the energy and know how to become highly regarded as an excellent governor of a very large, complicated, beautiful, and highly desirable place to live.
This opinion piece was co-authored by Jerry Robertson and Sandra Atkinson.
Crestview News Bulletin ~ 638 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536 ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Cookie Policy ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service ~ Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy
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HomeArticlesNeuroethics in Neurolaw: Exploring notions of duality and the implications for evidence and ethics
Neuroethics in Neurolaw: Exploring notions of duality and the implications for evidence and ethics
International Neuroethics Society Academic Essay Winner, 2017
Each year the International Neuroethics Society (INS) holds a Student/Postdoc Essay Contest. This is the winning 2017 academic essay; the winning science-communication essay is by Natalia Montes.
By Joseph J. Avery, J.D., Princeton University
Imagine that you have been arrested. Detectives come to your cell and demand your fingerprints, your blood. You do not want to give them these things, but there is nothing you can do about it. Then the detectives demand your thoughts, your testimony. You resist, and you are right to do so.
According to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Fifth Amendment jurisprudence, self-incriminating evidence that is not “physical,” such as your thoughts and your testimony, is protected (Schmerber v. California, 1966). The brain, if not the body, is safe—but is not the brain a part of the body?
The basic idea of mind-body dualism is that the mental and the physical, while equally real, are not able to be assimilated. A thread of dualism is evident in U.S. law (Fox and Stein, 2015). Recent advances in neuroscience, however, have influenced thinking on dualism and are precipitating changes in the realms of ethics and law. Specifically, it has been argued that the distinction between body and mind is fallacious (Farah, 2005) and that dualist notions in the law are obsolete (Fox and Stein, 2015). Current neuroscience technology seemingly allows for determinations of whether an individual’s thoughts indicate that her behavior is ethical or unethical, lawful or unlawful, and to what extent. These developments have led some, in turn, to sound ethical alarms concerning potential misuse of the methods.
In this paper, I argue that the dualist landscape has been poorly surveyed and the significance of neuroscientific advances for legal decision making mischaracterized. My claim is that, while brain scans have much epistemic power, they do not collapse all forms of mind-body dualism. Specifically, we do not have the potential for brain scans that yield proof but rather brain scans that yield new forms of evidence. As a result, the gains from neuroscience are less robust than what has been widely proclaimed, and the privacy concerns attendant to neuroscientific technology are less dire than what has been widely declaimed.
Descartes (1641/1996) famously argued that there are two kinds of substances: matter and mind. This conception, which is called “substance dualism,” is distinct from “property dualism.” For property dualists, matter and mind aren’t necessarily distinct substances, but they do possess properties that are not coterminous. As Chalmers (1996) suggested, consciousness has a qualitative aspect that seemingly is above-and-beyond the physical states of the brain. Consider Jackson’s (1982, 1986) Gedankenexperiment: Mary has spent her entire life in a black and white room containing only a black and white TV. But Mary is a scientist, and she knows all the physical information there is to know about what goes on when a person sees a colored object. She knows how colors stimulate the retina and how they are processed by the central nervous system. The question is, when Mary eventually leaves the room and sees colors for the first time, will she learn anything new? Jackson (1982) argued that she will—“It seems just obvious that she will learn something about the world and our visual experience of it” (p. 130)—implying that there are truths beyond physicalism.
Dualism in the U.S. legal system
A thread of dualism can be traced through U.S. law. As mentioned above, it is evident in the law of compulsion, where, according to Schmerber v. California (1966), “exclusively mental and not physical processes” are protected (Fox & Stein, 2015, p. 122). The thread of dualism also can be found in the treatment of criminal behavior, where conviction on most offenses requires both actus reus (literally, “guilty act”) and mens rea (“guilty mind”). Finally, the U.S. Supreme Court has distinguished between body and mind in the realm of tortious harms. In Metro-North v. Buckley (1997), the Court denied a plaintiff compensation for anxiety and despair caused by asbestos exposure and the subsequent knowledge that he faced an increased risk of developing serious illnesses. The Court’s reasoning rested in part on the notion that emotional injuries, while no less real than physical ones, are “far less susceptible to objective medical proof” (Metro-North v. Buckley, 1997, p. 434, quoting Consolidated Rail Corporation v. Gottshall, 1994, p. 552).
Neuroscience and the law
A primary idea motivating the current interest in neurolaw is the coarse but exciting one evident in popular culture (e.g., see Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film, Minority Report, or George Orwell’s 1949 novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four). The idea is that once the fundamental question in cognitive neuroscience is answered, that is, once we know the neural correlates that code higher-level human cognition, we will be able to circumvent much of the evidentiary difficulties that lie at the heart of the legal system. Through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) decoding, we could learn defendants’ and witnesses’ thoughts and use this information for, one, establishing mens rea and, two, preventing future unlawful behavior.
Mens rea is a difficult piece in the prosecutorial puzzle, both in terms of drawing conclusions about mental states given behavioral data, which is often how mens rea determinations proceed, and also in the sense of distinguishing between the different mental states that fall within the mens rea ambit. In the sentencing phase of a 2009 murder trial, fMRI scans were introduced as evidence that the defendant exhibited atypical brain activity (Hughes, 2010), activity that was similar to what had been observed in individuals prone to psychopathy, with the suggestion that psychopathy may be less intentional than supposed (Harenski, Harenski, Shane, & Kiehl, 2010).
The discussion of mens rea often is a discussion of degrees: was the crime committed “knowingly” or “recklessly”? Vilares and colleagues (2017) used fMRI to scan forty participants who faced the imaginary decision of whether to carry a suitcase with unspecified “valuable” content across a country border (p. 3223). The researchers were able to distinguish—at higher than chance but far from perfect rates—participants who (in thought) knowingly transported drugs from those who recklessly transported them.
Lastly, neuroscience is poised to solve the inscrutability of mental harms that was described by the Metro-North Court. It has rendered physical and mental distress more equally susceptible to objective medical proof. Not only have researchers have made progress in identifying the structures of the brain that are responsible for pain perception (Brooks & Tracey, 2005), they have used fMRI to predict pain intensity (Wager, Atlas, Lindquist, Roy, Woo, & Kross, 2013) and to distinguish between painful and non-painful thermal stimulation (Brown, Chatterjee, Younger, & Mackey, 2011). Recently, a team a researchers was able to use fMRI decoding to determine whether someone was experiencing chronic low back pain or not (Ung, Brown, Johnson, Younger, Hush, & Mackey, 2012).1
Ramifications: The obsolescence of dualism and the importance of privacy protections
It is widely thought that soon, given increasingly precise technology, we will be able to move from neural-experiential correlation to neural-experiential causation. The reason we will be able to make this move is that body and mind are comprised of the same stuff—physical matter—and the neuroscientific task is the rather clerical one of linking neural activation to subjective experience. This is one ramification of the advances in neuroscience: proclamation that dualism is an antiquated notion that should be scrubbed from scholarly thought. As Fox and Stein (2015) wrote, “[T]he divorce of mind from body is a fiction that distorts the doctrines of harm, compulsion, and intentionality and that serves no redeeming value sufficient to justify its presence” (p. 107).
Second, and as Justice Broussard of the Supreme Court of California wrote, “If there is a quintessential zone of human privacy it is the mind” (Long Beach City Employees Assn. v. City of Long Beach, 1986, p. 944). Embracing this notion, theorists in both lay (Gorman, 2012) and academic (Boundy, 2012; Tong & Pratte, 2012) settings have posited that brain scanning opens the possibility for grave privacy intrusions. In a Hastings Law Journal article, Boundy (2012) wrote, “Because of the invasiveness of this technology, it is imperative that any use be subject to the most stringent procedural safeguards” (pp. 1643-1644). Such technology has been called a “potential tool for evil” (Gorman, 2012, quoting the developer of a brain scanning device), one that might be exploited by governments and corporations (Sahakian & Gottwald, 2017).
Support for the legal parsing along dualist lines
The idea that all neurolaw has to do is move from correlation to causation is problematic in that it fails to account for an ongoing debate in philosophy of mind. Many of the above scholars frame the discussion as taking place between themselves and substance dualists, whom they characterize as doubting that patterns of neural activation cause experience. As Poldrack (2017) wrote in Nature, “[O]ne of the fundamental problems in lay thinking about neuroscience [is] what I often call folk dualism. This is the idea (crucial in legal applications of neuroimaging) that there is somehow a difference between brain and mind that is relevant to understanding people’s actions” (p. 156).
However, there is a third way besides Poldrack’s and that of substance dualists. As far back as Locke (1688/1959), it has been argued that consciousness—and, by extension, mind reading—requires special forms of knowing and access that are limited to the subject’s internal perspective. As Nagel (1974, 2012) argued, purely physical processes lack the essentially subjective character of conscious experience; and, if conscious experience is veridical, then the physical world includes more than can be described by neural firings, neurochemistry, and other physical processes. These processes characterize a space and time bound world, not how that world appears from a particular perspective, which is essential to conscious experience. According to Nagel (2012), these physical processes, while intimate with consciousness, likely are not alone responsible for phenomenological experience.
The current state of neuroscience suggests that those like Nagel (2012) and Chalmers (2010) are correct: if neuroscience continues along its current trajectory, it likely will never yield proof of intentions or pain, as the subjective mind is simply out-of-reach for non-subjects (see Gilead, 2015). What neuroscience will yield is ever stronger evidence. Take the example of pain and suffering as plead in a tort. The plaintiff may appear to be in pain: she may walk with a limp, grimace when she sits or stands, and break out in a cold sweat. Her neural activations also may suggest that she is in pain: the patterns may be statistically similar to those observed in others who report pain and suffering. Even though, as with Jackson’s (1982) Mary example, there is no reason to think that these sets of things—limp, grimace, sweat; neural activations—yield the subjective, phenomenological experience of the plaintiff’s pain, they can be used as evidence, albeit with varying degrees of accuracy.
Ethical ramifications
If we accept that neurotechnical testimony is less valuable than widely thought (it is mere evidence2) and also potentially less invasive (the mind is not accessed), two questions emerge. First, how much information are we willing to give up about our neural activations—information that, like all information, is subject to theft and misuse—for the sake of additional evidence? I suspect the answer is not much. At the same time, given that what we care deeply about protecting—the mind, subjective experience, phenomenological experience—is not at hazard, how much information concerning electrical and chemical processes in our brains are we willing to give up? I suspect the answer is quite a bit.
The concerns here are not much different than the privacy concerns in, say, a standard Fourth Amendment search and seizure matter or the concerns in a Fifth Amendment testimonial matter. Moreover, at trial, neuroscientific evidence must be vetted as all evidence is vetted, with attention paid to relevancy, reliability, validity, false positives, and the standards promulgated in Daubert (for a contextual example, see Miller, 2010), Frye, and Federal Rules of Evidence 403 and 702, among others.
In this paper, I argued that much current thinking on neuroscience’s impact on criminal justice and the ethical concerns it raises is misguided. This is not to say that neuroscience lacks value, just that current emphases should be shifted. Neuroscience shows great potential for providing valuable statistical evidence. For example, scanning of a defendant’s PFC might indicate a 75% chance that it was 15% more difficult for him to refrain from responding in anger to an insult and striking the victim. This is the type of evidence that jurors and judges are ill equipped to evaluate—indeed, for some time, scholars at nexus of law and psychology have been aware of the difficulty of evaluating probabilistic evidence (e.g., see Thompson, 1989)—but it is evidence that computers can process fairly and consistently. Along these lines, the future of neuroethics and neurolaw will entail rethinking our notions of legal decision making in the light of these new forms of evidence.
1Hoameng Ung et al., Multivariate classification of structural MRI data detects chronic low back pain, 24 Cerebral Cortex 1037 (2014).
2More precisely, neurotechnical testimony is not exceptional from other types of scientific evidence.
Boundy, M. (2012). The government can read your mind: Can the constitution stop it? Hastings Law Journal, 63, 1627–1644.
Brooks, J., & Tracey, I. (2005). From nociception to pain perception: Imaging the spinal and supraspinal pathways. Journal of Anatomy, 207(1), 19-33.
Brown, J. E., Chatterjee, N., Younger, J., & Mackey, S. (2011). Towards a physiology-based measure of pain: Patterns of human brain activity distinguish painful from non-painful thermal stimulation. PLoS ONE, 6(9).
Chalmers, D. (1996). The conscious mind: In search of a fundamental theory. New York: Oxford University Press.
Chalmers, D. (2010). The singularity: A philosophical analysis. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 17, 7-65.
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Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U.S. 579 (1993).
Descartes, R. (1996). Meditations on first philosophy. (J. Cottingham, Trans.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1641)
Farah, M. J. (2005). Neuroethics: The practical and the philosophical. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(1), 34–40.
Fox, D., & Stein, A. (2015). Dualism and doctrine. In D. Patterson & M. Pardo (Eds.), Philosophical Foundations of Law and Neuroscience (pp. 105-136). New York: Oxford University Press.
Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923).
Gilead, A. (2015). Can brain imaging breach our mental privacy? Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 6, 275–291.
Gorman, C. (2012, July 9). The mind-reading machine: Veritas scientific is developing an EEG helmet that may invade the privacy of the mind. IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved from http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/diagnostics/the-mindreading-machine
Harenski, C. L., Harenski, K. A., Shane, M. S., & Kiehl, K. A. (2010). Aberrant neural processing of moral violations in criminal psychopaths. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 119(4), 863-874.
Hughes, V. (2010). Science in court: Head case. Nature, 464(7287), 340-342.
Jackson, F. (1982). Epiphenomenal qualia. The Philosophical Quarterly, 32(127), 127-136.
Jackson, F. (1986). What Mary didn’t know. The Journal of Philosophy, 83(5), 291-295.
Locke, J. (1959). An essay on human understanding. New York: Dover. (Original work published 1688)
Long Beach City Employees Assn. v. City of Long Beach, 41 Cal. 3d 937 (1986).
Miller, G. (2010). Science and the law: fMRI lie detection fails a legal test. Science, 328(5984), 1336-1337.
Metro-North v. Buckley, 521 U.S. 424 (1997).
Nagel, T. (1974). What is it like to be a bat? Philosophical Review, 83, 435–456.
Nagel, T. (2012). Mind and cosmos: Why the materialist neo-Darwinian conception of nature is almost certainly false. New York: Oxford University Press.
Norman, K. A., Polyn, S. M., Detre, G. J., & Haxby, J. V. (2006). Beyond mind-reading: multi-voxel pattern analysis of fMRI data. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 10(9), 424-430.
Poldrack, R. (2017). The risks of reading the brain. Nature, 541(7636), 156.
Sahakian, B. J., & Gottwald, J. (2017). Sex, lies, and brain scans: How fMRI reveals what really goes on in our minds. New York: Oxford University Press.
Schmerber v. California, 384 U.S. 757 (1966).
Thompson, W. C. (1989). Are juries competent to evaluate statistical evidence? Law and Contemporary Problems, 52(4), 9–41
Tong, F., & Pratte, M. S. (2012). Decoding patterns of human brain activity. Annual Review of Psychology, 63(1), 483–509.
Ung, H., Brown, J. E., Johnson, K. A., Younger, J., Hush, J., & Mackey, S. (2012). Multivariate classification of structural MRI data detects chronic low back pain. Cerebral Cortex, 24(4), 1037-1044.
Vilares, I., Wesley, M. J., Ahn, W.-Y., Bonnie, R. J., Hoffman, M., Jones, O. D., … Montague, P. R. (2017). Predicting the knowledge–recklessness distinction in the human brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(12), 3222-3227.
Wager, T. D., Atlas, L. Y., Lindquist, M. A., Roy, M., Woo, C.-W., & Kross, E. (2013). An fMRI-based neurologic signature of physical pain. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(15), 1388-1397.
The views and opinions expressed in these essays are presented independently by the authors, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the International Neuroethics Society.
Awards, Essay Contest, International Neuroethics Society, Neuroethics
Baked-In: How Racism is Coded into Technology
Sociologist Ruha Benjamin described problems of racism embedded in our processes of building and using technologies, and offered some potential solutions during the 2020 meeting of the International Neuroethics Society
Neuroscience Confronts Racism
The Black Lives Matter protests have triggered an intense bout of soul-searching and frantic efforts to erase all vestiges of racism from institutions around the nation, including neuroscience.
The Normally Abnormal
Redefining Justice: Updating Criminal Law to Reflect a New Understanding of the Mind
The winning entry in this year's Neuroethics Essay Contest, high-school category, is by Cherie Fernandes of the United States
Obesity, Cognition, and Society: Ethical Warnings from the Sordid History of Eugenics and Scientific Racism
The winning entry in this year's Neuroethics Essay Contest, academic category, is by Sarah R. Zinn, University of Chicago
Jumping the Gun
Troubling Regulatory Standards
Our neuroethics columnist addresses a concerning new trend of reporting brain research results through the popular media rather than in peer reviewed journals.
The Social Media Conundrum
What can be done to overcome the devious tactics used by tech companies to ensnare teens in compulsively using and returning to social media?
Do Violent Video Games Lead to Violence?
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Artists & Galleries
Remembering Legendary Hamptons Artist Lester Johnson
By Stephanie de Troy Posted on June 20, 2013
Lester Johnson
Having spent summers growing up in my grandparents’ house in Springs, it was not until much later that I realized what it meant to be an artist there in the ’50s and ’60s. The paint-speckled floor of the second-floor studio was where we camped out, with cots and sleeping bags, and, it being the country, spiders. The ceiling had a massive skylight—ideal for an artist, less ideal during August thunderstorms.
The house had undergone a few changes since Lester and Josephine Johnson first bought the property on Old Stone Highway in 1954. The land was sold to them from the next-door neighbor, Mr. Fields, a bayman who had a massive scallop shell pile back in the woods behind the house. Lester and Jo built the house from the ground up, with the help of Jo’s father and uncle, who helped dig to access well water, which was then brought up with a small hand pump. The house was a ranch at first, and the “studio” was a barrack-like shack in the backyard.
Dan Rattiner speaks with NYC/Hamptons gallery owner Lou Meisel – Episode 6
https://podcasts.schnepsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Dan-Lou-Meisel-Final-a.mp3
Lester loved the land because of the locust trees, which he captured in many of his watercolors in the ’90s. In the early years in Springs, to support his family, he would go clamming in Accabonac Bay and then sell his findings out of a bucket at the end of the road. People who bought the clams would send a check in the mail.
In the mornings, Lester would bicycle to Daniel T. Miller General Store (now Springs General Store) to pick up food for the day. From time to time, they’d drive to Southampton to go shopping, and to Sag Harbor to see a movie, or to pick something up from Mrs. Epstein’s Dry Goods store in East Hampton.
He spent time painting with ink and a sketchbook at Barnes Landing, Louse Point and Albert’s Landing, and back at the studio with oil and canvas; creating paintings similar to those he was working on in the city—dark, figurative images in heavy impasto.
In March of 1961, ARTNews ran an article by Lawrence Campbell, with photographs by Robert Frank, titled “Lester Johnson Paints A Picture” (a series that began in 1953 with “de Kooning Paints A Picture”). Describing his process and his tendency to destroy and rework a painting, Campbell wrote, “But coming on to it from a night’s sleep, he will see it not as full and rich, but as smaller, weaker, thinner than the night before. This revelation may come as a great shock. It is a call to arms. Suddenly he will feel free to wreck the image with a vengeance. He will replace it with an entirely new one, reworking every inch of the surface and all at high speed.”
Reflecting (and participating in) a certain Ab-Ex freedom, Lester told Campbell, “It is as though I had fought my way out from behind my own personality, and was able at last to expand and express myself in a completely fresh way. When the painting is finished, I realize I can never repeat it. It came from a moment of absolute freedom. The moment came when I was able to set down a statement in paint which was the sum of the statements that preceded it.”
Taking part in the physicality of “action painting,” as described by critic Harold Rosenberg in 1952, Lester nonetheless set himself apart from his Abstract Expressionist peers by not only including the figure in his work, but making the human figure his vehicle for expression throughout his career.
The East Hampton art scene Lester and Jo took part in consisted of occasional cocktail parties with other artists, visits with neighbors like Rosenberg or Saul Steinberg, a drive once with Robert Frank and Jack Kerouac to Jungle Pete’s down the road, meeting Bill de Kooning and his daughter Lisa at Louse Point, or spending the day with Paul Georges and his wife and kids. On Sundays, the artists would gather at the one of the ocean beaches, usually Georgica or the “Potato Beach.” No parking permit was required and the beaches were empty.
In the mid-’90s, he painted a “Summer Scene” series based on the people he saw sitting at East Hampton Point. Quite different from his all-black paintings from the early ’60s, “Summer Scene #5” (1996) is particularly interesting in that it reveals many of the transitions that were made along the way—the inclusion of wavy-haired women, dramatic angles of arms and legs and intricacy of design within the fabrics, all in the greater pursuit of movement. In typical Johnson fashion, adhering to the “truth” of the canvas, he leaves the feet loosely painted with lots of dripping paint. However, this series, different in its slightly unfinished, watery quality and unusual colors (turquoise, blues, lavenders, and browns) leaves me certain that the water and distinctive light at Three Mile Harbor had its influence.
The South Fork underwent enormous changes during Lester’s lifetime. It’s hard to imagine witnessing the evolution from farmland to “playground for the rich and famous.” Through it all, he continued working on the East End during summers, eventually settling year-round in Southampton Village in 2006, where he spent his remaining years. Lester died on May 30, 2010, at the age of 91. An influence on a generation of younger artists as well as his contemporaries, his legacy as a leading Figurative Expressionist continues, and his work is in the permanent collections of both the Parrish Art Museum and Guild Hall. As a grandfather and as a person, he will be remembered as much for his career as for his sincerity and gentle nature.
Upcoming exhibitions of Lester Johnson’s work include:
Pioneers of Provincetown: The Roots of Figurative Expressionism, Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Provincetown, July 19–September 2, 2013.
Summer Salon, ACME Fine Art, Boston, July 5–August 17, 2013.
Lester Johnson: Dark Paintings, Steven Harvey Fine Arts Projects, New York, November 2013.
To see more of Lester Johnson’s work, visit lesterjohnson.com.
“Summer Scene #5” by Lester Johnson, 1996
Top 5 East End Art Exhibitions: January 15–21, 2020
Dan’s Papers Cover Artist Dick Stone on His Artistic Process
Amy Kirwin Brings Creative Synergy to Guild Hall as New CCO
Top 5 Art Exhibitions on the East End: January 8–13, 2021
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Children’s Librarian Sue Farrell Remembered at JJML May 19
By Scoop Team Posted on May 9, 2017
Sue Farrell inside the new John Jermain Memorial Library
Beloved John Jermain Memorial Library (JJML) children’s librarian Sue Farrell died on Thursday, May 4 after a brief but courageous battle with an aggressive form of lung cancer at home with her husband Jamie Farrell and two children, Catherine Alora Farrell, 16, and James Thomas Farrell, III, 14, by her side. She was 47.
A Flanders resident, Farrell began working at JJML in Sag Harbor in 2005 and quickly became an essential member of the library staff and a much loved member of the community. She loved coming to work each day and made great efforts to enrich the lives of Sag Harbor’s many children and parents alike over the last 12 years. And through those efforts, she gathered a long list of friends, including local students who spent time at the library after school and at weekend events and activities she organized.
Library director Catherine Creedon said she was devastated by the loss and that Farrell would not be easy to replace.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey on February 11, 1970 to parents Cathy (Parcels) Matteson and Paul Matteson, both deceased, Farrell spent most of her childhood in Surf City, NJ and loved spending time with her grandparents, and on Long Beach Island, NJ.
She attended the University of Maryland and was a member of the marching band playing the saxophone, for which she was very proud. Farrell transferred to Georgian Court University in New Jersey to finish her undergraduate work, and after graduating, she began her career as a first grade teacher in the South Jersey area. During this time, Farrell met and married her sweetheart Jamie Farrell, and the couple remained together for 17 years. Farrell and her husband eventually moved to Long Island where she attended Long Island University C.W. Post in Brookville to obtain her masters in library science.
Farrell loved spending time with her children and worked tirelessly to give them a good life with her unwavering love and devotion. The family spent many good times fishing, skiing, reading, and taking pictures together. Farrell had a love of music, science fiction, ghost hunting, animals and Dr. Who, and she passed on most of these passions to her family and the people around her. She also found time to serve as president of SAVES, Inc., a service that captures feral cats and takes care of them in a safe environment until they can be adopted.
Sharing a message on their website, her fellow cat lovers at SAVES, Inc. said of Farrell: “She was the heart and soul of SAVES and will be greatly missed by us and everyone that knew her. She was a very kind, warm, generous and caring person, and always had a smile for all and a warm cuddle for all of her feline friends. Our hearts are broken but we will remember her always.”
There will be a gathering in memory of Sue Farrell at the John Jermain Memorial Library (201 Main Street) in Sag Harbor on Friday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m.
The Farrell family is also planning a memorial at Indian River County Park in Riverhead on Saturday, July 29 at 12 p.m. More details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, cards of condolence can be sent to the family at 26 Fanning Road, Flanders, New York, 11901. There is also a GoFundMe page, or donations in Farrell’s memory can be made to SAVES, Inc.
East End Leaders Urge Better Covid-19 Vaccine Access
Amagansett Fatal Crash Suspect Was Charged With Another Hit-and-run in November
Dan’s Papers Seeking Interns for 2021
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» ORDER
David Wade - The "Gourmet's" Gourmet Chef
Wade began his TV career in Dallas at WFAA in 1949 hosting a 15-minute show about dogs called “Canine Comments” — it became so popular that it was syndicated around the country and it became an award-winning favorite. In 1952, Wade was also appearing on WFAA radio as “The Hymn Singer,” singing religious songs and talking about each song’s history and composer. Along the way, he made the switch to food.
He was doing food demonstrations at personal appearances and on local television by 1957. In the early 1960s he became a nationally-known figure when he commuted to New York from Dallas to tape regular spots for a show called “Flair” in which he appeared with numerous celebrities. They would cook together and share favorite recipes.
Eventually his Dallas-based TV shows were syndicated all over the U.S., and he was so popular locally that he decided to run for mayor in 1971. He lost to Wes Wise, but continued in his role as a cooking instructor and media figure until his retirement.
David Wade, a much-beloved man who lived and worked in Dallas for the bulk of his career — died in Tyler in March of 2001 at the age of 77. He had been a fixture on Texas television and published numerous cookbooks. In between rhapsodizing on good food and wine, he taught untold thousands how to cook fish in the dishwasher and how to roast a turkey in a paper sack.
Today, the David Wade legacy continues with his signature spice the “Original Worcestershire Powder." It can be rubbed or sprinkled on beef, chicken, seafood, vegetables or add this unique blend of spices to enhance the flavor of your favorite cocktail sauce recipe and homemade Bloody Mary’s. The possibilities are endless!
Pictured with Gregory Peck in 1960's
A Little History on Worcestershire Sauce
Worcester is the principal city in Worcestershire County in the West Midlands of England. Bifurcated by the River Severn, it has a population of about 100,000. Inhabited since at least Neolithic times, it eventually became a Roman hub of trade and manufacturing.
Worcester played a key role in the English Revolution, (1642-1651). King Charles I was overthrown and beheaded in 1649. His son, Charles II endeavored to wrest control back from the Parliamentarians and restore the monarchy.
That didn’t go so well. In the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles II’s Cavaliers were defeated, thus marking the denouement of the English revolution. Worcester had remained loyal to the king. To immortalize its fealty it was proclaimed “The Faithful City”, a motto now embodied in its coat of arms.
Worcester is also the home, but not necessarily the origin of Worcestershire sauce. Here we go with another culinary mystery, rife with alternative accounts and “depends on who you ask” explanations. John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins, a pair of successful Worcester chemists, are credited with concocting Worcestershire sauce in 1837, (other sources site 1835 or 1838). It was commercially available to the public by the next year and obviously became a huge success. Some sources allege that it was developed in India.
What About Those Secret Ingredients?
Whatever the history or the recipe, Worcestershire sauce has a distinctive and savory flavor that adds an alluring dimension to many dishes. Worcestershire capitalizes on umami, now recognized as the fifth basic taste along with salty, bitter, sour, and sweet. All of these tastes have specific receptor cells on the tongue.
Umami, somewhat ineffable, has been described as brothy, meaty, and/or savory. Worcestershire is used on all kinds of meats as well as marinades, sauces, stews, Caesar salad, bloody Marys and countless other preparations.
Join our newsletter for recipes and more each month!
© 2015 DAVID WADE GOURMET, LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. BUILT BY BRAND MENTORS
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Will Cowser directs a one-act
Jordan Wood
Jake Feigleson, Reporter
Davis High school has the tradition of having a great theater program. With theater comes the One-Act Play Festival. Senior Will Cowser was one of the One-Act directors this year. Behind the scenes is where the real story to the One-Act is.
“Directing the One-Acts was one of the most stressful things that I’ve ever done. It was scary to work in such a small time crunch, we only had like 10 rehearsals total,” Cowser said.
No doubt, Will had a lot of planning to do before he started directing this play. With such a large performance comes trials.“The biggest trial for me in the One-Acts was that I didn’t choose a one-act play. I picked a full two-and-a-half hour Arthur Miller Play and had to cut it down to be about an hour long while still keeping the story there, and so that was really hard,” Cowser said.
Although the play was very stressful for Will, he also found a lot of joy in what he did. “The most rewarding part in directing the One-Acts was seeing how much my cast got involved in the show. It was a play that I really liked and had thought about for a really long time and so I loved it, but to see my cast and the people that got to see it responded well to it, was really rewarding,” Cowser said.
The One-Act Play festival was a complete and total success. Without the great work of the directors and actors, it is unlikely that they would have gone as well as they did.
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Zoo Annual Stock Take
It’s that time of year again when the staff at Drusillas Park commence the biggest job of the zoo calendar - counting each and every animal for the New Year stock take.
The annual count is one of the biggest jobs in the diary and is undertaken by keepers around the country at this time of year. It is completed as part of compliance with zoo legislation, which requires zoos and aquariums to keep precise records of every animal birth, death, arrival and departure.
A lot has changed over the last twelve months, and Drusillas has welcomed several new additions. Quite a few new faces can now be found around the zoo, including bouncing babies Pumpkin and Spice the twin common marmosets, and ginormous new residents Diego and Oli the giant anteaters. All the new arrivals must be accounted for and checked in in the annual stock take.
Of course, the keepers at Drusillas are fully aware of how many animals they have in their care, especially the larger species such as the penguins, lemurs and camels. However, the annual stock take provides an opportunity to ensure that all their records are up to date and reflect accurately the number of residents at the zoo.
Head Keeper, Mark Kenward, is overseeing the task this year and certainly has his work cut out. With approximately 1000 individual animals made up of over 100 different species the process can take several days. Plus counting some of the smaller creatures also takes a great deal of patience and plenty of double-checking.
Each of the animals must have their own record card, holding details of parentage and other important information and the keepers will be taking particular care to ensure all their details have been recorded correctly.
Once completed, this information is submitted to a central database and used by organisations such as the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to manage conservation. The inventories are also available to local authorities who issue and renew the licences for zoos and aquariums.
Head Keeper, Mark Kenward, commented: “Of course we know what animals we have at the Park but the annual stock take is a chance for us to ensure that all our records are spot on. There’s an awful lot to do and it can be very time consuming but I really enjoy doing it. It makes a nice change to my usual activities at the Park.”
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Trade War Analytics
10/5/2018 | 6:14 AM CDT
Battle Lines Continue as E15 Announcement Expected October 9
President Donald Trump is expected to use a stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, October 9 to announce he will order the EPA to move forward with the process of making sales of E15 fuel available year-round.
Ahead of the announcement, the ethanol lobbying group Growth Energy launched a website to rebrand E15 fuel, calling it “Unleaded 88.” The Growth Energy website says Unleaded 88, its new name for E15, is a fuel approved by EPA for cars model year 2001 and newer, which it says represent about 9 out of 10 cars on the road today. “The website showcases the value Unleaded 88 provides -- whether consumers are looking for a fuel that’s good for their engines, their wallets, or the environment -- in a simple and straightforward way,” said Growth Energy.
The name change was based on a request from convenience store retailers for a “unified brand identity for E15,” the group explains. “Unleaded 88 has made its debut across the country and will be the consistent labeling at more than 80% of today’s E15 stations,” it said.
Trump will also likely include proposed changes to Renewable Identification Number (RIN) market trading. RINs are credits refiners receive for blending ethanol into gasoline, in compliance with the RFS.
During a conference call with reporters, API’s Frank Macchiarola, director of downstream and industry operations, said the deal isn’t fair: “The administration has signaled its push for more E15 could also include potential limits on the RINs market to benefit refiners for a so called ‘win-win’ deal. This was never a deal to begin with and it’s not a win for industry — and it’s certainly not a win for consumers. We do not view this as a fair exchange at all. RIN limits may hamper market liquidity, and in no way compares to the significance of allowing more incompatible fuel into the marketplace.”
Perdue: USDA May Have To Be ‘Selective’ On Farm Programs Not In Baseline
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue indicated the department's hands may be tied in keeping some agricultural programs afloat without baseline funding in the absence of a farm bill.
With the expiration of the 2014 Farm Bill, some 39 orphan programs lack mandatory funding.
Perdue said that USDA may have to make some choices as to which programs it will direct temporary funding toward so that they can keep their doors open. "We’re going to do everything we can for all the programs under the ‘14 farm bill to keep them manageable for what we’re legally allowed to do," Perdue told reporters, after delivering a speech at a conference hosted by the North American Meat Institute.
"We’re going to be as selective as we can in maintaining the status quo of the ‘14 Farm Bill if we’re legally permitted to do so," he continued. "If we’re precluded from spending money on those programs we obviously cannot do that. But we’re going to be as flexible as we can."
Washington Insider: Trade War Analytics
Well, perhaps no one should be surprised—at a time when baseball teams line up fielders on the basis of data regarding batter performance, we are now being told that the Chinese are “going after American farm products to hurt the President’s political base.” A recent New York Times article presents details of how and where that is being done. But, there are some surprises.
The Times article uses data from several sources to map “the counties that voted for Trump in 2016 and those affected by China’s tariffs” to shows tariff impacts.
One surprise is the extent to which such a targeting approach is used. “Over the summer, the Chinese took aim at Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, the Times says. In his home state, Kentucky, 18,000 jobs depend on whiskey. “So China put a 25% tariff on it.” Representative Paul Ryan’s cranberries were added to the target list, “for good measure.” And China went after pork and soybeans, two of the leading farm products in Iowa, home of Charles E. Grassley, a powerful member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“Forty percent of our exports are now under punitive tariffs,” said Jim Monroe, a spokesman for the National Pork Producers Council.
In addition, the Times says, China isn’t the only one playing this game. Mexico also took aim at whiskey. So did the European Union. And Canada. Mexico added pressure on Grassley’s voters with a tariff on pork.
What’s more, while trade relations with Mexico and Canada may be more cordial now that a revamped NAFTA deal has been reached, Mexican and Canadian tariffs are likely to remain in place until the administration lifts its original protectionist measures, the Times says.
With China, the war remains hot. Last month, Trump announced tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports to top off the original list of $50 billion. China has announced retaliation on a total of $110 billion worth of goods from the United States.
The target lists drawn up by the United States’ four largest trading partners show a similar pattern.
The Times article cites an analysis by Joseph Parilla and Max Bouchet of the Brookings Institution. They focused on the impacts of tariffs placed on $121 billion worth of American exports, about 6 percent of the nation’s total, and concluded that about 650,000 people are employed in industries exposed to the new tariffs, including both workers who make or grow the designated products and those who depend indirectly on their export.
Tariffs are, in the first instance, a shot in the foot, NYT says. “They raise the cost of imports, hurting domestic consumers as well as companies that import intermediate goods, from steel to integrated circuits, that go into their finished products.”
So, in designing a retaliation package, a primary objective is to limit self-inflicted harm. “The first priority is that the tariffs should have a minimum impact on prices of basic consumer goods in Mexico and the second is that they don’t disrupt our value chains, including products which have alternative sources of supply,” said Guillermo Malpica Soto, who heads the office dealing with trade and Nafta for Mexico’s Economy Ministry in Washington.
Political messaging comes in third. “We choose states where we can create the right political incentives to get this resolved soon,” Malpica said.
The objective, at least at the beginning, did not require much precision targeting. Other countries could hit mostly Republican-held, pro-Trump enclaves simply by focusing on steel and aluminum and agricultural goods. Even Canada’s retaliation, which Ottawa said was dictated strictly by reciprocity, weighs more heavily on Trump’s supporters.
The Brookings researchers estimated that 13 percent of export-dependent jobs in rural America were affected by the tariffs, in that they depend either directly or indirectly on products hit by tariffs. Big, diverse cities with large service economies are somewhat more insulated. In large metropolitan areas, only 3.5% of export-dependent jobs are exposed.
Tariffs have worked to change behavior in the past, especially concerning currencies, among other things. For example, in the 1980s, tariffs on Italian wine and French cheese helped persuade the European Union to put its Common Agricultural Policy on the negotiating table in the talks that created the World Trade Organization.
Also, retaliation was an effective defense in the past. The Smoot-Hawley tariffs of 1930, imposed by Congress on 800 imported products are often criticized for their negative impacts, but some trade historians argue that the U.S. retaliation then made a difference and eventually led to the 1934 Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act that set off a cascade of tariff reductions.
So, we will see. While ag groups say they understand that they are caught in the crossfire, they claim to be unclear about the eventual objectives of this fight—and how much damage to their markets they may be expected to sustain.
If the Brookings estimate that the cost of the battle includes negatives for double-digit shares of producers across the economy stands scrutiny, that may well attract the serious attention of the Congress, a development producers should watch closely as the fight continues, Washington Insider believes.
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CÆSARISM
CÆSARISM. A sketch of Cæsar’s life and character is a proper introduction to the subject of Cæsarism. Alexander and Cæsar, the two greatest statesmen of the classical period of European history, appeared when the nations to which they respectively belonged had already passed the period of their highest internal development. Alexander did not even dream of the future greatness of Rome. He knew not that the course of empire was taking its way westward. His eyes rested, by way of preference, on the east. He loved Asia and he conquered Asia as a lover, with the consciousness and the affection of a man who feels within himself the power to attract and make happy the half-resisting, half-yielding object of his love. Cæsar was more fortunate than Alexander, in this, that his victorious campaigns were mainly fought to subjugate the west of still barbarous Europe. He thus moved with the course of the world’s history and his memory was borne onward by its current. He had no love for the people be conquered and to whom he brought Roman civilization. In the long struggle of the Gauls for freedom from foreign rule Cæsar, who always showed himself generous toward the Romans, practiced all the terrible harshness of the military usages of Rome. He conquered the west exclusively from motives of Roman policy. Cæsar loved Rome as he did himself. Rome was called by destiny to unite in one humanely ordered empire all the nations which had prepared the way for, or produced, European civilization, and to make this civilization accessible to the still
backward nations of Europe. But no Roman understood this vocation of his country so well as Cæsar, and no one did more to fulfill it than he did. If Rome ever became mistress of the world Cæsar deserved to become the head of Rome. When he recognized this and strove for this mastery, he acted not from motives of morbid ambition, as his enemies and enviers supposed. He desired to be the first, because he was the first. The character and spirit of Rome were personified in him.
—Caius Julius Cæsar, both by his birth and family relations, was connected with the two principal parties which in his time strove for political influence in the capital. By origin he belonged to one of the highest old noble families. He moved, especially in his younger years, in the highest circles of the aristocracy of his time, but on his mother’s side and by his marriage with Cornelia, the daughter of Cinna, he was also related to the great plebeian Marius, and connected with the democratic party. Politically he had joined this party at an early day. In reality Cæsar was neither a democrat nor an aristocrat. He felt himself a monarch to whom all parties should be subordinate.
—But Cæsar was also a thorough stranger to the thought of merely playing the rôle of the friend of the people and to erect a tyranny by the aid of the lower masses. He had a heart for the weal and woe of the people. The weaknesses and failings of the multitude could of course not escape his clear vision. He knew that the multitude needed direction and in certain circumstances a firm hand, but he cheerfully fulfilled the first duty of a monarch—to do good to the people. He clearly saw that the aristocratic party would yield to monarchic power only if forced to, and he well knew that the democratic party would far more readily conquer power for its chief leader, and leave it to him. He held to his party even when the following of its colors brought him the very reverse of promotion; but he looked after the interests of the great masses of the people more carefully and diligently after he had come to full power and needed their approbation no longer, than at the time of his rise. With increasing self-consciousness Cæsar became purer, more humane, greater Power, which ruins so many weaker men, was to him a condition of his own ennoblement. Without it his unsatisfied spirit was unrestrained, passionate, excitable. In power he recognized his lofty destiny and by it his intellect received a harmonious development. There is no greater proof of his inborn greatness than this. In his youth he was deeply involved in the intrigues of parties, and
was far from being unstained by the filth of the scandalous means employed on every side in these struggles. He employed, too, on occasions, the leaders of bands who were ready for the perpetration of any crime. But even in his youth, whenever he took a personal stand, he showed himself as noble as he was brave. He defended with energy the cause of his marriage against the powerful Sulla, who tried to dissolve it. He defended the cause of history against the ruling aristocracy when he restored in splendor the statue of the proscribed Marius, and lauded in public funeral orations the services of the fallen leaders of democracy. He defended the same cause of history against the narrow party rage of his own adherents by showing due honor to Pompey and Sulla, his political opponents. Wherever it seemed possible to attain a political purpose through an understanding with men the most prominent and powerful, he took all pains to take that peaceful course. Through the different alliances which he brought about, he won more than one great bloodless victory. He was especially averse to brute force and preferred the peaceful measures of political effort and demonstration, to military action. He did not love war, though he knew he was the greatest soldier of his time, and was sure in advance of the greatest triumphs. He was first a statesman and then a warrior. The great truth that war is merely the violent form of politics, and must therefore be conditioned, directed and limited by the political mind, has perhaps never been made so clear in history, as by the life and career of Julius Cæsar.
—The magnanimity with which Cæsar spared his enemies is proverbial. Even during the civil war he respected the Roman and the man in his enemies. His humane conduct was the more praiseworthy when compared with the bloody persecutions which all victorious leaders of parties inflicted on their political opponents, both before and after him. Cæsar wished to combine all the forces of the nation and direct them to the common service of the fatherland. He was raised high above the narrowness and shortsightedness of party hatred. In this, too, he was a real emperor, that his guidance of the state did not favor the oppression of one party by another, but the free rivalry of all parties, for the common weal. He erred rather in forgiving his enemies too readily than in punishing them too severely. Conscious of his own magnanimity he was too much inclined to attribute to others better intentions than they had; and because he himself saw clearly how necessary he was to the state, he hastily, but too hastily concluded that the aristocracy saw it likewise.
—Cæsar was not religious after the traditional manner of the Romans. He was initiated into the arts of the priesthood at an early age, and knew how greatly the ancient religion was misused for political purposes. He ridiculed the signs and wonders which the priests held in readiness to check obnoxious measures, and allowed himself to be guided in his acts neither by the warnings nor threats drawn from the flight of birds and the omens of sacrifices. He even gave open expression to his contempt for these things, to the horror of the faithful and the vexation of hypocrites. But his firm belief in a divine destiny in which he confided, speaks for the instinctive religious trait in his character far more than the temples which he built in honor of the gods.
—The cheerful amiability of his nature was especially manifest in his liberality, his social connections, and his relations with women. He was generous to such a degree that he might have been considered a spendthrift had he not been Cæsar. On this account he became involved in his youth in debt to such an extent that he was able to pay it only in his riper years. But when he controlled the power of the state, and with it corresponding wealth, his coffers were never empty, no matter how liberal were his gifts. The youth might have been considered a spend-thrift, because he did not limit his expenses by his income. The man of mature years was evidently an excellent manager, for he achieved great things without disturbing the balance between his income and expenses. Different traits of his are handed down which show his tender relations to women. The respect for his mother, the love he bore his first and his last wife, the fatherly affection he bestowed on his daughter Julia, and even the tender regard shown his second wife after divorce, have been signalized by history. That such a man found much favor with women and enjoyed this favor in a high degree, can astonish no one. But no matter how many love affairs he may have had in later years, he was too much of a statesman to let his loves interfere with the interests of the state. He made good use of marriages to strengthen political alliances, but he drew a very sharp distinction between his private loves and politics. He could not endure that the institution of marriage should in any way be despised or attacked by the people.
—He was like all men of monarchical nature, a lover of order and too great an organizer to undervalue the significance of fixed forms of law. At the same time his genius was so marked and his nature so imperial that often in his life he overstepped the barriers high and low of recognized law, and demanded without hesitation exceptions from the rule wherever it seemed needful to him from high political considerations. He carried the law of his own mode of action in himself; when in conflict with the laws of the land he broke through them in order to fulfill his mission; he was clearly conscious that he was called to found a new order of things.
—He was not a hero of religion, but of science; not a churchman, but a statesman. He, like all distinguished Romans, had to thank Grecian masters for his early scientific training. He was as familiar with Greek as with Latin literature and was even a master of language. He was in his studies a sober but a penetrating investigator, and gave himself up with pleasure to natural sciences and grammar. His
correction of the calendar is one of the examples of the application of science to public uses most worthy of imitation. He had a great reputation as an orator even in those days of most brilliant formal eloquence, although he despised the framing of ornate phrases, and sought effect only through the clearness of his thoughts and the power of his personality. From his “Commentaries on the Gallic War,” we learn to value his smooth and natural style which describes situations and events so clearly, without pretension or idle ornament. He also engaged in written political controversies, being no less skillful in encounters with the pen than in battles with the sword. Pre-eminently in favor of publicity, he was the first to have the proceedings of the senate and the people made public, in writing. The political press may honor him as its intellectual father. He aided and promoted higher culture in every direction.
—His chief study, however, was the state. Single men of antiquity may be named who surpassed him in all other branches of intellectual activity, but as a statesman he holds unquestionably the first rank in the ancient world. “His talent for organization was wonderful; never did a statesman so cement his alliances, never did a commander so weld and hold together an army of disconnected and opposing elements, as Cæsar did his coalitions and his legions. Never did a ruler judge his instruments with so penetrating a glance. No man ever knew better how to put the right man in the right place. He was a monarch, but never played at being king. Perfectly pliant and flexible, agreeable and graceful in conversation, obliging to every man, he appeared to desire nothing but to be the first among his equals. No matter how much cause troubled relations with the senate gave him, he never had recourse to brutality like that of the 18th Brumaire. Cæsar was a monarch, but he was never affected by the giddiness of tyranny. He accomplished the possible, and never neglected the good for the sake of the impossible better. He never disdained to mitigate incurable evils by, at least, palliative measures. But wherever he recognized that fate had spoken he always submitted. Alexander on the Hyphasis, Napoleon at Moscow, turned back because they could not help it, and were angry at fate because it grants only limited success to its favorites; Cæsar turned back willingly from the Thames and the Rhine, and kept in mind on the Danube and the Euphrates that it was not for him to entertain any exaggerated plan of world-conquest.
—Like every true statesman he served the people not for the sake of reward, not even for the reward of their love, but sacrificed the favor of his contemporaries for the blessing of the future, and above all for the glory of saving and rejuvenating his nation.” (Mommsen.)
—He restored long-absent peace to the state, and re-established law and order in it; he limited the power of the senate, and the influence of the comitia: but at the same time he saw to it that under his own personal direction and control only proper men should be elected to public offices and should make a moderate use of their official power. He did not allow the provinces to be fleeced by their governors. He restored order to the finances; restrained the army within the bounds of duty, and purified the administration of justice of many abuses. He promoted the cause of civilization in every way on the basis of Greco-Roman science and culture. He sought to infuse new life into the old Roman aristocracy by taking into their body new persons of distinction to elevate the condition of the oppressed classes of the people by colonization on a large scale, by modifying the laws relating to debt and the opening up of new industries; to give support to the poor by the systematic distribution of corn among them. He extended the right of citizenship farther over the nearest provinces and thus broadened the real foundation of the Roman commonwealth. Through numerous colonies in the remote provinces he opened a new field to the progress of Roman civilization, and thus promoted the civilization of these provinces themselves. His great edifices employed the laboring power of the nation and increased the common weal, for in them the useful and the beautiful were combined. He was hindered in the execution of many great plans by the passions, as foolish as they were wicked, of the so-called patriots, who, by the murder of the greatest of Roman statesmen, inflicted the deepest wound on their fatherland which they thought to save in this manner.
—Cæsar cherished the design of giving to the world a comprehensive code of law. If ever there was a Roman fitted to leave the world
Roman-human laws, that Roman was Cæsar. But fate decided against him here, and 500 years later gave a far inferior ruler the glory of framing, from the memories of a greater past, a code which the most liberal Roman with creative mind had wished in vain to produce.
—Cæsar, dying, bequeathed to the world the idea of empire. History was juster than Rome, inasmuch as it connected his name indissolubly with the grandest institution which antiquity introduced into the world, but the full perfection of which only the future was destined to see. The Romans themselves preferred the name of Augustus for their emperors.
—The name of Cæsar designates also the degenerate variety of the empire known as Cæsarism which in our time has been renewed by the Napoleons, and which would therefore be more correctly termed Napoleonism. It has, it is true, certain characteristic traits which recall Cæsar, but still more his successors, the old Roman emperors, and which recall especially the connection with democratic institutions of a political one-man power inclined to dictatorship, an absolute autocracy on the basis of the fourth estate, upon which the ruler leans and whose interests he cares for. Cæsarism wishes well to the multitude which does homage to it, and is tyrannical toward all opposition which stands in its way. It has a political ideal which it wishes to realize, but in this ideal freedom has
no dignity and no power. Everything is directed from above, as if by a god, with the approval of an accommodating senate and subservient representatives of the masses. The financial, the military, the intellectual powers of the nation are all subservient to the state and to Cæsar who is the highest expression of the state and represents its unity, its power and its dignity. The administration introduced by Cæsarism is distinguished by a well-considered system of offices which are easily controlled from a centre by skillful machinery, and therefore such an administration has rather a mechanical than an organic character. Its character is such that it does not allow of any self-determination of its members. It prevents the danger of party rule, but it suppresses all parties. It acknowledges the duty of caring for the nation and advancing its interests; it is a powerful stimulant to enterprises which promote the common good, but still it hinders the free development of the best powers of the nation, for this is possible only in the atmosphere of a more general freedom. It seizes power quickly and wields it unsparingly. At home it wields too much power; abroad it is bold and enterprising. In order to find recognition and safety, it needs dazzling results at home and glorious victories abroad. Disaster and defeat endanger its existence.
—A cultured-nation endures Cæsarism only when morally debased and it apprehends the loss of its property and its pleasures. People who love freedom combat it as the enemy of their liberties. It can be approved only when the Cæsar far surpasses the nation which he rules, in mind and character. “An undeceivable, infallible and indefatigable head, and an incapable or unworthy nation,” such are, according to Ollivier’s happy expression, “the fundamental conditions of a Cæsarian democracy.” Such a head is not to be found. The powers of a Cæsar even are limited from the first. Even for a gifted Cæsar it is not possible to acquire the wisdom of age in youth, nor to preserve youthful freshness in advanced years. Cæsarism is not reconcilable with hereditary monarchy, and an elective monarchy is no safeguard against the Cæsar madness which seizes those who wickedly pretend to be the possessors of preterhuman power.
J. C. BLUNTSCHLI.
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Joshua Dunn
Montana resident Kendra Espinoza poses in front of the Supreme Court with her daughters Naomi (right) and Sarah (left) in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2020.
The full reach of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue has yet to be seen, but it has the potential to reshape the school-choice landscape. That 2020 ruling, which prohibited Montana from excluding students at religious schools from a tax-credit scholarship program, is already sweeping away some of the discriminatory underbrush in the school-funding thicket.
One example comes from Vermont, where a legal battle over state funding for dual enrollment courses recently played out. A program there allows Vermont high school juniors and seniors to take two college courses paid for by the state. Until recently, though, students at religious schools were excluded because of a provision in the Vermont constitution forbidding state aid to such schools.
In 2019, the Alliance Defending Freedom filed a federal suit against the state on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Burlington and its students and parents. The trial court ruled against them. Then in June 2020, the Alliance filed an emergency motion to the Second Circuit requesting an injunction against the state.
On August 5, a Second Circuit panel granted the request, citing the Espinoza decision of June 30. “In light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue,” the panel concluded, “[a]ppellants have a strong likelihood of success on the merits of their claims.”
It is likely that Espinoza will figure prominently in many other cases in the months and years to come. The extent of its influence will depend on what happens when the decision fully confronts the court’s jurisprudence on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court who decided Espinoza included Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September. Her replacement will shape the court’s future rulings on the constitutional limits or requirements with respect to government funding for religious schools.
Landmark Case
Espinoza arose in 2015 when the Montana legislature created a tax-credit scholarship program allowing individuals and businesses to contribute up to $150 to qualified scholarship organizations. Big Sky Scholarships, the only such organization that formed, provided assistance to low-income students to attend private schools, both religious and secular. However, Montana’s Department of Revenue ruled that students could not use the scholarships to attend religious schools because of the state constitution’s Blaine Amendment, which says that “the legislature, counties, cities, towns, school districts, and public corporations shall not make any direct or indirect appropriation or payment from any public fund or monies . . . to aid any . . . [institution] controlled in whole or in part by any church, sect, or denomination.” Like Montana and Vermont, 36 other states have such statutory provisions, most of which were added to the states’ constitutions in an outburst of anti-Catholic bigotry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In response to the Montana revenue department’s 2015 decision, three mothers whose children had used the scholarships to attend a Christian school sued. They won at trial but lost before the state supreme court, which struck down the whole tax-credit scholarship program.
The decisions of both the Montana revenue department and the state supreme court were surprising, for three reasons. Twenty-two other states had similar scholarship programs (they have proven to be politically popular) and not a single one had been struck down in the courts, even in states with Blaine Amendments. As well, the U.S. Supreme Court had considered a similar program in 2011’s Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn. In that case, the court held that when people give to scholarship organizations they give “their own money,” not money collected “from other taxpayers.” The fact that the government does not tax the donations does not make that money public money, the court said. Thus, taxpayers lacked standing to challenge the program as a violation of the Establishment Clause, because there were no taxes at issue. Most state supreme courts hesitate to interpret their own constitutions in ways completely at odds with the U.S. Supreme Court, making Montana’s decision unusual.
Finally, and most important, the Supreme Court sent a very strong signal in 2017 to states and their courts to stop discriminating against religious individuals and institutions solely because of their religious status. In Trinity Lutheran v. Comer, the court ruled 7–2 that Missouri’s decision to deny a church a state grant to resurface its playground based on the state Blaine Amendment violated the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. The court had long held that “laws that . . . impose disabilities on the basis of religion” are unconstitutional, making Blaine Amendments themselves potentially unconstitutional. The court’s decision in Espinoza was in line with precedent.
While the court did not officially declare Blaine Amendments unconstitutional in Espinoza, it certainly deflated them. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for a five-member majority, ruled that Montana’s “no-aid provision” unconstitutionally penalizes parents who send their children to religious schools because it cuts them “off from otherwise available benefits,” that is, public benefits enjoyed by other citizens.
After this decision, the only potential leverage left in Blaine Amendments lies in a distinction the Supreme Court had made in Trinity Lutheran between religious “status” and religious “use.” In Trinity and Espinoza, the states had discriminated solely on the basis of the religious status of the institutions. The court left the door open a crack to possible state-funding restrictions if those constraints were based on religious use. That is, the courts might distinguish between funding for a playground and funding for religious education.
However, it seems the majority has little appetite for such limitations. In Justice Neil Gorsuch’s concurrence in Espinoza, he asserted that the status-versus-use distinction does not work under the Free Exercise Clause. He noted that the clause guarantees exercise of religion, not just the right to believe or hold a religious “status.” Believers must be able to act on their beliefs. Justice Clarence Thomas also wrote a concurrence that cast doubt on the legitimacy of applying the Establishment Clause against the states; acceptance of that line of reasoning would lead to an even more robust Free Exercise Clause. Justice Samuel Alito’s concurrence recounted the sordid bigotry surrounding the passage of Blaine Amendments.
The dissents, however, particularly Justice Stephen Breyer’s, suggest that much of the litigation coming in Espinoza’s wake will hinge on how far the court is willing to go in protecting so-called religious use. Breyer, who joined the majority in Trinity Lutheran, said Espinoza was different because Montana’s scholarship program clearly subsidized religious instruction, as opposed to the funding of playground resurfacing, which he views as categorically different. Breyer argued that the long-term consequences will depend on the construed meaning of “otherwise available benefits.” Those consequences, he wrote, will be substantial. Roberts said in the majority opinion that “a State need not subsidize private education.” Breyer found this less than reassuring. In fact, he argued that the Espinoza ruling requires states to subsidize private religious education. “If making scholarships available to only secular nonpublic schools exerts ‘coercive’ pressure on parents whose faith impels them to enroll their children in religious schools,” he asked, “then how is a State’s decision to fund only secular public schools any less coercive? Under the majority’s reasoning, the parents in both cases are put to a choice between their beliefs and a taxpayer-sponsored education.”
Or, Breyer continued, “What about charter schools? States vary widely in how they permit charter schools to be structured, funded, and controlled. How would the majority’s rule distinguish between those States in which support for charter schools is akin to public school funding and those in which it triggers a constitutional obligation to fund private religious schools?”
The playground at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbia, Missouri. The Supreme Court ruled 7–2 in 2017 that churches have the same rights as any other charitable organizations to seek state money for new playground surfaces and other nonreligious needs.
New Legal Challenges
The Espinoza decision has set the stage for further legal claims against discriminatory school funding. There are at least four kinds of organizations or individuals that might pursue such challenges. In order of their likelihood of jumping into the fight, they are:
1. Faith-based schools that have been denied the right to participate in choice programs because of their religious affiliations.
2. Religious organizations that want to run a charter school but on a nonsectarian basis.
3. Religious organizations that want to run explicitly religious charter schools.
4. Individuals who argue that government funding of public schools is an “otherwise available benefit” that should also support vouchers to attend a religious school.
The first example involves straightforward applications of Espinoza, including two current cases, neither of which comes from a state with a Blaine Amendment. One case comes from Maine (Blaine’s home state, which ironically never adopted the amendment bearing his name) and is being litigated by the Institute for Justice, the libertarian public-interest firm behind Espinoza. In 1873, the state legislature established a program to subsidize tuition for students to attend private secondary schools when their town did not have a public option. Today, out of the state’s 260 school administrative units (akin to districts), 143 do not operate a secondary school. The state has in fact paid tuition for students to attend private schools for more than 200 years, but the 1873 act created a formal “tuitioning system.” For most of the time since then, the benefit included tuition at religious schools, but in 1982, the state legislature passed a law excluding them. Since then, opponents have mounted two unsuccessful challenges to the law. The third attempt, a case known as Carson v. Hasson, is currently in federal court. The Institute for Justice had launched this case following Trinity Lutheran, figuring that the Supreme Court’s reasoning made it clear the state’s policy and the prior decisions of Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court violated the Free Exercise Clause. In 2019, U.S. District Court Judge David Brock Hornby ruled against the Institute for Justice, saying Trinity Lutheran only applied to playground resurfacing, not “religious uses of funding or other forms of discrimination.”
The Institute for Justice is currently appealing to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The organization says Espinoza has greatly strengthened its hand. Immediately after the court’s ruling, the Institute for Justice issued a press release saying that “the decision in Espinoza means that Maine’s exclusion of sectarian schools must be struck down.”
Making the appeal more interesting is that Maine has explicitly relied on the court’s distinction between religious status and religious use. During discovery, the Institute for Justice learned that Maine had in fact been subsidizing students who had attended a religious school, but the state argued it was religious in name only. Erica Smith, one of the Institute for Justice’s lead attorneys in Espinoza, told me in an interview that Maine is essentially saying, “We’re not arguing against religious status. We let kids go to this one school. We’re just discriminating against religious use because we’re just not letting kids go to school where religion is being taught in a proselytizing way.”
Smith said she sees that argument as the final “battlefront” for states under their Blaine Amendments. Some states will try to argue they “can stop scholarships from going to kids at very, very religious schools.” Smith thinks that’s a losing argument that will fail either before the First Circuit or, ultimately, the Supreme Court. One way or another, the court’s tenuous distinction between religious status and use will fall: “We see the Blaine Amendments like they’re down and they’re about to die at any moment,” she said.
Another case, Bethel Ministries v. Salmon, comes out of Maryland. In 2016, the state created the Broadening Options and Opportunities Program, or BOOST, which provides vouchers for low-income students to attend eligible private schools. More than 3,000 children receive vouchers averaging about $2,000 each year. To be eligible, a school “cannot discriminate in student admissions, retention, or expulsion on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.” However, the same statute says “nothing herein shall require any school or institution to adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with its religious or moral teachings.”
For two years Bethel Christian Academy in Anne Arundel, Maryland, participated in the program. Eighty-five percent of the school’s students are of a racial or ethnic minority, and 25 percent come from low-income families. Seventeen students received BOOST scholarships in 2016–17 and 18 did in 2017–18. Prompted by a complaint from the Maryland Parent Teacher Association in 2017, the BOOST advisory board began reviewing the handbooks of participating schools. Bethel’s handbook says the school “supports the biblical view of marriage defined as a covenant between one man and one woman, and that God immutably bestows gender upon each person at birth as male or female to reflect His image. Therefore, faculty, staff, and student conduct is expected to align with this view.” The school told the state it “does not ask about, or consider” sexual orientation or gender identity “in its student admission decisions” nor “ask about, or consider” sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in those decisions. It also affirmed that it “has not, and will not, discriminate against any student based on sexual orientation, either in admissions or beyond” and that its “conduct policies apply equally to every student and only when at school.”
The state was not satisfied. In August 2018, just weeks before the start of school, the BOOST advisory board notified parents they could not use BOOST scholarships at Bethel. The board also informed the school it would have to refund the more than $100,000 in scholarship money it had already received.
Represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the school sued in federal court, contending that it had complied with the nondiscrimination requirement and that the state and BOOST advisory board were punishing the school in violation of the provision banning any requirement that schools change their religious teaching. So far, the school has lost, but John Bursch, an attorney for the Alliance, told me he is confident the case will ultimately be resolved in the school’s favor. Maryland’s decision, he said, was made “only because Maryland officials disliked the religious views” of the school, so “if you simply apply the language of Espinoza to what the Maryland officials did, it should be a fairly easy case.” In fact, he said he thinks that, after Espinoza, requiring schools to ignore their own rules about sexuality will be considered unconstitutional.
The other three situations, so far, are hypothetical, but they are likely to become real soon enough. Consider the scenario of a church or religious nonprofit requesting to run a charter school but promising to do so in a nonsectarian fashion. The organization might say that the educational options for students in its community are substandard and that it proposes to offer an alternative, but one that would not require courses in religion or chapel services nor oblige teachers or students to subscribe to a statement of faith. Assuming the organization’s charter application succeeded on its merits, its denial by a state or school district would seem to violate Espinoza. John Bursch contends that if a state “passed a rule that said that no religious organizations are allowed to participate by becoming charter schools, that would absolutely be prohibited under Espinoza.” Roberts’ opinion said that once a state decides to subsidize private education, “it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious.” The same reasoning would seem to apply to this hypothetical case. States do not have to allow charter schools, but once they do, and they allow nonprofits to run them, they cannot exclude religious nonprofits.
But this apparently straightforward outcome also depends on the court’s inscrutable Establishment Clause jurisprudence, which one federal judge called a “vast, perplexing desert.” For decades the court applied, if only intermittently, the three-pronged Lemon Test, which arose from a 1971 Supreme Court case, Lemon v. Kurtzman. The test holds that laws and government programs must have a secular legislative purpose, must neither primarily advance nor inhibit religion, and must not cause “excessive entanglement” between government and religion. Under this test, one could argue that having a religious entity run a publicly funded charter school would create an excessive entanglement. However, the test has long confounded litigators because it is not grounded in the text of the Constitution and it lacks coherence—for example, to ensure that public funding given to religious schools was not “advancing religion,” the government would have to closely monitor the schools’ activities, which would of necessity cause excessive entanglement.
The court all but officially eliminated the test in the 2019 case American Legion v. American Humanist Association, but one cannot make confident predictions based on that decision. The court did not officially declare the end of the Lemon Test, and the doctrine has more than once been summoned from the grave after appearing dead. The American Legion case did not involve schools but a religious monument on public land. It is conceivable that five of the justices might want to retain some kind of entanglement test in matters specifically related to schools. In the absence of a reliable standard, we are left to guess at how this scenario would strike the justices. But the Espinoza decision could work in favor of the religiously run charter school. That ruling establishes a clear standard, while relying on Establishment Clause jurisprudence involves ad hoc decisionmaking. Generally, one would expect the clarity of a legal standard to win out over personal analysis.
The court has occasionally invoked two other rules when interpreting how the Establishment Clause applies in a case. The first is the Endorsement Test, which stipulates that a government action can neither endorse nor disapprove of a religion, as judged by a “reasonable, informed observer.” Since both secular and faith-based nonprofits would be allowed to run schools, reasonable observers could not infer that government was favoring religion over nonreligion or one faith over another. The second doctrine is the Coercion Test, under which judges weigh whether a policy forces people to directly support or participate in religion against their will. Since parents choose to enroll their children in charter schools, it is hard to infer any element of coercion.
On balance, then, one would expect charter schools run by faith-based organizations that forgo the teaching of religion to pass judicial scrutiny. That outcome, though, is less likely in the third scenario, in which a sectarian institution wants to run an explicitly religious charter school. It’s not that the logic of Espinoza does not apply here, because it does. One could argue that refusing to authorize this kind of school denies an otherwise available benefit based on religion, just as in the previous scenario. This situation, however, also leaves more guesswork as to how it would strike the majority of justices. Both Erica Smith and John Bursch say there is no way at least five justices would approve of such schools. Smith says “it wouldn’t even matter what the nuances of the Establishment clause doctrine are,” and Bursch says that if a charter school were explicitly inculcating a particular faith, “that would probably cross a line that virtually any of the justices would find impermissible.” Essentially, despite the court’s gutting of the Lemon Test, a majority of justices likely still think that the direct funding of an overtly religious school violates some principle of entanglement. When even the strongest defenders of educational choice cannot find a way to count five votes in favor of such schools, it seems unlikely they will become a reality anytime soon. However, if Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed by the Senate, she may well prove more sympathetic to these kinds of claims, and the judicial politics and the math would become easier. Chief Justice Roberts clearly wants to avoid 5–4 votes on controversial issues, but Barrett creates a potential sixth vote, perhaps making Roberts more likely to extend the logic of Espinoza to these kinds of cases.
Even more unlikely would be claims that the meaning of “otherwise available benefit” should compel states to provide vouchers for students to attend religious schools. Again, one could certainly string together an argument for such a claim: just read Justice Breyer’s dissent in Espinoza. Or consider the history of Blaine Amendments. When the common school movement was making education broadly available—providing a general benefit—it was done in a way that effectively punished those outside the then dominant Protestant establishment. Catholics, Jews, and anyone else objecting to the moral framework of public schools had to either send their children to those schools or create their own, shouldering the cost while also paying taxes to support public schools. The same argument could be made today. No one seriously believes public education is morally neutral. In fact, opponents of school choice often rest their claims on the necessity of instilling in students a uniform worldview. As well, on Twitter, teachers have lamented that with the new reality of remote teaching, parents might now discover what schools are teaching their children. One teacher even said, “Parents are dangerous.”
As Alito wrote in his Espinoza concurrence, “Many parents of many different faiths still believe their local schools inculcate a worldview that is antithetical to what they teach at home.” One could argue that those who choose a religious school instead are being deprived of the “otherwise available benefit” of support for their children’s education.
Despite the parallels to 19th century discrimination, this reasoning would probably not gain much purchase with the court. By compelling states to give funding to charter schools, courts would only be extending the application of an existing program to religious entities. In the case of vouchers, however, even if the court’s conservatives wanted to mandate public support for this form of school choice, they would probably have serious concerns about separation of powers and judicial policymaking. Judicial conservatives have long argued that courts are unsuitable instruments for crafting public policy, both because that role is constitutionally committed to legislatures and executives and because judges lack the capacity to make informed policy choices, particularly when reshaping large public institutions like schools.
Delivering on the Promise
While we will have to wait to know the full effects of Espinoza, we already know it will provide a powerful lever in both the legal and the political efforts to expand school choice. Blaine Amendments have hindered states from providing more options for students and from thinking of new ways to improve educational alternatives. Now, as Daniel Suhr explained, Espinoza allows school choice advocates to “go on offense.” The decision, he said, is bringing “new energy to legislative and policymaking efforts. In a lot of states that don’t have choice, the obstacle has been Blaine.” Legislatures no longer have it as “an excuse,” he said.
Florida, for example, has had to limit its popular Tax Credit Scholarship Program because of concerns over the state’s Blaine Amendment. John Bursch said that now the legislature can “come in and they can actually make that a government-funded program and allow that to go forward on a widespread basis, and not rely on the generosity of benefactors who will help pay for low-income kids.” This points to the sad history of Blaine Amendments. They were designed to punish religious minorities, but more recently, they have effectively punished low-income parents—who are disproportionately members of racial minorities—seeking better opportunity for their children. Liberated from the threat of losing in litigation, more state policymakers may proceed to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity.
Joshua Dunn is professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Government and the Individual at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Bucks the “Staffing Surge” Trend
The Purposes of Higher Education
The Education Exchange: Espinoza Supreme Court Lawyer Richard Komer on How the Decision Will Open New Possibilities for School Choice
"School choice cases bring out the worst in some states' supreme court justices."
EdNext Podcast: Has the Supreme Court Paved the Way for Religious Charter Schools?
How Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue will reshape education law
The Education Exchange: A Landmark Supreme Court Decision on Scholarships for Religious Schools
State constitutions cannot forbid legislatures from aiding religious schools.
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Du customers not been affected by cable problem
Published Saturday, April 17, 2010
A telecommunications cable linking Europe and Egypt, which suffered an “unexpected breakdown” resulting in diminished internet traffic in the UAE, should be repaired by next Tuesday, du said on Friday.
The damaged submarine Internet cable in the Mediterranean Sea which currently is causing a slowdown in UAE web traffic will be fixed by April 20, telecom provider du said yesterday.
The Dubai-based telecom operator, whose customers have been unaffected by the cable problem, said in a statement that the repair ship responsible for restoring operation was expected to reach the site of the cable cut on Saturday.
"The estimated time to restore the cut is approximately three days, therefore the segment of the cable affected by the cut is expected to be back in service by April 20, subject to weather, sea and cable conditions," du added.
According to a statement by du, its customers have not been affected by the disruption as web traffic has been automatically shifted to alternative international routes.
The cable repair ship is expected to arrive today at the site of the damage between Alexandria and Sicily.
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Oral HPV infections more common in men: Study
Published Friday, January 27, 2012
Mouth and throat infections of human papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted disease which can lead to cancer, are more common among men than women, said a US study on Thursday.
Almost seven percent of the US population age 14-69 has oral HPV, said the research in the Journal of the American Medical Association, with a prevalence rate of 10.1 percent among men and 3.6 percent among women.
The findings shed more light on a growing epidemic of HPV-linked head and neck cancers which are expected to eclipse cervical cancer cases by 2020, and could warrant clinical trials of an HPV vaccine against oral lesions, the study authors said.
Currently the HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys as early as age nine and 10 to prevent cervical and anal cancers and genital warts.
The study included 5,579 people who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010, and who agreed to a 30-second oral rinse test at a mobile examination center.
Oral HPV was found to be more prevalent among people who had more lifetime or recent sex partners, and was also more frequent in current smokers, heavy alcohol drinkers and among former and current marijuana users.
Peak rates of oral HPV among men were seen at age 60-64, with 11.4 percent of cases in that age range. The next highest oral HPV prevalence was seen in men age 30-34.
According to lead author Maura Gillison of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, the data suggests that sex -- not casual contact or kissing -- is likely the cause of the oral HPV infections that researchers saw.
"Taken together, these data indicate that transmission by casual, nonsexual contact is likely to be unusual," she wrote, urging more study in this area to establish what researchers call the "natural history" of a disease.
"Although oral HPV infection is the cause of a cancer that is increasing in incidence in the United States, little is known regarding the epidemiology of infection," Gillison wrote.
"Natural history studies of oral HPV infection are therefore necessary to understand the effects of age, sex, and modifiable risk factors (e.g., smoking and sexual behavior) on the incidence and duration of oral HPV infection."
Oral cancers have "significantly increased over the last three decades in several countries and HPV has been directly implicated as the underlying cause," according to background information in the article.
Gillison, who has been studying HPV and cancer for 15 years, told a US science conference last year that when comparing people who have oral HPV to those who do not, "the single greatest factor is the number of partners on whom the person has performed oral sex."
People with oral HPV infections are 50 times more likely to get oral cancer than people who do not have HPV.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPV is so common that 50 percent of people who have sex will get it at some point in their lives.
While as many as 100 strains of HPV exist, most are cleared by the body on its own, though a handful can linger and lead to cancer.
About one percent of the population is believed to carry HPV 16, which is linked to 85 percent of HPV-related head and neck cancers.
Researchers have found a 225-percent increase in oral cancer cases in the United States from 1974 to 2007, mainly among white men.
HPV is linked to almost 13,000 cases of cervical cancer yearly in US women, 4,300 of which are fatal. Researchers expect the number of oral cancer cases will surpass the number of cervical cancer cases in the next eight years.
The JAMA study was funded in part by the pharmaceutical giant Merck, which makes a vaccine against HPV.
Merck's Gardasil was approved for girls and women from age nine to 26 in June 2006 and for males in the same age range in October 2009.
Even though studies have shown that vaccines can be effective in preventing HPV genital infections, it may be decades before any potential benefit is seen in reducing the rates of HPV-related cancers, said an accompanying editorial by Hans Schlecht of Drexel University College of Medicine.
"Clinicians should encourage their patients who engage in oral sex to use barrier protection," he wrote.
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Di Matteo banks on Cup run to bolster Chelsea
Published Monday, January 09, 2012
Roberto di Matteo believes a good FA Cup run can help lift Chelsea’s season.
The Blues advanced to a fourth round meeting with either QPR or MK Dons on the back of a 4-0 win over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge here on Sunday.
This result meant Andre Villas-Boas’s side had started the new year with back to back victories after ending 2011 on a poor run the manager admits may have wrecked their hopes in the Premier League title race.
The win over Portsmouth - Chelsea’s beaten opponents in the 2010 FA Cup final at Wembley - got the Blues back on track at Stamford Bridge following the 3-1 defeat in their last home outing against Aston Villa.
Juan Mata broke the deadlock with Pompey early in the second half but it was not until a a flurry of goals in the final five minutes - two from Ramires and one from fellow midfielder Frank Lampard - that Chelsea’s victory was assured.
Now Villas-Boas’s assistant di Matteo, twice an FA Cup winner as a player with Chelsea in 1997 and 2000, said: “The FA Cup is a trophy we want to win and a run in the Cup can the lift the whole environment.
The former Italy midfielder praised the performance of Ramires, particularly the Brazilian’s finish for his second goal.
“I have to say I was very pleased with that one, the way he did it. He is a fantastic player for us, very dynamic, he brings us plenty of energy.”
Meanwhile di Matteo insisted he was unaware of any approach from London rivals Arsenal for Salomon Kalou.
The forward is reported to be a target for the Gunners but is currently on African Nations Cup duty with the Ivory Coast, as is Chelsea’s Didier Drogba.
“I know that he (Kalou) is in a pre-tournament camp in Abu Dhabi with his national team,” said di Matteo. “That’s what I know.”
Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton said the scoreline had been harsh on the second tier club, FA Cup winners as recently as 2008.
“We got back into the game after conceding the first goal and you sensed there was some nervousness towards the end before they got the second goal.
“But that’s why Chelsea are where they are and we are a Championship club because the longer the name goes on and fatigue comes in and a loss of concentration comes in at times and they have players who can be clinical.”
Portsmouth are once again seeking new owners after the latest round of off-field problems to beset the south coast club and Appleton hoped the matter could be resolved quickly.
“We’ve been told there are two or three interested parties and they are pushing each other really hard,” he said.
“From my point of view we are in the first week in January and I think it’s important if we can to get a bit of stability.”
“I see it as the perfect opportunity for new owners to come in January and then really stamp their authority on the club.”
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Forced Marriages and ‘Honour Crimes’ Spike
The number of girls sold into forced marriages and the rate of so-called “honour crimes” spikes during the Christmas season, a UK based charity has claimed.
Karma Nirvana, a national charity that trains the police, NHS, and social services on the issue of honour-based abuse and forced marriage, said that the horrific crimes against girls and women spike during the holiday season in the UK.
The charity said that “honour crimes” including forced marriages, female genital mutilation and “honour killings” rose by 57 per cent during December of last year and January of this year, according to The Independent.
Natasha Rattu, the director of Karma Nirvana, said that despite the spike in honour crimes, the charity receives 22 per cent fewer calls from the public and officials during December because authorities believe it to be a low-risk period.
In 2017 Breitbart London reported that “honour crimes” rose by over 40 per cent in London over the prior five years, with the rate of forced marriages doubling during the same time period.
The report found that girls under the age of ten were amongst the victims and that women and girls from an “Asian” background comprised the majority of the victims.
Wait until the feminazis hear about this. They will be marching on the streets, I am sure!
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St. Louis Schools Receive Grant to Computerize Student Health Records
abstracted from
Filled with transient students with poor access to health care, St. Louis Public Schools will have a computer network in place this fall through which school nurses can share information about students’ health.
Made possible by a $500,000 grant from the St. Louis-based Deaconess Foundation, the network will enable the school system to keep track of the estimated 60 percent of students who switch schools each year, school officials said.
The grant shows how districts interested in technology funding shouldn’t limit their search to technology-specific grants or foundations. Besides improving recordkeeping by nurses, the network also will enable school officials to track a wide variety of information on students, said Peter McGehee, executive director of the district’s technology office.
The Deaconess Foundation was created with funds from the Deaconess Incarnate Word Health System, but the two organizations are not affiliated. The foundation is dedicated to improving the health of metropolitan St. Louis.
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Future of Spaceship Earth
SDG 15 - Life on land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
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SDG15 is concerned with sustainable management of our terrestrial ecosystems, in a more densely populated and resource-taxed world.
Many of the targets are not quantifiable. Forest area is a primary indicator for preserving ecosystems, and includes both conserving existing forest and re-establishing forest areas – these are summed up in the indicator on total forest area. We have also included a pure conservation indicator – the biodiversity measure.
The needed combination of efforts in development, growth, and restoration is a challenge in developing countries, but developed countries also face challenges in many areas of SDG15. The regions are classified according to expected similarities in economic development rather than geography and topography. In particular, BRISE is a very diverse region that contains both huge boreal forests in the north and rainforest around the equator, as well as urban and densely populated areas. Although there are large geographical variations within the regions, our assessment is based on average regional values.
BRISE and ROW achieve low scores on all indicators and are rated red. China, OECD, and USA are likely to achieve some targets and not others, and are given a yellow rating.
Understanding the score
Five regions: USA, OECD (excl. USA), China, BRISE (Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and 10 other emerging economies), ROW (rest of the world).
Green light: Goal likely to be reached.
Orange light: Goal not likely to be reached, but more than 50% of the gap between today's status and the goal is likely to be closed.
Red light: Goal not likely to be reached, and less than 50% of the gap between today's status and the goal is likely to be closed.
APP: Plunging to zero deforestation
With its headquarters in Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country and one of the fastest-growing economies, and with dozens of pulpwood suppliers managing concessions of 2.6 million hectares of forests, APP is at the nexus of challenges around the sustainable use of natural resources.
“We need to work together to find solutions to make sure that these ecosystems remain intact," says APP's Managing Director of Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement, Aida Greenbury. "The responsibility lies with all of us. The producers of commodities, the consumers of those commodities, as well as governments.”
Greenbury believes that APP’s journey is proof that this is possible. “For us it is not a question of feasibility, it is a question of survival. Not just for our business, but also for our country and for the world.”
Greenbury believes the only way forward is through cooperation between businesses, communities, NGOs and government. “The further we have gone in implementing our Forest Conservation Policy, the more we have realised that ending deforestation and restoring degraded landscapes cannot be achieved by private sector actors alone – all hands across the landscape are needed. This means partnering with others who are working to implement similar policies with our shared objectives. But it also means talking to those with opposing views and understanding the different types of land use and pressures on forests across the landscape.”
For the complete forecast on SDG 15: Life on land and the full APP story, download the report.
The Future of Spaceship Earth
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Kawliga, that pore ol’ woodenhead
Tornadoes were not an issue for me, apparently, when we lived on Saundralane Drive. My experience at Dahlia Drive was quite different. We moved there in 1965. Most of my childhood memories stem from this house, where I first discovered comic books, saw giant dinosaurs at far-away Haysland Square (now minutes away from where I went to high school), played kickball and bullied my friends into playing superheroes and Greek mythology characters.
We lived in a split level house on a decent sized lot, at the entrance to Dahlia Court, or “the circle,” as we called it. The lower level of the house was underground, so it made a fine place to retreat when a tornado warning was issued. I believe I have determined that the night we spent in the basement was either November or December of 1967. On Nov. 24, Dec. 18 and Dec. 21, tornadoes were sighted in Madison County. I'm inclined to think this was the Dec. 21 tornado, as it touched down at 7:30 p.m., but it could've been Dec. 18. That one hit at 3:25 a.m., so we could've had watches and nothing happened until early morning. Not sure.
Tornado warnings were much vaguer back then, and if one was announced, you had no way to know if it was at your backdoor or across the county. I remember that Dad dragged a mattress down to the basement (which technically wasn't a basement, but more like a family room), and we sat on it and listened to the radio while the storms raged above us. “Radio” in our house when Dad lived with us meant WBHP, the country music station “on the sunny shores of Pinhook Creek,” where Vic Rumore was the morning DJ. (Apparently it's now a talk/news format station. According to Wikipedia, it was the first AM station in Huntsville.) One of the songs I distinctly remember hearing was “Kawliga.” At the time, I think the song spooked me a little, either that or there was another song that did that I've been unable to recall. We weathered the storm and didn't have any damage, but it was more of a big adventure for Rick and me.
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Upgrade to Cloud Nine
Deals to Paris
Deals to Frankfurt
+251 116 179900 (International charges apply)
As used in this Conditions of Carriage:
“Ethiopian” or “ET” means Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise.
“Carriage” is equivalent to “transportation”, “carrier” means all air carries including ET that carry or undertake to carry the passenger or his/her baggage hereunder.
“Checked Baggage” means Baggage of which the Carrier has agreed to take custody and for which a Baggage Identification Form has been issued.
“Code shares” means carriage by air which will be operated by another carrier as indicated in the ticket.
“Convention” means either of Warsaw Convention or Montreal Convention or both, as may be applicable.
“Hague Protocol” means a protocol to the Warsaw Convention signed at The Hague, 28th September 1955.
“Montreal Convention” means the Convention for the unification of certain rules for international carriage by Air, was agreed in Montreal on 28 May 1999.
“SDR” means Special Drawing Right which is a unit of account of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the value of which is periodically defined by the IMF on the basis of the listed prices of several reference currencies.
“Ticket” means a passenger ticket and baggage check, of which these conditions and the notices form part.
“Unchecked Baggage or “Cabin Baggage” means all Baggage, including personal items, other than Checked Baggage. This Unchecked Baggage remains in the custody of the Passenger.
“Warsaw Convention” means the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air signed at Warsaw, 12th October 1929, or that Convention as amended by the Hague Protocol whichever may be applicable.
Carriage hereunder is subject to the rules and limitations relating to liability established by either the Warsaw Convention (or any amendments thereof) or the Montreal Convention unless such carriage is not “international carriage” as defined by that Convention.
To the extent not in conflict with the foregoing, carriage and other services performed by each carrier are subject to:
provisions contained in the ticket;
applicable tariffs,
Carrier’s conditions of carriage and related regulations which are made part hereof (and are available on application at the offices of carrier), except in transportation between a place in the United States or Canada and any place outside thereof to which tariffs in force in those countries apply.
Carrier’s name may be abbreviated in the ticket, the full name and its abbreviation being set forth in carrier’s tariffs, conditions of carriage, regulations or timetables; carrier’s address shall be the airport of departure shown opposite the first abbreviation of carrier’s name in the ticket; the agreed stopping places are those places set forth in the ticket or as shown in carriers timetables as scheduled stopping places on the passenger’s route; carriage to be performed hereunder by several successive carriers is regarded as a single operation.
An air carrier issuing a ticket for carriage over the lines of another air carrier does so only as its agent.
Any exclusion or limitation of liability of. carrier shall apply to and be for the benefit of agents, servants and representatives of carrier and any person whose aircraft is used by carrier for carriage and its agents, servants and representatives.
Checked baggage will be delivered to bearer of the baggage check. No action shall lie in the case of damage to baggage unless the person entitled to delivery complains to carrier forthwith after the discovery of the damage, and, in international air travel at the latest within 7 days from receipt; and in case of damage resulted due to delay, unless the complaint is made within 21 days from date on which the baggage was delivered. If a complaint is not filed within the time limits stipulated, all actions against the Carrier shall have lapsed and be inadmissible. See tariffs or conditions of carriage regarding non-international transportation.
The ticket is good for carriage for one year from date of issue, except as otherwise provided in the ticket, in carrier’s tariffs, conditions of carriage, or related regulations.
Carrier undertakes to use its best efforts to carry the passenger and baggage with reasonable dispatch. Times shown in timetables or elsewhere are not guaranteed and form no part of this contract. Carrier may without notice substitute alternate carriers or aircraft, and may alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket in case of necessity. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Carrier assumes no responsibility for making connections.
Passenger shall comply with government travel requirements, present exit, entry and other required documents and arrive at airport by time fixed by carrier or, if no time is fixed, early enough to complete departure procedures.
No agent servant or representative of carrier has authority to alter, modify or waive any provision of this contract.
CARRIER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE CARRIAGE TO ANY PERSON WHO HAS ACQUIRED A TICKET IN VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE LAW OR CARRIER’S TARIFFS, RULES OR REGULATIONS.
TICKET IS SOLD SUBJECT TO TARIFF REGULATIONS.
On some services we have arrangements with other carriers known as "Code Shares". This means that even if you have a reservation with us and hold a ticket where our name or airline designator code (ET) is indicated as the carrier, another carrier may operate the aircraft. If in case of a Code Share flight ET is indicated as the carrier these Conditions of Carriage also apply to such transportation. If such arrangements apply we will advise you of the carrier operating the aircraft at the time you make a reservation.
For Code Share services on flights operated by another carrier, ET is responsible for the entirety of the Code Share journey for all obligations to Passengers established in these rules. However, each Code Share partner has rules with respect to the operation of its own flights, which may differ from ET’s rules for flights operated by Ethiopian. Those rules are incorporated herein by reference and form a part of these Conditions of Carriage.
When an ET code share partner operates a flight to/ or from the U.S on which ET's "ET" designator code appears, the operating carrier's contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays will govern for that flight.
The rules with respect to operation by Ethiopian that may be different from its code Share partners include but are not limited to:
Check in time limit
Carriage of animals
Refusal to transport
Irregular operation
Baggage acceptance, allowance and liability
For the rules and regulations of Ethiopian Code Share partners, please refer to their websites or travel agency.
Ethiopian will advise passenger at the time inquiry whether an ET flight is operated by another carrier under the Code Share arrangement.
Please follow the link to review the list of Ethiopian Code Share partners.
Advice to International Passengers on Limitation of Liability
Passengers on a journey involving an ultimate destination or a stop in a country other than the country of origin are advised that the provisions of a treaty known as the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention may be applicable to the entire journey, including any portion entirely within the country of origin or destination. Pursuant to these Conventions, the Carrier would be liable for damage sustained in case of death or bodily injury of a passenger upon condition only that the accident which caused the death or injury took place on board the aircraft or in the course of any of the operations of embarking or disembarking.
Where the Warsaw Convention is applicable, the liability of the Carrier in case of death or bodily injury shall be limited to 8,300 SDR (approximately USD 10,000) per passenger (the limit will be raised to 16,600 SDR (approximately USD 20,000) per passenger where the Hague Protocol is also applicable). Where the Montreal Convention is applicable, for delay of passengers, a limit up to SDR 4,694 SDR (approximately USD 7,360) per passenger, and “strict liability” for death or bodily injury up to 113,100 SDR (approximately USD 177,341) would be applicable.
You should be aware that the Carrier reserves all defenses available under the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention or the applicable law, as the case may be, in order to limit its liability, or exonerate itself therefrom.
For passengers on a journey to, from, or with an agreed stopping place in the United States of America, either the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention may be applicable, but also special contracts of carriage embodied in applicable tariffs set by virtue of inter-carrier agreements provide that the liability of certain carrier parties to such special contracts, for death or personal injury to passengers is limited in most cases to proven damages not to exceed U.S.$75,000 per passenger*, and that this liability up to such limit shall not depend on negligence on the part of the Carrier. *Note: The limit of liability of U.S.$75,000 above is inclusive of legal fees and costs except that in case of a claim brought in a state where provision is made for separate award of legal fees and costs, the limit shall be the sum of U.S.$58,000 exclusive of legal fees and costs.
Additional protection can usually be obtained by purchasing insurance from a private Company. Such insurance is not affected by any limitation of the carrier’s liability under the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention or such special contracts of carriage. For further information please consult your Airline or insurance Company Representative.
Notice of Baggage Liability Limitations
Liability for loss, delay, or damage to baggage is limited unless a higher value is declared in advance and additional charges are paid. The Carrier would be liable for damage sustained in case of destruction of, or loss of or damage to checked baggage upon condition only that the event which caused the destruction, loss or damage took place on board the aircraft or during any period within which the checked baggage was in the charge of the Carrier. However, the Carrier is not liable to the extent that the damage resulted from the inherent defect, quality or vice of the baggage.
For many international journeys, damage to baggage the Warsaw Convention may apply within the liability limits of 17 SDR (approximately USD 20) per kilogram for checked baggage and 332 SDR (approximately USD 400) per passenger for unchecked baggage. Where the Montreal Convention is applicable, subject to satisfactory evidence, the limits of liability shall be within the limit of 1,131 SDR (approximately USD 1,750) per passenger for destruction, loss, damage or delay of all baggage. For unchecked Baggage allowed on board, Carrier shall only be held liable in the event of a proven fault by the Carrier, its servants or agents. For travel wholly between U.S. points, Federal rules require any limit on an airline’s baggage liability to be at least U.S. $2.800 per passenger. Excess valuation may not be declared on certain types of articles. Unless or otherwise stated herein, international travel as defined in the convention is subject to the liability limits of the applicable convention.
Ethiopian shall not be liable for normal wear and tear such as scratches and dents.
Notice of Cargo Liability Limitations
For many international journeys Liability for destroyed, lost, damaged or delayed cargo the Warsaw Convention may apply within the liability limits of 17 Special Drawing Rights( SDR) (approximately USD 27) per kilogram. Where the Montréal Convention is applicable, the limit of liability is only up to an amount of 19 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) (approximately USD 31) per kilogram.
The limitation of the carrier’s liability in respect of total amount does not apply if the consignor has made, at the time when the package was handed over , a special declaration of interest in the delivery at destination and has paid the requested surcharge. In that case Ethiopian shall pay a compensation for destruction, loss, damage or delay up to the amount of the declared value unless it proves that the sum is higher than the consignor’s actual interest in delivery at destination .All compensation claims are subject to proof of value. Montréal Convention applies to all carriage to or from the Unites States.
Restricted Articles on Ethiopian Airlines Flights or Prohibited Items
Passengers must not include the following items in their Baggage:
Items that are liable to endanger the aircraft, the persons or property on board, such as those specified in the dangerous goods regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and in the Carrier’s regulations, as applicable (additional information is available upon request from the Carrier); these items include, in particular, asbestos, explosives, pressurized gas, oxidizing, radioactive or magnetized substances, inflammable substances, toxic or corrosive substances and articles, liquids or other substances which are capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety or property when transported by air.
Items for which carriage is prohibited by the law in force in any State where flights depart, arrive, fly over or make scheduled Stopovers;
Items reasonably considered by the Carrier to be unsuitable for carriage due to their weight, dimension, unpleasant odour, configuration or fragile or perishable nature, which make them unsuitable for carriage in light of, in particular, the type of aircraft used. Information on these items shall be provided to Passengers, upon request;
Firearms and ammunition other than those intended for hunting or sport which, in order to be accepted as cargo or Checked Baggage, must be unloaded, suitably packed and have the safety catch on. The carriage of ammunition is subject to the ICAO and IATA dangerous goods regulations, as stated in paragraph (a) above;
Ammunition, firearms, sharp knives and/or the following restricted items belonging to passengers shall not be carried inside cabin and/or flight deck (cockpit), and passengers must declare such items at the time of check-in. They shall only be accepted for carriage as checked baggage. Such firearms shall be unloaded, i.e. free of ammunition and suitably packed for such carriage.
Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)
Household cutlery
Knives with blades of any length
Paper knives
Tradesmen‘s tools
Sporting bats
Billiard, snooker or pool cues
All ammunition shall be carried in the aircraft hold as checked baggage only and with approval of concerned Security Authorities.Small arms ammunition for sporting purposes in quantities not exceeding 5kg (10 lbs.) gross weight per passenger, securely boxed can be carried for personal use. However those with explosive or incendiary projectiles are totally prohibited for carriage by air.
Firearm declaration form CLICK HERE.
Cutting weapons, stabbing weapons and aerosols that may be used as attack or defense weapons;
Antique weapons, replica of weapons, swords, knives and other weapons of this type. This type of item may not be transported in the cabin under any circumstances. They may nevertheless be accepted as cargo or Checked Baggage, at the Carrier’s discretion;
Right to Refuse Carriage
At any embarkation or intermediary point, the Carrier may, for security and/or safety reasons, refuse to carry as Baggage the items referred to in paragraph above, or to refuse to continue carrying them, if they are discovered during the journey.
The Carrier may refuse to carry any item as Baggage due to its dimensions, form, weight, content, configuration, nature or its unpleasant odour or for operating, security/safety reasons or to preserve the comfort and convenience of Passengers. Information on this type of Baggage is available upon request.
The Carrier may refuse to carry Baggage that it reasonably considers be poorly packing or placing in unsuitable containers. Information on packing and unsuitable containers is available upon request.
The Carrier may refuse to carry Baggage, if the Passenger does not pay the fare for the excess baggage as determined in paragraph 2 of this article.
If the Carrier refuses to carry Baggage in any of the circumstances set forth in paragraph 4 of this article, the Carrier has no obligation to take custody of such refused Baggage or items. If the Carrier were to take custody thereof, the Carrier is not liable for loss of or damage to such Baggage or items.
Notice of Government Imposed Taxes and Fees
The price of the ticket may include taxes and fees which are imposed on air transportation by government authorities. These taxes and fees, which may represent a significant portion of the cost of air travel, are either included in the fare, or shown separately in the “TAX” box (es) of the ticket. You may also be required to pay taxes or fees not already collected.
ET may refuse refund when application is not made within one year after the expiry date of the validity of ticket.
Notice to Domestic Passengers
Carriage exclusively performed within Ethiopia is subject to the provision of the commercial code of Ethiopia which limits the liability of the carrier for death or bodily injury and for loss of or damage to baggage.
If the passenger’s journey involves an ultimate destination or stop in a country other than the country of departure the Warsaw Convention (or any amendments thereof) or the Montreal Convention may be applicable and the Convention governs in most cases limits the liability of carriers for death or personal injury and in respect of loss or damage to baggage. Further information may be obtained from the carrier.”
For all international Carriage to which the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention applies, in any action brought before an Italian Court, the limit of Liability shall be One hundred thousand (100,000) special drawing rights as defined by the International monetary Fund, to be converted into the national currency in accordance with the method of valuation applied by the International Monetary Fund.
Airport Check-In Requirements
Please make sure that you are in possession of all required travel documents with the appropriate entry visas, including a vaccination certificate.
Please indicate your seat and special meal preference at the time of booking your flight.
All Ethiopian flights are smoke free.
These pages are for informative purposes only and do not form a contract. As such, any information contained within this site is subject to change with or without notice. Ethiopian Airlines assumes no liability for these changes. Ethiopian also reserves the right to interpret and apply these policies and procedures. In each case, Ethiopian’s interpretations and applications shall be final and conclusive.
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Private banking CEO of the year 2015: JPMorgan's Di Iorio
Known for his dedication and leadership style, Phil Di Iorio has taken JPMorgan Private Bank to the top of the rankings and is Euromoney’s top private banking CEO of the year.
Di Iorio’s winning formula
Phil Di Iorio joined JPMorgan in 1986 when it was moving from being a purely commercial bank into investment banking and was casting an eye on private banking. It was the only company Di Iorio applied to out of graduate school. “I’d read a lot about the history of JPMorgan and its legacy, and knew I wanted to work only there,” he says. Fast forward 29 years and Di Iorio is now the CEO of the firm’s private bank, which has grown to have $1.1 trillion in client assets and a staff of 12,000. His peers have voted him as the best global CEO of a private bank.
Di Iorio joined JPMorgan as an analyst at part of the new private bank. It was a good fit for Di Iorio, who was very keen on portfolios and financial markets. He admits he was “the kind of child who wanted to be involved in his parents’ first mortgage.” He brokered a car purchase for his family at the age of 10. “You want to know what the dollar/yen is at any moment? Phil knows it. To the fourth decimal point,” says John Duffy, who heads up the private bank in the US. “He keeps up with the markets incessantly on behalf of clients.” Di Iorio says he doesn’t sleep much but when he does wake up in the night, he will inevitably check the markets.
Results index
In 1989 JPMorgan wanted to introduce a brokerage offering as part of its private banking build-out and was looking for internal volunteers to help. “I’d seen JPMorgan’s role as a custody bank and had seen the transactions passing through between the broker dealers and the clients, and saw no reason why we weren’t in that business,” says Di Iorio. It was a fascinating time – in the wake of the 1987 crash, the Latin America crisis and the savings and loans crisis – in a world where clients wanted a much higher level of engagement. “The brokerage business transformed how we interacted with clients, and growth was phenomenal,” he says.
Best global private banking CEOs 2015
JPMorgan's Phil Di Iorio
UBS's Juerg Zeltner
Julius Baer's Boris Collardi
Citi's Peter Charrington
Credit Suisse's Hans-Ulrich Meister
Santander's Luis Moreno
Goldman Sachs' Tucker York
Deutsche Bank's MicheleFaissola
UniCredit's Franz Witt-Doerring/Dario Prunotto
BNP Paribas' Vincent Lecomte and Sofia Merlo
While the brokerage business was doing well, by 1999 however, the traditional private bank was losing money and clients. That was when JPMorgan brought in Jes Staley, who had been running the firm’s equity capital markets group, to take over the private banking business. Di Iorio had been ready to move to Merrill Lynch but Staley convinced him to stay. Staley, now a managing partner at hedge fund BlueMountain Capital, says: “When we first met, Phil and I had a long and frank conversation about how JPMorgan Private Bank could be turned around to become the best wealth management firm and what that vision would entail. Phil bought into that vision, and he and Mary Callahan Erdoes [CEO of asset management] have executed on that for 15 years, creating arguably the most impressive private bank in the world.” Di Iorio says it was the beginning of a new era for him, the firm and the team that worked together. He lists both Staley and Erdoes as his two role models. “Jes for the courage to move from the investment bank to the private bank and take on the responsibility of building this business and establishing the culture of client first. And Mary for her vision of what this business could become and her ability to motivate thousands of people and give them confidence to believe in the potential of this business.”
“I believed in the leadership and the vision,” says Di Iorio. “Jes set the foundation of creating a private bank that would be like the investment bank for the wealthy. It would give them access to the firm’s balance sheet. Access to ideas would be global in nature and offer the best private and public investment opportunities. And it would be supported by the talent and resources of the broader firm.”
Di Iorio was given the role of overseeing investment ideas and solutions for the private bank, and his guidance and focus on investment solutions have contributed to the private bank’s positioning today.
“We knew back then that the style of investment management was changing from a home bias to a global overview, and from the usual equities, bonds and cash portfolios to an absolute return focus that would include alternatives,” says Di Iorio. “We could see that pairing investment advisory with investment management was going to be key. All of that has to be wrapped with advice. It wasn’t going to be just about products.”
Today the bank has 1,000 people dedicated solely to looking for tactical opportunities and delivering ideas, and a top-tier CIO team of regional experts headed up by Richard Madigan. It means the private bank has become a leader in spite of its smaller size. Many of its peers only started making the shift to investment advice and allocation away from product sales two years ago.
In his role as CEO of the private bank, Di Iorio includes the investment ideas as a measure for his firm’s success. “Yes, I look at asset growth and net new clients and relative performance against our peers and market share. But I also look at innovation: are we bringing new ideas to clients? What are they? Do they make sense? Are they solving clients’ needs?”
Since Di Iorio became CEO in 2011, assets have grown 50% and net new clients have increased 23%. Those who work for or with Di Iorio say his work ethic and leadership style drive results.
He’s a likeable no-frills man having grown up in New Jersey where he still lives with his wife and three 14-year old boys. Janine Racanelli, chief executive of Ray Dalio’s family office and a former colleague of Di Iorio, says he has a way of doing the right thing and hiring people who follow that view. “He won’t tolerate behaviour that is not in line with clients’ interests, which is hard to do in a vast organization,” she says. Last summer the firm added more disclosures to clients to resolve accusations of conflicts of interests around investments.
Says Staley: “Phil personifies the values that one would hope for in a fiduciary institution like the private bank. I’ve seen him turn away business time and time again because he did not think it was in the best interest of his client. That level of integrity is rare.”
Di Iorio says the toughest challenge when hiring bankers is to find someone with the right character, who embodies the culture of their business. “That needs to come first, so often we’ve found that talent from our analyst and associate training programmes tend to be our most successful long-term employees.”
The loyalty of his employees is exceptional, say senior colleagues. “He drives for results, and when someone falls short he can give the tough message with a degree of sincerity that makes it manageable for people to receive. For that style and his overall integrity, people have tremendous loyalty to him,” says Staley.
Phil personifies the values that one would hope for in a fiduciary institution like the private bank. I’ve seen him turn away business time and time again because he did not think it was in the best interest of his client. That level of integrity is rare
Jes Staley, BlueMountain Capital
Always acting within the clients’ best interests is a claim that many private banks make of their culture but few truly do. Philip Schlakman runs the family investment office PSQ Capital, a client of JPMorgan. He worked under Di Iorio between 1997 and 2008. He says: “The industry is full of smart intelligent people but it is also has some bad actors – some are motivated by their own business goals. The culture Phil has created at JPMorgan is about always doing the right thing.”
Duffy says Di Iorio manages to balance the triangle of clients, business and shareholders: “He does a great job of caring about all three and knows that keeping that balance is imperative to a solid long-term business.”
That balance is helped by his steady management style. Di Iorio is anything but gung-ho or short-termist. Rather he is moderate and measured. Former colleagues say he is often the voice of calm and reason in a room. “He wants the job done, but he wants it done properly. There is a faith that he instils in people by his being at the helm,” says Racanelli.
Teamwork is also at the core of Di Iorio’s leadership style. In the way he works with Erdoes, his investment teams and colleagues, and in the way the advisers are structured into teams around the client. “Phil suffers no fools, and you learn that quickly about him,” says Duffy. “He’s not looking for ‘yes’ men. He believes very strongly in a team working together with healthy debate and he gives you the confidence to do that. He inspires you to do a good job.”
Says Di Iorio of himself: “I want to hear the dissenting view, if there is one. It’s important to hear as many perspectives as you can. No one person can be a sole expert. People are at the table for a reason and I want them to contribute. And then after debate, you make a decision. Nothing frustrates me more than a meeting without a conclusion.”
Having worked his way up through the ranks, he is also conscious of the importance of reaching all employees where possible. “Of course I meet with clients. But you also have to walk the floors daily and provide support to the bankers that serve the clients, the analysts that support the bankers, and importantly our client services specialists who talk to our clients daily regarding routine transactions.”
So what have been the challenges and what are to come? Di Iorio says the sheer growth of the business has been the biggest challenge. “You need to have scale, but even as you grow your client base, you have to be able to provide customized solutions. Three or four years ago we saw that transaction volumes were off the charts; innovation was required from a technology and operations perspective if we were going to keep up with client demands. You have to anticipate for growth.”
I want to hear the dissenting view, if there is one. It’s important to hear as many perspectives as you can. No one person can be a sole expert
Phil Di Iorio
Innovation is his mantra, whether in looking at infrastructure, client experience or investment solutions. In November he spent time in Silicon Valley meeting potential partners and employees. “Technology innovation will be the decisive factor for any private bank with aims to be here in five years’ time,” he says. “Clients’ problems are more complex, and the digitization of parts of the industry need to be embraced fully alongside face-to-face interaction. The industry as a whole is behind. I like meeting with start-ups as they look upon the impossible as possible. That kind of mentality is helpful when looking to innovate.”
It’s clear that Di Iorio likes a challenge, and the newness of the business is one he still finds exciting. If he wasn’t at JPMorgan, he says he would be somewhere else doing the same thing – building and operating a business – but he’s quick to add he’s not going anywhere. “There is much to do here.”
Wealth WealthFeaturesPrivate Banking and Wealth Management SurveySurveysFebruary 2015
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Elliot Wilson, January 15, 2021
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Elliot Wilson, December 15, 2020
Covid and the future: Reports from the frontline of global wealth
Elliot Wilson, November 17, 2020
Asset management: 12 rules for success in China
Private bankers count the cost of less face time
Elliot Wilson, October 19, 2020
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Private equity: Lone Star shines through gloom
Private equity company Lone Star is fast becoming the biggest beneficiary of the banking woes caused by the credit crisis.
In August, Merrill Lynch announced the sale of $30.6 billion of US CDOs to Lone Star funds for an average price of 22 cents on the dollar (see Banking: It’s time to sell off or shape up, Euromoney, September 2008). And just weeks later, the German government approved a sale of development bank KfW’s 90.8% stake in corporate lender IKB Deutsche Industriebank to Lone Star for an "adequate, positive purchase price". As part of the deal, Lone Star will assume €3.3 billion of IKB’s questionable loans, and KfW will take on the remaining €1.3 billion of the portfolio.
One source says that the price paid for IKB by Lone Star was in the low hundreds of million dollars, which makes the purchase a steal for the private equity firm. German finance minister Peer Steinbrueck had hoped for €800 million. Bruno Scherrer, head of European investments at Lone Star, said the decision by KfW to accept its offer was "a great success" for the firm, and reportedly estimates that it will take two years to work out the problem assets, leaving Lone Star with a solid German financial lender.
Criticism of the German government has been voiced by opposition parties who claim that, after more than €8 billion of rescue attempts, the government has now virtually given the bank away.
Banking BankingInvestmentSeptember 2008
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Workers evacuated at Japan's stricken nuclear plant
Engineers working on a leaking reactor at Japan’s quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant have been evacuated after extremely high levels of radiation were detected there on Sunday.
Radioactivity from the leaking water at the second reactor has been measured at 1,000 millisieverts/hour — 10 million times higher than when the plant is operating normally.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters there was a “low possibility” that it would affect the nearby coastline and that there were no reports of “any adverse impact on marine life.”
Japan’s nuclear agency said early on Sunday that levels of radioactive iodine in seawater around the plant had spiked to 1,850 times higher than normal.
Fukushima was damaged in the earthquake and tsunami over two weeks ago, which claimed more than 10,000 lives.
More than 17,000 people are still missing.
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