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Trump's first 100 days: More Americans moved to Canada, but it's no stampede CLOSE How easy is it to actually move to Canada? Time The number of Americans who have taken up residency in Canada in the first 100 days of the Trump administration is up a little over the same period for the two prior years, but it is not enough yet to suggest a bunch of Americans are fleeing the country. Lots of liberals swore they would move to Canada if Trump was elected, but there is plenty of reason to be skeptical of those claims. David Cohen, an immigration lawyer in Montreal, told USA TODAY last year that Americans often threaten to move to Canada during election years, but "at the end of the day the numbers remain kind of the same. Americans move here for love and for work and for very few other reasons." The numbers so far for 2017 suggest a bit of an increase over last year, but not a mass migration. According to the Canadian government, 2,325 Americans were granted permanent residency in Canada in the first three months of this year, which is about 100 more than the first quarter of 2016 and 1,000 more than the first quarter of 2015. But the quarterly numbers tend to fluctuate a lot, so it's hard to draw significant conclusions. If the pace keeps up for the rest of the year — which would mean around 9,300 people relocating this year — it would be the highest number since 2008, but not a historic high. Last year, 8,400 Americans took permanent residency in Canada, about the same as the numbers in 2013 and 2014 and not quite 1,000 more than 2015, according to the government's statistics. Cohen now says that in his practice helping people immigrate to Canada, "I'm seeing more applications from people on a temporary status in the U.S.," such as high-tech workers on time-limited visas who are now concerned their U.S. status will not be extended. For U.S. citizens, Cohen said, the number is "marginally higher, but we are not yet seeing any kind of stampede to Canada." Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/2quTX8Z

Daniel Ricciardo believes a year-old Ferrari engine next year would put Red Bull in better shape than it is with its up-to-date Renault this season. Red Bull has threatened to quit the sport if it cannot secure a competitive engine supply deal by the end of this month. It is hoping to secure a Ferrari engine deal for 2016 to replace Renault, but Maranello is reluctant to offer equal power units to a main rival. Asked if year-old Ferrari engines would be enough to keep Red Bull in the sport next season, Ricciardo said: "It depends how good their 2016-spec is! If it means we are 20bhp less than our competitors then it would put us in much better shape than we are this year [with Renault]. But still, knowing that you are not going to have the best ... you've got to weigh it up. "I don't know, it would be better than this year for sure. We've proved we've got a good car and at tracks like Singapore we can be competitive, but it's just these tracks with the longer straights where we are going to bleed a bit. If we can more consistently fight for podiums, at least that will be a step in the right direction." Ricciardo said he was not going to get too worried about his future until Red Bull's position is more clear. "I haven't thought about the negative potential outcome of it yet - I'm still pretty positive. It's good that Dietrich has set a bit of a deadline because we have got to know what we are doing, and if we are going with 'X' engine then we have got to start designing the car and all the rest of it. We can't wait until Christmas, so we will see in a few more weeks if we get a decision or an outcome. "I'm still positive as long as we have still got time on our side. It's not the end of October yet, so I'll remain positive and if we get to the end of October and nothing has been sorted then I'll for sure start having my eyes and ears a little bit more open about what else is going on. I think we will get something that is decent enough to convince us to stay in the sport and that means giving us a chance to win." Asked if he had a Plan-B should Red Bull quit, Ricciardo joked: "I've looked into some property in Vegas, so maybe just buy or rent a house there if I'm not racing! I'll just live it up for a while! I joke, but I'm sure that would wear off after a while. Once the season started, if I was on the couch watching it ... I want to be out racing that's for sure. I'm too young to be sat on the couch!"

Following its debut season in the ELMS’ LMP3 class in 2016, Graff has confirmed that it will be stepping up into the series’ LMP2 class for 2017 – with an Oreca 07 – as well as gunning for the LMP3 title once again. The French team is also aiming to race at Le Mans as part of its ambitious programme. Graff will be receiving its 07 chassis in late December, and begin testing the car in January ahead of the new season. The team has also confirmed its entries for December’s Gulf 12 Hours at Abu Dhabi with two Ligier LMP3 cars. Its #5 JSP3 will feature Greg Taylor, James Winslow and Neal Muston, and its #888 will be shared by Eric Trouillet, Fabrice Rosselo, Adrien Chila and Alexandre Cougnaud.

Share Microsoft has made a concerted effort over the last couple of years to provide solid cross-platform support for all of its applications and services. Indeed, supporting iOS and Android along with their Windows 10 ecosystem is a cornerstone of its “cloud-first, mobile-first” productivity solutions strategy. Chromebooks have always been a strange outlier. While users of Google’s Chrome OS-based notebooks have always been able to access Microsoft’s Office Online products, there has never been a dedicated app like the Office Mobile suite that has long been available for iOS, Android, and Windows 10. That is about to change, albeit in a roundabout way, as 9to5Google reports. Relatively recently, Google added the ability for Chrome OS to run Android apps and access to the Google Play Store. The move dramatically increased the value of a Chromebook, providing the minimal notebooks with sudden access to hundreds of thousands of Android apps. Microsoft’s Office Mobile apps for Android are among those that should now be available to Chromebook users. However, some users ran into issues downloading Office Mobile on their Chromebooks earlier in the week, leading to some speculation that Microsoft was deliberately blocking the apps. As it turns out, it is the opposite, as Microsoft has since stated, “Our strategy has not changed. Office for Android is supported on Chrome OS devices via the Google Play Store. While Google Play on Chrome OS is in beta, we are partnering with Google to deliver the best experience for Chromebook users and plan to make the apps available on all compatible devices by general availability.” It is important to note the kind of Chromebook an Office Mobile app, be it Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote, runs on is an important consideration. While Microsoft lets users edit Office documents for free using the apps on devices with screens smaller than 10.1 inches, larger devices must have an active Office 365 subscription to edit documents. Clearly, Microsoft recognizes the growing influence of Chromebooks, which continue to sell at volumes that make them a small but growing portion of the potential market for Microsoft’s productivity solutions. And so it should come as no surprise that Microsoft is working closely with Google to ensure that when Chromebook users are editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and taking notes, that they are using Office Mobile.

A MAN has given birth to a baby, forcing his friends to pretend to be interested purely out of politeness. Mother Tom Logan and his partner Roy Hobbs have been relentlessly banging on about their offspring since the birth, bombarding Facebook with photos and sending friends long-winded emails detailing the child’s uniquely curious nature. However Stephen Malley, Logan’s former school mate, said: “Good on them, and I guess it is kind of unusual from a biological point of view but ultimately it’s still just someone else’s baby and as such about as fascinating as a loaf of bread. “I suppose I’ll have to go and have a look at some point. What a thrill that afternoon will be, in the company of two utterly exhausted people and a little bald person who behaves like a drunkard. “Sorry I mean ‘miracle of science and love’.” He added: “That said, I’m quite interested in the weirder, David Cronenberg-esque aspects of the birth.” Logan’s work colleague Emma Bradford said: “Although I am happy for them, maybe now’s the time to cool it with the constant baby updates. She added: “Also I gave them a present for the baby and they responded with a thank-you note purporting to have been written by the child. You know, ‘thank you for my hat, I’m wearing it now and it looks adorable’, sort of thing. “That’s not endearing, it’s just weird.” The birth of Logan’s baby has, perhaps inevitably, triggered debate about the ethics of same-sex parenting. Developmental psychologist Nikki Hollis said: “According to traditional gender roles, the main purpose of the father is to deliver really big bollockings when the mother is simply not being listened to. “But with two male parents, the child is more likely to be allowed to do anything, however dangerous or ill-judged, if it means an ‘easy life’.”

It might not be the sleekest or sexiest console design ever seen, but at least the PS4 looks as though it's actually been designed – which is more than can be said for the VCR-like slab that is the Xbox One. You've essentially got two slabs separated by a trench that houses two USBs and a slim slot-loader on the front, and vents along the back and sides. We're going to call it Victoria Sponge Design. About a third of the top panel is a glossy black, whereas the rest of the device has a matte finish that looks (Sony wouldn't let us fondle it) like it's probably very lightly textured. The pedestal you see in our picture is apparently an optional extra, and given that the PS4 is fairly slim, we're not sure we'd risk vertical placement without it.

Dune video game. For Frank Herbert's sequel to his novel Dune, see This article is about the secondvideo game. For Frank Herbert's sequel to his novel Dune, see Dune Messiah . For the MUSH, see Dune II (MUSH) Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (titled Dune II: Battle for Arrakis in Europe and Dune: The Battle for Arrakis for the North American Mega Drive/Genesis port respectively) is a real-time strategy Dune video game developed by Westwood Studios and released by Virgin Games in December 1992. It is based upon David Lynch's 1984 movie Dune, an adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel of the same name. While not necessarily the first real-time strategy (RTS) video game, Dune II established the format that would be followed for years to come.[1][2] As such, Dune II is the archetypal "real-time strategy" game. Striking a balance between complexity and innovation, it was a huge success and laid the foundation for Command & Conquer, Warcraft, StarCraft, and many other RTS games that followed. Plot [ edit ] Emperor Frederick IV of House Corrino is desperate for the harvesting of the valuable drug melange (also known as "the spice"), found only on the planet Arrakis, to pay off all of his debt incurred on internecine wars with family members. To achieve this, he now offers the sole governorship of Arrakis to whichever of the three Houses (Atreides, Harkonnen, and Ordos) delivers the most spice for him. War begins as deputations from all three Houses arrive on Arrakis. The player is a military commander from a House of their choice. In the first few missions the objectives are to establish successfully a base on an unoccupied territory of Arrakis, to harvest spice, and to defeat intruders. Later, when the three Houses divide Arrakis among them, the player has to assault and capture enemy territories. When the player dominates Arrakis on the world map, the two other enemy factions ally against their common enemy. The ultimate final showdown is the battle between the player's House against three enemy sides, among them Frederick's forces the Sardaukar (an unplayable elite force whose heavy infantry are particularly powerful). The introductory, mission briefing and endgame cutscenes are different for each House, in keeping with their very disparate world views. The weaponry and units also vary from house to house. Gameplay [ edit ] The player takes the role of the commander of one of the three interplanetary houses, the Atreides, the Harkonnen or the Ordos, with the objective of wresting control of Arrakis from the other two houses. House Ordos is not featured in the Dune novels and is mentioned only in the non-canon Dune Encyclopedia. The basic strategy in the game is to harvest spice from the treacherous sand dunes using a harvester vehicle, convert the spice into credits via a refinery and to build military units with these acquired credits in order to fend off and destroy the enemy. The game map initially starts with a fog of war covering all area which is not covered by the player's units range of view. As the units explore the map, the darkness is removed. Unlike later games such as Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, the fog of war is lifted forever with initial exploration, it does not become dark once more when units leave the area. In addition to enemy incursions, there are other dangers; like the marauding gigantic sandworm, capable of swallowing vehicles and infantry whole but blocked by rocky terrain. The player can only build on rocky terrain, but must build concrete foundations before to avoid deterioration of the structures due to the harsh weather conditions although in general, structures will gradually decay over time regardless of the presence of those concrete slabs due to the aforementioned weather conditions, though the concrete saves repair costs in the long run. Spice fields are indicated by orange coloration on the sand, darker orange indicating high concentration. Some spice may be concealed as bumps on the terrain (a "spice bloom") that become spice fields when they are shot at, or when a unit runs over them (the unit is destroyed in the ensuing "spice blow"). The player is presented a map of the planet Arrakis before most missions, where they can choose the next territory to play in among two or three. This affects primarily the enemy house fought in the next mission, as all missions except the first two require the complete destruction of the enemy. Nine territories must be fought, irrespective of house, to reach the endgame. Dune II interface was the template for subsequent RTS designs Theinterface was the template for subsequent RTS designs Some key elements that first appeared in Dune II and later appear in many other RTS games include: A world map from which the next mission is chosen Resource-gathering to fund unit construction Simple base and unit construction Building construction dependencies (technology tree) Mobile units that can be deployed as buildings Different sides/factions (the Houses), each with unique unit-types and super weapons A context-sensitive mouse cursor to issue commands (introduced in the Mega Drive/Genesis version) Completing higher missions gives authorization to use improved technology and higher-order weaponry unique to each House, ensuring varied game play. For example, House Harkonnen may be able to construct their Devastator tanks with heavy armor and ordnance but cannot build the similarly impressive Atreides Sonic Tank. The Ordos have access to the Deviator - a specialized tank firing a nerve gas that switches the allegiance of targeted units to Ordos for a limited period of time. The three Houses also are restricted in their production capabilities—House Ordos cannot build Atreides-style trikes, instead making the faster "Raider" trikes, while House Harkonnen constructs heavier but more expensive quad bikes. A player can gain access to other Houses' special units by capturing an enemy Factory and manufacturing the desired units at the captured Factory (House Atreides' Heavy Vehicle Factory for Sonic Tank, House Ordos' Light Vehicle Factory for Raider trikes, House Ordos' Heavy Vehicle Factory for Deviator tanks, or House Harkonnen's Heavy Vehicle Factory for Devastator tanks). Note that a Deviator not owned by House Ordos still switches control of targeted units to House Ordos, and not to the side that owns the Deviator. Apparently Westwood was aware of this feature, since capturing a Sardaukar Heavy Vehicle Factory allows the player to build both the Sonic Tank and Devastator, but not the Ordos Deviator. Buildings may only be built in rocky zones and connected to another existing building. To protect them from constant wear, the player must first place concrete slabs in the construction areas. Production buildings can be upgraded at a cost several times, allowing the production of more advanced units or buildings. The final prize for the commander is the building of the House Palace from where superweapons may be unleashed on opponents in the final closing chapters of the game. The House Harkonnen superweapon is a long-range powerful but inaccurate finger of missiles called the Death Hand, whereas House Atreides may call upon the local Fremen infantry warriors, over which the player has no control, to engage enemy targets. House Ordos may unleash a fast-moving Saboteur whose main purpose is the destruction of buildings. The AI of Dune II was one of the first used in RTS games, and while better than that of Herzog Zwei, it has various drawbacks. Examples include only attacking the side of the player's base facing its own, general inability to perform flanking maneuvers, and not rebuilding defenses.[3] Recent research into the game's engine by fans revealed that the AI is in fact capable of more advanced strategy, but that a large part of these capabilities is unused due to consistently repeated errors in all of the game's mission scripts.[4] Development [ edit ] According to Virgin Interactive vice president Stephen Clarke-Willson in 1998, the development of Dune II began when Virgin Interactive planned to cancel the production of Cryo Interactive's adventure game Dune, after which he was given the task of figuring out what to do with the Dune license.[5] After reading the original Dune novel, he decided that "from a gaming point-of-view the real stress was the battle to control the spice," so a resource-based strategy video game would be a good idea. It was around this time that employee Graeme Devine (who later founded Trilobyte) introduced to everyone at the Virgin office a real-time strategy game on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive console called Herzog Zwei (1989). Clarke-Willson described it as a game where the player "kept clicking on stuff and then zooming off to another part of the screen. It was very hard to keep track of what was going on as an observer. Still, everyone liked it, it had fast action, and it was a strategy game." Virgin staff, including Clarke-Willson and Seth Mendelsohn (who later worked on the Ultima series), then went to Westwood Studios to talk about making a Dune game. According to Clarke-Willson, "Westwood agreed to make a resource strategy game based on Dune, and agreed to look at Herzog Zwei for design ideas." It later turned out that Cryo's game of the same name was not cancelled, and Westwood's real-time strategy game was called Dune II as a result.[6] Westwood Studios co-founder and Dune II producer Brett Sperry said in 2008 that conceptualization for the game began when Virgin president Martin Alper approached him with the offer of using their Dune license to produce a game, with the understanding that Cryo's Dune had been cancelled. In terms of video game design, Sperry stated, "The inspiration for Dune II was partly from Populous, partly from my work on Eye Of The Beholder and the final and perhaps most crucial part came from an argument I once had with Chuck Kroegel, then vice president of Strategic Simulations Inc ... The crux of my argument with Chuck was that wargames sucked because of a lack of innovation and poor design. Chuck felt the category was in a long, slow decline, because the players were moving to more exciting genres ... I felt that the genre had a lot of potential – the surface was barely scratched as far as I as [sic] concerned, especially from a design standpoint. So I took it as a personal challenge and figured how to harness realtime dynamics with great game controls into a fast-paced wargame." He also stated that, while "Herzog Zwei was a lot of fun," the "other inspiration for Dune II was the Mac software interface," referring to the "design/interface dynamics of mouse clicking and selecting desktop items" which got him thinking, "Why not allow the same inside the game environment? Why not a context-sensitive playfield? To hell with all these hot keys, to hell with keyboard as the primary means of manipulating the game!" During production, he found out that Cryo rushed to finish their game first, leading to Virgin publishing their game as Dune and Westwood's game as Dune II, despite Sperry protesting against this decision.[7] Louis Castle said in 1998 that the game's influence on the real-time strategy genre was unplanned, and that the team's goal was simply to "to include all of the excitement and intensity of a war game, but with action-packed gameplay."[8] Other influences cited by Joseph Bostic (also known as Joe Bostic), the co-designer and lead programmer, and Mike Legg, one of the game's programmers, include the turn-based strategy games Military Madness (1989) and Civilization (1991), along with Herzog Zwei. According to Bostic, a "benefit over Herzog Zwei is that we had the advantage of a mouse and keyboard. This greatly facilitated precise player control, which enabled the player to give orders to individual units. The mouse, and the direct control it allowed, was critical in making the RTS genre possible."[9] Release [ edit ] Originally released for DOS in 1992, Dune II was one of the first PC games to support the recently introduced General MIDI standard. The game audio was programmed with the middleware Miles audio library which handled the dynamic conversion of the game's MIDI musical score, originally composed on the Roland MT-32, to the selected soundcard. At initial release, the game's setup utility lacked the means to support separate output devices for the musical score and speech/sound-effects. This limitation was frustrating to owners of high-quality MIDI synthesisers (such as the Roland Sound Canvas), because users could not play the game with both digital sound effects (which MIDI synthesisers lacked) and high-quality MIDI score. Westwood later published a revised setup utility to enable users select a different soundcard for each type of game audio: digital speech, music, and sound effects.[10] In 1993, it was ported to Amiga and Mega Drive/Genesis. The Amiga floppy disk port is nearly identical in interface and game play to the PC version, albeit with less detailed graphics and frequent disk swapping (the game came on five disks). Save games are stored on a specially formatted disk and the game could also be installed to hard drive. In the Amiga version the player is limited to 32 units, but patches exist to allow the DOS version to have 255 units created and managed. Two years later it was also brought to the Archimedes and Risc PC range of RISC OS computers. The Mega Drive/Genesis port has fairly different building and unit graphics, a full-screen menu-less user interface suited for gamepad control, and no save game support, relying on access codes for accessing each level. Other additions include a music test option and a tutorial that replaces the mentat screen. Several ideas from this version, including the music track listing and the replacement of sidebar command buttons by a context-sensitive cursor, were used in Westwood's next strategy game, Command & Conquer. The game was ported to Android in 2013. Also in 2013 a fan-made port for Pandora became available based on the reverse engineered game engine.[11][12] Reception [ edit ] According to Westwood Studios, Dune II was a commercial success, with global sales in excess of 250,000 units by November 1996.[13] Computer Gaming World in 1993 stated that the PC version of Dune II "easily outshines its predecessor in terms of game play ... a real gem", with "arguably the most outstanding sound and graphics ever to appear in a strategy game of its kind".[14] A February 1994 survey of space war games gave it a grade of B+, stating that without online play, there was little replayability once each House conquered the planet,[15] but a May 1994 survey of strategic space games set in the year 2000 and later gave the game five stars out of five, describing it as "a wargame par excellance; superb graphics and sound make an enjoyable gaming experience". The magazine hoped that Command & Conquer would be its sequel.[16] Electronic Games gave the game a 92% score.[17] When the Amiga version of Dune II was released in 1993, it was met with positive reviews. CU Amiga magazine rated the game highly with 85%, praising the smooth gameplay and controls.[18] Dune II received Amiga User International's Game of the Month award when it was reviewed in September 1993.[19] GamePro dubbed the Genesis version "one of the best war strategy carts for the Genesis", praising the controls, digitized speech, music, and fun gameplay.[20] Electronic Gaming Monthly scored the Genesis version an 8 out of 10, commenting that the gameplay is not only addictive, but easy to learn, which they stated is highly unusual for a strategy game.[21] In 1993 Computer Gaming World named Dune II Strategy Game of the Year.[22] The game was ranked the 11th best game of all time by Amiga Power in 1996.[23] In 1996, Computer Gaming World declared Dune 2 the 70th-best computer game ever released.[24] In 2004, this "legendary" game entered the GameSpy Hall of Fame.[25] In Poland, it was included in the retrospective lists of the best Amiga games by Wirtualna Polska (ranked eight)[26] and CHIP (ranked fourth).[27] In 2012, Time named it one of the 100 greatest video games of all time.[28] In 1994, PC Gamer US named Dune II the 49th best computer game ever.[29] That same year, PC Gamer UK named it the 21st best computer game of all time, calling it "a wargame for those who don't like wargames."[30] Legacy [ edit ] Dune II was one of the most influential games in the real-time strategy genre, particularly in Westwood's own Command & Conquer series.[31] Though not every feature was unique, its specific combination of a fog of war, mouse-based military micromanagement, and an economic model of resource-gathering and base-building became the hallmark of the RTS genre. It served as the template for subsequent real-time strategy games.[1] Chris Taylor has stated that Dune II and Command & Conquer were great inspirations, driving him to leave Electronic Arts to create Total Annihilation.[32] Dune II also led to direct sequels: Westwood released a semi-remake for Windows in 1998 as Dune 2000, along with a PlayStation port in the same year. Westwood subsequently released Emperor: Battle for Dune in 2001. There are also fan-made game engine recreations, like DuneLegacy, which aims for improved usability and controls while not changing the game-play.[33]

Paper No. 6042 Dated 30-Nov-2015 By Dr Subhash Kapila The Middle East enveloped by military turbulence generated by global and regional power-play and the spectre of ISIS power-push in the region did not require another provocative military escalation of tensions by Turkey after the Russian military intervention in Syria for the twin objectives of neutralising the ISIS and also ensuring no regime change takes place in Syria by Syrian rebel groups supported by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States. With the ISIS being now viewed as a global threat, the Russian military intervention in Syria should have been welcomed by ISIS- tolerant states because the ISIS that they created for a regime-change in Syria now stands transformed into a strong entity with the potential to devour them too. Turkey may be now reportedly hosting two million Syrian refugees but it also cannot shove-of media reports suggesting that the main influx of new ISIS foreign inductees into ISIS pass through Istanbul and that ISIS exports and sale of oil goes through or bought by Turkey. So therefore Russian military intervention in Syria primarily against the ISIS which figures now in Russian threat perceptions should have been welcomed as any ISIS neutralisation would now require a global effort. Contextually, in recent years under the same Turkish top leadership there was a marked upsurge in Turkey-Russia political, military and economic relations with consequent mutual benefits to both these nations. That itself should have held back Turkey and the Turkish President from authorising the shoot-down of the Russian Air Force fighter plane on a mission on the Syrian-Turkish border. So what has changed after the Russian military intervention in Syria? Was Turkey under NATO pressure? Or were Turkish regional power ambitions being thwarted or were there strong domestic political compulsions? Readers can draw the conclusions from the discussion below. Turkey seemingly indulged in unwarranted brinkmanship against Russia by shooting down a Russian Air Force SU-24 which Turkey claimed intruded into Turkish airspace for 17 seconds while on bombing sorties against the ISIS, and that was all the more reason for Turkey to exercise restraint going by the tense overlapping of multi-nations bombing sorties against the ISIS in the congested airspace on the Turkish-Syria border. Russian military intervention in Syria and use of Russian Air Force for bombing of ISIS locations in Syrian territory on the Syria-Turkey border has rattled Turkey. This basically arises because Russian air strikes are also targeting Syrian rebel positions which besides other rebel groups also target Syrian Turkmen rebel positions which enjoy Turkish support and have Turkish ethnic linkages Syrian Turkmen rebel positions are located perilously close to the Russian airbases, North of Latakia, being used for Russian air strikes. While Russia so far has held its hand back from military retaliation against Turkey for this brinkmanship challenge for geopolitical reasons, but reports suggest that Russian ripostes are now two pronged. The first is economic retaliation by curtailing gas supplies to Turkey, cutting of Turkish imports into Russia and clamping on Russian sizeable tourist traffic to Turkey. But stronger retaliation short of war against Turkey is the Russian intensification of air strikes against Syrian Turkmen positions contiguous to Turkey’s Southern border. This besides neutralising sizeable rebel forces operating against the Syrian regime of President Assad hurts Turkey most contextually in terms of Turkey’s domestic politics. Analysing the military implications first, it needs to be brought out first that Tukey’s President would be powerless to hit back at or impede Russian Air Force strikes against Syrian Turkmen positions, with Russian Air Force operating strictly in Syrian airspace. Secondly, Russia has decided now to provide Russian Air Force fighter aircraft escorts to its aircraft on bombing sorties along the Syrian-Turkish border. Thirdly, Russia has despatched highly advanced S-400 Air defense missiles systems which in similar circumstances would be able to shoot down Turkish Air Force planes impeding Russian strikes against Turkmen and other rebel positions. Fourthly, which option Russia recently employed in its present military intervention was the use of long range cruise missiles to effect from as far as off Russian Navy ships in the Black Sea. Since Russian military strikes on Turkmen rebel positions was becoming a strong pressure point in Turkish domestic politics and likely now to become intensified, the Turkish President may have to regret on this attack on the Russian Air Force strike aircraft. Controversy has gone viral on blogger-sites as to how Turkish TV crews were at the right place, at the right time and facing the right direction, to film live the Russian Air Force strike aircraft going down in flames after being hit by Turkish military action. This controversy got further reinforced when the Russian President indicated that all Russian air strikes undertaken along the Syrian-Turkish border, prior details were being provided to the United States. This factor brings into account that the United States could have passed on this information to Tukey making this downing of the Russian Air Force aircraft a “premeditated” one. Notwithstanding the fact that this controversy will go on for some time, let us now examine the geopolitical implications. The Russian President may have presently held back his hand for wider geopolitical reasons but it would be uncharacteristic of him not to retaliate strongly with a military option wherein Russia provides strong military backing to Kurdish rebels battling the Turkish regime. This could add to Turkish military challenges which already have multiplied after Turkey also pitched-in for a regime-change in Syria. Turkey’s regional power aspirations in the Middle East stand a greater chance of being dented with Russia no longer friendly-disposed towards Turkey and Russia-Iran strategic convergences against regime-change in Syria getting that much more reinforced. Turkey has already spoilt its relations with Iran after recording a phase of friendly relations some years back. The Turkish President short of an outright apology to the Russian President for this provocative military action which Turkey could have passed-off as an over-reaction by Turkish Air Force and lessened the chances of any further escalation, went only that further to express ‘sadness’ over the incident, The Russian President’s strong reactions terming the Turkish shooting down of the Russian Air Force fighter-plane as a “stab in the back” and by “accomplices of terrorists” cannot be taken lightly, especially the latter term which connotes Turkey as accomplice of the ISIS. Concluding, it needs to be observed that Russia-Turkey relations seem to be headed towards “frozen turbulence” in which Turkey may be a bigger loser geopolitically than Russia. Turkey’s strategic space and flexibility in the regional strategic space is likely to be restricted now. (Dr Subhash Kapila is a graduate of the Royal British Army Staff College, Camberley and combines a rich experience of Indian Army, Cabinet Secretariat, and diplomatic assignments in Bhutan, Japan, South Korea and USA. Currently, Consultant International Relations & Strategic Affairs with South Asia Analysis Group. He can be reached at drsubhashkapila.007@gmail.com)

[VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] As Israel was in middle of burying 13-year-old Hallel Yaffa Ariel HY”D, who was stabbed to death in her bead by a bloodthirsty Palestinian animal, another Palestinian terrorist stabbed two Israelis in the city of Netanya. According tom police, a 46-year-old Palestinian from Tulkarem stabbed two Jews near the Netayna City market on Shoham Street. He was thankfully shot dead by an armed civilian. Magen David Adom says that a 40-year old man, A Charedi resident of the city, and a 30-year old woman, were stabbed in their upper bodies. One suffered wounds to the back, the other to the chest. Both were taken to Laniado Hospital. Laniado Hospital reports the male is in moderate condition and the female’s condition is light. Seen in the photo below is the terrorist, just moments after being shot dead. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

February 14, 2017 Kyle Guthrie kguthri2@uccs.edu America is a mixture of multiple countries’ customs, earning its title as a “melting pot.” Other names for this merging of cultures include “salad bowl,” “kaleidoscope” and even “mosaic.” MOSAIC International Social Support and the Department of Communication will host the International Student Panel at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16. The event, coordinated by international student Agatha Graselia, will be held in University Center 124. The panel hopes to spread awareness to students about international students’ stories and experiences. The panel will allow students to exchange dialogue and ideas to start conversation and create relationships. Jesse Perez, MOSAIC LGBT program director, said that MOSAIC is trying to create a varied panel of international students to show the diversity on campus. Students from European and African countries, among others, will be represented, said Perez. “We try to have a good balance of representation. The idea behind it is to provide the campus with an opportunity to understand the international experience,” he said. “We live in a very diverse world, and our goal is for students studying here to leave here…with a global experience from here as well when they go and seek careers.” UCCS is home to 264 international students from 30 countries, according to Mandy Hansen, director of Global Engagement. Saudi Arabia, India, China, Spain and Canada send the most students to UCCS. “These students attend UCCS to study in all areas at the graduate and undergraduate levels, as well as intensive English,” said Hansen. Recognizing other cultures and incorporating those customs into our way of life is important, according to Perez. “Part of the college experience is having the opportunity to experience all different types of people, from personality to cultures,” he said. Perez hopes to discuss the transition that many international students go through when coming to the states as part of the panel. International students will discuss how they transitioned from studying in their home country versus the U.S. “One of the big things we focus on is the U.S. and international perception of it before traveling here and then after experiencing (the country),” said Perez. Perez explained the importance of recognizing and incorporating outside cultures into our way of life, a goal that the International Student Panel hopes to motivate. Reaching out to international students was an obstacle that was difficult to overcome, according to Anthony Cordova, director of MOSAIC and the MOSAIC Gateway Program. “What tends to happen with international students is that they tend to stick with their own population, so the Indian students would find housing close together and support each other. It’s not a bad thing at all, but they have that common language and common culture,” said Cordova. While classroom studies are important for international students, his personal experiences have taught him that what they learn outside of the classroom is just as important, said Cordova. “I always tell people that when I was a student, I learned just as much outside of the classroom as I did in the classroom,” he said. “Looking at students now, they may not enjoy living in the dorms, but you learn a lot about other people who are not from your home, and you learn to get along with people who are different than you.” Like this: Like Loading...

Transcript for Mexico Border Crisis Raises Serious Health Concerns Now to the ongoing immigration crisis on our southern border, thousands of unaccompanied children making their way here from central America. Many of them not getting adequate medical screening and that is raising some serious health concerns. ABC's Jim Avila has the story. Reporter: This morning, the flood of immigrant children streaming across the southern U.S. Border is so overwhelming federal agencies admit they cannot medically screen all of them properly. According to a government memo reviewed exclusively by ABC news some children are leaving border patrol processing centers with high fever, flu-like symptoms and other contagious diseases. The memo says the director of refugee health at HHS has identified a breakdown in the medical screening processes at the border patrol facility in Nogales, Arizona. Some children flown to a Navy base in Ventura were sick, fevers and coughing. Others had chicken pox and coxsackie virus. Two suffering from pneumonia. It's very concerning that children who had pneumonia were allowed on a plane risking their health and other refugee children. The lack of screening according to government sources may jeopardize the health of workers and other children at the facilities. In fact, ABC news has confirmed that just a week after the unscreened kids arrived there appeared to be a pneumonia and influenza outbreak spreading through the Ventura facility. In Texas ABC news learned of one confirmed case and two probable cases of the h1n1 influenza strain known as swine flu linked to the unaccompanied children. It's important to note none of these diseases have spread into the communities around the facilities and sources tell ABC news the government is now adding a fit to travel screening for the children. They must pass it before being put on a plane and sent to facilities away from the border. This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

A group of more than 20 homeless people occupied a synagogue on Monday in Caracas, arguing that the building had been abandoned and they needed a home. The three-storey Beth Abraham synagogue in the Alta Florida neighborhood of the Venezuelan capital has been undergoing renovation for the last two years, said representatives of Venezuela's Jewish community. A homeless woman sits wrapped in a blanket in the street. AP Squatters stormed into the building early Monday. They settled on the second floor, away from prayer areas. Spokeswoman Yoly Aponte said they will demand the building's expropriation so it can be turned into a home for the 12 families who occupied it. Aponte said she herself had lived for several years in the building, where she rented a room. In a recent clash with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Jewish groups including the Simon Wiesenthal Centre denounced what they saw as state anti-Semitism in the South American country. Venezuela broke off relations with Israel in early 2009, in the wake of a military offensive in Gaza.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory spinal and large-joint arthritic and potentially disabling condition, mainly affecting males of young age groups. Extensive literature based on the results of various genetic, microbiological, molecular and immunological studies carried out by independent research groups suggests that Klebsiella pneumoniae is the main microbial agent being implicated as a triggering and/or perpetuating factor in the etiopathogenesis of AS. Novel diagnostic markers and criteria based on the association with high anti-Klebsiella antibodies could be used in the detection of AS patients during early stages of the disease, and together with the current treatments might help in implementing the use of new therapeutic anti-microbial measures in the management of AS. Prospective longitudinal studies with the use of anti-microbial measures in patients with AS are required to establish the therapeutic benefit of this microbe-disease association.

President-elect Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHouse committee believes it has evidence Trump requested putting ally in charge of Cohen probe: report Vietnamese airline takes steps to open flights to US on sidelines of Trump-Kim summit Manafort's attorneys say he should get less than 10 years in prison MORE will name former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats Daniel (Dan) Ray Coats58 ex-national security officials rebuke Trump over emergency declaration DNC unveils new security checklist to protect campaigns from cyberattacks Overnight Defense: Trump to leave 200 troops in Syria | Trump, Kim plan one-on-one meeting | Pentagon asks DHS to justify moving funds for border wall MORE to direct the nation’s sprawling intelligence community, multiple media outlets reported Thursday. The mild-mannered Republican, who did not seek reelection in November, was a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. A former ambassador to Germany under George W. Bush, Coats served in the Senate twice — from 1989 to 1999, and again from 2011 until this year. The selection comes as rumors swirl that Trump is weighing dismantling the very agency he has now reportedly tapped Coats to lead, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). ADVERTISEMENT The ODNI oversees the 16 agencies that make up the so-called Intelligence Community. Created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the office is tasked with coordinating between the agencies and ensuring that important data is shared. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer on Thursday denied a report by The Wall Street Journal claiming Trump was considering paring back the intelligence office, calling it "100 percent false." "All transition activities are for information-gathering purposes and all discussions are tentative," he added. Coats will need to win approval from the Senate. In 2014, Coats was banned from Russia in retaliation for his support for a series of sanctions levied against Moscow after it annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine. “Putin’s recent aggression is unacceptable, and America must join with our European allies to isolate and punish Russia,” Coats said at the time. “I will continue to lead efforts on Capitol Hill to bring [Russian President Vladimir Putin] to his senses." The incoming administration's stance on Russia has become one of the biggest points of friction in the lead-up to confirmation hearings, which begin next week. Lawmakers — including some Republicans — are concerned by Trump's warm attitude towards the country and his rejection of the Intelligence Community's assessment that Russia attempted to meddle in the U.S. election. Coats, like Trump's pick to lead the CIA, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas), will likely face questions on the matter during the confirmation process. - Updated at 3:52 p.m.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Eight countries have joined an initiative to raise millions of dollars to replace shortfalls caused by President Donald Trump’s ban on U.S.-funded groups around the world providing information on abortion, Sweden’s deputy prime minister said. Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate Isabella Lovin delivers remarks at the "Our Ocean" conference at Georgetown University in Washington, U.S., September 16, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron Isabella Lovin told Reuters a conference would be held on March 2 in Brussels to kick-start the funding initiative to help non-governmental organizations whose family planning projects could be affected. MORE: Live updates on Trump's first 100 days in office Breakingviews: Nordstrom handed a presidential gift certificate Golf diplomacy: Trump and Abe tee off The Netherlands announced in January the launch of a global fund to help women access abortion services, saying Trump’s “global gag rule” would cause a funding shortfall of $600 million over the next four years. Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Luxemburg, Finland, Canada and Cape Verde have all lent their support, Lovin said. “(The gag order) could be so dangerous for so many women,” said Lovin who posed for a photograph this month with seven other female officials signing an environmental bill, in what was seen a response to a photograph of Trump signing the gag order in the White House with five male advisors. The global gag rule, which affects U.S. non-governmental organizations working abroad, is one that incoming presidents have used to signal their positions on abortion rights. It was created under U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Trump signed it at a ceremony in the White House on his fourth day in office. Barack Obama lifted the gag rule in 2009 when he took office. “If women don’t have control over their bodies and their own fate it can have very serious consequences for global goals of gender rights and global poverty eradication,” Lovin said.

So, Dropbox just enabled a new feature that lets you share any folder, with anyone. I know what you're thinking: "but, Cam, I can already share folders with anyone I want. There's nothing new here." While you can share folders with other Dropbox users, this is different. It's actually more like sharing things in your public folder - it basically allows you to share the contents of a folder via link, but the recipient can't edit the files, only view them. Oh, and it already works from the Android app, no update required. So, here's the gist: on your desktop, you can right-click on any folder within your Dropbox folder and select "Get link." A window will pop up in your browser with the contents of the folder - simply copy the link in the address bar and send it to whoever you want to share with. Similarly, if you want to share a folder directly from the Android app, just hit "Share" and then "Copy link" from the share dialog. The link will then be copied directly to the clipboard so you can easily paste it into a chat app, Gmail, Facebook... wherever. While this may be a nifty new feature, there are a couple of concerns here, but it looks like the Dropbox guys are a step ahead of us. First off, if someone tries to share a folder full of copyrighted material, there's a convenient little "Flag for copyright" box at the bottom-right of the page (rather a good idea, Dropbox). But what if you want to retract the sharing of a folder? Not a problem - there's a central location where you can manage every folder that you've shared, so removing the link is no more than a click away. This update may be minor in nature, but that doesn't take away from how incredibly useful it is - I can see myself using this very often. If you're already a Dropbox user, then you already have this feature; nothing needs to be updated or activated. It's just there. Nice. [Dropbox Blog]

Cardiff is the 'front-runner' for Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev, says Eddie Hearn Cardiff is the 'front-runner' for Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev, says Eddie Hearn Anthony Joshua could benefit from Deontay Wilder fighting Luis Ortiz because it speeds up a potential unification fight, says promoter Eddie Hearn. WBC heavyweight champion Wilder hasn't yet finalised his next challenger but a possible defence against Ortiz has been mooted. Joshua is expected to defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev next but with Ortiz his mandatory WBA challenger, Hearn would be happy to see the Cuban go down a new route. [Wilder v Ortiz] brings a unification fight closer, rather than waiting for next summer. Eddie Hearn "As I'm hearing it, Ortiz could fight Wilder which is a great fight. If he does, we'd like to fight the winner," he exclusively told Sky Sports. "AJ is up for fighting anyone. "It brings a unification fight closer, rather than waiting for next summer. "We've got an IBF mandatory to take care of. Then we've got a WBA mandatory to take care of, which could be Ortiz." Luis Ortiz is Anthon Joshua's WBA mandatory challenger The WBC are committed to pitting their champion, Wilder, against his peers to crown an undisputed champion according to the organisation's president Mauricio Sulaiman. Wilder vs Joshua in 2018 is Sulaiman's hope, he exclusively told Sky Sports last week in Las Vegas: "We will do whatever is possible and necessary to make it happen." "That's the fight everybody wants to see. Joshua is a tremendous attraction and a positive role model, and Wilder is the same. I Control My Destiny 💥 pic.twitter.com/J5XgPJdlpC — Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) August 23, 2017 "Two undefeated champions should meet in the ring as soon as possible. Both have commitments to finish, so next year is the time to meet." Asked if the WBC would put their belt alongside other organisational titles for an undisputed championship fight, Sulaiman replied: "Absolutely." Watch the NXTGEN card involving Buatsi, Okolie, Benn, Cordina and more, live from York Hall on Friday, via our live stream and Facebook live and on Sky Sports Action, from 7.45pm.

Disney trademarks 'Seal Team 6' for toys, games, movies, snow globes and Christmas stockings TWO days after daring Bin Laden mission Two days after U.S. Navy Seals Team 6 made headlines around the world for the dramatic raid that killed terror mastermind Osama Bin Laden, the Walt Disney Company trademarked their name, reports FishbowlNY. This doesn't effect how the Navy uses the moniker for military purposes, but it does mean we may soon be seeing 'Seal Team 6' branded products and entertainment. According to records viewable online with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Disney filed the Trademark paperwork on May 3, 2011 for 'Seal Team 6'. Heroes: U.S. Navy Seals, shown in file photo, made global headlines after their secretive 'Seal Team 6' executed a bold raid that killed Osama Bin Laden during operation 'Neptune's Spear' May 1-2 Flying high: U.S. soldier Mike Forsythe and his dog, Cara, parachute from 30,100 feet. Seal Team 6 members reportedly used dogs in their raid on Bin Laden The records show Disney applied to use the name for 'entertainment and education services'. A separate request by the company lists 'clothing, footwear and headwear'. A third request lists: 'Toys, games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles (except clothing); hand-held units for playing electronic games other than those adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor; Christmas stockings; Christmas tree ornaments and decorations; snow globes'. In the same online database, a trademarks is listed as expired for California-based NovaLogic, Inc, a maker of military-themed video games. Virtual Seals: Games like 'Socom: US Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo 2' already feature the likeness of the elite troops; special Seal Team 6 programs may follow Disney's action Play: Bruce Willis played a Navy Seal in 2003's 'Tears of the Sun', while a 'Rambama' action figure released this month commemorates the raid on Bin Laden by depicting President Obama in Seal clothing NovaLogic filed an application on March 9, 2004 for 'Seal Team 6' for 'games and playthings, namely action figures and accessories therefor'. That record was said to be 'abandoned' on September 9, 2006. Humorously, FishbowlNY wrote: 'Of course, for all we know Disney has been working on an animated feature about a team of anthropomorphic seals in search of adventure, but given the timing of the application that seems…unlikely'. As far as the U.S. military goes, Seal Team 6 is officially knows as The United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), also commonly known as DEVGRU. Of course, since the force is secret and most of its activities are highly classified, the government rarely comments on it. The team is commanded by the Joint Special Operations Command and is based in Dam Neck, Virginia. It's currently unclear how, when or even if Disney will indeed produce products under the banner of Seal Team 6, but it seems they at least are retaining the possibility. Filed: Disney requested three trademarks on various products under the name 'Seal Team 6'

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – It was less than four years ago that Josh Howard earned $10 million for the NBA season. He was playing for the Washington Wizards in the third season of a four-year, $40 million extension the Dallas Mavericks had given him. A former All-Star, the 2003 ACC Player of the Year at Wake Forest, and still just 30 years old, Howard appeared to have a handful of productive NBA seasons still ahead of him. [Photos: Athletes giving back for Thanksgiving] Scroll to continue with content Ad Then he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Two years later, he suffered a meniscus tear in the same knee. Nine months after that, he tore the ACL in his right knee. All of which helps explain why Howard is currently playing for the Austin Toros in the NBA's Development League, making $25,000 for the season. "Beggars can't be choosy is what my grandma said," Howard told Yahoo Sports. "I'm just happy to be out there playing. "I love the game. Ultimately, this is a game I played as a kid to get outside of the house away from grandma and mama – 'You ain't going to make me vacuum today. I'm going to play ball.' " Howard said he was "at his lowest" after injuring his knee for the second time. Rather than attempt yet another comeback from knee surgery, Howard could have opted to retire. He said he's invested well and saved money after listening to Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. "Cuban gave me a lot of good advice," Howard said. "I really wasn't a big spender." Howard, however, never really considered retiring. He chose instead to join Antoine Walker as the only former NBA All-Stars to join the D-League. Playing in Austin also has kept him close to his two kids and a stepson, who live less than a three-hour drive away in Dallas. [Play Yahoo Fantasy Basketball: Catch video highlights and real-time scoring] Story continues "Those tears dried up quick," Howard said. "I'm a fighter. I will never quit. I want to go out on my own terms, not nobody cutting me, me walking out saying, 'I'm done.' " Howard's agent, Derrick Lafayette, warned him transitioning to the D-League from the NBA wouldn't be easy – on or off the court. Long used to NBA charter flights – Cuban once used his private plane to take Howard to the 2007 All-Star Game – Howard and the Toros flew Southwest Airlines (with a connecting stop in San Diego) to Santa Cruz for a couple of games. Long bus rides also aren't uncommon. "That took it back to AAU right there to get here," said Howard, who admits he was "spoiled" by the NBA. Howard also had to have a roommate on the road until that player was waived. The Toros practice in a community center with a locker room so small the players often change in the storage closet. Senior citizens often work out near the court while the Toros practice – and joggers circle them on a track above. "The hardest thing is changing in the storage closet, if I had to complain about anything," Howard said. "That was a humbling experience." Howard made his D-League debut against the Santa Cruz Warriors in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,600 on Friday. He forgot to bring his basketball shoes on the trip because he was accustomed to the trainer bringing them in the NBA, so the shoes needed to be overnight mailed in time for the game. With the crowd quiet during visiting team starting lineup introductions, Howard joked that he booed himself "to get my motor running." Howard scored 16 points and made two 3-pointers during the Toros' 121-102 loss. He said his knees are 100 percent now, but admitted he doesn't jump as high as he used to and no longer likes to dunk. After the game's final buzzer, he received a thank you for playing hard from a fan and his young son. Then Howard and his teammates went to the visiting locker room: a trailer that reminded him of his middle school classrooms. "My body still feels like I'm 27 even though I'm 33," he said. The Wizards and Jazz had scouts at the Toros' second game against the Warriors on Sunday to see Howard total eight points and five fouls in 18 minutes of a 117-103 loss. One NBA scout thought Howard looked rusty and could probably better re-evaluate him in a month. "His game is more cerebral now," the scout said. "He relied on his athleticism at the peak of his NBA career. He lacks lift right now." The San Antonio Spurs own and operate the Toros, but Howard is free to sign with any NBA team. If no one signs him, he thinks he'll try to play in the summer league for someone. Whenever he does decide to retire, he hopes to open a chain of childcare centers. [Watch: What's wrong with the Eastern Conference?] For now, though, Howard is determined to try to work his way back to the NBA through the D-League, no matter how unglamorous his current surroundings. "I don't feel sorry for myself," he said.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry was forced to go on a non-denial denial overdrive about a visit to Israel on July 22 by a delegation led by retired Gen. Anwar Eshki. Eshki happens to be close to Saudi intel superstar and onetime close Osama bin Laden pal Prince Turki bin Faisal, who recently met in the open with former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) generals Yaakov Amidror and Amos Yadlin. While in Israel, Eshki met with Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold, and Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, the top IDF honcho in the West Bank. There’s absolutely no way the House of Saud would not have given a green light for such a visit – and such high-level meetings. By the way, the Interior Ministry in Saudi Arabia bans all travel to Israel – as well as Iran and Iraq. So what’s the big deal? The Israelis spun it as the Saudis – fronting for the Arab League — offering a normalization of ties with the Arab world without Israel abdicating from anything on the Palestinian front. The only thing Tel Aviv would have to do, much later, is to adopt the 2002, Saudi-proposed Arab peace initiative If the Arab League would ever embark in such a blatant non-deal, forever throwing the Palestinians under myriad bulldozers, chances are oligarchies/petromonarchies all across the spectrum should start booking that one-way ticket to London. That Moscow-Tehran-Ankara alliance Both Bibi Netanyahu in Tel Aviv and de facto House of Saud ruler and Prince of War Mohammad bin Salman in Riyadh have been reduced, under the Obama administration, to the status of proverbial, euphemistic “estranged allies”. Between them, they are de facto allies – even as they cannot admit it to the Arab street. Both are dead sure, under the Queen of War , there will be – what else – war. The question is against whom. Informed speculation points towards the Saudi/Israeli common enemy, Iran . That’s complicated. The joint Saudi/Israeli strategy across the Middle East is indeed in tatters. Tehran has not been trapped in a quagmire neither in Syria nor in Iraq. ISIS/ISIL/Daesh and assorted “moderate rebels” – covertly supported by the Saudi/Israeli axis — are on the run, even if they insist they are not “ al-Qaeda ” anymore. Prince of War bin Salman is entrapped himself in an unwinnable war on Yemen. And then there’s the spectacular post-coup pivot by Sultan Erdogan in Turkey – for all practical purposes abandoning those elaborate no-fly-zone dreams of annexing a post-Assad Syria to his neo-Ottoman set up. The House of Saud is livid as Turkish diplomats have started to spread this blockbuster news: Erdogan has proposed to Iran’s Rouhani an all-embracing alliance with President Putin to finally solve the Middle East riddle. As confirmed by a top Western intel source, “the Saudis are definitely keeping all contacts open with the Kremlin. The Saudi King is in Tangiers now and has met Russian envoys there. They mean what they say. But Putin will not abandon Assad. There has to be a compromise. Both need it.” President Putin is in a privileged spot. Even without accepting the Saudi offer – which is just a promise, with no ironclad guarantees – Russia holds the best cards, as in a quite problematic but ultimately feasible Moscow-Tehran-Ankara alliance that is all about Eurasian integration (and a future seat for Turkey, alongside Iran, in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO.) Saudi-Moscow alliance for its part would inevitably lead a Queen of War administration towards – what else — regime change in Riyadh disguised as R2P; “responsibility to protect” the Saudi populace. One should expect Hillary crony Samantha Power to vehemently defend it at the UN. It’s all about The Three Harpies The manual/blueprint/road map for Hillary’s wars is arguably here , in this very dangerous intersection between US neocons and neoliberalcons. The CNAS think tank is led by one-third (Michele Flournoy) of what I have dubbed The Three Harpies ; Hillary Clinton, Flournoy and – the most terrifying words in the English language – Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, the possible lethal trio in charge of foreign policy under a Clinton Three administration. This is in fact PNAC (the Project for a New American Century) on steroids, with echoes of the warlike 1992 US Defense Planning Guidance disguised under the soothing rhetoric of benevolent hegemony and “rules-based international order”. If the Trump campaign managed to restrain his motormouth and/or motortweet instincts and focus on what this warmongering opus means for the US and the world at large they would strike a chord with millions of undecided US voters. For all her bluster, and that will be elevated to unheard-of hysterical levels, the Full Spectrum Dominatrix won’t be foolish enough to launch a war – which will inevitably be nuclear – against either Russia (Baltics as a pretext) or China (South China Sea as a pretext), the Pentagon’s top two “existential threats”. In Syria, on the other hand, by January 2017 al-Qaeda/not al-Qaeda goons formerly known as “moderate rebels” will be mostly six feet under. But how to pull it off? One avenue, already being explored, is to bomb by all means — and not figuratively — the Iran nuclear deal. A concerted campaign in US mainstream media is already burying the deal ; and even Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei – as reported in the US – is on the record saying Washington cannot be trusted; ‘‘They tell us ‘Let’s talk about regional issues, too.’ But the experience of the nuclear deal suggests this is deadly poison and in no way can the Americans be trusted.’’ So expect from Team Clinton the proverbial media barrage of dodgy spin, baseless accusations and the occasional, perfectly positioned false flag to lure Tehran intro a trap, like, for instance, in neoliberalcon wishful thinking, Iran reviving its nuclear program. Of course this won’t happen, but a Hellfire barrage of disinformation will be used by the powerful anti-Iran lobby in the US Congress to sort of make it happen, even as an illusion. And all this while Iran, among other development matters, is busy planning a new transportation corridor from the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, connecting to Armenia, Georgia and Bulgaria, and positioning the nation as a key trade hub connecting the Arab world in the south and west; Central Asia in the north; and Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, all the way to Europe. Once again, Eurasian integration on the move. Tehran has myriad reasons to be on red alert if the Full Spectrum Dominatrix gets her hands on the nuclear codes (how’s that not scarier than Trump?) She will act as a surefire faithful servant of the Saudi/Israeli alliance. The road map is ready. And neocons and neoliberalcons alike can hardly contain their excitement at seeing in action “a force that can flex across several different mission sets and prevail.” The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Sputnik. That’s nonsense. For starters, the ultra right-wing Zionists in power in Tel Aviv will never accept reverting to the pre-1967 borders and recognizing the state of Palestine. What was “discussed” was a non-deal, even as Tel Aviv gloats, “important Arab states are willing to openly embrace us even though we have not given up one inch of the West Bank and even as we continue to control Al-Aqsa Mosque.”So what did they actually talk about? Predictably, the imminent prospect of the Full Spectrum Dominatrix finally taking over the White House.Whatever erratic Erdogan’s agenda may be, a possible ice-breaking new deal between Moscow and Ankara will be discussed de facto in the upcoming Putin-Erdogan face-to-face meeting. All geopolitical signs at this stage point – albeit tentatively – towards a revived Russia/Iran/Turkey alliance, even as a horrified House of Saud is going no holds barred to gain Moscow’s trust by offering “ untold wealth ” and privileged access to the GCC market.Yet considering the Queen of War’s instincts, all signs do point towards Iran.Erdogan may be making NATO’s life in Turkey unbearable. As the Queen of War is in AIPAC’s pocket, and considering the Clinton Foundation’s by now legendary cozy ties with the House of Saud, the war target would have to be the Saudi/Israeli preferred target, on top of it pro-Damascus and in close touch with both Ankara and Moscow: Iran.

Recently by Fred Reed: White Trash and the AmericanExperience When a country works reasonably well – when the schools teach algebra and not governmentally mandated Appropriate Values, when the police are scarce and courteous, when government is remote and minds its business and works more for the benefit of the country than for looters and special interests, then pledging to it a degree of allegiance isn’t foolish. Decades back America was such a country, imperfect as all countries are, but good enough to cherish. As decline begins, and government becomes oppressive, self-righteous, and ruthless yet incompetent, as official spying flourishes, as corruption sets in hard, and institutions rot, it is time to disengage. Loyalty to a country is a choice, not an obligation. In other times people have loved family, friends, common decency, tribe, regiment, or church instead of country. In an age of national collapse, this is wise. A fruitful field of disengagement might be called domestic expatriation – the recognition that living in a country makes you a resident, not a subscriber. It is one thing to be loyal to a government that is loyal to you, another thing entirely to continue that loyalty when the Brown Shirts march and the government rejects everything that you believe in. While the phrase has become unbearably pretentious, it is possible to regard oneself as a citizen of the world rather than of the Reich. Home schooling is an admirable form of disengagement for those who cannot physically expatriate. The primary schools once taught enough of reading and arithmetic, and little enough of medioccritizing propaganda, as to render them other than pernicious. Today, no. Here it is worth reflecting, contrary to governmental insistence, that schools are needless, at least for bright children. An intelligent child quickly reads several years ahead of his grade level, at which point school becomes only an obstacle. He will be savagely bored, regard his teachers as imbeciles, and learn nothing that justifies his being there but much that justifies being somewhere else. In the deepening twilight, home-schooling becomes almost a responsibility, a parallel to medieval monks copying Greek manuscripts. Disengagement from the system of universities, or as I should say, “universities,” is also advisable. This is true, first, because if you seek cultivation, to gain a grasp of such matters as history, literature, the arts and the sciences, you can do it better on your own. Professors serve little purpose other than to ensure that the student does his homework. If the student wants to study, he can do it by himself, and if he doesn’t want to study, he has no business in a university. Second, universities these days, with exceptions I hope, are citadels of intellectual darkness. They teach little, and chiefly serve to force the young to borrow backbreaking sums from colluding banks. The wasted time and phenomenal cost cannot be justified unless they provide some remarkable recompense, and they do not. Universities largely prepare the student for a life of office work in some dismal institution, trapping him in the retirement system and making him a prisoner of the state. In a nation subsiding into the third world, institutions cannot be counted on. It makes more sense to become, say, a commercial diver, or a master auto mechanic. The training costs less than piratical fifth-rate USOs (university-shaped objects). Both are interesting, challenging, and well-remunerated, which cannot be said of law for most who do not go into Wall Street. Crucially important, cars can be found everywhere, and such as oil companies the world over need divers. You are not tied to the United States, where the death rattle begins to be heard over the thump of the storm troopers’ boots. Disengagement from the consumerist zeitgeist is essential. Yes, I know. Distaste for a life dedicated to buying the unnecessary can seem a pose: “I, I, am of such lofty character that I do not dirty my philosophical hands with mere…things.” No. It is not a pose. In a time of economic retrogression, rejection of consumerism is utterly practical. And almost treasonous. One might ask oneself, “What do I really need, and what things really matter to me? How much money do I really need, and how much am I willing to pay to get it?” Remember, you pay more for money than for anything else. I once lived briefly in an old one-bedroom trailer set in a patch of pine woods near Farmville, Virginia. A brick barbecue came with it, and a large floppy pooch, apparently a mixture of Irish setter and whatever was around. The place was blessedly quiet. Birds and bugs aren’t noise. When it rained I delighted in being almost in the storm, but dry. I think the whole shebang cost the owner five thousand dollars, including a well and septic system. If you are thinking, “Why…no…I couldn’t possibly live that way,” you are probably right. But if I were doing it now, I would have staggering amounts of pirated music on today’s monstrous memory sticks, a set of very decent speakers for a few hundred doomed green ones, a Kindle or the free computer version for reading books from Amazon if I had the money or Project Gutenberg if I didn’t, and a fairly large flat screen for watching movies donated by uTorrent. Net cost: Under a grand. Circumstances differ, yes. But you get the idea: Comfort, quiet, music, books, barbecue, undefined dog, storms, friends, for practically nothing. Mutatis mutandis, the principle applies almost everywhere. It also fits well with Fred’s Bifurcate Law of Economic Independence: If you can’t pay for it, don’t buy it; and if you don’t need it, don’t buy it. Therein lie the seeds of the utter destruction of America, but I’m not Wall Street’s mother. To labor the point a tad, where I live, near Guadalajara in Mexico, at least two friends are living quite comfortably on a thousand a month, to include beer, Internet, and in one case substances crucial to the bloated salaries of DEA. Each has a tired truck, but no granite countertops or riding mower. Another step toward independence is to disengage to the extent possible from the maintenance cycle. You are much better off in bad times if you can do the kind of plumbing, wiring, and auto maintenance that used to be commonly understood. This is easy to say, I know. Yet, if done, it gets you farther off the grid. Again, circumstances differ and details vary. The principle remains: Disengage, cut your expenses, seek the interstices, and don’t believe in anything unless you are sure it was your idea to believe in it. What is coming looks to be ugly. If so, it will be every man for himself, his family, his friends, and what principles he believes. The government doesn’t give a wan, eitolated damn about you. Fred Reed is author of Nekkid in Austin: Drop Your Inner Child Down a Well and A Brass Pole in Bangkok: A Thing I Aspire to Be. His latest book is Curmudgeing Through Paradise: Reports from a Fractal Dung Beetle. Visit his blog. The Best of Fred Reed

A high school wrestling champion is undefeated no more after answering the call to make another wrestler's wish come true.Watch the report"He wanted a match, and I wanted to tangle with him," Deven Schuko said.Norton High School wrestler Deven Schuko is undefeated -- or at least he was -- until he took on Andy Howland, a Dighton-Rehoboth High School legend over the weekend. "When you get a story like this, and a fine young man like Deven can step up and wrestle our Andy Howland, you know, he's in for a tussle," Dighton-Rehoboth High School Athletic Director Doug Kelley said.Download WCVB App for more stories that are trending"Deven Schuko, he's a class act," Norton wrestling coach Pat Coleman said.A top-ranked wrestler, Schuko is also a Lancer co-captain and is known for his leadership skills, so when Andy Howland came looking to compete, Schuko never hesitated."He threw in a good move," Schuko said. "He was strong. He's a tough kid."It was actually one of those quiet moments. It came on without fanfare, but an alert parent began to record the match, knowing it was a matchup worth remembering."Deven has a natural respect for any wrestler, such as Andy, and I think Deven just proved there that it's never wrong to do the right thing," Coleman said."If I had to lose to someone, I'd like to lose to Andy," Schuko said. "It was a win-win in my book. He won, I won." A high school wrestling champion is undefeated no more after answering the call to make another wrestler's wish come true. Watch the report Advertisement Related Content 5 for Good: Undefeated Norton High wrestler allows for dream win "He wanted a match, and I wanted to tangle with him," Deven Schuko said. Norton High School wrestler Deven Schuko is undefeated -- or at least he was -- until he took on Andy Howland, a Dighton-Rehoboth High School legend over the weekend. "When you get a story like this, and a fine young man like Deven can step up and wrestle our Andy Howland, you know, he's in for a tussle," Dighton-Rehoboth High School Athletic Director Doug Kelley said. Download WCVB App for more stories that are trending "Deven Schuko, he's a class act," Norton wrestling coach Pat Coleman said. A top-ranked wrestler, Schuko is also a Lancer co-captain and is known for his leadership skills, so when Andy Howland came looking to compete, Schuko never hesitated. "He threw in a good move," Schuko said. "He was strong. He's a tough kid." It was actually one of those quiet moments. It came on without fanfare, but an alert parent began to record the match, knowing it was a matchup worth remembering. "Deven has a natural respect for any wrestler, such as Andy, and I think Deven just proved there that it's never wrong to do the right thing," Coleman said. "If I had to lose to someone, I'd like to lose to Andy," Schuko said. "It was a win-win in my book. He won, I won." AlertMe

Anti-Semite and Jew (French: Réflexions sur la question juive, "Reflections on the Jewish Question") is an essay about antisemitism written by Jean-Paul Sartre shortly after the liberation of Paris from German occupation in 1944. The first part of the essay, "The Portrait of the Antisemite", was published in December 1945 in Les Temps modernes. The full text was then published in 1946. The essay deals with antisemitism and how Jews react to it. More broadly, the book tries to explain the etiology of hate by analyzing antisemitic hate. According to Sartre, antisemitism (and hate more broadly) is, among other things, a way by which the middle class lay claim to the nation in which they reside, and an oversimplified conception of the world in which the antisemite sees "not a conflict of interests but the damage an evil power causes society." Definition [ edit ] Sartre begins by defining antisemitism as characterized by certain opinions: attributing "all or part of his own misfortunes and those of his country to the presence of Jewish elements in the community, ... proposes to remedy this state of affairs by depriving the Jews of certain of their rights, by keeping them out of certain economic and social activities, by expelling them from the country, by exterminating all of them ...." (p. 7)[1] He then describes the concept that these antisemitic opinions are produced by external causes, such as the experience of objective situations involving Jews.(p.8-9)[1] Sartre states that these non-contradictory conceptions are "dangerous and false" and refuses to "characterize as opinion a doctrine that is aimed directly at particular persons and that seeks to suppress their rights or to exterminate them."(p.9)[1] Sartre argues that antisemitism is not an "idea" in the commonly understood sense of the word: it is not a point of view based rationally upon empirical information calmly collected and calibrated in as objective a manner as is possible. Sartre states that "It is first of all a passion." (p.10-11; 23; 53-54.)[1] It is also often a deep passion, "Some men are suddenly struck with impotence if they learn from the woman with whom they are making love that she is a Jewess. It is an involvement of the mind, but one so deep-seated and complex that it extends to the physiological realm, as happens in cases of hysteria." (p.10-11)[1] Sartre tells of a classmate of his who complained that he had failed the agrégation exam while a Jew, the son of eastern immigrants, had passed. There was – said Sartre’s classmate – no way that that Jew could understand French poetry as well as a true Frenchman. But Sartre’s classmate admitted that he disdained the agrégation and had not studied for it. "Thus to explain his failure, he made use of two systems of interpretation… His thoughts moved on two planes without his being in the least bit embarrassed by it." (p.12.)[1] Sartre’s classmate had adopted in advance a view of Jews and of their role in society. "Far from experience producing his idea of the Jew, it was the latter that explained his experience. If the Jew did not exist, the anti-Semite would invent him." Anti-Semitism is a view that arises not from experience or historical fact, but from itself. It lends new perspective to experience and historical fact. The anti-Semite convinces himself of beliefs that he knows to be spurious at best. Bad faith [ edit ] Sartre deploys his concept of bad faith as he develops his argument. For Sartre, the anti-Semite has escaped the insecurity of good faith, the impossibility of sincerity. He has abandoned reason and embraced passion. Sartre comments that, "It is not unusual for people to elect to live a life of passion rather than of reason. But ordinarily they love the objects of passion: women, glory, power, money. Since the anti-Semite has chosen hate, we are forced to conclude that it is the state of passion that he loves."[1] He chooses to reason from passion, to reason falsely "because of the longing for impenetrability. The rational man groans as he gropes for the truth; he knows that reasoning is no more than tentative, that other considerations may intervene to cast doubt on it." Anti-Semites are attracted by "the durability of a stone." What frightens them is the uncertainty of truth.[1] "The anti-Semite has chosen hate because hate is a faith." He has escaped responsibility and doubt. He can blame anything on the Jew; he does not need to engage reason, for he has his faith. The anti-Semite is a prime example of a person who has entered into bad faith to avoid responsibility. He attempts to relinquish his responsibility to anti-Semitism and a community of anti-Semites. He "fears every kind of solitariness… however small his stature, he takes every precaution to make it smaller, lest he stand out from the herd and find himself face to face with himself. He has made himself an anti-Semite because that is something one cannot be alone." (p.22.) Anti-Semitism is a way of feeling good, proud even, rather than guilty at the abandonment of responsibility and the flight before the impossibility of true sincerity. The anti-Semite abandons himself to the crowd and his bad faith, he "flees responsibility as he flees his own consciousness, and choosing for his personality the permanence of the rock, he chooses for his morality the scale of petrified values."(p.27.) [1] He pulls down shutters, blinds, mirrors and mirages over his consciousness to keep himself in his bad faith away from his responsibilities and his liberty. The anti-Semite is afraid "of himself, of his own consciousness, of his own liberty, of his instincts, of his responsibilities, of solitariness, of change, of society, and the world – of everything except the Jews." He is "a coward who does not want to admit his cowardice to himself." (p.53.)[1] The anti-Semite wallows in the depths of an extreme bad faith. "Anti-Semitism, in short, is fear of the human condition. The anti-Semite is a man who wishes to be pitiless stone, a furious torrent, a devastating thunderbolt – anything except a man." (p. 54.)[1] This is his bad faith. Jewishness and antisemitism [ edit ] In the final section of Anti-Semite and Jew, Sartre turns to consider the Jew. First he goes through the various ways in which the term or identity "Jew" has been defined. One by one he proves to his own satisfaction why each is fatally flawed. Then he borrows from his existentialist and phenomenological philosophy to define a Jew as a person that others look at and say, "look, he/she is a Jew". Just as a chair is a chair by virtue of our considering it a chair, as in Wittgenstein's later philosophy, so a Jew is a person whom others consider to be a Jew. Therefore, a Jew's Jewishness exists only to the extent they are considered Jewish by those around them. See also [ edit ] References [ edit ] a b c d e f g h i j k Sartre, Anti-Semite and Jew, Schocken Books, Paris, 1948

The Wildrose Opposition wants to hear from Albertans about rising crime in Alberta through a new task force announced Wednesday. Wildrose justice critic and Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt will chair the committee, which will hold meetings across the province across the next few months. "We will seek to hear from law enforcement, local government, community leaders and Albertans who are worried about the impact of crime in their communities," Pitt said at a news conference in Edmonton. "We will ask for new solutions and ideas to solve the problems facing our province. We will discuss ways to build safer communities." Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Don MacIntyre will serve as co-chair of the task force. The Wildrose plans to get feedback on tougher sentencing for people found guilty of trafficking and manufacturing fentanyl and other opioids. They also want to know what people think about increased monitoring for violent offenders and Bill 201, proposed legislation to increase public reporting on the justice system. The bill failed to pass second reading last week. Pitt said the task force intends to have a report completed by the fall.

Lahotar "Who Is Lahotar? Neither he nor she not from here or there My origins? I'm the child n essence of love I give freely will u not drink my wine"​ "Lahotar is representative of all the ancient masters of wisdom My beauty is not of this world I can only give what I have In abundance -love" "I am LAHOTAR,I don't jus know love or represent love-I AM LOVE.strange isn't it?Ive been sent to give it but very few takers. Wil u not be1?" "Regardless of technology wealth n cleverness. Without love you’ll forever remain miserable. Come to lahotar for love’s sweet elixir I got it" "Read lahotar’s texts as they carry a v intoxicating n other worldly energy. Read them @ random n imagine u self permeated by my sweet poison"

On Sept. 17, 2010, Terry Pegula helped make college hockey history. The Buffalo Sabres’ owner joined a press conference at his alma mater to announce his $88 million donation to Penn State, building the school a new ice arena and creating the 59th Division I men's ice hockey program. From there, the figurative ball began to roll and the buzz began to grow. On April 24, 2011, the school named Guy Gadowsky, who coached Princeton to two NCAA tournament appearances, the team's first coach. He wasted no time in getting his first Nittany Lions team together, getting to pick from one of the nation's top club teams on his own campus. The Penn State men's hockey team opened its inaugural D-I season Friday with a 3-2 overtime loss to American International. The teams squared off again Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, where PSU earned a 4-3 overtime win -- its first of the season. (Photo: Penn State Athletic Communications) The Penn State men's hockey team opened its inaugural D-I season Friday with a 3-2 overtime loss to American International. The teams squared off again Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, where PSU earned a 4-3 overtime win -- its first of the season. In early September, Gadowsky named his first recruiting class, five sophomore transfers who will be the de facto team leaders for the new coach. Former Mercyhurt forward Taylor Holstrom was the Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year in 2011, and fellow ex-Laker Nate Jensen's father, David, played for the U.S. Olympic team in 1984 before playing with the Minnesota North Stars. "It's huge for us to have those five individuals with Division I experience," Gadowsky said. "[Holstrom], along with the other four guys, are going to be extremely important in helping our program make the transition from club hockey to Division I." In their final season as a club team, Kirchhevel (57 points) and Holstrom (40 points) ranked among the national scoring leaders as Penn State went 30-3-0 en route to a top seed in the postseason tournament before losing in the semifinals. Their success left a big impression on the coach. "There are 16 players who played on last year's club team that will be on this Division I roster," Gadowsky said. "It was basically a year-long tryout last year. They had their goals in mind and worked extremely hard throughout the season and this past summer. I'm so excited for them. Every one of them has a tremendous story -- how they ended up playing Division I hockey. They’ve worked extremely hard to give themselves a chance to take advantage of this opportunity." Among the holdovers are Tommy Olczyk, the son of former NHL player Eddie Olczyk; and goalies Paul Musico and Mathew Madrazo, who were among American Collegiate Hockey Association leaders in most categories and will duke it out with freshman Matt Skoff, an ex-USHL stud, for playing time. Olczyk, along with forward George Saad and Jensen, will be the team's captains. "Our biggest challenge all year long is going to be pushing our pace during practice. Opening night is Oct. 12 against a Division-I opponent and it's going to be a different level and speed of the game." -- Coach Guy Gadowsky on Penn State's transition to NCAA Division-I hockey Despite their gaudy statistics and on-ice accomplishments, Holstrom and his more-seasoned teammates know it will be an adjustment on the Division I level. "The game is going to be faster, and I'm going to see if I remember how to get up to that speed," Holstrom said with a laugh. "A lot of these guys have really stepped up their game; we definitely have D-I caliber guys. We're young and skilled. We have a lot of guys that can score, some of these guys have the hardest shots I've seen, and we've really loaded up on size this year." Gadowsky said, "It's not necessarily the speed of the athletes, but rather the speed of the decision-making. When you move up and play higher and higher levels of hockey, that's the biggest difference and the biggest change. Our biggest challenge all year long is going to be pushing our pace during practice. Opening night is Oct. 12 against a Division I opponent and it's going to be a different level and speed of the game." While there is little at stake for the Nittany Lions in their first season -- they'll play 33 games as an independent in 2012-13 with no shot at a league title -- there is still plenty to look forward to. They'll get an early taste of Big 10 hockey, facing off against two of their future league rivals, as well as take the ice at two AHL arenas. Those dates on the calendar are definitely circled for players like Holstrom. "It's not till later in the season, but Michigan State (Jan. 25-26) and Wisconsin (Feb. 24-25) for sure, since they're the teams we're all going to be playing for the next three years," he said, pointing out their games against American International at Mohegan Sun Arena (Oct. 13), home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and versus RIT (Oct. 20) at Rochester's Blue Cross Arena, where the AHL's Americans play. The excitement goes far beyond the ice. Penn State held its first official practice, a midnight ice session open to the public on Oct 5. The 1,350-seat Ice Pavilion, where the team will play until Pegula Ice Arena opens in the fall of 2013, was packed. Despite an eye toward the future in regards to games and seasons, the team is doing its best to temper expectations. "We're going to be one of the hardest working teams in college hockey," Holstrom said. ON CAMPUS Pegula's vision for PSU comes into focus By Pete Jensen - NHL.com Staff Writer The generosity of Buffalo Sabres' owner Terry Pegula has forever changed hockey for the Nittany Lions, who are competing at the Division I level this season. READ MORE › Photo Gallery: Penn State set for Division I The generosity of Buffalo Sabres' owner Terry Pegula has forever changed hockey for the Nittany Lions, who are competing at the Division I level this season. MORE ON CAMPUS STORIES › Gadowsky said, "We were able to start building our foundation last year -- which is very valuable. Doing things the right way with high standards of work ethic and commitment is extremely important to us. I really do like their work ethic -- they're working extremely hard off the ice. I love their commitment to Penn State University and their passion for the school and the athletic department." The passion is echoed around campus, as the fervor grows with opening night approaching. "Riding the bus, I get it every day wearing my hockey jacket," Holstrom said. "People are asking questions, telling us about how they already bought their tickets, and T-shirts are popping up everywhere." According to Gadowsky, tickets are nearly sold out, despite packages being sold in only five-game blocks. When student tickets went on sale at 7 a.m. on Sept. 12, a line had already formed at 5:30 in the morning. The excitement is there, but the pressure will be measured accordingly. "Every game we play is a huge opportunity to improve, and we're going to continue to work very hard to improve every day," Gadowsky said. "I don't think that, right now, it's fair at all to say 'this many' wins is going to determine whether we have success or not. We're going to judge our success by how strong our foundation is and how much we improve. "It's such an exciting time -- it's a new program and we get to compete in Division I hockey. At the same time, you realize how much more work there is to be done, so it's very exciting and overwhelming all at once." Follow Michael Blinn on Twitter: @NHLBlinn

Fish oil -- long encouraged by doctors as a supplement to support heart and joint health, among other benefits -- induced severe colitis and colon cancer in mice in research led by Michigan State University and published this month in the journal Cancer Research. Jenifer Fenton, a food science and human nutrition researcher at MSU, led the research that supports establishing a dose limit for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil, particularly in people suffering from chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases. "We found that mice developed deadly, late-stage colon cancer when given high doses of fish oil," she said. "More importantly, with the increased inflammation, it only took four weeks for the tumors to develop." Specifically, the research team found an increase in the severity of the cancer and an aggressive progression of the cancer in not only the mice receiving the highest doses of DHA but those receiving lower doses as well. The mice used in the study were prone to inflammatory-like bowel disease; inflammation is an important risk factor for many types of cancers, including colon cancer. "Our findings support a growing body of literature implicating harmful effects of high doses of fish oil consumption in relation to certain diseases," Fenton said. "Currently, there is a call by academics and the food industry to establish dietary guidelines for omega-3 consumption. This is primarily motivated by the fact that most Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and there is substantial evidence supporting the beneficial effects of the consumption." The findings were surprising, specifically because DHA has been shown to have some anti-inflammatory properties, according to Fenton: "We hypothesized that feeding fish oil enriched with DHA to mice would decrease the cancer risk; we actually found the opposite. These mice were less equipped to mount a successful immune response to bacteria that increased colon tumors." Fenton cautions people may not need to avoid fish oil; what the research shows is needed are guidelines on dosing. With any nutrient, there is a "bell curve" effect. On the left of the curve are those deficient in a nutrient; on the right are those in excess. She said people already receiving enough omega-3 fatty acids through their normal diet and foods have no need for added supplementation. "With fish oil, we don't yet know how much is appropriate," said Fenton, also a researcher with the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. "There are many examples of taking supplements, nutrients or chemicals in excess that can promote cancer (for example, beta-carotene supplementation in smokers). Supplementation is most useful when the person taking them is deficient in that specific nutrient." The research team's findings could have an important preventive health impact, specifically in light of the high rates of colon cancer in the United States. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk of developing colon cancer, and when the cancer metastasizes it can be fatal. The next step, Fenton said, is to test omega-3 fatty acid levels in people with inflammatory bowel disease. To that end, she is continuing to build relationships -- via MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine campus in Macomb County -- with gastrointestinal specialists to develop a cohort of patients. "To help develop guidelines, we need to see how these findings correlate to human populations," she said.

Today we have our AMD EPYC 7351P Linux benchmarks and review. This is part of a much larger series as many of our longtime readers may have seen with our Intel Xeon Silver 4114 benchmarks earlier this week. Make no mistake, the AMD EPYC 7351P performance is very good. So much so that it is going to make some of our readers feel a bit uncomfortable about purchases they may have been planning to make. Background: Heavy Legwork to Build a Useful Dataset At STH, we are working on a major project. We have over $100,000 worth of current generation AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs in the lab. Several racks and 6kW dedicated to a project in the data center. We have the CPUs in-house for over 40% of all the single and dual socket AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon Scalable configurations. That is a huge project that we have already invested over $250,000 in that we will be detailing a bit more on soon. Perhaps one of the more interesting areas from all of these different CPUs is around AMD EPYC’s single socket parts. There are three EPYC SKUs: 7351P, 7401P and 7551P that are identical to their dual socket counterparts except for two areas. First, they are single socket capable and cannot be used in dual socket configurations. Second, they are priced at an enormous discount. Today we are going to publish our first EPYC numbers for a single socket only part, the AMD EPYC 7351P. Up to this point, the vast majority of benchmarks found online have been ad-hoc, at best in their comparisons. Running so many servers to generate data sets is expensive and we have bought CPUs and systems to accelerate our testing schedule. Beyond that, we also have an extremely controlled data center environment where we monitor temperature and humidity as they are key inputs to overall server performance and power consumption. By scaling up our efforts, we are able to quickly provide a complete comparison set. Comparing the AMD EPYC 7351P today we have other AMD EPYC CPUs in the sub $1000 price range. We also have the entire Xeon Silver range represented in both single, and where applicable, dual socket configurations. These are Intel’s offerings in the sub-$1000 segment (save the Bronze 3104 and 3106 that we already covered.) Today is when the industry moves from ad-hoc one-to-one comparisons to actionable comparisons. Our goal is that as we release even more of our giant data set, buyers will be able to make informed decisions looking at incremental price and performance. Key stats for the AMD EPYC 7351P: 16 cores / 32 threads, 2.4GHz base and 2.9GHz turbo with a whopping 64MB L3 cache. The CPU features a 170W TDP. Here is the AMD product page with the feature set. Here is the lscpu output for the processor: Since the AMD EPYC architecture is going to be new for many, we wanted to provide that CPU feature set output. Although you may see 8MB L3 cache in the lscpu output, the chip actually carries a staggering 64MB L3 cache. That means that this ~$750 CPU has more L2+L3 cache than Intel’s top of the line Xeon Scalable 28 core part. AMD achieves this by using four die per package instead of Intel’s single die design which you can read about in our AMD EPYC and Intel Xeon Scalable Architecture Ultimate Deep Dive. Test Configuration By the end of September, we will have every AMD EPYC SKU tested on a common Tyan EPYC platform and work started on another platform. Here is the base hardware configuration we are using: CPU: AMD EPYC 7351P Server Barebones: Tyan Transport SX TN70A-B8026 (B8026T70AE24HR) RAM: 8x 16GB 128GB DDR4-2666 RDIMMs (Samsung) SSD: 1x Intel DC S3710 400GB SATA SSD NIC: 1x Mellanox ConnectX-3 Pro EN VPI Key to this system is that it supports 24x NVMe U.2 NVMe SSDs without using Broadcom PLX PCIe expanders. That is 96 lanes of PCIe 3.0 directly from a single SKU. One of the key advantages AMD EPYC has is that a single EPYC CPU can use 128x PCIe lanes, the same number as the dual socket configuration. Tyan has responded to this opportunity by offering a single-socket system that can handle 24x NVMe drives plus have I/O available for 10/25/40/50/100GbE. AMD and Tyan originally suggested that we use a Samsung SSD (as pictured), however, to aid in consistency, we are using our lab standard Intel DC S3710 400GB SSDs. In our forthcoming system review, we will have data on every CPU from the AMD EPYC 7251 to the EPYC 7601 for those looking at the system.

Almost 2,500 people were killed in Syria during the month of Ramadan, the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported on Monday. Of these, an estimated 1,440 were civilians killed by pro-government forces, including over 230 children. 433 rebels from unidentified factions reportedly died at the hands of Syrian army soldiers during the month beginning 28 June. According to the report, the Islamic State killed dozens of civilians and over 200 rebels from other factions during the same period. The monitoring organisation did not record the number of soldiers loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad who were killed during the month of Ramadan. However, significant losses were recorded by Assad’s forces, with reports on Tuesday that they have once again lost control of Shaar gas field, after retaking it from Islamic State fighters on Saturday. Losses spark anger in army families Continued losses among the ranks of the Syrian army have led to a wave of rage among its supporters, reports Arabic daily al-Arabiya. The loss of Division 17 of the pro-government army in northern al-Raqqa province on Friday as Islamic State fighters overran a military base was a flashpoint for anger. There were clashes on Tuesday in the northern coastal town of Jableh between the families of pro-government soldiers and government militias, reports al-Arabiya. Similar scenes occurred throughout the country as forces supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad counted significant losses in the far north-eastern Hasaka governorate and around the west-central town of Hama, where they lost control of a military encampment. Losses were recorded not just by Syria’s official army, but also by Lebanese fighters from Hezbollah, who have been battling alongside pro-Assad forces in Syria since early 2013. During the past week, the group has buried 12 of its fighters, including the nephew of Hezbollah general secretary Hassan Nasrallah, reports Arabic news site Arabi21. The losses, many of which were inflicted in the western Qalamoun province on the border with Lebanon, throw into doubt reports by Assad’s forces, who said several months ago that they had gained control over Jabhat Qalamoun, a key anti-government group fighting in the province. Australia seeks arrest of Islamic State fighters Australia issued arrest warrants on Tuesday for two of its nationals suspected of involvement in Saturday’s grisly attack on government forces in Raqqa province. Unverified images apparently showing the two men, Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar, holding the severed heads of soldiers from the 17th division circulated on Twitter last week. The two Australians travelled to Syria in late 2013, reported Australia’s ABC News, and have now been issued with arrest warrants on suspicion of terrorism offences. "As soon as they set foot on Australian soil they will be taken into custody," Australia’s counter-terrorism chief told ABC News. Islamic State take advantage of gains Meanwhile, Islamic State supporters on Twitter seem buoyed by recent advances they have claimed. One, whose handle is Ja’far, claimed on Tuesday that dozens of fighters from the Free Syrian Army had defected to IS during fighting in the town of Akhtarin in Aleppo governorate, far northern Syria near the border with Turkey. He claims that fighters from Jund al-Aqsa, another rebel group active in Syria’s war, have now joined IS. He also said that soldiers loyal to Assad had attempted to flee the fighting in al-Raqqa by posing as civilians, commenting that “morale…is terrible.” In Aleppo, the Islamic State have opened a marriage bureau, according to reports on Monday by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Single women and widows can register their names and addresses at the office - IS militants will then be able to make a formal offer of marriage to their families. According to the monitor, it is the first time such an office has been set up.

I'm pretty much done with the sex scandals. They were fun, but they're just going to have to carry on without me. If someone broke the law and you can prove it, prosecute him. If someone violated the rules of his organization, eject him. Other than that, if women have forgotten the fine art of slapping a man in the face, there's not a whole hell of a lot society can do for them. You keep silent for forty years and then ruin a man's career with an unprovable allegation — and that makes you a hero? Not to me. Look, I think Al Franken is a nasty little piece of corruption. I'm not even sure he actually resigned at all. I think he may have just faked it so Democrats could make a lot of hypocritical noise about Roy Moore down in Alabama. I suspect, after the Alabama election is over, if Moore loses, Franken will retract his intended resignation and it'll all pass away. But beyond that, the truth is, I don't care whether he grabbed a couple of bottoms or not. I already know he's a creep. Any woman he grabbed should have smacked him a good one and told him to knock it off at the top of her lungs. When did women become such helpless little flowers? Slapping is a very good system of justice in these cases. Slap him, shout at him, then let the voters decide. I don't like Roy Moore either. I don't like the way he inflames people's prejudices or the way he wields the Bible at his political enemies and at gay people. I think he's a hypocrite. But you know what? If he legally dated and kissed teenagers when he was in his thirties, I truly do not think it is any of my business. One woman says he attacked her violently, but her story has some serious holes in it. One woman says she was only fourteen when he felt her up, but he denies it and it was so bloody long ago who the hell knows? Either way, I don't think voting for Moore is going to bring about the moral apocalypse, and I don't think it means the Republican Party is going to hell. There are other issues on the table. I don't want to retract the Declaration of Independence because Jefferson took advantage of a slave girl. I'm not going to surrender to Germany because Eisenhower cheated on his wife. Sex makes people do bad and stupid things. Again, prosecute, eject or slap. Otherwise, I'll take each case in context as it comes. Anyway, that's how I see it, but, according to our media elites, the rules are different. According to them, Democrats can run interference for an accused sex abuser and his complicit wife for 25 years, they can call a priapic woman-slaughterer the lion of the Senate, but one make-believe resignation speech from a handsy comedian? Then the Democrats' worst problem is that they're "too pure." As for Republicans: they shouldn't decide elections on the issues but should instead fly into a moral panic the moment the mainstream media charges their candidate with anything, whether it's traveling with his dog on the car roof or dating a girl too young for him forty years ago.

A simple but delicious banana cake made even more special with a caramel frosting. This banana cake can be served as is or with a dusting of powdered sugar but the caramel frosting makes it a slice of heaven on a plate! Here is an easy dessert recipe for Banana Cake with Caramel Frosting. Ingredients: Banana Cake 2 1/2 cups cake flour 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt 1/2 cup(s) unsalted butter, softened 1 1/4 cup(s) granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract 1/2 cup(s) buttermilk 1 cup very ripe bananas, mashed Caramel Frosting 3 cup(s) light brown sugar 1 1/2 cup(s) heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon(s) lemon juice 5 tablespoon(s) butter, cold, cut into pieces Procedures: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray. Dust with flour, tap out any excess, and set aside. On a flat surface lined with a sheet of parchment paper, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Transfer sifted dry ingredients into a medium bowl by running through the sifter again. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter until light using a mixer at medium-high speed for about 1 minute. Add the sugar and continue to beat for 2 more minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition, and mix in the vanilla. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture by thirds, alternating with the buttermilk and bananas and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just enough to blend the batter after each addition. Divide the batter equally between the pans and bake on the middle rack of the oven until a pick inserted into each cake layer comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the cake pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the cake layers from the pan sides and invert the layers onto the wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the frosting: Combine sugar, heavy cream, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan with a candy thermometer attached. Cook the mixture, without stirring, over medium-high heat to soft-ball stage (238 degrees F). Remove from heat and cool the caramel mixture to 140 degrees F. Place the butter on top of the slightly cooled caramel mixture. Remove the thermometer and, using a handheld mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the caramel until it thickens enough to hold its shape, lightens in color, and changes from translucent to opaque, about 5 minutes. Place about 1 cup of the caramel frosting on top of one of the banana cakes and spread evenly using a spatula. Place the second banana cake on top of the frosting. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting. The frosting can get sticky over time and might be difficult to spread so apply immediately on cake while still warm. Get These Other Easy Dessert Recipes: Comments comments

Ok, this is a bit of a weird page, admittedly, but there’s a reason for it. Just planting deep seeds. :) As the undersecretary of ADHD folk myself, I wouldn’t blame anyone for skimming panel 1 a bit. Here’s a link to Sagan reading it out himself. If you’re the sort of person who is affected by powerful narration, prime your hanky. Personally I need to rehydrate after watching that clip. The TLDR version is “Earth is tiny and insignificant, people suck and we should do better.” Obviously Sagan’s version has slightly more gravitas. So much it can prevent light from escaping. For those of you unfamiliar with what that picture is, it was taken from VGER Voyager 1 when it was 6.4 billion KM from Earth. Personally I think if all the halls of power in the world had a poster like this hanging somewhere prominent, people might be motivated to work together better, but perhaps that’s putting too much faith in humanity. Deus genuinely did hang that poster at one point, as he says, to keep things in perspective, but sometimes the things meant to center us can have a divergent effect. Sydney, as I’ve said before, is a bad liar. Not in the sense that she can’t keep a secret. She’s actually quite good at that. Usually. She has sometimes been known to get a case of blurtmouth, but not on anything critically important. Of course the best way to keep a secret is to never let on you know one. This is not Sydney’s area of expertise. This page colored by Keith. Patreon supporters can view this page at twice the size! (as soon as I wake up and post it then immediately go back to sleep since Patreon doesn’t have a way to schedule posts yet.) $1 and up, but feel free to contribute as much as you like :) Here’s the link to the new comments highlighter for chrome, and the GitHub link which you can use to install on FireFox via Greasemonkey.

Watch the Food Tank via Livestream and join the conversation using hashtag: #FoodTank. Email questions to Questions@FoodTank.com. Please scroll down to see the full agenda. Food Tank, in partnership with The George Washington (GW) University, is excited to present the 1st Annual Food Tank Summit at the Jack Morton Auditorium (former home of CNN’s Crossfire). This two-day event features more than 75 different speakers from the food and agriculture field. Researchers, farmers, chefs, policy makers, government officials, and students will come together panels on topics including; food waste, urban agriculture, family farmers, farm workers, and more. Watch the entire Food Tank Summit free here on January 21st and 22nd. The livestream has been graciously donated by the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition (BCFN). Please also join BCFN and Food Tank in taking action in support of the Milan Charter by clicking HERE. Want us to do more events like these? Please Join Food Tank as a Member Today. FOOD TANK SUMMIT PROGRAM (Download the Full Program HERE) January 21st, Day One 8:30am Registration and Complimentary Breakfast Breakfast courtesy of Panera Bread. Coffee courtesy of Equal Exchange 9:00 Welcome: President Steven Knapp, The George Washington University (GWU), @GWTweets 9:05 Welcome: Diane Robinson Knapp, GWU’s Urban Food Task Force, @GWfoodforce 9:10 Keynote and Opening: Kathleen Merrigan, GWU Sustainability Collaborative, @katmerrigan, @GWTweets 9:20 Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank, @DaniNierenberg, @Food_Tank 9:30 Panel: Cultivating Better Urban Food Systems Keynote: Mary Cheh, Washington, D.C. Council Member, Ward 3, @marycheh Moderator: Dennis Dimick, National Geographic, @ddimick, @NatGeo 10:45 Break 11:00 Panel: Waste Not Want Not in the Food System Keynote: Ben Simon, Food Recovery Network, @foodrecovery Moderator: Daniel Reed, Planet Forward, @planet_forward 12:15pm Complimentary Lunch and Networking Lunch courtesy of Panera Bread 1:00 Panel: Family Farmers Creating Resilience in the Food System Keynote: Brian Halweil, Edible Manhattan, @brianhalweil, @EdibleManhattan Moderator: Jane Black, Washington Post, @jane_black, @WaPoFood 2:15 Panel: Telling the Story of Food Keynote: Frank Sesno, Planet Forward, @franksesno, @planet_forward Moderator: Allison Aubrey, National Public Radio, @AubreyNPRFood, @NPRFood 3:30 Break 3:45 Panel: The Business of Food Keynote: Scott Davis, Panera Bread, @SDavisPnra, @panerabread Moderator: Eliza Barclay, National Public Radio, @elizabarclay, @NPRFood 5:00 End of Day Keynote: Chef Michel Nischan, Wholesome Wave, @michelnischan, @wholesomewave 5:10 Adjourn to Reception January 22nd, Day Two 8:30am Complimentary Coffee Coffee courtesy of Equal Exchange 9:10 Keynote: Saru Jayaraman, Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United, @sarujayaraman, @ROCunited 9:20 Panel: Recognizing Workers in the Food System Keynote: Liz Shuler, National AFL-CIO, @LizShuler, @AFLCIO Moderator: Diane Brady, Bloomberg, @dianebrady, @Bloomberg 10:30 Break 10:45 Panel: Pushing for Better Agriculture Research and Policy Keynote: Jerry Glover, United States Agency for International Development, @jerry_d_glover, @USAID Moderator: Allison Aubrey, National Public Radio, @AubreyNPRFood, @NPRFood 12:00 Lunch Lunch courtesy of Chipotle, ShopHouse, and SweetGreen 1:00 Panel: Pushing for International Agreements: The Milan Protocol Keynote: Luca Virginio, Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition Foundation, @BarillaCFN Moderator: Joe DeCapua, Voice of America, @jdecapua, @VOA_News 2:15 Break 2:30 Panel: True Cost Accounting in the Food System Keynote: Patrick Holden, Sustainable Food Trust, @SusFoodTrust Moderator: Jason Huffman, Politico, @JsonHuffman, @politico, @morning_ag 3:45 Panel: Democratizing Innovation Keynote: John Fisk, Wallace Center at Winrock International, @ngfn, @pastureproject Moderator: Tim Carman, Washington Post, @timcarman, @WaPoFood 5:00 Ending Keynote: Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, @chelliepingree 5:10 Adjourn print Join the Conversation:

+ 37 Architects AO Location Triglav National Park, 4265 Bohinjsko jezero, Slovenia Category Sports Architecture Architect in Charge Darko Bernik (2016) based on Karel Korenini (1936) Area 9.15 sqm Project Year 2016 Photographs Anze Cokl Manufacturers Loading... Structural Engineering Darko Bernik, Rok Feldin Engineering & Consulting Team Darko Bernik, Mirko Klinar, Anže Čokl, Maja Perko, Raf Kolbl, Rajko Tušek Site Preparation, Construction and Installation team Darko Bernik, Mirko Klinar, Maja Perko, Raf Kolbl, Rajko Tušek, Anže Čokl with help of Aleksandra Božnar, Metod Smolej, Majda Reberšak, Božo Družijanič, Marko Štojs, Miha Rakar, Miha Novak Air Transportation Helicopter and pilots of the Slovenian Armed Forces Logo Design Kapucki, visual communications Supporting contractors KOV, Impol, Sij Acroni, Društvo gorske reševalne službe Jesenice, Reflex, Elektro Gorenjska, Enos, PIN+, WURTH, Merkur trgovina, Tavči Tatoo, Tapro Grosist, Prevozi Zorko Video edit Aljaž Salkič Client Alpine Club Jesenice, Slovenia Manufacturers Loading... More Specs Less Specs Text description provided by the architects. More than 80 years ago, visionary minds of alpine climbers in Slovenia decided to build alpine shelters in the Julian Alps. In 1936 there were no access roads. What used to take climbers and hikers days, takes a couple of hours nowadays. With better infrastructure and general access however, parts of Triglav National Park’s most sacred places still remain pristine and less visited. In 1936 Skala club members had decided that building small, but functionally ingenious alpine shelters, would save time and effort to climb mountains and make them more accessible for exploration. Bivak II na Jezerih was built on the designs of engineer and mountaineer Karlo Korenini. Together with climbing buddies, they have transported over a ton of wood and steel on their backs alone and built the shelter on the spot! It was in service for respectful 80 years, especially considering the harsh environment and relatively basic materials available at the time. However, wooden construction finally gave way and deteriorated the the point of breaking down. The original 1936 bivouac was airlifted on a custom made platform so that it would not crumble into itself. It was donated to the Slovenian Mountaineering Museum as an exhibit. Main restrictive factors affecting the design were thus set both by highly restrictive policies of the Triglav National Park and the extreme mountain weather and conditions as well as air-transportation limitations. The following criteria had to be met: bivouac has to withstand winds of 200 km/h finished bivouac must not exceed the 1300 kg of total weight as this is the limit of the available air-lift helicopter for the area and height bivouac’s gross volume must be within 10% plus/minus of the original due to remoteness of the area the bivouac must be built as easy to maintain as possible the bivouac must be cozy and give priority to function over general attractiveness Bivak II na Jezerih was thus conceived on the basis of the 1936 bell-shaped original, retaining traditional outline, but with major improvements to construction, use and finishing materials and details. All with functionality and ease of installation and maintenance in mind. Beside the extreme environment with hurricane force winds and few meters of snow and general exposure, having a relatively useful space on an area of less than 9m2 for 6 people is a challenge. With a folding table, overlapping bench (when sleeping feet are below and you sit from the other side), a box for accessories which you can also sit on plus many other details, make up for a better living comfort in the mountains. Having respected ingenious architects and builders of the 1936 and especially the solutions which proved to be working for almost a century, the newly built and vastly improved bivouac now stands open after over 600 hours of voluntary work for the mountaineers and climbers and the test of time. Product Description. IMPOL Group 2 mm EN 3103 Aluminum was chosen as the main material for the harsh environment of the high alpine world, both from practical and aesthetic reasons, with limestone rock gray color blending nicely with the material in the sensitive alpine world. The aluminum has a great look, low weight, is long lasting and is easy to work with. It was delivered in pre-cut plates from a roll by IMPOL Group. Plates were laser cut and trimmed in the workshop and pre-bent for later fixing. The aluminum had a natural look and finish of the EN3103 and with the passing of the time will get it’s final (somewhat oxidized) look, without any need of using paints or whatsoever, blending in the environment even better. Aluminum EN 5754 of 4mm thickness with 3D pattern was also used for the entrance and floor, dividing the sleeping part. It was wrapped up on all sides to the verticals (wood) and welded, so it also holds water that could come off of wet boots of snow or equipment. There is an opening on one end where water can escape out of the bivouac. Aluminum for the floor is durable, non-slippery, and can withstand pressure of crampon points, should there be negligence or emergency by mountaineers walking in with crampons still on. Construction was made of 4 mm steel, welded and optimized for low weight, galvanized and painted. All points of contact with aluminum were specifically protected to prevent negative galvanic cell effects. Special care was also taken with the selection of proper screws and at all points of contact. REFLEX provided specialty glass that is both safe and has protective features with superior insulating capabilities. The biggest concern was that the glass would not break before the final installation on the mountain due to the difference in altitude and thus pressure at the time of the production and before being installed on the mountain.

"Sure." "A Coonawarra shiraz with your steak?" Silly question. The three of us provided some small quaffing support but another bottle was, of course, necessary. The surprise, however, was not CH's legendary thirst, nor the vast range of his learning and his opinions, but his engagement, his courtesy, his interest in his fellow diners' views on literature, on politics, on the world and on Australia. Rhyming book titles and ditties on philosophers were interspersed with pointed, provocative and opinionated commentary. We left with our shiraz-numbed minds reeling, while Christopher returned to his hotel and no doubt to his mini bar, only to emerge a few hours later on our television screens in lucid and devastating form as he dominated the Q&A debate. At the weekend, the Opera House was filled to overflowing to hear Christopher discuss not just God, or his absence, but any other topic Tony Jones could throw at him. And he achieved his ambition, bursting into song in the Opera House with a hilarious ditty about the great philosophers, with most of whose work I'd wager he was closely familiar. When the news of his cancer came, he not only greeted it with equanimity and courage, he tackled it through his strongest weapon...his words. Few have written so movingly, so bravely and with such self-awareness about coming to terms with impending death. The announcement of a 'Pray for Christopher Hitchens Day' must have caused him more than a wry smile. "Don't bother unless it makes you feel better," he said. There could be few less likely deathbed conversions.

It may not amount to much substantively, but Trump sure has signed a lot of bills and orders, as the White House is boasting. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images He hasn’t been able to repeal and replace Obamacare; indeed, his January attack on Paul Ryan’s “repeal and delay” strategy for health care is probably what screwed everything up on that front. His legislative timetable is a shambles. The courts have stymied his efforts to keep Muslims out of the country. His administration is still debating which basic approach to take on tax reform, on the eve of a planned presidential announcement. His budget proposal has been pronounced “dead on arrival” in Congress. His attempt to take Obamacare insurer subsidies hostage in order to force Democrats to the table on health-care legislation backfired. Having threatened to risk a government shutdown to get money for his Wall, he’s now backpedaling frantically. He’s done nothing on many of his “100-day” campaign promises, and has moved in the opposite direction on others (China, NATO, Syria, Wall Street regulation). In part that’s because he’s moved at a snail’s pace in filling key positions in his own administration. Even on the areas where Donald Trump can claim some success, there are large asterisks. Confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee required that his party nuke the SCOTUS filibuster, a rather extreme measure. Beltway pundits cheered his launch of missiles in Syria, but there has yet to be any indication of the strategy the attack served or what we might expect next. So it’s no wonder the image-obsessed White House is flummoxed by the task of trumpeting Trump’s accomplishments in his first 100 days. They’ve created a special section on the White House web page where random positive developments during the Trump presidency are collected. But the most telling evidence of the struggle to tell the president’s terrific story is a document released today that boasts of the sheer number of things he’s done, as compared to his predecessors. The main data point is this dubious boast: Trump has signed 30 executive orders and 28 bills in his first 100 days, and that’s more than anybody since FDR (with the exception of Harry Truman’s 55 signed bills). In case you fail to grasp the magnitude of this accomplishment, the document explains that the 28 bills represent a “slew of legislation.” A “slew” is a lot, folks. Trump’s hand must be getting tired, and White House pen supplies are probably running low. This purely quantitative approach to Trump’s accomplishments falls somewhere on the scale that runs from meaninglessness to stupidity. In football, a quarterback who completes a “slew” of passes for little yardage and no touchdowns would not be considered successful. The list of 28 signed bills double-counts 13 Congressional Review Act resolutions that are a supposedly separate source of presidential pride. Of the remaining 15, you’ve got three resolutions appointing members to the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. And then there’s this yuge legislative accomplishment: H.R.1362 - An Act to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, American Samoa, the Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic. There’s also a bill naming a VA health center in Pennsylvania. And while Trump’s executive orders included some modestly significant items and others the courts have blocked (e.g., the two travel bans), there’s a lot of filler, too, like the three orders designating March 2017 as Women’s History Month, American Red Cross Month, and Irish-American Heritage Month. All in all, Trump and his flacks would be well-advised to come up with a different take on his first 100 days than to pretend it has been a historic triumph. Perhaps he should retreat to the theme of his Inaugural Address, and argue that it will take more than 100 days to overcome the entrenched interests dominating both parties in Washington and give the people the policies they deserve. It would have the benefit of helping to explain why a president and Congress controlled by the same party seem to be struggling with the basic tasks of governance 100 days in.

One of the most iconic images ever to grace an American coin is that of Walking Liberty. First designed in 1916, this image has been reproduced on countless coins and round since that time. Right now, that depiction of Liberty is found at an affordable price on the 1 oz Sunshine Walking Liberty Silver Round, courtesy of JM Bullion. Round Highlights: Individual rounds ship in plastic flips and lots of 20 ship in tubes. Contains 1 troy oz of .999 fine silver. Minted by Sunshine Minting in the USA. Features Walking Liberty design by Adolph A. Weinman. All rounds in this listing will ship in brand new condition. Protect your investment with 39mm Direct Fit Air Tite Capsules. Features Sunshine’s MintMark SI anti-counterfeit technology (Decoder Lens sold separately). Adolph A. Weinman was a sculptor and artist who studied under Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the man who is considered one of the greatest coin designers in American history. Weinmans depiction of Walking Liberty was first created in 1916, and featured on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar between 1916 and 1947. Today, Weinmans creation is found on the American Silver Eagle coin from the United States Mint, as well as the 1 oz Sunshine Walking Liberty Silver Round. On the obverse side of the coin is the depiction of Lady Liberty as she strides toward the setting sun. Her right hand is outstretched as she walks, and the American flag is draped around her shoulders. The imagery is representative of Americas relentless march toward a brighter future. On the obverse side of the coin is the depiction of a bald eagle. In the image, a bald eagle is featured atop an olive branch with its wings prepared to take flight. Engravings on this silver round differ from those found on the original Walking Liberty Half Dollar. As a silver round, these coins have no face value, and, as such, have no year of minting or dollar value engraved. The Sunshine Mint is a private mint that produces custom and bullion coins in both gold and silver. The Mint also produces gold and silver blanks used by other mints in coining, including the United States Mint. Sunshine Mint is headquartered in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, with production facilities in that state, neighboring Nevada, and Shanghai. If you have questions about these unique silver rounds, dont hesitate to contact a JM Bullion associate. You can reach us on the phone at 800-276-6508, online through our live web chat, and via email. If you are looking for similar products, be sure to visit our Silver Rounds page.

Dietary interventions have been proposed as a way to increase lifespan and improve health. The senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice have a shorter lifespan and show alterations in the central nervous system. Moreover, this mouse strain shows decreased sirtuin 1 protein expression and elevated expression of the acetylated targets NFkappaB and FoxO1, which are implicated in transcriptional control of key genes in cell proliferation and cell survival, in reference to control strain, SAMR1. After eight weeks of intermittent fasting, sirtuin 1 protein expression was recovered in SAMP8. This recovery was accompanied by a reduction in the two acetylated targets. Furthermore, SAMP8 showed a lower protein expression of BDNF and HSP70 while intermittent fasting re-established normal values. The activation of JNK and FoxO1 was also reduced in SAMP8 mice subjected to an IF regimen, compared with control SAMP8. Our findings provide new insights into the participation of sirtuin 1 in ageing and point to a potential novel application of this enzyme to prevent frailty due to ageing processes in the brain. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—A growing chorus of Republican lawmakers are demanding that President Obama take some action in Syria so that they can attack whatever action he took in Syria. Appearing on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) laid out the situation in stark terms: “The time for President Obama to do something in Syria that we can eviscerate him for is long overdue.” Arguing that there are a variety of options available to Mr. Obama for dealing with Syria, Sen. Graham said, “The President needs to choose one of those options so that we can immediately identify it as a catastrophic choice and demand that he be impeached.” Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) used an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” to express impatience with Mr. Obama’s “steadfast refusal to give us something new to rake him over the coals for.” “The American people have grown weary of my nonstop criticism of the President’s handling of Libya,” he said. “They are ready to hear me incessantly berate him for his handling of a different country.” At the end of his television appearance, Sen. McCain seemed to draw a line in the sand, making a direct challenge to Mr. Obama: “Mr. President, we are sick and tired of attacking you for your inaction. The time has come for us to attack you for your action.” Get the Borowitz Report delivered to your inbox. Photograph by Olivier Douliery/Getty.

This article is about Royal Navy ships of the line. For the adjective meaning that something is of inferior quality, see wikt:third-rate In the rating system of the British Royal Navy, a third rate was a ship of the line which from the 1720s mounted between 64 and 80 guns, typically built with two gun decks (thus the related term two-decker). Years of experience proved that the third rate ships embodied the best compromise between sailing ability (speed, handling), firepower, and cost. So, while first rates and second rates were both larger and more powerful, the third-rate ships were in a real sense the optimal configuration. Rating [ edit ] When the rating system was first established in the 1620s, the third rate was defined as those ships having at least 200 but not more than 300 men; previous to this, the type had been classified as "middling ships". By the 1660s, the means of classification had shifted from the number of men to the number of carriage-mounted guns, and third rates at that time mounted between 48 and 60 guns. By the turn of the century, the criteria had grown and third rate carried more than 60 guns, with second rates having between 90 and 98 guns, while first rates had 100 guns or more, and fourth rates between 48 and 60 guns. By the latter half of the 18th century, they carried between 500 and 720 men. This designation became especially common because it included the seventy-four gun ship, which eventually came to be the most popular size of large ship for navies of several different nations. It was an easier ship to handle than a first- or second-rate ship, but still possessed enough firepower to potentially destroy any single opponent other than a three-decker. It was also cheaper to operate. By the end of the 18th century, ships of the line were usually categorized directly by their number of guns, the numbers even being used as the name of the class, as in "a squadron of three 74s", but officially the rating system continued until the end of the Age of Sail, only undergoing a modification in 1817. Note that the use of terms like "third-rate" in literature can lead to confusion: The French Navy had a different system of five rates or rangs, but some British authors use the Royal Navy's rating of "third rate" when speaking of a French 74. Bibliography [ edit ]

UC Riverside student Anton Shirokov, 29, has been taken into custody after admitting to posting a threat of violence on the popular social media app Yik Yak last night between the hours of 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. According to a widely shared post, the threat read “UCR shooting spree coming! Mark my words, you cattle,” but Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications James Grant was unable to confirm that this was the text of the threat. Shirokov turned himself in to police at 1:40 a.m. and admitted that he had posted it as a joke after several concerned students reported the threat. He removed the threat shortly after posting it. His apartment was searched, and police found brass knuckles, which are illegal to own in California. He is being brought up on weapons charges relating to the knuckles, but the district attorney is currently negotiating what other charges to file. According to Grant, Yik Yak is cooperating with police, but Grant was unable to provide more details about the progress of the investigation. Many students were shaken up by the post in light of the shootings that have occurred in the past few years, including the Isla Vista shooting that took place near UC Santa Barbara in May of last year. “In the back of my mind, I was thinking maybe it was a joke, but it’s still kind of scary,” said first-year biology major Angela Burmayan, who learned of the threat via a text message from a friend. “I’m legit scared to go to school, I’m always scared that something like this will happen,” read one Yik Yak post. “It’s got a bunch of people, including me, afraid to go to my own school,” read another. Shirokov could not be reached for comment.

Scam alert: Trump's $1 trillion 'infrastructure plan' is a giveaway to the rich By: Robert Reich At a roundtable discussion with state transportation officials on Friday, Donald Trump said America’s ageing roads, bridges, railways, and water systems were being “scoffed at and laughed” at. He pledged that they “will once again be the envy of the world”. This seems to be a core theme for Trump: America’s greatness depends on others envying us rather than scoffing and laughing at us. He said much the same thing last week when he announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. “At what point does America get demeaned? At what point do they start laughing at us, as a country? We don’t want other leaders and other countries laughing at us any more. And they won’t be. They won’t be.” To be sure, America is in dire need of vast investments in infrastructure. The country suffers from overflowing sewage drains, crumbling bridges, rusting railroad tracks, outworn roads, and public transportation systems rivaling those of third-world nations. Continue reading here.

Juanita Broaddrick, second from right, watches the Oct. 9 presidential debate in St. Louis with Kathleen Willey, left, and Kathy Shelton. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) After Juanita Broaddrick, who has long accused former president Bill Clinton of raping her in 1978, repeated those allegations in a January tweet, aides to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton quickly moved to gather information that could be used to undermine her account, hacked internal campaign emails released Saturday by the group WikiLeaks show. There is no evidence that the campaign publicly responded to Broaddrick’s tweet. But the email exchange between Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and David Kendall, a personal attorney for Bill and Hillary Clinton, offers unusual insight into how Clinton’s aides prepared to deal with one of the most sensitive topics it would face during the campaign. “I was 35 years old when Bill Clinton, Ark. Attorney General raped me and Hillary tried to silence me. I am now 73....it never goes away,” Broaddrick had tweeted on Jan. 6, during the Democratic primary season. The emails show that Kendall and Podesta discussed the matter by phone that evening. The next day, Kendall forwarded Podesta a series of documents showing that Broaddrick had previously denied the rape allegation under oath. Who are the four women whom Trump says were mistreated by the Clintons? Embed  Copy Share       Play Video 3:33 Donald Trump held a news conference ahead of the second presidential debate on Oct. 9 with four women who have made allegations in the past against Bill and Hillary Clinton. The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler explains those allegations. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Donald Trump held a news conference ahead of the second presidential debate on Oct. 9 with four women who have made allegations in the past against Bill and Hillary Clinton. The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler explains those allegations. Donald Trump held a news conference with four women who claim the Clintons mistreated them. The Post’s Glenn Kessler explains their allegations. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Among the documents Kendall sent was an affidavit that Broaddrick had submitted in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones against Clinton, in which she indicated that she did not have “any information to offer regarding a non-consensual or unwelcome sexual advance by Mr. Clinton.” Kendall also attached a portion of the report from the Office of Independent Counsel Ken Starr, which investigated allegations against Clinton. Those allegations included one that Clinton had lied under oath in the Jones case by denying having sexual relations with intern Monica Lewinsky. After being given immunity for possible perjury charges by Starr, Broaddrick said her affidavit in the Jones case had been false and that she gave public interviews alleging the rape. Kendall explained to Podesta: “Starr was seeking more evidence against the President, any way he could, and he immunized Broaddrick to protect her from any prosecution for perjury if she now changed her story. Voila! She did, disavowing her sworn affidavit and sworn deposition testimony.” U.S. intelligence officials have accused the Russian government of orchestrating the illegal hacking of emails from Democratic Party institutions and campaign officials in an effort to meddle with the election. WikiLeaks has indicated that it has more than 50,000 emails from Podesta’s account and has been releasing them in daily batches. The Clinton campaign has refused to authenticate or respond to individual emails, and the Russians have been known to fake or doctor documents. In a statement, campaign spokesman Glen Caplin said: “There is no getting around it: Donald Trump is cheering on a Russian attempt to influence our election through a crime reminiscent of Watergate but on a more massive scale. We’re witnessing another effort to steal private campaign documents in order to influence an election. Only this time, instead of filing cabinets, it’s people’s emails they’re breaking into and a foreign government is behind it.” politics Orlando Shooting Updates News and analysis on the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. post_newsletter348 follow-orlando true endOfArticle false Local Politics Alerts Breaking news about local government in D.C., Md., Va. Please provide a valid email address. Sign up You’re all set! See all newsletters In 1999, Broaddrick publicly said that Clinton had forced her to have sex in a hotel room in Arkansas in the 1970s. She also that year told “Dateline NBC” that Hillary Clinton approached her at a political event a few weeks after the incident and thanked her for everything she did for Bill Clinton, a statement Broaddrick has said she took to be an implicit threat. Broaddrick has continued to speak out against the Clintons, including at a news conference held by Donald Trump just before the Oct. 9 presidential debate. What the hacked emails mean for Clinton’s campaign Embed  Copy Share       Play Video 1:57 The Post’s John Wagner breaks down some of the consequences of the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) The Post’s John Wagner breaks down some of the consequences of the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign. The Post’s John Wagner breaks down some of the consequences of the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign. (Video: Bastien Inzaurralde/Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post) Trump’s campaign has pointed to Broaddrick to try to distinguish between what they have said were Bill Clinton’s actions and Trump’s words on a 2005 tape, in which Trump bragged to “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush about forcing himself onto women.

When our family moved to Moss, we had to make a decision: Liv-Kristin or I would have to switch jobs. The commute would make it impossible for the both of us to continue to work in the Oslo area. After some luck, and a lot of skill, Liv-Kristin managed to get a job in Moss with better benefits than she had with her previous employer. Pretty sweet!My job is quite demanding when it comes to the amount of work that needs to be done, so the hours are often quite long. Add 2,5 hours of driving each day and travelling abroad at least once a week, and you know who does the most at home.Well, this week things turned around a bit. Liv-Kristin had to go away a couple of days for a seminar at work. Fortunately January is a bit calmer than most other months at my workplace, so there wasn't any real issues for me to take two days of home office. The commute alone makes it tough to both deliver and pick up at school and kindergarten for me, so home office was the only viable choice.It's only when I have to do all of the same work at home, as Liv-Kristin does every day, I fully understand how much there is to do.Wake up, put clothes on all the kids, feed all the kids, make lunch bags, drive them to school and kindergarten, try to do some of your own work, lunch, work again, pick up the kids, clean some clothes, make dinner, drive to Tae Kwondo, pick up at Tae Kwondo, put on pajamas, do the dishes, clean some more clothes, tidy the house (didn't actually do this one) and so forth.I managed fine, and I love spending time with the kids, but I have to admit: there is so much stuff to do at the house.I only have one thing to say Liv-Kristin: RESPECT!No more excuses! Push push push!

by [Author’s note: Atrocities continue. I go back to the formative context for an understanding of today.] The fragmentation of the Palestinian community, legacy and present reality of the Occupation, is, for the Israelis, standard operating procedure. Where population displacement, forced evacuation, and ethnic cleansing did not fully clear the military-political-ideological agenda, all steps clearly marked from Day One in the foundation year of Israeli settlement as pointing to the creation of the Jewish State, there is six-decades-and-counting later the continued process of economic-psychological pulverization of the will of whomever remains of the Palestinian people subject to permanent exile in their own land. Not a very pretty picture, indeed, so ugly that much of the world turns away, averting their gaze lest they recognize their own complicity in the power politics of scapegoat-creation to maintain a fragile equilibrium in the world system. Israel in geopolitical terms is America in microcosm—as its fortunes go, so do those of the US in its quest since World War II to maintain its unilateral global hegemony (a course parallel to, and intersecting with, the entire history of the Israeli nation), and that, not fortuitously, but as the test case of the resolution of American power. Israel is to America perhaps what India had been to Britain earlier, a structural pivot point in their respective frameworks of global imperialism—a jewel in the crown, except that in India the colonial project was one of subjugation and spoliation via the extraction of riches, while in Israel we see, for Israelis, as one of us, in the top tier of “world-civilizing races,” a partnership-of-equals established for purposes of mutual advantage: Israel, a regional powerhouse as outpost of militarism and technological achievement making its way in the world economy while safeguarding America’s strategic posture in the heartland not only of oil but also, as global crossroads, that of providing a commanding position with respect to Europe, Africa, Asia, and more particularly, Russia and China. To Israel: We have your back; to America: Your global network of bases notwithstanding, we are your true, devoted (nuclear-armed) friends, the most dependable ally in reinforcing your world power. For your power is ours, your success, ours. Symbolically, if one had to choose a single item, this bonding as mutual purveyors of repression, itself an emotional cement bar none in holding nations together, can be found in the massacres each committed, My Lai and Deir Yassin—windows into a mind-set that compels asking the question, Can one fathom the darkness and depravity of these events? (I am here reminded of attending a Jewish Studies lecture at my university and asking the speaker–my having just read a book by the Israeli historian Benny Morris which described widespread rape by Jewish soldiers—about IDF atrocities, to which her only reply was, “soldiers will be soldiers.”) My Lai and Deir Yassin share certain elements in common, not, however, as testifying to some universal principle of soldier-ness, but specific concrete structure, policies, and values of societies founded on militarism, ethnocentrism, and xenophobia supported by a command-system of hierarchical power, be it of whatever complexion. Not all soldiers rape and murder; hegemonic social orders, on the other hand, require a paradigm of repression to keep their order, stability, and lines of authority intact. My Lai, March 16, 1968, American forces brutally murdered between 347 and 504 unarmed civilians, platoon leader William Calley personally killing 22 villagers, then receiving (after an extensive cover-up) a brief sentence under house arrest. The orders were to kill everyone, men, women, children, infants, burn down the houses, destroy the drinking wells, leave nothing standing. On approach, people in the rice fields, in the village, machine-gun without warning all in sight; women and children praying, shot in the head; 70-80 villagers herded into an irrigation ditch, shot; women covering their children, shot, then the children, shot. My Lai was not the only massacre, Bin Hoa and others—integral to the game plan. In what follows, we find national-companions in bloodshed, but the emphasis in this article is on Israel, and hence greater attention to Deir Yassin. *** First we turn to Arno Mayer’s excellent Ploughshares into Swords for context and overview, the run-up to and surrounding events of Israel’s Independence, May 14, 1948, a period of obvious upheaval, armed raids on both sides, but, standing out, Irgun and Lehi paramilitary acts of atrocity, as in bombings of bus stations and crowded areas (Haganah and Zionist leadership, especially Ben-Gurion, looking quietly on). Territorial expansion was a primary uncontested goal of all Zionist factions from the start, as boundaries were deliberately ignored or misconstrued and terrorist acts were intended to frighten Palestinians and encourage their flight. Conflict was everywhere, frequently centered on the strategic routes, such as the road to supply Jerusalem (Deir Yassin a small prosperous village, living at peace with its Jewish neighbor, Givat Shaul, was situated on a hill overlooking that highway). Mayer writes, “To avoid being caught up in the escalating crossfire, members of the Palestinian Arab upper and middle classes began to leave Haifa, Jaffa, and Jerusalem to seek temporary refuge in the capitals of neighboring Arab countries—close to 30,000 by the end of March [1948].” And this, just the start of a mass exodus, the atrocities at Deir Yassin in part calculated to be an object lesson to frighten and stampede the Palestinian population into terrified flight. (If my thoughts here of ethnic cleansing as a primordial aim of occupation policy are viewed as an exaggeration, I make no apology—this was already the strategy 1947-8, formalized as Plan D or Dalet, “the official Zionist intent to expand the state beyond the allocated territory.” (Mayer states, “before long the armed forces of the inchoate Jewish state increased its designated 5,400 square miles by 2,300 miles.”) Not bad, surely a good running start on the eve of Independence: “Plan D was activated in late March 1948 [just weeks before the Deir Yassin massacre—NP], coincident with the arrival of urgently needed Czech arms. Within six weeks the Hagana[h] and underground forces seized some 180 Arab villages and five Arab cities, most of them on the far side of the U.N. line. Breaking the indigenous resistance, they occupied Tiberias, Haifa, and western Jerusalem during the second half of April and Safed, Jaffa, and Acre during the first half of May. Many of the Arab inhabitants escaped or fled to neighboring countries, and the victors appropriated their land and property.” Thus Deir Yassin did not stand alone; as in the case of similar atrocities, it may well have fallen under the radar screen at that moment. What follows is the dynamite of Mayer’s analysis, the utter cruelty and systemization of death on Israelis’ part, which cannot but help resonate with Israel’s present-day conduct in Gaza as a direct line of historical causation shaping and reinforcing the mind-set of a nation (just as My Lai has done the same for America). He writes, “The willed or forced departure of about 380,000 Arabs during these months considerably enhanced the ethnic homogeneity of the state-to-be. But what was in part an historically routine politico-military campaign was otherwise marked by the worst horrors of irregular and unconventional warfare: arbitrary executions, massacres, rape, arson, looting.” I am struck by the words “an historically routine politico-military campaign,” because of the evident violation, as in My Lai, of the accepted norm of war conduct, now transmogrified as WAR CRIMES, that soldiers-will-be-soldiers is a pathetic defense hardly exonerative. Mayer continues: “These unexpected [I cannot share the author’s generosity here, particularly when he notes the deliberateness of conduct] but neither adventitious nor minor savageries of war gave wings to the fleeing Arab Palestinians.” In sum, with mass killings in the air as official policy, nothing is unexpected, the deeds themselves an indelible mark on a nation’s history, humaneness, and integrity. Sorry for what may seem to others an oversimplification, but not to me: My Lai is America, Deir Yassin is Israel. (Mayer, I’m certain, would be in agreement, my jumping on “unexpected” only to make the point, hopefully not at his expense, about the core of repression in policies of this character.) Superbly, in discussing this foundation period, he reveals the dimensions of barbarism of Israel’s policy: “In 1948 there were at least twenty massacres carried out by Jews, five of them claiming more than seventy victims each. [Any reason to doubt the stimulus to forced evacuation—and why the right of return should have the highest MORAL standing among people of good will?] More often than not the assailants were army officers and common soldiers who thought they were carrying out orders. There is no record that any were ever called to account, and in some instances higher military and civilian leaders had tacitly given their approval. Irgun and Lehi militants were implicated, but enjoyed their customary impunity.” Given this background, Deir Yassin was bound to happen, less to protect the road to Jerusalem than to let the Israeli armed forces demonstrate their might and so facilitate the transfer of the population out, thus creating the refugee problem as the salience of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Deir Yassin, April 9, 1948. Mayer’s succinct summary says it all. Early morning stand-off, Irgun-Lehi forces, later joined by Palmach (Haganah’s voluntary elite unit), assault the village: “A terrible fury followed. At least 100 villagers were slaughtered—mainly old men, women, and children. But the rage of the marauders was beyond measuring. They murdered, raped, and looted and blew up and scorched unevacuated houses. Finally, several traumatized residents were forced into an open truck and taken to Jerusalem. Accompanied by jubilant Jewish soldiers brandishing rifles, they were driven through jeering Jewish neighborhoods before returning to a summary execution in Deir Yassin.” Bread-and-circuses of a depraved society—I say, “depraved,” because no-one in authority has ever taken responsibility, not to say the acts themselves, including parading the victims before excited crowds (like recently the crowds who turned out on the Siderot hillside in a carnival atmosphere to watch the bombing/shelling of Gaza). We have perhaps come a long way from the late-1940s—violence as spectator sport having been made easier via remote control, just as, instead of tossing hand grenades into the houses of Deir Yassin (seen momentarily from other accounts) before barging in guns blazing, we find giant machinery bulldozing homes in destroying Palestinian villages. When Arab governments intervened five weeks later, Deir Yassin and Israel’s Independence became fused in their eyes, a conflict that would have occurred in any case in light of the clear expansionist plans of the Israeli leadership and the population displacement already under way, but the village’s atrocities added determination to the Arabs’ cause. Going back a step, we see Deir Yassin as a seeming byproduct of liberating the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway, the road having been cut-off the month before, Jerusalem now put under siege. While Palmach struck nearby on April 6, Irgun and Lehi swung into action at Deir Yassin on the 9th. There was already, from January 20, a peace pact signed between it and Givat Shaul, the latter’s residents actually trying to stop the subsequent slaughter, to no avail—an effort matched by Deir Yassin villagers on February 13, who helped repel an armed gang which attacked Givat Shaul, and, for their pains, found their sheep killed by the gang. (This makes the Irgun-Lehi violence all the more gratuitous and repulsive, as though manufacturing and then ensuring hostility between the Arab and Jewish communities.) Irgun and Lehi are the extremists that make Haganah look good. Irgun specialized in bombings, Lehi in assassinations—at Deir Yassin Palmach (part of Haganah) supplied ammunition to the others and shot at fleeing villagers. Why the attack? An Irgun member explained that for the first time Jewish forces were going on the offensive and this had to show the Arabs Jewish determination. David Shaltiel, Haganah’s commander in Jerusalem, went along with the attack plan, despite the peace pact and urgings to give the villagers warning. At the Irgun-Lehi planning session there was agreement about expelling them, and disagreement about whether to kill all who didn’t flee. The pre-attack briefing was reported to be festive, here paramilitary forces could come out in the open—and express solidarity with one another. The attack itself, on orders of the Irgun commander, Ben Zion Cohen, was house-to-house, two hand grenades per house thrown through the doors and windows before going in, soon supplemented by explosives killing all inside. The fighting began shortly before 5 a.m. and was over by 11 a.m., the head of the International Red Cross in Palestine visiting two days later finding “more than 200 dead, men, women, children.” A disputed number of villagers (25-80) were executed after the fighting stopped, their bodies dumped in a quarry. Benny Morris, anathema to faculty members in Jewish Studies at my university, quotes Meir Pa’il, a Palmach intelligence officer who on April 9th viewed the village first-hand: “The dissidents [Irgun and Lehi] were going about the village robbing and stealing everything. Chickens, radio sets, sugar, money, gold and more…. Each dissident walked about the village dirty with blood and proud of the number of persons he had killed.” There were 55 children, their parents now killed, who were dropped at the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem and left there, a member of the well-known Husseini family in Palestine taking them in and caring for them. Finally, Yitzhak Levy, of Haganah Intelligence, reported that Irgun men “raped a number of Arab girls and murdered them afterward.” *** Jumping to the present, we see Naftali Bennett in a New York Times op-ed entitled, “Two-State Is No Solution,” (Nov. 5), presenting an unrepentant rejection of meaningful negotiation, therefore leaving the status quo of Occupation and resulting Palestinian oppression and humiliation wholly intact. In a careful analysis of Bennett’s parsing of Areas A, B, and C, of the paradigm for establishing Palestinian rights and sovereignty, John Whitbeck, an international lawyer, writing a CounterPunch article, “Naftali Bennett’s Wake Up Call to the West,” (Nov. 7-9), explores the shortcomings and hidden reservations signaling Israeli hard-line attitudes and policy toward any kind of just resolution of the suffering and plight of the Palestinian people. For an additional take, emphasis in accordance with the above, my New York Times Comment on the article, same date, follows: Step one: eradication of Palestinian sovereignty; step two, further tighten the Occupation under a new name. No, Bennett, your words fool no-one (except those who wish to be deceived). You cite rocket attacks into Israel, yet do not mention saturation bombing, wildly disproportionate casualty numbers, blockade, daily humiliation of the Palestinian people, a history of domination symbolized by periodic atrocities, destruction of homes, killing of minors. There will not be peace–the continuity of contempt for Palestinians by Israeli leaders from Ben-Gurion, Meir, Shamir, etc. down to today, hardly speaks of PEACE, respect, much less honoring Torah teachings. Bennett, read Arno Mayer’s Ploughshares into Swords, in case your mind is blank about the Israeli mindset and practices. As a Jew deeply appreciative of Judaism’s contribution to the world’s moral-ethical heritage, and deeply reverent to Judaism as the religion of my mother and father, I say: Israel contaminates Judaism with its militarism, arrogance, oppression of the weak, its international role of backing fascist-type governments which themselves murder Jews–Israel, God is watching, will someday pay the price for its Nazi-like conduct toward others in the present day. Stifle internal dissent. Push the propaganda barrage that Jewish critics of Israel are self-hating Jews, sorry, we see through you. We’ve got your number: Oppression, the name of the game. Even Labor joins Likud on this. Norman Pollack has written on Populism. His interests are social theory and the structural analysis of capitalism and fascism. He can be reached at pollackn@msu.edu.

Cost of living in Mexico City, Mexico vs Monterrey, Mexico Currency: Other currency Food - 10% Food in Mexico City (Mexico) is 10% cheaper than in Monterrey (Mexico) Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district Mex$ 136 Mex$ 129 + 5% Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) Mex$ 96 Mex$ 109 - 12% 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast Mex$ 70 Mex$ 101 - 31% 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk Mex$ 20 Mex$ 20 - 0% 12 eggs, large Mex$ 31 Mex$ 41 - 23% 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes Mex$ 23 Mex$ 24 - 3% 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese Mex$ 64 Mex$ 71 - 10% 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples Mex$ 39 Mex$ 42 - 7% 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes Mex$ 24 Mex$ 28 - 13% 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket Mex$ 23 Mex$ 21 + 12% 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality Mex$ 230 Mex$ 256 - 10% 2 liters of Coca-Cola Mex$ 24 Mex$ 26 - 5% Bread for 2 people for 1 day Mex$ 19 Mex$ 20 - 8% Housing + 12% Housing in Mexico City (Mexico) is 12% more expensive than in Monterrey (Mexico) Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area Mex$ 24,095 Mex$ 18,416 + 31% Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area Mex$ 14,680 Mex$ 8,454 + 74% Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat Mex$ 1,812 Mex$ 2,269 - 20% Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area Mex$ 16,262 Mex$ 17,186 - 5% Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area Mex$ 9,325 Mex$ 10,779 - 13% Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio Mex$ 1,393 Mex$ 1,111 + 25% Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) Mex$ 383 Mex$ 368 + 4% 40” flat screen TV Mex$ 8,477 Mex$ 7,946 + 7% Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) Mex$ 2,184 Mex$ 1,838 + 19% Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) Mex$ 119 Mex$ 116 + 3% Hourly rate for cleaning help Mex$ 87 Mex$ 63 + 38% Clothes + 17% Clothes in Mexico City (Mexico) is 17% more expensive than in Monterrey (Mexico) 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) Mex$ 895 Mex$ 836 + 7% 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) Mex$ 792 Mex$ 709 + 12% 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) Mex$ 1,768 Mex$ 1,515 + 17% 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes Mex$ 2,027 Mex$ 1,115 + 82% Transportation - 17% Transportation in Mexico City (Mexico) is 17% cheaper than in Monterrey (Mexico) Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new Mex$ 327,456 Mex$ 347,645 - 6% 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas Mex$ 20 Mex$ 20 - 2% Monthly ticket public transport Mex$ 375 Mex$ 548 - 32% Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) Mex$ 85 Mex$ 91 - 7% Personal Care + 5% Personal Care in Mexico City (Mexico) is 5% more expensive than in Monterrey (Mexico) Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) Mex$ 87 Mex$ 78 + 11% 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) Mex$ 202 Mex$ 212 - 5% Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) Mex$ 631 Mex$ 553 + 14% 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) Mex$ 72 Mex$ 74 - 2% Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) Mex$ 54 Mex$ 54 - 1% Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) Mex$ 68 Mex$ 57 + 19% 4 rolls of toilet paper Mex$ 28 Mex$ 29 - 3% Tube of toothpaste Mex$ 33 Mex$ 26 + 23% Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city Mex$ 164 Mex$ 181 - 9% Entertainment + 22% Entertainment in Mexico City (Mexico) is 22% more expensive than in Monterrey (Mexico) Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub Mex$ 651 Mex$ 378 + 72% 2 tickets to the movies Mex$ 151 Mex$ 150 + 1% 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) Mex$ 1,988 Mex$ 877 + 127% Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert Mex$ 981 Mex$ 786 + 25% 1 cocktail drink in downtown club Mex$ 143 Mex$ 127 + 12% Cappuccino in expat area of the city Mex$ 55 Mex$ 65 - 16% 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) Mex$ 58 Mex$ 40 + 47% iPad Wi-Fi 128GB Mex$ 10,143 Mex$ 11,518 - 12% 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) Mex$ 1.22 Mex$ 1.14 + 7% 1 month of gym membership in business district Mex$ 1,247 Mex$ 1,012 + 23% 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes Mex$ 53 Mex$ 51 + 5% TOTAL + 2% These prices were last updated on February 26, 2019 . This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,530 prices entered by 432 different people.

Faradair Aerospace Limited has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for its Bio-Fuel Powered Electric Tri-plane that has been claimed to be the world’s first true hybrid aircraft. At the moment, Faradair’s Bio Electric Hybrid Aircraft or abbreviated as BEHA is a concept which is unlikely to take to the skies until 2018. However, the efforts have begun to transform this concept into a flying prototype. Faradair’s BEHA combines a triple box-wing design concept along with electric motors and bio-diesel engine. BEHA’s design inspiration comes from de Havilland Dragon Rapide, a 1930’s British airliner known for its famous box-wing design. BEHA will employ twin electric fan motors delivering 200hp each, in combination with a 200hp bio-diesel generator integrating a pusher propeller. The propellers are planned to be contained within a duct for noise reduction and safety. BEHA will rely on electric power for landing and taking-off while operating bio-diesel engine inflight to recharge the batteries. The concept also engages energy conservation and recovery technologies including solar panel skins on all flight surfaces combined with a revolutionary wind-turbine technology. The triple box-wing design is predicted to generate an exceptional amount of lift while reducing wing turbulence. Safety has been the hallmark of this concept providing ballistic parachute recovery system and a fuselage crash protection structure which is more commonly found in Formula One vehicles. The design also incorporates highly efficient glide capability incase of total engine failure. Faradair also plan to equip BEHA with remote control system for the aircraft to be landed and taken-off by the ground pilot incase of any emergency. The key features that set BEHA apart from currently available electric aircrafts, are its size and inflight recharging capability. Most electric planes require ground based charging and have large glider-like wings forcing a requirement of special runways for taking off and landing. While BEHA can operate from normal airfields and recharge itself in midair. Faradair’s Managing Director Neil Cloughley says, “This aircraft will be one of the most eco-friendly and safest aircraft in the world, costing somewhere close to $1m US Dollars per aircraft.” Source: Kickstarter SEE ALSO: Netherlands Inaugurates World’s First Bike Path Made Entirely out of Solar Panels YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 10 Insane iPhone Cases You’ll Ever See

In the wake of the decision for Britain to leave the European Union, and a President trying to coerce his neighbour into building a wall, one word has been key throughout this turmoil: negotiation. The word, just like the President, has its origins in business. It comes from the Latin negotium, meaning “business”, or “employment”, or – and this one is particularly salient today – “trouble”. So it originally referred to doing business, but later expanded to mean the arrangements that are required to make business take place, which we now call negotiations. The verb, negotiate, was a back-formation; meaning that we didn’t originally have a verb, but we created it based on the pattern of other nouns ending in ‘-ation’, and their corresponding verbs. Negotium comes from neg-, which as you might expect, means “not” (as in negative,) and otium, meaning “leisure”, “time free from activity”, and “peace and quiet” (this survives in the word otiose, meaning either idle, ineffective, or superfluous.) You can also think of an otium as “A student when there isn’t an urgent deadline approaching.” So a negotium, and therefore a negotiation, is literally non-leisure, a time full of activity: the opposite of peace and quiet. This seems fitting, as most negotiations these days are certainly the opposite of peace and quiet. Advertisements

Our new issue, on what a President Bernie Sanders could actually do in office, is out now. Subscribe today to receive it ! The day after Stephen Jay Gould died, his obituary appeared on the front page of the New York Times, testifying to his position as the most famous scientist in the United States. His talent for synthesizing ideas and arguments, his work ethic, and — as he would have been the first to note — luck made him famous. He had not planned to write his monthly column, “This View of Life,” for Natural History for twenty-five years, but, like his childhood hero Joe DiMaggio, Gould became known for this literary streak, which breathed new life into the half-forgotten art of the popular scientific essay, a tradition that dates back to Galileo. Like Galileo, Gould did more than interpret science for laypeople. He was also a path-breaking evolutionary theorist and a canny political organizer for leftist causes. Along with his colleague Niles Eldredge, Gould changed the way biologists view the fossil record. His concept of punctuated equilibrium argued that new species emerge relatively rapidly and then remain mostly stable for millions of years. To his more parochial colleagues’ chagrin, Gould partly credited the inspiration for “punc eq” to the fact that he had “learned his Marxism, literally at his daddy’s knee.” Though he was redbaited for this comment, Gould and Eldredge were speaking as pluralists and historicists not dogmatists. “We make a simple plea for pluralism in guiding philosophies . . . for the basic recognition that such philosophies . . . constrain all our thought.” Historical context also acts as a constraint on new ideas. Darwin acknowledged the influence of the classical political economy of Smith and Malthus on his theory of evolution. Gould noted that his leftist upbringing and participation in the revolution of the Civil Rights Movement enabled him to recognize the importance of “punc eq’s” patterns of sudden and discontinuous evolutionary change. Gould also revitalized the study of evolutionary development with his influential historical survey of the subject, Ontogeny and Phylogeny, and made his mark on anthropology by insisting that human evolution looked more like a branching bush with multiple overlapping lineages than a ladder of predictable stages. Raised in a leftist household in Queens, Gould led his local NAACP’s youth chapter. He displayed his writerly talents early on, when he introduced the Little Rock Nine on their victory tour of New York. “They are tormented by racists down South and autograph seekers here,” he noted drolly. He worried his brave fellow teenagers would not get to enjoy New York City and thanked them for enhancing his high school’s curriculum with the day’s most pressing issues. “No event in my memory ever aroused such interest in the Queens teenager,” Gould told the audience. “No event has ever aroused in him such hatred for segregation and all it stands for.” While studying at Antioch College, he participated in desegregation efforts in and around Yellow Springs, Ohio. In 1964, a lone barbershop that had resisted desegregation for four years in nearby Xenia briefly became the Civil Rights Movement’s national focal point. Even while studying abroad at Leeds University, Gould fought for progressive causes, working to desegregate dance halls and joining the campaign for nuclear disarmament. These two facets of Gould’s life regularly intersected. In 1982, he served as an expert witness against “creation science” in McLean v. Arkansas. A year earlier, he had published his most famous political intervention, his prize-winning critique of biological determinism, The Mismeasure of Man. At its core, Mismeasure argues that the twentieth century’s IQ tests share a desire to justify race and class hierarchies with the nineteenth century’s more primitive measures of cranial features and theories of criminal physiognomy. In both eras, researchers rationalized the status quo with the premise of immutable, hereditary intelligence and the fallacy of reification, which held that intelligence can be reduced to a single number and those numbers used to rank people on a linear scale. Mismeasure also addresses the issue of confirmation bias — especially racial bias — in the sciences. In the book and an article in Science that preceded it, Gould analyzed nineteenth-century race scientist Samuel Morton’s two sets of skull measurements, one from 1839 and the second from 1849, to demonstrate that Morton unconsciously manipulated his data to prove that Caucasians had greater cranial volumes than other racial groups. Gould also reminded his readers that eugenics and other consequences of biological determinism remain with us. The United States, nation of immigrants, misused IQ tests to establish quotas on southern and eastern Europeans Jews in 1924 and kept them in effect as millions tried to flee Nazi Germany. The state of Virginia thought it wise to sterilize “idiots” and “morons” until as recently as 1972. Mismeasure came out just as academia was accepting more women and people of color into its ranks. Thanks to Gould’s polemical style and activist stance, the book almost immediately became canonical in undergraduate curriculum. Refutation and Vindication Or rather, it was — until Gould returned to the Times’s headlines in June 2011. “Study Debunks Stephen Jay Gould’s Claim of Racism on Morton’s Skulls,” the article proclaimed. A team of physical anthropologists, led by Jason E. Lewis, had remeasured roughly half of Morton’s skulls and reanalyzed both his and Gould’s findings. They concluded, “[i]ronically, Gould’s own analysis of Morton is likely the stronger example of bias influencing results,” citing important instances where Morton’s work was more accurate than Gould’s. In the most glaring error, Gould inflated the average cranial capacity of Native American skulls by “arbitrarily” leaving out several smaller crania in his reanalysis. People quickly reacted to the revelation of Gould’s purported bias toward “political correctness.” Writing on his influential blog, anthropologist John Hawks described Gould’s work as perfidious and claimed it “cast doubt on the validity of the scientific enterprise.” Ralph Holloway, a member of the team that reanalyzed Morton and Gould, explained that he “just didn’t trust Gould.” “I had the feeling that [Gould’s] ideological stance was supreme . . . [and] just felt he was a charlatan.” Far-right “race realists” unsurprisingly trumpeted the news that Gould’s findings had been “refuted.” Even among more measured critics and defenders, a narrative began to take hold: Gould had proved his point, but “it just wasn’t the example he intended.” Morton started to appear more “sinned against than sinning.” At the end of their article, Lewis et al. wrote, “were Gould still alive, we expect he would have mounted a defense of his analysis of Morton.” This is a virtual certainty: Gould openly acknowledged his errors throughout his career and called “factual correction . . . the most sublime event in intellectual life.” Gould cannot defend himself, but, since Lewis et al. can, it’s curious that they have not responded to more recent peer-reviewed studies that refute key aspects of their work. Though the Times has yet to report it, more recent evidence suggests that the reanalysis of Morton’s skulls makes computational mistakes that favor Caucasians. And as several studies now show, the scientists did not ultimately challenge Gould’s main claim that the inconsistencies between Morton’s measurements in 1839 and 1849 indicate unconscious racial bias. Moreover, the differences between mean values for all races when corrected were, as Gould originally argued, so small as to be statistically insignificant. Why hasn’t the Times reported these more recent findings? The answer also helps explain why they and other outlets so enthusiastically reported the criticism against Gould in the first place. As he would have recognized, it’s politics. Historical Interpretation as Science Though no one knew it in 2011, Nicholas Wade, the reporter covering the story for the Times, would publish a widely condemned “race science” book in 2014 called A Troubling Inheritance: Genes, Race, and Human History. A purported summary of recent research in population genetics that explains cultural differences between white, East Asian, and African civilizations, Wade’s book inspired an open letter of condemnation, which virtually every expert in the field of population genetics signed. Beyond Wade’s pathetic resuscitation of “scientific racism,” the Gould-Morton controversy has a deeper political dimension. The absence of mainstream reporting on The Mismeasure of Man’s vindication shows how the popular press privileges “hard” science over the “soft” sciences of historical interpretation. Gould himself fought long and hard against this bias, which caricatured paleontologists like him as “stamp collectors.” Gould wrote his 1989 book, Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History, in large part to counteract the bias toward experimental science. The Burgess Shale in British Columbia includes the greatest repository of fossils from the Cambrian explosion, the dawn of multicellular life. As Gould’s book notes, scientists working with these fossils radically changed paleontology’s core concepts. Contrary to earlier studies, many of the shale’s fossils do not have known descendants. This means that life was, in crucial ways, more diverse at the outset of the multicellular period than since. Current species evolved from only a few “lucky” surviving lineages. Because the work involved “mere” description and no experimental work, the new interpretations did not make headlines. Gould contrasts this with the other great paleontological development of the late twentieth century, the “Alvarez hypothesis,” which holds that dinosaur extinction resulted from extraterrestrial impact. The impact theory has everything for public acclaim — white coats, numbers, [Alvarez’s] Nobel renown and location at the top of the ladder of status. The Burgess redescriptions, on the other hand, struck many observers as one funny thing after another — just descriptions of some previously unappreciated, odd animals from early in life’s history. Both discoveries told the same compelling story; both “illustrat[ed] . . . the extreme chanciness and contingency of life’s history,” yet only the “Alvarez hypothesis” made the cover of Time magazine. The same privileging of “hard” science explains why media outlets picked up the attack on Gould’s analysis but not his subsequent vindication. These reports all emphasized that Lewis et al. had literally remeasured hundreds of skulls in the Morton collection (presumably while wearing white lab coats). As one more recent critique noted, however, “from the standpoint of evaluating Gould’s published claims, the re-measurement was completely pointless.” “Gould never claimed that Morton’s [later] shot-based measurements, which is what Lewis et al. compared their new measurements to, were unreliable.” Confirming their bias toward experimental methods, “Lewis et al. are . . . falsifying (their word) a claim Gould never made.” Such a glaring conceptual problem should prompt us, as it would have prompted Gould, to inquire into this supposed controversy’s historical context. The return of far-right, racist politics was a depressingly predictable consequence of the election of the first black American president. The Obama administration didn’t help matters, as its failure to respond justly to the 2008 financial crisis only further radicalized some segments of the American population. Rebranded as the “alt-right” and “race realists,” this resurgence culminated in Trump’s election and his appointment of white nationalists to top posts. Only in this climate can Lewis et al. claim without irony that Samuel Morton was a disinterested, objective researcher. This same Morton measured Native American skulls “to ascertain,” as his supporter George Combe put it, if they “perished” because of “a difference in brain between the native American race, and their conquering invaders.” This same Morton sought to prove the polygenist thesis, which holds that the human races arose separately. This same Morton was eulogized in the leading Southern medical journal of his day “for aiding most materially in giving to the negro his true position as an inferior race.” Gould’s ideas remain vital because today’s reactionary racism isn’t an entirely new development. Rather, it extends the one Gould struggled against throughout his career. In 1996, he reissued Mismeasure to include new material that debunked The Bell Curve, the biological-determinist bestseller of the early 1990s. In this second edition, Gould situated The Bell Curve in its historical context, arguing that novelty could not explain its popularity. After all, its central arguments had already been discredited on numerous grounds. Instead, Gould argued, Its initial success must reflect the depressing temper of our time — a historical moment of unprecedented ungenerosity, when a mood for slashing social programs can be so abetted by an argument that beneficiaries cannot be aided due to inborn cognitive limits expressed as low IQ scores. He would have been saddened, though maybe not surprised, to see this historical moment evolve into full-blown reaction. Mismeasure’s careful recording of how everything from pseudoscientific intelligence testing to programs of forced sterilization were used to maintain racial and class hierarchies gives readers a good idea of what it means to make America great again.

The Student Senate at Winona State University recently voted to remove Wells Fargo ATMs from campus because the bank allegedly does not “serve students of all backgrounds.” Winona State’s contract with Wells Fargo expires this summer, leading the Student Senate to ask the university to discontinue its partnership with the company and choose a new ATM provider that “supports the ideology of Winona State.” “[Wells Fargo] has made statements and [investments] that go against WSU’s dedication to inclusive excellence.” [RELATED: Students block Wells Fargo ATMs to protest pipeline support] “The current ATM provider, Wells Fargo & Company, has made statements and invests in projects that go against WSU’s dedication to inclusive excellence,” reads a copy of the resolution, which passed on March 15. “The committee selecting the [new] ATM service [should] pick an equitable company that supports the ideology of Winona State.” The Senate did not explain in the resolution why its members felt that Wells Fargo was not sufficiently “inclusive” for the university, but a separate divestment group at WSU has previously expressed concerns over the bank’s ties to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Nearly 200 UC-Irvine students also signed a petition recently to remove the ATM provider from their campus as well, explaining that Wells Fargo is a “perpetrator of discrimination” because it has holdings in private prison companies and is a financier of the Dakota Access Pipeline. [RELATED: UC-Irvine students: Wells Fargo branch on campus is 'unacceptable'] “Wells Fargo directly contributes to child abuse, slavery, discrimination, and exploitation,” the petition, started by the Black Student Union, read. “We demand UCI take action by removing them from our campus and replacing them; not with another bank, but with a credit union.” Campus Reform reached out to the Winona State Student Senate and was directed to the Senate’s diversity chair, who did not respond by press time. Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @amber_athey

Two separate reports released Tuesday used different strategies to reach the same conclusion — Canada’s health care wait times leave much to be desired. The Wait Time Alliance, a group consisting of major doctor’s associations across the country, has analysed data from provincial health care ministries. The Alliance says there’s been some improvement in wait times for certain services like cardiac or radiation treatments, but many others are unacceptably high. The Fraser Institute reached its conclusion by surveying 2,382 medical specialists across the country to determine the length of time between when a patient is referred to them and when they receive treatment. That survey pegs the median wait time is 18.3 weeks, nearly the same as the number reported last year and more than double the length of wait times in 1993. Both surveys say Saskatchewan and Ontario offer the shortest wait times while patients languish longest in Atlantic Canada. Alliance chair Dr. Chris Simpson said the data collected by provincial health ministries varies widely, since different regions and even individual hospitals track different numbers according to their own criteria. No matter what figures are being presented, however, Simpson said the message is clear — the system as a whole needs to be fixed. Delays in one area, he said, have immediate repercussions across the rest of the health care sector. “We have now situations where patients flow from primary care to hospital to home care to long-term care,” he said in a telephone interview. “And every time there’s a wait for one of these components in the system, the rest of the system backs up.” Both reports suggest patients can expect an expedited timeline when seeking one of the five priority treatments flagged in the now lapsed 2004 health accord, a $41-billion funding agreement between the federal government and the provinces. The alliance said wait times for hip and knee replacements, cataract surgeries, bypass surgeries, radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging have all improved since the accord was introduced. The Fraser Institute survey found that radiation oncology and elective cardiovascular surgeries boast some of the shortest median wait times in the country at 4.1 weeks and 9.9 weeks respectively. Both reports also agree that health care lag times are significantly shorter in Saskatchewan than anywhere else in the country, saying the province has adopted new measures in recent years that have brought about a remarkable turnaround. ‘We have now situations where patients flow from primary care to hospital to home care to long-term care. And every time there’s a wait for one of these components’ Fraser Institute senior economist and report author Bacchus Barua said wait times in the province have more than halved since 2011 when median times stood at 29 weeks. The 2015 figure stands at 13.6 weeks, he said, crediting Saskatchewan’s willingness to partner with private medical providers and set up a pooled referral system that matches patients with the physician that has the shortest waiting list. Such “outside the box” thinking, he said, is common among countries such as Germany and Switzerland whose universal health care systems offer shorter turnaround times than those found in Canada. He said such systems all feature private sector partnerships and cost-sharing arrangements to keep the patient cue moving. Canada could be well-served by similar strategies, he said, adding that addressing inefficiencies in the current system would do more good than increasing health care spending. Simpson said setting criteria to standardize the numbers tracked by the country’s 14 health care systems would go a long way to highlighting problem areas and identifying ways to fix them. Barua took a harder line, saying data analysis can only go so far if Canada doesn’t implement policy changes as well. “Wait times are not simply going to get fixed by provinces measuring them. We’re already doing that, and it doesn’t matter which report you see, pretty much all of them are showing that wait times are too long.” The Canadian Press

Training colleges securing thousands in Government funds by targeting people with disabilities Updated Unscrupulous training colleges are targeting people with disabilities and the homeless in order to cash in on government education funding. The ABC has obtained evidence some colleges are recruiting people with intellectual disabilities to costly diploma-level courses funded with expensive VET-FEE-HELP training loans. But the training offered is often unsuited as those targeted have a low level of schooling and high care needs which means they are unlikely to ever finish the course. When students fail some colleges even try to sell them another course. The new revelations follow an ABC report last week highlighting how some college recruiters are going door-to-door in public housing areas and shopping centres in a bid to to attract new enrolments. Teachers and students say marketeers have also been spotted outside Centrelink offices and referral services for the homeless and drug addicted. Do you know more about this story? Email investigations@abc.net.au. There are also reports of telephone agents obtaining student details from job websites or disability programs in order to target them for new enrolments. Students can borrow up to $90,000 under VET-FEE-HELP loans which they start to repay once they earn more than $53,000. Once a loan is approved, the Government pays the colleges direct, with the majority of funds transferred before the student enrolment census date which falls early in the semester. Reports suggest the loans are being sold to students under the premise they may never earn the amount of money required to pay the debt back. The Federal Government said it is aware of the unscrupulous behaviour and has revealed plans to arm regulators with new powers from next year. But the teachers union believes it is not enough and more needs to be done to protect those being targetted. Disabled brothers targeted by college When Jacqui Whitehead's son was recruited to a business management course she became suspicious. Her 24-year-old son Lukus has a diagnosed intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. The Adelaide man completed year 10 with a special life skills qualification for people with a disability. He was signed up for a diploma in business management by recruiters for Aspire College after being targeted outside Centrelink. The Government needs to realise that they're handing money to these colleges and the kids aren't getting anything out of it. Jacqui Whitehead Once it was clear Lukus was struggling Mrs Whitehead rang the school, to inform them he had a disability. Lukus also asked for an extension so he could finish his assignments. "He told them he had a disability. They told him it didn't matter [and] it wasn't an excuse," Mrs Whitehead said. The college's response to Lukus' difficulties was to sell him another course. He now has an $18,000 VET-FEE-HELP debt. Lukus said he signed up to the second diploma in Interactive Digital Media because the course came with an expensive laptop. "At first I thought I could pay it off if I got the job but then I realised I probably wouldn't get the job because I've done previous courses and they haven't worked out,'' Lukus said. Lukus is not alone. His brother, who is also autistic has been targeted. Mrs Whitehead said her other son was harassed by telephone sales people from another company after they obtained his details from a job website. "They were ringing him and hassling him to sign up for a course," she said. "I had to ring them back because they were bullying him saying 'don't you want a job, don't you want to further your career'." Mrs Whitehead said she is "disgusted". "I want Lukus to be able to train for his ability so that he can work, so that he can have a job for his capacity. "I can't believe they're allowed to stand outside of Centrelink. "I can't believe they get money for every student they get to sign up. "The Government needs to realise that they're handing money to these colleges and the kids aren't getting anything out of it. "And the Government's not getting their money back either because these kids aren't going to be able to pay for the debt because they're not finishing the course." Aspire College did not respond to the ABC's inquiries. Single mother slugged $40,000 for hairdressing Single mum Rebecca Warfield was hoping for a second chance in life when she saw a flier for a hairdressing course. She signed up to a Sydney-based training school but because of personal problems never attended any classes. Months later she went to see an accountant and was told she had a $27,000 VET-FEE-HELP debt to the Government. The college was also chasing her for $10,000. She discovered the course she had actually signed up for was a theory-based salon management course, not hairdressing. It is a distinction easily lost on Ms Warfield because she has dyslexia. "They said there was a loan for this course and there was a good chance I wouldn't earn as much money to have to ever pay it back," Ms Warfield said. "I don't read contracts and I have dyslexia [so] it's not my strong point to have to sit down and read paperwork. I find paperwork really frightening." Ms Warfield said she made numerous attempts in the early stages of the course to contact the college and withdraw her enrolment. "None of my phone calls were returned," she said. You're selling them a lie because they don't have the capacity to get that job. They'll never get that diploma so they'll never get that job. But they'll always have that debt. NSW Teachers Federation training spokeswoman Maxine Sharkey When she finally did make contact at the end of the course they tried to sell her another course. "By that time I started to get really panicky... it was really daunting then to add another $40,000 on top of it. They were really blasé about it," she said. Eventually she had to get lawyers involved to have the debt cancelled. "I never stepped foot in the college, I never used any of the resources, I never took any of the teachers' time," she said. "Basically they took $40,000 of mine that I didn't have. It was unethical and I do believe it was really callous. They saw me walk in the door and I was $40,000 to them." Unscrupulous signings 'a free for all' The teachers' union said it is hearing increasing reports of students with disabilities being signed up to courses beyond their means. NSW Teachers Federation training spokeswoman Maxine Sharkey believes the colleges are selling false hope. "You're selling a bright new future to an unemployed person, giving them hope that somewhere down the track they're going to have a great job," Ms Sharkey said. There is a market being created so that businesses can swarm like bees to the honeypot really. Maxine Sharkey "You're selling them a lie because they don't have the capacity to get that job. "They'll never get that diploma so they'll never get that job. But they'll always have that debt. "It just seems impossible that someone who is barely literate or numerate could even undertake the assessments for a diploma in business." Ms Sharkey, who advises the State Government on disability education, said VET-FEE-HELP training loans did not operate the same as university loans known as HECS. VET-FEE-HELP training loans attract a 20 per cent loan fee and are less generous than the HECS scheme. "There is almost a free for all," she said. "There is a market being created so that businesses can swarm like bees to the honeypot really." Regulator to be given new powers The Australian Skills Quality Authority said it will have new powers from next year to better regulate the training sector. Chief executive Chris Robinson said marketing companies have been responsible for many of the issues in the sector. "I think a lot of the problems that we've seen haven't been from training organisations, they've been from brokers who aren't regulated," he said. "I think it's clear that there have been some cases of very unscrupulous behaviour. "It's not the provision of a discount or laptops that's the problem, it's providing that to people without explaining they're also signing up to the VET-FEE-HELP debt. "That sort of behaviour is not good." Mr Robinson said while ASQA regulates colleges, VET-FEE-HELP was administered by the federal Department of Education. Topics: education, disabilities, consumer-finance, federal-government, federal---state-issues, government-and-politics, australia First posted

Israeli policemen secure the scene of the shooting and stabbing attack outside Damascus gate in Jerusalem's old city June 16, 2017. Three Palestinian assailants armed with guns and knives carried out an attack Friday night in Jerusalem that killed one Border Policewoman and left a number of people wounded. >> How Credible Is ISIS' Claim of Deadly Jerusalem Attack? The officer, Hadas Malka, 23, was critically stabbed while attempting to reach for her gun, according to Israel's Police, and later succumbed to her wounds. Israeli border guards stand outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City following the attack, June 16, 2017. AFP/ Thomas Coex All three attackers were shot dead by officers at the scene. The attack unfolded along Sultan Suleiman Street, near Damascus Gate in the Old City. At one scene, two of the attackers were shot and killed after assaulting police officers with knives and guns. At the other, an attacker was shot dead after stabbing a border policewoman, critically wounding her. The scene adjacent to Herod's Gate of Jerusalem's Old City, June 16, 2017. MDA Another officer was lightly wounded in the attack. Both were evacuated to Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem for treatment, where the female officer died of her wounds. According to the police, two Palestinian bystanders were wounded in the shootout, one moderately and one lightly. Israeli police search a Palestinian man outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on June 16, 2017, following the attack THOMAS COEX/AFP Keep updated: Sign up to our newsletter Email * Please enter a valid email address Sign up Please wait… Thank you for signing up. We've got more newsletters we think you'll find interesting. Click here Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later. Try again Thank you, The email address you have provided is already registered. Close Israel's Channel 10 News reported that the assailants homemade Carl Gustav submachine gun jammed during the attack. skip - Map The attackers have been identified as As'ama Ata, 19, Adel Ankush, 18, Bra’a Salah, 17, from the West Bank village of Deir Abu-Mash'al, according to the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, which added that the three were previously involved in "popular terrorism." Jerusalem District's Police Commander Yoram Halevy said all three attackers were residents of the West Bank, and noted that some of them had permits to enter Israel. He added that there were no specific alerts before the attack. "However we know what Jerusalem is. We are in the Ramadan period and we do not act according to alerts, we are on one big alert all the time," he said. According to Halevy, over 180,000 people had arrived in Jerusalem for Ramadan prayers, and suggested that the attack may well have ramifications on their ability to continue to do so. Jerusalem Police noted that Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, was unusually calm this year, after previous holidays had been marred by terror attacks and clashes between Palestinians and police. For the first time this Ramadan, Israel allowed buses of women and children from the West Bank into Jerusalem for Friday's prayers.

AGRA: A BJP councillor from North Delhi’s Kamla Nagar was arrested on Sunday night after he allegedly assaulted a home guard and tore off his uniform.The home guard had confronted councillor Sanjay Agrawal for drinking alcohol on the main road, which falls on the route of kanwar yatra.Agarwal was, however, granted bail on Monday morning after BJP members allegedly pressurised local police.“At around 11:30 pm in Shakya market, Agrawal was found drinking his car which was parked in the route of Kanwar yatra. His act was causing inconvenience to pilgrims, after which group of men complaint his act to an on duty homeguard. When homeguard confronted Agrawal and asked him to leave for home, the inebriated councillor verbally abused, assaulted and torn the uniform of homeguard,” said IPS officer Shlok Kumar, who is also the Circle Officer of Hari Parbat.The homeguard who was assaulted has been identified as Ghure Lal.Agrawal was booked under Sections 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Indian Penal Code.When questioned as why the accused councillor was given bail from police station and not taken to court, IPS Shlok Kumar said, "Sanjay Agrawal was complaining of chest pain and his family claimed that accused had suffered heart attack earlier too. Therefore on medical grounds he was sent to hospital in ambulance after duly signing bail bond."

Faraday Future FF91 AP Photo/Jae C. Hong Faraday Future has kept fairly quiet in the months following its January appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The electric-car startup's showing earned some mixed reviews at the time. The event was not without glitches, and the presentation was seen by some as rough around the edges. Faraday, like most of the upstart automotive companies of late, has remained aggressive in its bid to stake a claim in the future of driving. That means autonomous, electric vehicles — drenched from bumper to bumper in immersive technology. The mission is not easy. Building a car company is hard enough, but setting out to completely redefine the concept of driving, as Faraday Future says it wants to do, is a gargantuan task, fraught with nearly endless potential for failure. Last week, the company released a video of its first car, the FF91, driving on public roads in what looks to be nearly production-level livery. However, the car is not yet complete. Beta versions of the FF91 have been roaming the streets of Southern California, Faraday tells Business Insider of how far along the company is at this juncture. Here's everything we know about the current version of Faraday Future's FF91, so far.

Tee’d Off Greenskeepers Picket Oakland Country Club (chispita_666/Flickr/Creative Commons) Nestled amidst the citrus trees and wildflowers of Oakland’s upscale Rockridge neighborhood sit the pristinely manicured courts, pools, greens and fairways of the Claremont Country Club. When the people who keep the club looking so beautiful are on their half-hour lunch break, you can see them standing around the entrance almost every day, holding signs and handing out literature to the doctors, judges and tech consultants driving their luxury sedans into the parking lot. Claremont's greenskeepers and maintenance-shop workers, represented by SEIU Local 265, have been picketing for four months, ever since a new management crew unilaterally switched employees’ health insurance and stuck them with fees, according to workers. Since the picket began, management has installed cameras in the break room, also without notifying the union, per contractual obligation. All of workers I interviewed requested anonymity, citing concerns of retaliation by management. They described one all-employee meeting, at which the recently installed management informed them that they had a choice of three different healthcare plans, and their previously fee-free plan was not one of them. Whichever choice the workers made would incur fees and, as one 14-year employee told me, “The way life is now, it’s tough.” Workers say management cited the current economic sluggishness as the reason for the change, but, as one picketer pointed out, “They provide services for the top 1 or 2 percent. Some of these people are paying $50,000 a year to play golf here, and they have thousands of members, so money is not the issue.” A Local 265 bulletin points out that “picketing at the club by this union has not occurred since 1994; thus, there has been a long standing mutually agreeable labor relations situation at the club for 18 years.” It notifies recipients that “unfair labor practices have been filed by this union with the Oakland office of the National Labor Relations Board.” Michael Tynan, one of the union representatives coordinating the picket, was at the 1994 picket, and he says the workers then were much more hesitant to picket. These days, he says, the employees are all very close and regularly picket. Other members of Local 265, including cemetery workers, have been joining them on some days. One picketer said he feels confident they are accruing leverage by winning the golf club members to their side. The members, many of whom are recipients of family legacies at the golf club, mostly support the picketing workers, he says. “When they come by, they’ll honk or wave,” he says. “A lot of them will roll down their windows and say, ‘We support you.’” Nevertheless, the management team is “clearly grounded in their position of being anti-union,” he says. It is unclear to the workers and union representatives whether management has been instructed by the club’s board of directors to adopt its stance. The union’s contract is up in October, by which time it hopes sympathetic club members and ongoing negotiations can pressure management into reversing its health insurance switch. Until then, Claremont's workers will be spending less time under the break room's cameras, and more time on the street, picketing during lunch.

He Said Can a man and a woman maintain strictly platonic relationship with each other? True or nah? I agree – true. For the life of me I cannot understand how grown people cannot maintain friendships with the opposite sex without muddying the waters with – sexual advances or energy. Many times men are drawn to a woman because they have sex on the brain, but sometimes the man can begin to truly appreciate the woman for who she is. Other times, it becomes the responsibility of either party to control their own emotions and desires and not make unwanted advancements. I understand that attraction may occur between friends. Or that one friend might be more attracted to the other friend unbeknownst to the friend. However, neither of these examples nullifies our ability to reach higher and maintain a platonic relationship with someone for whom you may have an attraction. People decide to bring others into their lives driven by whatever needs are to be fulfilled. The Bible states we go through seasons and individuals might come in and out of our lives depending on where we are in our life journeys. However, there is no reference to or hard and fast rule coming from the good Book about maintaining opposite sex friendships. Well, there is some reference to committing adultery in one’s own mind including lasciviousness and other sinful actions. Yada, yada, yada, but I digress. Men will almost always befriend females in which they have an attraction. And some men will truly desire a strictly platonic relationship as they get to know the female friend they’ve encountered. Heck, even Oedipus desired and married his own mother (hello…gross!) according to Sophocles. Besides, what man, straight or gay, doesn’t want to be around a harem of attractive female friends? The bottom line – discipline and self-control come into play. Keep it in your pants for once in a while and get to know the woman for who she is – and you might find yourself with a friend for life. Or at least until you get married and your spouse nixes on the female friend. And given the chance would a male friend control any sexual desires he has toward his female companion? Maybe not, but even so, should a one-time sexual encounter stop two individuals from developing a meaningful friendship after a “slip up”? I think not. Have at it folks – go find that female or male friend and keep it platonic. There could be a treasure chest of friendship benefits waiting. She Said It’s almost impossible to maintain a close relationship with a member of the opposite sex without getting too close, resulting in problems in your existing romantic relationship, hindering your ability to get involved in a romantic relationship or causing one of the two people in the “friendship” to be hurt or frustrated. It gets even more complicated if you have had an intimate relationship with the person. In my opinion, all that bonding that you do with a member of the opposite sex should be reserved for the person with whom you will have or are having a romantic relationship. I believe someone always wants more than a mere friendship and they think they can “wait out” the other person or are willing to accept the crumbs of a relationship that the other person is willing to dole out. It’s not a healthy situation for either party and should be avoided. I have male friends, but I’ve never had a male friendship where there wasn’t an undercurrent, a tension that had to be managed. If my significant other were to feel threatened by that relationship then that relationship would have to go. Mr. Neanderthal (aka “He Said”) is right. What brings friends together is an attraction, whether it’s an attraction to shared history or shared values or a physical attraction. Either way, when you have this “attraction” to a member of the opposite sex it is very difficult not to cross over the line and get your heart or your body (or both) in trouble. It is the emotional intimacy that is the greatest threat to your primary relationship. The best test of whether a friendship with a member of the opposite sex is healthy is to ask yourself, “If something very good or very bad happens in my life, is this the person that I immediately think to call?” or “I am the person that my friend immediately thinks to call if something very good or very bad happens in his/her life?” If the answer to either question is “yes” then you are far too emotionally tied to this “friend” or he/she to you (or both). How is this a problem, you say? Ask your significant other. Who wants to be involved in a relationship with someone who has a relationship with a member of the opposite sex that usurps your role in your significant other’s life? I know there are those that believe that no one person can fulfill all of your needs, and I agree, but I also think that if you decide to have a member of the opposite sex be your “go to” person to fulfill one of your needs, you should make sure it’s okay with your significant other and be clear with all involved on what the boundaries of the “friendship”are going to be. There should be no sexual innuendos, no intimate conversations and limited time alone. Mr. Neanderthal says it’s just a matter of “growing up” and avoiding the pitfalls that such a relationship presents. Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on the people involved. I personally think it has less to do with “growing up” and more to do with being honest with yourself and asking yourself those two questions I posed.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe: 'We want to be open-minded' Police should change their approach to allegations of sex abuse and not automatically believe the complainant, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has suggested. Speaking at a BBC event, the Met Police commissioner said it was time to "reformulate" the policy, so police showed empathy towards victims but kept an open mind as they tested claims. The policy is expected to be considered in a review of the Met's procedures. The NSPCC said it was "deeply disturbed" by the proposed change. The review, which will be led by an ex-judge, follows criticism of the Met's handling of high-profile investigations into claims of historical sex abuse. It will scrutinise the force's handling of investigations including Operation Midland - which is looking at claims that boys were abused by powerful men from politics, the military and law enforcement agencies in the 1970s and 80s. Anonymity for suspects In 2014, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary said "the presumption that a victim should always be believed should be institutionalised". However, Sir Bernard told BBC Radio 4's Today programme police had become "hung up" on the word belief and it had "confused officers". He said: "My point would be of course we've got to be empathetic. We want people to believe we're going to listen to them, we want to be open minded, what they tell us and then what the suspects tell us, and then we've got to test all that evidence. "I think there is a grave danger at the moment with the advice that is around that perhaps there is a tendency to think that we will always believe any complaint that is made and that's not wise for any good investigator, nor as it would be for any journalist." Image copyright PA Image caption Allegations against Lord Bramall were found to have no substance Much of the criticism of Operation Midland has revolved around comments made by one senior detective. At the beginning of the investigation, the officer described allegations made by a man known as Nick as "credible and true". Sir Bernard said the officer had "misspoken" after becoming "confused" by the need to follow guidance about complainants being believed. Asked whether the Met risked dissuading victims from coming forward, Sir Bernard said police had been criticised for carrying out a "witch hunt" after previously being accused of not properly investigating abuse claims. "We are now being accused of being witch hunters and doing it in a very inappropriate way and I'm prepared to look at that and that's why I've set up this review. "If we get this wrong, not just police, but society, lawyers, etcetera, people won't come forward, and surely what we we all want to happen, particularly a child today, wants to feel confident that someone is not going to hang them out to dry," Sir Bernard said. Analysis Image copyright Getty Images Image caption There has also been scrutiny of the Met Police's handling of an investigation against the late Lord Brittan BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw "The police should immediately institutionalise the presumption that the victim is to be believed". Those were the words of Sir Tom Winsor, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, speaking in November 2014 - the month, coincidentally, that Scotland Yard launched Operation Midland. Sir Tom was commenting after an inspection found that one in four sexual offences - and one in five of all crimes - reported to police in England and Wales weren't being recorded. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's suggestion that police now adopt a more "open-minded" approach to victims' allegations is perhaps more of a change of gear than a handbrake turn. He's not saying allegations shouldn't be taken seriously, logged properly and investigated thoroughly. It's more about the need for detectives to remain objective throughout the process, and not to give the impression, least of all to suspects, that they're siding with victims. Pressure on the Met The review into the Met's procedures comes as the former head of the Army Lord Bramall, 92 - who last month found out he would not face any further action in connection with Operation Midland - called for a review into the case. The peer strongly denied claims, and said detectives had taken 10 months before speaking to witnesses who cast doubt on the allegations. There has also been scrutiny of the Met Police's handling of an investigation into a rape allegation against the late Lord Brittan, a former home secretary. He died in January 2015 without being told that the case against him had been dropped. Sir Bernard has come under mounting pressure to apologise to Lord Bramall, with critics questioning whether his contract should be renewed. But Home Secretary Theresa May confirmed on Thursday that Sir Bernard's contract would be extended by a year from September. Sir Bernard insisted he had not set up the inquiry to "divert attention" away from himself. 'Clear mistake' However, he defended his decision not to apologise to Lord Bramall. Sir Bernard told the Today programme: "I can't really apologise for investigating a serious allegation and that's what we've done. "I have expressed regret and it's a genuine regret, if he, Lord Bramall, or his family has been damaged in this process, this investigation." The commissioner said if the inquiry found the force could have "done it better" he would "acknowledge" the criticism. Sir Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, told BBC Newsnight he felt some of the criticism Sir Bernard was receiving was unfair and that he was a "remarkable police leader". However, he said that in the same position he would apologise to Lord Brittan's wife for the delay in informing him his case had been dropped. "There is clearly a particular issue about a delay... that is a clear mistake, an error. It is not how the procedure should work," he said. "But I certainly think that no chief constable would apologise for investigating anybody." The NSPCC said it was "deeply disturbed" by the suggested change of police approach to sexual abuse victims. "At a time when people have at long last found the confidence and courage to report these crimes it would be a tragedy to bring this progress to a juddering halt. "Telling those who have been sexually abused they will no longer be automatically believed seems to be a panic measure which could have an adverse effect on a crime the government has classified as a 'national threat.'"

The extremist Sunni group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) on Sunday declared a new caliphate — or an Islamic state to claim dominion over Muslims across the globe — on the territory it holds in the two countries. An online statement declared the group’s shadowy leader, known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Caliph, or successor to the Prophet Mohammed, who died in 632. The position has been vacant since 1924, when the founder of modern Turkey abolished the office as a remnant of the Ottoman Empire, and bundled the last man to hold it, a bookish Francophile named Abdulmecid Efendi, into exile aboard the Orient Express. Restoring the caliphate, and with it a measure of the glory that attended Islam’s golden age, has been the stated goal of Sunni Muslim activists for decades, from the Muslim Brotherhood to Hizb ut-Tahrir to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda. But al-Baghdadi’s group is the first to assert it. “The time has come for those generations that were drowning in oceans of disgrace, being nursed on the milk of humiliation, and being ruled by the vilest of all people, after their long slumber in the darkness of neglect — the time has come for them to rise,” said the statement. “They are saying that they are now the center of gravity in global jihad,” says Hayder Al-Khoei, a specialist on Iraq at Chatham House, a London think tank. “They have leap-frogged in that sense al-Qaeda.” The most immediate tangible effect of the announcement, attributed to ISIS spokesman Mohammed al-Adnani, was to shorten the group’s name. It now wants to be called simply Islamic State, moving past debates over transliterations of the former title, sometimes rendered as ISIL, for Levant instead of Syria, or al-Shams. Social-media sites like Twitter, which the group has used expertly to amplify its message and sense of a strong following, came alive with a new #IS hashtag, while Facebook carried posts claiming to document celebrations — shooting in the air from pickups — in the streets of Raqqa, the Syrian city the Islamist group has held the longest. Any further impact will depend on public reaction. In the immediate wake of the announcement, skeptics were not hard to find. The world, after all, is pretty well organized as nation states, the governing concept that admirers of the caliphate reject. “To me,” says al-Khoei, “it sounds like a publicity stunt.” Even if it is, it might pay off. It’s not hard to imagine Sunday’s announcement, at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, inspiring young Muslims already inclined toward jihad. “If they’re a caliphate now, a lot of people, possibly living in America or Europe — the ones who are already radicalized and inclined to join them, it’s more of an impetus,” al-Khoei tells TIME. “Maybe the publicity stunt will affect recruiting in that sense. There’ll be more eager, young volunteers excited by the sense that it’s here now, it’s a reality now.” The fact is, a certain nostalgia for the caliphate lingers in much of the Muslim community — and not only among fundamentalists, or so-called takfiri groups like ISIS that see Shi‘ite Muslims as apostates. Catholics still have their Pope, these mainstream believers point out, and Eastern Orthodox Christians their patriarch. But there are Caliphs and there are Caliphs. And while many, like the current Christian leaders, preach peace, the summons from the Mesopotamian desert Sunday was to “greedily drink the blood” of nonbelievers according to an early translation posted online: “The sun of jihad has risen … The glad tidings of good are shining. Triumph looms on the horizon. The signs of victory have appeared. Here the flag of the Islamic State, the flag of tawhīd (monotheism), rises and flutters. Its shade covers land from Aleppo to Diyala. … So rush O Muslims and gather around your khalīfah [caliphate], so that you may return as you once were for ages, kings of the earth and knights of war. Come so that you may be honored and esteemed, living as masters with dignity. Know that we fight over a religion that Allah promised to support. We fight for an ummah [global Muslim community] to which Allah has given honor, esteem, and leadership, promising it with empowerment and strength on the earth. Come O Muslims to your honor, to your victory. By Allah, if you disbelieve in democracy, secularism, nationalism, as well as all the other garbage and ideas from the west, and rush to your religion and creed, then by Allah, you will own the earth, and the east and west will submit to you. This is the promise of Allah to you. This is the promise of Allah to you.” Contact us at editors@time.com.

Five dimensions? WTF? By this point you can probably tell where things are going. At IBM Research in Zurich, they are working on a technology that solves both power delivery and cooling in vertically stacked electronics, with the eventual goal of enabling the creation of skyscraper CPUs, GPUs, or whatever other IC you might fancy. Somewhat unfortunately, IBM calls this research program "towards five-dimensional scaling." Not three dimensions, like you might expect of a project tasked with stacking 2D chips on top of each other to form 3D piles, or perhaps four dimensions if you had done a module in marketing at university and were feeling exceedingly generous, but five. Fortunately, however, IBM's five-dimensional scaling tech doesn't require an understanding of string theory. Rather, the fourth and fifth dimensions are rather mundane: number four is power delivery, and cooling is number five. As the video above clearly shows, IBM Research's work on electronic blood is at a very early stage. It does actually work, though. In the setup that I described at the top of the story, the researchers have managed to use their electrochemical blood to provide about 10 milliwatts of power to a computer chip. In theory, the blood also kept the chip cool—but the device was so low-power that it only produced a negligible amount of heat anyway. The cooling probably won't be a problem, though. IBM's work on 5D blood stems from its advanced liquid cooling and microfluidics research. IBM, as you're probably aware, is a big player in the supercomputing sector—an arena where improved cooling technologies can result in huge computing power and efficiency benefits. A few years ago, IBM's research into liquid cooling resulted in the creation of two "hot water cooled" supercomputers: one at ETH in Zurich and SuperMUC at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Germany. More recently, we covered the Solar Sunflower, where instead of using conventional copper water blocks to ferry heat away, water flows through micron-thick microfluidic channels that have been carved out of a silicon wafer. The Solar Sunflower story has more details if you want them, but the general gist of it is this: microfluidic liquid cooling could be really, really useful, both in terms of the absolute amount of thermal power that can be dissipated, and also in relieving those hard-to-reach hot spots. IBM IBM IBM The power delivery side of the equation is likely to be a bit trickier. Basically, IBM needs to start with its microfluidic cooling tech and then modify the cooling medium so that it also carries soluble redox couples (i.e. a compound that can be oxidised to produce some electricity, and then reduced again to recharge). Then, instead of just providing microfluidic channels on the chip for cooling, there also needs to be a few extra bits to complete its transformation into a redox flow battery. If IBM can work out how to do all of these things, though, the numbers from one of their research papers sound pretty good. The complete charge-discharge cycle of the electrochemical blood "has energy efficiencies of more than 80 percent," with a voltage of around 1V. That could well be good enough to power a stack of computer chips. The blood-brain barrier Why, you might ask, is IBM calling it 5D blood, though? Well, the original inspiration for the research was biological efficiency. That is, despite how small our transistors are getting and how fast our interconnects are becoming, animal brains are several orders of magnitude more efficient in terms of computing efficiency and density. Some of the world's largest supercomputers have a total processing power that approximates a small mammal, but they require about 10,000,000 watts to get there. The human brain, by comparison, uses maybe 20 or 30 watts at full bore. A supercomputer is just slightly larger than a mammalian brain too. Those gaping gulfs in efficiency and density may begin to be bridged by neuromorphic (brain-like) chips, and other bleeding-edge advances in CMOS logic, but they'll only get us so far. To get towards biological levels of efficiency (and perhaps intelligence as well), we need some way of cramming millions of computer chips into a space the size of a shoe box—or, er, a human skull. Animals use blood for both energy delivery and cooling of the most efficient computers in the world, so why shouldn't IBM? IBM Journal of Research and Development, 2011. DOI: 10.1147/JRD.2011.2165677 (About DOIs).

People walk past a LG Electronics logo during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 25, 2016. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc said on Sunday it will aggressively invest in robots, seeking to capitalize on advancing artificial intelligence that may eventually lead to sophisticated machines performing everyday human tasks. LG, in a statement, said its appliances division is preparing the firm’s entry into the robotics industry with the aim to develop products that will work closely with home appliances products such as refrigerators, washers and air conditioning units. “We will prepare for the future by aggressively investing in smart home, robots and key components and strengthen the home appliances business’s capabilities,” said Jo Seung-jin, head of LG’s appliances business, in the statement. Advances in fields such as artificial intelligence and wireless communications are allowing for more sophisticated machines that can talk to each other via the internet and perform more complex tasks. Countries across the world are investing heavily in robotics in hopes to develop a new industry or cope with socioeconomic problems such as low birth rates or an ageing population by introducing machines which can serve humans as cooks, caretakers or laborers. LG did not elaborate on how much it plans to invest in its push or when it expects to launch robotic products, but the firm said it is exploring a variety of options through the combination of technologies including autonomous driving and artificial intelligence.

Comey Admits HE Was the Leaker: ‘I Needed to Get it Out Into the Public Square’ (VIDEO) It’s James Comey Day in Washington DC– The unpredictable former FBI Director is testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Fired FBI Director James Comey told the Senate Intel Committee on Thursday that he asked a friend of his to leak to a memo he kept regarding his conversation with President Trump to the press. Comey admitted this after Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), asked him why he kept the memos. She then asked if he ever shared any of them outside the DOJ. Of course this was leaked to the New York Times. They ran with the story that Trump was pushing Comey to drop the Flynn investigation. Daniel C. Richman confirmed to the Washington Examiner that he was Comey’s friend at Columbia. He has been referred to in the New York Times as a “longtime confidant and friend of Mr. Comey’s,” and his bio at Columbia’s website lists him as an “adviser to FBI Director James B. Comey.” James Comey reveals he asked a friend at Columbia Law School to leak details about conversation with @Potus to the press. pic.twitter.com/BUOPXEFCDK — Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) June 8, 2017 VIDEO:

Pictured above is a reusable shopping bag, typically made of canvas or other durable material and designed to carry one’s purchases home from the grocery store, pharmacy, or other retailer. While some stores offer incentives to shoppers who bring their own bags, the majority of people who use such tote bags probably do so on their own volition, aiming to be more ecology-minded when buying organic frozen pizza. You, the eco-bag-using shopper — you’re doing good. And it feels good to do so.Which is probably why there are cookies in the bag. Okay, maybe not cookies. Maybe it’s potato chips or some other tasty but not-so-good-for-you item typically categorized as “junk food.” But whatever it is, the item is there more often than it would be had you used the disposable, store-bought bags. At least that’s what researchers Uma R. Karmarkar and Bryan Bollinger, professors at Harvard’s and Duke University’s business schools respectively, conclude in a paper published just a few months ago. As the Atlantic reported, the professors “analyzed loyalty-card data from some 140,000 trips to a single grocery store in California in the mid-2000s,” which also had data about whether the purchasers also provided their own bags (likely represented by a discount on their bills.) The researchers noticed that, unsurprisingly, BYOBer (bring your own bag-ers, to borrow from a similar acronym) filled their bags with organic products — they were 13% more likely to buy organic products than the “paper or plastic?” crowd. But something else popped up — junk. The researchers found that our green purchasers bought 7% more cookies, chips, and candy than other shoppers. The correlation doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a causal connection between going green and then expanding the term’s definition to include limited-edition key lime pie-flavored Oreos. (Those are real, by the way, and no, I didn’t buy any at the grocery store this week, but I admit it was a close call. I also, anecdotally, did not bring my own shopping bag to the store.) But Professors Karmarkar and Bollinger offer a potential explanation regardless, called the “licensing effect.” NPR summarizes it well: “when people feel they’re doing something hard or something virtuous, they often give themselves license to do something that rewards themselves.” We see this in many contexts — a 2010 report in TIME notes that holiday shoppers often buy a little something extra for themselves while purchasing gifts for others, for example. In this case, by buying organic food and using your own bag, you’re doing good for yourself and for the world at large. Someone should recognize this accomplishment and give you a prize. In fact, you’re such a good person, you should just treat yourself. And now that you think about it, doesn’t a cookie sound good? Thought so. Bonus Fact : Being an eco-conscious shopper may make you a bit more pudgy, per the above. But even worse, it may make you a bad person. According to a 2010 paper (pdf) by University of Toronto psychologists Nina Mazar and Chen-Bo Zhong, “people act less altruistically and are more likely to cheat and steal after purchasing green products as opposed to conventional products.” Per the New York Times, the authors attributed this result to the licensing effect — “acting upon one’s values establishes moral credentials that can subsequently license deviating behavior.” From the Archives : Accidentally Awesome: The history of chocolate chip cookies. Take the Quiz : Unscramble the cookies!

What’s up, Universe? Did y’all see Paige VanZant go upside Bec Rawlings’ head with that kick this past weekend on UFC on Fox 21? If you did, Ben and Chad expect you know some of what’s coming on this week’s CME. If you didn’t? Well, let your guys pull your coat to what happened. Or maybe you should run out and watch the fight card itself real quick first, since it’s totally worth it also to see what Demian Maia did to Carlos Condit in the main event. Wore him around like a button, fam, like a hat. Also, did you guys know Benson Henderson had his second Bellator fight last weekend? And that next weekend Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski fight in Germany, on a Fight Pass Dot Com event that will air in the states in the middle of the afternoon/early evening? Well, hop on board, let’s discourse. All that, plus AYFKM, Just Sayin’ Stuff and MasterTweet Theatre. Direct downloaders can vie to be crowned the King of Hamburg right here.

Groza głębokich, ciemnych lasów północno-mongolskiej tajgi jest uzasadniona. Kryją w sobie tajemnicze obrzędy owianych legendą szamanów, których prawdziwość istnienia potwierdzają lokalni Caatani, czyli zamieszkująca w strefie tajgi etniczna mniejszość hodująca renifery. Skoro potwierdzają, należy ich odnaleźć. Jedna z wielu osławionych szamanek – Caatanek sezonowo koczowała nieopodal miejscowości Chadgal nad bajecznie czystym i największym w Mongolii jeziorem Chubsuguł, położonym w odległości niespełna 200 km do Irkucka. Jezioro, gromadzące 2% słodkiej wody na ziemi, zwane jest Małym Bajkałem, choć w porównaniu do Bajkału to kropla w morzu. Dotarcie do szamanki nie było trudne, wszak większość z okolicznych mieszkańców potrafi wskazać kierunek do szamańskiego obozowiska, gdzie stacjonują członkowie rodziny, uczniowie oraz zwierzyna: renifery i konie. Usytuowanie szamańskiej jurty w szczycie sezonu blisko straganów rozłożonych na skraju drogi w turystycznej okolicy nie może być przypadkowe. Dla turystów i Mongołów ten największy zbiornik wodny w kraju, nazywany potocznie Oceanem, jest nie lada atrakcją i częstym celem wypraw. Na pływających po jeziorze statkach wycieczkowych tłumnie zgromadzeni Mongołowie, w uniesieniu i w modlitwie, znajdują się na tak wielkiej wodzie z pewnością po raz pierwszy, a może ostatni raz w życiu. Nie wiadomo, czy odprawiane przez nich na pokładzie statku modlitwy ze wzniesionymi w górę otwartymi dłońmi to ślad praktyk buddyzmu tybetańskiego (lamaizmu), szamanizmu, wierzeń ludowych, czy wreszcie lokalnej mieszanki wszystkich trzech. W Mongolii kwestia wyznań jest kwestią umowną. Od 1990 roku kraj jest oficjalnie wolnym wyznaniowo, a jego mieszkańcy, choć w większości deklarują buddyzm tybetański, nie należą do narodów ani specjalnie religijnych, ani do ateuszy. Wpływ mogła na to wywrzeć legenda samego Czyngis-chana, który zainteresowany był wszystkimi religiami i jednocześnie żadną z nich, pomimo, że sam podobno wyznawał szamanizm. Wierzenia te, dominujące w Mongolii do końca XVI wieku, z czasem zostały wyparte przez nauki buddyzmu tybetańskiego, który przyczynił się do znacznej redukcji analfabetyzmu oraz rozkwitu budownictwa porozrzucanych po rozległych stepach buddyjskich świątyń i klasztorów. Jednym z nich jest najokazalszy i najstarszy w kraju klasztor Erdene Dzuu (1586) w Karakorum, w Mongolii Środkowej, odwiedzany przez Mongołów tak chętnie, jak przez Polaków odwiedzany jest Wawel. Mongołowie to wielcy eklektycy czerpiący z wierzeń i religii to, co wydaje się być dla nich najbardziej wygodne. Mongolską przestrzeń organizują świątynie buddyjskie harmonizujące z kamiennymi usypiskami zwanymi owoo, pierwotnie należącymi do praktyk szamańskich, następnie przejęte przez buddyzm. Udział w rytuałach szamańskich w żaden sposób nie stoi w sprzeczności z obrazem nowoczesności wniesionym do jurt poprzez telewizję satelitarną, telefon oraz internet. Łączność ze światem nie stanowi ekwiwalentu łączności z duchami. W tej dziedzinie szamanizm, najstarszy w Mongilii system wierzeń i praktyk o nieznanym prapoczątku, wykształcił wiele lokalnych kodów porozumiewania się pogrążonego w ekstatycznym transie szamana z trzema sferami świata, połączonymi osią kosmiczną: strefą podziemną (świat dolny), środkową (ziemia) i nieba (świat górny). Spójnikiem dla lokalnych odmian szamanizmu jest animistyczna wiara w obecność duchów materii ożywionej i nieożywionej, z którymi szamani nawiązują kontakt odprawiając w transie rytuały. Stan pobudzenia osiągają najczęściej po spożyciu wywarów z roślin posiadających związki psychoaktywne. Wszystko po to, aby chronić przed demonami i chorobami, udzielać porad wszelakich lub odprowadzać duszę zmarłego do podziemnego świata zmarłych. Szamani nie spełniają roli wróżbitów przewidujących przyszłość, wszak ich naczelną właściwością jest mediacja z duchami. Szamańska wiedza, dotąd nie spisana i z pokolenia na pokolenie przekazywana z ust do ust, dotyka szeregu aspektów życia duchowego, przyrody, ziołolecznictwa, lokalnych mitów i legend. Szamanizm wykształcił kult przodków i kult ognia przybierający postać ogniska domowego zamieszkiwanego przez opiekuńczego ducha. Stąd wywodzą się zwyczaje niezaśmiecania ognia ani wody. Zupełnie jak w wierzeniach ludowych, czcią otaczane są zwierzęta obdarzane symboliką mitologiczną, np. bóstwa końskie uważane są za patronów łowców i myśliwych. Kult zwierząt uzasadniony jest wiarą w reinkarnację, szamańską zdolnością wcielania się w zwierzęta w transie oraz ich doniosłą rolą podczas ceremoniałów pogrzebowych. Dzikie zwierzęta stają się niejako sprawiedliwymi sędziami, gdyż uważa się, że najszybciej zjadają natarte tłuszczem ciało tego zmarłego, który za życia był dobrym człowiekiem. Można zaryzykować złotą regułę: im będziesz lepszym człowiekiem, tym szybciej zostaniesz zjedzonym. Od wieków czczona jest także potęga przyrody, czego dowodzi otoczony kultem Modrzew o Stu Konarach, rosnący niedaleko przełomu rzeki Czuluud Gol na terenie Parku Narodowego Terchijn Cagaan Nuur. Pod drzewem z gałęziami obwiązanymi niebieskimi modlitewnymi szarfami składane są przez Mongołów ofiary. Miejscowa tradycja głosi, że ten, kto stracił cenną rzecz, w intencji odnalezienia zguby powinien spędzić noc w pobliżu świętego drzewa. Niebieskie szarfy modlitewne, na stałe wtopione w mongolski krajobraz, powiewając na wietrze odpędzają demony. Wieszane są na znakach przydrożnych, a przede wszystkim na każdym kopcu owoo, najczęściej usypywanym z kamieni lub ułożonym z drewnianych palików i gałęzi. Owoo spotyka się na rozstajach dróg, w przełęczach, na szczytach wzniesień, gdzie prawie nikt nie dociera lub na szczytach, do których docierają prawie wszyscy. Owoo to swoisty rodzaj przydrożnej kapliczki i jednocześnie magicznego miejsca obrzędów ku wybranym duchom z całego panteonu duchów niższych i wyższych. Przez buddyjskich lamów odprawiane są przy owoo obrzędy wypędzania złych duchów i chorób lub obrzędy błagalne o pomnożenie stada bydła, dobrą pogodę, ochronę okolicy lub opiekę nad podróżnymi. Ten ostatni rytuał zdaje się być szczególnie mocno zakorzeniony w świadomości mongolskich kierowców, którzy mijając owoo zawsze z lewej strony, trąbią lub zatrzymują się, aby móc w modlitwie trzykrotnie obejść je zgodnie z ruchem wskazówek zegara i wrzucić ofiarę dla opiekuńczego ducha danego miejsca. Rytuał ten, analogicznie do rytuału skrapiania mlekiem lub alkoholem, odprawiany jest także przed wyruszeniem w podróż. Prawdopodobnie nie istnieją ograniczenia co do rodzaju składanej ofiary, skoro bywają nimi małe kamyczki, patyki, a również puste plastikowe butelki po napojach, papierki po cukierkach i zwierzęce kości. Pozostawiane za zabudowaniami i domostwami resztki zwierzęce wabią gromady drapieżnego ptactwa, które zdążą je rozszarpać, zanim porozrzuca i zniszczy je wiatr lub porwą watahy psów. O ile w przypadku kości następuje naturalna utylizacja, o tyle w przypadku ofiarowania butelek PET głęboki szacunek do przyrody i starania na rzecz jej ochrony wydają się gubić sens. Urozmaiceniem kolorytu obyczaju ofiarowania bywają słodycze spotykane przy bramach lub wejściach do buddyjskich świątyń, jak przy wejściu do świątyni Zajayn Churee w Cecerleg – najładniejszej stolicy ajmaku według tutejszego kanonu piękna. Wielce prawdopodobne, że pochodzą z Polski, wszak to polskie słodycze triumfują na sklepowych półkach. Niedaleko jeziora Chubsuguł znajduje się jedno z największych w regionie, a może nawet największe w kraju owoo będące swoistym miejscem mocy dla szamańskich rytuałów, które mogą być odprawiane przez jednego lub kilkoro szamanów w zależności od rangi wydarzenia. Pośród modrzewiowo-świerkowo-limbowego (z przewagą modrzewi syberyjskich) lasu nad brzegiem jeziora stoi potężny szkielet z pni i gałęzi upstrzony kolorowymi, modlitewnymi wstęgami, kryjący w sobie niewielkie ołtarzyki z kielichami, kadzidłami i naczyniami ofiarnymi. Swoje nadprzyrodzone zdolności manifestuje również szamanka koczująca nieopodal miejscowości Chadgal. Względnie łatwe odnalezienie jej obozowiska to dopiero początek ścieżki prowadzącej do szamańskiej jurty, bowiem spotkanie z szamanką wymaga logistycznej organizacji: uprzedzenia, umówienia spotkania o określonej porze następnego dnia oraz wniesienia opłaty przez zainteresowanych w wysokości ok. 10 Euro za osobę przed wejściem. Kto wie, czy wstęp wolny przysługuje wyłącznie okolicznym wyznawcom szamanizmu… Szamańska jutra w formie wigwamu wewnątrz pełna jest zwierzęcych skór do siedzenia, suszonego mięsiwa i sera, przyrządów do gotowania i naczyń, narzut i poduszek do spania. Zapach sera przywodzi na myśl zapach kadzideł wymieszanych z intensywnym zapachem serów i jaczego lub kobylego mleka ofiarowanych lamom za modlitwę odczytywaną z buddyjskiej sutry. Dla europejskiego powonienia unosząca się woń w buddyjskich świątyniach lub w gerach (jurtach) pełniących funkcję świątyń to spore wyzwanie. Siedząca na skrzyżowanych nogach szamanka o pogodnej, uśmiechniętej, przyjaznej twarzy bezwzględnie obala wyobrażenia o wizerunku tajemniczej, przeszywającej wzrokiem, pełnej powagi i grozy, niedostępnej postaci otoczonej wianuszkiem posępnych strażników. W trakcie rozmowy co chwilę do wigwamu zagląda jej wnuczek, aby zakraść się do miski z ciasteczkami. Niespodziewanie pojawia się ktoś nieznajomy oczekujący na swoją szansę spotkania. Wkraczając do jutry wyraża niezrozumiały dla Europejczyka (albo zwykłego sceptyka) gest dłońmi skierowany w kierunku szamanki. Prawdopodobnie to gest pozdrowienia lub symbol zbliżony do powszechnego w religii chrześcijańskiej znaku przeżegnania się. Po chwili wykonuje kolejny gest zagarniania do siebie szlachetnego dymu i tajemnych mocy z płonącego w jurcie świętego ogniska. Turystów utwierdza to w przekonaniu o niezwykłej sile i wielkim autorytecie, jakim szamanka cieszy się wśród Caatanów i lokalnej społeczności. Wielki autorytet nieodzownie wiąże się z bogactwem prezentów i datków, w tym kwot pieniężnych, które pozwalają szamanom utrzymywać swoje rodziny. Dodatkowe drobne opłaty w wysokości 5 Euro umożliwiają zrobienie zdjęcia z reniferem, a po dopłacie ok. 60 Euro od osoby szamanka oferuje w miejscu mocy indywidualne spotkanie z każdym śmiałkiem, który poważnie traktuje nadprzyrodzone moce szamańskie, a może jest tylko na nie podatny. Do indywidualnych spotkań, podczas których turystę oblewa zimy dreszcz emocji, dochodzi po odprawieniu wstępnych rytuałów wprowadzających szamankę w stan transu lub uniesienia. Proceder ten z całą pewnością porusza wyobraźnię uczestników, którzy po obrzędzie skłonni są interpretować bieżące fakty i sytuacje w sposób racjonalnie niewytłumaczalny. Wzrasta nadmierna ostrożność wobec, zdaje się, wszystkiego i skłonność do nabywania amuletów z kości zwierzęcych i kamieni oraz wszelkich innych ozdób odstraszających złe duchy, wystawionych na straganach nieopodal wigwamu. Wprawdzie kości dinozaurów, z których słyną Płonące Klify (Bajandzag) w ajmaku południowo-gobijskim, nie można nabyć ze względu na zakaz wywozu, za to powszechnie dostępne są kości wilków. Ale jak tu sprawdzić autentyczność wilczej kości, aby nie nabyć kości „domowego” bydła? Mongołowie to wytrawni eklektycy. Wyznawcy szamanizmu lub innych wierzeń na wszelki wypadek zakręcą buddyjskim młynkiem modlitewnym wprawiając w ruch wyryte na nim i spisane na wepchniętych w środek karteczkach słowa sutry, dzięki czemu nie trzeba odmawiać modlitwy. Mogą też uczestniczyć w obrzędach buddyjskich przypominających dożynki, odprawianych między innymi w jednym z czterech największych klasztorów Amarbajasgalant, w ajmaku selengijskim, o ile pokonają do niego setki kilometrów mongolskiej drogi. Wyznawcy buddyzmu lub wielu innych religii na wszelki wypadek okrążą owoo, złożą ofiary lokalnym duchom albo pokropią alkoholem przed drogą i pokonają setki kilometrów mongolskiej drogi, aby odwiedzić najprawdziwszych szamanów. Wszyscy, w tym sceptycy, na wszelki wpadek chętnie skorzystają ze sposobności nabycia magicznych amuletów i wisiorków, które pomogą w pokonaniu kolejnych setek kilometrów eklektycznej Mongolii z wzajemnie przenikającymi się wierzeniami. Tekst i zdjęcia: Katarzyna Miłek. Polecamy również:

Bump stocks were a novelty popular with YouTube gun enthusiasts wanting to simulate machine gun fire. Then they were found in a mass shooter’s arsenal Gun control advocates are calling for a ban on “bump stocks”, the largely unregulated novelty devices which Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock may have used to convert a semi-automatic rifle into a weapon that mimics the continuous fire of a fully automatic weapon. At least two bump stocks were recovered in Paddock’s hotel room, the Associated Press reported on Monday night, citing law enforcement sources. It is not yet clear whether they were used in his attack. Las Vegas gunman may have used special device to fire faster, expert says Read more Bump stocks attach to semi-automatic weapons and harness the recoil of the gun to allow a shooter to fire much faster than they could do if they repeatedly pulled the trigger – as the rifle recoils, the trigger bumps forward into the shooter’s finger to speed up the rate of fire. As one company that sells the devices, Bump Fire Systems, put it on its website: “Did you know that you can do simulated full-auto firing and it is absolutely legal?” It listed the price of one stock at $99.99. Gun experts called bump stocks a “toy” and “something a gun geek would want”, not a mainstream product or a tool for serious shooters who care about accuracy. Before Sunday’s attack, bump stocks featured prominently in gun enthusiast stunt videos on YouTube. Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein, who authored the 1994 ban on assault weapons and has tried unsuccessfully to renew the ban in recent years, said in a statement on Tuesday that she has advocated banning bump stocks for years. “This is the least we should do in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in US history. It should be our highest priority,” Feinstein said. “Hardware that turns legal guns into automatic weapons should be prohibited,” Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, one of America’s largest gun control groups, wrote on Twitter. “Automatic weapons are highly regulated; this evades federal law.” David Chipman, who spent 25 years as an ATF agent and now works as a policy adviser for Americans for Responsible Solutions, a gun control group, said the bureau has repeatedly confirmed that bump stocks and similar devices are not strictly regulated under the National Firearms Act or the Gun Control Act. Bump stocks allow rapid fire “by throwing the trigger against your finger as opposed to your finger pulling on the trigger”, he said. He called the device “a masterful creation of a technical workaround creating a loophole to circumvent the intention of the law”. Facebook Twitter Pinterest A ‘bump’ stock lies next to a disassembled .22-caliber rifle at North Raleigh Guns in Raleigh, North Carolina. Photograph: Allen Breed/AP Rich, a refinery operator from Wilmington, Delaware, who owns more than 40 guns, said he bought a Bump Fire Systems device for about $100 two years ago because it was “the closest thing that I could have that would simulate a machine gun”. Delaware, where he lives, bans the ownership of machine guns, which he would otherwise add to his collection. He requested that his last name not be published so he could candidly discuss his large gun collection without fearing that it might be targeted by thieves. Purchasing the bump stock did not required a background check, he said. “It’s just like ammo: you order them online, they ship them to your house.” The device was fun as a “range toy”, but tricky to master, and very difficult to fire accurately. “This thing requires practice,” he said. “It’s not something that somebody off the street could do the first time.” Many gun stores do not sell bump stocks, perhaps because they might attract “the wrong kind of crowd”, he said, meaning “irresponsible gun owners, people that they watch YouTube videos [and go], ‘Hey, I guess I don’t own a machine gun now,’ and they go out and they do things without seriously thinking about the impact of what they’re doing.” Many shooting ranges do not allow bump fire devices for a similar reason, he said. “I got my fun out of it but the novelty kind of wore off,” Rich said. “It’s definitely not reliable as a self-defense method or anything else.” He said on Monday night that he expected the devices would face intense scrutiny, and that some politicians would call to ban them, which he said would be regrettable. “I don’t want to see anything banned because of the actions of one person,” he said. “That just doesn’t jive with my principles of freedom.”

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a new cause of Parkinson's disease -- mutations in a gene called TMEM230. This appears to be the third gene definitively linked to confirmed cases of the common movement disorder. In a study published in Nature Genetics, the scientists provided evidence of TMEM230 mutations in patients with Parkinson's disease from both North America and Asia. They also demonstrated that the gene is responsible for producing a protein involved in packaging the neurotransmitter dopamine in neurons. Loss of dopamine-producing neurons is a defining characteristic of Parkinson's disease. Taken together, the study's findings provide new clues to explain how Parkinson's disease develops in the brain. Those clues may inform future therapies for the disorder, which currently has no cure and few known causes. "Previous research has associated Parkinson's disease with various factors in the environment, but the only direct causes that are known are genetic," said principal investigator Dr. Teepu Siddique, the Les Turner ALS Foundation/Herbert C. Wenske Foundation Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Many genes have been claimed to cause Parkinson's disease, but they haven't been validated. We show that mutations in this new gene lead to pathologically and clinically proven cases of the disease." About 15 percent of Parkinson's disease cases are thought to be caused by genetics, primarily by mutations in two genes called SNCA and LRRK2. Siddique said that other genes have only been associated with features of parkinsonism, a general term for neurological disorders with motor symptoms. The Northwestern Medicine team's proof that mutations in TMEM230 lead to Parkinson's disease is the result of 20 years of research conducted with collaborators around the world. How they uncovered the gene The project began in 1996, when Siddique and study first author Dr. Han-Xiang Deng, began investigating a family with 15 members who had typical symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Using DNA samples provided by co-author Dr. Ali Rajput, from the University of Saskatchewan, Siddique and Deng performed genome-wide analysis on 65 of the family's members, including 13 with the disease, in hopes of finding a common mutation that could explain the prevalence. They were able to narrow the search down to a small region of DNA on chromosome 20 that contained 141 known genes. Using whole exome sequencing technology, they then compared DNA variations -- genetic differences -- in one healthy family member to those in four family members with the disease. The scientists found more than 90,000 variants before eventually identifying TMEM230 as the gene with disease-causing mutation. "This was a totally new gene. We didn't know its function," Deng explained. "So we did a series of studies to find out where the protein encoded by this gene is located and what it does." The scientists discovered that TMEM230 encodes a protein that extends across the membrane of tiny sacks inside neurons called synaptic vesicles, which store neurotransmitters before they're released from one cell to another. "Current symptomatic treatments for Parkinson's disease increase the neurotransmitter dopamine that is released by these synaptic vesicles to cells that project into different parts of the brain controlling motor activity, mood and many other organ systems affected by the disease," Siddique said. The scientists hypothesize that the protein is involved in the movement of these vesicles. "We believe that vesicle trafficking defects are a key mechanism of Parkinson's disease, not just for cases with this mutation, but a common pathway for the majority of cases. All three of the authenticated genes are concentrated on synaptic vesicles," Deng said. "Our new findings suggest that normalizing synaptic vesicle trafficking may be a strategy for future therapeutic development. We can develop drugs to promote this critical pathway." Verifying the gene across populations Importantly, the research team also found mutations in the TMEM230 gene in cases of Parkinson's disease in additional families in North America and as far away as China. They verified that these patients had both clinical characteristics of the disease (symptoms like tremors, slow movement and stiffness) as well as pathological evidence in the brain (loss of dopamine neurons and abnormal accumulations of proteins inside surviving neurons). "This particular gene causing Parkinson's disease is not just limited to one population in North America," Siddique said. "It's worldwide, found in very different ethnic and environmental conditions. These mutations are that strong." In future research, Siddique and Deng plan to explore how TMEM230 mutations cause disease using mouse models. Siddique is a professor of neurology and of cell and molecular biology at Feinberg. Deng is a research professor of neurology.

Celebrated doyen of Telugu literature, C Narayana Reddy , 85, breathed his last at his residence in Hyderabad on Monday morning. The noted litterateur was rushed to the hospital following health complications but was declared dead on arrival. And the news of his death led to a deluge of condolences on social media with film personalities, politicians, artists, poets and writers posting tributes in memory of the 1992 Padma Bhushan awardee. As a poet, songwriter, author and critical scholar, C Narayana Reddy, or CiNaRe, as he was fondly called, has left behind a vast repertoire of literary works across genres. Throwing light on the creative genius of CiNaRe, Harikrishna Mamidi , director, Department of Language and Culture , government of Telangana says, “The first poet from Telangana to be conferred the Jnanpith award, CiNaRe was a multi-faceted genius who experimented with an array of poetic traditions in Telugu — Geya Kavyalu, Vachana Kavyalu, Gadya Krutulu, Burra Kathalu and Mukthaka Kavyalu.“He was a pioneer in popularising the usage of Urdu words in Telugu language. He also wrote ghazals and was an accomplished singer as well. That apart, CiNaRe also wrote many academic discourses on the evolution of Telugu literature. His book Aadhunika Andhra Kavithwam lo Smpradaymulu, Pragyogamulu is like a text book for students of Telugu literature,” adds Harikrishna Mamidi.Writing songs for films came as a natural progression for C Narayana Reddy who forayed in to Telugu cinema with Nannu dochukunduvate vennela dorasani... in Gulebakavali Katha, directed by NTR. Over the next six decades he blazed a trail writing more than 3000 songs, the last being the chartbuster Jejamma from Anushka’s Arundhati.

France and Germany agreed on a series of reforms to address the eurozone sovereign debt crisis [Reuters] The leaders of France and Germany will not leave the negotiating table until a "powerful deal" to bolster the eurozone is agreed, France's finance minister said as the threat of a British veto of proposed changes to the European Union treaty clouded preparations for this week's crucial summit in Brussels. Francois Baroin reiterated France's commitment to saving the single currency bloc as he held talks in Paris on Wednesday with Timothy Geithner, the US treasury secretary. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the leaders of the eurozone's largest economies, said earlier this week they wanted a new treaty by March to tighten fiscal rules for member states and impose automatic punishments on governments that overspend. "Neither Nicolas Sarkozy nor Angela Merkel will leave the negotiating table of this summit until there is a powerful deal," Baroin told Canal+ television. Geithner also expressed US support for the Franco-German plan, saying: "I have a lot of confidence in what the president of France and the minister are doing, working with Germany to build a stronger Europe." But David Cameron, the British prime minister, earlier threatened to block any treaty changes designed to save the euro if London's demands for the protection of the UK's huge financial sector and the single market were not met. The UK is a member of the EU, but not of the 17-nation single currency bloc. His statement appeared to increase the likelihood that France and Germany would end up pushing for an agreement between just the 17 nations who use the euro and not all 27 EU states. For the EU treaty to be reformed to allow greater eurozone integration, all members of the bloc must agree. 'Defending British interests' Cameron's remarks are likely to anger under-fire eurozone leaders as they scramble to come up with a convincing rescue plan after the Franco-German proposal was overshadowed by credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's threat of a sweeping eurozone downgrade. Cameron's party has been dogged by internal differences over European integration since the 1990s [EPA] He said his main aim at Friday's summit was "to defend and promote British interests", although he recognised it was in London's interests for eurozone leaders to quickly resolve the crisis. "If they choose to use the European treaty to do that, then obviously there will be British safeguards and British interests that I will want to insist on," he said. "I won't sign a treaty that doesn't have those safeguards in it, around things like, of course, the importance of the single market and financial services." In an article for Wednesday's Times newspaper, Cameron explained his demands would be "practical and focused" but warned EU leaders that this should not be interpreted as a "lack of steel". The British leader has come under pressure from the vocal eurosceptic wing of his right-wing Conservative party, who favour loosening ties with the EU, to use the possibility of renegotiating EU treaties to reclaim powers from Brussels. The UK has previously voiced opposition to a Franco-German plan for an EU-wide financial transaction tax over fears it would threaten London's status as one of the world's major financial centres, insisting any such measure must be applied worldwide to be effective. Internal tensions Cameron added that if eurozone countries "choose to go ahead with a separate treaty, then clearly that is not a treaty that Britain would be signing or would be amending." He also called on eurozone members to address "a problem of competitiveness" caused by trade imbalances within the bloc. After a cabinet colleague called at the weekend for a referendum on a new treaty, Cameron was forced to insist on Monday that a public vote was unnecessary as significant powers would not be passing from London to Brussels. Under legislation passed last year, Britain must hold a referendum if such a transfer of power takes place. The issue also threatens to cause tensions with the junior partner in Cameron's coalition government, the pro-European Liberal Democrats. The issue of Europe has long been divisive for the Conservatives, who have been dogged by internal differences over European integration since the 1990s. In October, Cameron suffered the largest opposition of his premiership when 79 Conservative members of parliament voted in favour of a referendum on Britain's relationship with Europe. The government won the vote by 483 votes to 111 due to support from the Liberal Democrats and the main opposition Labour party.

Image caption Christopher Tappin was extradited to the US in February A retired businessman from south-east London has pleaded guilty in a US court to selling parts for surface-to-air missiles to Iran. Christopher Tappin, 66, made the plea at a hearing in El Paso, Texas, in an agreement with US prosecutors and is due to be sentenced on 9 January. His plea calls for a 33-month sentence which prosecutors have said they would not oppose him serving in the UK. His wife said it was the "beginning of the end" of the family's ordeal. 'Back on home soil' Tappin, from Orpington, has been on bail since being extradited to the US in February. After the hearing his wife Elaine, 62, said: "My overwhelming feeling remains one of anxiety and sadness. "However, at last I dare hope that Chris will be back on home soil next year. "I feel we are getting to the beginning of the end. "It has been a very difficult time for us all and one that would have been infinitely harder had we not received such warm support from friends and strangers alike. Image caption Mr and Mrs Tappin have been married for more than 30 years "For that I shall always remain extremely grateful." Tappin is the principal carer for his wife of 30 years, who has the chronic lung condition Churg-Strauss syndrome. The former president of the Kent Golf Union and former director of Surrey-based Brooklands International Freight Services previously denied attempting to sell batteries for surface-to-air missiles that were to be shipped from the US to Tehran via the Netherlands, saying he was the victim of an FBI sting. He had pleaded not guilty but changed his plea earlier in an agreement with US prosecutors. Tappin had faced up to 35 years in jail. The case followed an investigation, which began in 2005 when US agents asked technology providers about buyers who might have caused suspicion. Those customers were then approached by undercover companies set up by government agencies. 'Jury and executioner' Briton Robert Gibson, an associate of Tappin who agreed to co-operate, was jailed for 24 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to export defence articles. Gibson provided customs agents with about 16,000 computer files and emails indicating that he and Tappin had long-standing commercial ties with Iranian customers. American Robert Caldwell was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the illegal transport of defence articles and served 20 months in prison. Plea bargaining is common in the US, with defendants often able to secure a more lenient sentence if they admit an offence and co-operate with prosecutors, rather than contest the charges in a trial. But other extradited Britons - including so-called NatWest Three banker David Bermingham, who was jailed for 37 months over an Enron-related fraud in a plea deal four years ago - have claimed the system empowers prosecutors as "judge, jury and executioner".

PEAK WINTER ROUTE(S)/NOTES Mount Elbert East Ridge- This is Elbert's most popular winter route, and can be crowded(for winter) at times. The East Ridge is the safest route up Elbert during a normal winter. There is no avalanche danger on this route. A well-broken trail can typically be found all winter long except immediately after a snowstorm. This route is 11.2 miles and 4,850' vertical from the South Mount Elbert TH. Northeast Ridge- Want to avoid the winter Elbert crowds? This is a route for you! The Northeast Ridge route is not popular whatsoever as the summer TH is 4 miles past the winter road closure, adding 8 miles RT to your adventure. The route is avalanche safe if one sticks to the ridge proper above treeline, but potentially dangerous terrain lurks nearby. Come prepared for an overnight trip. La Plata Peak North Ridge- The North Ridge Direct is the safest route and usually has little to no avalanche danger. Under unusual conditions one slope could slide. This variation is recommended over the popular summer route via the Northwest Ridge/Slopes. That route spends significant time above treeline in prime avalanche terrain. Ellingwood Ridge- La Plata's most interesting summer scramble turns into an arduous, technical outing above 13,000' in the winter months. Efficient climbing and rope work are necessary to avoid being benighted on the ridge. Potential avalanche terrain may hinder/prevent aspiring parties from gaining the ridge proper. Come prepared for a potentially cold night out in the Colorado high country. Winter TH's: Lake Creek- This TH is accessible year round, and doesn't add additional mileage to a winter attempt. Winter La Plata Climb, February 2007 Mount Antero West Slopes- This route crosses beneath several avalanche runouts, but the danger is often mitigated, and commonly avoided, as Antero's West Face is commonly a barren wasteland of frozen scree providing many safe options. Pick a spur/ridge, and go for it. This route is 10-11 miles and 4,900' vertical from the Baldwin Gulch TH. Winter TH's: Baldwin Gulch- This TH is accessible in the winter months. Every time I've hiked up this road in the winter, there's been tire tracks starting up the road, then signs of the vehicle getting stuck a short distance up the hill. Don't waste your time, park at the bottom! Mount Shavano Southeast Ridge- Shavano's most accessible winter route is a steep slog. The climb to ~13,100' is a snowshoe grind and wondrous kickstepping outing. The final section to the unranked 13er, Espirit Point, and up Shavano's Southeast/East Slopes is a long talus hop. You must reascend Espirit Point on the hike out. This route from Angel of Shavano TH is 6.4 miles and 5,570' vertical. Angel of Shavano- One of the Sawatch's most popular snow climbs is a winter wild card. There is a possibility you could have an enjoyable climb. Be aware, this snowfield has the potential to produce powerful slab avalanches. Come prepared to properly evaluate current conditions. Add up to ~6 miles RT to the Blank Gulch approach hike in winter. Winter TH's- Shavano and Tabeguache Angel of Shavano- This TH is accessible year-round. Chaffee County 240 is plowed to the Angel of Shavano Campground, immediately after the TH. Blank Gulch- The roads are plowed until the Chaffee County 250 and 252 intersection leaving you ~3 miles short of the Blank Gulch TH, and adding ~6 miles RT to your outing. Mount Yale Southwest Slopes- Starting from the Denny Creek Trailhead, Yale's standard summer route, with minor variations, is an excellent choice in the winter months. Avalanche slopes lurk at treeline and in the gully leading to the upper Southwest Ridge. Heavily treed terrain and rocky ribs are available to avoid the potentially hazardous areas. East Ridge- The East Ridge from the Avalanche Gulch Trailhead is the safest route on the mountain, and usually has no avalanche danger if you stay on route, but the ridge is rather long and tedious. Winter TH's: Denny Creek- Chaffee County 306 is normally plowed to the Denny Creek TH. There was a winter few years ago when plowing stopped at the Avalanche Gulch TH, but that hasn't been the norm. Call the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office if you're unsure of the current road conditions. Avalanche Gulch- Chaffee County 306 is plowed to the Avalanche Gulch TH year round. Tabeguache Peak East Slopes- As an add-on to a climb of Shavano, this is the most efficient way to climb Tabeguache in the winter. Take care with the final slope to Tabeguache's summit immediately after a storm. There is avalanche potential. West Ridge- Rocky, and full of slow travel, this is another safe way to reach Tabeguache's summit. You are able to drive all the way to the Angel of Shavano TH(see Shavano section). Mount Columbia West Slopes- A pain of a route to reach, but an easy, wind-scoured cruise once you're there. Chaffee County 365 to the North Cottonwood TH is popular with snowmobilers. Upon reaching the wilderness boundary/TH you're on your own. Follow the obvious, open cut along the trail until things become obscured in the flatter sections ~11,200'. Wallow to the bottom of Columbia's West Slopes and enjoy the cruise from there! Snowy patches dot the never-ending summit ridge. Avalanche terrain is avoidable on this route. Southeast Ridge- This long, snaking ridge is Columbia's safest winter route. Go to the Harvard Lakes TH, and take the Colorado Trail north for a 1/2 mile until you reach the Southeast Ridge. You should be able to avoid avalanche slopes on this route. This route is 14.4 miles and 5000' vertical in winter. Winter TH's: Harvard Lakes- Plowing stops at the National Forest Boundary, 5.4 miles from the stoplight in Buena Vista. Expect to add up to 2.4 miles RT to this approach in winter. It has been possible to drive to Harvard Lakes at times in past winters. Use your own judgment. North Cottonwood- 1.6 miles further down Chaffee County 365 from the Harvard Lakes, this TH is not typically reachable in winter. Expect to add up to 5.6 miles RT to this approach during winter. This road is frequently packed down by snowmobilers. Winter Columbia Climb, Southeast Ridge, February 2013 Humboldt Peak East Ridge- The safest, easiest winter route to a Fourteener summit in the Sangres, Humboldt's East Ridge presents you with seemingly unlimited variations in your battle against postholing and the wind. And oh, can it get windy up there! Follow the South Colony Road to wherever you decide to head north for the East Ridge. There are many options between the Rainbow Trail and the final reasonable exit point(~10,800'), roughly 4 miles up the road. This road is popular with snowmobiles, but isn't guaranteed. I've personally climbed Humboldt in February 2009 without donning snowshoes, and also wallowed through two feet of fresh snow to reach a high camp at South Colony Lakes two Februarys later. Winter TH's: South Colony- This TH is accessible year round. The plowing stops at the left turn 0.3 miles below the TH, but we've never had issues driving the last couple minutes to the parking lot. There is room on the side of the road if you would like to park at the turn. Culebra Peak Long locked up by numerous private property owners, but open once/twice a winter thanks to the efforts of Ken Nolan. Northwest Ridge- An anomaly, but nothing's ever been normal concerning Culebra. Under the current ownership(2014), winter access is allowed to Culebra after they put a track to the road's end, on acceptable days, with a snowmobile. It may be necessary to gain the upper Northwest Ridge as quickly as the open slopes above the 4wd TH are avalanche prone. Higher up, a rocky, up-and-down ridge grant you safe access to this elusive summit. Culebra costs $200 to climb in winter. Redcloud Peak South Ridge- The easiest, and safest, way to climb Redcloud in winter is as an out-and-back addition from Sunshine Peak. The ridge is wind scoured closer to Redcloud, but makes up for that during the descent/re-ascent of Sunshine's North Ridge. Northeast Ridge- Redcloud's standard summer route is avalanche-prone, and not recommended. You must cross several sizable avalanche paths and finesse a long, north facing bowl above treeline to reach the base of the safe Northeast Ridge @ 13,020'. The Cinnamon Pass Road is closed 4 miles below the Silver Creek/Grizzly Gulch TH(8 miles RT) and you must cross under more avalanche paths along the pass road.

TBILISI, Georgia, Aug. 14 -- Georgia remained in a state of uncertainty Thursday as Russian troops retreated from and then returned to the city of Gori and spent much of the day destroying or carrying away captured Georgian military equipment. Elsewhere in the country, Russian tanks and trucks rolled along country roads toward unknown destinations, watched by local people. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that Georgia could "forget about" ever regaining the two secessionist regions that are at the heart of the conflict. At the Kremlin, President Dmitry Medvedev warmly received the political leaders of the zones, which Georgia and the United States insist remain part of Georgia. Two days ago, Medvedev said Russian troops had ceased hostilities and would withdraw. Since then, his troops have moved erratically, heading in one direction and then veering off or reversing course. Russian authorities have given contradictory accounts of how or when the troops might withdraw to Russia or the separatist areas. "They want to paralyze the country as long as they can," said Georgian Deputy Minister of Defense Batu Kutalia, who was monitoring developments from Egoeti, a town eight miles east of Gori. "They are putting everything in a nonusable condition and taking what they want." The two-day-old cease-fire appeared largely to be holding, despite scattered reports of shooting and car thefts by fighters from the separatist zones. A Georgian television journalist was slightly wounded on camera as she delivered a report in Gori. In the central Georgian city, which straddles the country's main east-west highway, Russian troops began to move out Thursday in seeming compliance with the cease-fire agreement. Georgian police started to move in to take control of the city, but then the Russians returned. Kutalia said the Russians still had 90 tanks in the city and were destroying a military base there, blowing up buildings, ripping out water and electricity lines and taking away armaments. The base had been built to technical standards of the NATO alliance, which Georgia wants to join, and could accommodate 3,500 soldiers. Inside Gori, the secretary of Georgia's National Security Council, Alexander Lomaia, spent a second day negotiating with Vyachislav Borisov, a Russian major general. "We've been trying to convince the general to let the police in," Lomaia said in a telephone interview. "Initially they agreed and then unexpectedly said no." Later, he said that the Russian general had promised that the police could return Friday. Lomaia said that during their talks, Borisov had gotten a call that Georgian vehicles were approaching Gori. "They take that as a threat, and they said to either stop these cars or they will bomb them," Lomaia said. He added that 180 Russian vehicles had left Gori on Thursday. He did not know if armaments and other equipment were being taken to Russia or to Tskhinvali, the capital of the disputed region of South Ossetia, a move that he said "would equip the separatist army in a pretty impressive way." According to Temuri Yakobashvili, the Georgian minister in charge of attempts to bring the two zones back into the government's fold, Russian forces remained Thursday in the western cities of Poti, Zugdidi and Senaki. They have scuttled Georgian gunboats in Poti and destroyed a base in Senaki. A photographer for the Reuters news agency took pictures a mile and a half outside Zugdidi of numerous Russian vehicles, soldiers sitting casually atop them. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said a Russian column was moving down the country's main east-west artery toward the city of Kutaisi, where they have never gone before.

HE WROTE letters to the Pope and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, but it was his creepy birthday message to the Queen that has been most shocking. Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis not only penned a letter to Her Majesty but also posted a bizarre greeting on his website wishing Queen Elizabeth “Happy Deathday!”. The disturbing message is one of dozens of incoherent ramblings left by the self-proclaimed Islamic sheik on his website, details of which were shown yesterday during the opening day of the inquest into December’s Lindt Cafe killings. The inquiry was told that Monis was a man who had a history of mental illness, was constantly striving for power and used a “spiritual healing” business he set up to prey on vulnerable women. He had changed his name twice and made “grandiose claims” about his background — the most notable was “that his father was an Ayatollah”. It was also revealed he tried to join the Rebels Motorcycle Club but was rejected because they thought he was “weird”. The inquiry heard that Monis enrolled in, but did not complete many courses including fitness instructing, lifesaving and criminology, that he was convicted for writing offensive letters to the families of dead Australian soldiers and that he made $125,000 a year from his “spiritual healing” and clairvoyance businesses. In 2014, he was charged with 43 counts of aggravated or indecent sexual assault relating to clients of his healing business. But it was his letters and messages on his website that expose the real extent of his delusions. Monis wrote to the Pope requesting an audience with the Holy See to discuss the ‘truth’ surrounding Easter, claiming Jesus never died on the cross. “They hide the truth from the people, the truth that Jesus (peace be upon him) never died on the cross, nor ever wanted to die on the cross, nor ever was born to die on the cross,” Monis wrote. Using one of his aliases, he wrote to Kofi Annan asking the former UN secretary to “take urgent action against” Iran citing the refusal of his daughter’s visas to live in Australia as an act of “oppression”. In his letter to the Queen, he asks Her Majesty “not to be silent” on Australia’s “many problems”. “I believe I have right to share the problems with the Queen, and I respectfully expect you to pay attention to these problems, answer my questions, find a good solution and advise the Australian authorities for making Australia a better country,” he wrote. He says Australia had “many problems” including race and religious discrimination, police corruption and a “recklessness to terrorism” as well as having “allowed non Muslim terrorism”. “Australia needs your advice to be a better country, why are you silent?” The inquest into the tragic event will not only examine what happened during the 17-hour ordeal and whether it could have been prevented, it will consider whether the siege was an act of terrorism. It will examine Monis’ criminal past and how he was granted bail. Around 100 witnesses — including hostages — are expected to be called to give evidence over the course of the inquiry, however the hostages will not be called until later in the year. The inquest will continue today with witnesses expected to give evidence on Monis’s early employment and his dealings with immigration and customs.

The Managing Partnership as a whole is responsible for the Company’s management and direction, but they do not and should not make editorial decisions. Let me be clear. This was a decision I made as Founder and Publisher — and guardian of the company mission — and the majority supported me in that decision. This is the company I built. I was ashamed to have my name and Gawker’s associated with a story on the private life of a closeted gay man who some felt had done nothing to warrant the attention. We believe we were within our legal right to publish, but it defied the 2015 editorial mandate to do stories that inspire pride, and made impossible the jobs of those most committed to defending such journalism. I’m sorry also that Jordan Sargent, reporting this story impeccably despite a personal drama, was exposed to such traumatizing hatred online, just for doing his job. And I’m sorry that other editors and writers are now in such an impossible position: objecting to the removal of a story that many of them found objectionable. The company promotes truth and understanding through the pursuit of the real story — and supports, finances and defends such independent journalism. That is and remains its mission, and this story was in violation of it. We pride ourselves on pushing boundaries and know that every story requires a judgment call. There was strong internal disagreement on whether the right judgment was made. I believe it was not and could not defend it. Were there also business concerns? Absolutely. The company’s ability to finance independent journalism is critical. If the post had remained up, we probably would have triggered advertising losses this week into seven figures. Fortunately, though, I was only aware of one advertiser pausing at the time the decision to pull the post was made; so you won’t be able to pin this outrage on advertising, even though it is the traditional thing to do in these circumstances. Advertisement No, I was thinking in the broadest terms about the future of the company. The choice was a cruel one: a management override that would likely cause a beloved editorial leader to resign on principle; or a story that was pure poison to our reputation just as we go into the Hogan trial. It was such a breach of everything Gawker stands for, actually having a post disappeared from the internet. But it was also an unprecedented misuse of the independence given to editorial. Under Tommy’s leadership, Gawker and other sites have done more ambitious reporting. There have been many scoops we are indeed proud of: those arising from the Sony email hack, for instance, or the Bill O’Reilly or Hillary Clinton exposés. But even the best of our stories fail to get credit, in part because of Gawker’s reputation for tabloid trash, given another lift by the unjustifiable outing of a private individual in turmoil, in front of a potential audience of millions. Advertisement That post wasn’t what Gawker should stand for, and it is symptomatic of a site that has been out of control of editorial management. Our flagship site carries the same name as the company, and the reputation of the entire company rests on its work. When Gawker itself is seen as sneering and callous, it affects all of us. From recent research, it is clear that the Gawker brand, for both flagship website and the company, is both confusing and damaging. A friend of the sites attests: “First thing I’d say is being called Gawker is a big problem - all their other sites are more advertiser-friendly than Gawker itself. All the other sites are innovative, sharp, have a focused point of voice but not too snarky. Gawker itself is too snarky for me to recommend to advertisers, too risky. They’re really bitchy. The other sites are bitchy too but with Gawker itself it feels like it’s bitchy without a reason.” Advertisement The Hogan case has shown we can’t escape our past, and I can’t escape Gawker. Of the site’s qualities, some of its best and most of its worst were mine: the desire of the outsider to be feared if you’re not to be respected, nip the ankles till they notice you; contempt for newspaper pieties; and a fanatical belief in the truth no matter the cost. It is a creature of my own making. And even if it’s been seven years since I edited Gawker, I still have to represent it. Heather does in court and I do in the press. But not this time: for the first time that I can remember, I cannot stand by a story, or just agree to disagree, or keep silent. This Geithner story was legal, but it could not be justified to colleagues, family members and people we respect. Nor was there any way to explain it to journalists and opinion-makers who decide whether we deserve the great privilege of the profession, the First Amendment that protects our most controversial work. The episode had the potential to do lasting damage to our reputation as a company, and each of our own personal reputations. The insistence the post remain up despite our own second thoughts: that represents an extreme interpretation of editorial freedom. It’s an abuse of the privilege. And it was my responsibility to step in to save Gawker from itself, supported by the majority of the Managing Partners. Advertisement This is a one-time intervention, I trust, which will prompt a debate about the editorial mission, and a restoration of editorial independence within more clearly defined bounds. To any that resign over the deep-sixing of the Geithner story, and to any that find a gentler editorial mission too limiting: I respect the strength of your convictions. This is a decision you’re taking to preserve principles you believed I still shared. And since you were abiding by a policy we had not formally superseded, we will treat all resignations as being constructive dismissal, subject to severance. We need a codification of editorial standards beyond putting truths on the internet. Stories need to be true and interesting. I believe we will have to make our peace with the idea that to be published, those truths should be worthwhile. Advertisement And some humane guidelines are needed — in writing — on the calculus of cruelty and benefit in running a story. Everybody has a private life, even a C-level executive, at least unless they blab about it. We do not seek to expose every personal secret — only those that reveal something interesting. And the more vulnerable the person hurt, the more important the story had better be. The editorial ethos of Gawker needs a calibration more than a radical shift. Gawker needs to keep being Gawker. If you’re wondering whether a more explicit editorial policy will turn us into some generic internet media company, I’d say no: I see Gawker Media occupying a space on the online media spectrum between a stolid Vox Media and a more anarchic Ratter; close to the edge, but not over it. As Heather says: Keep doing the great stories. Keep writing on the edge. Just make sure you’re proud of it. Make sure people you respect can be proud of it. Advertisement At 1pm, Heather and I will come to the 4th Floor to take questions and criticism from New York editors and writers. At 12.30 on Tuesday, we will hold an all-hands meeting again on the Fourth Floor, with out-of-town editors included and other people who are getting back to town. The Managing Partners will be present. Last week’s story — and the drastic reaction — cannot become a habit. We are open to a full debate on editorial independence — and the evolved editorial mission that must define it. There are also some ideas about governance floating around. There’s plenty to discuss, but hopefully not too much text to write: we don’t need a bureaucracy; but we do need some clarity. This is a company built on stories: from the very first gadget recommendation on Gizmodo in 2002; through to the Tom Cruise video that marked a newsier Gawker in 2008; the iPhone 4 story that made Gizmodo and broke its staff in 2010; to the heyday of the sensational scoop in 2013, when Gawker and Deadspin revealed both Rob Ford and Manti Teo in their lurid glory. This story, and the aftermath, look like a low-point right now. But it can also be the catalyst for necessary change. Gawker’s best stories are ahead of it.

Iranian actress, Sareh Bayat working on the set of the film "Muhammad", the first part of a trilogy on the life of the prophet (AFP Photo/Mohammad Foghani) Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia's top cleric hit out at Iranian film "Muhammad" on Wednesday describing its portrayal of the prophet's childhood as a "hostile act" and a "distortion" of Islam. Iran's most expensive movie, which opened nationwide in the Shiite Islamic republic last week, depicts the prophet on screen, an act that is prohibited in Sunni Islam. "This is an obscene work... It is a distortion of Islam," Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh told Al-Hayat newspaper. "It is a hostile act against Islam. "This is a mockery of the prophet and a degradation of his status," he said. Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest sites, are regional rivals and frequently accuse each other of seeking to destabilise the Middle East. The Mecca-based Muslim World League also condemned the movie, insisting that portraying the prophet is prohibited. The league's secretary general Abdullah al-Turki urged Tehran to "suspend and prevent the screening of the movie" and called on Muslims to boycott it. While Iran has denounced cartoons of the prophet like those published by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Shiites are generally more relaxed than Sunnis about depiction of religious figures. Directed by Majid Majidi, the visually stunning 171-minute film cost around $40 million (36 million euros), partly funded by the state, and took more than seven years to complete. Majidi says the aim of his work, the first part of a trilogy, is to reclaim the rightful image of Islam, which he said extremists have distorted.

Faraday Future, the much-hyped electric carmaker that lately has descended into turmoil, just lost two of its top executives, two sources confirmed to The Verge. Marco Mattiacci, chief brand and commercial officer, and Joerg Sommer, vice president for product marketing and growth, have left the company, the sources said. Both have been removed from FF’s website, two blank spaces where their profiles once stood. The Verge has reached out to an FF spokesperson for comment, and we’ll update this post if we hear back. Before joining FF, Mattiacci was president and CEO of Ferrari North America and Ferrari Asia Pacific, as well as managing director and team principal of Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 racing team. He was a big get for FF when he joined just seven months ago. Former employees characterized Mattiacci as someone at the company attempting to right the ship and fix many of FF’s financial mistakes. Sommer, a former Volkswagen executive, was at FF for even shorter stretch, having just come on board just three months ago. Prior to his work at VW, Sommer held executive roles at several European carmakers, including Daimler, Opel, and Renault. One source said the resignations of Mattiacci and Sommer could be seen as a round of belt-tightening by FF prior to the debut of its first production model at CES in two weeks. Both executives were highly compensated, and their departure could free up needed funds for the company. Yesterday, The Verge published a behind the scenes report of FF during a time of both high expectations and worrisome financial news for the electric carmaker. But interviews with a half-dozen former employees showed the company’s financial situation to be dire, while mounting debts, unpaid bills, supplier lawsuits, and financial mismanagement have all served to chip away at Faraday Future’s foundation.

By Ben “Bacorn” Corn You don’t have to worry about getting Shrekt or yelling “Go Baltimore” to enjoy these YouTube channels. The featured Super Smash Bros. 64 YouTube channel this week is Havasu Smash 64. If you follow 64, you know about Havasu. It’s one of the best scenes in the U.S. and came to fruition almost completely based off the sheer willpower of Daniels, its benevolent leader. Currently, Havasu’s YouTube channel focuses on VODs of tournaments and money matches. In fact, the $500 MM between Daniels and Smurf and KeroKeroppi’s 2v1 comeback from ODS are the two most-viewed videos on the channel, both nearing 300 views. The channel also has some videos chronicling the adventures of the Havasu Smashers, mostly Daniels. In fact, Daniels says his favorite video is one of the Havasu guys getting kicked out of their hotel for SNOSA II. Daniels said he plans to make more feature videos like that, but also wants to make sure he always has plenty of gameplay for Smash fans to watch. “Yeah we’re planning on making highlight vids that are funny/interesting/crazy shit that happens etc. and I also have made two videos documenting my travels to GOML and SNOSA,” Daniels said. “I want to continue the momentum by streaming for major tournaments from now on as opposed to just our weeklies and ODS.” So check out the Havasu channel and drop them a subscribe! I’m sure Daniels and the rest of the crew would appreciate it! Advertisements

There’s a certain kind of a mansion that’s popular in Texas: They’re ornately detailed, extravagantly appointed and classically styled. But this Texas mansion takes the cake. Not only is it all those things, but it goes one step further: This house bears a striking resemblance to the White House. Located in Preston Hollow, a ritzy suburb of Dallas, Texas, this $15 million mansion boasts exteriors that mirror those of the president’s home. Both the Dallas White House (as it’s known around town) and the real White House feature Federal-style triangular north porticos, complete with four columns across — eight columns total — as well as the same number of windows, placed in the same fashion along the front. Meanwhile, the back of the dwelling shares the curved south portico with a second-floor deck. According to listing agent Joan Eleazer, the current owners purchased the house in 2001 and are not the original owners — who built the property in 1996 — so she isn’t quite sure why the house seems to be modeled after the White House, though it’s hard to argue with the similarities. But the exterior is where the comparison stops. The current owners did extensive remodeling after purchasing the 16,000-square-foot home, including changing the floor plan, Eleazer says. It has four bedrooms and nine baths. “The home is beautiful,” she says. “The owners put their heart and soul into it. They traveled to Europe with their designer and found all kind of unique additions: fireplaces, flooring, many of the chandeliers.” The grounds show equal attention to detail: 3.3 walled acres including a koi pond, a swimming pool, a tennis pavilion and manicured landscaping that, frankly, has the White House’s beat. Property records indicate that the current owners are self-made millionaires Ralph and Cathy Oats, who own Wellness International Network, a multilevel marketing company that sells health products. [Related: Dream ‘Barn’ of Multilevel Marketer Cost $32M to Build, Now Asks $19.5M (80 photos)] While President Obama has never been to this Texas White House, he did attend a fundraiser down the street. And among the Oatses’ neighbor is reportedly one H. Ross Perot, the billionaire who ran twice for the real White House. The home has been on the market for almost a year and a half, first appearing in September 2014 for $19.5 million. So for any of the soon-to-be washouts from the current presidential campaign: If you can’t make it to the White House, you can still buy a White House. More on Yahoo Real Estate: • Agent Lists ‘Filthiest Home in Houston’ (1 video, 26 photos) • Best of 2015: Abandoned Mystery Behemoth in Texas (46 photos) • Family’s Dream ‘Barn’ Cost $32M to Build, Now Asks $19.5M (80 photos) • Bit of Cursed Mike Tyson Estate Asks $150,000 (42 photos) (Except where noted, all photos are from the listing, courtesy of the Eleazar Group, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty)

— President Obama, in an interview with Noticias Univision 23. ABC News, 12 15 2012 http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/obama-considered-moderate-republican-1980s/story?id=17973080. Too bad he waited until after the election to admit that and I’m not so sure about the ‘moderate’ part. Obama cultists and Democrats have four more years to get used to the political fallout of having supported Obama and other Democrats, right centrists moving right on every major issues. Now he’s accepting unlimited bribes from the corporations he fronts for. “Obama’s acceptance of corporate cash for his inauguration activities criticized – President Barack Obama’s inaugural committee in charge of the president’s second inauguration has decided to accept corporate donations as it did not do four years ago for Obama’s first costly inauguration. The spokesperson for the committee likely spoke on Friday in an effort to solicit donations from corporations as well as to deflect growing criticism of the cost to the nation’s taxpayers for such an event in these rancid economic times.” The Examiner 12 08 2012. http://www.examiner.com/article/obama-s-acceptance-of-corporate-cash-for-his-inauguration-activities-criticized In spite of the fact that we’ll have a spot in a parade, in lieu of passage of ENDA and repeal of DOMA, Obama the rightist if going to become more and more isolated from the GLBT communities as well as working people as a whole. When Medicare and Medicaid get gutted, we’ll blame Democrats, Obama cultists and their Republican cousins – it’s their fault. When retired workers die because they can afford meds but not food or vice versa they’ll blame Democrats, Obama cultists and their Republican cousins – it’s their fault. When Obama and the Congress gut the Bill of Rights and expand repressive agencies the left, which does not included Democrats, we’ll blame Democrats, Obama cultists and their Republican cousins – it’s their fault. When thousands of GI’s and civilians die in Libya, Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere the antiwar movement will blame Democrats, Obama cultists and their Republican cousins – it’s their fault. http://www.theliberaloc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/feet-to-the-fire.jpg

Success Ignoring the cliché deep introspective stares from the audience and emotional music overlay at the end of the clip, the words spoken by Kevin Spacey in this excerpt from Inside the Actors Studio provide some insight into what it means to be successful. The somewhat common sense advice on ambition vs. achievement is something most recognise as true but often find easier to overlook. It’s easy to see those who are successful in their chosen field and feel animosity or a sense of self doubt and deterrence at their rapid rise to success. People are quick to pass over the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes, the sacrifices made and the years of struggling required to chase the dream. As a society we are quick to glamorise the perks of success, whether it’s celebrities or even our own friends, in our current ostentatious Facebook society the equation ‘hard work = success’ has been replaced by the fallacy that ‘success = success’. As individuals we feel almost entitled and I’m as guilty of it as the next person (I recognise the hypocrisy of blogging about this). Those who are genuinely working towards their goals aren’t posting social media updates about it, they’re working – hard. But when all you see or hear about is the end result, we believe they lucked out, it was just an overnight success! The reality is overnight success is rare in both occurrence and thereafter longevity, those who experience it often fall as quickly as they emerged. To exemplify success it is simple to choose someone in the spotlight, but in saying this there are just as many, if not more people who would consider themselves successful, who fly under the radar; names the general population would never recognise – people’s parents, teachers, friends etc. Ultimately success is dictated by the parameters you set upon yourself and if you’re not quite sure what those are yet, that’s fine, join the club. But one thing is for certain, waiting for opportunities to fall in your lap, won’t make anything happen sooner. Mr Spacey’s message may not point you in the right direction but hopefully it will get you moving.

The other day I received an email that made a ho-hum day into a really good one. The email I received was from Mark Staiger, a person I have never met before. Mark lives in New Zealand and saw the Japanese style playhouse I designed back in 2010 and decided this would be an appropriate addition to his Japanese themed garden he has been working on the last several years. He decided he was going to try to build this playhouse himself using the drawings I posted online and by referencing the construction progress photos I took. Not only did he build it, it actually looks like the original design! . I get a lot of emails from people who say they are going to build one of the playhouses I have designed and in every email exchange, I always add “send me a few pictures when you’re done” and guess what? … they never send pictures. Maybe it’s because things didn’t go well or their enthusiasm waned between the time they sent me the initial email and actually starting the project – I don’t know. When I received Mark’s email, it contained lots of pictures and his finished playhouse looked very well done. . I loved this email for many different reasons – 1) because someone actually built one of my playhouses, 2) they live in New Zealand, 3) they did a great job using information I posted for free here on my website, 4) his daughter is adorable and looks happy to get a playhouse in her backyard that was 5) built by her Dad … … but one other reason I loved this email is proof positive that smart people read this website!! Yes, I decided to do a little Google search on Mark Staiger PhD and a lot of interesting things that made no sense to me were discovered. Bio – Dr. Mark P. Staiger – a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Research Interests and Publications: Structure-property relationships of materials; bioresorbable metallic biomaterials; porous metals; electrospinning of nanofibres; all-cellulose composites; bio-composites; biofoam/aerogels; biomaterials; spinal fusion device development . For some light reading, here is a paper he worked on: ‘Amyloid fibrils as functionalizable components of nanocomposite materials.’ (here) . One of the most rewarding aspects of writing a blog like this one is that you make connections at many different levels with people who either are amazing … or seem amazing. Either way there is an amazing in there. One of my initial objectives when I started writing this site was to reach out to people and make some sort of shared connection affiliated with architecture. Based on the pictures I received from Mark, I’d have to say mission accomplished. Cheers to Mark for seeing this project through and taking the time to share it with me. I am hoping he’ll let me stay in the playhouse if I can ever manage to visit New Zealand. . ps – if you are interested in taking a look at the Japanese Playhouse that I designed I have included a few links below. Japanese Playhouse – the construction documents Japanese Playhouse – Complete! . UAVCAUGX4WQ5 CCY2DCG5V625 . .

“Aloha Ke Akua” Lyrics Nahko Bear (Medicine for the People) (Scrolling Lyrics) Lend your ears, lend your hands, Lend your movement, anything you can. Come to teach, come to be taught. Come in the likeness in the image of God. Cause, you can be like that. With all that humbleness, and all that respect. All of the power invested in me, be it hard to love my enemies. All of the black bags over the heads of the dead and dying. The more I understand about the human race, the less I comprehend about our purpose and place and maybe if there was a clearer line the curiosity would satisfy. Time based prophecies that kept me from living, in the moment I am struggling to trust the divinity of all the guides and what the hell they have planned for us. I cry for the creatures who get left behind but everything will change in a blink of an eye and if you wish to survive, you will find the guide inside. I go back and forth every single day, the clarity it comes to me in a choppy way, as the feelings and the places and the seasons change, the galaxies remain. Energy fields pullin’ up out of this space. The angels that are a couple to the spiritual waste. The hate that gets me distant from my spiritual pace. Ten fold the manna when the planets are in place, in polar alignment. We’re on assignment. Bodies on consignment. Return them to the circus. And what is the purpose? What is the purpose and would you believe it? Would you believe it if you knew what you were for and how you became so in form? Bodies of info performing such miracles. I am a miracle made up of particles and in this existence, I’ll stay persistent, and I’ll make a difference and I will have lived it. Aloha, Aloha Ke Akua, Ke Akua, Aloha, Aloha, Kuleana, Kuleana. Aloha, Aloha Ke Akua, Ke Akua, Aloha, Aloha, Kuleana, Kuleana. Each day that I wake, I will praise, I will praise. Each day that I wake, I give thanks, I give thanks. Each day that I wake, I will praise, I will praise. Each day that I wake, I give thanks, I give thanks. And the day that I don’t wake up and transcend the holy make-up, I am capable, I am powerful. And the day that I don’t wake up and transcend the holy makeup, I am on my way to a different place…. I’m not a leader, just a creature, seeking the features of a teacher. Whether you follow or whether you lead All mysterious ways of nature and I’m into it. Changing management. And there are various ways to conquer this monotonous metropolis, my stubbornness is bottomless, my fearlessness is talking shit and I’m wide awake and I’m taking names. I am not a leader, just a creature. Seeking the features of a teacher. Whether you follow or whether you lead All mysterious ways of nature and I’m into it. I’m into it. Changing management. And there are various ways to conquer this monotonous metropolis, my stubbornness is bottomless, my fearlessness is talking shit and I am wide awake. And I’m taking names. And there are various ways to conquer this monotonous metropolis, my stubbornness is bottomless, my fearlessness is talking shit, and I’m wide awake and I’m taking names. Do you speak to me like you speak to God? All of the love and understanding between the father and the son? Do you believe in the perfectness of where you are? These are my people, these are my children, this is the land that I would fight for. My solidarity is telling me to patiently be moving the musical medicine around the planet in a hurry, Cuz there’s no time to waste. Got to wake up the people time to stand up and say, we know what we are for and how we became so in form. Bodies of info, performing such miracles. I am a miracle, made up of particles and in this existence, I’ll stay persistent and I’ll make a difference and I will have lived it. …….. Aloha, Aloha Ke Akua, Ke Akua, Aloha, Aloha, Kuleana, Kuleana. Aloha, Aloha Ke Akua, Ke Akua, Aloha, Aloha, Kuleana, Kuleana. Each day that I wake, I will praise, I will praise. Each day that I wake, I give thanks, I give thanks. Each day that I wake, I will praise, I will praise. Each day that I wake, I give thanks, I give thanks. And the day that I don’t wake up and transcend the holy make-up, I am capable, Hm that’s right, I am powerful. And the day that I don’t wake up and transcend the holy make-up, I am on my way to a different place! Aloha, Aloha Ke Akua, Ke Akua, Aloha, Aloha, Kuleana, Kuleana. Aloha, Aloha Ke Akua, Ke Akua, Aloha, Aloha, Kuleana, Kuleana. Click here to return to Conscious Music list

Animal rights group ARAN says it is "firing off a stiff letter" to Tanaiste Joan Burton urging her to think before she talks. Animal rights group ARAN says it is "firing off a stiff letter" to Tanaiste Joan Burton urging her to think before she talks. The group is referring to a statement the Labour Minister made yesterday in relation to the upcoming budget. ARAN's John Carmody said he believes Ms Burton's comments were ill-judged when she told reporters that “there’s more than one way to skin a cat”. “Joan Burton needs to watch what she is saying the next time she talks with reporters,” he said. “As Tánaiste of this country, people will listen to what Joan is saying and we cannot have her coming out with phrases like she did yesterday talking about skinning a cat in order to sell her story of the upcoming budget." Cruelty to animals is on the rise in Ireland and cats are most often the number one target of choice for abusers, ARAN said. Speaking at the Labour Party "think-in" yesterday, Ms Burton said: "There is more than one way to skin the cat, as they say. The sixth anniversary of the bank guarantee is coming up soon. Our strategy in year one will be different in year six." Online Editors

Seattle’s experiment with a higher minimum wage has detrimentally impacted workers with less pay and fewer hours. The $15/hour minimum wage law was passed in 2014. It was on a phased four-year timetable. Right now, it’s at $11/hour, which has also screwed over workers. The latest chapter in this fight is interesting since it appears city hall reached out to friendlier data crunchers at Berkeley to compile a report that was very accommodating of minimum wage hikes a week before the University of Washington’s study was set to be published criticizing the initiative for the reductions in workers’ pay. Let’s have the Seattle Weekly set the primer: To review, the timeline seems to have gone like this: The UW shares with City Hall an early draft of its study showing the minimum wage law is hurting the workers it was meant to help; the mayor’s office shares the study with researchers known to be sympathetic toward minimum wage laws, asking for feedback; those researchers release a report that’s high on Seattle’s minimum wage law just a week before the negative report comes out. […] Those reports have previously grated advocates of the $15 minimum wage. In September, Coucilmember Kshama Sawant took the research group to task for various aspects of a report from last July, which Sawant argued cast the wage law in a poor light due to bad methodology and accused the director of the study, Jacob Vigdor, of “idelogical editorializing.” In a brief interview Monday [June 26], Vigdor defended the group’s most recent study, saying it was based on far more granular data than the Berkeley team had access to. Specifically, the state provides his group special access to individual worker data while the Berkeley researchers have a “public use data set, which is basically a bunch of … summaries of this data.” “Ours has a lot more details and depth to it, because we’re looking at individual workers,” he said. Asked whether he thought the Berkeley report was a ploy by City Hall to preempt their report, Vigdor said: “I’m not going to comment on that.” America Rising Squared, a right-leaning super PAC, filed a FOIA request for documents relating to possible collusion between Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s office and Berkeley. They also compiled a timeline: Now, Fox News has obtained emails showing that Mayor Murray gave the Berkeley team a deadline for their report, noting it should be published a week before University of Washington’s analysis to preempt the study showing that the Rain City doesn’t know basic economics. I mean one of their council members is a socialist after all: “The moment we saw it was based on flawed methodology and was going to be unreliable, the Vigdor study no longer speaks for City Hall,” said Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant. Sawant, a former economics professor at Seattle Central Community College who ran for office as a Socialist, accused the UW team of “ideologically editorializing." She and Mayor Ed Murray then contacted Michael Reich, an economics professor at the University of California at Berkeley. [...] According to emails obtained by Fox News, Reich was given a deadline by Murray. His work was to be completed just before the University of Washington team announced its results. Vigdor, the director of the study, shared with city council staffers the preliminary results of the research and provided a timeline for when it would be made public. Liberals, there are times where the data is not on your side. Concerning the minimum wage, there are now two reports showing that it hurts workers. Now, you’ve resorted to preempting your own data teams that are coming up with less than rosy pictures. The $15/hour minimum wage is a very, very bad idea. And it’s not just Seattle suffering the consequences. New York’s workers are faced with fewer jobs, fewer hours, and less pay due to minimum wage fever taking hold in Albany.

Two weeks ago, the biotech sector imploded after a piece by the NYT'a Andrew Pollack drew attention to the 5000% increase in the price of a toxoplasmosis drug by specialty biotech firm Turing Pharma, whose CEO Martin Shkreli promptly became the poster child for greedy biotech executives who seek to profit on the back of people's misery by gouging the price of life-extending/saving drugs. However, as we subsequently pointed out, what Shkreli did was merely an extension of the far more gradual if far more aggressive hiking in drug prices by every other company in the sector. Indeed, according to a Citron report in which the bearishly-focused research boutique "in the Twitter-storm furor over Turing’s recent one-drug price gouge attempt, the media has overlooked the reality that Martin Shkreli was created by the system. Shkreli is merely a rogue trying to play the gambit that Valeant has perfected." Conveniently, Deustche Bank laid out just what the average wholesale acquisition cost increases by Valeant for its univers of drugs in the past 3 years. We compiled the data to show that even as the US is supposedly drowning in deflation, Valeant had not gotten the memo, and its average annual drug price increase had risen from 21% in 2012 to a whopping 66% YTD. In fact, as shown in the table below, Valeant had clearly put all its biotech peers to shame when it comes to enforced price increases. Then late last week, after looking at Valeant soaring default risk as measured by the price of its blowing out CDS, soaring to over 30% even as its stock prices was surging, we wondered - does someone know something? It appears someone may have known that this weekend, the same Andrew Pollack whose NYT article exposing Turing's 5000% price increase resulted in Hillary Clinton promising to cap specialty biotech prices if elected, has come back for round two and after taking aim at Shkreli and Turing, much to the chagrin of Bill Ackman, Pollack is now taking aim at the biggest culprit: Valeant Pharmaceutcals. Here are some of the highlights from his just released article: "Valeant’s Drug Price Strategy Enriches It, but Infuriates Patients and Lawmakers" which is certain to put the biotech sector right back in the crosshairs of regulators and legislators, not to mention presidential candidates, just as the market was hoping the biotech pricing scandal was about to fade from collective memory. J. Michael Pearson has become a billionaire from his tough tactics as the head of the fast-growing Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. And consumers like Bruce Mannes, a 68-year-old retired carpenter from Grandville, Mich., are facing the consequences. Mr. Mannes has been taking the same drug, Cuprimine, for 55 years to treat Wilson disease, an inherited disorder that can cause severe liver and nerve damage. This summer, Valeant more than quadrupled its price overnight. Yes, Mannes' out of pocket expenses will soar, from the $366 he paid in may to $1,800, but guess who will be charged for the balance of the price surge? Why you, dear taxpayers: "Medicare will now have to cover about $35,000 for the 120 capsules he takes each month." Which is also why biotech companies have been able to get away with such prices hikes for so long: courtesy of "buffers" such as Medicare and Obamacare, their impact has been diluted on the back of everyone else. Whom should US taxpayers thanks for this sad state of affairs, in which drug prices are literally hyperinflating? Two people. As we explained last week, most of the reason for soaring prices "devolves from a backroom deal cut when the Bush administration set in motion the Medicare Drug benefit and inexplicably (if you’re not a lobbyist) gave away the rights of the US Government - the nation's largest buyer of pharmaceuticals - to negotiate drug prices with suppliers." The other person: well, the name Obamacare should give you a hint. Back to the NYT piece which having laid out the strawman, next goes for the emotional angle: "My husband will die without the medicine,” said his wife, Susan, who is now working a second part-time job to help pay for health care. “We just can’t manage another two, three thousand dollars a month for pills." And then goes for the jugular: Valeant’s habit of buying up existing drugs and raising prices aggressively, rather than trying to develop new drugs, has also drawn the ire of lawmakers and helped stoke public outrage against the growing trend of higher and higher drug prices imposed by big drug companies. This year alone, Valeant raised prices on its brand-name drugs an average of 66 percent, according to a Deutsche Bank analysis, about five times as much as its closest industry peers. Just as we showed above. The bigger prolem is that now even Congress understands what is going on, and Valeant's "valiant" stonewalling of Congress where it has shown a dramatic determination to not testify, will fail in the coming days: For example, after Valeant acquired Salix Pharmaceuticals this year, it raised the price of one Salix drug, the diabetes pill Glumetza, about 800 percent, in two steps. “How can they just do this?” said Gail Mayer, a retired computer systems analyst on Long Island, who said her monthly supply of Glumetza went from $519.92 in May to $4,643 in August. For now, her insurance is covering most of that increase, but she is worried that it will stop covering the drug altogether, as others have. “I’m sure it didn’t cost them $4,000 more to make,” Ms. Mayer said. “You don’t just go buy a bottle of milk and suddenly the supermarket charges you $100.” The irony is that what Valeant and its peers are doing is quite logical in the framework of the broken US healthcare system, whose failure has only been compounded with the insurtance free-for-fall that is Obamacare. Mr. Pearson has told analysts that it is standard industry practice to raise the price of a drug shortly before it faces generic competition, which Glumetza might face in February. The drug industry argues that list prices are typically not what health plans pay after discounts and rebates are negotiated, and there is evidence that these discounts are increasing. But even if patients are often shielded, the costs are paid by insurers, hospitals and taxpayers and lead to higher premiums and co-payments for everyone, critics say. There is much more in the NYT piece but the kicker is the chart which will soon make its way to a Congressional deposition room and the latest kangaroo court in which Congress demands a corporate CEO explain how dare he take advantage of the idiotic laws passed... by Congress. As the NYT calls it, the VRX price increases are "astronomical" - an adjective that will stick with the company throughout the now-inevitable congressional hearings: For Prescription Drugs, Some Astronomical Price Increases - Valeant Pharmaceuticals has made a business of buying prescription drugs and raising their prices when possible. Now some members of Congress are demanding information from the company about price increases on two heart drugs, one of which is Isuprel. Some examples of price increases in Valeant’s drugs over the last several years: What happens next: "last week, Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform demanded that Valeant be subpoenaed for information about big price increases on two old heart drugs that the company acquired in February." After this NYT article, one can be certain that the House will get its subpoena, but the bigger irony is the following: Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, called for efforts to control “price gouging” after a public outcry over the actions of Turing Pharmaceuticals, which abruptly increased the price on a drug to $750 a tablet from $13.50. Yes, it will indeed be great to have Hillary involved because as we said two weeks ago, we are very curious "to see how Hillary's populist outrage at [biotech price gougers] will be explained when the public realizes that it is only thanks to the benefits of socialized insurance programs such as Obamacare, of which Hillary is a staunch supporter, that such price gouging was possible in the first place." Finally, just in case the rest of the biotech and specialty pharma industry thinks it is safe and that Valeant will be the scapegoat for everyone's shadow price increases, here comes Bloomberg with "Pfizer Raised Prices on 133 Drugs This Year, And It's Not Alone" Pfizer Inc., the nation’s biggest drugmaker, has raised prices on 133 of its brand-name products in the U.S. this year, according to research from UBS, more than three-quarters of which added up to hikes of 10 percent or more. It’s not alone. Rival Merck & Co. raised the price of 38 drugs, about a quarter of which resulted in increases of 10 percent or more. Pfizer sells more than 600 drugs globally while Merck has more than 200 worldwide, including almost 100 in the U.S. Pfizer's saving grace: it's average price hike according to Deutsche Bank was 9%, or "only" 5 times more than core inflation. Will this be enough to placate Congress which is finally realizing the Frankenstein pricing monster the broken US healthcare system has unleashed? The answer will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Republicans’ relentless attack on the Affordable Care Act certainly contributed to changing opinion. So did the botched rollout of the federal government’s health insurance marketplace, healthcare.gov, and rising premiums. But that doesn’t fully account for the fundamental shift. In “Post-Racial or Most-Racial: Race and Politics in the Obama Era,” (University of Chicago Press), Michael Tesler, an assistant professor of political science at the University of California, Irvine, argues that “the declining support for government health insurance during Barack Obama’s presidency was driven by racially conservative defections.” Drawing from the 2012 American National Election Study, Professor Tesler found that only one-fifth of the most “racially resentful” whites (measured by their responses to questions about the causes of racial inequality and discrimination) supported health insurance provided by the government, compared with half of the least racially resentful. Much of the opposition is set off directly by President Obama’s race, Professor Tesler says. In similar surveys from 1988 to 2008, before Mr. Obama became president, support for government health insurance among racially resentful whites was considerably higher. Opposition is also fueled by the sense that blacks would gain more; 56 percent of respondents to a poll in 2010 commissioned by Stanford and The Associated Press said the Affordable Care Act would “probably cause most black Americans to get better health care than they get today.” Only 45 percent said the same thing about whites. The dynamic doesn’t apply just to health care. Professor Tesler finds similar racial patterns in support of raising top marginal tax rates and in favor of the fiscal stimulus package of 2009. Fewer than 20 percent of the most racially resentful whites thought the stimulus was a good idea, compared with more than 60 percent of the most racially liberal. Mr. Obama’s race probably intensified such misgivings, but they have been there all along, shaping politics and policy for a very long time.

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Muharrem İnce claimed on Friday that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is planning to dismiss 300,000 more state employees once the “yes” camp comes in with a victory in Sunday’s referendum on a constitutional package that will change country’s system of governance to an executive presidency. Speaking during a referendum rally in Yalova province on Friday, İnce said, “Based on talk circulating in the corridors of Ankara, 300,000 civil servants will be dismissed or suspended once the ‘yes’ vote emerges [as the winner of the referendum].” “I am calling on civil servants, teachers, police officers, accountants, nurses and all other [state employees]. Are you out of your minds? Can someone say ‘yes’ to this [in the referendum]?” he added. Underlining that Sunday’s referendum will define not by whom but how Turkey will be governed, İnce said the country will be dragged into the league of Third World countries once the “yes” camp wins. The April 16 referendum will grant excessive powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and switch Turkey to an executive presidency. During a state of emergency that was declared by the AKP government following a failed coup last July, over 135.000 civil servants, mainly dissidents, have been purged from state jobs due to their alleged links to the coup.

A religious Williamstown, Kentucky, theme park created a stir this week in the gay and transgender community by announcing it will be illuminated in a rainbow light every night. While the colorful new lighting of the Ark Encounter, a large-scale Noah’s Ark replica filled with exhibits, spurred numerous responses from Ark supporters, some in the LGBTQ community made fun of the move. Ken Ham, president, CEO and founder of the Ark Encounter, announced the new color scheme in a series of tweets on Tuesday, saying that the decision was made to “remind the world that God owns the rainbow.” The @ArkEncounter is lit permanently at night with a rainbow to remind the world that God owns the rainbow & is a sign of His covenant pic.twitter.com/U0dmKnXV2v — Ken Ham (@aigkenham) July 18, 2017 The rainbow is a reminder God will never again judge the wickedness of man with a global Flood--next time the world will be judged by fire pic.twitter.com/K568yMnNsP — Ken Ham (@aigkenham) July 18, 2017 Sign Up and Save Get six months of free digital access to The Sacramento Bee Ham’s call to “take back” the rainbow dates to at least 2007. He wrote a post on his website, Answers in Genesis, that said the rainbow should be a reminder that God judges sin, but said he would never judge the world with a flood again. “The rainbow has been used as a sign of a new era and a symbol of peace, love, and freedom,” Ham wrote in the 2007 post. “Sadly, the colors of the rainbow are even used on a flag for the gay and lesbian movement.” While Ham said Christians want to re-appropriate the rainbow, Twitter responses indicated the LGBTQ community and their supporters are enjoying the Ark’s new lighting. One person responded to the announcement on Twitter, saying “I didn’t realize Noah was so progressive,” while another called it an “awesome pride float.” John Gidding, a celebrity architect, responded with a thread of tweets, including one that read, “Will you have a gay animal couple in there?! Penguins are overplayed — I say make the dinosaurs you have in there gay! JurasSICK!” Other Twitter users appeared to align with Ham, saying it “was about time” and thanking him for returning the symbol to “God’s glory.” It is a sign of that covenant! Blessed be the name of the Lord!!!! — Luke Appleton ♱ (@lukeappleton) July 18, 2017 About time we take the rainbow back and it means what God said it means! Man perverts everything! — Mr. HiBye2ya (@JOHNNYAPPLE65) July 18, 2017 I love it! Thank you for taking back the Rainbow for God's glory. — TruthReport (@TruthReport_) July 18, 2017 My wife and I visited the Ark Encounter last year and loved it! Love the new lights even more.https://t.co/ymlh9f4MHs — Michael V. Wilson (@MichaelV_Wilson) July 20, 2017 This isn’t the first time in recent months that the Ark Encounter has made headlines. In late June, the attraction sold its main area of land, worth $48 million, to a non-profit affiliate for $10. Williamstown officials said they think this could have been the first step to becoming a non-profit, which would allow the theme park to avoid city, state and federal taxes. On Wednesday, the Williamstown City Council was reportedly told by the city attorney that the Ark Encounter had offered to pay a newly proposed safety tax as long as it was capped at $500,000 a year. The Ark Encounter is a 510-foot-long, 85-foot-wide structure meant to express the belief that the earth is 12,000 years old or younger and that dinosaurs and people lived at the same time.

Rolling jeans has always been a very personal thing, people either love it or hate it. Some types of rolls make it to trend status, but these days jean rolling has become very post modern, do what you like, whatever feels right. There is no real science to rolling denim. It’s an intuitive process. Though, until I thought about all the different ways one can bring up the hemline of their denim, did I realize that there are so many ways to do it. 1. The Neat Cuff What it is an how to do it: The Neat Cuff is one fold up, often pressed to maintain it’s crispness. Types of jeans that work with it: Skinny jeans, cigarette cut jeans, straight leg Wear it with: Flats, low heels 2. The Carefree Cuff What it is an how to do it: Like the Neat Cuff, but more organic and free spirited Types of jeans that work with it: Skinny jeans, skinny slouch, straight leg, distressed jeans Wear it with: Whimsical shoes, heels, statement pieces 3. The Classic Peg What it is an how to do it: Before there were skinny jeans, there was the pegged jean. Fold your jean sideways so it’s tight around the ankle and then roll up. Types of jeans that work with it: Boyfriend jeans, straight leg jeans, boot cut Wear it with: Open toe booties, heels, sandals 4. The Pressed Cuff What it is an how to do it: The Pressed Cuff is neatly folded twice to conceal the hem and pressed or sewn in place. Types of jeans that work with it: Twill pants, lightweight denim, trouser cuff. Wear it with: Statement heels, oxfords 5. The Messy Roll What it is an how to do it: Imperfect beauty. The Messy Roll is an intuitive way to roll your jeans, for the tousled, relaxed look. Just roll and don’t think about it too much. Types of jeans that work with it: Skinny, boyfriend, tattered jeans, cropped jeans Wear it with: Flats, heels (the fancier the better the contrast), sandals, brogues 6. The Bubble Roll What it is an how to do it: The Bubble Roll is a true roll, take the hem and literally roll the denim up. Types of jeans that work with it: Skinny, Cropped (it has to be somewhat tight to maintain the roll) Wear it with: Low heels, flats, sandals

Warriors guard Stephen Curry provides an update on how his injured knee is progressing and when he believes he will return to the court. (1:37) Stephen Curry has resumed light shooting without movement on his injured right knee, with the hope that he can get into scrimmages by the end of the week, perhaps in time to be ready for Game 3 of the Golden State Warriors' Western Conference semifinal series against Portland. In a sideline interview with ESPN's Lisa Salters during Sunday's Game 1 win over Portland, Curry said the chances of him returning for Game 3 are "pretty good." "To me they're pretty good, so I'll do anything I can this week to make that happen," Curry said. Coach Steve Kerr said Monday that Curry wouldn't be available for Tuesday night's Game 2 with the Warriors up 1-0 in the best-of-seven series after a 118-106 victory Sunday in the opener. Curry only briefly showed his face during the team's shooting time Monday. Golden State didn't hold a formal practice but instead watched film and shot around. He didn't take any shots during the portion the media could watch. "It just depends how his week goes," Kerr said Sunday of Curry's status for Game 3. "We'll just monitor him and see how it goes and hopefully get him back at some point. It's nice to have that long break between 2 and 3." Curry sprained his right MCL when he slipped on a wet spot just before halftime of a win at Houston in Game 4 of the first round. He said Friday that he hoped to do some shooting within a day or two. That happened Saturday. Curry will have to test the knee by putting pressure on it and planting on it when he shoots and then in some five-on-five scrimmages. The Warriors are scheduled to take Wednesday off from practice, which means Curry could get into running on the court by Thursday or Friday. After Curry's MRI exam on Monday, general manager Bob Myers estimated that the point guard would be sidelined for two weeks, based on other players with similar injuries. "I'm doing a lot more rehab-wise, trying to test my body out a little bit," Curry told Salters. "I'm looking forward to getting back on the court, maybe a practice setting and see how it feels. "I've gotten pretty much my full range of motion back. It's still painful but for the most part I can get on my feet and try to do basketball activities that will get me back into the playoff atmosphere." Portland's job in the best-of-seven series against the defending champions doesn't get much easier without Curry. "They're a great team without Steph. They're a historically great team with him," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said before Sunday's game. "They have a style of play. They have an identity. Everybody understands their roles. They do what they do well. They're an exceptional team with Steph and what he can bring to the table, but I think the last six quarters showed how good they are without him as well." Curry, of course, wants to shorten his time on the bench. He said Friday that he knows he won't be 100 percent when he returns. "It's all speculation," Kerr said. "As Bob said from the beginning, the two-week timetable was just kind of a random guess more than anything, based on past history of these MCL injuries. So we don't really know, but that's the hope -- that by the middle of next week, we'll get him back in more basketball-type movements." For now, Curry, with a league-best 30.1 points per game, is enjoying watching his teammates succeed. "I had the utmost faith and confidence in the 14 other guys on this team to go out and show who they are and what they're capable of, and they've obviously done that," Curry said. "I only played 38 minutes in the first round, and we finished it in five. They're a very capable group without me. Obviously I'd like to be out there with them, and I feel like we're a better team when I'm out there, but the way that they play and the way they have that confidence and swagger about them, it's fun to watch. We're going to need that, the same energy, focus and confidence, going forward to start this next round." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

In March 2014 Australian singer-songwriter Carl Coleman and Danish producer and pianist Caspar Hesselager started recording and experimenting together. By sending each other their own bits and pieces and songs from other bands as inspiration they found their own sound where the organic songwriting and guitar-strumming of Carl merges with Caspar’s skills as a producer and classically-trained pianist turned electro. Caspar elaborates on how the two work together: “one of the reasons working with Carl is great, is that his background is totally different from mine, yet we still seem to end up musically in a place where we really enjoy being. I studied classical piano, played a lot of jazz and ended up doing a lot of electronic music and pop as well, but Carl's playing and singer-songwriter background is sort of a missing piece in all that, something I never dived into myself apart from listening to it. We both like a lot of the same music, and I think we just compliment each other well.” The name Palace Winter comes from an old hotel (Winter Palace) in Menton in the south of France (also a name of a song on the EP) where Carl stayed in the summer of 2014. Caspar switched the words, and the duo thought it sounded like a person's name. “Like a strange character from a Wes Anderson movie” says Caspar.

Description Thanks to Elmedia Player you can get an easy access to your favorite music, videos and photos right on your Apple TV. No conversions needed! Just connect your computer to Apple TV via WiFi and play your media files. **Elmedia Player features at a... Read More Thanks to Elmedia Player you can get an easy access to your favorite music, videos and photos right on your Apple TV. No conversions needed! Just connect your computer to Apple TV via WiFi and play your media files. **Elmedia Player features at a glance** *Supports all video and audio file types without conversion. *Easily adjustable playback speed. *Use media files from macOS, Windows, and Linux via file sharing (SMB only). *Play music, watch movies, view images directly from the server. *Improve the video image quality (deblocking filter and deinterlacing). *Works great with external and built-in subtitles. Adjust color, size, font, text encoding and language. *Supports internal audio tracks. Select the preferred language of audio track. *View photos on Apple TV: as a slideshow or in random order. Set the time of display of every photo and the transition effects. *Files are neatly organized in the library within three library categories (Videos, Music, Photos). This includes any media items and folders from shared computers and file servers. *Apple TV light and dark colored styles are both supported. Collapse

Freenters founders admitted to weak security after a group calling themselves the UChicago Electronic Army (UEA) hacked into the free printing service’s system and dumped users’ personal information online. At 10:20 a.m. Thursday, 3,015 Freenters customers received an e-mail from the official Freenters e-mail account, sent by the UEA, lambasting Freenters’ lack of security and providing a link to a file containing “data concerning the first and last name, email, birthdate (for those registered before 2/20/2013), major, and grade” of users, as well as “protected forms of passwords,” according to a statement from Freenters. The UEA message called users “Freentards” and stated, “we regret to inform you that we’ve been hacked super fucking hard.” Third-year Helen Gao was hacked even though she said she has not used the service since signing up last fall. “I wasn’t terribly surprised that they got hacked, I guess, but I was pretty surprised someone took the time to do that and write that immature of a message,” she said. Freenters customers were left confused as to whether their passwords had been compromised after the attack. Freenters sent an e-mail about two hours after the attack apologizing for the actions but claiming that users’ passwords were secure. An hour later, Freenters clarified through their Facebook page, saying “we highly recommend that you change your password for other accounts.” IT Services later sent an e-mail to affected students with the same advice. Allison Shapiro, a sophomore at Northwestern University, where the company has operated since this fall, also received the UEA e-mail. According to Shapiro, Northwestern’s IT Services made similar suggestions to UChicago’s. However, she was concerned that Freenters was unclear about the exact nature of the attack. “The e-mail they sent us specifically said that our personal information such as account passwords was not compromised, so I was really confused when I got this separate e-mail from the IT people saying that in fact it had been,” she said. While users’ passwords have not directly been made public, a “hashed” version of the password has been made available. Hashing runs a password through a complicated function which delivers a stream of numbers and letters on the other side. According to Borja Sotomayor, associate director for technology and faculty director of Hack@UChicago, hashed passwords can always be decrypted using a “brute force” hacking method, but how long it would take a hacker to crack the password depends on the password and how it was hashed. “Usually when you’re using a hashed function like SHA-256, you don’t run the hashing function just once. You run it literally hundreds or thousands of times,” Sotomayor said, referencing the specific form of hashing that Freenters used. “The big issue from what I’ve been able to tell from the data that’s been made available is that they used a single round of hashing, which makes it very easy to brute force the hashes.” One alumnus who did not wish to be named stated that he had been able to crack a friend’s hashed password relatively easily. “I gave it a try and was able to do in less than one minute. While it would obviously take some time to crack all of the hashes…any one hash in isolation can probably be cracked quickly. In short, it’s definitely necessary to assume that all passwords are (or can be) compromised,” he wrote in an e-mail. Freenters co-founder and fourth-year Hyesung Kim admitted their security was “weak” but said that the attack took them “completely by surprise.” “There was not a single indication. We not only got hacked on our website. The hacker, we assume, actually visited all of our printing stations around 3 or 4 in the morning and printed 999 pages of a printed document that pretty much says, ‘Why Freent?’” Kim and Freenters leaders met with administrators at IT Security yesterday to begin an investigation into the incident. “There must be some traces that the hackers have left. We’re giving all the information we get to NSIT and IT Services so they can do the investigation in terms of who hacked the website,” Kim said. Sotomayor said that from what he had heard, Freenters made it much too easy to access users’ personal information. “What’s being implied by the e-mail that was sent and the other stuff that’s being implied around it is that basically they were running a lot of their code with basically administrative privileges, which means that if someone was able to hijack the server they would immediately be able to access stuff like the contents of the databases, they would be able to access stuff like password information, and so forth,” he said. Software engineer Hillel Wayne (A.B. ’13) added, “I remember a year or two ago a friend demonstrating how insecure the site was—apparently they didn’t have the server password protected. He was able to go in and mess around with the ads.” Kim said the company had taken steps to verify the security of the website even before the hack. “We actually changed our website twice and our application four times, and each time, we tried to make sure the security was not easily able to be broken. This is the first time that it has happened to us. We’re wondering how they were able to break in.” However, Wayne claims that Freenters has been insecure since its inception, and the UEA just exposed these problems. “People could have been stealing passwords for years and Freenters wouldn’t have cared. Hopefully this shock will get them to actually do something. At the very least, now the average user knows their platform is insecure, which should make them think twice before giving them information,” he said. “In some ways, the UEA was doing the users of Freenters a service.” Kim said the Freenters team would learn from this to make the service better. “I just want people to understand: I’m not trying to blame others. It’s Freenters’ fault,” Kim said. “This is a turning point for us—the message that the hacker gave us. We’re going to make sure that this doesn’t happen again the future.” Sotomayor casts blame on both sides for the hack. “It’s easy to flip this around and suddenly blame the developers of the site,” he said. “If you leave the door of your apartment open with the keys there, if someone goes in and steals all your stuff, it makes it no less of a crime.”

Easy to make and looking very impressive on the table, Charlotte’s are elegant molded cakes filled with mousse or custard and surrounded lady fingers. If you’re looking for a light dessert to finish a good meal, these mini lemon and coconut charlottes have a great lemony flavor balanced by the smooth mascarpone custard. We add a bit of gelatin to the custard to make it hold a little better. Preparation time: 30 min – Resting: 1 night See more Ingredients list for the Lemon and Coconut Mini Charlottes Makes 6-8 individual desserts: 1 packages lady fingers, halved crosswise 1/2 pound (250g) mascarpone 0.4 cup (75g) + 2 1/2 tablespoons (30g) sugar 3 large eggs 2+1 fresh lemons 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin powder 0.4 cup (10cl) of water Grated coconut Directions 1. Place small pastry rings, individual size, on a tray and line the bottom and sides with plastic wrap so that you can close it on top later. 2. Soak half the ladyfingers in a mixture of water, the juice of one lemon, and 2 1/2 tablespoons (30g) of sugar. Garnish the pastry rings with the soaked biscuits. 3. Soak the gelatine in cold water for about 10 minutes. 4. Squeeze 2 lemons, and lightly heat the juice. Add lukewarm lemon juice lukewarm to gelatin. 5. Beat the egg yolks with 0.4 cup (75g) sugar. Add the mascarpone and lemon juice with gelatin. 6. Beat the egg whites until stiff, then gently fold into the previous preparation. Distribute the mixture in the pastry rings and cover with plastic film. Place a plate or a tray on top of the pastry rings and refrigerate overnight. 7. Before serving, remove the pastry ring to un-mold the charlottes and sprinkle with shredded coconut. Here you are! A fresh and light dessert to finish any type of meal!

Some of Hwang and Binx’s lenticular card-versions of art GIFs. (Hwang and Binx) We live in an age of great GIF ubiquity. The animated images, receptacles of small, silent feeling, news, or art, are everywhere and here to stay. GIFs are malleable yet sharable, concise yet context-free. They’re also trapped online: Introduced in 1987, the Graphic Interchange Format is a product and prisoner of the digital world. Or are they? A new project is trying to liberate GIFs from the digital world with the help of one old, weird, 20th-century technology. Two programmer-designers, Sha Hwang and Rachel Binx, debuted a Kickstarter campaign today—and saw it funded, in the same day—to print animated GIFs onto lenticular-printed cards. Now that it’s funded, their project, GIFPop, could turn your favorite GIF into a little card you can hold in your hand. You’re likely familiar with lenticular film: It’s the pitted, prismatic plastic pictures often on postcards or packaging. A lenticular image appears to move as the viewer moves, its animation looping within a short number of frames. Lenticular film has been around for generations: According to a 1999 New York Times story, the technology dates back to World War II, “when developments in plastics made it possible to create the ribbed sheet that sits on top of every motion-image card and autostereo image.” The thaumatrope, a disk with two images on both sides, was popular during the 19th century and is a precursor of cinema. (This is a GIF of a thaumatrope, from Wikimedia Commons.) Lenticular images, in other words, constitute a short, tradable, malleable form that can display, in a loop, a series of images or a moving image. Like many other early, material precursors to animation (the thaumotrope, for example!), it shares many attributes with GIFs. The power of both GIFs and lenticular film springs from their constraints—even if, for the lenticular plastic, the constraints are material (they can only store about 10 frames) or, for GIFs, attentional (make a GIF too large and it won’t download speedily).

The move towards civilians working at passport control in Dublin Airport's Terminal One will be completed this summer. It is part of a move towards freeing up garda resources. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald announced last September that there would be a major programme of reform to "civilianise" immigration functions currently undertaken by gardai. She said that when completed it would release 125 members of the force to core duties. frontline The programme includes the use of civilian immigration officers to undertake frontline passport checks at Dublin Airport. Ms Fitzgerald said this week that the initiative involves the deployment of 80 civilian staff at the airport's border control booths for 24 hours a day, every day. "This project is now under way, and the move to a 24/7 civilian operation in Terminal One is expected to be completed this summer," she said. The minister added that civilians have been operating in Terminal One from Monday to Friday. "Thirty five civilian staff are currently deployed there," she said. The measures will be implemented at Terminal Two by December. "I am looking at further deployment of civilian officers to other major ports of entry to the State, where this makes sense from a cost and efficiency perspective," Ms Fitzgerald added. The new employees have joined the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of the Department of Justice, and they entered training before being assigned to the airport. There was controversy last year when passengers arriving at the airport's passport control outside of business hours faced long queues because the civil servants who run the "self-service" border screening programme only worked on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. The automated border control gates or "e-gates" were introduced with much fanfare at Terminal One in May 2013 by former Justice Minister Alan Shatter to cater for EU, EEA and Swiss passport holders. Passports could be electronically scanned instead of having to be presented to gardai or immigration officials. Subsequently, opening hours at the self-service gates were extended which alleviated the backlog. Meanwhile, Ms Fitzgerald has eased that applications for refugee status or asylum originated from 67 countries last year. processing "I am advised by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, the independent body with responsibility for the processing of applications for refugee status, that applications originated from 67 countries in 2014," she said. The top 10 countries of origin were Pakistan, Nigeria, Albania, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Algeria, DR Congo, Malawi, South Africa and Ukraine. These countries accounted for almost 71pc of all applications received. Applications for refugee status originated from 37 countries in the first two months of this year. fdillon@herald.ie

The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly in the market for a left-handed reliever to add to their bullpen. Here are five options the team could pursue this offseason. The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly in the market for a left-handed reliever to add to their bullpen, according to MASN’s Roch Kubatko. As it stands, the Baltimore Orioles’ bullpen is mostly right-handed, with the exception of Zach Britton, Richard Bleier, and Donnie Hart. Every Orioles fan knows all about what happened to Britton last season. Plagued by injuries, the former All-Star only pitched 37.1 innings last year, grabbing 15 saves and pitching to a respectable 2.89 ERA, though his 3.48 xFIP suggests that there was a bit of luck involved in that. Britton, one of the most dominant closers in all of baseball, is on the final year of his contract, and will likely be testing free agency after this upcoming season to cash in on a big payday, but first, he has to prove he’s healthy. As for Bleier and Hart, the two lefties pitched well enough. Bleier had an excellent year, pitching to a 1.99 ERA in 63.1 innings, but Hart had a bit more of a difficult year, pitching to a 3.71 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched. Both of them had fairly fortunate years, as their peripherals suggest they should’ve had worse ERAs. While Bleier had a 1.99 ERA, his xFIP was 4.35, and while Hart had a 3.71 ERA, his xFIP was 4.91. Needless to say, it’s understandable why the Baltimore Orioles are looking for some left-handed reliever help. Here, we’ll take a look at five free-agent left-handed relievers that the Orioles could potentially pursue.

With Japanese players just about to enjoy the release of Ultra Street Fighter IV in arcades across the country, the community is now looking to Capcom for word on when they will be able to enjoy the game in the comfort of their homes. That answer may have just been answered in the latest issue of Famitsu, which boldly proclaims that the console version of the fighter will arrive on August 7 and provides additional information about training mode, alternate costumes, and more. Previous announcements peg this as the physical and PC release date, which will come shortly after the digital release in June. Whether or not this pertains to regions outside of Japan or is exclusive to the country remains to be seen, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated as more information becomes available. Training Mode adds a few new functions, the first being a network simulation setting. As online versus play can introduce significant amounts of lag, this allows players to add latency to their inputs in order to simulate an online play environment. Another new feature for Training Mode is the save and reload function. For example, with C. Viper, you can save the instant that her Seismic Hammer launches the opponent into the air then replay the situation to practice follow-up combos from the attack. As you may already know, the five new characters Poison, Hugo, Elena, Rolento and Decapre will be receiving an alternate costumes created by UDON Entertainment as a pre-order bonus, the latter of which was just revealed yesterday. In addition to those costumes, players will also be able to use costumes from Street Fighter x Tekken for the five new characters if they have save data from the crossover present on their consoles, with Decapre taking Cammy’s alternate get-up. This does not include the Tekken-crossover swap costumes. These costumes will also be available in the arcade version. Regarding the arcade version of Ultra Street Fighter IV, some player save data from the previous title will carry over, while other data will be reset with the new game. Below you can verify what stays and what goes. Save Data Information [column size=”one-half”] Carries Over Titles Battle Challenges My Store Alternate costumes Main color/sub color Appeals/Win quote Voice settings/Zeny/Stamps My Guild (Master only) [/column] [column size=”one-half” last=”true”] [/column] [column size=”one-half” last=”true”] Resets Memorable Match results Player quotes Battle Points Player Points Battle Class Player Rank Recent match results Overall battle records My Guild (Members only) [/column] [/column] And finally, Edition Select remains an offline-only affair at this point in time. We’ve included a scan of the screenshots in question below courtesy of Kurushii, so feel free to give it a look and let us know what you think. Source: Famitsu via Kurushii, other contributions and translations courtesy of USD.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Ms Park said she had "put too much faith" in her friendship with Ms Choi South Korea's President Park Geun-hye says she is "heartbroken" over a scandal threatening her leadership. She said she took sole responsibility for her close friend Choi Soon-sil's access to government documents and was willing to be investigated. Ms Choi is suspected of using her friendship with Ms Park to solicit business donations for a non-profit fund she controlled. She was detained on Monday. A former aide to Ms Park was held on Thursday. A friendship too far in Seoul? On Thursday, a spokesman for Seoul Central District Court said it had accepted a request from prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant for Ms Choi, on charges of fraud and abuse of power. Prosecutors have also said they are expanding their official investigation. 'Sad thoughts trouble my sleep' The scandal has left Ms Park with an approval rating of just 5%. Image copyright AFP/getty Image caption Ms Choi, a long-time friend of Ms Park's, is the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a shadowy quasi-religious leader She has already replaced her prime minster, reshuffled her cabinet and dismissed several aides, but there are growing calls for her resignation or impeachment. Ms Park has admitted letting Ms Choi help her with speeches, without security clearance, while there are also reports that Ms Choi was closely involved in forming government policy. In a brief televised address on Friday, an emotional Ms Park again apologised, saying she "put too much faith in a personal relationship and didn't look carefully at what was happening". "Sad thoughts trouble my sleep at night. I realise that whatever I do, it will be difficult to mend the hearts of the people, and then I feel a sense of shame and ask myself, 'Is this the reason I became president?'" She said anyone found to have done wrong would be punished, and "if necessary, I'm determined to let prosecutors investigate me and accept an investigation by an independent counsel too". But she denied speculation that her presidency had been influenced by a cult or that shamanistic rituals had been held at the presidential compound. Ms Choi, a long-time friend of Ms Park's, is the daughter of Choi Tae-min, a shadowy quasi-religious leader who was closely linked to Ms Park's father, then-president Park Chung-hee.

Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Brock Stassi (center) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports Phillies Power Ranking: 10 players most likely to be traded this summer by George Stockburger Still completely unpredictable, you never know what you’re going to get from the Phillies. It’s a day by day adventure, but there seems to be an improvement The Phillies have been an interesting watch so far this season. It is clear to see that this lineup is vastly better at scoring runs than last year’s squad and statistics support the eye test. Let’s break that down a little more using the first twenty-five games as a benchmark. By The Numbers The 2016 Phils scored just 82 runs through their first twenty-five games. In comparison, this year the Phils have pushed 119 runners across the plate. That’s good for a +37 run differential in the same amount of games. Many of Philadelphia’s runs this season came April 8 when they scored 17 runs against the Nationals. The largest margin of victory at this point last season was just four runs in a 10-6 win over the Brewers. Meanwhile, they suffered three different losses by seven or more runs. Runs Per Game Philadelphia managed to average just 3.28 runs per game in 2016. In 2017? 4.76 runs per game. That +1.48 differential shows a substantial upturn in production for a team will little expectation for run scoring coming into the season. Calculate that out over the course of the year and the team would be on pace to score their most runs in a season since 2010. The Phils Love 4 Coincidence or consistency? Philadelphia has scored exactly 4 runs in a game ten times this season. That’s good for 40% of all games and the most of any team with any run total. Given their runs per game average, the number makes perfect sense. In fact, the Phils have scored four or more runs in 18 out of 25 or 72% of games this season. In contrast, last year’s team scored four or more runs in just 9 of the first 25 games. What does it all mean? It means that the Phils are heading in the right direction. Although still full of rip-your-hair-out type of moments, the 2017 club is scoring runs at a clip that rivals some of the best years of Philadelphia baseball. Now, they just have to keep pace. Statistics referenced from Baseball Reference.